Rock Island showing of Harris Neck documentary honors “strength and resilience” of Black Americans
“The Taking of Harris Neck” tells the story of the federal government’s illegal land seizure of Harris Neck in 1942 from descendants of slaves.
Gaye Shannon Burnett, head of the Azubuike African American Council for the Arts, describes the film as a tribute to the “strength and resilience” of Black Americans.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” role inspires focus on empathy for “America’s Got Talent” star Brian Justin Crum
Brian Justin Crum rocked the music world when he provided a moving cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” in 2016.
He went on to finish fourth in “America’s Got Talent” and has since become a role model for the LGBTQ+ community. And he’ll perform in Carbondale, Ill., tonight as part of Pride in Action-Southern Il and its three-day Pride celebration.
Two-day Mic Check Poetry Fest features “rock-star Black women,” virtual attendance option
Diversity is the key to this year’s Mic Check Poetry Fest, says organizer Caleb Rainey. In addition to headliners Patricia Smith and Ebony Stewart, the festival also features seven top Midwestern poets who are diverse “both racially and in terms of queer,” and activities that are suited to writers who are new or seasoned.
Black Alphabet Film Festival showcases Black LGBTQ+ Filmmakers with Chicago event, virtual option
For nine years, the Black Alphabet Film Festival has provided opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ and same-gender-loving (SGL) filmmakers to help share the experiences of their community. You can partake of this year’s event Saturday and Sunday either virtually, or in-person in Chicago.
Levitation Jones brings “ambiguous and androgynous” vibe to bass music
Levitation Jones is a bass music star hailing from the Northeast who aims to attract “anybody that feels a little more misunderstood.”
Former teacher discovers artist inside
CEDAR FALLS -- For more than 30 years, Lisa Breithaupt poured herself into teaching kids and teens about living healthy and working as a team. But when she retired from teaching physical education in nearby Dunkerton, another part of her emerged: an artist who...
Auction showcases Southern Illinois artists for LGBTQ center
More than 20 Southern Illinois artists are showcased in Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Community Center’s “Frame in Love” art auction.
How is the arts world handling COVID and its controversies?
With the image of “Veiled Truth” watching us, Joan Altabe examines how resistance to COVID restrictions has affected the arts world.
Share the joy of books, reading in “Off the Shelf” reviews
Welcome to our new book review feature, "Off the Shelf." Open to any book reader who wants to share your thoughts on how you're affected by what you read, Off the Shelf is also led by decades-long voracious reader and personal reading activist Cathy Chavez, who will...
REMINISCENCE: An I.C. Kings Photo Gallery, courtesy of Hugh Jindapants
Amanda Green (aka Hugh Jindapants) helped co-found the I.C. Kings of Iowa City 10 years ago. Here, their decade of performing as Jindapants -- a crass, showy, sneering display of toxic masculinity -- is captured along with several highlight group shots of the I.C....
“The Prophets Never Saw It Coming”
Max Brash stood in a bubble on the moon, ready to launch the most epic gender reveal party in the history of the human race. In front of him were nearly a hundred transparent monitors linked to his mission control – which was really just one person, his buddy Dave....
A game that’s serious about LGBTQ+ community, relationships: Mass Effect
I often tell people I was born with an Atari 2600 controller in my hand. One of my earliest memories was my parents showing off the Atari at my grandparents' house to my aunts and uncles. Games of Berzerk, Missile Command, and Space Invaders lasted long into the...
Galena LitFest welcomes Angela Trudell Vasquez, Madison’s first-ever Latina poet laureate
Angela Trudell Vasquez is the first-ever Latino poet laureate for Madison, Wis., a community with a thriving poetry scene.
She’ll speak Thursday, Jan. 26, as part of Galena LitFest in a presentation available in-person and online.
Learn about Vasquez’ childhood in Iowa City and Des Moines, her commitment to both editing and free-writing, and her many projects to bring the beauty of poetry alive for students and others.
Her talk tonight starts at 6 p.m.; pre-registration is required for both online and in-person attendance.
Graphic designer Danielle Ellis teams with actress Lakeia Hodges for somber photo shoot
After Hurricane Joaquin devastated South Caroline in 2015, artist and design professional Danielle Ellis headed to Johns Island with her camera and model Lakeia Hodges. The result was a photo essay juxtaposing a carefree young woman against the backdrop of nature's...
Iowa City rock vocalist Nikki Lunden Trotter finds solace in photography, too
Most people know of Nikki Lunden Trotter as the founder and lead singer for Natural Habits, an Iowa City rock band. But she’s also discovered a love of photography — especially the kind that helps express angst.
Explore three photo galleries from this prolific musician whose career spans more than 30 years and at least eight different combinations of musicians.
World AIDS Day inspires “Being & Belonging” in the Quad Cities, more events in Illinois and Iowa
DAVENPORT, IA — “Being & Belonging” is an international look at living with HIV and AIDS, and it’s coming to the Quad Cities Thursday courtesy of The Project of the Quad Cities, DeLaCerda House, and Figge Art Museum.
Read about the artists featured in the film, plus learn about seven other World AIDS Day events happening in Iowa and Illinois.
It features artists from Columbia, Mexico, Korea and more sharing what it’s like to live with HIV and AIDS in different cultures and countries.
This World AIDS Day commemoration, among many throughout Iowa and Illinois, also includes a reception and vigil. The Dec. 1 event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Body positivity, self-discovery through burlesque on stage in Moline at Striptease Academy Showcase
Burlesque as therapy, self-discovery, empowerment and exploring gender will all be part of tonight’s Striptease Academy 2022 Showcase at The Spotlight Theatre in Moline. It’s one of the year’s last big events for Mary Quite Contrary’s House of Burlesque. It’s one of the year’s final events for MQC’s, a Quad Cities burlesque troupe that’s been performing and providing burlesque and striptease education for six years.