Little Village Issue 343 - Bread & Butter 2025 by Little Village Magazine

Your Annual Guide to Dining in Iowa

Meals on two Wheels

LV writers review 40+ Iowa restaurants, from fresh new spots to well-greased staples.

One farmer’s scourge is another’s fungal fortune. Get a taste of corn smut.

As politicians vilify the unhoused and hungry, a group of Des Moines cyclists deliver dignity.

Little Village (ISSN 2328-3351) is an independent, community-supported news and culture publication based in Iowa City, published monthly by Little Village, LLC, 623 S Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Through journalism, essays and events, we work to improve our community according to core values: environmental sustainability, affordability and access, economic and labor justice, racial justice, gender equity, quality healthcare, quality education and critical culture. Letters to the editor(s) are always welcome. We reserve the right to fact check and edit for length and clarity. Please send letters, comments or corrections to editor@littlevillagemag.com. Subscriptions: lv@littlevillagemag. com. The US annual subscription price is $120. All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. If you would like to reprint or collaborate on new content, reach us at lv@littlevillagemag. com. To browse back issues, visit us online at issuu.com/littlevillage.

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EDITORIAL

Publisher

Jordan Sellergren jordan@littlevillagemag.com

Editor-in-Chief

Emma McClatchey emma@littlevillagemag.com

Arts Editor

Chuy Renteria chuy@littlevillagemag.com

News Director

Paul Brennan paul@littlevillagemag.com

Graphic Designer

Kellan Doolittle kellan@littlevillagemag.com

Calendar/Event Listings

Sean Haskins calendar@littlevillagemag.com

En Español Editor

Claudia Pozzobon Potratz

Corrections editor@littlevillagemag.com

August Contributors

Abby McClatchey, Avery Staker, Ben Minniear, Dan Ray, Elisabeth Oster, K. Twaddle, Kali White VanBaale, Lacey Skorepa, Lauren Haldeman, Liv Carrow, Madelyn Williams, Mady Stano, Malcolm MacDougall, Mauricio Ruiz, Rob Brezsny, Sam Locke Ward, Sara Williams, Sarah Elgatian,

INDEPENDENT NEWS, CULTURE & EVENTS

Since 2001 LittleVillageMag.com

Scott Stouffer, Sunil Malapati, Tiffani Green, Tom Tomorrow

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Website design, E-commerce, Publication design creative@littlevillagemag.com

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Distribution Manager

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Heber Martinez, Ioannis Alexakis, Joe Olson, Joseph Servey, Matt Benson, Ryan Nuss distro@littlevillagemag.com

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Meet this month’s contributors!

Abby McClatchey is an elementary school teacher turned education marketer, project manager and content creator. The staff at Bluebird Cafe in North Liberty know her special order by heart.

Avery Staker is a queer Des Moines-based photographer born and raised in rural Iowa.

Ben Minniear is often found caffeinated, slicing through stacks of magazines older than his parents.

Dan Ray is a journalist, musician, model and 1994 Aquarius. You can connect with her over on Instagram, @heyimdanray.

Elisabeth Oster is a freelance writer and designer, and collector of dad rock.

K. Twaddle is an Iowa transplant and a lifelong book enthusiast. She lives in rural Iowa with her partner and three cats.

young people’s creative expression, empowering them to make the community a better place for all through their art.

Lacey Skorepa is a QCbased writer, exploring food, place and everyday meaning.

Lauren Haldeman is a graphic novelist and poet. She has received an Iowa Arts Fellowship, a Sustainable Arts Foundation Award and fellowships from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Liv Carrow, a musician and social worker, has lived in the Quad Cities long enough to lose her New Jersey accent; she has contributed writing and reviews to LV for 10 years.

Rapids on a small protofarm with his spouse.

Mauricio Ruiz is a firstyear grad student at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, the recipient of a writing fellowship from Granta and the author of two story collections. He’s lived in Norway, Belgium, Mexico and the U.S.

Sam Locke Ward is a cartoonist and musician from Iowa City. He self publishes the comic zines Voyage Into Misery and ’93 Grind Out.

Sara Williams is a multidisciplinary artist who was raised in Bondurant, Iowa. She currently resides near Amana.

Cover by Ben Minniear

For the 10th year running, Bread & Butter is back to pick your next meal—or your next year of meals—out in eastern and central Iowa. Plus: Fungal wonders, taco pizza origins, burrito-toting bikers and restaurants near museums.

Kali White VanBaale is the author of three novels and numerous short stories, essays and articles. She serves as editor-atlarge for the Past Ten journal and book, and is a core faculty member of the Lindenwood University MFA in writing program.

Kylie Buddin has been a member of the Iowa City music scene as a creator and engineer since the early ‘80s. He has a passion for supporting

Madelyn Williams lives and works in Cedar Rapids, where she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family. An avid foodie, she loves any excuse to gather with good food, strong drinks and great company!

Mady Stano is a fulltime creative storyteller and digital strategist, with a passion for spotlighting local culture, small businesses and community impact. When she’s not writing or curating content, she’s indulging her inner foodie and planning her next trip.

Malcolm MacDougall is a writer, sewist and father living in Cedar

Sarah Elgatian is a writer, activist and educator living in Iowa. She likes dark coffee, bright colors and long sentences. She dislikes meanness.

Scott Stouffer, political cartoonist, watercolor artist, retired architect, is a graduate of Iowa State College. He lives in Des Moines where he is constantly creating new cartoons.

Sunil Malapati is a professor of biochemistry with multiple interests including food, science, food science and the intersectionality with culture.

Tiffani Green is an Iowa City writer and Little Village restaurant reviewer.

Living With Opioid Use Disorder? Recovery Is Possible

Bread & Butter 2025 is supported by:

AllSpice (6)

Barrett’s Quality Eats (33)

Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha (51)

Best Case Wines (56)

CaseGroup Realty (42)

Cedar Rapids Opera (72)

City of Iowa City Human Rights (54)

CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank (60)

Coralville Public Library (50)

Des Moines Art Center (61)

Des Moines Metro Opera (57)

Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge (14)

Dupaco Credit Union (52)

Field to Family (41)

FilmScene (53)

Goodfellow Printing Inc. (20)

Graze Gourmet To Go (80)

Grinnell College Museum of Art (55)

Hamburg Inn No. 2 (33)

Hancher Auditorium (78-79)

Historic Valley Junction (42)

Honeybee Hair Parlor (65)

IC Compassion (55)

Independent Downtown Iowa City (66-67)

— Beadology

— Critical Hit Games

— Get Fresh

— Hot Spot Tattoo & Piercing

— Mailboxes of Iowa City

— Record Collector

— Release Body Modification

— Revival

— The Green House

— Yotopia

Independent Highland Park/Oak Park

Neighborhood (75)

— Des Moines Mercantile

— The Slow Down

Independent Northside Marketplace (16)

— Artifacts

— Dodge St. Tire

— George’s

— Pagliai’s

— R.S.V.P.

— The Haunted Bookshop

— Willow & Stock

Iowa Children’s Museum (62)

Iowa City

Communications Department (11, 39)

Iowa City Downtown District (2-3)

Iowa City Public Library (8)

Iowa Department of Public Health (12, 63)

Iowa Public Radio (56)

John’s Grocery (60)

Kim Schillig, REALTOR (20)

Lincoln Wine Bar (25)

Liz Firmstone, REALTOR (65)

Mainframe Studios (14)

Mammoth Live (62)

Martin Construction (21)

Musician’s Pro Shop (60)

New Pioneer Co-op (74)

Next Page Books (39)

Nodo (36)

Performing Arts at Iowa (59)

Philip J. Ochs (51)

Phoebe Martin, REALTOR (13)

Polk County Conservation (18)

Prairie Lights Bookstore & Cafe (63)

Public Space One (53)

Pullman Bar & Diner (33)

Pure Luxe Apothecary (20)

Randy’s Flooring (21)

RAYGUN (19)

ReFocus Film Festival (58)

ReUnion Brewery (27)

Root Kitchen (55)

RSFIC (53)

Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill (33)

St. Burch Tavern (33)

The Club Car (33)

The Daisy (39)

The Dandy Lion (27)

The Englert Theatre (49, 64)

The Wedge Pizzeria (33)

Think Iowa City (37)

TIm Conroy, REALTOR (4-5)

Travel Dubuque (34)

University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art (76-77)

Vino Vérité (70)

Wig & Pen Pizza

Pub (36)

Wildwood (51)

xBk (63)

Letters & Interactions

LV encourages readers to submit letters to Editor@LittleVillageMag.com. Please include your name, city of residence and any relevant job titles or affiliations. Letters may be edited for accuracy and style. To be considered for print publication, letters should be under 500 words. Preference is given to letters that have not been published elsewhere.

tHE IOWA BOARD OF REgENtS is now considering banning any requirements at our public universities that include learning about (among other things) social justice or racial privilege. I get it. It’s hard to understand that there could be injustice toward certain groups in our country, or that certain races have, at times, had some advantage over others. We don’t want to cause our students discomfort by having them ponder difficult ideas.

Center for Intellectual Freedom. We’ve put up with woke mathematics long enough!

—Peter Rolnick, Iowa City

In surprise move, Trump refiles lawsuit over Iowa Poll in state court as new antiSLAPP law goes into effect (July 1)

You would think he has better things to do. —Chuck W.

But why stop there? As someone who taught science and math for years I’ve seen how students struggle with the idea that there are numbers out there (such as pi) that can’t be written as a ratio of two integers. Why should students have to learn about these so-called “irrational” numbers? The fact that they are called “irrational” suggests that the whole thing is a scam! So I suggest we make a law that says pi is equal to three. This will fit in really well with the newly established UI

Intimidation is what it is and greed. Give me more money. Some people never have enough. —Lynn K.

No, it’s not intimidation it’s ensuring the accuracy and legitimacy of polls with the goal of making sure they don’t unduly influence an election. —John S.

What an asshole. —Lynn K.

HAVE AN OPINION?

With no plan to manage groundwater in Iowa, Big Ag threatens the aquifer supplies most households rely upon (July 8)

Looks like Iowa is un-well. —Phil K.

It would be easier to feel sorry for the metro if they weren’t dumping the nitrates back into the same river and sending it to the next town. —Adam R.

Big Ag is to blame, and so is Big Tech. @google cares 14,000 X more about its profit than Iowa people ($14 billion for data centers, only $1 million for water quality). —Melina C.

But let’s focus on banging on the doors of publicly traded and private companies telling them they should get rid of their DEI programs…who sets these ridiculous priorities…. —Jeffrey F.

That’s why cancer rates are sky high, all the pesticides and chemicals

NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE

in the water —Mallory B.

It’s ok. We’re all going to die. Why worry? —Kevin P.

Roundup goood! Hog poo goood! Marijuana baaaad. —Joseph M.

I am not far away from departure. —Carol D.

Big Ag and Big Consumer are intrinsically linked. What consumers buy and the prices they are willing to pay determine what farmers produce and the methods used in that process. Over consumption and over domestication are digging us into a very deep hole. We must restore woodland, wetland, and grassland on steep slopes and frequently flooding river bottoms. We must focus on needs rather than wants. We can create a low input, sustainable agriculture. We will do that by simultaneously creating a low input, sustainable urban culture. —Roger R.G.

Really well done article here, thanks for this. Many Iowans obediently slap ANF stickers on their trucks while they vote for Republican politicians who hand the entire thing to big ag companies who essentially destroy the state. They are turning one of the richest farming regions, with some of the absolute best soil in the world, into something like a giant hydroponics lab to grow subsidized

SCOTTYTOONS

corn syrup that is making millions of people sick and die. Affordable food that’s easily available to most poor communities in America tends to be processed addictive crap, full

SCOTT STOUFFER

of corn that was grown by destroying some of the best soil in the world while poisoning our local water and sending massive amounts of nitrates down into the Gulf to destroy that water. It’s a disgrace. America needs farmers. But not the ones we have. —Henry W.

The Center for Worker Justice announces it is closing permanently (July 9)

A tragic loss for my community. —Swenka

Thank you too, Mazahir Salih, and everyone at CWJ for all they’ve done! This is incredibly sad news. —Katie R.

Iowans rally in Davenport to demand action from Miller-Meeks, Grassley and Ernst after 20-year-old is deported with no due process (July 11)

This kid has grandparents here, who are citizens. He was here LEGALLY, following the rules, got a work permit after high school. Was working, paying taxes. He was playing by all the rules. They snatched him and sent him to Guatemala. Fuck ICE! —B.G.

Sam Helmick , Iowa City Public Library’s Community & Access Services Coordinator, was inaugurated as president of the American Library Association on June 30 in Philadelphia. At the event, Helmick announced the theme of their presidency, “Our Stories are Worth Sharing.” “Today,” they said, “as our communities face new challenges, it is more vital than ever that we equip library workers and the American public to share their stories—to remind policymakers that libraries are not a luxury, but a national value grounded in our country’s founding vision of equal access for all.”

For helping to save the life of a coworker, the American Red Cross awarded Grimes resident Chris Irish its highest individual honor, the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, on July 11. In March, Irish, an employee at Ferguson Home Enterprises, performed CPR and used an AED on an unresponsive coworker, who went on to make a full recovery.

the Dubuque Museum of Art has been awarded a major implementation grant for their new arts campus, due to debut in 2027. The funds from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative will go towards installing a heat recovery chiller to reduce annual electricity needs by 30 percent and natural gas consumption by 49 percent, among other energy efficient systems.

INTERACTIONS

America is now the Fourth Reich. The corrupt supreme court enabled Trump to be a legal dictator, which means the constitution—and thus America itself—is dead. Votes and protests are useless, now. This evil republican regime must be overthrown. And soon; we already have concentration camps. —Petal C.

The [reason] is simple: there never was nor currently is an ‘invasion’ of drugdealers and rapists coming over the southern border. Therefore, the only way to have any hope of meeting the insane deportation numbers the DHS has set is to grab anyone they can, regardless of their legal status in the country. Then they label them all as ‘criminal’ and have numbers to report to their frothing followers. —Michael W.

Letter to the editor: Even in Iowa City, it isn’t easy finding work as a trans woman (July 14)

Every trans woman I know is struggling to find a job, keep a job, or get enough hours at a job to live. Most are scrapping by on 2, 3, or even 4 jobs, if they can even

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PATRONIZE

Support businesses and organizations who advertise with Little Village—and tell ‘em we sent ya.

get one. HIRE TRANS WOMEN. —Emma D.

Poll: Kim Reynolds remains America’s most unpopular governor (July 17)

She works very hard for this title. —Shauna C.

She is a Trump sock puppet. Cutting funds for Medicaid and SNAP is just basically cruel. LGQBT people are human beings. While you might not understand them, you can’t deny them rights as human beings. —Douglas R.

And yet, if she ran again, she’d win! —Maureen O.

In LV’s inbox: Your leftist liberal totally woke article was laughable. Truly, the ONLY complaint we have on Reynolds is her backing the global climate change/crisis hoax and putting in solar and wind farms all over the damn place. Can we say money laundering on all of that? Why YES we sure can! Even Trump knows these are a DISASTER. Journalism is not your calling. —Veronica Deevers

In Case You Missed It

Catch up on LV’s top arts stories from July.

Plain Spoken: How the Planned Parenthood Book Sale made me the man I am today

By Nicholas Dolan,

July 7

Review: A brooding demon, total Bedlam and the healthiest opera romance of all time from Des Moines Metro Opera

By Meghan

Klinkenborg, July 14

Review: the Des Moines Symphony summoned a sense of patriotism, despite artillery and a presidential visit clouding the air

By Erik Jarvis,

July 24

PERSONALS

Benny doesn’t run with the jets anymore. He’s traded in the streets for a fluffy bed and litter box, but the boy’s still tough as nails. An athletic and agile 2-year-old, Benny’s playful and unafraid to ask for cuddles. He doesn’t get along too well with other cats, though, and would do better with a human sidekick. Ready to shake it loose together? Bring your electric boots; Benny’s waiting in his orange mohair suit at the Iowa City Animal Center, 3910 Napoleon Lane.

ROCHEStER, MN, JULY 6

We played cribbage online many years ago, we were young. I moved to Portland OR and hung out with your friends one time. Life went on. Your name is Kenny. I’d love to know what you remember.

CEDAR RAPIDS, JULY 7

You were shirtless, leaf blowing the street during a thunderstorm at 10:30PM. Are you my knight in crystal armor? Or a crack fueled fever dream? Also why are you staring at my house?

IOWA CItY, JULY 10

You are the light-haired zaddy who works for Dublin Underground--or at least works in the area--that I (short haired brunette) always see when I’m walking to my office in the A.M. I almost said hi last time, but you were carrying a lot of stuff and I lost my nerve. I like your beard and how you feel familiar. If you are single (or aren’t but want a new friend who could at least enjoy looking at you), say hi next time?

IOWA CItY, JULY 29

Firefighter that arrived at my apartment for non-emergency issue. You were very cute but it was 12:30 a.m. and I am pretty shy.

Submissions may be edited for clarity and length, and may appear in print or online. think you’re the subject of one? Reach out: littlevillagemag.com/missed-connections

Little Village has been publishing an annual dining guide for 10 years, and we’re regrettably no closer to bringing you a scratch-and-sniff version of Bread & Butter. The prototypes have gone terribly wrong. However, our writers are back with another spread of restaurant reviews and (unscented) food and drink photos for you to drool over—from Ames fish and chips to Iowa City ramen, Davenport pizza to Dubuque cruffins, Marion gyros to Waterloo burgers and so much more.

Des Moines

Clyde’s Fine Diner

111 E Grand Ave Suite 111, Des Moines 515-243-3686, clydesfinediner.com

Clyde’s is one of my staples and legitimately one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. Truly putting the “fine” in Fine Diner, Clyde’s regularly rotates through seasonal menus with local ingredients cooked to perfection. The giant windows, blue bar stools and record player make the atmosphere cozy and airy at the same time. It just feels good to be in there, like your favorite uncle’s living room if he was a master chef and interior designer. My suggestion: Sit at the bar and sip an expertly crafted cocktail. Order literally anything because it’s all delicious. Let your legs dangle while you sit back and savor.

Malo

900 Mulberry St, Des Moines

515-244-5000, malodesmoines.com

You know that saying about how if a restaurant’s menu is too big there’s no way they’re making all the food well? Malo is the exception. It’s ironic, since their name literally translates to “bad,” but this downtown Mexican restaurant serves up a genuinely delicious, unexpected and creatively crafted menu from top to bottom. Choose from a parade of salsas and a plethora of tacos.

Gluten-free or low-carb? Sub cucumbers for corn chips and lettuce wraps for taco shells. My suggestion: Get the seared tuna appetizer, guacamole for the table and whichever taco platter fits your fancy. Over-order rather than under. You won’t be mad about leftovers.

the Slow Down Coffee Co.

3613 6th Ave, Des Moines

515-630-7000, theslowdowndsm.com

As someone who has ADHD, I hate waiting in line, but queuing at Slow Down is kind of like being at Disneyland. Their shelves are filled with a rotating crop of local art, food and drinks, including a community puzzle you can do while you wait to order. Once done, check out whatever pop-up is happening or write on the community vision board. Slow Down isn’t where you go to grab a quick cup of coffee or work on your laptop. It’s where you go to, well, slow down. My suggestion: Try the Organic Spring Fling tea. Sit near the monstera and read a book or laugh with friends.

ProteinHouse

11801 Hickman Rd Suite 300, Urbandale 515-276-6193

protein-house.com/des-moines-ia

Looking for a quick, healthy meal that meets your specific needs? The menu at ProteinHouse is so vegan- and allergyfriendly, it’s the rare chain restaurant to earn a mention in Bread & Butter. They offer protein pancakes, sandwich wraps, desserts, made-to-order juice and more, utilizing ingredients free of hormones and antibiotics. I take all my friends here, and dietary restrictions or not, it’s consistently a hit. Try the Sexy Bowl—because, you know, you are. Then treat yourself to a fresh-squeezed juice; the Detox and AntiInflammatory are my faves. Eat slowly and feel lighter leaving than you did coming in.

Notable Newbie: Bar Nico

428 E Locust St, Des Moines 515-243-0611, barnicodsm.com

I don’t know why Bar Nico has a taxidermied wolf hanging above their bar or why seeing it makes me feel so welcome in their space, but both are true. The upscale, East Village tapas joint is nestled into what seems like a narrow, built-out alleyway. The biggest table fits six people, and the ceiling is painted in fiesta-ready stripes. It’s intimate, delicious, and the kitchen is entirely gluten-free. My suggestion: Pick a table close to the wolf for the ambiance. Stay true to tapas style and order shareables for the table. The cucumber in the guacamole is unexpectedly refreshing, and the chicken wings are undeniably crispy.

Shrimp tacos from Malo. Dan Ray / Little Village

Buildyour-own bowl from ProteinHouse.

Dan Ray / Little Village

Notable Newbie: the Contrary

503 E Locust St, Des Moines instagram.com/thecontrarydsm

If there was a literal embodiment of the word “vibes,” it would be The Contrary. The East Village bar, opened in November by local musician Billy Weathers (a.k.a. B. Well), is curated like a fine dining experience. When you walk in, the lights are dimmed just enough that it feels cozy and intimate, but not enough so that you can’t see. In the green leather-clad menus are fullscale pictures of each drink overlaid with transparent pages listing the drink’s name, ingredients and inventor. The aesthetics are a zillenial wet dream. The drinks feel lovingly curated, and while the food offerings are limited—two salads, two sandwiches and hummus—they’re Chef Hasan Ahmed’s home recipes. Plus, both the drink and food menus change seasonally. —Dan Ray

Ames

Jeff’s Pizza Shop 2402 Lincoln Way, Ames 515-292-2321, jeffspizzashop.com

As an Ames transplant, I know Jeff’s is the place to go for quick, affordable and tasty lunch specials during the work week. Ask Iowa State alumni and students, and there’s a likely chance their visits were after bar close. No matter the hour, the recently remodeled Jeff’s has plenty to offer, including a variety of slices, appetizers, salads, toasted subs and dessert. And for the courageous pizza consumer, consider Jeff’s 30inch pizza challenge, in which two individuals have 60 minutes to devour the pie. I’ll stick with my two-slice lunch special personally, but it’s nice to have options.

the Mucky Duck Pub

Mucky Duck offers a variety of classic U.K. dishes, as well as an extensive tea and alcohol menu in an inviting pub environment. (As welcoming as it may be, might I recommend sunglasses and the patio for post-therapy lunch plans.) Pro tip: Order a side of curry dipping sauce with your chips.

the Café

2616 Northridge Pkwy, Ames 515-292-0100, thecafeames.com

I once went on a weekend date to The Café and learned my suitor had taken a different date there the night before. I choose to believe this reflects the establishment’s quality of food and service more than anything else. Whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a bakery visit or a date (or two), you can’t go wrong at The Café. Menu items change seasonally, and you can always expect a few salads, a variety of “between bread” options and other hearty meals. Always save room for dessert, and check online for their bread schedule.

Two

from

3100 S Duff Ave, Ames 515-232-8888, themuckyduckpub.com

Last year, there was a period of time when I’d go directly from therapy to Mucky Duck for their fish and chips, until I feared I’d Pavlov myself. Thankfully I didn’t ruin the joy of an extra crispy fish, but even if I had,

328 Main St #6162, Ames 515-232-3626

Tucked along Main Street, Downtown Deli is a quaint and popular spot for a lunchtime sub. While you’re choosing your meat, bread, toppings and whether you want it toasted or cold, the employees will make conversation with you—with what feel like genuine

slices

Above: The Contrary. Dan Ray / Little Village Left: Off the Top, a custom drink from the bartender at The Contrary. Jeremy Taylor / Little Village

interest! The warmed pastrami and provolone on rye and an unofficial Italian are both great options. Optional sides include chips, pickles, soup and chili. You may have to wait in line, but it’ll be worth it. —Kirsten Kraklio

Coralville

Barrett’s Quality Eats

3242 Crosspark Rd, Coralville 319-626-2227, barrettsallday.com

With a clean, retro design, Barrett’s is your neighborhood cafe, bakery, deli and fine dining establishment all in one. Upon walking in, you’re met with a small storefront of handmade goods from local small businesses. A coffee and wine bar sits to your left, the main ordering counter with a dozen types of pastries and freshly baked bread ahead. Stop in for a croissant and coffee, or grab a sitdown dinner with those you love most. It’s both cozy and spacious—the kind of place you’d show off to out-of-towners.

Hokkaido

201 E 9th St Suite 100, Coralville 319-359-1155, hokkaidoramen.life

Be transported to Hokkaido, the secondlargest island of Japan, right here in Coralville. Located in the Iowa River Landing, Hokkaido is serving up steaming hot bowls of ramen, plates of katsu, sushi rolls, steamed buns and more. The interior is decked out in samurai artwork, nobori banners and lanterns. Known for their ramen, Hokkaido is a strong contender for best bowl in the city. Along with their chicken katsu, it makes for the perfect comfort food, warm and flavorful.

Iowa City

Notable Newbie: SAJ grill

23 S Dubuque St, Iowa City 319-519-6300, sajgrill.toast.site

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dining have come full force to downtown Iowa City. Locals boast about the quality of its Jordanian cuisine—falafel, shawarma, baba ganoush, hummus, gyros and more—citing it as “food that tastes like home.” Owners promise bold spices, fresh ingredients and halal-certified meat. Try items made with

Coralville Sushi Rolls from Hokkaido. Mady Stano / Little Village

dolmah, pomegranate molasses and the oh-so trendy Dubai chocolate (in both strawberry cup, chocolate bar and chocolate cake form). The menu includes predetermined meals, or you can create your own plate of flavor! Having only opened this past May, SAJ Grill is excitedly anticipating the opening of a Coralville location, and then a Cedar Rapids spot in the future.

Notable Newbie: Paper

Crane

121 N Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52245

319-319-0159, papercraneic.com

Paper Crane is Iowa City’s newest ramen shop and cocktail lounge, having opened last November. This new, vibey haunt was conceived by Sam and Riene Gelman of

will walk you through the entirety of the menu and give expert advice on popular pairings to suit your taste. We recommend making a reservation in advance to ensure your table is secured. —Mady Stano

One twenty Six

126 E Washington St, Iowa City 319-887-1909, onetwentysix.net

An Iowa City fixture for over 20 years, 126 and its companion lounge Moonrakers offer European-inspired fare in an airy space. If you’re lucky enough to snag a table by the big front windows, you can people-watch while sampling their diverse menu, which boasts options ranging from steak frites to pork vindaloo to lamb osso buco. 126 also

Exhibits & Niblets

Don’t let hunger cut your museum visit short. These local eateries are mere blocks away from some of Iowa’s coolest culture centers.

Iowa City

Stanley Museum of Art

160 W Burlington St, Iowa City

Also nearby: Old Capitol Museum, UI Museum of Natural History

Le gourmet Korean Restaurant

201 S Clinton St (Old Capitol Town Center) (~5-min. walk)

Open 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. M-F, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat, closed Sun

If you want your lunch as colorful as Pollock’s Mural, hit up the mall. One of Iowa City’s most popular lunch spots serves irresistible jjamppong, ramen, bibimbap, L.A. galbi and a range of Korean snacks.

Zolly’s grill

201 S Clinton St – Old Capitol Town Center (~6-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., open until 2:30 a.m. Fri & Sat, closed Sun

Fill up with a Chicago-style gyro cheeseburger, Philly, Italian beef, black bean burger or other handheld meal, with a milkshake on the side sourced from Dan and Debby’s Creamery in Ely.

the Encounter Cafe

376 S Clinton St (~7-min. walk)

Open 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., closed Sun

This cafe may not be open late, but it’s one of IC’s go-to hangout spots. Their omelets, breakfast sandwiches, paninis and pastries are made with mostly local ingredients, and the soft pretzels are a work of art.

Cedar Rapids

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids

Also nearby: African American Museum of Iowa

Czech town Station

69 16 Ave SW (~3-min. walk)

Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Decadent cinnamon roll French toast, chicken Kiev eggs benedict, tater tot poutine and cocktail flights will give you almost as much to discuss as the massive Smithsonian affiliate down the road.

Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Lucky’s serves comfort food for any meal in a dining room covered in vinyl records. Enjoy your hot cakes, Italian grinder or Salted Caramel White Russian inside or on the back patio, which has a view of NCSML.

Little Bohemia

1317 3rd St SE (~7-min. walk)

Open Wed-Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Sun-Tues

A quick stroll across the Cedar River will bring you to this 1932 tavern. Order some Czech goulash and dumplings, Polish kielbasa or Bo’s Famous Loin sandwich. Don’t forget a Czech pilsner from the bar.

Quad Cities

Figge Art Museum

225 W 2nd St, Davenport

Also nearby: German American Heritage Center and Museum; Putnam Museum and Science Center

Mantra Indian Cuisine and Spirits

220 N Harrison St (~3-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5-9:30 p.m., closed Tues

If your eyes are tired from art-gazing, Mantra’s soft yellow lighting will soothe as you feast on samosas and curries (mild, medium and spicy): chicken tandoori, tikka, bhuna lamb, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Sippis American grill and Craft Beer

406 W 2nd St (~3-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Sun

Grab a catfish sandwich, classic Iowa pork tenderloin or a Vino Burger—grilled in sweet wine and topped with Swiss, bacon and garlic aioli—at this classic bar and grill. There’s a cozy fireplace and a (slight) view of the Figge from the patio.

Abarrotes Carrillo

903 W 3rd St (~14-min. walk)

Open 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Warm up with some spicy chorizo tacos and a hearty soup, or cool off with a shrimp cocktail and michelada. Also a

carniceria (meat shop) and a late-night food trailer, this Mexican restaurant can feed a ravenous tour group any time of day.

Des Moines

Science Center of Iowa

401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy

Also nearby: Des Moines Art Center

Hessen Haus

101 SW 4th St (~1-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m., open until 2 a.m. Fri & Sat

This festive beer hall features the Iowa Polka Music Hall of Fame and a rooftop view of downtown DSM. Adults can choose from roughly 175 European brews while kids beg for some German chocolate cake or a cinnamon sugar pretzel.

El Bait Shop

200 SW 2nd St (~6-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m., open until 12 a.m. Fri & Sat

Love liver and onions and fried chicken gizzards? You can find them here, along with dozens of other carnivorous delights like hot beef and turkey, beef stroganoff and fish tacos. The maximalist approach to decor and beer taps are the bacon bits on top.

Rook Room game Lounge

300 SW 5th St (~6-min. walk)

Open 8 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Tues & Wed

If SCI left you in a playful mood, head over to Des Moines’ only gaming cafe for a coffee drink, themed cocktail, pizza-stuffed sando (an elevated Hot Pocket-type item developed by Lachele’s chef Cory Wendel) and an activity from the Game Wall.

Waterloo

Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum & grout Museum of History & Science

503 South St, Waterloo

Also nearby: Bluedorn Science

Imaginarium, Dan Gable Wrestling Museum, Waterloo Center for the Arts

La Placita taqueria and Mexican Store

321 W 4th St (~5-min. walk)

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Some of the best tacos in Waterloo are served here for $2.50 each, along with steak and chicken burritos, fajitas, sopes, soups and margs. Grab a few Mexican grocery items while you’re there!

the Brown Bottle

209 W 5th St (~9-min. walk)

Open 4–9 p.m., closed Mon

This family-owned Italian restaurant has been filling Cedar Valley with delicious carbs since 1972. Everything here puts Olive Garden to shame, from the crispy garlic bread to the creamy alfredo to the tender veal marsala.

Pick Up N go Soul Food

927 W 5th St, Waterloo (~9-min. walk)

Open late afternoon to 10 p.m. or later, closed Tues & Wed

Owner Tamara Pernell promises “Good Ole Cooking from the Heart N’ Soul,” including all your favorite soul food and Cajun staples. Their lobster tail corndogs are award-winning, and the crab boils could feed a family the size of the Sullivans.

Dubuque

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

350 E 3rd St, Dubuque

Also nearby: Dubuque Museum of Art

Stone Cliff Winery

600 Star Brewery Dr (~12-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Hit the Mississippi Riverwalk until you spot the former Dubuque Star Beer brewery, now a restaurant-slash-museum of local history. Munch on a quinoa bowl or goat cheese and bacon panini, then wander the space with a glass of wine or beer in hand.

Baraboo’s on Main

345 Main St (~12-min. walk)

Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. or later; 11 a.m.4 p.m. on Sun, closed Mon

Named after the owners’ beloved labradoodle, Baraboo’s serves decadent burgers, a BLT with jalapeño raspberry jam, and a Reuben called The Big Lebowski. That glass doohicky on the bar is a gravity smoker, and is used to infuse certain cocktails with a flavorful “fog.”

Sunshine Family Restaurant

401 Central Ave (~15-min. walk)

Open every day 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Finish breakfast before the museum even opens at 9 a.m.! This family friendly, downhome American diner serves a mean pancake sandwich, biscuit and gravy and sirloin steak. Visitors of a certain age can take advantage of the daily senior special.

—Emma McClatchey

319-826-2047, goldfinchtap.com

the Wedge Pizzeria 113 Iowa Ave, Iowa City 319-337-6677, thewedgepizza.com

The Wedge made its triumphant return to downtown IC in January, moving into the former Benders Studio space. In a town with a million pizza joints, The Wedge distinguishes itself with its huge menu of specialty pizzas and endless options for customization. You can mix and match to your heart’s delight, and everyone can get exactly what they want without any more hostile negotiations about whether or not pistachios belong on pizza (they do… oh, how the Nutcracker proves that they do). But the Wedge is no one-trick pony: They also have salads that won’t make you feel deprived, and offer more desserts than most restaurants—all made in-house by co-owner Regina Miller. Customers can order custom-made baked goods from ReginaBread and pick up their goodies at the Wedge storefront. —Tiffani Green

Goldfinch is the quintessential example of a restaurant genre I like to call “mother-inlaw restaurants.” It’s the kind of place you go when your mother-in-law is coming to town and wants to go out to eat: a place that’s nice inside, with good service and a straightforward menu with just enough curveballs and tweaks to satisfy the family gourmand. Brunch at the ’Finch is especially good—if you nail the timing and come at a quieter hour, you’ll be able to appreciate the open, relaxing vibes as you chow down on some eggs benedict, or check out their rotating specials. There’s always something sure to whet your appetite.

the Hip-Stir 1120 7th Ave, Marion 319-200-5465, facebook.com/thehipstir

Have you ever felt like your dining experiences are missing a certain Zooey Deschanel quirkiness? Try the Hip-Stir, where doors festoon the ceiling, flocks of stained-glass lamps hang above barrel-like enclosed booths, and chintz is king. The menu has an equally exuberant eclecticism: Lobster and shrimp and cheese ramen bowls! Edamame blasted with spicy lime mix with an additional kimchi dipping sauce! A fried chicken sandwich with Buffalo sauce and smoked onion ranch! There’s as much room for boring food at the Hip-Stir as there is breathing room in Arcade Fire’s jeans.

Cedar Rapids

Dash Coffee Roasters

120 3rd Ave SW Ste 2, Cedar Rapids 319-423-9297, dashcoffeeroasters.com

Dash is the coffee shop’s coffee shop: perfect to sit in and do homework, or meet with a friend, or just enjoy a bite. The coffee, of course, is great. I recommend a close perusal of the roast options available; the flavor notes are spot-on and it’s a great way to find a new favorite. The food’s solid as well. Normally I’d be sniffy about the concept of going out to get a bowl of oatmeal, but look, you roll in at like, 7 a.m., grab a coffee and a Chunky Monkey bowl (steel cut oats, banana, chocolate, pecans, milk) and that’s fuel all morning long, baby.

Sushi House

2665 Edgewood Pkwy SW #100, Cedar Rapids 319-396-1990, sushihouseia.com

Dine in or take out, Sushi House is an ideal chowdown spot just off of Edgewood. The salmon-skin salad is a particular standout—

New York Gyro’s signature gyro with fries. Malcolm MacDougall / Little Village

A plate from Sushi House. Malcolm MacDougall / Little Village

there’s a subtle smokiness to the flavoring that had me pouring the remaining dressing over my rice to savor every drop. The Mandarin eggplant with seafood was also fantastic. It’s stuffed with scallops and shrimp and doused with sauce so that the eggplant melds with the food and adds a subtle earthy note for a combo I didn’t expect to love. What’s more, the portions are generous for a reasonable price, especially as it gets harder and harder to buy a meal without having to take out a home equity loan.

tornado’s grub & Pub

1600 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, 319-364-9378

All of my coworkers at my factory day job consider this to be the best burger in Cedar Rapids, and I’m inclined to agree. The Tornado’s burger is a proletarian burger; after eight to 10 hours of manual labor there’s nothing that hits you better than a chunk o’ meat on a bun, served dripping with toppings so generously slopped on that I had to eat my burger with a knife and fork. If your arteries don’t have the necessary iron cladding to hold up to that onslaught, there’s plenty more to peruse, including some surprisingly

decent salads and bagel sandwiches. Top pick: the F3 “Both” burger with mushrooms, Swiss and brown gravy. Grab plenty of napkins and tuck in. —Malcolm MacDougall

Lu’s Deli

1010 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids 319-200-2221, lusdeli.com

Lu’s Deli in downtown Cedar Rapids serves straightforward, well-made lunches in a space that’s clean, comfortable and laidback. The menu covers all the basics like sandwiches, soups and salads without overcomplicating anything. Ingredients are fresh, and Lu’s Pasta Salad has a cult following for good reason. Orders come out quickly but the place never feels rushed. The daily specials change things up just enough, and if you stop in on a Sunday morning, they’ll have fresh Donutland treats!

Need Pizza

207 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 319-362-6333, needcr.com

This downtown Cedar Rapids pizzeria has a chill, slightly industrial vibe with garage doors that open on nice days and a long bar that’s great for people-watching.

The pizza is New Haven style, meaning big thin crust slices with a nice char that

Above: A sandwich from Lu’s Deli. Below: Cinnamon bites from Need Pizza. Madelyn Williams / Little Village

you can fold or eat with a fork if you’re feeling fancy. You can build your own with over 30 topping options and four different sauces, so it’s easy to go classic or get weird. The drink menu is stacked, and the crowd is always a mix of regulars and first-timers. —Madelyn Williams

Quad Cities

Me & Billy

200 W 3rd St, Davenport

soak in the holiday spirit, thanks to their all-out seasonal décor. Family-owned and stylish-but-comfortable, it’s the kind of spot that feels local in the best way.

Antonella’s II Sicilian Pizzeria

421 W River Dr, Davenport 563-324-9512, antonellas2.com

Tucked inside the Freight House near the riverfront, Antonella’s II is part pizzeria, part summertime experience. Order a creamy garlic pizza (trust me), grab a drink from Front Street’s taproom next

and Latin flavors with the precision and warmth of true hospitality. It’s refined without pretension, featuring moody lighting, a polished dining room and a fire-lit patio that draws both professionals and families. The baba ghanoush is bright and elemental, while the chicken tajin lands earthy and rich, all beautifully plated. Dishes like saganaki (Greek fried cheese) and crab ceviche bring flair without overwhelming the plate. Fans of Hemispheres Bistro will recognize the thoughtful approach to global cuisine. And in a region where these flavors are rare, Plus

bright, joyful and neighborly atmosphere, with great service and both indoor and outdoor seating. Don’t snooze on the soups and po’boys, and the delightful weekend brunch. They also offer a wonderful takeaway meal planning/subscription services.

Old Mexico Restaurant

610 45th St, Rock Island 309-788-7251, dluarestaurants.com

Ask any longtime Q.C. resident where they prefer their Mexican food, and you’ll get as many answers as there are neighborhoods. In Florciente, between Rock Island and Moline, Old Mexico has been a visible staple that serves reliably decent Mexican breakfast, lunch and dinner. Somewhere between traditional Mexican and Midwest-fied, this is a good place to get a solid meal in a short time for a modest cost. The menu expanded slightly since being purchased by the D’Lua restaurant group—they now offer ceviche, for instance—but they still make delightful pozole, menudo, fideo and gigantic burritos the way they always have.

Al’s Burgers

4128 14th Ave, Rock Island 309-283-7973, alsburgersqc.com

This wee hole in the wall was formerly a breakfast joint and a short-lived pizzeria, but locals hope Al’s is here to stay. If you would like a burger that makes you say “DAYUM,” make a stop at Al’s before a night on the town or after a busy morning of estate sale picking in the surrounding neighborhoods. A bare-bones, unabashed burger joint, they give Culver’s and Five Guys a run for their money with a lot more personality and charm. In addition to really good burgers, Al’s serves shakes, chicken sandwiches and fried delights.

Restaurante Sabor Catracho

2006 16th St, Moline, 309-517-3817

A gem in uptown Moline, Sabor Catracho serves Honduran cuisine in a brightly lit taqueria atmosphere. Start with pupusas, a Central American specialty street food of cheese, beans and/or meat-filled masa cakes served with a generous side of spicy cabbage curtido. Plantain lovers rejoice— they appear on the menu in several forms. They also offer a respectable assortment of fresh jugos and agua frescas, outrageous

Baba ghanoush from Plus Saporis.

Lacey Skorepa / Little Village

guacamole, a kids’ and breakfast menu, and more familiar fare such as fajitas, tacos and plated meals with rice and beans. Make a stop in the neighborhood, or look for them at Mercado on Fifth, the outdoor Hispanic street market that takes place every week in Moline throughout the summer.

the Palace tavern

701 15th Ave, East Moline 309-865-2100, palacetaverneastmoline.com

This unassuming stop for drinks and pub food in a beautifully restored downtown East Moline barroom has been operating continuously since the 1950s, while the delightful tile floor has been trodden by thirsty East Moliners since 1906. After the Old Palace Tavern became a casualty of COVID shutdowns, the new Palace offers a slightly elevated, polished pub and pizzeria vibe with old-time Q.C. drinking hole charm and the right amount of fussiness. Live music, a separate dining room and generous patio seating leave plenty of ways to enjoy this unassuming historical establishment. Hot tip: “Palace Bread,” a cross between white Quard Cities-style pizza and garlic bread dipped in marinara, is a lot more exciting than it sounds. —Liv Carrow

Dubuque

Adobos Mexican grill

756 Main St, Dubuque

563-556-4407, adobosmexicangrill.com

For a quick lunch getaway or a more leisurely dinner, Chef Jaimie Salazar’s personal blend of spices, salsas and marinades make for great tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Barbacoa—slow-cooked beef in a tamarind marinade—is the standout filling. If you can stand the heat, the Diablo sauce is highly recommended. Adobos also has a food truck hawking its hugely popular breakfast burritos; you can find them at the farmers market on Saturday mornings.

Notable Newbie:

Swagat Indian Cuisine

1108 Locust St, Dubuque

563-552-0027, swagatmadison.com

Meaning “welcome” in Sanskrit, Swagat has quickly become the place to feast in Dubuque. A clean black-and-white aesthetic lets the food shine. Predominantly Punjabi (northwest Indian), the menu also showcases global influences with dishes like chilli gobhi, a personal favorite. Fresh naans, distinctive

curries and flavorful biryanis (rice with meat) all compete for your attention and tastebuds. Go with a group and try as many as you can!

Driftless Pizza Co

333 E 10th St, Dubuque

563-275-3444, driftlesspizzaco.com

Crust, sauce, toppings—when they are all great and cooked to perfection, you are in for a treat. Driftless whips up New York-style round pizzas—the large air bubbles speaking to its quality—and Detroit-style square pies with focaccia-quality bread, the sauce poured over the cheese. Cauliflower crust and non-dairy cheese are also available for vegan visitors. A stand-out recipe, the Tie Dye, sees marinara, vodka, pesto and garlic confit swirled over the cheese in a true celebration of sauces. Dine in or carry the pizza over to Backpocket Brewing in the same building for some retro arcade games or duckpin bowling.

7 Hills Brewing Company

1085 Washington St, Dubuque 563-587-8306, 7hillsbrew.com

Dubuque was once the beer brewing center of Iowa, and 7 Hills Brewing Company (est. 2017) aims to rebuild that reputation. The brewpub’s restaurant serves the perfect food to accompany the beer; brisket burgers with seasoned fries are a highlight. Unusual combinations abound, from a chicken

sandwich piled with bacon, blackberry compote, garlic pepper cream and balsamic glaze on brioche, to the peanut butter and pepper bacon aioli burger on a pretzel bun.

Roux & Lucia

333 Bryant St, Dubuque 563-552-7151, rouxandlucia.com

A modern bakery and coffee shop in a historic milkhouse, Roux & Lucia seem to have perfected the art of laminated dough. The croissants and derivatives such as cruffins, pinwheels and croissant sandwiches are flaky delights. The quiches are a complete breakfast unto themselves. While picking up the baked goods and coffee drinks, take time to peruse an array of imported foods.

Coffee Lab

2728 Asbury Rd Ste 750, Dubuque coffeelabdbq.com

Have you ever had a flight at a coffee shop? This calming spot in a historic mansion in the Fountain Park area lets you pick four drinks from their menu—which changes every month as owner Nicki Waugh and her staff experiment with new recipes—to sample. Perfect for the noncommittal coffee sipper! Accompanying the varied drinks is a solid selection of scones, muffins and pastries. —Sunil Malapati

Waterloo / Cedar Falls

Big Head Burger

324 W 4th St, Waterloo getbigheadburger.com

It was Two Dollar Off Tuesday, so going with the Big Head Burger house special was a no-brainer. No substitutions, because they know exactly how it’s meant to be eaten. And honestly? They’re right. The burger was full-flavored without being greasy and the tangy special sauce tied it all together. I even left the tomato and onion on—not my usual move, but worth it for the full experience. Big Head Burger is a no-frills spot that’s all about great food and warm hospitality. The same person who rang me up also cooked my order, and later came by my table to check that I liked it. That level of care is rare. Born from a dream—literally—and fueled by childhood food memories, Big Head is a place where passion meets the plate. And judging by how it’s making its name in the Waterloo/CF area, that dream’s got staying power. Big Head is building real community, not just selling burgers.

Notable Newbie: Reader’s Cup

218 Main St, Cedar Falls 319-269-2896, thenookcf.com

Reader’s Cup is the kind of place you stumble into for a cup of coffee and end up staying an hour—happily! The menu’s full of clever literary nods (I almost ordered the To Kill a Macchiato), but on an 88-degree day in July, the Raspberry Kiss iced tea hit the spot. Light, fruity and noticeably caffeinated. They have something for every season, with hot or iced versions of nearly everything: coffee, tea, lotus drinks and kid-friendly mocktails, too. I tucked into a cozy corner of bookshelves to scan the

An array of dishes served family style at Swagat Indian Cuisine. Sunil Malapati / Little Village

Raspberry Kiss Iced Tea from Reader’s Cup. Abby McClatchey / Little Village

staff picks of used paperbacks, then browsed local art and handmade jewelry on display. Reader’s Cup is the sister store to The Nook, a locally owned bookstore that

afternoon heat wave, too late for brunch (served until 2 p.m.), but right on time for something light and cold. The menu includes rotating flavors of gelato and sorbet, a

SingleSpeed Brewing Co.

128 Main St, Cedar Falls 319-266-3581, singlespeedbrewing.com

When I asked the bartender, who’s worked at SingleSpeed for seven years, to recommend something new, he suggested a Hidden Gem—the latest entry in their Experimental IPA series. Super hazy, all hops and no sweetness, it was way too easy to drink for something sitting at 8.2% ABV. It’s a small-batch release that actually tastes like one. (Though it was happy hour, I passed on the $1 “Peloton Pour” upgrade to 20 oz.) He also mentioned this summer’s popular “guest special”: the BERRYgood Shandy. It’s a 50/50 mix of SingleSpeed’s own BERRYgood beer and Backpocket Brewing’s Lemon-made Shandy. Light, tart and super popular with the summer crowd.

The whole place has that dialed-in taproom vibe, and guests ranging from little kids to retired folks strolled through for flights and mini corndogs. SingleSpeed feels polished but still down-home, with plenty of space to hang indoors or outside, and friendly bartenders who know their stuff. —Abby McClatchey

Chocolate gelato from Patton Bar & Diner. Abby McClatchey / Little Village

Caviar on the Cob

Most U.S. crop farmers will do anything to prevent fungus, but those in the know recognize corn smut as a south-of-the-border delicacy.

BY MAURICIO RUIZ

Father and daughter returned to their field to assess the tumors’ growth. The father stepped forward into the sea of shimmering florets, plucked an ear of corn from its stalk and squatted to face his daughter. Look, he said. It’s ready.

The lumps had multiplied, infecting the kernels. Some had taken the shape of a baby’s fist, others the head of a gnome or a dinosaur. The skin was silvery white, spotted with grey, its surface soft and cool to the touch. Underneath the thin membrane lived millions of spores of a type of fungus called ustilago maydis, or corn smut. In central Mexico it is known by its Nahuatl name: cuitlacoche, or huitlacoche.

Without the slow death of the corn, there wouldn’t be any huitlacoche for the farmer and his family. He thanked the plant for its sacrifice, cut several ears and put them in a sack to bring home. In the kitchen his daughter’s eyes watered as she chopped a shallot, three cloves of garlic, several leaves of goosefoot or epazote. A frying pan was on the stove, the oil sputtering as he

let the ingredients fall in. Corn tortillas were heated on a metal hotplate. He stirred the garlic and onion, then added the chunks of corn smut.

I witnessed this fungal harvest in my childhood while visiting a farm in the western hills of Mexico near Michoacán, where one of my aunts lived. It was late July, the humidity over 80 percent.

Huitlacoche has been a Mexican delicacy since the Aztec empire, often eaten in quesadillas, soups, crepes and salsas, among other uses. Some gourmet chefs describe its flavor as earthy, acidic, bitter and umami. The fungus is often cooked inside epazote leaves, imbuing it with an almost citrusy flavor I cannot resist.

When I moved to Iowa City in the fall of 2023, I expected to find at least a few restaurants, shops and farmers markets offering huitlacoche. After all, roughly a third of the state is covered in cornfields; some must wind up with a smut infection, right?

In the U.S., ustilago maydis is considered a plague. Farmers plant corn hybrids specially bred to resist smut growth, and work to avoid injuries to their plants that

would open them to infection. Nitrogen fertilizers and fungicides are also used to prevent common corn diseases like gray leaf spot, common rust and anthracnose. Even organic farms that avoid chemical treatments tend to burn their smut-infected plants to avoid further contagion.

Still, I heard about a venture out of Ames called Eloteshop, dedicated to growing Mexican corn varieties in the Midwest—and huitlacoche. Texcoco, Mexico native Xochitl Fonseca and her husband, David Bonnett of Canberra, Australia, first had the idea in 2021 while living in Minnesota. When they moved to Ames the next year, they brought the concept with them.

“We were excited about the idea of growing huitlacoche,” Fonseca said, “but we also knew it is a very sensitive fungus that must be handled with great care because heat changes its texture.”

The ustilago maydis fungus uses specialized proteins called effectors to manipulate the host’s cellular processes and disarm its defense mechanisms. Deliberately infecting your crop isn’t as easy as

Loulwa Soweid, board member at large for the Prairie States Mushroom Club, holds a young ear of corn infected with the fungus ustilago maydis, also known as corn smut. Courtesy of Sarah Dulong-Duhon, president of the Prairie States Mushroom Club

rubbing one of the tumor-like galls against another plant. The spores inside the galls, called teleospores, have thick walls for protection to survive the winter. After they have hibernated on the ground, a set of specialized cells called basidia go through meiosis (cell division with only half of the chromosomes) and give way to basidospores. Only these basidospores can spread the fungus.

The galls form during the wet season, which is roughly May to October in both Iowa and Mexico. Most galls reach their peak size, texture and taste in two to three weeks.

Eloteshop’s maiz blanco (a corn breed ideal for soups and tortillas, less sweet than Iowa sweet corn) earned a large Facebook following, with some customers driving for hours to buy their produce at Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers Market and the Marshalltown shop Zamora Fresh, among other spots in central Iowa, the Twin Cities and Illinois. Before long, Eloteshop began selling huitlacoche, too.

“It was only necessary to put up a sign announcing it and several people came to ask,” Fonseca told Little Village. “People knew the word and had fun trying to pronounce it. Others were curious about it, and some came directly to buy it because they had encountered it on trips to Mexico, especially Mexico City.”

Indeed, I first spotted huitlacoche as a child wandering Mexico City’s street markets with my parents. The image was unforgettable: Women behind a stall making tortillas by hand, flipping them on a hotplate. Colorful clay pots filled with all kinds of fillings for quesadillas, including shredded chicken in red sauce, ground beef, mushrooms, squash flower, grasshoppers, huitlacoche and much more.

“Some [customers] were already familiar with huitlacoche and shared with us their enthusiasm for experimenting with it,” Fonseca continued. “They value it not only for its flavor, but also for its history and cultural connection. Seeing how people from different backgrounds came to talk to us with curiosity and excitement was a very gratifying experience.”

Corn smut has been piquing curiosity for more than 500 years, though it hasn’t always been appreciated.

 Smut Spotters

Have you seen huitlacoche sold in a store, restaurant or farmers market near you? Do you grow it yourself? Little Village would love to know! Email editor@littlevillagemag.com

Recipe

Huitlacoche

Quesadillas

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of olive or sunflower oil

• 1 cup chopped white onion

• 1 cup of corn kernels (ideally white, non-sweet)

• 1 pound huitlacoche

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon minced epazote

• 1/2 pound shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or any other cheese that melts

• Corn tortillas

• Salt Instructions

On a hot saucepan, add the oil and let it heat. Add the garlic, stir-fry for 1 minute.

Add the onion, corn kernels and epazote. Mix well.

Add the huitlacoche and two pinches of salt (or more if needed). Mix well, cook for 1 minute.

On a large skillet or hot plate, heat tortillas for 50 seconds on each side or until they are soft.

Add 1/4 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon of the huitlacoche mixture to each tortilla.

Fold tortillas in half and leave on hotplate until cheese is melted and tortillas are lightly browned.

The oldest references to the fungus appear in the texts of Fray Bernardino de Sahagún, specifically in the Florentine Codex, where it is defined as a corn disease that came from the gods. The Catholic priest—among those sent from Spain in 1519 with the mission of spreading Catholicism in what is now Mexico—described smut as “black, dark, like a tamale, it looks like mud, it appears like mud. In the green corncobs, in the mature corncobs it becomes like ash, it forms ash, it turns into ash.”

In later centuries, especially during the Spanish-ruled period, huitlacoche was defined as a staple food for poor peasants.

According to Mexican chef Cristina Palacio, some French restaurants in Mexico began to use huitlacoche in the mid-20th century as an exotic ingredient to use in crepes—a practice that expanded to tourists and the Mexican upper class, and

later to the country as a whole.

Edgar Reynoso, co-owner of El Azul Mexican Market in North Liberty, referred to huitlacoche as “the caviar of the corn.” El Azul is the rare Iowa grocery store/restaurant that carries corn smut, jarred in a chile brine and imported from Mexico. (The label reads “CUITLACOCHE” and, in English, “Corn truffles.”) They also sell jars of flor de calabaza or squash blooms, another typical ingredient in Mexican cuisine, as well as preserves of nanche fruit or hogberry.

“We have thought of finding local [huitlacoche] producers to be able to add it to our menu” of food items served hot in the store, co-owner Sara Puffer explained, “but it’s challenging because we want to get it really fresh and it only grows during a very specific season, the wet season.”

Puffer also hopes her kids will soon be adventurous enough to accept a meal featuring the mushroomy protein. “I want to cook it with fried beans,” she said. “I believe it would be a great way to make the beans tastier.”

An ear of corn infected with the fungus ustilago maydis, also known as corn smut.

Courtesy of Loulwa Soweid, board member at large for the Prairie States Mushroom Club

Kellan Doolittle / Little Village

Of the nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize on its own, corn is deficient in two: lysine and tryptophan. Because of this, corn is considered an incomplete protein source. Corn smut, however, is rich in lysine and tryptophan.

Apart from its nutritional and cultural value, huitlacoche has a sought-after, if niche, flavor profile. Fonseca said they were approached by an artisanal gourmet salt company, which bought smut from Eloteshop to process and add as a flavoring in one of their packaged salts.

Last year, in a major loss for central Iowa, Fonseca and Bonnett announced on Facebook they were ending Eloteshop for the time being to embark on a new adventure outside the Midwest. They thanked their loyal customers and said they’d offer help to anyone endeavoring to grow their own maize: “Si desea cultivar elotes en su jardín o a mayor escala, háganoslo saber y haremos lo que podamos para ayudarlo.”

Fonseca told Little Village that running Eloteshop taught them a lot, such as how to use less land while keeping the same yield, how to be more efficient with their harvesting system and the importance of social media to promote their products.

But above all, she said, “through our customers’ personal stories, we understood the deep connection that corn has with our culture.”



A Corny Fact

In Mexico, corn used to make tortillas goes through an ancient Mesoamerican process called nixtamalization, which softens it and releases niacin (vitamin B3). Maize is cooked and soaked in an alkaline solution, usually lime water, then dried out and ground into a dough called masa. Many U.S. tortilla-makers don’t nixtamalize, leading to a longer shelf life but less nutritional value.

Art McBreen (left) and Loulwa Soweid harvest huitlacoche in August 2024 near Corriell Nature Preserve. McBreen is the treasurer of the Prairie States Mushroom Club.

Courtesy of Sarah Dulong-Duhon, president of the Prairie States Mushroom Club

Crave the Crunch

This Mexitalian-American dish has made a lot of joes happy since 1974.

BY PAUL BRENNAN

Crust, beans, taco sauce, cheese, ground beef, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, perhaps some peppers, sour cream and black olives, all topped with crushed taco chips. Taco pizza, a culinary innovation that bemuses taco traditionalists and infuriates pizza purists, is much loved in Iowa. That’s fitting, since Iowa is where taco pizza was born. Probably.

Yo Quiero Taco Pizza

Give yourself a break from corporate pizza. Here are LV readers’ favorite local takes on the taco pie. (Is your favorite missing? Let us know! editor@littlevillagemag.com)

• The Airliner, Iowa City

• The Wedge Pizzeria, Iowa City

• Scout’s Honor, Iowa City

• Monica’s, Coralville

• Iowa Athletic Club, Coralville

• Wig and Pen, Iowa City, Coralville & North Liberty

• Pizza Plus, North Liberty

• Big Grove, Solon

• Mabe’s Pizza, Decorah

• Herb n’ Lou’s Pizza, West Branch

• Zoe’s Pizzeria, Marion

• Uncle Bill’s, Davenport

• Wise Guys, Davenport

• Gunchie’s, Davenport

• Missipi Brew, Muscatine

• GeoJohnz, Muscatine

• Shot Tower Inn, Dubuque

• Dough Co. Pizza, Des Moines

• Maggie’s Rumble Room, Des Moines

• 7 Stone Pizzeria, Des Moines

• Leaning Tower of Pizza, Ankeny

• Brickhouse, Indianola

• Pagliai’s Pizza, Iowa City, Johnston & Grinnell

• Papa’s Pizzeria, Polk City

• Kula’s It’s Just Sauce, Walker

• Pizza Haus, Williamsburg

It can be hard to nail down the exact origin, but we do know where and when the first commercial taco pizza, the Taco Joe, originated: Davenport, December 1974.

“I had a franchisee who wanted to add tacos to the menu to compete with a taco place that opened up nearby,” Joe Whitty, founder of Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor, recalled to the Des Moines Register in 2017. “I went to our local grocery store and got all the ingredients for making the perfect tacos, then went back to the restaurant and made the first-ever taco pizza.”

Whitty, who died in 2019 at age 82, opened the original Happy Joe’s in Davenport in November 1972. It attracted attention not just for the family friendly combo of pizza and ice cream, but also for its first specialty pizza, the Happy Joe Special—a pie

with sauerkraut and Canadian bacon for toppings. Whitty soon began selling Happy Joe franchises, which led to that December day when he tried to taco-up a pizza with sauce and meat.

“It tasted great, but it was missing something: it wasn’t pretty enough,” he told the Register. “So I added lettuce, tomatoes and taco chips, and that’s where it all began.”

The idea spread quickly. Pizza Inn, a Texas-based chain, began selling taco pizza and then took things further in 1979, trying to trademark the name “taco pizza.” Pizza Hut, another early adopter, sued to stop Pizza Inn taking control of the name. Pizza Hut persuaded Whitty to join the lawsuit.

“It’s funny,” Whitty told the Register in September 1979. “For Pizza Hut to win this thing, they need us, because they’ve admitted they stole the idea from us, and they’re going to say that Pizza Inn stole it from us, too.”

Pizza Inn didn’t get the trademark. Taco pizza continued to catch on, with every major pizza chain introducing a version at some point. In the mid-’90s, the massive food conglomerate Pillsbury promoted a recipe for a DIY taco pizza that involved adding toppings to its frozen “Totino Party Pizza (Sausage Flavor).” But for writer and Iowa ex-pat Ann Friedman, nothing ever took the place of the original Taco Joe, “crispy on the bottom” with toppings melting “into a gooey sameness.”

Friedman wrote about Happy Joe’s and its “crown

Taco Pizza from Scout’s Honor in Iowa City.

Kellan Doolittle / Little Village

The Burrito People

TThis Des Moines bike gang has been supplying the streets with free eats for 10 years. And

it’s not slowing down.

BY KALI WHItE VANBAALE

hey’re affectionately called “the burrito people.” Or sometimes “the burrito slingers.” They’re easily recognizable by their bright yellow bicycle jerseys, T-shirts and welcoming smiles.

Every Thursday evening, you can find them in the basement of the Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in the Des Moines East Village neighborhood. They’re volunteers for the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM), and their mission is simple: they make food, and they give it away. That’s it.

Year-round, 40 to 50 of these volunteers gather at the church to prepare upwards of 900 special square (not rolled) burritos, wrapped in foil; over 400 turkey and cheese sandwiches; and more than 450 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They organize fresh fruit, such as bananas and oranges, bags of cookies and cases of bottled water.

Alongside the food, they load vehicles with tents, blankets, socks, coats, batteries, flashlights, bug spray, first aid items and more. The prep work runs like a well-oiled machine with everyone working quickly in the kitchen and at tables around the parish hall. Within 45 minutes, they’re ready to start delivering on bicycles and in vehicles to unhoused and food insecure people

around the Des Moines metro.

They’re community-based and non-denominational. Anyone is welcome to volunteer, whether it’s food prep, bike delivery or vehicle support. They don’t preach, proselytize or try to convert. They consider their work “radical hospitality”—building relationships with unhoused individuals in the Des Moines area who are

often overlooked and marginalized, otherwise known as UBFM friends.

Last March, UBFM celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its humble beginning. In 2015, an avid cyclist named Joe Laslo suffered a serious bicycle accident. While recuperating, his church pastor gave a sermon about the homeless, and Laslo was inspired

The Capitol Hill Lutheran Burrito-Filling Makers fold square burritos in preparation for a ride on Thursday, July 10. Avery Staker / Little Village

Urban Bicycle Food Ministry’s Team Turquoise runs a route. Avery Staker / Little Village

to act. Once well enough, he got back on his bike and delivered 20 burritos and bottles of water to unhoused individuals on the streets of Des Moines, planting the seeds of what would grow to become UBFM.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit operates with zero administrative costs. Volunteers prepare an average of $1,600 worth of donated food and supplies each week. Many are avid bicyclists, others are casual riders and some don’t ride bikes at all. Only a handful are actual members of Capitol Hill Lutheran Church. The rest are just community members interested in the volunteer opportunity. They range in age (though bike riders must be 16 or older), background and neighborhood, hailing from around Des Moines and the surrounding suburbs.

Food preparation and packing starts in the parish hall at 4:45 p.m., and “Chief Burrito Slinger” Robby Collier organizes the members into eight established, color-coded routes led by experienced leaders. Five routes are carried out on bikes, three in vehicles. (During winter months, all routes are in vehicles). Some bike riders fill and carry backpacks, others load pull-behind carts and burleys.

At 6 p.m. sharp, the volunteers gather for announcements, prayer and “stories from the streets.” One of these stories told of a longtime UBFM friend who recently got a job cleaning state buildings, and now has an apartment to call home. At 6:15 p.m., meal delivery teams depart for their assigned routes in groups of four or more, and return to the church by 8:30 p.m. The largest route—the yellow route near the Des Moines River boat ramp—serves between 150 and 180 friends, and this summer alone UBFM has served upwards of 600 friends a week.

But the most meaningful work happens during the delivery routes themselves. As Collier explained, volunteers follow their HANDS guideline:

• Ask each person: “Have you had supper tonight?”

• Approach people from the front and introduce yourself.

• No money, no pictures.

Water, toiletries and other personal items are distributed along with food. Avery

• Demonstrate “radical hospitality” with grace, love, respect and hope, one burrito at a time.

• Practice Safety: stay on designated routes, and work in groups of at least four people. It appears the HANDS philosophy has paid off. Volunteers have never reported a safety issue (beyond an occasional flat bike tire), tend to know their friends by name, and often have friends waiting for them at drop-off locations. One first-time volunteer told Little Village she was attracted by UBFM’s simple mission statement and the opportunity for personal interactions and connections.

A snapshot of homelessness in Iowa provided by a 2023 Point-in-Time Report from the Institute for Community Alliances indicated over 2,300 Iowans were experiencing homelessness on a specific night in January, including both sheltered and unsheltered individuals. Of that number, approximately 27 percent of Iowa’s homeless population—over 600 people— resided in Polk County. Since 2023, UBFM has seen those numbers increase.

In a 2024 Iowa PBS special report on the UBFM, one volunteer shared he was unhoused himself a few years ago. He described his experience surviving on the

streets as “harrowing,” and said he felt unseen and alone despite having neighbors in the same circumstances. Interactions with UBFM friends during that time inspired him to later give back through the organization once he was in stable housing.

“Patience and compassion,” he said, “aren’t something many people have for the homeless.”

In the same PBS report, a UBFM unhoused friend said of the volunteers, “They’re not afraid to accidentally be touched by you … Some of the people that bring food and say that they’re here to help you … they’re still scared to catch your contagious homelessness or something.”

“If I’m in trouble,” he continued, “if I have an issue, am I going to run to the police first, or the burrito people? If I have a chance, I’m going to talk to the burrito people first. Because I have a better chance of getting help that way.”

On a recent Thursday night, UBFM volunteers dismounted their bicycles and exited their vehicles. They began calling out, “Burritos! Burritos!” into the wooded areas behind buildings, along the Des Moines River and near railroad tracks. Within a few minutes, people emerged from tents, culverts and tree lines, and the volunteers happily greeted them by name, with smiles, handshakes and hugs.

“Have you had dinner tonight?”

“Would you like a burrito or a sandwich?”

“How’s your foot doing?”

“Do you need an extra pair of socks?”

“Where’s Joe tonight?”

“Do you need an extra bag of food for Sharon?” Basic questions, fulfilling a simple mission. It’s amazing what a little humanity and a bag of burritos can do.

If you’d like to get involved with the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry, you can email inquiries to ubfm.dsm@ gmail.com or visit their website, ubfmdsm.com.

Volunteers bag burritos ahead of the ride. Avery Staker / Little Village

Staker / Little Village

Food-Focused Events

DES MOINES

Sat, Aug 9, Sweet Corn Festival, Downtown Adel

Sat, Aug 23, 3 p.m., Ingersoll Live, 2800 Block of Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines

Sat, Aug 23, Iowa Wine and Cider Festival, Jasper Winery, Des Moines

Fri-Sun, Aug 22-24, World Food and Music Festival, Western gateway Park

Sat, Aug 30, taste of the Junction’s Annual Multicultural Festival, West Des Moines

Fri & Sat, Sept 26 & 27, Oktoberfest, the District at Prairie trail, Ankeny

Sat, Sept 27, Applefest, Living History Farms, Urbandale

Sat & Sun, Sept 27 & 28, Latino Heritage Festival, Western gateway Park, Des Moines

IOWA CITY

Wednesdays through Oct. 1, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Coralville Farmers Market, Iowa River Landing

Saturdays through Oct. 25, 7:30 a.m.noon, Iowa City Farmers Market, Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp

Wed, Aug 6, 6 p.m., Farm to table Dinner, Walker Homestead

thu, Aug 7, 5 p.m., Summer of the Arts: Eat for the Arts, Marco’s grilled Cheese

Sat, Aug 16, 12 p.m., Iowa City Latino Fest 2025, Ped Mall

Sat, Aug 16, 6 p.m., Chef’s table at Watermill Kitchen + Bar, Coralville

Wed, Aug 20, 5 p.m., Summer of the Arts:

Eat for the Arts, Iowa Athletic Club

thu, Aug 21, 5 p.m., Farm to Street Dinner, N Linn Street, Northside Neighborhood

tues, Aug 27, 4 p.m., taste of Iowa City, downtown Iowa City

Sat, Sept 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Northside Oktoberfest, Northside Neighborhood

thu-Sun, Oct 2-5, 60th Oktoberfest in the Amana Colonies, Festhalle Barn, Amana

CEDAR RAPIDS

Saturdays through Sept. 20, 7:30 a.m.-noon, Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market, 1st-5th St SE

tuesdays, 11 a.m., Food truck tuesdays, NewBo City Market

Sat, Aug 9, 10 a.m., Immigrant-owned Business Market, NewBo City Market

Sun, Aug 10, 10 a.m., Culinary Class: Focaccia Art, NewBo City Market

tue, Aug 19, 6 p.m., Culinary Class: Adult grilled Cheese and Wine Pairing, Newbo City Market

Sat, Aug 23, 9:30 p.m., Cedar Rapids Market After Dark, 501 1st St SE

thu, Aug 28, 5 p.m., trailside tastings, Indian Creek Nature Center

Fri-Sun, Aug 29-31, 10 a.m., 4th Annual Cedar Rapids Bake-Off, NewBo City Market

Fri, Sept 19, 6:30 p.m., BrewNost, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

thu, Oct 2, 5:30 p.m., 8th Annual Beers in the Barnyard, Old MacDonalds Farm at Bever Park

CEDAR FALLS/ WATERLOO

Saturdays, 8 a.m., Waterloo Urban Farmers Market, 460 Jefferson St, Waterloo

Aug 1-3, Iowa Irish Fest, Downtown Waterloo

Sat, Aug 9, 4 p.m., Cedar Valley Stem & Stein, Riverloop Expo Plaza, Waterloo

Sept 7, Checker’s Stone Soul Picnic, Overman Park, Cedar Falls

QUAD CITIES

Saturdays through Oct 25, 8 a.m.-noon, geneseo Farmer’s Market, geneseo

Saturdays through Oct 25, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Freight House Farmers Market, Davenport

Sundays through Oct 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Freight House Farmers Market, Davenport

Saturdays through Oct 25, 8 a.m.-noon, QC Farmers Market, Festival Street, Rock Island

Fridays through Sept 26, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Mercado on Fifth, Moline

Fridays through Sept 26 (No trucks on Aug 8), 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Food truck Friday, LeClaire

Fri-Sat, Aug 8-9, QC Balloon Festival, Rhythm City Casino Resort, Davenport

Sat, Aug 9, 8 a.m., Cars and Coffee, Dead Poet’s Espresso, Moline

Sat, Aug 9, 3 p.m., Village of East Davenport Wine Walk, Davenport

Fri, Aug 15, 11 a.m., Hand in Hand Cookout at Fareway, Bettendorf

Sat, Aug 16, 10 a.m., Summer Shindig Vendor Fair, Playcrafters Barn theatre, Moline

DUBUQUE

Saturdays through Oct. 25, 7 a.m.-noon, Dubuque Farmers Market, City Hall

thu, Aug. 14, Sept 11 & Oct 9, 5-8 p.m., Millwork Night Market, 7th-9th & Jackson St

Fri, Aug 8 & Sept 12, Food Festival Fridays, Washington Park

Sat, Aug 9, garden gala: A Convivium Fundraiser, Convivium Urban Farmstead

Sun, Aug 10, Disco Brunch w/ Dj SaladSpinner, Convivium Urban Farmstead

Briana Thompson / Little Village

August A-LIst: FILM

DES MOINES

Sun & Mon, Aug 3 & 4, Sunset Boulevard 75th Anniversary, Fleur Cinema

Mon, Aug 4, 7 p.m., Love & Friendship presented with the Jane Austen Society, Varsity Cinema

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley presented with First Fleet Concerts, Varsity Cinema

Sat, Aug 9, Des Moines Free Flicks series: Zathura: A Space Adventure, Ewing Park

Fri, Aug 15, Des Moines Free Flicks series: Inside Out 2, Evelyn K. Davis Park

Sun, Aug 17, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 35th Anniversary, Fleur Cinema

tue, Aug 19, 7 p.m., Napoleon Dynamite with audience interaction, Varsity Cinema

Sun & Wed, Aug 17 & 20, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 35th Anniversary, Fleur Cinema

Fri, Aug 22, Des Moines Free Flicks series: Moana 2, gray’s Lake Park

IOWA CITY

Sat & Sun, Aug 2 & 3, Catvideofest 2025, FilmScene

Sun, Aug 3, 8:25 p.m., Aliens Rooftop screening, FilmScene

Mon, Aug 4, 7 p.m., The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, FilmScene

tues, Aug 5, 7 p.m., Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, FilmScene

Wed, Aug 6, 10 p.m., The Toxic Avenger, FilmScene

thu, Aug 7, 6:30 p.m., Iowa City Video Zine Youth Episode, FilmScene

Sat, Aug 9, 4 p.m., The Last Class, FilmScene

Sat, Aug 9, 8:15 p.m., Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, FilmScene

Sun, Aug 10, 4 p.m., Hud, FilmScene Mon, Aug 11, 7 p.m., Resettled, FilmScene

Wed, Aug 13, 10 p.m., Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland, FilmScene thu, Aug 14, 7 p.m., Hud, FilmScene

Wed, Aug 13, 7 p.m., The Last Class, FilmScene Sat, Aug 16, 4 p.m., Cool Hand Luke, FilmScene

Sat & Sun, Aug 16 & 17, 11 a.m., The Secret World of Arrietty, FilmScene

Sun, Aug 17, 8:05 p.m., White Chicks, FilmScene

Mon, Aug 18, 7 p.m., Cool Hand Luke, FilmScene

tues, Aug 19, 7 p.m., Brokeback Mountain, FilmScene

LOCAL & NOTABLE

Little Village's monthly print calendar is a non-exhaustive, curated list of arts and cultural events across LV's reader areas. Want to see more? Browse listings online at littlevillagemag.com/calendar.

Are you planning an event? Add it to our online calendar: littlevillagemag. com/calendar.

(Please include: event image, event name, date, time, venue name and address, admission price or price range and a brief description. No all-caps, exclamation points or advertising verbiage, please.)

Wed, Aug 20, 10 p.m., Shriek of the Mutilated, FilmScene

thu, Aug 21, 3:30 p.m., The Secret World of Arrietty, FilmScene

Fri, Aug 22, 10 p.m., Wolf Man Rising, FilmScene

Sat, Aug 23, 8 p.m., Shrek, FilmScene in the Park

Sun, Aug 24, 4 p.m., The Verdict, FilmScene

Sun, Aug 24, 7 p.m., The Dells, FilmScene

tue, Aug 26, 7 p.m. The Verdict, FilmScene

Wed, Aug 27, 10 p.m, Superstarlet A.D., FilmScene

thu, Aug 28, 7 p.m., Land & Heart: Local Food Shorts, FilmScene

Sat, Aug 30, 6:30 p.m., International Screendance Festival 2025, FilmScene

Sat, Aug 30, 10 p.m., Dazed and Confused, FilmScene

Sun, Aug 31, 7:45 p.m., Nowhere, FilmScene

Wed, Sep 3, 10 p.m., Maniac Cop 2, FilmScene

QUAD CITIES

thu-Sat, Aug 7-9, 8:30 p.m., Labyrinth, the Last Picture House

MUSIC

DES MOINES/AMES

thursdays, 7 p.m., Jazz on the House, Noce

Sun, Aug 3, 7:30 p.m., the Word Alive, tx2, Unwell, Infernal Instinct, Wooly’s

Sun, Aug 3, 12 p.m., girls Rock! Des Moines Presents: July Rock Camp Showcase, xBk Live

tue, Aug 5, 6 p.m., Keno album release, xBk Live

Wed, Aug 6, 6 p.m., Sharpie Smile, Lefty’s Live Music

Wed, Aug 6, 7 p.m.., Veaux and Fox Royale w/ Nathan thiessen Band, xBk Live

Wed, Aug 6, 7 p.m., galactic Empire, Wooly’s

thu, Aug 7, 5 p.m., Daygo Abortions, the Brothels, Old Dogs and Disorderly Conduct, Lefty’s Live Music

thu, Aug 7, 7 p.m., Jessie Murph, Jorjiana, Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park

thu, Aug 7, 7:30 p.m., three Dog Night, Hoyt Sherman Place

thu, Aug 7, 9 p.m., the Road

Warriors tour, Lefty’s Live Music

Fri, Aug 8, 5 p.m., February, thisworldisnotkind, Lefty’s Live Music

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., Fly Me to the Moon: the Max Wellman Band plays Sinatra, Noce

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., Mihali , Wooly’s

Fri, Aug 8, 6 p.m., (Not) the Law w/ 10 Watt Jukebox and the High Bidders, xBk Live

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., the Spill Canvas w/ Don’t Panic & On Hiatus, Lefty’s Live Music

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., Naughty Nerds Cabaret presents: Nerdtopia, xBk Live

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., Torch Songs: Lauren Vilmain w/ her jazz orchestra, Noce

Sun, Aug 10, 6 p.m., Zao w/ Balmora, In Loving Memory, girl of glass, godseyes, xBk Live

A-LIST: AUGUST 2025

tue, Aug 12, 6 p.m., the Burroughs w/ the Finesse, xBk Live

Wed, Aug 13, 6 p.m., Live at the Annex: Pierre Bensusan, xBk Annex

thu, Aug 14, 5 p.m., Infernal Instinct, Chronophaze and Project 10-44, Lefty’s Live Music

Fri, Aug 15, 6 p.m., Live at the Annex: Rudy Wylde, xBk Annex

Fri, Aug 15, 7 & 9 p.m., Jane Monheit, Noce

Sat, Aug 16, 6 p.m., Bouquet EP release w/ Sundance, Careful gaze and Kensett, xBk Live

Sat, Aug 16, 7 p.m., Nap Sings Nat: Napoleon Douglas Sings Nat King Cole, Noce

Sat, Aug 16, 7 p.m., Paul Cauthen, Wooly’s

Sun, Aug 17, 6 p.m., Stuck Lucky, the Uncollectables, Lefty’s Live Music

Sun, Aug 17, 7:30 p.m.,Black Stone Cherry, tim Montana, gallivant, Wooly’s

Mon, Aug 18, 5 p.m., Zamtrip, Apollos Death, Lefty’s Live Music

tue, Aug 19, 6 p.m., gA-20, xBk Live

Wed, Aug 20, 6 p.m., the Claudettes w/ Abbie Sawyer, xBk Live

thu, Aug 21, 6 p.m., Cloakroom w/ glass Ox, xBk Live

Fri, Aug 22, 6 p.m., Leila’s Rose, Dirty Blonde, Kensett, Lefty’s Live Music

Fri, Aug 22, 6 p.m., the guilty Pleasures, xBk Live

Fri, Aug 22, 6 p.m., Live at the Annex: Ryan O’Rien, xBk Annex

Fri, Aug 22, 7 p.m., Something to Talk About: A Night of Classic Country w/ gina gedler ft Abbie Sawyer, Noce

Sat, Aug 23, 6:30 p.m., Hazer, Wooly’s

Sat, Aug 23, 7 p.m., Ira grace w/ Fred Love, xBk Live

A-LIST: AUGUST 2025

MUSIC

Mon, Aug 25, 5 p.m., tItVN, Dark Watch, Exiled, Brevity, Wastegate, Lefty’s Live Music

tue, Aug 26, 7 p.m., Attack Attack!, Wooly’s

Wed, Aug 27, 7 p.m., Vicious Rumors, Lefty’s Live Music

thu, Aug 28, 5 p.m., Boy Jr. w/ Kopps, Lefty’s Live Music

thu, Aug 28, 6 p.m., gannon Fremin & CCREV, xBk Live

thu, Aug 28, 7 p.m., Jackyl, Wooly’s

Friday, Aug 29, 7 p.m., Poundgame Addison, the Reasn, OK Nala, true Eddie, Jandrobands, the Zeffsterr, xBk Live

Sat, Aug 30, 3 p.m., Rusty’s Weiner Roast ‘25, Lefty’s Live Music

Sat, Aug 30, 7 p.m., Live at the annex: Charmaine Lee w/ Bodiah, xBk Annex

Sat, Aug 30, 8 p.m., Jean Dawson, Lecx Stacy, Wooly’s

Sun, Aug 31, 2 p.m., Jac Fest ft Ramona and the Sometimes, Odd Pets & more, xBk Live

IOWA CITY

Sundays, 3 p.m., Sunday Funday w/ Live Music, Wilson’s Orchard and Farm

thursdays, 5 p.m., Farm Sessions w/ J. Knight, Wilson’s Orchard and Farm

Wed, Aug 6, 6 p.m., Shamans Harvest w/ t.R.O.Y., Stars in toledo & Nongrata, Wildwood

Wed, Aug 6, 6:30 p.m., Music on the Move: Steve grismore trio, City Park

Fri, Aug 8, 6:30 p.m., Friday Night

Concert Series: Carson Parker trio, Kiersten Conway Quartet, Ped Mall

Fri, Aug 8, 8 p.m., Joytrip, Joel Sires & One More Hour, gabe’s

Fri, Aug 9, 6 p.m., Northside Saturday Nights: the Fabulous trutones, Northside Outside street

A-LIST: AUGUST 2025

Sat, Aug 9, 8 p.m., Mungion, gabe’s

Sun, Aug 10, 7 p.m., Moscow Puzzles, Slacker, Mazu, gabe’s

tues, Aug 12, 7 p.m., tWIZtID, Wildwood

Wed, Aug 13, 6:30 p.m., Music on the Move: Nicole Dean, Cardigan Park

tues, Aug 13, 7 p.m., Burlington Street Bluegrass Band, Wildwood

Fri, Aug 15, 6:30 p.m., Friday Night Concert Series: Big Begonias, the Feralings, Ped Mall

Fri, Aug 15, 6:30 p.m., Catfish Keith, Englert theatre

Fri, Aug 15, 8 p.m., Blankslate w/ Mars Hojilla & Early girl, gabe’s

Sat, Aug 16, 6 p.m., Whiskey Rebellion, PinSeekers, tiffin

Sat, Aug 16, 6 p.m., Northside Saturday Nights: Kristina Marie Castañeda, Northside Outside street

Sat, Aug 16, 6 p.m., guilty of treason, Post A.D, 12 gauge Autopsy, Crimson temple, Funky Fetus, gabe’s

Sat, Aug 16, 6:30 p.m., Rhythms at Riverfront Crossing: James tutson & the Rollback, Riverfront Crossings

Sun, Aug 17, 6 p.m., Paul Cauthen, Wildwood

Sun 17, 6 p.m., Lyndhurst w/ On Hiatus, New Neighbors & Sorry Pluto, gabe’s

Wed, Aug 20, 6:30 p.m., Music on the Move: the Feralings, Emma J. Harvat Square

Fri, Aug 22, 6:30 p.m., Friday Night

MUSIC

Concert Series: Dodge Street Duo, Hard Luck & the troubles, Ped Mall

Fri, Aug 22, 7 p.m., Overtime & the Blue Collar Soldiers Band w/ Krizz Kaliko, Wildwood

Sat, Aug 23, 6 p.m., Northside Saturday Nights: Blake Shaw trio, Northside Outside street

Sat, Aug 23, 7 p.m., Eren Khan w/ Swing Youth & Kwest, gabe’s

tues, Aug 23, 8 p.m., Eli Alger & the Faster Horses, Wildwood

Wed, Aug 27, 6:30 p.m., Music on the Move: Ioannis Alexakis and friends, Chauncey Swan Park

Wed, Aug 27, 7 p.m., SKYDXDDY: Traumacore Tour, Wildwood

thu, Aug 28, 9 p.m., DIZgO, gabe’s

Fri, Aug 29, 6:30 p.m., Friday Night

Concert Series: Jumbies, Ped Mall

Fri, Aug 29 9 p.m., gimme gimme Disco, gabe’s

Sat, Aug 30, 6 p.m., Northside

Saturday Nights: Flash in a Pan, Northside Outside street

Sat, Aug 30, 6:30 p.m., Rhythms at Riverfront Crossing: the Beaker Brothers, Riverfront Crossings

Flash in a Pan. Zak

Neumann / Little Village

MUSIC

Sat, Aug 30, 8 p.m., Miracles of god, Daisy glue, Blood + Stomach Pills, Early girl, gabe’s

Wed, Sep 3, 6:30 p.m., Music on the Move: Zebra Maneuver, James Alan McPherson Park

Wed, Sep 3, 7 p.m., Burlington Street Bluegrass Band, Wildwood

CEDAR RAPIDS

Fri, Aug 8, 8 p.m., Dan tedesco, CSPS

thu, Aug 14, 6 p.m., Andy Juhl & the Bluestem Players, the Ideal theater & Bar

thu, Aug 14, 7 p.m., Chloe Kimes w/ Jake Stack,CSPS

thu, Aug 14, 5:30 p.m., Cocktail Hour w/ the Sugar & Spice trio, the Ideal theater & Bar

Sat, Aug 16, 8 p.m., Pierre Bensusan, CSPS

Sat, Aug 16, 8 p.m., Rahlan Kay’s Annual

All-White Affair, the Ideal theater & Bar

Wed, Aug 20, 7 p.m., gA-20, CSPS

Fri, Aug 22, 8 p.m., Molly Brandt w/ the Host Country, CSPS

Sat, Aug 23, 9 p.m., After Market After Dark Vol III, the Ideal theater & Bar

Sat, Aug 23, 7:30 p.m., Carol Montag, CSPS

Wed, Aug 27, 7 p.m., Nat Lefkoff, CSPS

Fri, Aug 29, 5:30 p.m., Cocktail Hour w/ Darren Lewis, the Ideal theater & Bar

Fri, Aug 29, 6:45 p.m., Kitty Steadman, Opus Concert Café

Sat, Aug 30, 8 p.m., J Edwards w/ Marquese Morel, the Ideal theater & Bar

CEDAR FALLS/ WATERLOO

thu, Aug 14, 8 p.m., Monsoon & the Value of Human Life, Octopus, Cedar Falls

Fri, Aug 22, 8 p.m., the Rumours,

8 Founded, Hazer & guss Royal, Octopus, Cedar Falls

Sat, Aug 30, 7 p.m., WCF Symphony Labor Day Concert, River Place Plaza, Cedar Falls

Sat, Aug 30, 8 p.m., tsuShiMaMiRe & Jack Christensen, Octopus, Cedar Falls

QUAD CITIES

Sun, Aug 3, 6 p.m., Mark Mallman, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

tue, Aug 5, 6 p.m., Veaux & Fox Royale, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Wed, Aug 6, 6 p.m., the Deslondes w/ Sabine McCalla, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

A-LIST: AUGUST 2025

thu, Aug 7, 6 p.m., Michael Cera Palin w/ Stars Hollow, Arcadia grey & gunk Lung, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Fri, Aug 8, 5 p.m., Live at 5 Concert Series: Jumbies, Skybridge Courtyard, Davenport

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., Jill Andrews w/ Matt Van, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Fri, Aug 8, 7:30 p.m., Sound in Space: Samuel P, Rozz-tox, Rock Island

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., the Big 9 Concert Series: Lady Igraine w/ Night School, LeClaire Park, Davenport

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., Molly Conrad, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., OUtLEtProgramme Presents: Stephan Naluslka & Adam Shead, Rozz-tox, Rock Island

tue, Aug 12, 6 p.m., the Central w/ Birth Order, Blist Her & If I Could Just get Some Sleep, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

thu-Sun, Aug 14-17, Alternating Currents Festival, various venues, Quad Cities

Fri, Aug 15, 5 p.m., Live at 5 Concert Series: Alternating Currents Block Party w/ Heads in Motion, Skybridge Courtyard, Davenport

Mon, Aug 18, 6 p.m., Latter w/ thisworldisnotkind & Everlasting Light, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

tue, Aug 19, 6 p.m., Jason Scott & the High Heat, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Wed, Aug 20, 6 p.m., teddy and the Rough Riders, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Fri, Aug 22, 5 p.m., Live at 5 Concert Series: Class of ’82, Skybridge Courtyard, Davenport

Fri, Aug 22, 7 p.m., JP Harris w/ Nathan graham, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Sat, Aug 23, 7 p.m., Elijah Johnston w/ No Antics, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Sat, Aug 23, 8 p.m., Amateur Selectors Series, Rozz-tox, Rock Island

Wed, Aug 27, 6 p.m., Lilly Hiatt, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

MUSIC

thu, Aug 28, 6 p.m., Basic Printer w/ Deth Rali & Drug Warp, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Fri, Aug 29, 5 p.m., Live at 5 Concert Series: Far Out 283, Skybridge Courtyard, Davenport

Fri, Aug 29, 8 p.m., Amateur Selectors Series: A Little More Blue w/ Benjamin, Rozz-tox, Rock Island

Sat, Aug 30, 2 p.m., La Armada w/ Racetraitor, Wretched Blessing, Blaster & the Hunting grounds Death Cult, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Sat, Aug 30, 7 p.m., Alex Williams w/ Isaac Rudd, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

Sun, Aug 31, 6 p.m., tsuShiMaMiRe, Raccoon Motel, Davenport

DUBUQUE/ MAQUOKETA

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., River glen & Sophie Coyote, Maquoketa Brewing

Sat, Aug 9, Mazinga, the Lift, Dubuque

Fri, Aug 15, Salty Dog, the Lift, Dubuque

thu, Aug 21, Sven Dredrik, the Lift, Dubuque

Fri, Aug 22, 7 p.m., Roberts, Dahms & Larry, Maquoketa Brewing

Sat, Aug 23, Wurk, the Lift, Dubuque

Fri, Aug 29, 7 p.m., Fred Love, Maquoketa Brewing

Sat, Aug 30, People Brothers Band, the Lift, Dubuque

via La Armada

THEATER & PERFORMANCE

DES MOINES/AMES

Sun, Aug 3, 2 p.m., The SpongeBob Musical, Des Moines Young Artists’ theatre

Sun, Aug 3, 6:30 p.m., Parade, Des Moines Civic Center

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., Paper Bag Confessions, Stoner theater

Aug 14-17, various times, Honk! Jr, Des Moines Playhouse

IOWA CITY

Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Lady Franklyn Improv Show, Willow Creek theatre Company

Sat, Aug 16, Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha Presents: Cirque Du So Gay, the James theater

Mon, Aug 18, 6 p.m., Improv Conservatory: Scene Work w/ Luke Brooks, Willow Creek theatre Company

Fri-Sun, Aug 22-24, various times, Barefoot in the Park, the James theater

Fri-Sun, Aug 29-31, various times, Barefoot in the Park, the James theater

CEDAR RAPIDS

Sun, Aug 3, 2 p.m., Beetlejuice Jr., CSPS Hall

Fri, Aug 15, Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha Presents: Cirque Du So Gay, the James theater

CEDAR FALLS/ WATERLOO

Aug 8-17, various times, Descendants: The Musical, Cedar Falls Community theatre

Aug 22, 7 p.m., Scriptless in Seattle, Cedar Falls Community theatre

QUAD CITIES

Aug 8-17, Gypsy, Prospect Park Auditorium, Moline

DUBUQUE

Aug 8-24, various times, The Kitchen Witches, Bell tower theater

LIT & COMMUNITY

DES MOINES/AMES

thu, Aug 7, 6:30 p.m., Meet the Author: Nicole terrizzi, Beaverdale Books

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., Open Mic Poetry Night, Beaverdale Books

tue, Aug 12, 6:30 p.m., Book Launch: Stephanie R. Caffrey, Beaverdale Books

Wed, Aug 13, 10:30 a.m., Storytime Under the green Umbrella, Cowles Commons

Fri, Aug 15, 5:30 p.m., tallgrass: the Des Moines Festival of Ideas, the Shop DSM

Fri, Aug 15, 6:30 p.m., Meet the Artists/Authors: Laura Kina & Jave Yoshimoto, Beaverdale Books

Fri, Aug 15, 7:30 p.m., Ear Hustle Live!, the Englert

Wed, Aug 20, 7 p.m., History Under the Influence w/ Professor george, xBk Annex

Fri, Aug 22, 6:30 p.m., Romance Writers in Conversation: Elise Wayland, Beaverdale Books

Sat, Aug 23, 9 a.m., Dancing on Cowles Commons, Cowles Commons

Sun, Aug 24, 5 p.m., 2025 Cloris Awards Ceremony, Hoyt Sherman Place

thu, Aug 28, 6:30 p.m., Meet the Author: Denise Williams, Marshalltown Public Library

Sat, Aug 30, 3 p.m., Book Launch: Arbor Sloane, Beaverdale Books

IOWA CITY

Aug 9-30, Workshop: Natural Dyeing for Beginners, IC Press Co-op at PS1 Northside

Wed, Aug 6, 5 p.m., Workshop: Video Jockey: Live Video as Performance, PS1 Close House

NO CHILD SHOULD GO HUNGRY THIS SUMMER

More families are facing hunger this summer than ever before. Your gift to Strike Out Hunger, presented by Hills Bank, will feed kids while they are out of school.

A-LIST: AUGUST 2025

Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m., Author Reading: Cory Hutchinson-Reuss, Prairie Lights

Aug 11-15, IYWP Writers Unbound Summer Camp, University of Iowa

Sundays, 12 p.m., Radical Relaxation Yoga, PS1 Close House Dance Hall

tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Soul Flow Yoga, PS1 Close House Dance Hall

Fridays, 6 p.m., gentle Yoga, PS1 Close House Dance Hall

CEDAR RAPIDS

Sundays, 12 p.m., Sunday Bingo, Newbo City Market

tuesdays, 11 a.m., Food truck tuesdays, Newbo City Market

Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Wednesday trivia Night, NewBo City Market

thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Meet Me at the Market wellness events, Newbo City Market

Sat, Aug 9, 10 a.m., Immigrant-owned Business Market, Newbo City Market

Sun, Aug 10, 10 a.m., Culinary Class: Focaccia Art, Newbo City Market

tue, Aug 19, 6 p.m., Culinary Class: Adult grilled Cheese and Wine Pairing, Newbo City Market

thu, Aug 21, 4 p.m., Art Lovers Book Club: Eating Eternity: Food, Art and Literature in France, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Sat, Aug 23, 11 a.m., Steam Saturdays: Eduskate Board Shop, Newbo City Market

via NewBo City Market

Fri-Sun, Aug 29-31, 10 a.m., 4th Annual Cedar Rapids Bake-Off, Newbo City Market

CEDAR FALLS/ WATERLOO

Saturdays, 8 a.m., Waterloo Urban Farmers Market, 460 Jefferson St, Waterloo

Mon, Aug 4, 5:30 p.m., Writing Waterloo: A place-based poetry workshop, Waterloo Public Library

tues, Aug 19, 2 p.m., Fall Author Seedbed Series: tracing touchstones w/ Rachel Morgan, Waterloo Public Library

thu, Aug 28,, 5:30 p.m., Altered Reality Book Club: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Waterloo Public Library

QUAD CITIES

Sun, Aug 3, 6 p.m., Men’s Book Club, the Atlas Collective, Moline

tue, Aug 5, 6 p.m., Paint Nite w/ Kaitlynn, the Atlas Collective, Moline

thu, Aug 7, 10 a.m., Sketch & Color w/ Angela, the Atlas Collective, Moline

Sat, Aug 9, 4 p.m., Cedar Valley Stem & Stein: Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival, Riverloop Expo Plaza, Waterloo

Sun, Aug 10, 12 p.m., Rock Island Artists Market, Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, Rock Island

Fri, Aug 15, 6 p.m., Rat Trap Magazine release event, the Atlas Collective, Moline

thu, Aug 21, 5:30 p.m., teller of Small Fortunes Book Club, the Atlas Collective, Moline

tue, Aug 26, 5:30 p.m., the Briar Club Book Club, the Atlas Collective, Moline

DUBUQUE

Sat-Sun, Aug 2-3, 12 p.m., the Haunted Market, grand River Center

Sat, Aug 9, 7 p.m., The Negro Artist screening, Voices Studio

Sat, Aug 9, garden gala: A Convivium Fundraiser, Convivium Urban Farmstead

Sun, Aug 10, Disco Brunch w/ Dj SaladSpinner, Convivium Urban Farmstead

ART & EXHIBITION

DES MOINES/AMES

through August, “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa” Exhibition, Des Moines Art Center

through August, “Life Mask” A Celebration of gifts from the Dale Jansen Estate, Des Moines Art Center

through August, Firelei Báez Exhibition, Des Moines Art Center

through August, Iowa Artists 2025: Ben Millett Exhibition, Des Moines Art Center

through Aug 23, “the Art of Dr. Seuss” exhibition, Moberg gallery, Des Moines

Sat, Aug 23, 7 p.m., REDefined: Photo Exhibit, xBk Annex

IOWA CITY

Saturdays through August, 1 p.m., “the Art of Saying No” exhibition, ArtiFactory gallery

through August 9, thomas Agran “Hickory Hill” exhibition, PS1 Close House

Fri, Aug 8, 6 p.m., Opening Reception: Mike Stenerson “the Art of Saying No” exhibition, ArtiFactory gallery

Fri, Aug 8, Museum Reopening, Stanley Museum of Art

Wed, Aug 13, 10:30 a.m., Stanley Sage “Framing My Life through Others Art” w/ Pete Hartley, Stanley Museum of Art

CEDAR RAPIDS

through Aug 24, Wan-Yen Hsieh “Longing for Longing” exhibition, the Cherry Building

Wed, Aug 6, 12:15 p.m., Art Bites: w/ artist Mike Ryan and Strokes of genius, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Sat, Aug 23, 12 p.m., Meet and greet: Jayson Reid, DKW Art gallery, Marion

Sun, Sep 3, 12:15 p.m., Art Bites: Newly re-installed Beyond the Prairie, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

QUAD CITIES

thu, Aug 28, 6 p.m., Future Now Closing Celebration, Figge Art Museum

DUBUQUE/ MAQUOKETA

through August, “they Are Not Disposable” exhibit, Voices Studios, Dubuque

Aug 2-24, “Sowing Iron: Cast Iron Sculpture Exhibit, Smokestack

via Des Moines Art Center

via Michael Stenerson

via Stanley Museum of Art

We can stop HIV,

Iowa—

by using the prevention methods that work best for us!

Find a health care provider you can talk to openly about your sexual health. If needed, consider finding a second provider for your sexual health care. The best provider for you is one you’re comfortable with!

Make prevention and testing part of your journey. Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know your status. And knowing your HIV status helps you choose options to stay healthy!

Practice safer sex.

Condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and other STIs when used correctly. You can also choose sexual activities with a lower chance of passing an infection.

Get in care. Stay in care.

If you’re living with HIV, taking your HIV medication as prescribed helps you stay healthy. It also prevents transmission of HIV to your sex partners.

Scan the QR code or visit stophiviowa.org to learn more

Dear Kiki,

Polyamory has taken the lesbian and queer community by storm. Every person I talk to wants me to read The Ethical Slut or Polysecure and be on board with their primary partner, but after experimenting with it I think I’m just monogamous. Am I less enlightened? Less queer? How do I say I’m monogamous without sounding closeminded?

Mind Open, Relationship Closed

Dear Mind Open, Relationship Closed, Let’s see if I can pick apart the threads of your question, because I see red flags here that quite frankly have nothing to do with you or with polyamory.

When you write, “Every person I talk to,” I suspect you are not referring to friends and acquaintances, but to people who you’re hoping to date or hook up with, and that “be on board with their primary partner” means “date/hook up with them despite their current relationship status.”

MORC, if I may: That is bullshit.

Anyone trying to pressure you into a relationship that makes you uncomfortable is someone who is not worth the time it takes to let down gently. This is doubly true if they are implying that there’s something wrong with you for enforcing boundaries or trying to shame you into consenting. Disengage. Do not head for first base even on a walk.

If by chance I’m wrong, and you’re actually saying that you are unable to accept that friends and acquaintances happen to be poly, then that’s a different story. Your monogamy doesn’t give you the right to judge them any more than the opposite.

But you have every right to build your relationships in ways that make you feel loved, wanted and safe. You can’t force or trick or educate yourself into being polyamorous, and being monogamous doesn’t make you any less queer.

Please make every effort to be upfront and firm about this with potential partners. Put it in your dating profile, if you have one. Maybe even read the books that are being recommended, if you have time, just to shut down that line of inquiry. You’ve given it a shot. It’s not for you. That’s all anyone needs to know. It might be that you’ll have a harder time finding your one-and-only, but love isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to be worth it.

At least the monogamous and the polyamorous can agree about that!

xoxo, Kiki

Dear Kiki,

Where do I begin? I do not jive with casual intimacy… and I feel like a prude for it. As a young woman I thought if I could have sex like my peers it would be fun and I would feel empowered. While the temporary connections satisfied me in the moment, time and time again casual intimacy has led to dissatisfaction, frustration, in the worst cases some actual trauma, and dare I admit—feelings of attachment and care.

I feel like Sandy from Grease… I don’t want to hear about hook-ups, I don’t understand why it’s fun anymore, and unlike Sandy I no longer plan to throw on some leather pants and “see where things go.”

I imagine a more beautiful relationship for myself. One where I care about someone AND we have sex, but it makes me feel embarrassed and frankly unhopeful. I don’t want to be a Samantha, and I’m terrified I’m perceived as a Carrie.

How can I honor my desires for a reciprocal relationship while internally working through the times I let the unspoken pressure to be a “cool girl” come before my boundaries and needs? How does a young woman who’s been through a few things, and who has maybe even put others through a few things, get herself back out there without completely retraumatizing herself or planning the wedding before dessert?

A woman learning to hold her head high while she carries her baggage along for the ride

Dear Head High, Congrats on all the difficult work you’ve done so far! It sounds like you’ve come a long way in terms of having respect for yourself and better aligning your actions and beliefs. That’s amazing: I’m sure you know this now, but the most important relationship in anyone’s life is the one they have with themself.

There’s two key things to remember as you continue in these efforts.

First: Don’t rush yourself! Our lives are not built on being, but on becoming. All of the characters you reference are snapshots, bound by time as well as fiction. They’re not worth comparing yourself to, because you are not trapped in celluloid. You are changing and growing and failing and succeeding and becoming, constantly and continuously. Enjoy the process! Even the relationship you desire is not an end goal or a credits roll, but another beginning that will change you and help you grow.

Second: Baggage is endemic. Everyone you meet will have some. Don’t be embarrassed because your baggage is heavy; be proud because you are strong enough to carry it. When you meet potential partners, remember to have grace for their past: That will help you to hold firm in the knowledge that you deserve grace for your own. And know that we are all works in progress, and that’s the beautiful point of it all. xoxo, Kiki

Submit questions anonymously at littlevillagemag.com/dearkiki or non-anonymously to dearkiki@littlevillagemag.com. Questions may be edited for clarity and length, and may appear either in print or online at littlevillagemag.com.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In ancient China and ancient Greece, the lion was not the king of beasts, but the guardian of gates. The threshold keeper. The one who asked, “Are you ready?” Now is a good time to bring this aspect of Leonine symbolism to your attention. You may soon feel a surge of leadership radiance, but not necessarily the stage-commanding kind. It will be more like priest and priestess energy. Gatekeeper presence. People and situations in your orbit are on the verge of transformation, and you can be a midwife to their transitions—not by fixing or moralizing, but by witnessing. So I invite you to hold space. Ask potent questions. Be the steady presence ready to serve as a catalyst.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The love-fakers and promisebreakers and delusion-makers are no fun, but I think you will ultimately be grateful they helped you clarify your goals. The reverse healers and idea-stealers and greedy feelers are perilous to your peace of mind in the short run, but eventually they will motivate you to create more rigorous protections for your heart, health and stability. In conclusion, Virgo, it’s one of those odd times when people with less than pure intentions and high integrity can be valuable teachers.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is built into a Norwegian mountain near the Arctic. It’s humanity’s backup garden. It stores over a million seed varieties from all over the world, serving as a safeguard for biodiversity. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I invite you to imagine yourself as resembling a seed vault. What valuable capacities are you saving up for the future? Are there treasures you contain that will ensure your long-term stability and security? Which of your potentials need to get extra nurturing? Bonus: Now is a good time to consider whether you should activate any of these promises.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There’s a myth in Gnostic traditions that Sophia, the Goddess of Divine Wisdom, split herself apart and dispersed into the material world. She became embedded in every stone, plant and drop of blood. And she’s still here, murmuring truth from within every part of the material world. In Sophia’s spirit, Scorpio, here is your message: Wisdom isn’t elsewhere. It’s embedded in your body; in your grief; in the wood grain of your table and the ache behind your eyes. More than ever, you have a mandate to celebrate this gift. So for now, refrain from thinking that spirituality is about transcendence and ascendance. Instead, greet the sacred in the dust and mud. Listen for Sophia in the ordinary. She speaks in sighs and sparks, not sermons.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When I do tours to promote the books I write, the range of encounters can be wide. On one trip, over 300 people came to see me at a bookstore in New York City. They listened raptly, posed interesting questions and bought 71 books. In Atlanta three days later, I was greeted by nine semi-interested people at a small store in a strip mall. They purchased three books. But I gave equal amounts of energy at both gigs. The crowd in Atlanta got my best, as did the audience in New York. I invite you to regard me as a role model, Sagittarius. Proceed as if every experience deserves your brightest offerings. Express yourself with panache no matter what the surroundings are.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In ancient Egyptian cosmology, ka is the vital essence and the double of a person that lives on after death. But it also walks beside you while you live. It drinks, eats and dreams. It is both you and more than you. Dear Capricorn, I invite you to tune in to your ka in the coming days, and any other spiritual presences that serve you and nourish you. Be alert for visitations from past selves, forgotten longings and future visions that feel eerily familiar.

By Rob Brezsny

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Dear Rob Brezsny: I wonder what you are like in person. Sometimes I get a Gen X vibe, like you wear vintage T-shirts from obscure bands, are skeptical but not cynical, and remember life before the internet, but are tech savvy. Other times, you seem like a weird time-traveler visiting us from 2088. It’s confusing! Are you trying to be a mystery? When’s your next public appearance? I want to meet you. — Aquarian Explorer.” Dear Aquarian: I’m glad I’m a riddle to you. As long as I avoid being enmeshed in people’s expectations and projections, I maintain my freedom to be my authentic self, even as I continually reinvent my authentic self. By the way, I recommend you adopt my attitude in the coming weeks.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Norse mythology, the god Odin plucked out one of his eyes and hung himself upside down from the World Tree for nine days. Why would he do such a thing? The ancient stories tell us this act of self-sacrifice earned him the right to learn the secret of the runes, which held the key to magic, fate and wisdom. You don’t need to make a sacrifice anywhere near that dramatic, Pisces. But I do suspect you are primed for a comparable process. What discomfort are you willing to endure for the sake of revelation? What illusions must you give up to see more clearly? I dare you to engage in an inner realignment that brings metamorphosis, but not martyrdom.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): For many bamboo species, nothing visible happens for years after the seeds are sowed. Beneath the surface, though, the plants are developing an extensive underground root system. This is referred to as the “sleep” or “creep” phase. Once the preparatory work is finished, the above-ground growth explodes, adding as much as three feet of stalk per day. Dear Aries, I sense you have been following a similar pattern. Soon you will launch a phase of vigorous evolution and expansion. It might feel unsettling at first, but I predict you will come to adore it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are very close to uncovering interesting information about yourself—some new, some forgotten. But you will have to be brave and strategic to actually find it. If you manage to pull off this demanding-butnot-impossible trick, a series of breakthroughs may stream your way. Like what? Here are the possibilities. 1. A distorted self-image will fade. 2. An adversary’s hex will dissolve. 3. An inhibition will subside, freeing you to unite with a fun asset. 4. You will knock down a barrier that has been so insidious you didn’t know how strong it was.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In medieval music, “organum” refers to passages that feature two voices. One is sung in long, sustained notes, and the other performs intricate, fastermoving melodic lines above it. This is an apt metaphor for the roles I invite you to take on in the coming weeks, Gemini: both the drone and the melody. One way to do it is to hold steady in one realm as you improvise in another. Another is to offer your allies doses of stability and inspirational dreams. Welcome the duality! You are capable of both deep-rooted rhythm and visionary risk; both fortifying truth and playful fun.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Ernest Hemingway had a reputation for bravado, but he was adept at wielding the protective, self-nourishing skills your sign is renowned for. He was sensitive about his works-in-progress, refusing to discuss unfinished stories. He understood that raw creative energy needed to be sheltered from kibitzing until it could stand on its own. “The first draft of anything is shit,” he said, but he also knew that defending the right to write that mediocre first draft was essential for him to thrive. Hemingway’s ability to channel his emotional vulnerability into moving prose came from establishing firm boundaries around his generative process. I recommend you do all that good stuff in the coming weeks, dear Cancerian.

DEARBORN

Memo For A Friend

DEARBORNBAND.BANDCAMP.COM

There’s a particular atmosphere to a sleepless night. More than likely, it culminates in stumbling through a dark room and mental fog to turn on the TV, hoping bottom-shelf infomercials and reruns of yesteryear sitcoms quiet your mind. In those moments, when the rest of the world is asleep, it can feel like you’re on a plane between dreaming and awake—a Twilight Zone of stillness and hazy pasts.

That’s the plane of existence in which Dearborn’s Memo For A Friend exists, with its static and haunting vocal distortions. Opening track “don’t hurt your mom” starts with a gradual fade-in of static and indiscernible background voices, setting the stage for a night of channel surfing. Then, Dearborn’s sound comes jarringly into focus—a signal is reached. Fuzzy guitars and drumbeats overtake those frequencies, creating a tundra of noise, intercut with abrupt moments of silence. It’s an energized, provocative beginning, soon joined by raw poetic pleading, “You’re sinking a hole in me / You watch me bleed.”

The entirety of Dearborn fires on all cylinders: Elijah Mickey carries a unique vocal tone, switching in an instant from acoustic demo to echoey distortion; lead guitarist Jonah Marcussen and bassist Elias Smith layer thick sound collages of throwback grunge, and drummer Aaron Knight propels each track to full euphoric heights with dual tenderness and explosive force. The resulting musician collision is a confident, hauntingly vibey first EP effort from the new Iowa City four-piece.

“Sore” and “yeuw” were chosen as lead singles, and for good reason.

They’re hypnotic standouts from the six-song tracklist. “We don’t breathe the same and that’s OK, I’ll hold my breath with you,” Mickey repeats with increasing urgency, punctuated by crunchy feedback and wailing guitars. The night wears on, and “yeuw” brings with it a very early 2000s catchy beat loop that calls to mind the backing track of those piracy PSAs, unskippable on a dingy copy of a DVD. Squint hard enough, and maybe the words “You wouldn’t steal a car…” crackle onto the screen.

Between heavy, textured tracks, “Honey,” “Memo for a Friend” and “spacesounds” add levity and warmth through light strumming, punched-up vocals and spacey production. With how loudly the collection of songs bursts in, the effort ends delicately. In its fully realized form, the layered ambience Dearborn creates really shines, oozing in Midwest emo nostalgia and sonic dreamscapes, all paired with dynamic vocal effects and distortions, amping up the yearning and shouting into the stratosphere.

With the recent cultural fascination surrounding found, analog, uncannyvalley media and aesthetics, the Memo For A Friend feels like a worthy addition to the oeuvre. This EP could be the backing track to the TV revived in the middle of the night, or a static-y, well-loved cassette. The imagery utilized in music videos and marketing for the project includes a plethora of oblong heads made from largemouthed cardboard masks strapped to each band member. They call to mind No-Face from Spirited Away and the eerie low-budget fantasy costuming in I Saw the TV Glow. Perhaps they are your sleep paralysis demons on that late, sleepless night.

That may be the most impressive aspect of Memo for a Friend : it provokes nostalgia while sounding unlike anything you’re ever heard before—at least on this plane of consciousness.

—Elisabeth Oster

BYOBRASS Breathe

BYOBRASS.COM

Breathe, the latest album by Cedar Falls-born BYOBrass, opens with an earthy soul groove in its opening track “Inner Turmoil.” Its melodic notes are pillows that lay upon each other, until they create this soft bed of a beautiful chord. Penned by bandmember Andrew Piper, the track has a spiritual tone with a sense that everything has a place to belong, much like the notes of the melody, or the members within the group itself.

Which is saying something when BYOBrass consists of 10 players, six of whom have been with the group since their start at the University of Northern Iowa. Active member and manager Dan Benson founded the group in 2017, and after eight years and two albums, they’re still growing strong. Every single cog in this musical powerhouse is a top-notch, world-class performer. When a group has that kind of longevity, you know there has to be a real love and respect for the vision among the members.

Each member brings something meaningful to the table, unlike a lot of big bands that are propelled by a single talent at the center. One only needs to take a look at the album’s song credits to see that almost half of the members contributed as songwriters or arrangers.

My personal favorite, and their number-one song on streaming currently, is the album closer “RPE10” by trombonist Paul Lichty. The song has the sound of a great noir soundtrack, but also the angular rhythms of a long prog rock jam. Until now, never has a song made me long to, at once, wear a trench coat and fedora while also raising a metal sign to the sky. It’s full of great musical tension that explodes with a fiery trumpet solo. If you listened to it on the highway, be prepared to get a ticket; the hypnotic nature of the tempo will propel you well past speed limits.

On another track by Lichty, “Ned’s Rag,” BYOBrass pays homage to the brass band tradition of New Orleans. You can almost taste the crawfish boil in the groove. In a display of their versatility, the group also hits pop covers of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Sam Smith’s “Unholy” out of the park.

Listening to this album is like going shopping for clothes with that friend who, no matter what they wear, looks like a million bucks. BYObrass approach music from so many directions and, frankly, succeed no matter the angle. Much like their live show, you can’t walk away and not feel something after listening to this album. That something is pretty amazing.

—Kylie Buddin

Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7 a.m., downtown

Saturday, Aug.

Dearborn in support of Night Moves Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m., Gabe’s, Iowa City, $15-25

Take “Lunch Money” by drummer Kyler Boss, a tough-as-nails funk/EDM jam laden with strut and wobble. It’s also the only track marked with an “E for explicit” rating on the tracklist— though this rating might be tongue-incheek, as the intro contains the only words on the track, and any expletive uttered is bleeped out. Either way, this is a late-night ripper that will not stop when the cops pound on your door at 3 a.m., futilely asking you to please turn the music down.

BYOBrass at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market

Des Moines

BYOBrass at SPI Festival

16, Green Room, Minneapolis, Minn.

AUStIN ARAUJO

At the Park on the Edge of the Country OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Austin Araujo’s debut poetry collection At the Park on the Edge of the Country explores life at the intersections of immigration and naturalization, adulthood and childhood, understanding and apathy. Using figurative language and descriptive imagery, the collection’s three sections separate poems into formal and thematic movements. The first section addresses borders, fatherhood and youth while the latter two sections interrogate personal identity more deeply and reflect on the legacies a family leaves through mindset and experience.

with these images.

“I placed, when lost like this, / stalks of hay in my hands, twirled them like pens. // I’d pick cuticles.” Later he returns to this image in closing the poem, “And I, quiet, breathing slowly / knuckles picked open.” He saves these long, heavy poems, places them intermittently throughout the text, which makes them feel a little like reaching the landing between staircases.

The family-based reveries tease greater internal struggles for the poems’ narrator. While the shorter poems use language more plainly, they also employ more literary devices, and ask the reader to look a little more closely. Araujo’s descriptions are sparse, creating space where he sort of excavates visceral and surprising images. In “Mexican American Novel” we read, “I’m working out how he’ll talk / to lovers, but his legs will shake, bare but for goosebumps rising around / his knees. In the first paragraph, the boy presses a guitar into a cloth case. / By the end of the year, he’ll understand what symbolizes great human / suffering and what of the ordinary self remains.”

[ARAUJO] EXCAVAtES

The Body Farm by Abby Geni is a collection of stories rooted deeply in the physical. Although the collection derives its title from the final short story of the book, it is an aptly chosen one; each story focuses on the disastrous effects of life on the human body, running from the miraculous to the truly horrifying.

Of the book’s 11 short stories, the first 10 are in conversation with each other.

the freedom at risk is the freedom of expression and honesty. This is sharply contrasted with “The First Rule of Natalie,” in which freedom means a family’s ability to exist safely in their own home. In these tales, liberty comes at a cost—sometimes financial, sometimes physical and sometimes by sacrificing someone else.

“The First Rule of Natalie” presents an achingly sweet image of a young girl trying to create a narrative for her disabled sister. Geni captures the exact way children refine their own theories with logic that exists outside of adulthood. The narrator theorizes that her sister is something mythical, refining her “hypothesis” out of a genuine desire to help her sister feel comfortable in the world they both inhabit. While this story is filled with melancholic love that I caught myself thinking about the rest of the day, “Petrichor” had me shuddering and needing a long walk. Set against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, Hannah finds herself gradually losing all of her senses, slowly becoming trapped in a body that no longer tells her brain what it is experiencing. Geni is meticulous with her details here, drawing out the loss of sensation with haunting descriptions.

These poems are preoccupied with masculinity via the father figure, asking how the father can introduce a dynamic and disappear from sight entirely. In “Betting the House,” Araujo writes, “the project of loving him / won’t end.” In “The Father” he says, “You’re so big / you made me doubt you were mine. / It makes me think God must be tiny. / That we must tower over our inventors.”

Araujo is best when he’s longwinded and vulnerable. His sentences meander into one another and hold their breath, hold the reader hostage until they’ve made it to a pressing central image. In “Mexican in the Meadow,” Araujo returns to images of hands, of eyes, of vegetables, and of recovery beds, anchoring the poem

Araujo ends each of these shorter pieces with tidy, if not necessarily comfortable, stanzas. Often jarring, the audience cannot deny Araujo’s point and now must carry it for the rest of the day. He moves from metaphor to intention as in the poem “Another Look” in which he describes the movie The Thing and ends with, “A man is running / out of a building, snow / / crunching underfoot. He doesn’t / know if he’s still himself.”

At the Park on the Edge of the Country is an example of the variety of poetic forms and devices a poet can use while maintaining a single theme or message throughout their work. This collection is moved by image and identity, circling closer to its goal as it asks for meaning from itself.

—Sarah Elgatian

“The Rapture of the Deep” and “A Spell for Disappearing,” for example, both feature women who know themselves and their desires better than the rest of the world does, acting on their needs to ensure the best versions of life. In contrast, two of the final stories of the collection, “Starlike” and “Petrichor,” are terrifying tales of people trapped— within themselves, within relationships, and within a broader society whose expectations restrict them.

“The Body Farm” is the 11th and standalone story, serving as the most physically graphic of the collection. It breaks the mold of the other stories, ending not with a sense of finality but rather with a haunting lack of satisfaction.

Although the physical form acts as the conduit for her narratives, Geni’s stories thematically align more with entrapment and liberation. Each circle primal questions of what it means to be free, how to ensure freedom and what to do when the freedom of others intersects with your own desires.

In “Across, Beyond, Through,”

The Body Farm contains real moments of brilliance, which makes its less refined pieces seem even more out of place. One of my favorite concepts unfolds in “Mother, Sister, Wife, Daughter,” in which seven sisters and their mother try to reconcile with abandonment by their patriarch. The framework is clever, as the story uses “we” and “us” despite not having a concrete first-person narrator; none of the children, nor the mother, serve as the story’s vehicle, yet the reader is pulled into a more intimate perspective. However, the story’s conclusion is tremulous at best, needing another pass to earn its smiling conclusion.

Geni’s writing is compelling. There is a clean symmetry to The Body Farm as a collection that highlights her craft and intentionality. Freedom for and from the bodies we inhabit is meticulously examined, artfully described and hauntingly dissected.

—K. Twaddle

ABBY gENI The Body Farm CATAPULT

and Michelle Williams)

19. Schoolkid’s object of affection (2002, with Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez)

20. Hackneyed

21. Boosted by clicking an up arrow, maybe 22. Matterhorn, e.g.

23. Planets of the solar system, since 2006

25. Nab, as a perp (1978, with Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel)

28. So-called “Big Island” (1961, with Elvis Presley and Angela Lansbury)

31. Paul who was People’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive

32. Greek goddess of the moon

34. Marcus Welby and Trapper John, per their shows’ titles

36. Like an unused dollar bill

38. Book___ (online source for reading recs)

39. Abu ___ (city to which Garfield repeatedly tries to send Nermal)

41. They may get crunched

42. Libertarian magazine since 1968

45. Iron and Stone, for two 46. Run of consecutive wins or losses (1999, with Martin Lawrence and Luke Wilson)

48. Fancy upholstery fabric (1986, with Isabella Rossellini and Kyle MacLachlan)

50. Utterly lost

52. “___ Is I” (classic grammar guide)

53. Plank, push-up, squat, and jump all rolled into one horrible exercise

56. Flop spectacularly

61. Fried fish side (1994, with Nick Nolte and Shaquille O’Neal)

62. Prurient picture, or, in another way, each of this puzzle’s shaded entries

63. Fifth on a list of eight reindeer

64. “Look what I did!”

65. Do some ground-breaking

66. Embroidered word on either towel, perhaps

67. Loud noise from a big fan?

68. Blind piece

DOWN

1. Band known for wearing “energy domes” on their heads

2. Name for five Norwegian kings

3. One of only three pro athletes on the “TIME 100 Persons of the Century” list

4. Some spring birthstones

5. Places to pamper pooches

6. Award originally presented by The Village Voice

7. Guy at the party that nobody seems to know

8. Pupil’s seat?

9. Forswore

10. Layered brunch dish

11. Come down hard, in a way

12. It senses scents

16. One was earned by the lead singers of both Bad Religion and the Offspring

18. Empty, as some

sets

21. Overzealous devotee

24. Original Star Trek character whose look was inspired by the Monkees

25. Reins in

26. Poet of praise

27. Second chance on school photo day, say

29. JPEG or PNG

30. “My suspicion is ...”

31. Longtime NBC owner

33. LAX part

35. “Pretty sneaky, ___ ...” (comment from a famously terrible Connect Four player)

37. Diagnostic exams

40. Relatively disadvantaged group

43. Let up

44. Festive time often symbolized by a baby

47. Yung Miami or Old Dirty Bastard

49. Fertile soil type

51. Deity in the Quran

53. Loop in discreetly, briefly

54. “That can’t be good ...”

55. Samuel Taylor Coleridge title word unrelated to frost

57. Brand with a four-circle logo

58. “The ___ Dead”

59. “Monster” named for a river

60. Dreidel winnings

62. “While it’s on my mind,” via text

AUDITORIUM HANCHER

AUGUST

• Goose - FREE & OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER

• Ben Folds with special guest Lindsay Kraft

• Dulcé Sloan

INFINITE DREAM

• Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory with special guest Helado Negro

• Farmhouse/Whorehouse

An Artist Lecture by Suzanne Bocanegra starring Lili Taylor

• José James with special guest Jim Swim

• Kaveh Akbar and Eve L. Ewing UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LITERARY LEGENDS

• 32 Sounds

A ﬁlm by Sam Green with music by JD Samson

• Roger Guenveur Smith

• Alan Sparhawk and His Band Followed by a DJ set with JD Samson

• Meandering River

• Josh Johnson

OCTOBER

• Kurt Elling with Christian Sands

• Imani Winds and Harlem Quartet with A.B. Spellman , Orator

• Stereolab - SOLD OUT with special guest Dorothea Paas

• Kelsey Cook

• Jeremy Denk , Piano

• Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert

• An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma

NOVEMBER

• Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet

• Trisha Brown Dance Company

• Good Things: An Evening with Samin Nosrat in conversation with Carmen Maria Machado

• Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye Part of MIC CHECK POETRY FEST

• Minnesota Orchestra with Thomas Søndergård , Music Director and Benjamin Beilman , Violin

• Gabriel Kahane and Attacca Quartet

DECEMBER

• Nate Smith

• Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas JANUARY

• Kinky Boots

• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis FEBRUARY

• Clue

• Gabriel Kahane

• Isidore String Quartet

• VOCES8 featuring the University of Iowa’s Kantorei MARCH

• RENT in Concert

• An Evening with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

• The Joffrey Ballet

• Joshua Bell & The Academy of St Martin in the Fields

• Camila Fernández

• The Music Man APRIL

STOP/TIME

• a new festival, announcement pending!

• Orchestra Baobab

• Manual Cinema, The 4th Witch MAY

• Beetlejuice

• Brad Mehldau Trio

Pictured: Lili Taylor in a piece by Suzanne Bocanegra

Little Village Issue 343 - Bread & Butter 2025

Your Annual Guide to Dining in Iowa

Meals on two Wheels

INDEPENDENT NEWS, CULTURE & EVENTS

Top Stories

Living With Opioid Use Disorder? Recovery Is Possible

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