Free Week is back and better than ever.
Iowa City’s weeklong festival, X Marks the Arts, returns for a second year, inspired by Austin’s Red River Cultural and Entertainment District. Iowa City’s version builds on the southern tradition by spotlighting the unique cultural venues across the corridor.
X Marks the Arts will be held Monday, Feb. 16, to Sunday, Feb. 22, featuring more than 50 events at 20 venues, including the Englert Theatre, Prairie Lights, and Public Space One.
“Free Week provides an opportunity for audiences to step into venues they may have never visited before, discover new artists, and experience the incredible breadth of our arts scene without barriers,” said Christopher Hunter, director of marketing at the Iowa City Downtown District, in a news release. “By removing admission costs, our venues are opening their doors for everyone to explore what makes downtown Iowa City’s cultural and entertainment district a must-visit destination.”
With many events to choose from, here are some highlights to check out during Free Week:
Elizabeth Moen at the Englert Theatre
Elizabeth Moen is an Iowa City legend and is making another homecoming during Free Week. Moen will perform for free at the Englert Theatre at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21.
She started her music career while attending the University of Iowa and is now based in Chicago. Receiving acclaim from the American Songwriter for her 2022 album “Wherever You Aren’t,” Moen’s hometown show is a can’t-miss.
More Free Week Music: Moen’s concert is just one of the many musical events during Free Week. Other highlights include the Lou Sherry Local Showcase at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at Gabe’s, and the UI Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Voxman Music Building, featuring composers Lowell Liebermann and Gabriel Kahane.
University of Iowa’s Ten-Minute Play Festival
The Ten-Minute Play Festival is an annual tradition from the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts. The 29th rendition at the Theatre Building’s Alan MacVey Theatre, 200 North Riverside Dr., will feature live performances highlighting the creativity and storytelling of undergraduate playwrights.
The festival, directed by Tony Meneses, features 10-minute productions written, acted, designed, and run by students. Though the festival is free, tickets must be reserved in advance and are available an hour before showtime.
Showtimes for the Ten-Minute Play Festival include 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb 21, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22.
One Book Two Book Festival
The One Book Two Book Festival is one of the anchors of Free Week, celebrating literary youth arts through various activities. A highlight of the two-day festival (Feb. 20-21) is the book fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Chauncey Building. It includes author readings, workshops, crafts, meet-and-greets with book characters, and other Saturday events at Merge.
The One Book Two Festival will conclude with an award ceremony for young writers from 1-2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22 at Macbride Auditorium. Students in grades one through eight submit writing, which is then evaluated by an ACT team in two categories. The “Write Stuff” award is based on story structure, while the “From the Heart” award celebrates creativity and passion.
Students will read their work at the ceremony.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached atJRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City’s Free Week is back with more art, events and workshops
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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