Weekend Champloo, May 11-13

by Emily

I just finished up my last paper, and now I’m here and ready for summer! So what’s going on this weekend?

Johnson County Ag Fest, Johnson County Fairgrounds, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Road SE, Iowa City. Saturday, May 12, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. “There will be food samples and recipes from Johnson County commodity groups and local businesses. Al-E-Gator, the talking gator will be there. Al Huntzinger, owner of All Star Attractions, will be bringing a kiddie ride and families can enjoy a petting zoo with a variety of baby farm animals.” OK, so it sounds like little kids might have some fun here…so bring the kids you’re babysitting! Or just come down and hang out with baby animals. :)

Zombie Apocalypse Training Run, West Liberty Public Library, 400 N. Spencer Street, West Liberty, Iowa, East Wapsie Park. Saturday, May 12, 9:30 PM to 12:00 PM. “Often times we run for fun, Run for Life (several charities), or run just to stay fit. Since you are running anyway, you might as well be prepared for anything…now is the time to prepare to Run from Death. We will be meeting at East Wapsie Park and pacing our way through the off-terrain obstacles, dodging zombies…that’s right z-o-m-b-i-e-s in a 1 1/2 mile training run. You must register and complete a waiver to participate.” There’s also a free t-shirt in it for you if you, you know, surrrviiivveeee…

I think that’s enough for now. Just get outside! It looks beautiful! And stop by Teen Tech Zone, Saturdays from 1-4 PM and say hi!

 

Weekend Champloo, May 4-6

by Emily

The last day of school is in sight, right? I know mine is. Final papers are due, I’m tired, and the weather has not exactly been supportive. I just keep thinking of myself laying on a blanket in a couple weeks, soaking up the sun while enjoying reading for FUN. Doesn’t that sound great? I’ll just have to keep that image in mind while I slog through writing the last 10 pages of my final essays.

Annyywayyy…

I’m getting out of the house this weekend. Too much paper-writing staring at my laptop induces a zombie-like state, remedied only by copious amounts of sunshine and walking. So what’s going on this weekend?

Book Sale at the Coralville Public Library; Friday, May 4, 1:30-5:30 PM and Saturday, May 5, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Need a book to read this summer? The book sale at the Coralville Public Library looks like a perfect opportunity to pick up a couple summer reads on the cheap (prices are between $0.25 and $2.00). Looks like they’ve got a wide variety of genres, both fiction and non-fiction. Plan on stopping by and buying!

319 Music Festival, Saturday, May 5, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Drive, Iowa City. The Facebook page for the 319 Music Festival says, “The 319 Music Fest will feature local professional musicians and amateur youth artists, and will have food and other entertainment.” Bring a blanket and/or some lawn chairs and stop by some of the local vendors for some food. Yum!

Sunday looks pretty quiet to be honest…I might return to paper-writing and my zombie-state…

Weekend Champloo, April 27-29

by Emily

It’s the weekend again! I know May was the hardest month to get through in school – I just want it to be summer! Well, here’s some fun stuff to this weekend that will hopefully curb that summer craving.

Riverfest 2012, Hubbard Park, Friday and Saturday at noon…until whenever. Looks like bands, artists, performers, etc. will be filling Hubbard Park this weekend! The Riverbank Art Fair is Saturday afternoon in the IMU. I’ll be dropping by to check out the offerings…come find me! I probably won’t be dressed as Waldo. Probably.

Waterfront Hy-Vee Olympic Games, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. The Press-Citizen blurb says, “Win prizes by competing in a variety of fun games, including two liter bowling, pie eating contest, water-balloon shot put, hula-hoop competition, trivia, sledge hammer bell game and more! Kids under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.” Um, yes!

Fifth Annual Next Generation Juried High School Art Show, Thursday, April 26 – Saturday, May 11 at 5:00 PM. Chait Studios, 218 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA. Venue Phone: 319-338-0354 Phone: 338-4442. “Representing area high schools, students from the classrooms of Iowa City and several surrounding districts will be shown. All artwork will be for sale. The show is free and open to the public.” Lots of art around, huh? It’s almost like we’re a creative bunch here in Iowa City. :)

 

Weekend Champloo, April 13-15

by Emily

Lots of high school plays and musicals happening this weekend…here are the details!

Suessical the Musical, Clear Creek Amana High School, 551 W. Marengo Rd, Tiffin, IA, 52340. Contact: 319-622-3255. Showtimes:  Thursday, April 12, 7:00 PM; Friday, April 13, 7:00 PM; Saturday, April 14th, 2:00 PM. Cost is $4 for students and seniors, $6 for adults. I’ve never seen this musical, but I hear it’s a great time! The event description says, “Seussical is based on the works of Dr. Seuss and weaves together his most famous tales and characters from at least fifteen of his books.” Cool!

Almost Maine!, Iowa City West High School, 2901 Melrose Ave., Iowa City. Contact: 319-688-1050. Showtimes: Friday, April 13, 7:30 PM; Saturday, April 14, 2:00 PM; Saturday, April 14, 7:30 PM. Admission is free for children five and under, $7 for students and seniors, $9 for adults. The event description says, “The play follows nine couples that inhabit the town of Almost, Maine as they navigate their ways through the joys and perils of love, all underneath the cold, moonless Maine sky.” Sounds pretty dramatic…which is good, right? ;)

Weekend Champloo, April 6-8

by Emily

It’s time for the Weekend Champloo! I really hope you get outside this weekend and frolic in a park or take a stroll, but I know this time of year is pretty miserable for allergy sufferers, myself included. So, I’ll leave you outside folk to your own devices…I’m listing movies for watching indoors!

Friday, April 6, Dickens Film Festival: Nicholas Nickleby, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn Street, Iowa City, Meeting Room A, 7:00 PM. To celebrate Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday (it was February 7th), ICPL is hosting a series of movies based on his books. IMDB describes Nicholas Nickleby very well:

“Young Nicholas and his family enjoy a comfortable life, until Nicholas’ father dies and the family is left penniless. Nicholas, his sister and mother venture to London to seek help from their Uncle Ralph, but Ralph’s only intentions are to separate the family and exploit them. Nicholas is sent to a school run by the cruel, abusive and horridly entertaining Wackford Squeers. Eventually, Nicholas runs away with schoolmate Smike, and the two set off to reunite the Nickleby family.”

Rent The Muppets! This awesome, ridiculous movie just got released on DVD/Blu ray last week, and I’ve been dying to watch it again. In case you didn’t know, Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Concords was the musical supervisor for the movie, writing four out of the five original songs in the movie, and eventually winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song, “Man or Muppet.” So if you like Flight of the Concords, give The Muppets a try!

Also, Titanic is released in 3D this weekend. It’s the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on April 15th this year, and I guess that means it’s time to watch the movie again…in 3D. You’ve heard my opinions about 3D before, so I probably won’t be attending. But don’t let me discourage you! It’s an epic movie, and I be it’ll be sweet in 3D.

Weekend Champloo, March 30-April 1

by Emily

A couple of super cool festivals are going on this weekend, plus a day of tricks and mischief! Read on!

University of Iowa Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival, Saturday March 31, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM, University of Iowa Field House. Free admission. Sally Mason, president of the University of Iowa, states on the Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival website,

“Since 1990, the Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival (CCDF) has given members of The University of Iowa and its surrounding communities an opportunity to learn about each other through food, games, dance, music, literature, storytelling, arts, and crafts.”

Sounds awesome! The website for the festival is pretty neat, so check it out for more specific information.

Mission Creek Festival, March 27-April 1, various locations. Mission Creek Festival has been going on for a couple of days now, but there’s still plenty to see and do! The festival website states, “Mission Creek Festival is a week-long experience that takes over the venues and spaces of downtown Iowa City–creating an easily navigated nexus of music, literature, food and art.” Food! Music! Literature! YES! Check out their website for tons of information on locations, times, and vendors.

April Fool’s Day, Sunday, April 1. All day, sillies.

Check out the Wikipedia article on the international (and unofficial) holiday, and get inspired to cause some laughter and smiles on Sunday!

YALSA Best of the Best Reading Challenge!

by Emily

From http://www.ala.org/yalsa/best/2012

According to Gretchen Kolderup, YALSA’s Best of the Best Reading Challenge begins April 1, 2012 (no April Fool’s joke, I promise). She writes, “You’ll have three months (until July 1, 2012) to read as many titles as you can from YALSA’s 2012 award winners and honor books and selected Top Tens (including Amazing Audiobooks, Best Fiction for Young Adults, Great Graphic Novels, Popular Paperbacks, and Quick Picks). Everyone who completes the challenge will have the opportunity to create a response to their favorite book from the challenge that will be posted on The Hub, and you could also win a tote bag of 2012 YA literature. Keep an eye on The Hub for details.”

Follow the links if you want to view the lists. ICPL has all of the books, so feel free to take the challenge!

Weekend Champloo, March 23-25

by Emily
Image from http://www.rottentomatoes.com

It’s finally here! The Hunger Games movie comes out tomorrow, March 23. If you’re planning on a midnight showing, both the Sycamore Mall and Coral Ridge Mall theaters will be open.

If Panem isn’t really your thing…there aren’t a lot of other movies opening this weekend. So I suggest the following:

Friday, March 23: Honestly, The Hunger Games movie is about it. You could read the books, if you’re not feeling like spending money on the movie. Or you could hit up one of the many fish fries in the area.

Saturday, March 24: Third Annual Saxophone Extravaganza, West High, 2901 Melrose Ave., Iowa City, 6 p.m. Contact number: 358-7990. Cost is $8 adults, $6 students and free for children 5 and younger. A friend of mine attended this event last year and said it was a blast! The description on the website says, “More than 50 saxophonists from across the state will gather this month to put on the Third Annual Saxophone Extravaganza. Junior high, high school, undergraduate and graduate students will be joined by professional and recreational players and a professional rhythm section.” Sounds like fun!

Sunday, March 25: Putt Fore the Library, Coralville Public Library, 1401 5th St., Coralville, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact number: 319-248-1850. Cost is $5 and free for children 5 and under with a playing adult. Um, 18-hole mini-golf in the library? Yes, please! There’s also a raffle with prizes from the community. The Coralville Public Library will be closed for this event and will reopen on Monday, so if you need books, either plan ahead or stop by ICPL!

Dinosaurs in 3D? Yes, Please.

by Emily

Image from http://www.themarysue.com

Jurassic Park is coming back to theaters! This was the first “scary” movie I watched when I was younger, and I can’t WAIT to see it on a big screen!

And I’m not a huge fan of the releasing movies in 3D thing, but I’m totally OK with this one. As Susana Polo, the author of this article says,

“See, this is a side effect of the 3-D fad that I do not mind in the slightest: bringing those big, loud, technically astounding and visually bombastic blockbusters back to the places they were meant to be viewed: in a state-of-the -rt theater with a massive screen and surround sound. And if my nose has to tingle from wearing two pairs of glasses the whole time, I’ll deal with it.”

Hand me a pair in 2013!

Happy 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts!

by Emily

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., so in celebration, here are some facts about girl scout cookies, a bit of history about the Girl Scouts, and some basic information about the organization.

So settle down with a box of Thin Mints and read away!

Next Page »