We’re heading towards another chilly weekend in Iowa City and Coralville. Cabin fever? Maybe a trip to the movies will help. Let’s see what we’ve got going on in Iowa City and Coralville with my weekly round up of movies and events for January 29 through January 31.
Two new movies to share with you this week. The first is vintage Mel Gibson in Edge of Darkness. After the death of his daughter Thomas Craven, a Boston detective (Mel Gibson), takes to the street looking for vengeance. A classic revenge movie by all accounts. If you like Mel Gibson you probably won’t be disappointed.
The next movie is When in Rome starring Kristen Bell. As the title suggests, she’s in Italy and guess what, she has a man problem! Actually, more precisely after visiting the famous fountain she has too many men wooing her. The movie doesn’t get good reviews, but that’s nothing new for what I guess my sons would call a “chick flick.” Seems like film critics often get it wrong when it comes to light and breezy comedies and children’s movies too. Danny DeVito is in this movie, that makes it worth a second look right there…
We have two excellent movie theaters in the area, the first is the Coral Ridge Mall Movie Theatre in Coralville and then there’s the Sycamore Cinema in Iowa City.
The Englert has a weekend of opera lined up with performances of Mozart’s La finta giardiniera (The Disguised Garden Maid) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s part of the UI’s Martha-Ellen Tye Opera Series and is directed by Gary Briggle.
More into comedy than opera? The Riverside Theater also has a show opening tonight. End Days is a funny play about science, religion and suburbia. (Interesting combination. Science and religion are not the first words that spring to mind for me when it comes to comedy). It runs from January 29 through February 21.
In the live entertainment arena The Mill has another fun filled weekend for us. In fact today, (Friday), they have 2 acts for us. The first is part of their Jazz after 5 series with OftEnsemble, a UI Jazz group performing 5.00pm – 7.30pm. Later, at 9.00pm The New Duncan Imperials will be making “the most glorious noise on the planet.”
On Saturday Adobanga with Sarah Cram and the Derelicts will entertain us with an evening of rustic and rocking folk music.
If you like your country music with dance then check out the Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon. Great food, great music and free wi-fi…They often have specials too like all you can eat ribs on Wednesdays…They’re on Facebook and you’ll find a list of their specials there.
Moving in a different direction, Riverside Casino is another very popular local venue. You may be drawn by the casino, but they have plenty of live entertainment too.
Iowa City is a busy little town and Coralville has The Mall, the Ice Rink and Children’s Museum for a great afternoon out with the family.
