Uptown Friday Night
Friday, July 17
Kick off your weekend at a favorite of hip, young Corridor professionals – Uptown Friday Night in downtown Cedar Rapids. Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls out of the Quad Cities will be on stage with an energetic performance of a rock meets blues nature. The event starts at 5 p.m. in Greene Square Park, with plenty of cool beverages and great food available. Whether you’re in the mood to get together with friends, meet new people or just celebrate the beginning of the weekend, Uptown is a place to mix and mingle in the Corridor. Then mosey downtown afterward for specials at local bars and restaurants. Check it out. Only two more Uptowns left in the summer. Next week, join guest pourers, the Hoopla Crew.
Uptown Friday Night
5 to 8 p.m. Friday (7/17) Greene Square Park, Cedar Rapids, $5, www.uptownfridaynights.com
Iowa City Book Festival
Saturday, July 18
Stop by Gibson Square in Iowa City Saturday to celebrate books, reading and writing. The University of Iowa Libraries is presenting the Iowa City Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. just outside the Main Library’s south entrance. The festival will host local and regional booksellers offering new, used and collectible books. A space for children’s readings and activities also will be set aside, making the event friendly for the whole family. Of course no festival would be complete without music – Bern Schmidt, The Starlings, Shannon’s Fancy, Goosetown String Band and Stable Hands will each be on stage throughout the day. Local food vendors also will be on hand and the Center for the Book at the U of I will be providing hands-on activities and demonstrations of printmaking, papermaking, bookbinding and calligraphy.
Iowa City Book Festival
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday (7/18), Gibson Square (the corner of Burlington & Madison Streets), Iowa City, Free, www.iowacitybookfestival.org
Movie nights
Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18
Nothing beats an outdoor movie on a warm summer evening. And there’s two chances to grab a blanket and watch a movie under the stars this weekend. Friday, catch “Field of Dreams,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year at Marion Movie Night at Thomas Park. Head over at 7 p.m. with a blanket or lawn chairs. The movie starts at sunset. Then Saturday, “Happy Feet” will show at the second Downtown Drive-In hosted at Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust’s downtown location. Food vendors and games for the kids begin serving at 7:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at dusk. There’s space for lawn chairs and blankets or “drive in” and listen to the movie from your car.
Movie nights
7 p.m. Friday (7/17), Marion Movie Night, 335 Marion Blvd., Marion, free, (319) 377-6316
7:30 p.m. Saturday (7/18), Downtown Drive-In, 500 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, free, www.downtowncr.org
THREE OTHER THINGS
Women Building Better Communities; 75 Years of the Junior League of Cedar Rapids
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (7/17) to 8/18
The Carl & Mary Koehler History Center, 615 First Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, free, www.historycenter.org
CR Green Drinks
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday (7/16)
DC’s River Walk Pub & Eatery, 401 First St. SE, Cedar Rapids, free, www.theiowagreenteam.com
Downtown Farmers Market
7:30 a.m.to noon Saturday (7/18)
Downtown Cedar Rapids, www.downtowncr.org