Community events

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary by expanding to eight days, firmly securing its spot as Iowa’s largest — and longest — film festival. This year features over 200 films, including a documentary about the opera singer Simon Estes.

Downtown Washington will play host to the 4th annual Farm to Film Fest April 17-19. The three-day celebration of cinema is designed to bring the community together for an immersive weekend of art, culture and entertainment — all for free.

Many of the places where people gather have disappeared. In some cases, people have adapted to meet elsewhere. In others, people have become more isolated. On this epidsode, rural sociologist Dave Peters shares how gas stations have become a social hub for small towns. Library director Mary Kathryn Gepner talks about the local library enduring as a third space. Jennifer Drinkwater talks about her work uplifting third spaces in Iowa's small towns and how they inspire her art. Finally, Tiara Phillips has been bringing people in the Iowa City area together with "stuff swaps," book clubs and bingo nights through her Instagram page, Bitchin' Events.

Iowa communities celebrate a long musical tradition. Then, two Brazilian musicians say their farewell to Iowa.

Author Beth Howard draws similarities between baking a pie and making a documentary film. Then, we hear from the founder of the Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival.

The cult craze of The Room hits Iowa this week, with Greg Sestero (Oh, hi Mark) set to appear in-person at screenings in Davenport and Des Moines. Widely considered to be the worst movie ever made, fans of The Room continue to flock to theaters for a rowdy good time. Don’t forget the plastic spoons!

The Day of the Dead is celebrated primarily Nov. 1 and 2. Families celebrate the Mexican holiday by gathering together, building altars called ofrendas and honoring deceased family members by sharing memories, food and gifts.

The Ames History Museum is ready to reopen after a years-long, $4.5 million expansion and renovation. It now has five times more exhibit gallery space, a special collections room and an event space.

Martians, moms and all things movies were in the spotlight over the weekend at the 2024 Refocus Film Festival in Iowa City. It’s the only film festival dedicated to celebrating the art of adaptation, which this year included the Iowa premiere of Nightbitch.

High water ravaged the community of Spencer in June. Even though many properties sustained damage, the Clay County Fair thrived.