
Music on the Move, Northside
Summer of the Arts’ popular Music on the Move series is back for 2025 with a wider variety of performers and locations. We encourage Northsiders to turn out for what looks to be a fun performance on Wednesday, July 9, at North Market Square Park. This event features the Alone Tonight Quartet, a Django Reinhardt-inspired group of accomplished musicians. Piano, drums and bass make up the steady back line, while a cast of guest soloists sit in to fill out the fourth in this combo. Expect to hear songs from old films, cabarets, and Looney Tunes as heard through the floorboards of your cheap apartment upstairs from the theater. Bring a chair and rock out with your neighbors!

“Hickory Hill” Opening Reception
Northside artist and muralist Thomas Agran invites you attend the opening reception for his show “Hickory Hill,” a new body of landscape work at Public Space One on S. Gilbert St. The show features works ranging from 6 inches to 6 feet, all created over the last 18 months on location in this beloved Northside park. Works in progress from this show can be explored on Instagram, and more information about the show including statements can be found here. The show runs from July 11 through August 9.

711 Neighborhood Party
A new Northside neighbor, Marcelo Aruani, has recently purchased the house across from Ace Hardware at 711 Church St. and is inviting Northsiders to a neighborhood gathering with food, fun, and music! Marcelo says, “bring a chair and stories to share.” Funding for this event is provided by our friends at RSFIC. Hope to see you at 711 on 7/11!

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Dirty Blonde
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: The Feralings
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Golden Alexander
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Stephanie Catlett
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoy food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Fabulous Trutones
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Kristina Marie Castaneda
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Blake Shaw Trio
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Flash in a Pan
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Mars Hojilla
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Kevin Burt
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Silt Creek
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Yogev Shetrit
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Northside Summer Block Party
It’s back! This popular potluck and social event returns to its familiar spot in front of the Brown Street Inn. Bring a dish to share, a beverage, and a chair if you’re so inclined. Also, organizers need volunteers for tasks on the Friday before and the day of. Please use this link sign up as a helper. Hope to see you there!

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Two Boyfriends
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

UIHC Downtown Campus Neighbor Meeting
Northside neighbors are cordially invited to attend a meeting with Jennifer Miller, MHA, MPH, RD, Chief Administrative Officer of UI Health Care’s Downtown Campus, who will provide an update on progress, plans, and services regarding the former Mercy Hospital facility. The NNA organized a similar meeting last year with UI Health Care leadership. We’re eager to learn more about what’s happened since then and what we might look forward to in the future. We hope to see many neighbors there!

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Fork in the Road
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Party in the Park at Happy Hollow
Gather with neighbors and friends during Iowa City’s annual Party in the Park series! From June 12 through August 14, weekly on Thursdays from 6:30-8:00pm, enjoy live music, visits from the ICPL Bookmobile, and outdoor family-friendly recreation activities at some of your favorite Iowa City Parks. Tonight the party is happening right here in the Northside at our beloved Happy Hollow!

Caleb Rainey & IC Speaks
Treat yourself to delicious food, drinks, and sounds to support a good cause! Join neighbors and friends in the Northside Marketplace when IC Speaks and Caleb Rainey perform new poems for you. Freewill donations will benefit the young poets of IC Speaks as they prepare for their trip to Brave New Voices to compete on a national stage!

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Freegrass Trio
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

Student-Built Home Dedication
Join neighbors and friends as we celebrate hard work, new beginnings, and the power of community! The Student Build Program of Johnson County is proud to dedicate its second completed home on the Northside — built by local students gaining hands-on construction skills while creating affordable housing for local families through the Housing Fellowship. There’ll be remarks from project partners, tours, and light refreshments. See you there!

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: The Swampland Jewels
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoying food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. Tonight’s performance is by The Swampland Jewels. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

John's Grocery Open House
The folks at John’s invites the community to their annual Open House celebrating 77th years in business on the Northside! There’ll be free beer (of course) from many local breweries, food, wine samples, music and more. Bring your friends!

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Angela Meyer
Northside Saturday Nights are back! Sponsored by the Downtown District and curated by The Englert Theatre, this FREE music series, running from May 3 to Sept. 27, promises to ignite Northside community with outdoor performances from talented local artists. Grab a seat at any of the available tables on the Northside Outside block of N. Linn Street or bring your own chairs while enjoy food & drink from the surrounding restaurants. You’ll find more info and a complete line-up of the summer’s performers at https://downtowniowacity.com/2025-northside-saturday-nights/.

"Stories of Community" Film Screening
Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City (RSFIC) and FilmScene invite Northsiders to enjoy a FREE premiere film screening, discussion, and reception event that promises an engaging afternoon for the community. Included in today’s line-up will be a short film about the NNA’s Winter Social, held at The James on Jan. 30, 2025, and featuring many neighbors you’ll recognize! The films will be shown at 3:30, followed by a short conversation with filmmakers and participants at 3:45, and topped with a reception and refreshments at 4 PM.

Annual Horace Mann Carnival
The Horace Mann Carnival is coming up soon and the Mann PTO could use neighbors’ help in making this annual event a big success. Consider donating auction items (including your time and skills) or prizes, baked goods, and more. For auction items, contact Kristin Clark at clarkkristin@yahoo.com; for the 2025 Mann Carnival Wishlist, see https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/MA2A7VUXV5JV... . Most important, mark your calendar and plan to attend!

Arbor Day Tree Planting at Oakland Cemetary
In honor of Arbor Day and to continue restoring the Northside’s tree canopy, we invite neighbors to join in a tree-planting effort at Oakland Cemetery. Gather at 12:30 PM at the Brown Street entrance for refreshments and socializing, Planting will begin at 1 PM, and tools and instructions will be provided. Please park at Happy Hollow Park, since space is limited at the cemetery. Sponsors for today’s event include the Iowa City Parks & Recreation and Forestry Departments, Heritage Trees of Johnson County, and the Northside Neighborhood Association. All ages welcome!

Annual Horace Mann Pancake Supper Fundraiser
The Horace Mann Parent Teacher Organization invites all Northside neighbors to attend its annual Pancake Supper Fundraiser. Just $5 per person, and kids age 4 or younger eat free. Pancakes for a good cause: What could be more delicious? :-)

NNA Annual Meeting
The Northside Neighborhood Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, March 24, and we hope to see as many neighbors there as possible for this important gathering. We will elect new Steering Committee officers, hear reports about various Northside events and projects, and discuss other Northside activities and priorities for the coming year. ALSO: Please bring along one or more pairs of new earbuds to donate to Mann students for use with electronic learning devices. Thanks much, see you there!

Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony
Big news! The Northside Neighborhood Association will receive a special award from the annual Historic Preservation Awards ceremony this year! Make plans to attend this event and celebrate this recognition of the Northside’s commitment to our neighborhood’s historic heritage.

"Stories of Community" Film Screening
Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City (RSFIC) and FilmScene invite Northsiders to enjoy a free premiere film screening, discussion, and reception event that promises an engaging afternoon for the community. Included in today’s line-up will be a short film about the wall mural painted last year along the 200 block of Brown Street! The films will be shown at 12:30, followed by a short conversation with filmmakers and participants at 12:45, and topped with a reception and soup cook-off in the Chauncey lobby starting at 1 PM.

Northside Winter Social
Beat the winter blahs and join your neighbors at The James for an informal Northside gathering. We’ll have light food and beverages, plus food and wine for purchase. This event is made possible through a grant from Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City (RSFIC). Note: Due to space limitations and the presence of alcohol, this event is intended for adult attendance. Hope to see you there!

Halloween Trick or Treat Night
Iowa City's Trick-or-Treat hours will be held on Halloween from 5:30 to 8 PM, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. To keep your little ghouls and goblins safe, stay visible (carry a flashlight or wear something lighted); avoid long, billowing fabrics; and make sure young children are accompanied by an adult or responsible teen. You’ll find more safety and sustainability tips here. Enjoy!

Home Energy Workshops
Renters! Homeowners! Landlords! Businesses! Make your home or business more comfortable, cheaper to heat, and more sustainable for the planet! Energy coaches from Johnson Clean Energy District (JCED) and local contractors will cover everything from simple fixes to the latest energy technology! Plus free coffee and donut! Come for an hour or stay all morning. See the full schedule at this link: https://johnsoncleanenergydistrict.org/home-energy-workshop/

Iowa City Fall Gallery Walk
For more than 20 years, the Iowa City Fall Gallery Walk has taken over downtown and filled your favorite businesses with wonderful works of art. This free event is open to everyone to enjoy a self-guided tour of shops, galleries, and other locations that have curated featured artists and pieces of art. Several Northside organizations are featured on Friday’s walk, including rsvp, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Complete Gallery Walk details can be found at https://downtowniowacity.com/events/gallery-walk/.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: Northside Octoberfest
This free summer-long concert series, sponsored by the Iowa City Downtown District in collaboration with The Englert Theatre, spotlights local musical talents through live, outdoor performances on N. Linn Street every Saturday evening from May 4 to September 28, from 6-8 PM. Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own chairs or use the available picnic tables along the street while enjoying food from Northside restaurants. Come savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of the beautiful Northside as you enjoy an evening out on the town. See the full line-up of artists here.

Northside Octoberfest
Iowa City’s favorite beer festival returns this fall! Join us as we take over the streets of the Northside on Saturday, September 28th. This year Northside Oktoberfest celebrates 28 years and will include Iowa City BrewFest, your beloved sampling event. Come enjoy the Bohemian nature of the Northside Marketplace with great craft beers, neighborhood food, beer games, and much more. A $72 ticket gives you exclusive access to unlimited samplings from beer and wine vendors from 11 AM until 3 PM; a customized 2024 Northside Oktoberfest glass; $10 gift card to eat & shop at Northside businesses; and access to beer games, contests, live music, and more Oktoberfest entertainment. Tickets available at this link.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series: BrianFest
This free summer-long concert series, sponsored by the Iowa City Downtown District in collaboration with The Englert Theatre, spotlights local musical talents through live, outdoor performances on N. Linn Street every Saturday evening from May 4 to September 28, from 6-8 PM. Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own chairs or use the available picnic tables along the street while enjoying food from Northside restaurants. Come savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of the beautiful Northside as you enjoy an evening out on the town. See the full line-up of artists here.

Music on the Move, Northside: Blake Shaw CANCELLED
Summer of the Arts’ popular Music on the Move series is back for 2024 with a wider variety of performers and locations. We encourage Northsiders to turn out for three events here in the ‘hood, all on Tuesdays starting at 6:30 PM: In North Market Square Park (Blake Shaw now rescheduled for Sept. 3 due to weather) and July 23 (The Feralings), and in the Northside Marketplace (N. Linn St.) on August 6 (Crystal City Trio). Bring a chair and rock out with your neighbors!

Vinyl Sips/RSFIC Neighborhood Coffee
Courtney Davidhizar of Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City (RSFIC) invites all Northside neighbors to a special edition of her monthly Vinyl Sips gathering. This informal event will be similar to the “pitch night” held at the former Goosetown Café last spring -- an opportunity for neighbors to get to know one another, enjoy some great coffee, listen to some classic vinyl, and talk about how to collaborate on community-building projects in and around the Northside. Email Courtney at courtney@rsfic.org if you’re interested in attending.

Northside Saturday Night Concert Series
This free summer-long concert series, sponsored by the Iowa City Downtown District in collaboration with The Englert Theatre, spotlights local musical talents through live, outdoor performances on N. Linn Street every Saturday evening from May 4 to September 28, from 6-8 PM. Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own chairs or use the available picnic tables along the street while enjoying food from Northside restaurants. Come savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of the beautiful Northside as you enjoy an evening out on the town. See the full line-up of artists here.

NNA Annual Meeting
The Northside Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, April 8, and we hope to see as many neighbors there as possible for this important gathering. We will elect new Steering Committee officers, hear reports from committees and interest groups, review the outcomes of our Feb. 28 “Pitch Night” event, and discuss other Northside activities and priorities for the coming year. ALSO: Please bring along one or more pairs of new earbuds to donate to Mann students for use with electronic learning devices. Thanks much, see you there!