Around town: places to go, things to do

Boom Magazine Staff

Friday Night Concert Series
Friday nights through the summer
Pedestrian Mall, Iowa City

Nothing says summer in Iowa City better than the Friday Night Concert Series. The ped mall becomes a meeting place for friends of all ages. Take your lawn chair and have a seat to listen to some of the finest local musicians, or take in the music from the outdoor patio of one of downtown’s many wonderful restaurants. Concerts are from 6:30 to 9:30 in front of the Sheraton Hotel. And they’re free. For a complete schedule, go to www.summerofthearts.org.

Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival
June 13 to July 13
Shakespeare Festival Stage, City Park, Iowa City

Shakespeare in City Park is a magical way to spend a summer evening in Iowa City. This year’s festival features the comedy “The Comedy of Errors,” and “The Winter’s Tale,” a dramatic story of heartbreak, love and forgiveness. For a list of performance dates and times (usually at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.), go to Riverside Theatre’s Web site at www.riversidetheatre.org. Ticket prices and special promotions are listed on the Web site as well.

Rubberbandance Group
Saturday, June 14
Hancher Auditorium

The Rubberdance Group is a dance ensemble that blends everything from hip-hop to ballet in a, well, elastic fashion. The group was founded by Victor Quijada, who grew up dancing in the streets and clubs of Los Angeles. He was a student of the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Montreal, and mesmerizes and electrifies audiences with his unique blend of dance. Performance time is 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14. Tickets are $11.50 to $26. For more information, call 335-1160.

Cedar Rapids Kernels
June 19-26
Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids

If you’re a baseball fan, or even if you’re not, catching up with the Kernels can be a fun change of pace during the summer. Just a short drive from Iowa City, the minor league team for the L.A. Angels plays a full schedule through Labor Day - including this eight-game home stand in June. The stadium is located at 950 Rockford Road SW. Ticket prices range from $6 to $9. For game times and more information, go to www.kernels.com.

Tour de Brew
Saturday, July 5
Iowa City/Coralville to Millstream Brewing, Amana

Hop on your bike and join the fun on this leisurely ride to Amana’s Millstream Brewing for the annual Tour de Brew. Along the 30-mile ride you will get to taste different brews at two different stops. Then, when you’re finished with your “tour,” relax and enjoy the tasty brew in the biergarten. Find more information and register at www.millstreambrewing.com. Cost is $8, and the ride lasts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 319-622-7622.