ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

Kites decorate the sky at Clear Lake. (Photo: Michael Morain)

Color the Wind in Clear Lake

Some good news swept in with this week’s blizzard: Clear Lake is sufficiently frozen to host the (mostly) annual Color the Wind kite festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday.

Ashley Weiss with the local chamber told us Wednesday that the surface had frozen 18-20 inches. “So far, so good.”

Festival organizers canceled last year’s event because the lake wasn’t solid enough to support the thousands of kite enthusiasts who come from near and far to admire the colorful kites that come in all shapes and sizes — astronauts, whales, jellyfish, you name it. You can bring your own kite to fly, buy one at the Lakeview Room, or just watch the spectacle from the shore.

To warm up, head downtown for doughnuts, hot drinks, pub fare and craft brews. Food trucks will be parked across from the Clear Lake Yacht Club, and you can visit the Clear Lake Arts Center (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the Surf Ballroom (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), which became Iowa’s 27th National Historic Landmark three years ago.

Ballet Des Moines dancer Kate Anderson summons spring in "See the Music." (Photo: Jami Milne)

In new ballet, seasons shift — and leap and spin

How ’bout this weather? Snowy enough for ya? Iowans have an endless gift for meteorological small talk, but some folks think bigger. Like Tom Mattingly, the artistic director of Ballet Des Moines who choreographed two works for the company’s “See the Music” program, which includes dances to the “Four Seasons” piano suite by the contemporary German composer Goetz Oestlind. Dancers (including Kate Anderson, pictured) will cycle through the seasons in the upcoming tour of performances with pianist Douglas-Jayd Burn and the Aizuri Quartet on Feb. 20 at Grinnell College, Feb. 28 at Hoyt Sherman Place and March 2 at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

The program also marks the company dancer Noah Klarck’s professional debut as a choreographer with his work “Orthodoxy.” It imagines dancers as cogs in an Orwellian machine against a backdrop of piano works by Bach, Brahms and Chopin.

“This is a special program because it’s the first time we’ve been able to dance alongside live music on stage since I joined the company” in 2021, dancer Cameron Miller said. “Audiences see dancers as bringing music to life. But as a dancer, it’s the music that breathes life into our performance. To know they’re performing right there next to you while dancing is a euphoric feeling.”

“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the African American Museum of Iowa,” she said in a press release. “My vision is to build upon the museum's foundation in the preservation, exhibition and teaching of the African American heritage of Iowa. I am committed to ensuring that our museum remains a vibrant space where the stories of African American resilience, innovation and triumph are honored and shared with all.”

Hunter will replace LaNisha Cassell, who led the museum for nearly nine years until her departure in October. Since Hunter became the museum educator in August, she has introduced and led a number of programs for all ages, including Saturday morning coffee talks and “Not a Monolith,” a series that explores a wide array of Black individuals and communities. Check out all the events and current exhibits online.

Watch out: Slime is spreading to Coralville. (Photo: Slime Kitchen)

Cook up some fun at the Slime Kitchen

It’s been almost a decade since slime became an overnight sensation, but it’s still popular today. And for Iowa “slimethusiasts,” there’s good news: A new Slime Kitchen is hosting a grand opening at 11 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville.

At the kitchen, visitors of all ages can cook up slime through a guided 10-step process that allows for personal preferences — in color, clarity, texture, glitter and so forth. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

This chain already has locations in California, Oregon and Nevada, but this is its first brick-and-mortar spot in the Midwest. So beware: Slime is spreading.

Skiers take on Cedar Falls' George Wyth State Park. (Photo: Travel Iowa)

Like to ski? Head for the hills right here in Iowa.

The first few days of snow-induced hibernation are one of life’s coziest delights, but sooner or later, cabin fever sets in. So after you’ve binged enough movies and hot chocolate, why not strap on some skis and head for the hills?

Iowa isn’t exactly famous for its slopes, but some fun options do exist. Travel Iowa rounded up a good list, including:

Decorah Cross-Country Ski Trails. This cross-country ski trail runs through the beauty of Decorah, including the Trout Run Trail, which allows for classic or skate skiing.

Viking Lake State Park, Stanton. Take a 6.2-mile loop around Viking Lake with views of water and snowy woods, or opt for the shorter Burr Oak Nature Trail.

Iowa Great Lakes Trail, Dickinson County. Ski along the Okoboji and West Okoboji Lakes on a 14-mile route, and venture on off-shoot trails to other parks while you’re at it.

Find four more Iowa ski destinations on Travel Iowa’s website.