ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

Farah Siraj has traveled the world. Her next stop? Oskaloosa. Photo: Yasmina Barber

Arts & Culture

Jordanian singer visits Oskaloosa on Midwest tour

The Jordanian singer Farah Siraj has performed for the United Nations, at Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, and on MTV.

This week, she’ll add Oskaloosa to the list. She is leading music workshops with local students, preparing them to sing a few songs in English and Arabic at a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the George Daily Community Auditorium. Siraj will perform, too, with her band – on guitar, percussion and oud, a pear-shaped, lute-like instrument from the Middle East.

Their trip to Iowa is the first of a three-state World Fest tour funded by the nonprofit Arts Midwest.
It’s the latest in a career full of goodwill projects that started when she was in college in Boston and wrote a song to support Sudanese refugees who fled the civil war that erupted in Darfur in 2003. The song took on a life of its own, including a performance before the U.N. Security Council and by peacekeepers at a refugee camp, where folks “felt like they weren’t alone,” Siraj said.

“Music is a very powerful tool,” she added. “I always use it for peace rather than for any political agendas or anything. As musicians, that’s part of our role.”

The Zuzu African Acrobats from Tanzania perform Saturday in Clive. Photo: Zuzu African Acrobats

Arts & Culture

I'll Make Me a World in Iowa celebrates Black culture

The 26th annual festival of African American culture, I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa, takes place this weekend at the Horizon Events Center in Clive. Friday’s lineup focuses on education before Saturday’s celebration with visits from actor, writer and producer Christian Keyes, leadership coach Joel Tudman and the Zuzu African Acrobats from Tanzania.

Gospel choirs will be competing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in a contest called “So Your Choir Can Sang?” Throughout the day, visitors can visit the health and wellness expo, stop by the kids’ carnival, learn about Black history, feast on soul food — and much more.

Snow sculptors show off their handiwork each year in Dubuque. Photo: Travel Dubuque

Around Iowa

It’s a snowy showdown in Dubuque

Get ready for a winter wonderland at the Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Festival, Feb. 15-18, outside the Dubuque Museum of Art. Participating artists from across the state plan to carve massive blocks of snow during the city's annual competition. The artists compete for cash prizes, bragging rights and a chance to rep Iowa at the national competition next year.

Visitors can participate in hands-on activities, refuel with food and beverage vendors, and vote for the people's choice award. Guests can also play in the snow themselves, by helping with a collaborative community sculpture or prepping some snow blocks ahead of time, on Feb. 14.

No half about it: We fully recommend The Half Nelson in Davenport. Photo: The Half Nelson

Food & Dining

Restaurant spotlight: The Half Nelson

If you ever find yourself hungry in Davenport, make your way to East Second Street, where you’ll find the contemporary American restaurant The Half Nelson. Despite its self-described “American” fare, the menu offers a bit of everything, from New Orleans crab beignets to Korean barbecue cauliflower steak to seared sea scallops over capellini pasta. The bar serves wine by the glass, regional craft beers and a rotating array of specialty cocktails.

The eatery has been a popular date-night spot among locals ever since it opened five years ago. Cozy up in a booth or hang out at the bar. During nicer weather, the spacious patio glows under strings of lights.

Slip on a pair of snowshoes and explore the outdoors in a new way. Photo: Shae Rossetti

Around Iowa

Find thrills and chills in Waterloo

Adventurers, head over to Waterloo this weekend for the Cedar Valley Winter Fest. The fun kicks off on Friday with a guided snowshoe hike at 7 p.m., followed by hot drinks and snacks to warm you up.

Saturday is the big day with a full lineup of snowshoe and fat bike races for the Iowa Winter Games, starting at 11 a.m. For the non-athletes, you can compete in the chili cook-off or just warm up at a blazing fireplace.

CASA artists, like ceramicist Caroline Freese, work in all sorts of artistic media. Photo: CASA

Around Iowa

'Mi CASA es su casa' at open house in Ames

The Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames hosts the Ames Community Arts Council’s Gathering of Artists event 6-8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the CASA headquarters on Sheldon Avenue. The event showcases local artists who work in all mediums, at all levels.

Artists will have the chance to meet other artists, receive feedback on their work, find inspiration and have fun. Art enthusiasts are welcome to join, too. The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

Iowa's indoor waterparks are the perfect getaway for a winter weekend. Photo: Travel Iowa

Around Iowa

Enjoy one of Iowa’s indoor waterparks

Cold weather doesn't mean giving up waterpark fun. Plan a winter weekend escape to one of these indoor waterparks in Iowa.

Bridges Bay Resort, Okoboji
'Boji Splash has something for all ages, from a 500-gallon dump bucket to a Lil' Squirt play area. Bridges Bay allows visitors to experience Okoboji year-round by offering individually owned condominiums for your stay (along with traditional hotel guest rooms).

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Dubuque
Located steps from the Mississippi River, Grand Harbor Resort features a 25,000-square-foot waterpark with slides, tube rides, waterspouts and a four-story Huck Finn tree house that dumps 350 gallons of water every eight minutes. After the water fun, stay in one of Grand Harbor's spacious rooms and dine at Tony Roma's Restaurant and Lounge.

King's Pointe Waterpark Resort, Storm Lake
For an exciting aquatic adventure all year round, visit King's Pointe Resort. Leap on the lily pads, climb through the water playground, zoom down the slides and float the lazy river. After working up an appetite, dine at the lakeside Regatta Grille.

All Seasons Center, Sioux Center
Escape the winter cold outside and embrace an indoor paradise at the All Seasons Center. The indoor waterpark includes two large waterslides and two kids' waterslides, a splash-and-play climbing set, splash pad, lily pad crossing, swimming pool, diving boards and a hot tub. Guests can also enjoy the indoor Vernon Arena, an NHL-size ice rink with skate and helmet rentals available for all ages.

Honey Creek Resort, Moravia
Located in the serene countryside near Moravia, Honey Creek Resort's Buccaneer Bay indoor water park offers a tropical oasis for all ages. Experience the thrill of zooming down the two-story waterslide and completing the lily pads obstacle course, or unwind by gently floating along the lazy river and relaxing by the pool. There's also a separate area for littles to enjoy two small water slides and a splash pad.

Head over to Travel Iowa to read the rest of this story and find out where Iowa’s coolest pools are.