ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

Volunteers helped wrap the Sioux City Art Center for a temporary art project called "Razzle Dazzle." (Photo: SCAC)

Honoring Iowa's creative voices

The Governor’s Arts Awards recognize Iowans who have made exceptional contributions to the arts across the state. Over the past 50 years, the State of Iowa's highest honors for the arts have been presented to leading Iowa artists, organizations, educators and volunteers.

The Iowa Arts Council, a part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, recently announced the following eight honorees:

Arts Service Award
The Sioux City Art Center’s "Razzle Dazzle" project engaged hundreds of local volunteers and transformed the building into a community-driven artwork that attracted new visitors.

Arts Learning Award
The University of Iowa's Arts Share program in Iowa City reached more than 14,000 students and community members over the last two years, bringing performance, teaching and creative practices to communities across Iowa.

Emerging Arts Leader Award
Siriaco “Siri” Garcia of Huxley helped create more than 40 community murals in Central Iowa.
Akwi Nji of Cedar Rapids was recognized for her leadership in multidisciplinary arts and storytelling and collaborations with organizations across the state.

Arts Legacy Award
Craig Ihnen of West Des Moines fostered artistic expression and excellence in speech and performing arts over nearly three decades as executive director of the Iowa High School Speech Association.

Arts Champion Award
The City of Bondurant integrated the arts into community development through creative placemaking projects.
Thomas Lacina of Grinnell helped advance the Grinnell Area Arts Council, supporting local artists and ensuring the arts are an integral part of the community.

Heritage Award
The History Stitchers of Appanoose County in Centerville maintain and celebrate Iowa’s quilting traditions through the Centerville Tapestry Project.
Seso Marentes of Des Moines preserves and shares cultural heritage through visual and public art, cultural festivals, community engagement and storytelling.

Film and Media Award
FilmScene in Iowa City cultivated a vibrant film culture in the state through educational programs, partnerships and an annual film festival.

Turn it up at Cedar Valley Pridefest with LGBTQ folks and allies. (Photo: Cedar Valley Pridefest)

Show your pride in Waterloo

Make some noise for LGBTQ equity and inclusivity at Cedar Valley Pridefest, set for Aug. 22-23 along West Fourth Street in downtown Waterloo. Start off the weekend with yoga, bring the kids for story time and activities, and check out the more than 80 food, beverage and merch vendors lining the block.

Musicians will perform all day and into the night. Ada Fox and Zee Machine headline the mainstage lineup, but don’t miss the sing-along and drag shows.

Take a stroll, take a bite, take a sip... the prairie is ready for visitors. (Photo: Liz Zabel)

Bites, brews and views in Cedar Rapids

Stroll through the prairie at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, where local food vendors and musicians set up booths along the trail. At Trailside Tastings on Aug. 29, enjoy the ambiance of the late-summer prairie.

Take a leisurely evening stroll while stopping at sampling stations that offer craft beverages from more than a dozen local producers, and try the pizza, hot and fresh from a wood-fired oven.

A beer-lovers paradise, take your pick of brews at Millstream Brewing Co. (Photo: Millstream Brewing Co.)

Big beer bash

Millstream Brewing Co. hosts one of the state's biggest beer bashes, with samples of beer, cider and other concoctions. On Aug. 31, visit the Iowa Craft Brew Bash in Amana for unlimited samples from more than 50 breweries and distilleries across the state.

Enjoy live music by BigFoot Park and the DTKK and grab lunch from one of the many food trucks. The Bash is one of Iowa’s largest charity beer events. It supports Achieving Maximum Potential, which provides opportunities for foster youth to build skills for life and leadership.

Celebrate the history of rock 'n' roll at a new interactive museum in Clear Lake. (Photo: Surf Ballroom)

The music lives again in Clear Lake

Next to Clear Lake’s famous Surf Ballroom, a high-tech music museum is set to open next month with displays that retell the story of 1959 Winter Dance Party, the last concert Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson played before they died in a plane crash.

Not Fade Away: The Immersive Surf Ballroom Experience opens on Sept. 4 with a book signing and a special preview before the full exhibit debut and ribbon-cutting on Sept. 7, what would have been Holly’s 88th birthday.

Through immersive digital storytelling, historic artifacts, restored audio recordings and original archival materials, visitors will be able to walk in the footsteps of trailblazing musicians. Next month, you can be one of the first to experience the multisensory journey through the birth of rock 'n' roll.