On the street

The last Friday of the Friday Night Concert Series

I love summer. And I love the things that come with it: farmer's markets, festivals, and anything else that brings people together outside.

But now summer is definitely coming to an end. Sept. 4 marked the last installment of the Friday Night Concert Series, which offered free weekly performances by local bands in downtown Iowa City's pedestrian mall, part of the city-wide Summer of the Arts. Summer's end was doubly marked, not only by the closing of the Summer of the Arts but also in the crisp, cold air permeating the crowd at Iowa City-based band Euforquestra's show.

So, I thought I'd ask concert-goers what they'd be doing next Friday, now that the Concert Series was over - and with it, summer.

The answers varied, from working or doing homework to watching a baseball game to picking vegetables. But no matter their answer, almost everyone mentioned how sad they were the weekly concerts were finished.

I'm thankful I live in a place that sponsors and embraces such things as outdoor concerts, jazz festivals and art exhibits. This will be my fifth year living in Iowa City, and such events make me feel this is not just a place to live, but a true community. Now that I'm working at the Gazette in Cedar Rapids, I'm slowly learning about the things that town is offering too.

My hope is that as fall and winter's chill converge on the Corridor, Eastern Iowa will continue to offer community-building opportunities. Just perhaps not outside.   |    Login or Join to Post Comments