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May 2025

Sat 24

May 24 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Let Them Eat Cake! Burlesque and Variety Show

The James Theater 213 N Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA, United States

Join Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha for LET THEM EAT CAKE, a food and revolution-themed burlesque show featuring the sinfully sweet Steph Sugar all the way from Las Vegas! Feeling depressed...

$30 – $50

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Raise a glass to a legacy! Legacy Happy Hours are

Raise a glass to a legacy! Legacy Happy Hours are here–every Thursday in May from 5:00–6:00 p.m.–and we’re kicking it off today with a stop at the one and only Micky's Irish Pub.

A true Iowa City icon, @mickysic has been holding down Dubuque Street since 1980 with good food, cold beer, and a legendary bar that dates back to 1870. This storied pub has hosted everyone from college students to literary legends like Tennessee Williams and Kurt Vonnegut, and it’s still a favorite for lunch, bingo nights, and catching the game. With over four decades of history, Micky’s continues to be a cornerstone of downtown’s legacy dining scene.

Want more behind-the-scenes stories? Tune in to the Downtown Dish podcast to hear the owners talk about the bar’s wild journey, how they almost bought a firetruck, and why Micky’s remains one of Iowa City’s most beloved institutions.

Join us to celebrate one of downtown’s longest-standing hangouts and swing by after work to grab a drink. Don’t forget to bring your Legacy Dining Passport to earn a sticker and get one step closer to winning a $200 ICDD Gift Card + exclusive swag!

📍 Passports, happy hour locations, and Legacy Month details at downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses

Celebrate Iowa City’s culinary icons all month l

Celebrate Iowa City’s culinary icons all month long with the Legacy Dining Passport, a fun and flavorful way to support the long-standing bars and restaurants that have shaped our downtown.

ICDD is encouraging office teams, downtown workers, and lunch crews to make Tuesdays a tradition by dining out for Legacy Lunches, and to unwind on Thursdays with Legacy Happy Hour. These weekly outings are the perfect excuse to enjoy a mid-day or after-work break, connect with colleagues, and support local businesses.

Passports and can be picked up at any Legacy dining location, the front desk at MERGE (136 S Dubuque St), or printed at home from our website. It’s the perfect excuse to revisit longtime favorites and explore new flavors.

Collect a sticker each time you dine at a Legacy location during May. Once you’ve visited five, snap a photo of your completed passport and submit it online for a chance to win a $200 ICDD Gift Card—plus exclusive Legacy swag!

Downtown Iowa City makes gifting easy — with fre

Downtown Iowa City makes gifting easy — with fresh blooms, one-of-a-kind jewelry, handmade goods, and relaxing self-care favorites from our local shops and boutiques.

🌸 Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and our downtown retailers have everything to make Mom feel extra loved. Shop sweet, stylish, and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

And don’t forget: free delivery is available! Send a gift or have one delivered at no cost with Downtown Delivers. Just check with any of our shops when making your purchase or look for the delivery option when checking out online.

Deliveries go out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Iowa City, Coralville, Solon, Tiffin, and West Branch areas.

Legacy Lunch is on! Every Tuesday in May, we invit

Legacy Lunch is on! Every Tuesday in May, we invite downtown workers, office teams, and lunchtime crews to take a break and support the long-standing restaurants and bars during Legacy Business Month!

– Visit longtime favorites or try something new
– Soak up the midday vibes downtown
– Make it a weekly outing with your coworkers
– Dine out and support the local flavors that have shaped our community

Tag your lunch crew and comment where you’re headed today!

📍 See the full list of Legacy Lunch spots at downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses

Spring continues to take over Downtown Iowa City a

Spring continues to take over Downtown Iowa City and you can feel it in the air. Trees are budding, flowers are bursting with color, and storefronts are stocked with spring arrivals.

From fresh fashion and new merchandise to updated menus and sunny patios, downtown shops and restaurants are buzzing with the energy of the season. It’s the perfect time for patio lunches, window shopping, and exploring all the seasonal displays popping up around the district.

Take a lap around the block and let spring in downtown surprise you.

This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day—and we’re

This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day—and we’re lucky to have a dedicated comic book shop right here in Downtown Iowa City to celebrate it!

As a designated Legacy Business, @daydreamscomics has been a cornerstone of downtown since 1986, specializing in new & old comics, graphic novels & manga, plus gaming & sports cards. For nearly 40 years, it’s been a cultural hub, a gathering space, and a launchpad for generations of readers and collectors. The shop has outlasted the trends, weathered the rise of online retail, and remained a people-first place, now owned by its fourth former employee-turned-owner. Talk about staying power!

Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday, May 3rd, from 10am–6pm, and Daydreams is celebrating in style:
– Free comics for all ages
– Artist signings with Eric Gapstur & Phil Hester (10am–2pm)
– Free coffee from @brassringcoffee
– Button making with @antelopelibrary
– Raffle prizes & more surprises!

Support this downtown original and experience why Daydreams continues to thrive as Iowa City’s one-and-only comic book shop.

www.daydreamscomics.com

www.downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses

@beyondfashionfest is taking over Downtown Iowa Ci

@beyondfashionfest is taking over Downtown Iowa City this weekend! Presented by @wrightfashionhouse, this two-day celebration fuses fashion, art, music, comedy, poetry, and education—all while supporting local talent and driving community connection.

They’ve teamed up with some of your favorite downtown cultural venues—like @elrayslivendive, @iowaconservatory, @iowacitygabes, and the @iowacitypubliclibrary—to host a city-wide festival packed with runway shows, live performances, installations, panels, and interactive workshops.

🎟️ There’s still time to grab your full festival pass for only $25, unlocking access to everything from couture showcases to real-talk panels and powerful performances.

Plus, don’t miss these FREE community events open to everyone:
— Create a Culture Live | May 2, 7:30–8:30 PM | Elrays Live&Dive
— Streetwear Fashion Show | May 3, 6–8 PM | Alleyway in front of @studio13ic

Get ready for a weekend where fashion meets purpose—and every block becomes part of the runway.

👉 Check out the full schedule and get your pass at www.icbeyondfest.com

May is here, and so is Legacy Business Month in Do

May is here, and so is Legacy Business Month in Downtown Iowa City! All month long, we’re shining a spotlight on the businesses that have helped shape our community and stood strong through decades of change.

From iconic retailers and go-to lunch spots to beloved bars and service providers, these businesses are the backbone of downtown. They’re the familiar faces and places where tradition meets expertise, where every storefront holds a story, and every handshake carries history.

A Legacy Business is classified as “a long-standing business that has been operating continuously for at least 20 years, enduring the test of time while shaping the economic and cultural identity of Downtown Iowa City.”

Join us all May long as we highlight, support, and raise a glass to the places that give downtown its character.

Learn more and see the full list of the 75+ Legacy Businesses at downtowniowacity.com/legacy-businesses.

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