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This week on Downtown Dish, hosts Anna & Charlie s

This week on Downtown Dish, hosts Anna & Charlie sit down with Niki Neems, owner of r.s.v.p.—the Northside’s go-to shop for gorgeous paper goods, gifts, and all things delightful. Tune in for stories from behind the counter, Niki’s take on creative entrepreneurship, and a few laughs along the way.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon!

Reminder: Tonight’s the deadline to submit your

Reminder: Tonight’s the deadline to submit your designs for the 2025 BenchMarks Program!

We’re selecting 12 creative designs to brighten the benches outside the Iowa City Public Library—turning the space into a colorful, welcoming spot for kids and families. Think bold, playful, and full of personality. Use the entire bench surface to bring your design to life with color, pattern, and texture.

– Submissions are due by midnight TONIGHT – up to 3 designs per artist!
– Artists receive a $350 stipend + Blick Art Materials gift card
– Benches must be painted by June 1st

Learn more & apply now: https://bit.ly/4ijNhEi

Who’s ready to dink around this summer? We team

Who’s ready to dink around this summer?

We teamed up with the Downtown Ambassadors to set up the pickleball court in the Ped Mall—now all it needs is YOU!

Bring your own paddles and balls and start playing today—we’ll have extra equipment out soon.

Let’s get the games going!

Thank you to Camp for hosting tonight’s First Ro

Thank you to Camp for hosting tonight’s First Round! From the antique coolers and antler chandeliers to the vintage matchbooks and buoy lanterns, Camp’s team dreamt up every detail to ensure your visit is reminiscent of a weekend away in the woods, albeit with great service, cheese curds, and old fashioneds.

Cheers to this month’s sponsor, Bankers Advertising and Tru Art Color Graphics, for providing everyone with their first round!

Northside Outside is coming to life! Big thanks t

Northside Outside is coming to life!

Big thanks to the Downtown Ambassadors for helping us set the street on this beautiful sunny day — it’s officially patio season in Downtown Iowa City!

With warmer weather rolling in, it’s the perfect time to stop by the Northside to dine with the family, get drinks with friends, and do some shopping.

And stay tuned… the Northside Saturday Night Series with @englerttheatre will return soon — lineup announcement coming your way!

Happy National Record Store Day!  We’re lucky

Happy National Record Store Day!
 We’re lucky to have a true vinyl gem right here in Downtown Iowa City— @rec_collect, proudly spinning since 1982.

This Saturday, they’re celebrating Record Store Day the best way they know how:

- 250+ exclusive releases (many available ONLY on this day!)
- First come, first served—collectors line up early to score their must-haves
- Tons of giveaways and good vibes all day long

Get your wish list ready and keep an eye on their channels to see what exclusive titles they’ve received. You can check out the full release list now at recordstoreday.com.

Let’s show some love to this downtown staple and celebrate the joy of vinyl together!

Spring cleaning is in full swing in Downtown Iowa

Spring cleaning is in full swing in Downtown Iowa City thanks to our hardworking Ambassadors! From power washing away grime to keeping sidewalks spotless and welcoming, they’re making downtown shine just in time for the warmer weather.

We were thrilled to have City Councilor Laura Bergus join us and the Ambassador team for lunch this week to meet the crew and learn more about their work to keep downtown clean, safe, and inviting. Thank you, Councilor Bergus!

Need a hand downtown or spot something that needs attention? Just wave them down or call/text the Ambassador Service Line at 319-452-0608 for assistance.

🎨 Reminder for Artists & Creatives! There’s s

🎨 Reminder for Artists & Creatives! There’s still time to submit your designs for the 2025 BenchMarks Program—the deadline to apply is just under two weeks away on April 22nd.

Transform a bench into a work of art and bring color, creativity, and joy to the Ped Mall. 12 designs will be selected for the benches outside the Iowa City Public Library, creating a vibrant space for kids and families. We’re looking for bold, eye-catching, and engaging designs that utilize the entire bench surface, incorporating color, pattern, and texture to captivate visitors.

🖌️ 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
– Artists have the opportunity to be selected for multiple benches and can submit up to 3 designs
– Receive a $350 stipend + @blick_iowacity gift card
– All painting happens on-site and must be complete by June 1st

🗓️ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀:
– Application Deadline: April 22nd at midnight
– Artist Notifications: 4th week of April
– Virtual Orientation: Week of April 28th
– Painting Deadline: June 1st

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