Free Concert Fridays in Iowa City

Crowds gather for the 2008 Friday Night Concert Series in Iowa City / Photo by Greg Frieden, North Liberty.

I don’t know about you, but the word FREE always gets my attention. The folks at Summer of the Arts, an organization in Iowa City that supports four outstanding local arts and cultural events, have combined two of my very favorite things: FREE and live music.  That’s right. Every Friday night they bring great live music to downtown Iowa City and it won’t cost you a thing. 

Friday nights 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., mid-May through August, the Ped-mall in downtown Iowa City is THE place for live local entertainment. Bring your lawn chair to the Weatherdance Fountain Stage, near the Sheraton Iowa City Hotel, and ease into the night as the sun goes down and the stage heats up. You can catch jazz, blues, bluegrass and beyond; every week is something different. Check out the full 2009 entertainment schedule. 

This is a family-friendly event. The kids stay cool by splashing in the fountain or they can burn some energy climbing and exploring on the playground close by. There’s no better place to sit back and just watch people than the tree-lined sidewalks of the Ped-mall in Iowa City. I hope you’ll discover (like I have) that people watching is even more fun when you’re tapping your toes to terrific live tunes.

Friday Night Concert Series is an ideal time to grab a bite to eat in downtown Iowa City. There are so many great choices; all within walking distance of the Weatherdance Fountain Stage. Discover a new favorite every Friday night. 

I keep my lawn chair in the trunk of my car just so it’s always handy for a Friday in Iowa City. You do the same, and I’ll watch for you on the Ped-mall in Iowa City this summer.