Iowa City's newest summer music festival, Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings, kicks off in May

Iowa City's newest summer music festival will offer plenty of unique entertainment and a picturesque setting.

Rhythms at Riverfront Crossing is a monthly music festival held at Riverfront Crossings starting in May. The Summer of the Arts festival will run one Saturday a month through September and feature several Iowa bands across a number of genres.

Riverfront Crossings was built in 2019 at 1301 S Gilbert Street on the banks of the Iowa River, a few yards due west of Big Grove Brewery.

A new festival at a new park

Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings will be the first festival held at the young park. The city was adamant about using the riverside venue, which boasts plenty of space to mingle.

"We've been working closely with parks and recreation, and we knew that they wanted to activate this park because it feels underutilized to some degree," said Summer of the Arts Development Director Eric Johnson. "We wanted to do something to bring people there and increase the park's usage, and we just kept thinking this would be a great place for a concert."

The park was completed in 2019, but it has not seen much use since Covid-19 pandemic.

Riverfront Crossing was previously the site for an Iowa City Wastewater treatment facility and the Animal Shelter. Both facilities were devastated by the 2008 floods and moved to flood-protected sites. The area was turned into a spacious park to attract visitors to the riverbank. It includes a unique nature play area for children and serves as a venue for community events and festivals.

"Parks bring people out to nature and to each other," said Director of Parks and Recreation Juli Seydell Johnson. "Events such as Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings do both."

The inaugural festival will begin with a performance from Diplomats of Sound at 6:30 p.m. on May 25. The first concert will be followed by a screening of the Academy Award-winning documentary "Summer of Soul" around 9 p.m.

Johnson said the Summer of the Arts is committed to creating community through free art.

"We hope that people gathering at a park to enjoy concerts and movies will also increase people's enjoyment and awareness of the park and the local and regional musical scene," he said.

A weekly festival with more than music

Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings promises more than live music. Iowa City Parks and Rec will provide games suitable for families and children, using the paved trails, playground, and a pingpong table.

Food and drink vendors will be on hand, highlighted by Big Grove, Luna's Tacos, Selina’s Creations, and Moo Moo’s Ice Cream.

Summer of the Arts also hosts several other summer engagements, like the Friday Night Concert series and Iowa City Jazz Festival. Rhythms at Riverfront Crossing is part of an effort to take the arts closer to area neighborhoods.

"Bringing music, art, and film to where people are making it more accessible and remove some of the barriers, and we want people to feel invited to their local parks, which can build a sense of neighborhood inclusivity and encourage people to use the resources," Johnson said. "One of the things that I've noticed at our neighborhood events is that I see more older folks and more families with small children, which are two groups of people that might find it a little more of a hassle to come downtown to a large concert or large event."

The full Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings schedule is as follows:

(All performances start at 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays)

May 25: Diplomats of Solid Sound

Diplomats of Solid Sound, an American band known for blending funk, soul, and Americana, boasts a 20+ year career. Their music has featured in numerous hit TV shows and movies, accumulating over 50 million streams and garnering a dedicated following in Europe and North America.

June 29: Kevin Burt & Big Medicine

For nearly 30 years, Kevin Burt, a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame (class of 2019), has captivated audiences with his soulful vocals, harmonica, and guitar skills. Known for his engaging performances, Burt combines music with humor, connecting deeply with his audience.

July 27: Dave Zollo & the Body Electric

David Zollo emerged onto the midwestern music scene in 1992 with High and Lonesome. Since then, he's maintained a bustling career, touring extensively in the U.S. and Europe with both High and Lonesome and his current band, The Body Electric.

August 24: Winterland

Winterland specializes in recreating the Grateful Dead's music and vibe from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. With remarkable authenticity, they transport audiences back to when the Dead's diverse influences were woven into their sound.

September 28: Shade of Blue

Shade of Blue fans have been entranced by their irresistible grooves for more than 30 years. Guitarist and vocalist Dave Rosazza formed the band initially as a blues trio in 1989 and they have become one of Iowa City's cherished musical fixtures.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings free summer music festival starts in May