The Gazette Hoopla

27/08/2026

Bojangles, a North Carolina-based chain known for its chicken, biscuits and sweet tea, told The Gazette it is searching for opportunities to build locations in Iowa.

Details: https://www.thegazette.com/lifestyles/bojangles-plans-new-iowa-restaurants-with-its-national-expansion/article_1e2e34c8-8e94-4953-9f41-ab56d9cca91d.html

27/08/2026

Uzbek University of Iowa students release landmark album

Two University of Iowa musicians have released the world’s first commercial album devoted to Uzbek classics from their motherland.

26/08/2026

Prairie Table debuts farm-to-table dinner series in Hiawatha

Prairie Table, a farm-to-table dinner series at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, showcases the plant-forward bounty of each season.

26/08/2026

Minnie’s BBQ opens in Cedar Rapids in former Salsa Guy Cafe location

Minnie’s BBQ opened Aug. 21, bringing ribs, fried chicken and sandwich options to southeast Cedar Rapids

26/08/2026

A decade ago, before a sold-out crowd in the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, a rhinestone-encrusted, fan-adoring Dolly Parton graced Eastern Iowa with 2½ hours of her greatest hits and newest ballads — from “9 to 5” and “Jolene” to “Smoky Mountain Memories” and “Here You Come Again.”

She was as generous with her gratitude of the fans as she was with the sparkle on her outfits — leaving Eastern Iowans with not just a night to remember but a legend in the iconic Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80.

Read the full article: https://www.thegazette.com/news/dolly-parton-graced-iowa-cedar-rapids-a-decade-before-her-death/article_9ddaeff5-b776-43b5-8761-be1968e15304.html

26/08/2026

New brunch restaurant opens in former Coralville Arby’s

Butter & Jam Cafe opened on Aug. 19, bringing new brunch options

26/08/2026

Bojangles plans new Iowa restaurants with its national expansion

Fried chicken chains are flocking to Iowa en masse, and Bojangles could be next.

25/08/2026

Market After Dark returns to downtown Cedar Rapids

Also in this roundup of Corridor entertainment news: A Sudanese native in Iowa City will give a free Oud performance this weekend, and CSPS in Cedar Rapids is hosting a film screening for “Faces of Unity.”

25/08/2026

Veteran musicians Cowsills are ‘Happy Together’ on tour

When the group performs Sept. 2 at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids as part of the Happy Together tour, the Cowsills will not play any tunes from their latest

25/08/2026

Orchestra Iowa returns to Brucemore lawn after 5-year hiatus https://www.thegazette.com/lifestyles/entertainment/orchestra-iowa-returns-to-brucemore-lawn-after-5-year-hiatus/article_00235c87-e03b-4284-82ae-1bde4994cd81.html