Tuesday tunes, poetry, and a youth showcase

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Tuesday keeps it nicely mixed across the corridor: a buzzy Prairie Lights reading, a youth showcase at The James, library happenings in Cedar Rapids, and a couple of Iowa City community picks worth circling.

Featured

Books & Ideas

Paige Lewis brings "Canon" to Prairie Lights

Prairie Lights Books Tuesday, May 26 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City, Paige Lewis appears in conversation with Tom Lin. It’s a sharp Iowa City literary-night pick with hometown writing cred and a brand-new novel at the center of it.

When: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
Where: Prairie Lights Books, 15 S Dubuque St, Iowa City.
Why go: A new-novel reading plus conversation makes for an especially lively bookstore hour.

Theater

Young performers take the spotlight at The James

The James Theater Events Nolte Youth Theater’s Vocal and Acting Showcase runs Tuesday, May 26 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at The James in Iowa City. If you like catching rising local talent before the curtain call, this one has that big-kid energy in a compact evening format.

When: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.
Where: The James, Iowa City.
What: A youth vocal and acting showcase from Nolte Youth Theater.

Live Music

Forrest McCurren turns the library into a listening room

Cedar Rapids Public Library Event List Stories & Songs: Forrest McCurren in Concert is set for Tuesday, May 26 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in Whipple Auditorium at the Downtown Library in Cedar Rapids. It’s a low-key, high-reward Tuesday outing for anyone who likes their live music with a side of storytelling.

When: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm.
Where: Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library, Cedar Rapids.
Who it fits: Teen and adult audiences, per the library listing.

Family

Gem Mosaic night adds sparkle at Ladd Library

Cedar Rapids Public Library Family Art Night: Gem Mosaic happens Tuesday, May 26 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Ladd Library in Cedar Rapids. It’s an easy family creativity hour with hands-on supplies and a tidy one-hour window that won’t wreck bedtime.

When: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 5:30pm - 6:30pm.
Where: Ladd Library Community Room, Cedar Rapids.
Note: Registration is required, according to the library listing.

Eastern Daily Picks

2026 University Heights Farmers Market: A Tuesday market run with fresh-air browsing baked right into the evening. at University Heights, 2026-05-26, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
Community Night | CommUnity Crisis Services: Dinner with a give-back angle: sales during the event support CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank. at Vue Rooftop, Iowa City, 2026-05-26, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
Intro to Screenprint - full!: A multi-day screenprinting workshop kicks off Tuesday for print-curious creatives. at IC Press Co-op at PS1, Iowa City, 2026-05-26, 5:30 PM.
Soul Flow Yoga: A gentle reset in art-space surroundings instead of the usual Tuesday rush. at PS1 Close House Dance Hall, Iowa City, 2026-05-26, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Stories & Songs: Forrest McCurren in Concert: Story-driven live music in a library setting that sounds like a very good idea. at Whipple Auditorium at Downtown Library, Cedar Rapids, 2026-05-26, 6:30pm - 7:30pm.
Paige Lewis in conv with Tom Lin - Canon: A standout literary event with a new novel, smart conversation, and peak Iowa City bookishness. at Prairie Lights Books, Iowa City, 2026-05-26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm.
Nolte Youth Theater Vocal and Acting Showcase: An evening of young local performers taking their turn in the spotlight. at The James, Iowa City, 2026-05-26, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.
Pride Poetry @ Studio 13: A late-evening open mic-style poetry gathering with LGBTQ-centered energy and room for spoken word, short stories, and more. at Studio 13, Iowa City, 2026-05-26, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

Note: All times are local to the event listing unless a source notes otherwise. Event details come from the linked source pages.