Happening Today
- STEM From Dance Pop Up: Where Movement Meets Innovation • Chicago, IL, 8:00 am:
A chance for girls to explore AI, physics and movement through creativity and culture
- Explorers: Follow Your Art • Davenport, IA, 9:00 am:
DIY art opportunity for kids in kindergarten through grade 5.
- "Not Just February" Dollar Days • Cedar Rapids, IA, 10:00 am:
Learn about Black history for free every first Saturday.
- Make Valentine's Day Cards with CR Pride • Cedar Rapids, IA, 10:30 am:
This free event requires sign-up!
- Beyond the Pages Book Club • Dubuque, IA, 11:00 am:
Adult women talk about books.
- Sweet Equality in the East Village • Davenport, IA, 3:00 pm:
A chance to help support Iowa Safe Schools.
- Kickoff to Black History Month • Iowa City, IA, 9:00 pm:
Five performers help kick off Black History Month.
Top Stories
June 2024 Print Edition of The Real Mainstream
Take an e-look at the most recent June 2024 print edition of The Real Mainstream. Click here to sign up for home delivery of The Real Mainstream.
CR PrideFest showcases local performers at expanded event Saturday
CEDAR RAPIDS – With a show that once again focuses mostly on showcasing familiar names from eastern Iowa, CR Pride holds its annual festival Saturday with an anticipated crowd of more than 20,000. A total of 24 performers are featured from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. during...
News & Features
Groups throughout Illinois, Iowa call for Pride volunteers
At least 13 Pride groups are putting out a strong call for volunteers this year. Read about the Pride volunteer needs in communities including Aurora, Carbondale, Dubuque, the Des Moines area, Elgin, Galena, Iowa City, Peoria, the Quad Cities, Springfield, and Woodstock.
Two boosts for LGBTQ welcoming businesses in the Quad Cities
Read about two efforts to connect LGBTQ welcoming businesses in the Quad Cities with customers: an event Thursday night by the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, and a new directory from QCAD Out for Good.
Opinion
Are any lies kind? Worthy questions in Nancy Johnson’s first-time novel
Nancy Johnson’s first novel raises a worthy question about lies, despite leaving characters unexplored, writes Cathy Chavez in her new “Off the Shelf” book review.
‘Pray Away’ devastates by showing religion’s leading role in ongoing conversion therapy abuse of LGBTQ+ people
Pray Away is about how conversion therapy is still happening, targeting transgender people within the LGBTQ+ community, and masquerading as religious love. Read Aime Wichtendahl’s review.
