Iowa
Must-see Iowa City concerts include The Indigo Girls and viral sensation Mason Ramsey
Spring has almost arrived, bringing warmer weather, blooming flowers, and notable concerts.
From the Mission Creek Festival to critically acclaimed acts or your favorite new band, here is a round-up of spring concerts in the Iowa City area.
More: Goodbye, winter. The first day of spring is rapidly approaching for Iowa.
Mission Creek Music Festival (April 4-6)
Mission Creek is an annual music festival in its 19th season, bringing esteemed and local acts together April 4-6. The festival unfolds in downtown Iowa City, hosted at iconic, cozy locations like the esteemed Englert Theatre and the newly refurbished Riverside Theatre. Highlights include Neko Case, Osees, Indigo DeSouza, local acts Bootcamp, and The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band.
Tickets went on sale in December, but passes are still available. A weekend-long pass costs $115; single-day passes cost $55.
More: Neko Case headlines 19th annual Mission Creek Festival held April 4-6 in Iowa City
Oumou Sangaré (April 12)
Oumou Sangaré is an acclaimed Malian singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1990s with her powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics, often addressing issues such as women’s rights and African identity. Sangaré is touring her for recent release, “Timbuktu,” written during the COVID lockdowns. “Timbuktu” blends sounds of traditional West African music and American Blues to create a unique listening experience. Sangaré will perform at The Englert Theatre on April 12, and tickets are still available.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12
Where: The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St., Iowa City
Price:$10-40.17
More: Iowa dog breeder blames ‘brainless’ women for criminal charges
Ratboys (April 12)
Ratboys is an indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2010. The band gained attention with its debut album, “AOID,” released in 2015. They are currently touring to promote their most recent release, “The Window.” Ratboys brings its infectious melodies, intricate guitar work, and emotive storytelling to Gabe’s on April 12 with supporting act Ducks Ltd. Tickets are on sale now.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 12
Where: Gabe’s, 330 E Washington St., Iowa City
Price: $20+
More: A southern twist: Raising Cane’s opening downtown Iowa City location
Indigo Girls (April 17 and April 18)
The Indigo Girls have sold millions of records thanks to their chart-topping song “Closer to Fine,” which helped fuel their debut in 1987. The Grammy-winning group continues to share their folk-rock sound during regular tours. The Indigo Girls recently performed at the Englert Theatre in November and are returning to the historic theatre on April 17 and April 18, with tickets starting at $59.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18
Where: The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St, Iowa City
Price: $59+
Mason Ramsey (April 20)
Mason Ramsey, also known as “The Walmart Yodeling Kid,” is an American singer and internet sensation who gained widespread attention in 2018. Ramsey has continued to pursue his music career since becoming a viral sensation and has demonstrated his versatility, expanding his repertoire beyond traditional country music. Ramsey will perform April 20 at Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon. Tickets are on sale now.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Where: Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon, 4919 Walleye Dr. SE, Iowa City
Price: $18+
Caroline Rose
Caroline Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician known for her eclectic blend of indie rock, pop, and alternative music. Rose is celebrated for her boundary-pushing creativity and brings a dynamic live performance to the Englert Theatre on April 23. General admission tickets start at $25.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday April 23
Where: The Englert Theatre, 221 E Washington St, Iowa City
Price: $25+
Other Notable Acts Performing in Eastern Iowa
Breaking Benjamin − 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at Alliant Energy Powerhouse, Cedar Rapids
Queensryche − 8 p.m. Sunday, April 8 at Alliant Energy Powerhouse, Cedar Rapids
Cake − 8 p.m. Friday, May 10 at McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
Iowa
UPDATE: Amber Alert canceled for missing 12-year-old
WATERLOO (KCRG) – The Amber Alert for 12-year-old Deyton Annabelle Cranston has been canceled.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Cranston was located and the Waterloo Police Department is investigating.
PREVIOUS STORY:
Iowa (KCRG) – An amber alert has been issued for a missing 12-year-old out of Waterloo.
12-year-old Deyton Annabelle Cranston was last seen wearing a white tank top and a blue skirt and wearing clear glasses.
She’s described as 5′4′, 135 and has blonde hair and brown eyes.
Officials say to look out for a red Toyota Camry with all tinted windows, a black spoiler, and no license plate on the front.
Anyone with information should contact authorites.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Vote: Who Should be Iowa’s High School Athlete of the Week? (4/5/2026)
Here are the candidates for High School on SI’s Iowa high school athlete of the week for March 30-April 4. Read through the nominees and cast your vote.
Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 12. The winner will be announced in the following week’s poll. Here are this week’s nominees:
Greyson Hartman, Washington boys track and field
The junior recorded the second-best United States throw in the shot put with a toss of 67-3.5. It is the second-best throw in Iowa history, breaking the Class 3A mark set by NFL standout Tristan Wirfs.
Shea Rapp, Ridge View girls track and field
Rapp won the high jump and the 200 at the Audubon Early Bird while also running on the winning distance medley relay and runner-up 4×400 relay.
Rylee Hemmingsen, Treynor girls track and field
Hemmingsen showed off her skills by winning the 100 hurdles, running on the winning shuttle hurdle and 4×400 relays, and placing second in the high jump at the Audubon Early Bird.
Cash Varner, Alburnett boys track and field
Varner was cash at the Benton Early Bird, placing first in both the 100 dash and long jump.
Aiden Gosselink, Grinnell girls track and field
Gosselink hit the Blue Standard to qualify for the Drake Relays in the long jump while also winning the 100 at the Benton Early Bird.
Rylan Peters, Waverly-Shell Rock boys track and field
Peters set a new school-record in the long jump at 23-8 while also hitting the Blue Standard and qualifying for Drake Relays.
Jase Price, Des Moines Christian boys soccer
Price had quite the varsity debut, as the freshman recorded a haul by scoring four goals in a win over Boone.
Aiden Kellar, Treynor boys soccer
Kellar tallied a hat trick with three goals in a 5-1 win for the Cardinals over Harlan.
Kaden Theisen, Western Dubuque boys soccer
Theisen was peppered with 20 shots in a match vs. Beckman Catholic, saving 19 of them to help the Bobcats to a 2-1 win.
Lucas Sidles, Independence boys track and field
Sidles swept the throwing events at the West Delaware Early Bird, winning the shot put and discus.
Adam Kacmarynski, Pella Christian boys track and field
Kacmarynski won the 100 and ran on the winning sprint medley and 4×100 relays at the Chariton Invitational.
Mark Fraise, Davis County boys track and field
Fraise finished first in the 400 hurdles, was on the first place shuttle hurdle and 4×400 relays, and also ran on the second place distance medley relay.
Gage Hoppenworth, Johnston boys track and field
Hoppenworth had a three-gold night at the Dowling Catholic meet, winning the 110 and 400 hurdles while running the third leg on the winning shuttle hurdle relay.
Alayna Goldsberry, Southeast Polk girls track and field
The junior won the 100 and 200 at her home invitational while running the anchor on the second place 4×400 relay.
Natalie Sitzmann, Waukee girls track and field
Sitzmann, a senior, won the 200 and ran on the first place shuttle hurdle and 4×400 relays at her home invitational.
Isabel Spradling, Des Moines Roosevelt girls track and field
Spradling picked up a first in the 1,500 and was on the gold-medal 4×400 and 4×800 relays at the Waukee Invitational.
Alayna Williams, Carlisle girls soccer
Williams, a senior, recorded five goals in a season-opening win over Knoxville, 10-1.
Carly Torneten, Harlan Community girls soccer
Torneten not only scored four goals, but she recorded four assists vs. Carroll.
About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
Iowa
Former TJ Otzelberger Assistant From UNLV Would Be Perfect for Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger knew that his program was in for a busy offseason.
Before any moves were made with the roster, whether it be players entering the transfer portal or declaring for the NBA draft, Otzelberger knew that he would have five seniors who would have to be replaced on the roster.
In addition to player needs, the head coach needs to replenish his coaching staff. Two of his assistants, JR Blount and Kyle Green, were hired as head coaches. Blount is heading to the San Diego Toreros, and Green was brought back for a fourth stint with the Northern Iowa Panthers.
Both were integral parts of the team’s success, with Blount being a leader on the recruiting front and Green being an architect behind the team’s defense. Who could Otzelberger turn to as a replacement?
Tim Buckley is great option for Iowa State coaching staff
One person who would make a lot of sense as a candidate is Tim Buckley. Most recently, he was on staff with the Cincinnati Bearcats, but with their head coaching change of Wes Miller to Jerrod Calhoun, Buckley is back on the market.
He is someone with whom Otzelberger has familiarity, which could play a big role in the evaluation process when candidates are interviewing. The two worked together with the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels from 2019-21, the position which Otzelberger held before Iowa State.
Buckley could help replace some of what Green’s departure is being lost with the defensive game plan.
“Buckley seems to have a defensive background, and he was described as being “old school” to Cyclone Alert by one source close to the Bearcat program,” wrote Alec Busse of Cyclone Report, part of the 247Sports Network (subscription required).
Familiarty, defense are biggest assets Buckley provides
He also has some experience working in the Midwest. Buckley spent one campaign in 2007-08 with the Marquette Golden Eagles and worked with the Wisconsin Badgers in the mid-1990s.
Since Otzelberger took over as head coach, the Cyclones have found a ton of success recruiting in Wisconsin. Buckley can help keep the pipeline active.
He would also bring an established relationship with Otzelberger and plenty of experience. Buckley has been on different sidelines as a coach for nearly 40 years and has been a head coach previously with Rockford and the Ball State Cardinals.
A bonus: Buckley knows the Big 12 landscape after working with Cincinnati the last two seasons. That is an underrated part of his resume, as he can help give some insight into how opponents game plan against Otzelberger and his team while bringing some new ideas to the table in how Iowa State can stop them.
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