On Wednesday, Sharon Van Etten will have a busy day between her free to attend conversation with Iowa City native author Rachel Yoder at 1:00 pm, and her performance with her band at The Englert Theatre at 7:30. The Attachment Theory has become the latest creative outlet in the 18-year career she has had so far. Releasing their first record in February of this past year, Van Etten and The Attachment Theory bring their fresh post-punk sound to Iowa City for the first time. Calling on her heroes like Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, and Roy Orbison, this is a can’t miss performance by Van Etten playing a mix of her solo work and one of 2025’s best records. The performance will be opened by alternative artist Helado Negro, whose 2024 record “Phasor” got an 8.3 from Pitchfork.  

Infinite Dream Festival will continue to host a collection of free conversations in the Old Capitol Museum’s Senate Chamber. Roger Gueveneur Smith will be speaking with University of Iowa Professor Caroline Clay at 1:00pm on Friday, September 19^th. Smith is an accomplished actor, becoming a favorite of Spike Lee and starring in a handful of his films throughout the past 30 years. In addition to his conversation, Roger Gueveneur Smith will be performing 2 of his one man plays, In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquit: A Personal Tribute to a Revolutionary Artist at The James Theater on Friday night at 7:30pm. This play showcases Smith’s personal friendship with Jean-Michel Basquit who was a neo-expressionist artist who passed away in 1988 at age 27. Basquit’s piece Untitled sold in 2017 for a then US record $110.5M and his works have only continued to grow in value.  

Smith’s second performance will take place at The James Theater the following night on Saturday the 20^th at 6:00pm. This play, Frederick Douglass NOW, studies the life of the abolitionist and freedom fighter. With his writings arguably more relevant than ever, Smith combined his works with jazz to create this special production.  

Comedian and Daily Show host Josh Johnson will be coming to Iowa City for both a conversation and a special stand-up performance. He will be speaking at 2:00 on Saturday September 20^th with fellow comedian and University of Iowa Professor Megan Gogerty. Johnson will also be performing at a sold-out Hancher Auditorium to close out the festival. 

Hancher will be hosting 2 on stage events including “Farmhouse/Whorehouse: An artist lecture by Suzanne Bocangera starring Lili Taylor” Thursday at 6:30pm and “32 Sounds: A film by Sam Green with music by JD Samson & sound design by Mark Mangini” on Friday night at 6:30pm. Club Hancher will also be busy with performances by José James and Iowa City local Jim Swim in Strauss Hall at 8:30pm on Thursday night along with Alan Sparhawk and His Band followed by a DJ Set by JD Samson Friday night at 9:00. 

Esteemed University of Iowa author and poet Kaveh Akbar will be in conversation with the executive director of the University of Iowa’s Office of Writing and Communication Daniel Khalastchi. This will be the one event at the Voxman Music Building throughout the festival. On the river at the Lagoon House, there will be an interactive experience exploring all of the different aspects of the environment and humans that braid us into one. Called “Meandering River” and put together by University Professors, this event involves soundscapes, dancers, and more. This is a unique adventure only found at the Infinite Dream Festival.  

Iowa City continues to hold its crown as a center for literature and the arts, welcoming in performers of all different kinds from all over the country. While some events are sold out, festival and day passes are still available allowing access to all the events throughout the festival. You can find passes and more information here. 

The post Infinite Dream Festival Preview appeared first on KRUI Radio.

It also means that Opening Day is around the corner.

For every club, the dream of a championship resonates throughout the organization.

While it may be more realistic for some teams to contend for baseball supremacy in 2015 than others, it is also time to take a look at some teams who are on the brink of contending this season and beyond.

Cleveland Indians

 If the baseball world did not know about Corey Kluber, they do now. The reigning American League Cy Young winner had a sparkling 2.44 ERA in 34 starts striking out 269 batters a year ago. Along with Kluber, the Indians also have young pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer ready to take the next step for manager Terry Francona.

Offensively, Cleveland ranked roughly in the middle of the pack in the MLB in the most important offensive categories. Catcher Yan Gomes and outfielder Michael Brantley had career years in 2014, and they will look to build on their previous successes. Key offensive cogs Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis had disappointing years after stellar 2013 campaigns, and they will be looking to lead the charge for the Indians in the now highly competitive American League Central.

Seattle Mariners

 The Mariners were in the playoff race until the final day of the regular season. Despite adding Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees, the Seattle offense was still among the worst in the league.

This winter, the Mariners added outfielder Nelson Cruz, who led the Majors with 40 home runs a season ago, to the fold and give the lineup a little more pop in the heart of the order. Playing half of their game in one of the most spacious ballparks in all of baseball, Safeco Field, will be a hamper on their offensive numbers.

The pitching staff for the Mariners is among the best in the league, anchored by perennial ace Felix Hernandez. Hernandez forms a capable duo with Hisahi Iwakuma ready to lead Seattle to the postseason for the first time since 2001.

The youth of the rotation is ready to take center stage for manager Lloyd McClendon. Southpaw James Paxton had success in his brief stint in the majors before suffering a shoulder injury and missing four months. Young righty Taijuan Walker is also looking to take the next step and become an annual fixture in the Mariner rotation.

 Miami Marlins

 Yes, they have two of the brightest young stars in the league in Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez. Both, however, are coming off major injuries.                                                                                          

Stanton is getting back into full form after taking a fastball to the face in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers late last year.

Fernandez is coming off of Tommy John surgery and will not be ready until about the All-Star Break in July.

Both will be instrumental in getting the Marlins to the playoffs this season, but a new cast of characters will also be apart of the journey.

Miami was one of the most active teams in the offseason getting the likes of Mat Latos, Dee Gordon, Michael Morse, and Martin Prado through free agency and trades. Miami should be considered one of the dark horses for a playoff spot in the mediocre National League East.

San Diego Padres

 The Padres were arguably the most aggressive team in the offseason. A team that has had four straight losing seasons and ranked dead last in virtually every offensive category needed a change.

They addressed their glaring need for offensive firepower by acquiring Wil Myers, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Derek Norris, and Will Middlebrooks to try and ignite the dormant Padre offense.

San Diego were no slouches in acquiring pitching arms either. The Padres acquired James Shields and Brandon Morrow to go along with Josh Johnson, Tyson Ross, and Andrew Cashner to presumably form the 2015 rotation for manager Bud Black.

These teams are looking to break through the proverbial wall to the playoffs in 2015, and should be monitored as potential candidates to make some noise in the postseason.

The post MLB Sleepers Poised to Take Next Step Toward Playoffs appeared first on KRUI Radio.