Another weekend, another few dollars to spend. We’re gonna take a little detour this weekend. Instead of hitting you hard with music music music dance dance dance, we’re going to give you a bunch of different events to satisfy that renaissance man in the depths of your soul.

Thursday
Dinner at the Motley Cow
It’s been a minute since the Motley Cow moved into its new spacious digs on N. Linn Street. Establishing itself in the heart of the ever-developing Northside Village the Motley Cow is also Iowa City’s best place to have a fine dining experience. It’s certainly not as swanky as Joseph’s or as pretentious as 126, but by all accounts its better than both of those highly regarded restaraunts. The Motley Cow’s atmosphere — friendly, informative wait staff, a lively open kitchen, and a great bar to sit at for solo meals — is exceptional and the food is even better. The steaks are always impressive: great cuts and seductive seasonings. This place also does more with fish than any other restaurant in town, serving delectable trouts and tremendous salmons. The icing on the cake is the wine: the waiters always go out of their way to get you the right wine to complement your meal. They’re more interested in getting you the best bottle not the most expensive one. This is one of Iowa City’s best. Put away those leftovers and get on down there.

Friday
Anthology Reading Series / Public Space One / 8PM / FREE
Iowa City’s newest (and best?) reading series, the Anthology Reading Series, continues to gain momentum with its bi-weekly showcase of local literary talent. The readers are often emerging writers from the University’s graduate writing programs, but there’s always an established heavyweight or two in the mix. To wit: this week, longtime Iowa Review editor, David Hamilton, will read from his work. The readings also span several genres: fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, playwriting, and translation. If you want to hear the best writing in a town that is pretty much known as the capital city of literature, then Anthology is your key.

Saturday
Iowa vs. Penn State (#3) / Kinnick Stadium / 330PM / Variable
Even when Iowa’s team is like totally average, we still get some awesome games. And who doesn’t love being an underdog? Perhaps fate will be with us. Perhaps we’ll topple the so far unstoppable giant that is Penn State. Who knows? At the worst you’ll get a few beers under your belt and a big-ass turkey leg on a stick. Get thee out early for tailgaiting festivities out on Melrose. Football season is a blast. If it’s your first time, don’t worry, you don’t have to get up at 6AM to begin partying for this game. We’ll let you sleep in ’til 10AM.