#24: Urban Jungle Vibes with Emily Salmonson of The Green House

#24: Urban Jungle Vibes with Emily Salmonson of The Green House

In this episode of Downtown Dish, hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone visit The Green House, a charming plant-themed cocktail lounge and community space in downtown Iowa City. They chat with owner Emily Salmonson, who shares how a pandemic-era daydream inspired her to open the cozy urban jungle in 2022. Emily talks about their creative botanical cocktails, locally sourced kombucha, and the wonderfully quirky community events they host — including a Death Cafe, swing dancing nights, and even a UFO Enthusiast Club. It's a warm, welcoming conversation about following your passion and building genuine community connections! About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip! This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

#23: A Home for the Arts with Adam Knight of Riverside Theatre

In this episode of Downtown Dish, hosts Anna Moyers Stone and Charlie Nusser chat about exciting downtown Iowa City events, including Legacy Business Month, the annual block party, summer shop crawl, and a fun mini-golf event. Then, they sit down with Adam Knight, Producing Artistic Director of Riverside Theatre, right on stage! Adam shares Riverside's rich history of world premiere productions, how they cast mostly local talent, and their upcoming free outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's a wonderful conversation celebrating theater and community in Iowa City! About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip! This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

#22: A Mission to Create Inclusion and Connection with Isabel from Luna's Tacos

In this episode of Downtown Dish, hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone sit down with Isabel from Luna's Tacos. Isabel shares her inspiring journey from selling tacos at the Iowa City Farmers Market in 2019—sparked by her son's autism diagnosis—to opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant downtown. She discusses her family-inspired Mexican recipes, the challenges of building a business while managing health issues and her son's therapies, and the overwhelming community support she received. Isabel also reveals her dream of creating an inclusive playground for children with disabilities in Iowa City. About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip! This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

#21: Bridging Campus and Community - Hancher's Role in Iowa City's Arts Scene (ft. André Perry)

In this episode of "Downtown Dish," hosts Charlie Nusser and Anna Moyers Stone discuss new businesses and upcoming events in downtown Iowa City. The highlight is an in-depth interview with André Perry, Executive Director of Hancher Auditorium, who shares insights into the collaborative programming, community engagement, and behind-the-scenes efforts that make Hancher a cultural hub. The episode explores Iowa City’s vibrant arts scene, the integration of university and town, and upcoming festivals, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how the performing arts enrich the community. About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip! This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.

#20: Community Leadership is Shaping the Future of Iowa City (ft. Mackenzie DeRoo from Greater Iowa City, Inc.)

In this episode of "Downtown Dish," hosts Anna Moyers Stone and Charlie Nusser chat about upcoming downtown Iowa City events like Top Chef, the Cookie Crawl, and the One Book Two Book Festival. They also welcome Mackenzie DeRoo, Senior Director of Advocacy for Greater Iowa City, Inc., who shares her journey from Russian literature to local business advocacy. Mackenzie discusses supporting area businesses, leading the Community Leadership Program, and the importance of civic engagement. The episode blends fun event highlights with an inside look at how local leaders work together to make Iowa City a vibrant and welcoming community. About Downtown Dish: The hit Iowa City radio show is now a hit Iowa City podcast! Join Anna and Charlie every month as they dish on everything about downtown Iowa City, including interviews with area movers and shakers, news headlines, and even some spicy gossip! This show is presented in partnership between the Downtown Iowa City District and the Corridor Business Journal, and is produced and distributed by Upload Media Group.