Author's posts
Culture Crawl 692 “Not Cedar Rapids’ Biggest Cheerleader”
Two exhibits at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art celebrate Black history and culture, from Iowa artists. “Carl Van Vechten, Man About Town” displays the photographs Van Vechten took during the Cedar Rapids native’s years observing and chronicling the musicians, actors, and writers of the Harlem Renaissance. “Freedom’s Daughters” is a collection of new paintings …
Culture Crawl 690 “People Didn’t Think I Was Weird”
Orchestra Iowa presents “Magical Movie Moments: John Williams” Feb. 19 and 20 at the Paramount Theatre. Tim Hankewich explains that Williams has written not just music that is great for movies, but great in and of itself. The orchestra will perform all your favorites from Star Wars, Superman, and more, along with some lesser-known gems. …
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Lester Young
September 1944, and saxophone legend Lester Young arrives at Fort McClellan, Alabama, for basic training. Young is a jazz star, and he expects to be placed in a military band, like white musicians Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw. Instead, he’s assigned to a combat unit. Here marks the beginning of the end for the “President …
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Lena Horne
Lena Horne left school at 16 to help support her family. She became a dancer at Harlem’s Cotton Club was soon a sought-after performer – a role she would maintain throughout her life. A long run at the Savoy-Plaza boosted Horne’s career even further. She was featured in Life magazine, and listed as the highest-paid …
Soundtrack to the Struggle: Nichelle Nichols
It’s 1967, and singer and actress Nichelle Nichols attends a fund-raiser for the NAACP. A man approaches and says, “Ms. Nichols, I’m your greatest fan.” That fan was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During their chat, Nichols confides her plans to leave her current TV gig for a career on Broadway. King was mortified. “You …