Author's posts
Culture Crawl 520 “Most Perplexing”
Orchestra Iowa presents a rare Two-Harp Concerto called “Passion of Angels,” at its concert Nov. 15 and 16. Tim Hankewich says that the complexity of the harp required the utmost in composing skill, and is often something composers don’t tackle until they are well into their careers. The Mighty Wurlitzer takes center stage for a …
Culture Crawl 519 “The Surrey is in Your Imagination”
Revival Theatre Company of Cedar Rapids presents “Oklahoma” Nov. 21-23 in Coe’s Sinclair Auditorium. The legendary musical will be presented “in concert” style, which means the orchestra is onstage with the performers, and the show is staged with minimal sets. Cedar Rapids native Catherine Blades, now a stage, film and TV actress in New York, …
“Spontaneity” Damani Phillips and Joe Perea with Hollis Monroe
Dr. Damani Phillips, director of Jazz Studies at the University of Iowa and a well-known performer and composer, joins the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and CR Jazz for a concert on Nov. 16. Hollis Monroe talks with Damani and Kirkwood jazz director Joe Perea about the tunes they’ve chosen for the show, and about what they …
Culture Crawl 518 “Not Baby Sharks”
Family Folk Machine presents its fall concert, “One Family” Nov. 17 at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City. Director Jean Littlejohn tells Dennis that the show will consist of American standards, plus originals written by the organization’s writing team. Family Folk Machine is a non-auditioned, intergenerational choir with members ranging in age from 5 to …
Culture Crawl 517 “Orange Julius”
14-16. The play stars Ellie Dasautels, one of the first non-binary actors to be featured on a TV series, the recent NBC show “Rise.” The play is the story of Ellie’s character, Nut, who returns home to care for their ailing father, a Vietnam vet. Paging through forgotten photo albums and acting out old war …
Culture Crawl 516 “Don’t Judge”
Kirkwood Community College Fine Arts presents the Stephen Sondheim musical “Sweeney Todd” Nov. 7-10 in Ballantyne Auditorium. Cast members Gabe Crozier and Amber Hansen, with director Emma Drtina talk to Dennis about getting into the dark minds of the seedy residents of Victorian London. 7:30pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2:00pm Sunday. Tickets available at the door …
Culture Crawl 515 “The Museum Comes to You”
Kaitlin Schlotfelt and Jim Miller, from the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library are in to talk about fall and winter activities, particularly “Medieval to Metal,” an exhibit from the National Guitar Museum featuring instruments of sizes and kinds. Even an air guitar! (You have to see it to understand). Details at www.ncsml.org.
Culture Crawl 514 “Silent Stage, Out Loud Laughs”
Lynn Jensen, who recently retired as a theatre director at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, is back “home” this week, in her new role as Managing Director of Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre, the venerable troupe that has been entertaining area children for nearly 70 years. Each year, the three Cedar Rapids high schools, each …