For decades, Cedar Rapids was home to The Emerald Knights, a champion drum & bugle corps. For the last three years, a group of Corps alums and sponsors have worked to rekindle interest in this high-energy sport by bringing the top Corps in the nation (& Canada) to the Tournament of Drums. This year’s tournament …
Category: Culture Crawl
Culture Crawl 274 “It’ll be a Wang-Dang Doodle”
Former Chicago Blues star Gloria Hardiman, who now makes her home in Iowa City, has assembled an all-star group of musicians for “Women in Blues-A Tribute to Koko Taylor, Etta James, and Big Time Sarah,” August 5th at The Mill in Iowa City. Koko Taylor was Gloria’s godmother, and visiting musicians will include former Ikette …
Culture Crawl 275 “Dropped My Book Like It Was On Fire”
“Imagine Other Worlds With Authors,” (I.O.W.A.) is a book fair featuring 40 Iowa authors, August 5th at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids. Cassie Leigh and Myron Williams talk about their books, and also the interesting experiences they’ve had at book fairs like this. Dennis Green is too modest to do more than mention obliquely that …
Culture Crawl 273 “Now With a Rapper!”
The Cedar Rapids Municipal salutes Artie Shaw and the movie “La La Land” this week with concerts at Cleveland School, the New Bo Market, and Ellis Park. Next week, the band will play a medley from “Hamilton,” featuring the hip-hop talents of Funk 101 lead singer Kevin Sims. Concert sites and times at www.crmuniband.com, and …
Culture Crawl 271 “And Your Little Dog-Person, Too”
RHCR Theatre of Cedar Rapids presents the Young Performers Edition of “Wizard of Oz” July 21-30. Raelynne Burns, who plays Dorothy, and director Gregga John, talk about the show, including their decision to do something interesting with the character of Toto, that Dennis Green heartily endorses. www.rhcrtheatre.com for tickets and information.
Culture Crawl 272 “Now With Jugglers!”
The CR Municipal Band’s 2017 season continues with their first-ever performance in Hiawatha’s Guthridge Park on July 5, with Young Artist Contest runner-up Sam Kelly from Linn Mar, the premiere of a new arrangement of a famous Carl King march, and some Shostakovich folk dances. The concert repeats July 9 in Bever Park. The following …
Culture Crawl 270 “A Band, Not A Wildlife Exhibit”
Bur Oak Land Trust presents their annual “Music on the Prairie” July 8 at the Land Trust’s beautiful Belgum Grove property, west of Hills. There will be hay rack rides, tours of the restored prairie, live raptor exhibit, and music with The Great Blue Herons and Dave Moore. Bring a picnic or purchase food on …
Culture Crawl 269 “Dance Comes to Mt. Vernon”
Alvon Reed, a graduate of the dance programs at Coe and UI, is now on the faculty at Cornell College, where he is organizing the first Cornell Summer Dance Institute, June 26-30. Participants as young as age 12 will be taking classes including Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop and West African. There will also be some clinics …