BYOBrass is a group of UNI alums who have continued to perform and tour together since 2017. Even though many of their venues haven’t ever hosted a nearly-all wind instrument ensemble before, they’ve amassed a devoted following wherever they play with their high-energy mix of originals, pop covers, and jazz charts. BYOBrass opens the 2024 …
In the past, the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band has moved concerts inside during inclement weather. This year, they’re doing it on purpose! Steve explains what an indoor venue allows the band to do that can’t easily be done outdoors. Selections include the Star Wars main title and for the first time ever, a Taylor Swift …
Nancy Andreason & Jenifer Vick are back in promotion of the upcoming Tournament of Drums 2024. It’s Friday, Aug. 2, 7 pm at Linn-Mar High School Stadium. Tickets are $20 for general admission seats and $25 for reserved seats (children 5 and under are free). You can purchase tickets at colts.org or at the stadium …
It’s official, Bluesmore is back on the books for 2025! But before you start thinking too far ahead, Linn County Blues Society has an upcoming fundraising event you won’t want to miss. Backyard Blues Fest is slated for Saturday, July 27, right in The Ideal Theater’s own backyard. Headliners include Kris Lager Band, The Beaker …
Mentorship is an extremely important part of learning to play music. Young musicians learn not just notes and rhythms from their elders, but how to treat themselves and other musicians. Slayton Thompson has been a mentor to two generations of musicians. He encouraged a young Steve Shanley nearly 30 years ago, and more recently, pianist …
Culture Crawl 941 “Trading Cigarettes for Marriage” Film producer and Cedar Rapids native Kristian Day’s documentary, “The Last American Gay Bar.” Despite it’s title, the documentary series is not so much the story of a Des Moines gay bar as it is the stories of the men for whom that bar was the center of …
Culture Crawl 939 “Art in the Park” Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association presents their annual block party, “Art in the Park” July 28 from 11-4 in Redmond Park. Music, crafts, a sidewalk art contest with cash prizes, climbing wall, and much more for the whole family. More details at whcria.com. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at …
Steve Shanley brings the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band to his elementary alma mater, Bowman Woods school, on July 10 for a concert that includes a feature with Principal Clarinet Christine Bellamy, (that Steve first heard at a concert with the Logan Vander Weil’s Marion High School Band), a salute to Linn County’s Czech Heritage, music …
