Steve Shanley is a little jealous about this week’s C.R. Municipal Band concert. Linn-Mar High School band director Dan Terrell is guest conductor, and will get first crack at programming music from the recent Disney hit “Encanto.” Orchestra Iowa principal tubist Blaine Cunningham is the guest artist, performing a piece that will please anyone who …
Culture Crawl 725 “Joe Pesci-Style” Cedar Rapids Opera turns Gilbert and Sullivan on its head with their new production of “Pirates of Penzance.” Set in 1980s Staten Island, the pirates are a punk-rock band, the women privileged private-school students, and Alex Adams-Leytes as the “model Major-General” is a mobster in bear claw slippers! All staged outdoors …
Nielo “Daniel” Gaglione met the late John Rapson at a jam session at George’s in Iowa City, and before long, the two became close friends as collaborators. John incorporated Nielo’s French and Mediterranean music influences, as well as his mandole (a North African instrument sharing characteristics with the guitar and the oud) into the landmark …
The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band begins its season this week, with concerts Wednesday at The History Center and Sunday at Bever Park. Retired Independence band director David Lang, a world class euphonium player, will be the guest artist this week. He will also play a number on the Alpine Horn, the stretched-out instrument most of …
The James Theater in Iowa City is a new venue, opening this month in the Gilbert Street space formerly occupied by Riverside Theatre. Kicking off their grand opening month is the Curtis Taylor Quartet on June 11. Curtis is finishing his first year on the UI jazz Faculty. An Ohio native, the trumpet player has …
Culture Crawl 720 “Putting the Revival in Revival Theatre” Revival Theatre Company presents “The Color Purple,” June 10-19 at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids. The cast is a mix of local performers, along with actors from out of the area, including one who spent time in this show’s touring company. Alicia Strong leads the cast …
The Iowa Arts Festival returns to downtown Iowa City June 3-5. More than 90 artists, including students in the Emerging Artists Center, and musical headliners including Asleep At The Wheel, and self-proclaimed Chicago Blues Kitten, Ivy Ford. Free admission. Full schedule at www.summerofthearts.org.
The play “God Help Us” was originally written as a vehicle for Ed Asner, but the legendary actor passed away before he could bring the show to Cedar Rapids’ Rich Heritage Theatre. Stepping in is Gregory Harrison, of TV’s “Trapper John, M.D.” and “General Hospital,” who was a close friend of Asner’s. The play takes …
