“The Ugly Stepsister” (2025 Not Rated Horror/Drama) and “Coyote vs. Acme” (2026 PG Comedy/Adventure) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Scott Chrisman.
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Culture Crawl 1251 “22 Hamlets”
Riverside Theatre presents the world premiere of “I, Will: A Late Romance” written by Scott Carter, directed by Adam Knight. In the studio is the creative mind behind the production, Emmy-winning producer and playwright Scott Carter.
The show runs September 12-27 with two preview performances taking place September 10 & 11. Tickets available for purchase at riversidetheatre.org.
Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.
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Culture Crawl 1250 “Some Shows Need To Be Done”
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre presents “The Mercy Seat” by Neil LaBute, directed by Kerry Covington. In the studio with insights into this emotionally charged play is director Kerry Covington and cast member Braden JP Rood (Abby). The show opens September 11 with shows running Sept 11-13 & 18-19 at the First Street Community Center’s Uptown Theatre.
For tickets and more information visit mvlct.com.
Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.
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New Music Monday for September 7, 2026
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
“Feels Like Destiny” is a pivotal creative statement for pianist and producer Skinny Hightower. Rooted in the spiritual warmth of ‘70s soul and funk shaped by the sophistication of jazz fusion, the album finds Skinny writing with renewed confidence and purpose. Drawing from the musical lineage of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and Herbie Hancock, he carries that musical tradition forward through his distinctive musical voice, rich with Rhodes, deep rhythmic interplay and expressive improvisation.
Chicago-based saxophonist and composer Arman Sangalang has been garnering attention as one of the up-and-coming jazz musicians on the scene. His intricate originals weave together lyricism and colorful textures to deliver atmospheric soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from Chicago’s genre-bending creative music scene, Sanglang’s music ranges from contemplative to groove-oriented on his second quartet project, “Waypoints.”
Also this week, Jennifer Madsen’s latest project, “Girl Talk,” places her seasoned vocals at the center of a large ensemble featuring guest artists Sean Jones, Jeff Coffin, and Ryan Keberle; “Mike Jones with Strings” is a tribute to the drummer-less trios of the 1940s and ‘50s, with the pianist joined by guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank recorded live at Vic’s Las Vegas; and critically acclaimed composer and arranger Jon Shapiro delivers again with his Shapiro 17 on “Best Laid Plans.”
This Week In Jazz September 6 thru September 12
Hey, Jazz fans! Be sure to tune in this week as we celebrate the birthdays of bassists Peck Morrison, Wilbur Ware, Victor Wooten and George Mraz, saxmen Sonny Rollins, James Clay, James Clay, and Jim Tomlinson, singers Lorraine Feather, Barbara Morrison, and Harry Connick, Jr., organist Baby Face Willette and more! We’ll also
mark the recording anniversary of Leo Parker’s “Let Me Tell You ‘Bout It” (1961) and many others, Mondays thru Fridays and at noon on JAZZ MASTERS on Jazz 88.3 KCCK!
This Week’s Shows September 7 – September 13
KCCK’s Labor Day Special
All Day Labor Day 6:00am to Midnight
The Iowa City Jazz Festival
Tune in to KCCK all day Labor Day as we play back the Main Stage performances from the 2026 Iowa City Jazz Festival. We’ll hear the outstanding sets from Artemis, Mary Louis Knutson, the Howard Levy 4, the Saul Lubaroff Funk Outfit, and more.
Wednesday Night Special
Wednesdays at 6:00pm
Iowa City Jazz Festival Side Stage
It’s more stellar sets from the 2026 Iowa City Jazz Festival as the Dakota Johnson Quartet plays a wide range of jazz, from funk and bop to Tin Pan Alley. Also on stage is Kiefer & Company, fronted by award-winning trumpeter and composer Sean Kiefer.
Jazz Masters
Saturdays from 12 noon to 4:00pm
Hollis Monroe celebrates the birthdays of jazz masters Wayne Shorter, Alice Coltrane, and Pat Martino, among others. It’s also the anniversary of classic recordings by the Modern Jazz Quartet, Branford Marsalis, and Ella Fitzgerald. Tune in to hear tracks from these iconic albums.
KCCK’s Midnight CD (September 7 – September 13)
Every Night at Midnight
KCCK features a new album every night, played start-to-finish.
John Pachnos by John Pachnos on Monday; First State Blues by the Amstel Jazz Ensemble on Tuesday; Way Out Northwest by Mike DiRubbo on Wednesday; Sonoluminescence Vol. 1 by Zaccai Curtis on Thursday; 5 Minutes of Passion by Michael Rubin on Friday; Window to My World by Vaneese Thomas on Saturday; Inverted Tango by The Holland Court Jazz Trio on Sunday.
Culture Crawl 1249 “Our Favorite Thing To Do”
oday’s guests are Tom Milligan from TKM Theatrical Productions and Toni LeFebvre from the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra ahead of a performance from the IWJO Sextet coming up September 12, 7:30pm at the Amana Performing Arts Center.
For tickets and more info visit tkmtheatricalproductions.com or call 319-899-3799.
Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.
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Culture Crawl 1248 “You’re Going To Write About That?!!”
Bluesman Kevin Burt and wife/manager Nicole Burt are in the studio ahead of the release party for the freshly released album, “This Trip.” Tune in to hear about Kevin’s career and to share in the “big love.” The release party is Saturday, September 5, 8pm at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids.
Tickets are available for purchase at cspshall.org.
For more information visit kevinburtmusic.net. To purchase a CD or vinyl visit gulfcoastrecords.net.
Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa’s Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.
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