Culture Crawl 1146 “The Real Stuff”

TKM Theatrical Production’s Tom Milligan and Rod Pierson from The Rod Pierson Big Band are in the studio ahead of “A Swingin’ Christmas with The Rod Pierson Big Band and Craig Boche at the Mic!” This Christmas special is one night (afternoon) only coming up on Sun, Nov. 30, 2pm at The Amana Performing Arts Center.

Tickets and more info at tkmtheatricalproductions.com.

To keep up with The Rod Pierson Big Band follow Rod Pierson on Facebook.

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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Thanksgiving Special – First Friday Jazz

Some people spend Thanksgiving looking forward to Black Friday. But on KCCK, we’ll spend it with FIRST Friday! First Friday Jazz, that is. All day on Thanksgiving, we’re playing back some of your favorite shows from the past year of KCCK’s First Friday Jazz.

Here’s the schedule (times approximate):

  • 6:00am – Soul Sacrifice
  • 7:30am – Carson Parker Trio
  • 9:30am – Vandello
  • 11:00am – Confluence
  • 12:30pm – Iowa Womens Jazz Orchestra Sextet
  • 2:00pm – Kevin Burt
  • 4:00pm – Ritmo Quinto
  • 5:30pm – Joey Schnoebelen Quintet
  • 7:00pm – Soul Sacrifice
  • 9:00pm – Carson Parker Trio
  • 11:00pm – Vandello

 

Culture Crawl 1145 “Borderline Animal Cruelty”

Cedar Rapids Children’s Theatre, better known as Playtime Poppy, is at Kennedy High School for their holiday show, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” Cast members Izzy Westercamp and Saul Ervin talk about putting this beloved show together, which will contain all the songs and scenes you know, plus a few surprises.

Dec. 4-6 at Kennedy High School. Tickets and more information at playtimepoppy.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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Talking Pictures 11-19-25

“Nouvelle Vague” (Netflix 2025) and “Train Dreams” (Netflix 2025) with Ron Adkins, Phil Brown and Scott Chrisman.

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Culture Crawl 1144 “Gerard Contains Multitudes”

Singer-songwriter Carol Montag brings “A Carol Christmas” to CSPS Hall Saturday, Nov. 29. Joined by longtime friends Bruce Millard, Gerard Estella, and Jim White, Carol promises an evening of fun, fresh arrangements of holiday favorites, and even treats!

Tickets at cspshall.org.

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Culture Crawl 1143 “Member of the Club”

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center presents its annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 22 from 8-noon. Browse and buy from a variety of local crafters and artists. And while you’re there, unplug for a little while and enjoy their trails and natural attractions. More info at prairiewoods.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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Clean Up Your Act 11-17-25

There were more than 150 “swimming not recommended” advisories at Iowa beaches during the summer of 2025.

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New Music Monday for November 17, 2025

Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify
Noam Lemish’s new album, “There’s Beauty Enough in Being Here,” offers a gently ravishing program inspired by a Fernando Pessoa poem about experiencing the numinous nature of even the most everyday occurrences. It’s the latest project from the Juno Award-nominated pianist/composer, who’s created an enthralling body of work exploring an array of jazz idioms, Himalayan folk music, Middle Eastern melodies and contemporary classical music. Focusing on Lemish’s poetically charged originals, the disc is a captivating quartet session that brings together some of Toronto’s most accomplished jazz artists.

Rising trumpeter and composer Jason Charos makes a striking debut with “Opening Statement,” an assured collection of eight original compositions that showcase his musical depth and contemporary vision. The 25-year-old artist currently tours internationally with and arranges for Grammy-winning vocalist Samara Joy. Produced by his former mentor Brian Lynch and featuring special guests Lynch and MacArthur-winning drummer-composer Dafnis Prieto, along with saxophonist Marvin Butler, the album explores diverse musical landscapes from Latin jazz and hard bop to lyrical balladry.

                               

Also this week, pianist Kenny Barron features some of his favorite vocalists performing a program of his original music on “Songbook,” including Cecile McLorin Salvant, Jean Baylor, Catherine Russell, Ann Hampton Callaway, Tyreek McDole, Kurt Elling and Kavita Shaw; drummer Brandon Sanders is joined by pianist Eric Scott Reed, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, saxophonist Stacey Dillard and singer Jazzmeia Horn as he returns with his third album as a leader, “Lasting Impression”; and Italian-born Knoxville, Tennessee-based pianist and composer Margherita Fava unveils her second release as a leader, “Murrina.”