Summer of the Arts

Barbie
2024-07-13 21:00 - 23:30 (America/Chicago) | Iowa City Municipal Airport, 1801 Riverside Dr., Iowa City, 52246
Pre-show activities with ImOn
Sponsored by Sobaski Abbey Carpet & Flooring
Runtime: 1hr 54 min
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera
Plot: Barbie finds herself pondering the nature of her existence after a number of unusual incidents in her otherwise perfect life. This leads her to leave Barbieland for the Real World alongside her friend Ken. Will Barbie’s trip to reality be able to sort out her newfound existential crisis or will Mattel themselves catch up to her and put her back in her box before then?
Watch the trailer HERE!
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change

Kevin Burt
2024-07-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Willow Creek Park, 1117 Teg Dr, Iowa City, IA, 52246, United States
The Iowa Children’s Museum is providing activities at this event!
Sponsored by On With Life

About: For nearly 3 decades, Kevin Burt, Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member (class of 2019), has been mesmerizing audiences with his powerfully smooth and soulful vocal. Paired with his unique harmonica and guitar presentation along with his quick wit, Burt engages with his audience touching their souls while tickling their funny bones.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.kevinburtmusic.com/
Other links: www.facebook.com/KevinBurtMusic
https://www.instagram.com/kevinburtsblues/
www.twitter.com/KevinBurtMusic

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Eat for the Arts at Joseph's Steakhouse
2024-07-18 17:00 - 21:00 | Joseph’s Steakhouse, 212 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Eat for the Arts at Joseph’s Steakhouse on July 18! 15% of the cost of your meal will be donated to our always-free arts programming.
Make it a date, a friend’s night, or treat yourself to a fine dining experience!

Charlotte Blu AND Natural Habits
2024-07-19 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Luna’s Tacos
Schedule:
6:30 PM: Charlotte Blu
7:30 PM: Natural Habits

About: Charlotte Blu is a talented singer-songwriter who has captivated audiences with her soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Born and raised in a small town in the Midwest, Charlotte’s love for music began at a young age when she started playing guitar and singing in church. After her 2019 appearance on NBC’s “The Voice”, Charlotte continues to make a name for herself with her unique blend of blues, soul, and pop influences which is earning her a devoted fan base.
In 2022, Charlotte released her debut EP, “The Colors of You” which showcased her songwriting skills and powerful vocals. Charlotte is currently working on new material and working with other talented artists. In addition to her music career, Charlotte is also an advocate for mental health awareness in women and young people.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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About: Natural Habits is self-defined as “original midwestern roots rock” – not quite country, not quite pop, not quite rock and roll. Fronted by singer/songwriter Nikki Lunden Trotter, this band brings your mind and heart to full attention with personal and complex songs of love, addiction, recovery and even gets political at times.
Natural Habits consists of Nikki Lunden Trotter (The Trollies, Heinous Canis, Lunden Reign), Seth “Puma” Koenig on drums (The Trollies, Heinous Canis, Lunatics on Pogosticks), Adam Grosso on bass (The Trollies, Euforquestra, Jumbies), Dave Helmer on guitar (Crystal City, Dave Helmer Band) and the one and only Smudge on hand percussion.

Contact Information:
Web: https://naturalhabitsband.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/NaturalHabitsBand/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Spies in Disguise
2024-07-20 21:00 - 23:00 | Mercer Park, 1317 Dover St, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Pre-show activities with ImOn
Sponsored by Storelocal Storage
Runtime: 1hr 42min
Rating: PG
Starring: Tom Holland, Will Smith, Rashida Jones
Plot: Lance Sterling is the world’s greatest spy, who successfully accomplishes even the most dangerous missions with suave and a ready quip. Socially awkward genius Walter Beckett is a tech geek whose bizarre, non-lethal gadgets make him a running joke in the agency. An unexpected event forces them to rely on each other in order to save the world, but there’s one small feathered problem…
You can watch the trailer HERE!
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.

The Feralings
2024-07-23 18:30 - 20:00 | North Market Square Park, 600 Fairchild St., Iowa City, 52245
Sponsored by Martin Construction

About: Ralph Waldo Emerson. Diesel. Morning glories. AM radio. These all influence Iowa acoustic roots trio The Feralings, as do the gently sloping landscapes of the Iowa countryside and the sound of tornado sirens squealing and the rumble of trucks on I-80. Their songwriting reflects friendship, imperfection, magic, and a big love for storytelling, as well as the folk, bluegrass, jazz, alt-country, Americana, gospel, and roots that form each member’s musical DNA.
Their debut EP, titled simply “The Feralings”, was recorded over the course of several years, as the band navigated parenthood, life changes, and personal struggles, and it showcases the power and intimacy of the band’s enthralling live performances. The band is currently in the process of recording their long-awaited follow-up album.

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.theferalings.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/TheFeralings

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Vivian Shanley Quartet AND Betsy Hickok and Ron Roberts Quartet
2024-07-26 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by The Graduate Hotel
Schedule:
6:30 PM: Vivian Shanley Quartet
7:30 PM: Betsy Hickok and Ron Roberts Quartet

About: The Vivian Shanley Quartet is a jazz combo made up of Iowa-based performers, composers, and educators. Vivian Shanley is a DownBeat award-winning bassist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and she is currently studying music education and bass performance with Mark Urness at Lawrence University. Ana Koch studies guitar at the University of Iowa, where she is pursuing a nursing major and has completed her music minor. Sam Ross is a saxophone student at The University of Iowa, pursuing a BM in Jazz Performance and studying with Dr. Damani Phillips. Farren Johnson is an elementary art teacher in Grinnell, and she drums with the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, the IWJO Sextet, and Chameleon Society

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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About: Vocalist Betsy Hickok performs sensitive and swinging interpretations of jazz standards. She has appeared in the Des Moines Metro Arts Jazz in July series, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, Noce Jazz Cabaret, and other regional venues with some of Iowa’s top musicians. Guitarist Ron Roberts is a Chicago area native who has played regularly with artists throughout central Iowa.

Ron and Betsy have performed together since 2010 and received a Special Recognition Award in 2019 from the Des Moines Community Jazz Center Hall of Fame. Ryan Smith is a woodwind specialist living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who has performed throughout the Midwest and in Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong, and China. Drew Morton, bassist and multimedia artist, is a regular musician with various groups in the area including Jack Lion, Koplant No, and Christopher’s Very Happy Band.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Dave Zollo & The Body Electric
2024-07-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Riverfront Crossings Park, 1001 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Shaner Magalhães, Urban Acres Realtor and Nanci Kohl, State Farm Agent

About: Since bursting onto the midwestern music scene with the band High and Lonesome in 1992, David Zollo has had a busy career. Along with constant touring, in the U.S and Europe, with High and Lonesome (1992-1998) and his current band, The Body Electric (1998-present) Zollo has recorded 7 records of his own material. Despite the many things Zollo has done during his career, it is as a live performer that many feel he’s at his best.

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.davezollo.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/david.zollo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWcDyxS4LM

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Blake Shaw
2024-07-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Emma J. Harvat Square, 904 Walker Cir, Iowa City, IA, 52245, United States
Sponsored by the Peninsula Neighborhood

About: Blake Shaw is a composer/arranger, bandleader, double/electric bassist, vocalist, private lessons teacher, and jazz professor at Cornell College and Mt Mercy College. Originally from Lisbon, Iowa, Blake has earned an Associate of Arts degree from Kirkwood Community College as well as a Bachelor of Music (‘13) and Master of Arts (‘17) degree both from the University of Iowa. He has called Iowa City, IA home for the past 14yrs where he has provided insight on festival boards for around half that time for the Iowa City Jazz Festival as well as the Iowa City Pride Fest where he serves as Entertainment Director. Shaw is a frequent performer and band leader in many different groups across Iowa and the US. He can also be found teaching private lessons to young dedicated classical and jazz double bass players. Shaw has had the pleasure of playing with jazz greats like Carmen Bradford, Wycliffe Gordon, Rachel Eckroth, Dave Pietro, O’had Talmor, and Dick Oatts. He’s also been in groups opening for bands like Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Lake Street Dive, Donny McCaslin, Margaret Glaspy, John Raymond and the Real Feels, Bridget Kearney, Caroline Smith, The Marcus King Band, and Euforquestra. You may go “like” all of his cute pics on instagram @theeblakebass.

Contact Information:
Web: https://blakeshawbass.bandcamp.com/music
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/blakeshawbass

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The Fabulous Trutones AND Cedar County Cobras
2024-08-02 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by KCJJ Radio
Schedule
6:30 PM: The Fabulous Trutones
7:55 PM: Cedar County Cobras

About: The Fabulous Trutones. That’s what happens when three veteran musicians come together with a singular purpose….to present their original music with intensity, passion and joy. Over the past nine years, from their early days in the local pubs of Cedar Falls and Waterloo Iowa, then branching out to bigger venues in neighboring cities throughout the Cedar Valley, to becoming yearly favorites at some of the area’s largest festivals, their devoted following has grown along with their unique sound and electric, high-energy performances. Catch one of their shows, join the fun and follow them into the future. It’s just going to get better and better….”
Tim Wagoner, guitarist and lead vocalist, began playing piano at the age of 8, picked up guitar at the age of 10 and went on to major in music at the University of Northern Iowa. Following this musical path eventually led him to Dallas TX and 10 years in the Texas blues scene, then 20 years in Nashville TN as a song writer, studio musician and live performer, traveling for 8 years with notable New Orleans based blues band, Big Al & The Heavyweights, covering the lower 48 and releasing 5 CDs. With The Fabulous TruTones, he continues the journey.
Paul Ferguson, bass guitarist and vocalist, began playing professionally in his teens and never looked back. A prominent figure in the Midwest music scene for most of his life, Paul also spent years in Dallas TX, working with R&B, blues and original acts. A founding member of successful area bands like Sugar Daddy, Homestretch, Surprise, Major Healey, Wagg and Stackhouse, Paul brings it all to The Fabulous TruTones. Nothing stands for long without a strong foundation. Thanks to Paul, The Fabulous TruTones stand tall.
James Dreier, percussionist, began his professional career at age 16 by walking into the basement of Waterloo bassist Paul Ferguson to join the Fabulous Pawns. Thus began his musical odyssey, spanning 50+ years, including a 9-year stint in Boston (Berklee College of Music) and 21 years as a jazz professor at the University of Iowa. Throughout, Dreier has been a member of numerous groups, playing and recording jazz, blues, rock, funk, Latin and more. At this end of the spectrum, he is an Emeritus (retired) professor, playing with another “fabulous” group, The Fabulous TruTones, with that same bass player from 1969. Dreier also plays with the classic rock band, The Beaker Brothers, as well as the jazz group 3 Dawgs and a Bone.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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About: Cedar County Cobras play American Roots & Blues music from the last century. The music takes on an “old time” blues feel that would most likely be found in a juke-joint down a gravel road in rural Iowa. Arriving with an upright bass, foot-drum, mandolin, and a collection of guitars this duo plays music that is best described as “boot-stompin” delta blues and roots blues.

Contact Information:
Web: https://cedarcountycobras.com/
Other links: https://cedarcountycobras.com/press-kit

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Hercules
2024-08-03 20:30 - 22:00 | Pepperwood Plaza, 1067 Hwy 6 E, Iowa City, 52240
Sponsored by South of 6 Iowa City Business District
Runtime: 1hr 27min
Rating: PG
Starring: Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods
Plot: Hercules, a son of gods turned demi-god, needs to perform a rite of passage on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus. With his satyr mentor, Philoctetes, along for the ride, Hercules must learn how to use his strength to defeat a series of evil creatures and stop the plans of Hades.
Watch the trailer HERE!
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.

Crystal City Trio
2024-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Northside Market Place, Market Street, Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Artifacts

About: Crystal City is fronted by Dave Helmer and Sam Drella. Helmer is a Midwestern singer/songwriter from eastern Iowa with blue-collar roots. Influenced by Paul Westerberg, Tom Petty, John Prine, and Townes Van Zandt, Helmer’s songs are approachable and relatable, touching on themes of love and loss, being good to each other, and celebrating life. Crystal City’s most recent release “Three-Dimensionality” brings together some of Iowa’s finest musicians, blending elements of rock, pop, Americana, and jazz, and showcases a more mature and thought-provoking side of the band.

Contact Information:
Web: https://crystalcitymusic.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/crystalcitymusic
https://youtube.com/crystalcitymusic

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Flash in a Pan AND River Glen and Band
2024-08-09 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Keystone IT
Schedule
6:30 PM: Flash in a Pan
7:55 PM: River Glen

About: The Iowa City-based quartet has been refining their sound and performance all across the Midwest since 2012. Founded by guitarist Blake T. Daly, the current line-up also consists of banjo player Alex Flesher, mandolinist Max Lipnick, and bassist Lee Eckles. Over the years and through hundreds of shows, Flash in a Pan has cultivated a unique tonality balancing tradition and innovation in folk and bluegrass music. Noted for their shining vocal harmonies, vibrant stage energy, and modern sensibility in composition, Flash in a Pan has become a darling to festival stages, theaters, and bar rooms alike. Their musical style is all at once familiar and refreshingly unexpected.
Iowa Public Radio recognized Flash in a Pan as artist of the month in February 2024. Flash in a Pan has shared a stage with bluegrass royalty like The Travelin’ McCourys and Sam Bush, as well as rising acts and regional favorites like Chicago Farmer, Them Coulee Boys, The Lil Smokies, Miles Over Mountains, Pert Near Sandstone, The Kitchen Dwellers, and Horseshoes & Handgrenades.
Flash in a Pan has released two studio albums, Off The Rails (2017) and Folklore (2018) (available on Spotify). Currently, the band is developing new studio releases for 2024.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.flashinapan.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/flashinapanband/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YdH54cVKi4

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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About: River Glen and his band are a powerhouse of talent and their love of performance is palpable. Their original music playfully blends elements of folk, pop, rock, jazz, and more…always with clever rhymes and tasty grooves. River’s songwriting is steeped in the socially conscious tradition of songwriters like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, and his work strikes a delicate balance of pop-appeal and lyrical substance. In 2017, River was named an Iowa Arts Council Fellow for his music. After the release of “As Above, So Below”, a record that features over 150 singers/musicians from Iowa, River Glen is putting his group center-stage again for the spotlight. Hailing from Dubuque and Iowa City, River & His Band are a powerhouse of talent; with dexterous vocals, rich harmonies, flashy musicianship, and deft lyricism that’s clever, poignant, and heart-centered. Their original music is best described as folk-pop and folk-rock, with tiny infusions of jazz and hip-hop. All of it with a socially-conscious delicate grit that’s rooted in authenticity and storytelling.

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.RiverGlenMusic.com/
Other links: www.Facebook.com/RiverGlenMusic
www.Instagram.com/RiverGlenMusic
www.YouTube.com/RiverGlenMusic

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Trolls Band Together
2024-08-10 20:30 - 22:00 | Ranshaw House, 515 Community Dr., North Liberty, IA, 52317, United States
Sponsored by The Children’s Dental Center
Pre-show activities with Z102.9
Runtime: 1hr 31min
Rating: PG
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Troy Sivan
Plot: Troll Queen Poppy discovers a secret about her closest friend Branch when his brother, Floyd, is kidnapped by a pair of nefarious villains. Now they must reunites all of his brothers to rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop culture obscurity.
Watch the trailer HERE!
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.

James Tutson
2024-08-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Fairmeadows Park, 2451 Miami Dr, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Society

About: Iowa City’s James Tutson and his 5 siblings were the entirety of the church choir growing up. He was raised singing southern gospel every Sunday in a tiny chapel in front of a 10 person congregation. This heritage of soul music permeates his vocal styles and anchors his songwriting even as he crafts his current work telling stories of the modern world and his life journey. He is known for emotive/”raw” vocal performances, tight musical arrangements, and resonant songwriting, which has been described as a “gift for exploring the intersection between joy and sorrow”. James’ career has taken him to local backyards, dive bars, theater stages, music festivals, and NBC’s The Voice. James was named one of the 2023 National Endowment for the Arts, Iowa Fellows and has had the privilege of performing with great artists like Lake Street Dive, The Dip, The War and Treaty, Marc Broussard, Joanna Connor, Five for Fighting and more. He has recorded seven studio albums including his most recent “Fool For You”

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.jamestutson.com/
Other links: https://www.instagram.com/jtutson/
https://www.instagram.com/jamestutsonandtherollback/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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The Beaker Brothers
2024-08-16 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Herteen & Stocker Jewelers

About: For over 15 years the Beaker Brothers Band has been paying homage to the original Jam Bands of the late 60’s and early 70’s – the Allman Brothers, Clapton, Santana, Little Feat, Rolling Stones, James Gang, the Doors, Steely Dan, Neil Young, CCR, and many more. The Beaker Brothers Band isn’t a nostalgia act or a tribute show. We’re playing music that has been in our heads and our hearts since we first heard it. This is the music we played in our youth. And we’re as awed by it today as then. We’re thrilled that we’re not alone.

Contact Information:
Web: https://beakerbrothersband.com/
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie
2024-08-17 20:30 - 22:00 | Pepperwood Plaza, 1067 Hwy 6 E, Iowa City, 52240
Sponsored by South of 6 Iowa City Business District
Pre-show activities with Z102.9
Runtime: 1hr 32min
Rating: PG
Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black
Plot: While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers and brothers Mario and Luigi are transported through a mysterious pipe to a magical new world. But when the siblings are separated, an epic adventure begins to save the Mushroom Kingdom.
Watch the trailer HERE!
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.

Dave Zollo
2024-08-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Frauenholtz-Miller Park, 4329 St. Patricks Dr., Iowa City, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Firmstone Real Estate

About: Since bursting onto the midwestern music scene with the band High and Lonesome in 1992, David Zollo has had a busy career. Along with constant touring, in the U.S and Europe, with High and Lonesome (1992-1998) and his current band, The Body Electric (1998-present) Zollo has recorded 7 records of his own material. Despite the many things Zollo has done during his career, it is as a live performer that many feel he’s at his best.

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.davezollo.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/david.zollo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWcDyxS4LM

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Dandelion Stompers
2024-08-23 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by The Graduate Hotel

About: For more than a decade, the Dandelion Stompers have brought savory horns, spicy vocals and red hot rhythms to eastern Iowa. With their second album under their belt they are ready for ten more years of singing, dancing, and stomping!
Lineup: Chris Clark-bar sax; Tim Crumley-percussion; Katie Greenstein-tpt; Brandi Janssen-bass; Marc Janssen-gtr; Katie Roche-voc; Suzanne Smith-cl; Devin van Holsteijn-alto sax

Contact Information:
Web: https://dandelionstompers.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/dandelionstompers/
https://www.instagram.com/dandelionstompers

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Winterland
2024-08-24 18:30 - 21:00 | Riverfront Crossings Park, 1001 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by 99 Plus KFMH and Accurate Automotive

About: Specializing in the Grateful Dead’s catalog and sound from 1969 through the late 1970s, Winterland pulls you back in time to a place where the Dead’s rhythm and blues, folk and country roots were still deeply embedded in their music even as they explored the wild and experimental outer reaches of psychedelic rock. More importantly, though, Winterland channels the music of the Grateful Dead with uncanny authenticity, a sublime fidelity to the Dead’s musicianship, tonality and, in particular, emotional relationship with the audience. Walk into any given Winterland show and witness firsthand: every face is radiant, reflecting the elation of sharing — with the band and with each other — the pure, innovative, beautifully complex music of the Dead. This interconnectedness, which breaks down the barriers between people and music and allows everyone to become collaborators in an elusive web of fleeting, living art, represents an essential unity of musical experience. In other words, what Winterland has attained has proven to be a microcosm of the feat that the Grateful Dead of the late ‘60s to the late ‘70s achieved and escalated to a full-fledged cultural phenomenon. It is a thing of subtle and wily magic, not to be missed.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/winterland73/

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Moved Inside: Natural Habits
2024-08-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 579 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
NOTE: Because of the heat, this event will take place INSIDE the Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area!
Sponsored by Navigate Homes

About: Natural Habits is self-defined as “original midwestern roots rock” – not quite country, not quite pop, not quite rock and roll. Fronted by singer/songwriter Nikki Lunden Trotter, this band brings your mind and heart to full attention with personal and complex songs of love, addiction, recovery and even gets political at times.
Natural Habits consists of Nikki Lunden Trotter (The Trollies, Heinous Canis, Lunden Reign), Seth “Puma” Koenig on drums (The Trollies, Heinous Canis, Lunatics on Pogosticks), Adam Grosso on bass (The Trollies, Euforquestra, Jumbies), Dave Helmer on guitar (Crystal City, Dave Helmer Band) and the one and only Smudge on hand percussion.

Contact Information:
Web: https://naturalhabitsband.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/NaturalHabitsBand/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Eat for the Arts at Roxxy
2024-08-28 17:00 - 2024-08-29 02:00 | Roxxy, 127 E. College St., Iowa City, 52240, United States
Eat for the Arts at Roxxy on Wednesday, August 28! 15% of the cost of your meal will support free arts programming!

Uniphonics
2024-08-30 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by TruArt Color Graphics

About: Since forming in Iowa City in 2007, The Uniphonics performed in 15 states, played at notable festivals, and opened for platinum selling artists. They’ve released 3 albums: Truth Be Told (2009), Crawl (2010), and The Uniphonics (2020). “Crawl” and “The Uniphonics” featured collaborations with internationally known artists, including Grammy Award winning jazz legend Robin Eubanks, Twin Cities vocal phenom Heatbox, and Iowa guitar legend Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin.
Their sound combines hip hop, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, and latin. They’ve been described as “taking the jam-band approach to hip hop,” with virtuosic live band instrumentation and improvisation.
The Uniphonics are a who’s who of the Eastern Iowa music scene. The band shares members with other regional and national acts, including Diplomats of Solid Sound, The Channel Cats, Plastic Relations, The Swampland Jewels, Jumbies, and dozens more.
The Uniphonics are: Forrest Heusinkveld: Drums, Vocals, Bethann Heidgerken: Vocals, Craig Heidgerken: Guitar, Derek Thorn (aka MC Animosity): Vocals, Nassor Cooper: Vocals, Eddie McKinley: Saxophone, Ryan Casteel: Bass

Contact Information:
Web: http://www.theuniphonics.com/
Other links: www.facebook.com/theuniphonics
www.instagram.com/theuniphonics

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Blake Shaw
2024-09-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Northside Market Place, Market Street, Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Phelan Tucker Law LLP

About: Blake Shaw is a composer/arranger, bandleader, double/electric bassist, vocalist, private lessons teacher, and jazz professor at Cornell College and Mt Mercy College. Originally from Lisbon, Iowa, Blake has earned an Associate of Arts degree from Kirkwood Community College as well as a Bachelor of Music (‘13) and Master of Arts (‘17) degree both from the University of Iowa. He has called Iowa City, IA home for the past 14yrs where he has provided insight on festival boards for around half that time for the Iowa City Jazz Festival as well as the Iowa City Pride Fest where he serves as Entertainment Director. Shaw is a frequent performer and band leader in many different groups across Iowa and the US. He can also be found teaching private lessons to young dedicated classical and jazz double bass players. Shaw has had the pleasure of playing with jazz greats like Carmen Bradford, Wycliffe Gordon, Rachel Eckroth, Dave Pietro, O’had Talmor, and Dick Oatts. He’s also been in groups opening for bands like Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Lake Street Dive, Donny McCaslin, Margaret Glaspy, John Raymond and the Real Feels, Bridget Kearney, Caroline Smith, The Marcus King Band, and Euforquestra. You may go “like” all of his cute pics on instagram @theeblakebass.

Contact Information:
Web: https://blakeshawbass.bandcamp.com/music
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/blakeshawbass

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
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Eat for the Arts at Molly's Cupcakes
2024-09-04 10:00 - 20:00 | Molly’s Cupcakes, 14 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, 52240, United States
Indulge, indulge, indulge! Eat for the Arts at Molly’s on Wednesday, September 4! 10% of the day’s sales will be donated to Summer of the Arts!

The Jumbies
2024-09-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by The Graduate Hotel

About: Jumbies deliver a fusion of Caribbean, funk, and Afro-Cuban rhythms in a high-energy, spirit-raising, dance-oriented performance. Established in 2001 and based in Iowa City with roots in the Ames/Des Moines area, this quintet blends danceable and breezy tropical sounds, perfect for sunny days and hot nights. While we do covers by artists such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet, and Harry Belafonte as well, we play mostly original music from our full-length releases and are always creating something new. Most of our elements are similar to other bands, but we uniquely feature steel pan as the lead instrument and love percussion! It’s a unique sound for Iowa, and a really good time!

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
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Big Begonias AND Miss Christine
2024-09-13 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Axiom Consultants
Schedule
6:30 PM: Big Begonias
7:30 PM: Miss Christine

About: Big Begonias took root in 2020 and have been blooming since. Dedicated to creating transcendental folk and honky tonk sounds, the 4-piece band features original music by Gabrielle Kouri and George Spielbauer. Gabrielle, a founding member of Iowa City’s beloved Awful Purdies, plays guitar, banjo, and sings, while George (Cedar County Cobras) plays various guitars. Dave “Chief” Lumberg (Shoe Money, Mayflies) commands the bass, and drummer Dan Miller keeps the beat alive. Big Begonias released their first studio album In Bloom in 2024.

Contact Information:
Web: https://bigbegonias.bandcamp.com/
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/BigBegonias

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

About: Christine Moad (they/them) shatters preconceived notions and societal expectations with their music.
Christine Moad has traveled the world from Tennessee to Monaco as a professionally touring bassist. Moad, a bassist and singer-songwriter recording under the moniker Miss Christine, blends indie rock with blues and soul influences delivered with defiant punk attitude to open listeners’ minds to possibilities beyond the gender binary. They graduated from Berklee College of Music before gaining experience as a session musician in Nashville. Christine defied expectations yet again by leaving Nashville behind for a farm near Iowa City where they write and record their original songs. Miss Christine released their debut solo album, Conversion, in 2019. With support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the follow up, Bittersweet, was released on Bandcamp in 2023.

Contact Information:
Web: https://www.misschristinemusic.com/
Other links: www.facebook.com/misschristinemusic
www.youtube.com/misschristinemusic

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Signal Flow Productions with Sun Centauri, Wave Cage and Ion
2024-09-20 18:30 - 21:00 | Dr. Suzanne Stock Ped Mall Stage – Iowa Arts Festival, 210 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Sponsored by Z’Mariks Noodle Café
6:30 PM – 7:10 PM: Sun Centauri
7:30 PM – 8:10 PM: Wave Cage
8:20 PM – 9:00 PM: Ion Alexakis

About: Sun Centauri is a future pop/R&B collaboration featuring wavy production from Jim Swim and soaring vocals from Alyx Rush. Whether writing summer bops or midnight laments, the duo prioritizes emotion through experimental sound design, harmony stacks, and live instrumentation. With two standout EPs already released under their individual names (Fruit to the Knife and After the Last Time), their first official Sun Centauri single, “Two Shots,” will be out on August 2nd ahead of a fall EP release.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links:
Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

About: Wave Cage combines jazz composition, atmospheric synths, and driving beats to create their own blend of electrified, synth-heavy jazz fusion. Jazz Weekly pronounced them “Soulful space cadets”, while the River Cities’ Reader described their sound as “evoking the smooth melodies and diverse textures of early Weather Report; the ambitious, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink arrangements of groups such as Jaga Jazzist; and the more genre-agnostic trip-hop beat decisions of such projects as Thievery Corporation and Zero 7.

Contact Information:
Web:
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/wavecageband
https://www.instagram.com/wavecageband
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHon_JcGDBMm3M6i3c7mkLQ

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

About: Ion’s music is an inward reflection focusing in on resilience of the worker. Enduring the working class hardships through the Guthrie lens over a sonic guttural rawness that hones in on the prospect of our power as the people to maintain vigilance and hope. As a solo artist he has shared the stage with the artists such as GZA, Blackalicious, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Makaya McCraven, Dessa, Wyclef Jean & Black Milk.

Contact Information:
Web: https://linktr.ee/signalflowproducts
Other links: https://www.facebook.com/SignalFlowProducts/

Summer of the Arts Festivals:
None yet!

Halloweentown
2024-09-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Johnson County Fairgrounds, 3109 Old Hwy 218 S, Iowa City, IA, 52246, United States
Sponsored by Scheels
Pre-show activities with Z102.9 and ImOn
Runtime: 1hr 24min
Rating: TV-G
Starring: Kimberly J. Brown, Debbie Reynolds, Joey Zimmerman
Plot: Marnie and her siblings get a big shock when they follow grandma home to Halloweentown – and find out they come from a family of witches. The town is the only place where supernatural beings can lead a “normal” life, but trouble is looming that soon threatens to take over the world.
*Start times are an estimation based on sunset and are subject to change.

Eat for the Arts at Micky's Irish Pub
2024-09-26 11:00 - 2024-09-27 01:00 | Micky’s Irish Pub, 11 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA, 52240, United States
Micky’s is in for the long haul! Grab your favorite items once, twice, or three times (if you’re out late) from 11:00am through 1:00am. Eat for the Arts at Micky’s downtown location, and 15% of the day’s sales will be donated to Summer of the Arts!
