Cirque du Soleil: Alegria
Thursday to Sunday, March 11 to 14

Can’t make it to Las Vegas for Spring Break? Channel the best of Sin City this weekend in downtown Cedar Rapids. Alegria is a Cirque du Soleil classic and an internationally acclaimed production that has entertained more than 10 million people worldwide since its world premiere in Montreal in 1994. The show includes high-energy aerialists and trapeze artists, synchronized choreography and tumbling routines. Prepare to be amazed.

Cirque du Soleil: Alegria
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, US Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, $32 to $90, www.uscellularcenter.com

Bret Michaels Birthday Bash
Monday, March 15

Get out your bandannas and cowboy hats, ladies (and gentlemen). Bret Michaels is riding into town this weekend for a Birthday Bash unlike any you’ve been to before. You’ve seen him charming the classiest of women on VH1’s Rock of Love (both in LA and on a bus road trip), and now you can see him perform his most famous hits — “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” anyone? — in his latest tour. Tickets start at just $30 — a small price to pay to see Bret host a bash.

Bret Michaels Birthday Bash
8 p.m. Monday (03/15), Mississippi Moon Bar, Diamond Jo Casino, 301 Bell St., Dubuque, $30 to $75, www.diamondjo.com

Gadji-Gadjo
Sunday, March 14

Gadji-Gadjo is a distinctive quintet hailing from Montreal. The group combines an eclectic mix of jazz, classical, South American music and other sounds. The group pays tribute and brings life to the Roma and klezmer traditions of Eastern Europe. They feature the accordion, violin, mandolin, clarinet, guitar, double bass and percussion. The group brings a fresh, invigorating energy to every show they play.

Gadji-Gadjo
7 p.m. Sunday (03/14), CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $14 in advance, $18 at the door, www.legionarts.org

Three other things

School of Flyentology
9 p.m. Saturday (03/13)
Blue Moose Tap House, 211 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, free,
www.bluemooseic.com

The Astronomy
of Star Trek
7:30 p.m. Saturday (03/13)
Wickiup Hill Outdoor
Learning Center, 1365
Ivanhoe Rd., Mount Vernon, free, (319) 892-6485

Stretch Marks
8 p.m. Friday & Saturday (03/12 & 03/13)
CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $11 in advance, $15 at the door, www.legionarts.org

I don’t understand all the hub-bub about the new location of the public library. Over the last few months I have read a number of stories on the Gazette’s website and for some reason continued on down the page to view the comments. I am shocked that not only do people have emphatic opinions on the subject but are quite rude and presumptuous with them.

Personally, I want the library back. I don’t care if it’s at True North, Emerald Knights,  KCRG or back in it’s previous spot (and I understand that this is impossible according to FEMA guidelines). Now that these decisions are made, perhaps people can be grateful that we’ll get another part of our city back and they can throw their hostility elsewhere.

I am just happy it’s coming back.

Maple Syrup Festival
Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7

Break out the pancakes, it’s maple syrup time. Drop by the Indian Creek Nature Center Saturday and Sunday morning to take part in the whole sticky experience — from tapping a tree, to gathering sap and processing it into real maple syrup. Breakfast — including pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee — will be served so visitors can taste the fruits, er, syrups, of their labors. Plus there will be musical entertainment while you eat. Sweet!

Maple Syrup Festival
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday (03/06) and Sunday (03/07), Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, $3.50 to $6.50 in advance or $4 to $7 at the door,
(319) 362-0664, www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org

Hollywood Live!
Sunday, March 7

The Englert Theatre is rolling out the red carpet in honor of the 82nd annual Academy Awards on Sunday. Make plans to watch the show live on the big screen with local theater enthusiast Chris Okiishi hosting. There will be movie-themed food, costume contests, grab bags and a silent auction. Guests can cast their own Oscar ballots and vote for best and worst-dressed celebrity. If you can’t make it to L.A. for Oscar night, this is the next best thing.

Hollywood Live!
5:30 p.m., Sunday (03/07), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Free but small donations are welcome, (319) 688-2653, www.englert.org

Dervish
Sunday, March 7

Ready to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (and we don’t mean drinking green beer)? Legion Arts continues their tradition of presenting traditional Irish bands in honor of the upcoming holiday and Dervish won’t disappoint. Just listening to this six-member band — hailing from northwest Ireland — bring their toe-tapping instrumentals and powerful lyrics to the Corridor will make you feel a wee bit more Irish. ‘Tis grand!

Dervish
7 p.m., Sunday (03/07), CSPS, 1103 Third Street SE, Cedar
Rapids, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, (319) 364-1580,
www.legionarts.org

Three other things

Killadelphia: A Mixtape of a City
7:30 p.m. Friday (3/5)
Riverside Theatre, 213 N.
Gilbert St., Iowa City, $12 to $26, 319.338.7672,
www.riversidetheatre.org

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
7 p.m. Saturday (3/6)
Blue Moose Tap House, 211
Iowa Ave., Iowa City, $6,
www.bluemooseic.com

Moscow String Quartet
7:30 p.m. Monday (3/8)
Cornell College King Chapel, 660 1st St. SW, Mount Vernon, $10 at the door, $5 for students, www.cornellcollege.edu

There’s been 10-year battle raging in Cedar Rapids. Each side’s plan of attack involves spices, costumes and charity.

This friendly battle is the 10th annual Blues ‘n’ Buffett Chili Challenge from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The challengers are the Linn County Blues Society and the Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club’s.

The chili challenge is a friendly competition between the two organizations to raise money for Cedar Rapids charities. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to H.D. Youth Center and Community Health Free Clinic of Cedar Rapids.

Since 2001, members of each organization have challenged one another, armed with chili recipes, colorful decorations and costumes. The categories for the contest include Best Chili, which is judged by local celebrities. Other categories, such as best presentation and most unusual, are selected by a secret judge and ticket-holders choose the People’s Choice winner.

Keith Wright of the Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club and the winner of last year’s judges choice, has entered the contest all 10 years. “I normally win most unusual (chili),” says Wright, who will be competing again this year.

And don’t worry if beef isn’t your thing; there is plenty of chicken and vegetarian chili.

The public is encouraged to attend, taste and vote for their favorite chili. Admission is $7, which includes tasting of the chilies and five vote tickets. Children ages 6 and under are free. Of course, you can buy more tickets if you’d like to stuff the ballot box in front of your favorite.

This year, however, there will be a professional category. The groups are inviting six restaurants to compete.

“These guys have their recipes so they really get into it,” says Wright, who doesn’t mind if people stuff the ballot box.

“If someone wants to put $1,000 worth of tickets in their box, that money goes to charity, I’m all for that,” he says.

In that first year, about $540 was raised and the amount has grown every year. Last year’s chili contest raised $6,200 and in the nine years of the event’s existence, more than $35,000 has been raised and donated to local charities.

Each club votes on which charity to donate to. The Parrot Head Club will support The Community Health Free Clinic of Cedar Rapids mission is to provide medical, dental and prescription care for the uninsured and underserved population of Eastern Iowa through model community partnerships.  The Blues Society will support the H.D Youth Center, a non-profit organization in downtown Cedar Rapids, designed to get kids off the street and encourage a positive attitude, academic progress, and promote a drug-free environment.

Admission is $7, which includes tasting of the chilies and five vote tickets. Of course, you can buy more tickets if you’d like to stuff the ballot box in front of your favorite chili. Children ages 6 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult; and admission for ages 65 and older is $5. The club receiving the most People’s Choice votes will receive a plaque and their club’s charity will receive 51 percent of the proceeds from the event. The runner-up club will receive 49 percent of the proceeds for their charity.

There will be Celebrity Judges, including local television and radio personalities and Hoopla’s Andrea Dietzenbach, to taste and vote on the Overall Best Chili as well as Best Chili in one of four categories. The to get a majority of votes for the Best Chili from the judges receives a traveling trophy and bragging rights for their club.

A silent auction will feature a number of autographed Hawkeye and Cyclone memorabilia, tickets to MLB baseball games, multiple overnight stay packages including casinos and the Cedar Rapids Marriott, a football autographed by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, tickets to both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls and many other items.

For info, call Steve Petersen at (319) 395-9520, Steve Springer at (319) 395-9516, Kate Sanders at (319) 842-2393 or Keith Wright at (319) 573-5153.

The Producers
Friday, Feb. 26 to Saturday, March 14

TCR is back. Downtown that is. And better than ever, it would seem. The Tony-award winning classic cult comedy “The Producers” will run Friday through March 14 in TCR’s newly renovated home, the Iowa Theatre Building. And while the Grand Reopening Gala is sold out already, there are still plenty of chances to catch the comeback show. Corridor faces like Scott Schulte and Trevor Debth headline the show with an impressive ensemble supporting. Whether you’re excited for an evening of comedic relief or just can’t wait to see the downtown landmark back in all its glory, “The Producers” is a must-see.

The Producers
7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Theatre Cedar Rapids,
102 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $12 to $25, www.theatrecr.org

Saliva
Friday, Feb. 26

Kick it with hard rockers Saliva this weekend at the Mississippi Moon Bar in Dubuque. The boys from Tennessee will put on a show full of crowd favorites like “Click Click Boom” and “Rest in Pieces,” along with tracks from their new album, Take That Society, which is slated to release late next month. Tickets start at just $15 and audiences can stay for food, drinks and everything else the casino has to offer before and after the show. Special guest Silvertone will take the stage at 8 p.m. followed by the main act. Rock on.

Saliva
8 p.m. Friday (02/26), Mississippi Moon Bar, Diamond Jo Casino, 301 Bell St., Dubuque, $15 to $35, www.diamondjo.com

Star Wars Night @ The Stable
Saturday, Feb. 13

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders take on the Youngstown Phantoms tomorrow evening. But don’t just expect any average crowd in the stands. It’s also Star Wars theme night. Who doesn’t love theme nights, right? Costumes are welcome, and the pre-game show and happy hour start at 6 p.m. If you can’t make it Friday night, no worries. The team plays again Saturday at 7 p.m. followed by a postgame fan meet-and-greet at CiCi’s. Check out either game to catch the team play before the season’s over.

Star Wars Night @ The Stable
7 p.m. Friday (02/26), The Stable, 1100 Rockford Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids, $7 to $17, www.ridertownusa.com

Three other things

Jeff Dunham’s
Identity Crisis
7:30 p.m. Thursday (02/25)
US Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, $45.50, www.uscellular
center.com

Czech Mates
7 p.m. Saturday (02/27)
Westminster Prebyterian Church, 1285 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $14, www.orchestraiowa.org

Red Stick Ramblers
7 p.m. Sunday (02/28)
CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, www.legionarts.org

Jennifer Coolidge
Thursday, Feb. 18

Maybe you know her as Stifler’s Mom. Or maybe you remember her as the snap and bend friend from “Legally Blonde.” Our favorite was her performance in “Best in Show.” No matter if you’ve seen her movies (including many of David Guest’s mockumentaries) or TV sitcom work before, you’re sure not to forget Jennifer Coolidge after her performance at Penguins Comedy Club. The famed blonde bombshell brings her stand-up act to town and that’s a night of laughs you don’t want to miss.

Jennifer Coolidge
7:30 p.m., Thursday (02/18), Penguins Comedy Club, 525 33rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, $19.50, (319) 362-8133, www.penguinscomedyclub.com

Carrie Newcomer
Friday, Feb. 19

If you didn’t get enough chocolate for Valentine’s Day, plan
to see Carrie Newcomer perform at CSPS on Friday night.
Her vocals and guitar work have been described as “rich as Godiva chocolate” and she’s been dubbed a “soaring songstress” — thanks to her poetic and spiritual lyrics. We
say, hear it for yourself.

Carrie Newcomer
8 p.m., Friday (02/19), CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $17 in advance, $21 at the door, (319) 364-1580, www.legionarts.org

Wonderful Town
Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 18 to 21

This musical — about two sisters heading to New York City to make it big — may be set in the Great Depression, but it’s one show that promises to lift audiences out of a slump. And the Iowa City Community Theatre — who is presenting the show
on the Englert stage — is especially proud that the show will
go on thanks to the extra fundraising efforts they pulled off.

Wonderful Town
8 p.m. Thursday (02/18) to Saturday (2/20) and Sunday (02/21), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, $10 to 18, (319) 338-0443, www.iowacitycommunitytheatre.com

Three other things

Grape Expectations VII—A Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Marion Public Library
6 to 8 p.m. Friday (2/19)
Campbell Steele Gallery, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion, $25,
(319) 377-3412, www.marion
publiclibrary.org

New Odyssey
7 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (2/19, 20)
Riverside Casino Show Lounge, 3184 Hwy. 22, Riverside, Free, (319) 648-1234, www.riverside
casinoandresort.com

Jason Marcus
9:30 p.m. Wednesday (2/24)
The Summit, 10 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, (319) 354-7482,
www.thesummitnightclub.com

“If you don’t fall, you’re being a chicken.”

I spoke the words of my best friend’s dad aloud as I teetered at the edge of the Gun Barrel, the more difficult of two black diamond trails at Dubuque’s Sundown Mountain.

With 10 minutes until closing, I had completed spill-free runs down 20 of the resort’s 21 trails. All that remained was the one hill that had intimidated me since my first elementary-school ski trip to Sundown in 1992. Fall or no fall, if I skied the Gun Barrel I could say with confidence that I was no chicken.

Cautious at first, I pushed my skis into a wide V-shaped snowplow, momentarily fighting against gravity before positioning them parallel to each other and giving in to the speed of the descent. The frigid midnight air whipped against my face, biting my cheeks as I gained momentum, my skis floating atop the fresh snow.

As the slope leveled out I skidded to a stop and turned to face the monster I had just conquered. It was then that I realized I had viewed the slope from the wrong angle for years. From the bottom it didn’t look intimidating at all.

While my previous trip to Sundown ­­­­­­— as a snowboarder — left me bruised and frustrated, revisiting the slopes on skis for the first time in 15 years was like riding a bike. The techniques I learned as a child returned with ease, and I finished each run felling invigorated, adventurous and eager to go again.

If it’s your first time on the slopes try Sundown’s beginner special. Available for $30 Monday through Friday, and after 4 p.m. any day, the special includes a 90-minute group lesson, rental equipment and a lift ticket to the beginner slope. Once you feel comfortable on your skis you can upgrade to an all-area ticket for $20 and explore the rest of the mountain for an added challenge. The same package is available weekend days for $55.

If lessons aren’t your style and you just want to hit the trails, Sundown offers daily rental and lift ticket specials, including military discounts and free lift tickets from children 5 and under with a paying adult. So pull on some warm socks, gloves and snow pants and hit the slopes.
And remember, if you don’t fall, you’re being a chicken.

— KELSEY

The Vagina Monologues
Friday to Sunday, Feb. 12 to 14

Hailed as “the bible” for a new generation of women, you’ll want to see this provocative and acclaimed hit in Anamosa this weekend. The Vagina Monologues, based on a series of interviews conducted by author Eve Ensler, give a heartfelt, funny, outrageous, brave and fresh look at the real-life experiences of women and girls. Whether you’re male or female, the show offers a fresh perspective on women’s issues — both old and new.

The Vagina Monologues
7:30 p.m. Friday (02/12) and Saturday (02/13), 2 p.m. Sunday (02/14), Starlighters Theatre, 136 East Main Street, Anamosa, $12 students and seniors and $13 adults, www.starlighters.org

Monster Trucks XL Tour
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13

For an action-packed weekend, head down to the U.S.
Cellular Center for the Monster Truck XL Tour. The biggest, best monster trucks around will roll into town for a high-energy, high-impact show. When the monster trucks aren’t roaring, X Games-style extreme free style motorcycles will be tear up the tracks — flying and jumping more than 50 feet. For an even closer view, you’ll get a free pit pass with some admissions.

Monster Trucks XL Tour
7:30 p.m. Friday (02/12) and Saturday (02/13), $15-$23, US Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, www.uscellularcenter.com

Valentine’s Day Progressive Dinner & Brunch
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14

If you don’t have plans for a romantic Valentine’s Day yet — no worries! You can still hop on board with Orchestra Iowa for their Valentine’s Progressive Dinner in Cedar Rapids Saturday and brunch in Iowa City Sunday. Reservations are required and space is limited, so be sure to call ahead.

Valentine’s Day Progressive Dinner & Brunch
5 and 6 p.m. Saturday (02/13) and 11:30 a.m. Sunday (02/14), Commerce Club, Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel, 350 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids or Givanni’s, 109 East College St., Iowa City, Saturday: $80 (plus concert ticket), Sunday: $35 (plus concert ticket), (319) 366-8203, www.orchestraiowa.org

Three other things

Vance Gilbert
8 p.m. Friday (02/12)
CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $14 in advance, $18 at the door, www.legionarts.org

Rinde Eckert,
Eye Piece
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (02/12,13), 2 p.m. Sunday (02/14)
University of Iowa Mabie
Theatre, North Riverside Dr., Iowa City, $5-$17,
www.hancher.uiowa.edu

William Elliott
Whitmore & Jenny Hoyston
8 p.m. Saturday (02/13)
Blue Moose Tap House, 211 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, $10,
www.bluemooseic.com

A Frequency Response Test
Friday, Feb. 5

Are you looking for a monthly techno music event right here in the Corridor? If so, plan to be at Downtown Live Friday night for the “Frequency Friday” launch party. Presented by Digital Perceptions Electronic Experiences and Solar Cathedral Productions, this is your chance to help bring a new night life option — the sounds of the underground — to downtown CR. This Friday will feature duo performances by Solar Cathedral mastermind Matt Rissi and Digital Perceptions’ very own ACG3, aka The Goat, under their ‘Pound Control’ moniker. In coming week’s they’ll be brining in nationally recognized guest DJs from all over the country. Be there Friday to make sure that happens.

A Frequency Response Test
9 p.m., Friday (02/05), Downtown Live, 616 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, $5, (319) 651-4617, www.digitalperceptions.us

Second City 50th Anniversary
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7

The funny folks from Chicago’s Second City improv and sketch comedy troupe are rolling into town. This time their show is celebrating 50 years of funny with alums like Mike Myers to Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert to Tina Fey. Up and coming comedy stars will have you in stitches as they recount classic Second City humor. We’re sure this won’t be the last laugh.

Second City 50th Anniversary
8 p.m., Friday (02/05) and Saturday (02/06), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, $22 to $27, (319) 688-2653,
www.englert.org

Matt Sienkiewicz @ UNI
Monday to Wednesday, Feb. 8 to 10

Emmy-nominated screenwriter and documentarian Matt Sienkiewicz takes offensive humor head on. Sienkiewicz is best known for his criticisms of South Park’s anti-Semitism and offensive humor. In addition to a screening of his new documentary, there will be various lectures related to racial and ethnic stereotypes, such as “What’s Under Kyle’s Hat?” and “Is there Anything Really Wrong with Offensive Humor?”

Matt Sienkiewicz
Various times, Monday (02/08) to Wednesday (02/10), University
of Northern Iowa, Free, (319) 273-6233, www.uni.edu

Three other things

Ray Blue’s “Music
of Change”
7 p.m. Monday (2/8)
Mount Mercy College, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, Free, (319) 363-8213, www.mtmercy.edu

An Evening with
Roseanne Cash,
presented by Hancher
7:30 p.m. Tuesday (2/9)
Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, $10 to $47, (319) 335-1160, www.hancher.uiowa.edu

“Café Caravan”
Workshops and Concert with Salaam
1 to 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday (2/6)
Kahraman Near East Dance Ensemble @ Old Brick, 26 E. Market St., Iowa City, $12 to $45, (319) 354-9638., www.kahramandance.org

Sitting in a padded bar stool at Dubuque’s Sundown Mountain’s north lodge, I sipped a Bloody Mary and fixed my gaze on the Winter X-Games playing on a television hanging in the corner, hoping the professional snowboarders on TV would reveal their secrets as they launched themselves above the half-pipe in jumps and twists.

Filled with a little liquid courage, and a lot of false confidence, I pulled my new snow pants on over a dual layer of Hawkeye sweats and thermal leggings and grabbed my rental board and boots. Finding a space atop the busy beginners slope, I clipped my boots into their bindings and commissioned a bare-bones boarding lesson from my friend Tony – a seasoned boarder.

With a working grasp of how to stop and an uneasy sense of balance at best, I let gravity do its thing and started down the hill. A few yards into my first run I pulled my toes up, putting my weight on the back edge of my board, to practice stopping, and fell hard on my butt.

That’s one way to stop, I guess.

Keeping my board under me as I slid down the uneven slope was a challenge; but getting it back under me was a test in patience, strength and balance beyond any I have ever experienced. And experienced it I did. Over, and over, and over again before finally reaching the chair lift at the bottom of the hill.

Exhausted and frustrated I flopped into the lift as it came up behind me.

Thankful for the rest ­— and my waterproof snow pants — I watched other first-time snowboarders below falling, standing up and repeating. As the lift carried me to the top to try again, I set my goal for the day: Make it down the beginners run just one time without falling.

After dozens of tumbles, bumps and bruises — and a second dose of liquid courage — I finally managed to keep my board under me from the top all the way to the bottom. By that time a full moon had replaced the bright January sun, and my hands,
hips and shoulders ached from more spills than I could count.

I never made it off the beginner’s hill, but I achieved my goal of a clean ride and finally
grasped the key point of Tony’s earlier lesson
– trust the board.

— KELSEY