Is it heaven? No. It’s Iowa. We can understand the confusion though. This is a place where dreams come true. Just ask Kristie VanGorkom of Cedar Rapids. She — as she puts it — has “LOVED the music of Grant … Continue reading →

“Pura Vida,” the new solo release from Cedar Rapids musician and songwriter Dave Bader, has been a long time in the making. Bader says some of the 10 original songs on the disc have been in the works for 20 … Continue reading →

  Armed with great genes and tight harmonies, Wilson Phillips soared to superstardom off the trio’s 1990 debut album and stayed there for three years. Then they were gone — off to explore new professional opportunities in solo recording and … Continue reading →

“What the (expletive) am I doing in Iowa?” questioned Kendrick Lamar in the moments following his opening song as he stood before a sold out crowd at the Iowa Memorial Union on the campus of the University of Iowa Monday … Continue reading →

I’ll be the first to admit that I had never heard of Mac Miller before it was announced that the blossoming young rapper would be performing at the Iowa Memorial Union at the University of Iowa. And, though I’m just … Continue reading →

CEDAR RAPIDS — Orchestra Iowa took a cheering audience on a wild ride through Grant Wood country Saturday night (5/4/13) with the world premiere of Michael Daugherty’s “American Gothic.” The 20-minute work in three movements — commissioned by the orchestra … Continue reading →

Country music star Merle Haggard will bring his arsenal of hits to Cedar Rapids when he performs at the Paramount Theatre this June. The details Merle Haggard Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 8:00 pm The Paramount Theatre Tickets: $55.00, $45.00 … Continue reading →

Composer Michael Daugherty and violinist Luke Witchger rip through the virtuoso orchestral bluegrass of “Pitchfork,” the final movement of “American Gothic,” during an Art Bites preview at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art at noon Wednesday (5/1/13). Orchestra Iowa commissioned … Continue reading →

  A little less than two hours northeast of the Cedar Rapids area, tucked in the hills outside Maquoketa, is a barn where, instead of the bleets of sheep or cows mooing, the sounds reverberating up to the rafters are … Continue reading →

“When I’m with you, I have fun” sings Bethany Cosentino from the base of an enormous church organ, and from a vantage point near the back of the venue, I can’t help but think the same of her. Plain and … Continue reading →