Weezer (Facebook)

Concerts and festivals and fairs, oh my! From country and classical to rock and retro, music will be breezing through Eastern Iowa all summer long.

Some concerts are indoors, but lots are outdoors, including three huge events coming to a new setup around May’s Island in downtown Cedar Rapids. Also on the “big” list: the Iowa State Fair lineup in Des Moines and Van Halen in Moline, Ill.

We’ve put together a list of highlights, which really just scratches the surface. Community bands, orchestra pops, opera, blues, country, jazz under the stars and tons of rock ’n’ roll. It’s all out there, waiting for blue skies and eager audiences.

Start with this guideline, then be sure to check out websites for your favorite venues, including CSPS, the Englert, area arenas and casinos, county fairs and the new Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

We’ll also keep updating HooplaNow.com to keep you in the loop.

— Diana Nollen

Summer Concerts

Friday Night Concert Series, Iowa City: May 18 to Aug. 31: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., local and regional bands on the Ped Mall, outside the Sheraton Hotel downtown. Free, bring seating. Rain site: Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, Washington and Gilbert streets. For more go to the Summer of the Arts festival page.

Saturday Night Concert Series, Iowa City: May 19 to Sept. 1: 6:30 to 9 p.m., local and regional bands, Ped Mall, outside the Sheraton Hotel downtown. Free, bring seating. Rain site: Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, Washington and Gilbert streets. For more go to the Summer of the Arts festival page.

Cedar Ridge Vineyards SummerFest, Swisher: May 25 to 27: 1441 Marak Rd. NW. May 25: Oh So Good, 6 to 9 p.m., soul, R&B, funk, no cover. May 26: Nikki Lunden, 1 to 4 p.m., acoustic; Devon Allman’s Honeytribe, 5 to 8 p.m., Gregg Allman’s son, a St. Louis blues rocker, $15. May 27: The Fez, 4 to 7 p.m., Steely Dan tribute, $10.

Uptown Friday Nights, Cedar Rapids: May 25 to July 27: 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, Greene Square Park, Third Avenue and Fifth Street SE. Various bands, $5 ages 21 and older. Rain site: Capone’s, 1201 Third St. SE.

North Liberty Blues & BBQ: May 26: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Liberty Centre, Penn Street and Liberty Way. Area bands all day, free admission. Rain date: May 27.

Orchestra Iowa Pops, Cedar Rapids: May 26: 4 p.m., “Good Vibrations: Music of the Beach Boys,” Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Rd. SW. Concert, baseball game, fireworks, $25 to $45, (319) 366-8203, 1-(800) 369-8863

Michael McDonald, Riverside: May 26: 8 p.m., Riverside Casino Event Center, 3184 Highway 22. $50 to $60, Casino Gift Shop

Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa City June 1 to 3: Downtown Iowa City. Art and concerts by Pieta Brown, Greg Brown, Joy Kills Sorrow, Los Lobos.

Marion Bar-B-Que Rendezvous: June 2: Noon to 9 p.m., Marion Square Park. Cedar Island Band, noon to 4 p.m., Bryce and BillyLee Janey, 4 to 9 p.m., food, free admission. Uptownmarion.com/calendar.html

Iowa City Community Band: June 3 to July 8: Various sites, times. Iccband.org/iccbConcerts.html

Cedar Rapids Municipal Band: June 6 to Aug. 5: Various times, Cedar Rapids metro area parks and Hooverfest in West Branch. Free, bring seating.

Marion by Moonlight: June 7 to 28: Thursdays, Marion Square Park, Seventh Avenue and 10th Street. Various area bands, 6:30 p.m., food available, 6 p.m. Free admission, bring seating. Uptownmarion.com

KHAK’s 50th Birthday Bash, Cedar Rapids: June 9: 1 p.m., downtown near May’s Island. Alan Jackson with Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Steve Holy, Craig Campbell, Battle of the Bands winner Lonesome Road; $40 to $125, KHAK.com or (515) 657-6128.

Rockin’ the Rapids, Cedar Rapids: June 10: Noon, May’s Island area, downtown Cedar Rapids. Weezer, with Chevelle, Fuel, Filter, Tonic and more, $32.50 to $125, bring seating. KRNA.com

MusicIC 2012, Iowa City: June 10 to 16: Classical music festival, downtown venues. Main concerts: 7:30 p.m. June 14 to 16. Uiowa.edu/musicic

Marion Community Band: June 12 and 26: 7 p.m., Marion Square Park, Seventh Avenue and 10th Street. Free, bring seating.

Lorie Line, Cedar Rapids: June 14: 7:30 p.m., Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE. “Live in the Sunshine” tour by pianist Line and Her Fab Five, $39.

Riverside Casino Summer Concert Series: June 16 to Aug. 25: 8 p.m., outdoor stage, 3184 Highway 22. Bring chairs, no coolers. June 16: Martina McBride, $35 and $65; July 14: Joe Walsh, $30 and $55; Aug. 25: Cheap Trick, $35 and $55; Casino Gift Shop

An Evening with Friends, Cedar Rapids: June 12: 7 to 9 p.m., 127 Cottage Grove Woods SE. Kingston Hill benefit concert by SPT Theatre, Lynne Rothrock, Ron DeWitte, $20 advance, $35 gate; bring seating, picnic. Kingston-hill.com

Ted Nugent, Tama: June 16: 8 p.m., Meskwaki Casino Outdoor Arena, 1504 305th St. All ages show, $27 and $47, Club Meskwaki, 1-(800) 728-4263 or Meskwaki.com/entertainment/headliners

BBQ Roundup, Cedar Rapids: June 21 to 24: Park & Ride lot, Second Street and Eighth Avenue SE. Entertainment to be announced. Crbbqroundup.com

‘Frankenboy!’ Cedar Rapids: June 22 to 24: Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre all-ages “Monsteropera,” CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE. Various times, $10 to $50. Legionarts.org/events/frankenboy

Irish District Music and Arts Festival, Cedar Rapids: June 23: 1 to 9 p.m., 700 16th St. NE. Family fun with music, dance, art, food, games; bring lawn chairs and coolers, $5 adults, free ages 12 and under with an adult. Bands: Smooth Money Gesture, Henhouse Prowlers, Surf Zombies, Dennis McMurrin & The Demolition Band. Irishdistrictfest.com

Linn County Fair, Central City: June 27 to July 2: Grandstand: David Nail, 7:30 June 27, KHAK free country concert; Pop Evil, 7 p.m. June 28, $15, $50 advance, $20 gate; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 7 p.m. June 29, $18 advance, $20 gate. Thelinncountyfair.com

Iowa City Jazz Festival: June 29 to July 1: Downtown Iowa City. Well-known jazz musicians, up-and-coming artists, fireworks.

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival: June 30: Country Concert Night, 6 p.m., Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW. July 1: Patriotic Pops, 6 p.m., Kirkwood, $5 and $15; bring seating.

Jason LeRoy (Facebook)

If the name Jason LeRoy Christensen sounds familiar, perhaps you had a chance to see the band Scarlet Runner, which toured both nationally and locally.

Jason still plays with Scarlet Runner from time to time, but now you can catch him as the guitarist and vocalist of the Jason LeRoy Band.

Jason is the only constant member of this guitar-based blues, soul and classic rock band. Currently he plays with Dan “DJ” Johnson on bass and Eric Douglas on drums, with other musicians joining from time to time.

Jason is a family man, with a wife, son, and two daughters at home. Before he had children, his goal was to “make it” in the music industry. While on the road for a couple of weeks, he realized that his young daughters had practically doubled in size during the short time he was gone. At that time, he decided to give up life on the road.

“It’s my duty as a man to provide a good life for my family and keep them safe. I now play music for my enjoyment and hopefully to entertain and have fun with the audience. But my main focus in life is to provide for my wife, son, and two daughters,” says Jason.

Jason can be seen every Saturday morning playing an acoustic show with Dan “DJ” Johnson at the Village Meat Market and Café from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This Saturday (5/19), they will be joined by Skeeter Lewis on sax. You can also check out the band from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, at Cedar Ridge Winery.

— Hilary Mahoney

We Are Augustines (Facebook)

The Counting Crows summer tour is being billed as the “Outlaw Roadshow”. The tour will pull into downtown Cedar Rapids on Thursday, July 26th as part of RAGBRAI’s 40th Celebration.

Hot new bands We Are Augustines, Kasey Anderson and The Honkies, and Field Report are scheduled to open the main stage.

We Are Augustines made their network television debut recently on the Late Show with David Letterman and then on Last Call with Carson Daly.

Tickets are now on-sale $25 in advance, $35 day of the show. Registered RAGBRAI participants are admitted free to the concert by showing their valid RAGBRAI wristband.

The Counting Crows released the album Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation) last month. The band is sharing four new songs from the album to BitTorrent users as well as liner notes and other goodies.

Additional bands and entertainment for Cedar Rapids will be announced soon for the downtown celebration area and the RAGBRAI campgrounds.

- Press Release

Hoodie Allen performs Thursday in Iowa City. (Facebook)

Looking for something to do in the next couple of days before the weekend arrives? There are 66 event listings for the next two days not to mention more than 20 drink specials. We highlight some of our favorite options below.

Today

Marion Farmers Market – Come visit and take a look and find out about its selection of organic food, crafts, vegetables, local specialties and fruits.

Noelridge Farmers’ Market – Hosted by Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, honey, eggs, baked goods and crafts are available. Items must be grown or produced by vendor. IFMNP and WIC checks accepted.

Ride of Silence Cedar Rapids – The Ride of Silence is a silent ride to raise awareness of the need for motorists to share the road with cyclists, and to honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling on roadways.

Open Reading of “The Merchant of Venice” – Come for a behind-the-scenes look at an early phase of the production’s artistic development: the company’s first read-through of the play with the director, Kristin Horton. Afterwards, audience members will be invited to respond—and audience feedback will help shape the production.

Thursday

Glimpse of Iowa City in the 1930s – Johnson County Historical Society hosts the very first public viewing of two 16mm films from the 1930s in Iowa City from the JCHS Collection. This program is part of the 2012 Irving Weber Days celebration.

Hoodie Allen – Make every word count. This has long been the mantra of Hoodie Allen, the New York based rapper and songwriter. With a penchant for candid storytelling and witty punchlines, Hoodie has always been an emcee who understood the importance of connecting with the audience through his lyrics.

The Gizmo Guys

Objects in motion will stay in motion, until a comedic force acts upon them.

The Gizmo Guys — Allan Jacobs and Barrett Felker — have won international juggling competitions, taught at top circus schools and appeared on television.

They are featured in this year’s Spot — The Hancher Family Arts Adventure.

They’ll also be at: Iowa Children’s Museum at Coral Ridge Mall, workshop at 6:30 p.m. Friday and mini-performance at 2 p.m. Saturday; and the Iowa City Farmers Market, 10 a.m. Saturday.

The Midtown Men (Facebook)

CEDAR RAPIDS – Broadway went dark in Cedar Rapids when the raging river surged through the Paramount Theatre in June 2008.

Beginning Dec. 4, Broadway’s enduring touring power will begin in the renovated Paramount during a six-month series featuring seven hit shows.

The shows, listed below, have been bringing audiences to their feet in Chicago and Washington, D.C., spinning from New York all across the United States.

• Cirque Dreams Holidaze
• The Midtown Men
• “Monty Python’s Spamalot,”
• “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,”
• Blue Man Group
• “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles”
• “Rock of Ages”

Season ticket renewals are in the mail now for past series subscription holders. They’ll go on sale to new series buyers June 11. Individual show tickets will go on sale down the road.

“We recognize the inconvenience caused by the flooding, when we had to cancel the 2008-09 season. We have really been waiting for the new day to come when the renovated Paramount would be reopened,” Steve Traxler, president of Jam Theatricals, says by phone from a recent trip to New York.

“It’s hard to express how excited we are about working with Orchestra Iowa and VenuWorks in bringing entertainment back to Cedar Rapids. It’s just an amazing feeling to be a part of that,” he says. “The rebirth of this historic theater will have a great impact on the community.”

Find the entire lineup and information about subscriptions here.

He says Jam Theatricals, based in Chicago, has been presenting Broadway touring shows in Cedar Rapids for about 10 or 15 years, and serves about 30 markets around the country, in cities very similar to Cedar Rapids.

When it comes to shaping a series, it’s all about the buzz — from the industry, the agents, and most importantly, the audiences.

“We try to poll our customers,” he says. “It’s more about working in conjunction with what customers talk about seeing and what the box office says people seem to want.”

“These are all shows people want to see and have had to leave the market to see,” says Tammy Koolbeck of Cedar Rapids, vice president of VenuWorks, which manages and markets 50 entertainment outlets across the country. The company, based in Ames, has managed the U.S. Cellular Center and the Paramount Theatre since 1999 and the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena since October 2001.

Under a deal struck by the city in January, Orchestra Iowa will team up with VenuWorks to plan, market and sell tickets for all Paramount shows, in a partnership known as Paramount Presents.

Rock of Ages (Facebook)

“Communications director Christy Frost serves as the on-the-ground marketing counsel for outside promoters,” says Executive Director Robert Massey of Cedar Rapids. “Supporting the series on marketing and ticketing is a monumental task.”

He calls the arrangement “a win-win” for the City of Cedar Rapids, which owns the historic 1928 Paramount Theatre, as well as for the building managers and promoters like Jam.

“The real winner is the community,” Massey says. “They get to see great productions at this theater. …

“We’ve got an incredible season. The team at Jam — they were the promoter of the (Broadway) series in the past and one of the first calls we made once we started lining up dates,” Massey says. “They were interested and anxious to get back to Cedar Rapids. They have a real A-list of titles to bring to the community.”

“You can stay home now and see great New York Broadway shows as you were doing before,” Koolbeck says. “With Hancher going down at the same time as the Paramount, you really have had to drive to Chicago, Des Moines or the Twin Cities” to see such productions. “Now it’s downtown, in what’s going to be a gorgeous theater. It’s going to be spectacular when it reopens.”

Like Massey and Traxler, Koolbeck also is looking forward to the enhanced experiences for performers, as well as audiences, through the theater’s $34.5 million renovation. The dressing rooms will be larger, as will the space onstage and behind the scenes.

“I remember when we did ‘The King and I’ over a Thanksgiving weekend, we had to set up a quick-change room in the alley for Anna to change into her hoops,” Koolbeck says. “We couldn’t get her up and down the steps and there was no room in the wings. The reopened theater will have space for all of that.”

Traxler, who has been to the Paramount many times over the years, got his most recent close-up in the past couple weeks.

“It’s just gorgeous,” he says. “To see the team that’s been working diligently to rebuild and restore and enhance the amenities — it’s going to be an incredible place to experience Broadway and other entertainment. (The upgrades) are all great things that will help cement Cedar Rapids as being a touring stop for Broadway shows going forward. …

“If shows leave happy about playing a beautifully restored, technically modern venue, it helps spread the word among agents and producers in New York. It helps us continue to get top-flight entertainment in Cedar Rapids.”

- By Diana Nollen

(Click the image for more info)

Pauly Shore (Facebook)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Pauly Shore will perform at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. June 6 at The Cedar Rapids Vault/Penguins Comedy Club.

At age 17, Shore began writing and performing his own material, creating the persona of “The Weizel.” His initial success on television led to a three movie deal with Disney, beginning with the box-office hit “Encino Man.”

He can be seen in the comedy special “Pauly Shore And Friends” this fall on Showtime.

For ticket prices and more information on the show, go here.

Mike Sneller, of Cedar Rapids, supports the mural while it is put together, just before the installation on 3rd Street SE, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sunday, April 29, 2012. The mural is just one of several that will be installed as part of the Murals and More Project in Cedar Rapids. The mural on 3rd Street will be revealed to the public on May 19, 2012. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

CEDAR RAPIDS — The city’s past will be present for the future when the first installment is unveiled Saturday for the new public art project, Murals & More: The Cedar Rapids Mural Trail.

Until then, the mural is under wraps along Third Street SE, between Second and Third avenues downtown. It’s mounted above the alley between the Armstrong building and Deb’s Deli, in a space project artist Bounnak Thammavong describes as “a big, empty canvas.”

The non-profit Murals & More group is dreaming big, with a three-phase, multiyear project intended to bring 27 murals and free-standing pieces to downtown Cedar Rapids, indoors and out, at a pace of about three per year.

“My vision was to make Cedar Rapids a cultural and artistic destination, and I think we can do that,” says Murals & More Executive Director Lynn Ocken, 63, of Cedar Rapids.

But first, she wants to put feet on the street and get people thinking about Cedar Rapids’ history and culture — past, present and future.

“If you’re interested in art, you’re going to get a great art piece. If you’re interested in the city, you’re going to get a learning component, as well,” Ocken says. “If you’re not interested in either of those, it does beautify the buildings, it does draw people to come and see it. That means tourism, that means frequenting the businesses, and with all the activities we’re talking about, there can be all kinds of activities.”

She and her volunteers are planning a gala celebration at 2 p.m. Saturday, with presentations, a scavenger hunt, music and a ceremonial dropping of the tarp to unveil the artwork.

The project also will include an annual Student Art Walk. Banners designed by area students in grades fifth through 12th will adorn lamp posts along Third Street SE from First to Fourth avenues, mid-May through August, to enhance the strolling art experience.

The inaugural mural contains six panels totaling 19 feet wide by 17 feet tall, painted with a marine-grade paint used on cruise ships and amusement parks, requiring just the occasional power-wash to maintain. Three-dimensional elements will project from the painted surface, jutting 3 feet above the wall on which it’s mounted.

“It will pop out at you like a pop-up book,” says Thammavong, 32, of Swisher, who created the piece with his business partner, Mike Sneller, 25, of Cedar Rapids.

The two have given multidimensional life to Ocken’s dream, born as she and her husband, Bob, strolled through Seward, Alaska, in August 2009, admiring the many murals painted on the sides of buildings.

She brought the idea home and started bouncing it off others involved with various arts, cultural, city and downtown organizations.

“Everybody said, ‘Oh that’s a great idea — go forth and do,’” Ocken says with a laugh.

The details

Pedestrians walk by the covered 3D mural on 3rd Street SE, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

Location: Downtown Cedar Rapids, along Third Street SE between Second and Third avenues SE; mounted on wall above the alley between Deb’s Deli and the Armstrong building

Dimensions: Six panels, totaling 19 feet wide by 17 feet tall, projecting 3 feet above the alley wall

Artists: Bounnak Thammavong of Swisher, with welding, collaboration and work space by Mike Sneller of Cedar Rapids

Budget: $20,000, funded through Berthel Fisher 2008 Flood Relief Non-Endowed Donor Advised Fund of The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, building owner Jon Dusek, Lynn and Bob Ocken; includes $15,000 artist’s fee, $5,000 for all other costs, with discounts and in-kind donations from area businesses

Scope: Phase 1: nine murals/artworks depicting Cedar Rapids from 1837 to 1920s; Phase 2: nine works depicting the city 1930s to present; Phase 3: nine works looking to the future

Ownership: Artwork becomes property of building owner to display and maintain, but Murals & More retains right of first refusal if the building is sold or the artwork needs to be moved

More than 91,000 votes were cast by more than 22,000 newly registered voters. Thank you to all who participated.

All first-place businesses are invited to the first-ever Winner’s Reception that will be held at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort later this month.

See all the winners here.

Arts & Entertainment

Best Art Gallery: Iowa Artisans Gallery

Best Casino: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort

Best Live Comedy: First Avenue Club

Best Museum: The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Best Theatre: Theatre Cedar Rapids

Best Theatre Group: Theatre Cedar Rapids

Beauty

Best Day: Spa Zender’s Salon and Spa

Best Hair Color: Salon Suites and Spa (MOD Salon Spa)

Best Hair Salon: Salon Suites and Spa (MOD Salon Spa)

Best Massage: Peaceful Nature Massage

Best Tanning: Sunkissed Tanning

Best Tattoo & Piercing: Neon Dragon Tattoo

Dining

Best Barbecue: BBQ This

Best Breakfast: Riley’s Cafe

Best Burger: Starlite Room

Best Chinese: Ting’s Red Lantern

Best Family Restaurant: Ox Yoke Inn

Best Italian: Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

Best Mediterranean: The Vernon Inn

Best Mexican: La Cantina Bar &Grill

Best New American: Zins

Best Pizza: Tomaso’s Pizza

Best Romantic Restaurant: Zins

Best Sandwich Shop: Her Soup Kitchen

Best Steakhouse: TJ’s Steakhouse

Best Sushi: Sushi House

Best Thai: Thai Moon

Best Traditional American: Zeppelins Bar & Grill

Fashion

Best Men’s Clothing: Irwin’s Clothing

Best Vintage Resale: Crazy Daisy

Best Women’s Boutique: Purse N ality of Marion

Health & Fitness

Best Bike Shop: Northtowne

Best Dance Studio: Moser School of Dance and Gymnastics

Best Gym: Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping

Best Sporting Goods: Scheels

Best Yoga Studio: Fusion Studio

Nightlife

Best Beer Selection: Third Base Sports Bar and Brewery

Best Bowling: Cedar Rapids Bowling Center

Best Live Music Venue: First Avenue Club

Best Neighborhood Bar: The Londoner

Best Pub: Irish Democrat

Best Sports Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings – NE

Best Trendy Bar: Capones Restaurant & Bar

Shopping

Best Antiques: The Cellar Door

Best Arts and Crafts: Hobby Lobby

Best Bookstore: Half Price Books

Best Children’s Gifts: Totally Toys and More

Best Florist: Pierson’s Flower Shop & Greenhouse

Best Furniture: Bills’ Bros. Furniture Store

Best Garden Center: Culver’s Garden Center & Greenhouse

Best Gift Shop: Be Inspired

Best Housewares: Bed Bath & Beyond

Best Musical Instruments: West Music

Best Pet Services: Frey Pet Hospital

Best Pet Supplies: Theisens

Specialty Food & Drink

Best Bakery: Kathy’s Pies

Best Candy Store: Corn-Fusion

Best Coffee Shop: Brewed Awakenings

Best Dessert Shop: Scratch Cupcakery

Best Gourmet Grocery: New Pioneer Food Co-op

Best Wine Shop: Fireside Winery

Weddings

Best Cakes: Tip Top Cakes

Best Caterer: Dostal Catering, Sutton Catering

Best Flowers: Pierson’s Flower Shop & Greenhouse

Best Invitations: SAO Dzynz, Inc

Best Limousine: Xquisite Limo

Best Music: Lonesome Road Band

Best Photographer: Kazoo Photography

Best Rings: Jewelry by Harold

Best Tuxedo: Prince Albert Tuxedos

Best Venue: First Avenue Club

Best Videographer: Hawk City Productions LLC

Best Wedding Dresses: Brides & Weddings

Best Wedding Planner: Spielman’s Event Services

Presented by the Cedar Valley Street Rods, the event is one of Iowa’s largest charity car shows and features hundreds of show cars, race cars and trucks.

This a family event includes auctions, food, music antiques and a craft show. The Cedar Rapids Spirits dance squad will perform at noon. Also, the Camp Courageous train will be on the track to entertain all ages. Proceeds from this event goes to Camp Courageous.

Admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Find more information here.