The Taste of Downtown, returns from Aug. 7 to 14, with specials at restaurants and pubs located in downtown Cedar Rapids. Just ask for the Taste of Downtown special.

Find details on specials and participants at the Information Booth at the Downtown Farmers’ Market located on 4th Avenue and 3rd Street during the August 7 market, or just click here.

Here are the participating businesses and their specials:

Austin Blues
(All specials also include one medium drink)

M. – Rib Tips & French Fries

Tu. – Smothered Steak Sandwhich & French Fries

W. – Mexican Fiesta (Loaded Burrito, Loaded Nachos,

Walking Taco, or Taco Potato)

Th. – Hamburger or Cheeseburger & French Fries

F. – Fried Food Frenzy – Jumbo Popcorn Chicken Basket, Cheeseballs, & French Fries

Best Western Coopers Mills
(All specials also include coleslaw & one roll)

Evening Only Specials: $8.99

Su. – Shrimp Dinner & baked potato

M. – Meat Loaf w/ whipped potato

Tu. – Beef Burgandy over fettuccini noodles

W. – Stuffed Pork Loin with whipped potato

Th. – Fried Chicken with french fries

F. – Fish Fry, choice of potato coleslaw, roll all you can eat

Sa. – 8 oz. Choice Sirloin Steak & bake potato

Big Daddy Dogs

$1 off any 2 hot dogs, brats, phillys, or hot wings

Blue Strawberry
(All specials also include a free brownie)

Sa. – Signature Smoked Turkey Panini

Su. – Signature Smoked Turkey Panini

M. – Southwestern Chicken Wrap

Tu. – Southwestern Chicken Wrap

W. – Classic “Not Just For St. Pattys’ Day” Reuben

Th. – Classic “Not Just For St. Pattys’ Day” Reuben

F. – Grilled Chicken Avacado Panini

Sa. – Grilled Chicken Avacado Panini

Coopacabana

Miller High Life Week – $1.75 – Bottles All Day

Other Bottle Beer – $2.00

Happy Hour – 3pm – 7pm

Bomb Specials – All Week

Deb’s Ice Cream & Deli
(All specials also include House Chips & Fountain Drink)

Signature Sandwiches – $5.00

1. The “Downtowner” – Made w/ Ham

& your choice of cheese paninied on your choice of bread

2. The “Uptowner” – Made w/ Turkey, sliced Granny Smith apples, Apple Jack cheese

& Homemade Apple butter on your choice of bread

3. The “Crosstowner” – Made w/ Smoked Turkey and our homemade Golden Sauce along with

Havarti cheese on a golden Croissant.

Dublin City Pub

Sa. – Guinness Pints – $3.00

M. – 1/2 club + soup or salad – $6.99

Tu. – Taco Salad, Chix or Beef – $4.99

W. – $2.00 Drafts/$6.00 2 Topping 9′ Pizza

Th. – Buffalo Chix Rollup – $6.99

F. – Fish & Chips Basket – $6.99

Emil’s Deli
(all specials also include one drink and two sides)

M. – Ham & Turkey Wrap – $5.50

Tu. – Lasagna – $5.50

W. – Chicken Cordon Bleu – $5.50

Th. – Philly Steak – $5.50

F. – Gyros – $5.50

Little King Deli
(all specials also include Chips & 20 oz. fountain drink)

Cuban Sub – $6.99

Chicken Pesto Ciabatta – $6.99

Philly Steak – $6.99

Made Rite West

Brats – $1.49

Chili Dogs – $1.39

Mr. Beans

“2 After 2″ – 2 Tall Latte’s for the price of 1 from 2pm – 4pm

Red’s Public House

“Big Hot Dog Platter w/ a Big Beer”

Homemade 20 inch Hot Dog Bun

Topped with hot dogs and your choice of spicy chili, cheese sauce, tomato, kraut, pickles, onion.

Also includes French Fries & 24 oz. Beer. Served from 5pm until 9pm.

Normall Price: $12.25 & Special Price: $6.00.

Shawn Ryan’s Irish Pub

2 for 1 Drinks from 10am – 1pm

Sub King Deli
(All Specials also include one Regular Drink)

M. – Jumbo Tenderloin with Fries – $6.50

Tu. – Taco Salad – $5.99

W. – Cindy’s Choice of Sandwhich with Chips – $5.99

Th. – Bacon Swiss Chicken Filet with Fries – $6.75

F. – Pizza Day – 2 Slices of Pizza – $5.00

Teeghan’s Ice Bar

Domestic Bottles of Beer – $1.75 & Well Drinks – $2.50

The Coffee Emporium
(All specials also include chips & drink)

M. – Wrap – $6.50

Tu. – Pita – $6.50

W. – Panini – $7.00

Th. – Wrap – $6.50

F. – Deli Sandwhich – $5.00

The Flying Wienie

All Day Specials (All include Fries & Drink)

D.P. (2 dogs) – $8.25

1/2 Beef – $5.95

Gyros – $7.95

After 5pm

Buy 1 Gyro & get 2nd 1/2 price

Ribs Sampler – $5.95

Ribs Dinner – $10.95

Ribs Rack – $19.95

The Prairie Soup Company

M. – Grilled Cheese Sandwhich & Creamy Tomato Basil Soup – $6.50

Tu. – Smokey Chicken Quesadillas – $5.00

W. – B.L.T. Wraps – $4.50

Th. – Sub, Chips & Drink – $6.00

F. – Tuna Melt Panini – $6.50 whole/$3.50 half

Toocans

Half Price Jumbo Drink Bones – Everyday from 4:30pm – 10:00pm

M. – $5.00 Bottomless Beer Cup (Starts at 9pm)

Tu. 2 for 1 Drinks (All night)

W. – $2 Cherry Bombs, Bottles, & Wells

Th. – Free Mixed Drinks (Starts at 9pm)

F. & Sa. – No Cover, Half Price Jumbo Drink Bones, & 2 for 1 on entire drink menu. (4:30pm – 10:00pm)

Zins

Sa. – Farmers’ Market Prix Fixe – Four Course Special Menu -

Each item will feature at least one item purchased that morning at the Downtown Farmers’ Market.

Each course will have three choices for a total of 12 items. – $20.10/person

Su. – 2 Brunches for $20.10

Tu. – $2.01 Grain Belt – Zins is Iowa’s Grain Belt Headquarters

W. – Smoked Prime Rib Dinner & one glass of Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon – $20.10

Th. – Bring Your 2 Best Buddies to Lunch Day – 3 Lunches for $20.10

F. – $20.10 Bottles of wine (anything normally priced less than $40.00

Sa. – A Great Start or a Great Finish

2 Nibbles & 2 Signature Cocktails – $20.10

or

4 Chocolate Desserts & 4 Tastes of Essencia

(Chocolate Bread Pudding & 2 Other Special Chocolate Desserts) – $20.10

*tax is not included in the price of items shown above*

…and say goodbye to Germany.

It seems insane to me that I only have ten days left in the country. School is coming to a close and slowly all of the friends I have made here are sneaking away back to their hometowns. It’s crazy: this experience took 1.5 years to plan, and it seems like it only took a blink of the eyes to pass by.

Well most of the time, anyway.

Of course there were the weeks that seemed to be endless as I struggled to adjust to living in a new culture, and adjusting to new ways of life. Obviously being without my friends and family has taken a toll on me at times, but overall the pros far outweigh the cons.

This experience hasn’t just been a way for me to break out of the “daily grind” as I had first thought it would be. It’s been so much more. My eyes have been opened to a world that I had only seen in photographs, and I’ve learned so much about not only the lives of people I’ve met during my travels, but myself too.

Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would have the guts to do the things I have done over the past five months as I have logged over 15,000 miles in the air and by train and stepped foot in nine different countries.

I’ve felt the cool breeze of the North Sea, walked the Baltic’s longest pier and swam in the crystal clear Adriatic. I’ve stood in the shadows of the Alps and Carpathian mountains, been to huge cities, small towns and everything in between. It’s never failed to amaze me how diverse this continent and its people are.

Although I am a bit sad that my study abroad experience has to come to a close, I am so excited to get back to Iowa. Dortmund has served as a wonderful home over the past months, but in my heart I now know that Iowa is where I belong.

My adventure has been great, but I’m ready to enjoy being back in Cedar Rapids with the people I care about. I still have two trips left before I head home, though. Don’t forget to stop back for updates from Prague, Czech Republic and Edinburgh, Scotland!

The tab: $10

The verdit: Cheap food, comfortable atmosphere

Located on Sixth Street tucked between a couples small building is BULICEK’S. This is what I would call your “neighborhood get together” place. Everyone inside is incredibly friendly, it is so comfortable and relaxed. Even on the wall is a TV screen that projects pictures of the “regulars” at the bar having a good time… you can look at it and feel like it is okay to people watch (lets face it, we are all guilty of it).

I was amazed to find the numerous different types of appetizers, all priced at $5.00 each. They range from your typical cheese balls, mozzarella sticks and wings, to cauliflower, green beans, dill pickles, Mac and cheese bites … even adding a few “randoms” like mini tacos and eggrolls – just to name a few.

Bulicek’s also has bagel sandwiches, burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches… typical bar food. Everything is reasonably priced and you can get a sandwich ranging from around $4 to $6, adding fries for only $1.50. They also make daily specials like Philly sandwiches, or boasted chicken. After asking a couple “regulars,” for recommendations, I was told that the pizza and tenderloins are the best. I could not decide and only knew I wanted to try a little bit of everything! … So a plus in going with company is that I persuaded them into all ordering something different and we all shared. We ordered quite the variety to satisfy our cravings including a Chicken Alfredo Pizza ($10), fried green beans, mini tacos, naked chicken wings and fries. I might also add that drinks were reasonably priced too and I could order a beer without breaking the “Fill Her Up” budget.

I enjoyed the atmosphere at Bulicek’s. It’s new, but still has its own character. At one point on this Thursday night, one group there was having a “good time,” non-stop laughing and for such a small place, I could see its potential to have a really fun time. It is a nice bar… essentially laid back and a place where everyone knows your name

With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, one must enter the harsh world of celebrating fully prepared. You can try and sustain yourself on margaritas and tequila shots alone when celebrating Cinco de Mayo, but it might make for a very short night. Never fear! We’re here to give you the ultimate guacamole guide.

Guacamole is no second-rate condiment. It’s hearty and lively and when you hit the right one, the avocado-based treat can make for a meal in and of itself. Hoopla fans suggested their faves and we tried them out.

I’ve scoured the area and eaten literally thousands of chips to present you with a comprehensive guide to the top five picks in the Corridor. Many thanks to die-hard Hoopla fans for sharing their faves.

The ratings of the selections are based on three highly unscientific criteria: flavor, freshness and texture.

— Andrea

Hacienda Las Glorias

Hacienda has been a local favorite for seemingly centuries, judging by the worn, curious Aspen lodge-like interior of the Center Point location.

Unfortunately, this was my least favorite guac. Overall, it was way too spicy, too smooth, and despite the overwhelming heat, there just wasn’t much flavor. I was looking for any sign of life other than avocado and there wasn’t a single chopped tomato in sight. Good chips, and the salsa was yummy, but just not a guacamole winner for me.

• Flavor: 2.5
• Freshness: 3
• Texture: 2
• 2.5 out of 5 chips
• Details: 4317 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 294-0082

El Super Burrito

This had been my first venture into this little burrito oasis tucked inconspicuously back on the corner of Johnson Avenue and Edgewood Road. Everything about the low ceilings, caged Mexican pastries and no-nonsense décor tell you you’re in here for the food, not the ambiance.

And I’m happy to say, the guacamole is a true winner. In fact, it rated the highest on my chart and comes out as my hands-down favorite. The texture was chunky with cilantro, tomato and onion.

The flavor was bright and clean with enough lime for a kick, and you could tell it was made fresh that day by someone who knows what they’re doing. As I tenderly scooped the last bit onto my nachos, I vowed to come back for more.

• Flavor: 4
• Freshness: 4
• Texture: 4
• 4 out of 5 chips
• Details: 3300 Johnson Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, (319) 366-1181

La Reyna

Rated the 2010 Best Ethnic Food restaurant in Iowa by The Iowa Source magazine, I was super pumped to try out La Reyna.

La Reyna is authentic Mexican in every sense of the word and is carefully watched and tended by Carmen and Carlos Legaspi.

While I can say my lunch was probably the best authentic Mexican meal I’ve had in Iowa, the guac didn’t blow me away. There were plenty of fresh chunks of tomato and cilantro, but the avocado was a bit overly mashed creating for a slightly pasty consistency and there just wasn’t much brightness to the flavor.

I recommend La Reyna a thousand times over for their enchiladas and tacos, but the guac alone isn’t enough to keep me coming back.

• Flavor: 3
• Freshness: 4
• Texture: 3.5
• 3.5 out of 5 chips
• Details: 1937 Keokuk St., Iowa City, (319) 358-8182

Mondo’s Saloon

Mondo’s Saloon won as my second favorite guacamole. Because the restaurant is a little more upscale restaurant (to say the least), the guacamole boundaries are pushed a little farther and takes a few more risks. While I love El Super for their success at the no-nonsense approach, I really liked Mondo’s Saloon for going the extra mile with their guac.

If you love avocado, then the huge pieces of it in the guac will blow your mind. There’s also another level of flavor with the addition of what I could discern as is either fire-roasted tomatoes or salsa. The guac had a reddish tinge to it and had many levels of flavor. Mondo’s Saloon also wins in the kick-back-and-party category for their prime downtown Iowa City location and fun atmosphere.

• Flavor: 4
• Freshness: 4
• Texture: 4
• 4 out of 5 chips
• Details: 112 East College St., Iowa City, (319) 354-3837

Panchero’s Mexican Grill

As I rule, I avoid reviewing large chain restaurants. They’ve clearly made successes of themselves and don’t need me to toot their horns for them.

For this article though, I’ve made an exception. The burritos and quesadillas are damned good, and the very first Panchero’s opened in Iowa City. Every time I go I get a side of guacamole.

There’s plenty of flavor with enough lime, but after having some really amazing guac I have to say that Panchero’s is good, but not amazing. It’s a little on the overly smooshed side. But with Panchero’s you can’t miss and the guacamole won’t steer you wrong.

• Flavor: 4
• Freshness: 3
• Texture: 3
• 3 out of 5 chips
• Details: Multiple Locations, www.pancheros.com

Girl Talk and Wale

SCOPE Productions is bringing a little bit of hip hop — OK, a lot of hip hop — to the University of Iowa Memorial Union on Tuesday night. Chart topping artists Girl Talk (otherwise known as Gregg Gillis) and Wale (pronounced Wall-A) roll into town bringing their East Coast sounds for one exciting night of music. Girl Talk is notorious for putting on a live show with a true party vibe. And Wale is, of course, the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for the Capital.” With a combination like that, this is one show you don’t want to miss.

8 p.m. Tuesday (05/04), Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge, Iowa City, $26.50 to $31.50, www.scopeproductions.org

Chalk the Walk

Artists in Mount Vernon will put your childhood sidewalk sketches to shame during the annual Chalk the Walk festival. Two hundred artists will turn First Avenue into an amazing masterpiece with the help of nearly a ton of chalk. There will be an Italian Renaissance reproduction, a scene from the Wizard of Oz (that you can help create) and much more during Iowa’s largest Madonnari Festival.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday (05/01) and Sunday (05/02), First Avenue, Mount Vernon, Free, (319) 895-9513, www.visitmvl.com

Maifest

Help usher in spring this weekend at the Amana Colonies’ Maifest. A whole host of activities take place all weekend, like the Middle Mountain Madness off-road 5K (for bikers and runners), the Taste of Amana Colonies European food fair and the Spring Dance in the Festhalle Barn featuring ‘50s and ‘60s music by Coupe DeVille. There also will be maypole dancing.

All day, Friday to Sunday (4/30 to 5/01), Amana Colonies, Free although some activities require admission, www.festivalsinamana.com

Three Other Things:

Taste of Jazz Under the Stars
5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday (4/30)
Class Act @ Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, $45, (319) 398-5446, www.kcck.org

The Sky’s The Limit: Marvin Cone’s Clouds
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (5/1)
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, $5, (319) 366-7503, www.crma.org

Strings Attached
7 p.m. Saturday (5/1)
Orchestra Iowa Chamber Players @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1285 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, $15, (319) 366-8203, www.orchestraiowa.org

The Place: Bushwood, 350 Edgewood Rd. NW

The Bill: $6.95, plus tax and a drink

The Verdict: Definitely full. Wouldn’t necessarily go back for the wings.

I attempted Bushwood’s Wing Night for the “Fill Her Up“ challenge. And I filled my plate up, more than once. By the end of the night, I did not know what would have been a more entertaining picture- my pile of bones or pile of napkins … I saved myself the embarrassment and did everyone a favor of not letting you see either!

I had heard about Bushwood’s Wing Night and definitely wanted to give it a try. While I knew what I wanted before going, I was sure to ask the server of any other suggestions that could fit a $10.00 budget at the bar… direct quote, “You cannot get any two things here for under $10.00 (meaning the wings and a side)” … good to know! I went during happy hour which lasts from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday (and all day Sunday), but the server failed to give me the, “Happy Hour,” deal on my drink and overcharged my drink – which pushed my bill a bit more over the budget.

Every Monday and Thursday’s Bushwood’s has “All-you-can-eat wing special” all night long. This would be a situation where I would say it is “Quantity over quality”… pretty much what you can expect. $6.95 includes just the wings and no sides. So, if you strictly want just protein, that is fine to stick with just wings, but to add a side of fries at $4.00 would put you over a $10.00 budget. They offer two different flavors of Honey BBQ or Buffalo Sauce. I was a little nervous because they are “Served buffet style,” and I am always a little “eerie” of potential germs! Luckily, I was able to get a seat right by the wings table so I could watch what was going on. Because they are served as a buffet, be sure to get the wings from the bottom of the tray because the wings on top were not exactly warm. I will say that the wings were always available and plentiful but I would like to see more to their “buffet.” It would be better if they served celery or carrot sticks with the wings, or even put blue cheese or ranch at the table.

I’m not sure I will go to Bushwood’s specifically for the wing night, but they have other items on the menu that sound good like the BW Combo, CJ’s Favorite, the Cheeseburger Wrap or the Lasagna Roll-ups! If you can break the “Fill-her-up” budget… for $11.75 the, “Bushy’s BW Burger” sounds like a good challenge, 2 half-pound burgers, 4 cheeses, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mushrooms, bacon and onion strings all piled with a steak knife holding the compound together! Overall, it was a fun, casual, atmosphere and numerous television’s were great to watch March Madness. Everyone there seemed to be having a good time and how could you not leave filled up after an “All-You-Can-Eat” deal?

Shawn Price, 35, Marion

Owner/chef @ Braise

Have you always wanted to cook?
I majored in anthropology. So no, it wasn’t a path I’ve always had. I started cooking in college and found I really enjoyed it. I started working part time in restaurants then headed east to attend a culinary school. After a few years in New York I came back here, worked as a chef and decided to apply what I have learned to my own business, which opened in January 2010.

So what’s your perception of coastal versus Midwest living?
This is a great place for kids. In terms of the business, I miss the accessibility of certain ingredients, but the ability to network and build clientele is a huge benefit.

You talk about the value of local and sustainable foods. How do you practice what you preach?
Buying local has become a trendy thing to do, but it’s going to be a necessity long after the trend fades. Connections I’ve made with local farmers and meat producers is going to makes a huge impact on the freshness of products. Local can be costly but worth it.

What’s your culinary style?
I like to throw in global influence to amplify comfort foods. The Braise menu reflects traditional tastes but with unique additions to turn it up a notch. I have been baking my own bread too.

What has it been like to run your own business?
I have been pleasantly surprised with how supportive people have been. An unexpected challenge is the business side. I’ve always been in the kitchen, so it’s been a learning process.

Where do you and your family go out to eat?
Lincoln Cafe, Zoey’s Pizza, Villa’s Patio and Siamville.

What advice you would give to someone starting their own business?
Ask a lot of questions and seek advice from a couple sources before you spend your money. The more information you have, the better.

— QUINN

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.

Brewed Awakenings, the First Avenue coffee shop that serves as a second home to many Coe College students, says it could be forced to close unless business improves.

Owner Heather Younker acknowledged Friday that the business is in a fight for survival. She said its painful to admit, but she’d rather customers knew upfront that the business needs their support than to have them long-faced if the business closes unexpectedly.

“It’s hard to admit that Brewed is going through a hard time,” she wrote in a e-mail. “But in the wake of the downtown restaurant blend closing, we didn’t want Brewed to be another casualty.”

Younker blamed the business’ problems on the continued reduction in downtown traffic caused by the June 2008 flood, and by the recession. Brewed Awakenings, 1271 First Ave. SE, was not directly affected by the flood, so Younker said she can understand how much worse business conditions must be for businesses affected directly.

Younker set up a Facebook page, “Save Uptown College District & Downtown Businesses,” to share the message of struggling businesses.

One other way people can help, Younker said, is to join the 3/50 Project. The nationwide project aims to help independent local businesses. It encourages people to pick three small local businesses each month and spend $50 total.”

Information on the project is available at www.the350project.net

Here’s the e-mail Heather started circulating early Friday:

Dear Friends of Brewed Awakenings Coffeehouse:

I write this on behalf of many small, locally owned family businesses like Brewed Awakenings who are in the midst of a deep struggle for survival. We have been serving our wonderful customers for over 6 years now but we don’t know how much longer we will still be able to do so. The affects of the flood to downtown traffic and the recession have finally caught up to us.

It’s hard to admit that Brewed is going through a hard time. But in the wake of the downtown restaurant blend closing, we didn’t want Brewed to be another casualty. We were not a flooded business but we are feeling the affects of the flood. If we are having this struggle, I can’t even imagine how much harder it is for others downtown.

We heard many people comment that if blend had just appealed to the people of Cedar Rapids, maybe they could have stayed open. Thus, we don’t want to wonder what might have been for us, so we humbly appeal to the amazing people of Cedar Rapids. If we just had 30 more customers daily, we could begin to recover from the events that have slowly been eating away at our bottom line. Please consider adding a stop at Brewed (and other small businesses in the Uptown College District & Downtown) to your weekly routine.

How else can you help? Join in a movement to help save our local small businesses. Learn more about The 3/50 Project (www.the350project.net) which encourages people to pick 3 local small businesses each month and spend $50 total. What local businesses would you miss if they were no longer there? Make it a goal to spend money there this month.

Also, I have started a Facebook page called “Save Uptown College District & Downtown Businesses.” Become a Fan & share what local businesses you’ve been to recently. Let’s talk up our amazing local businesses & get them more foot traffic. It’s really up to us to save our local businesses. They cannot survive without our support

And, will you take time to forward this email to anyone you know? I would love your help in getting the word out.

Thanks for your care and support for small business.

Iowa City troubadour Ben Schmidt has captured the flavor of love and loss, floods and keepsakes and hummingbirds in “Silt.”

This eclectic collection is fueled by Schmidt’s strong poetic voice and stellar guitar playing, which runs the gamut from rootsy fingerpicking to a Spanish flair on “Virgin.”

The title track showcases Schmidt’s fine, low gravely vocals and nice guitar work with a hook that stays with you long after the song is through: “At the end of the day we are silt and sediment / a dirt line to remind us where we’ve been. … I long to be gone with the water.”

“Cigar Box” turns the mood to a lighter shade with a country flavor and a plucky tempo as he sings of a woman who keeps all her treasures in a see-gar box. You just have to smile.

The tone turns somber again with “Neglect,” an especially poetic song hammering home lyrics about storms in the Heartland. “Ruby Slippers” slips into the wonders of Oz as the music continues drawing rich and vibrant character studies. “Tripwire” tells the most interesting story layered over innovative rhythms, followed by “One Piece Pajamas,” an in-your-face, coming-of-age look at the results of careless, carefree sex. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad and true. “Raccoon Girl” paints such a vivid picture you feel you know this mysterious woman intimately.

“No Explanation” kicks the tempo up a few notches as it skitters over love’s muddy track before “Rain” falls peacefully to bring the journey full circle.

Schmidt’s voice is a powerful, lovely talent in the rich tapestry of Eastern Iowa artists. Hear him Saturday night at CSPS in Cedar Rapids.

– By Diana Nollen

FAST TAKE

Title: “Silt”

Artist: Ben Schmidt

Label: Self-released

Performance: CD release party, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Tickets: $11 in advance at www.iowatix.com or $15 at the door

Information: www.legionarts.org/music/Schmidt.htm