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Three Things To Do This Weekend

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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

People You Should Meet: Jill Wilkins

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Market Maven

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Jill Wilkins, 29, Tipton

Events Director @ Cedar Rapids Downtown District

You can pretty much find Jill Wilkins in downtown Cedar Rapids every weekend this summer. And not just because it’s the place to be. It is, in fact, her job to be there.

As events director for the Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Jill coordinates, organizes and manages all district events that take place throughout the year to help “bring people downtown and create vibrant experiences.”

It’s a job that requires her wear many hats. One moments she’s a traffic control engineer (directing farmer’s market vendor traffic to get the venue set up before sunrise), the next she’s holding down tents at events (thanks to the wind), or serving clean up duty (ewww!). And of course, it involves a lot of customer service (she answers bushels full of questions.)

“It’s not as glamorous as one might think,” she says.

Glamorous or not, Jill gets it done with a calm collected attitude and an enthusiasm for enlivening downtown and providing great community events.

0604_hoo_wilkins3Her busy season kicks off this Saturday at the first Downtown Farmer’s Market . Bright and early, too. Jill gets up at 3:30 a.m. on Farmer’s Market days and is downtown by 5 a.m. to start lining up vendors. When the market ends at noon she’s already put in a full days work.

This year, Jill promises, the market will be bigger and better than ever. For starters there are more than 160 vendors. That’s up from 50 when the Downtown Farmer’s Market started a few years ago.

You’ll find produce and flowers, of course. But you’ll also discover local wines, eggs and meat, baked goods, unique artisan gifts and jewelry. Toss in some local entertainment and kids activities and you’ll soon find that this is no ordinary farmer’s market.

“This definitely has the potential to be the best year,” Jill says. “I feel like the community is really looking forward to it.”

Jill is too, of course.

“I love to just walk around and look at all the products-the produce, baked goods and flowers. They inspire me to try new things,” she says.

Plus, Jill enjoys working with her volunteers and seeing all the people out and about. The Downtown Farmer’s Market has certainly turned into a place to see and be seen.

But, Jill is quick to remind you her job’s not all about fresh fruits and veggies.

RIVERenaissance, a series of flood anniversary events including Floodstock, is another major series of events under Jill’s direction. (Check out next week’s Hoopla for all the details.) And there’s the popular Drive In Movie Series this summer, plus a Restaurant Week event she’s currently planning for August.

And don’t think downtown events wrap up at summer’s end either. Jill pulls the Farmer’s Market together starting the first weekend of September and October. She’ll also be planning a pub crawl in the fall and spending lots of time gearing up for the Holiday Parade and the Fire & Ice Festival in December.

And so it seems, you can find Jill Wilkins in Downtown Cedar Rapids all year long. Just look for the curly haired gal armed with a walkie talkie and clipboard.

– KATIE

DID YOU KNOW
Both of Jill’s parents are artists, but she admits she can’t draw a thing. That is, except for a venue map.

WHAT SHE CAN DO FOR YOU
The events Jill plans in downtown Cedar Rapids can keep you busy all summer long. Check out the Downtown District’s new website- www.downtowncr.org-and sign up for their “e-blasts” so you don’t miss out on any of the fun.

Three Things to do this Memorial Day weekend

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Friday Night Concert Series and Uptown Friday Nights
Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22

Kick off your three-day weekend — and the start of a summer-long weekly event — by attending this year’s first Summer of the Arts Friday Night Concert Series on Thursday and Friday in Iowa City on the Ped Mall and Uptown Friday Nights Friday in downtown Cedar Rapids at Greene Square Park. In Iowa City, the Friday Night Concert Series starts Thursday with a special performance by the Iowa City High and West High jazz ensembles. It continues Friday night when Big Wooden Radio takes the stage. Check it out each Friday night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through August 28. In Cedar Rapids, perennial favorite The Swing Crew is on deck Friday at the Jaycees summertime staple, Uptown Friday Nights. Go back every Friday through the end of July from 5 to 8 p.m. Stay downtown afterward for specials from area bars and restaurants.

 

 

 

Friday Night Concert Series
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday (5/21) and Friday (5/22), Ped Mall, Iowa City, Free, www.summerofthearts.com

Uptown Friday Night
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday (5/22), Greene Square Park, Cedar Rapids, $5, Must be 21 or older to attend, www.uptownfridaynights.com

LIBERTY CENTRE BLUES & BBQ

Liberty Centre Blues and BBQ
Sunday, May 24

There’s nothing like a little barbecue and blues to get in the mood for summer. And there’s no time like Memorial Day weekend to kick off the season. The annual Liberty Centre Blues and BBQ in downtown North Liberty is a  family-friendly event with all-day live music, a variety of local food vendors, kids’ activities ranging from fishing to carnival games and a beverage garden for the 21 and over crowd. The regional entertainment includes the music stylings of Wise Fools and Bob Dorr and the Blue Band. So bring your lawn chairs, blankets, big appetites and friends down to the celebration. P.S. It’s free!

Liberty Centre Blues and BBQ
Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday (5/24), Liberty Centre, North Liberty, Free, www.northlibertyiowa.org/bluesandbbq/

Iowa Renaissance Festival

Iowa Renaissance Festival
Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25

The 18th annual Iowa Renaissance Festival and Gathering o’Celts returns to Middle Amana this weekend with three days of festivities. New and returning classic acts will bring the large living history campment fields and entertainment to life. There will be comedy, street performers (nearly 200 from Iowa, Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City), traditional horseback jousting tournaments, Highland Games demonstrations, a beer garden and wine tasting and the military history exhibits. The merchant’s includes artisans and products that can only be found at a Renaissance faire. The children’s realm will also have new surprises and games, along with story-tellers and faerie greeters.
Iowa Renaissance Festival
11 a.m. to 6p.m. Saturday (5/23), Sunday (5/24), Monday (5/25), Middle Amana Park, Amana, single day admission $10 for adults, $5 children ages 6 to 14, children under six free,$15 two-day pass, $18 three-day pass www.iowarenfest.com

 

Three things to do this wknd

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Alpin Hong
Wednesday through Friday, April 21 to 23

Anyone that can play Tetris and the piano simultaneously shouldn’t really need more of an introduction. But, turns out there is plenty more to say about pianist Alpin Hong. The Julliard trained musician won first place in the 2001 Concert Artist’s Guild competition and is a skateboarder, snowboarder and martial artist in his free time. His four-day residency at the University of Iowa includes two free performances – one at the Cedar Rapids Piano Lounge Wednesday and another at the UI Hospitals and Clinics Thursday. His time in Iowa culminates with a Friday concert, presented by Hancher Auditorium, and featuring music by J.S. Bach, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Brahms and George Gershwin.

Alpin Hong
8 p.m. Wednesday (4/21), Access to the Artists, Cedar Rapids Piano Lounge, 208 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Free.
Noon Thursday (4/22), John Colloton Atrium, UI Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Free.
7:30 p.m., Friday (4/23), Opstad Auditorium, Iowa City High School, Iowa City, $14 to $28, (319) 335-1160. www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

The Right Now
Friday, April 17

The time could be right now for The Right Now. Vocalist Stefanie Berecz may only be 23 years old, but she has achieved career peaks that performers twice her age never get to experience, like opening for Mary J. Blige and appearing on MTV’s hit series, “Making The Band.” Berecz’s voice, evoking Alicia Keys and Chaka Khan with a unique melodic sensibility of her own, places her at the forefront of new R&B vocalists alongside Keyshia Cole, John Legend and Corrine Bailey Rae. Joining forces with guitarist Brendan O’Connell to form the nucleus of The Right Now, their sound is both contemporary and classic.

The Right Now
9 p.m. Friday (4/17), with The Diplomats of Solid Sound, Iowa City Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City, $7, www.iowacityyachtclub.com

Vienna Teng
Saturday, April 18

Vienna Teng’s sophisticated, piano-driven chamber folk has everyone from NPR to David Letterman raving. Critics have announced her as the next Joni Mitchell or Tori Amos. Her Cedar Rapids show comes on the heel of an anticipated spring release, “Inland Empire.” Teng likens the collection on her new CD to a mix tape album with a lot of common themes but each song existing in a different world. Songs range from a gospel-tinged testimonial inspired by her Chinese grandmother to a cautiously hopeful shout-out to new President Obama, recorded in settings as varied as a church and a living room, with instrumentation ranging from foot stomps to vintage keyboards to full string orchestra.

Vienna Teng
8 p.m. Saturday (4/18), CSPS, 1103 Third St SE, Cedar Rapids, $17 – $20, www.legionarts.org

Three Other Things

Blue Island Tribe and 311
8 p.m. Saturday (4/18)
Fieldhouse, University of Iowa, Iowa City, $32, www.ticketmaster.com

Multimedia Mind-Melter 2.0 w/ Hunab, Insectoid and Dead Larry
8p.m. Monday (4/20)
The Industry, 211 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, www.theindustryic.com

Hawkeye Swing Festival
Various times Friday to Sunday (4/17-19)
Iowa Memorial Union, University of Iowa, Iowa City, www.hawkeyeswingfestival.com

Take Me Out to the Pub Crawl

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Swing into Spring Friday with the CR Downtown District’s Take Me Out to the Pub Crawl, starting at 5 p.m. at the Piano Lounge.

The Hoopla Crew will be there with plenty of Old Style fun. Crawl with us to Shaun Ryans, Volume and DCs Riverwalk. Drink beer. Play games. Grand prize includes Cubs tickets, a suite night at the Kernels and more!

$5 to participate (includes t-shirt & drink specials) and you must be 21 to participate. For more details and to RSVP check out the event page on Facebook

PS This night of mayhem is possible thanks to sponsors Fleck Sales, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Hoopla, and 100.7 the Fox.

See you there!
What: Take Me Out to the Pub Crawl
When: 5 p.m., Friday (4/17)
Where: Check in at Cedar Rapids Piano Lounge, 208 2nd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, then Shaun Ryan, Volume and DC’s River Walk.

Three things to do over Easter

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Feminists, Freaks and Fairies Opening Reception
Friday, April 10 Photographer Stef Shuster’s latest show, “Feminists, Freaks, and Fairies” is the culmination of seven years of work and will feature protests and portraits across the country, from DC to San Francisco. Stef is a graduate student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Iowa. She photographs to better understand the world and interactions between beings, to show images of underrepresented folk and to give a space for people – many of whom may not normally be thought of as beautiful – the chance to evoke beauty. The University of Iowa LGBT Resource Center will host an opening reception for the show, which will be on display through May 10.

Feminists, Freaks and Fairies Opening Reception
6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday (4/10); University of Iowa LGBT Resource Center, 125 Grand Ave Court, Iowa City; Free; http://imu.uiowa.edu/cultural-centers

Marco Benevento Trio
Sunday, April 12

Marco Benevento is an innovative keyboard player combining rock and jazz, improvisation and just plain weird sounds. Embraced by indie rock, post-jazz and jam-band fans alike, Marco deftly colors his sound with Mellotron, Speak-N-Spell, banjo, a vintage church pump organ and all sorts of circuit bent toys. Marco first earned a multitude of young fans and critical acclaim for his visionary electric keyboard work as one half of post-rock instrumentalists The Benevento/Russo Duo. The acoustic piano takes center stage on his first solo CD, ‘Invisible Baby,’ released last year. On his 2009 release, ‘Me Not Me,’ Marco serves up deliciously warped interpretations of songs by artists like Beck, My Morning Jacket, Leonard Cohen and Deerhoof. As on Invisible Baby, Benevento is joined by bassist Reed Mathis and drummers Matt Chamberlain and Andrew Barr.

Marco Benevento Trio
7 p.m. Sunday (4/12); CSPS, 1103 Third St SE, Cedar Rapids; $14 advance, $17 day of show; www.legionarts.org

Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival
Thursday through Saturday, April 9 to 11

Now in its seventh year, the Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival is an annual festival showcasing independent short (under 30 minutes) nonfiction film and video. The festival, which features documentaries from around the world on a variety of subjects from funny to serious to experimental, was founded with the mission of serving as a catalyst for positive change and fostering dialogue on a range of contemporary issues, both local and international. This year’s festival will screen more than 25 films and includes a kick off party at The Picador and closing party at Bo-James, both on Washington Street in downtown Iowa City.

Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival
5 p.m. Thursday and Friday (4/9, 10) and noon Saturday (4/11), Bijou Theatre, Iowa Memorial Union, University of Iowa, Free, www.idocs.net

Three Other Things

Lunafest: Women’s film festival
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (4/10, 11)
CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $10, www.legionarts.org

10,000 Eggstravaganza
2 to 4 p.m. Saturday (4/11), S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Seventh St., Coralville, Free, www.thebigegghunt.org

Junior Achievement: Taste of Spring
6 to 9 p.m. Friday (4/9)
Siebke Hoyt Jewelers, 4800 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 862-1100, www.JAEasternIowa.org

3 Things to do this weekend…

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The Refugees
Friday, April 3Since coming together in 2007, Deborah Holland, Wendy Waldman, and Cindy Bullens have been wowing audiences with their soaring harmonies, indelible musicianship and unforgettable stage presence. With 19 solo albums and multiple Grammy Award nominations among them plus connections that run from Animal Logic to Vanessa Williams to “Grease,” The Refugees are a true folk supergroup. Blending country, rock, folk and Americana, these three women have created an entirely new sound. Their debut CD, ‘Unbound’ was released this January and features the trio on guitars, dobro, bass, mandolin, harmonica, accordion and percussion. The song list includes a mix of innovative new cowrites and fresh arrangements of their previously recorded radio favorites, including “Save the Best for Last,” “Fishin’ in the Dark,” “Spy in the House of Love” and “Jellico Highway.”

The Refugees
8 p.m. Friday (4/3); CSPS, 1103 Third St SE, Cedar Rapids; $17 advance, $20 day of show, (319) 364-1580; www.legionarts.org

Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival
Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4

The ninth annual Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival will showcase the work of filmmakers, from across the state and around the country, all with strong connections to Iowa. Of the 70 films submitted, 31 were chosen. These films represent a wide variety of features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, animations and experimental films at student, pro-am and professional levels. Among them a documentary about the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a short about a 98-year-old woman getting her drivers license renewed. There’s also a full-length feature by Max Allan Collins that has already done well on the festival circuit starring Tom Sizemore (of “Saving Private Ryan” fame) about a hitman lured out of retirement by a big paycheck. The festival also includes seminars and a casting call for “Splatter,” a projects that will be filmed at locations around Iowa including several near Burlington.

Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival
6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday (4/3), 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday (4/4) and 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday (4/5); Collins Road Theatres, 1462 Twixt Town Rd., Marion; $10 each session or $35 all-event pass; Eddy Awards ceremony free with any other festival ticket purchase; www.crifm.org

Vh1 Save the Music artist, Andy Frasco
Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5

From the suburbs of West Los Angeles, Andy Frasco has performed with acts such as, Hellogoodbye, Berlin, Tyler Hilton, Butch Walker, Gavin Degraw and many others. The 21-year-old blues musician has vintage style one could easily imagine resonating off the tin walls of a phonograph. In 2007, Frasco moved to New York and independently produced, arranged, and distributed his debut full-length album “Growth & Progress.” He’s currently performing 50 benefit concerts in 60 days through 33 states for music education programs in the public school system through The VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring music programs in public schools and raising public awareness about the importance of music for our nation’s youth.

Vh1 Save the Music artist, Andy Frasco
8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (4/4 and 5); Cocktails & Co., 1625 Blairs Ferry Rd., Marion; $5 Saturday and FREE Sunday; www.myspace.com/andyfrasco or www.andyfrascorocks.com

Three Other Things

Spring Metro Gallery Tour
5 to 8 p.m. Friday (4/3)
Various Locations, Cedar Rapids and Marion, FREE, www.crma.org

Raising Medusa
7:30 p.m. Thursday (4/2, 9, 16), Friday (4/3,10, 17) and Saturday (4/4, 11, 18)
2 p.m. Sunday (4/5 and 19)
Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City, $24 with discounts available for seniors and youth, (319) 338-7672, www.riversidetheatre.org

Harmony Hawks Revolutions In Song
7:30 p.m. Friday (4/3) and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday (4/4)
Theatre Cedar Rapids Lindale, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, $17 for adults and $5 for kid, (319) 366-8591, www.theatrecr.org

Get Out: Explore your surroundings

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We’re all guilty of it. The only time you take a minute to enjoy the attractions and activities the community has to offer is when you have out-of-town guests. So here’s a few opportunities to see the area from a new resident’s perspective. Perhaps you’ll discover something new. Learn about area organizations focused on making this community the best if can be at the Corridor Welcome Reception on Monday. And go explore some of the places and people that make this area unique.

Get acquainted

Corridor Welcome Reception
Information: www.eihra.org

New community members and established residents who want to get reintroduced to the Corridor, should attend the The Corridor Welcome Reception. The free night of networking will be an opportunity for employers, cultural organizations and citizens to unite for a diverse, welcoming Corridor. Sponsoring organizations – Access Iowa, Diversity Focus, the Eastern Iowa Human Resources Association, the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, Professional and Technical Diversity Network, Cedar Rapids Downtown District and the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – will have information booths and the Professional and Technological Diversity Network will make a special announcement.

The event is Monday (4/6) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Complimentary appetizers, beer and wine will be served. An RSVP in encouraged to get an accurate count for food and drink. To RSVP, go to http://eihra.org

Get inspired

Abby Jones Art Gallery Opening
Information: www.myspace.com/abbyjonesart and at http://abbyjonesart.mosaicglobe.com

Abstract expressionist painter Abby Jones will showcase her latest works at a gallery opening at the Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts. Jones, who studied under artist Hugh Lifson, professor emeritus at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, also cites the paintings of fellow abstract expressionists Jackson Pollock and Steve Joy as influences on her style. Abby says: “I am fascinated with the basic scientific principle that energy is neither created nor destroyed. Energy changes form, from potential energy to kinetic energy and back. I explore the threshold of change – when potential energy becomes kinetic energy. That energy exists in the creative process of art making as well as life. Hear more from Abby at the opening.

The gallery opening is at the Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts, 1600 Fourth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, Saturday, April 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

Get moving

Tango Nuevo and Body Awareness
Information: Elie @ (319) 363-1818

Learn to Tango and move your body in one (or both) of two classes offered at CSPS in Cedar Rapids and the Wesley Center in Iowa City. The first, Tango Nuevo will introduce the concepts of the most recent and modern style of tango, Tango Nuevo. It’s traditional tango with a lot of improvisation and freedom of movement. This is a foundation class is suitable for dancers of all styles and levels including beginners. No partner necessary. The second class, Body Awareness, will teach a variety of Western and Eastern body awareness techniques and low impact exercises to achieve a proper body alignment, balance, flexibility and strength. All ages and abilities are welcome.

The classes are each six consecutive weeks. Cost is $42 or $30 for students. Tango Nuevo in Iowa City is Fridays (started March 27) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and in Cedar Rapids Sundays (started 3/29) from 2 to 3 p.m. Body Awareness in Iowa City is Fridays (started 3/27) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Cedar Rapids Sundays (started 3/29) from 1 to 2 p.m.

3 Things to do this weekend

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New Kids On The Block
Thursday, April 2 @ 7:30 p.m. and Monday, April 6 @ 7:30 p.m.

They’re no longer young enough to be considered new kids, but the fellas of New Kids On The Block (fondly called NKOTB by fans) are back on our block for the first time in nearly a decade and a half. These days, four of the five Kids have kids themselves. Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood are all grown up. And so are their fans. But that doesn’t mean they don’t still have the right stuff.

Seriously gratuitous references to past songs aside, NKOTB is trying to make a comeback and they know what their fans want. Classics like 1988s Hangin’ Tough and 1990s Step By Step. Those are the songs that inspired today’s 20- and 30-somethings to scribble “I heart Donnie” in their NKOTB Trapper Keepers. And the group promises to deliver. So tight roll those jeans and rock the side ponytail, tickets are still available.

New Kids On The Block
7:30 p.m. Thursday (4/2), i wireless Center, Moline, $28.50 to $65, www.iwirelesscenter.com
7:30 p.m. Monday (4/6), Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, $27.50 to $65, www.iowaeventscenter.com

Mission Creek Music Festival
Wednesday, April 1 to 5 @ Various venues, downtown Iowa City

Downtown Iowa City is about to be overrun with Mountain Goats, Fruit Bats, Bowerbirds and Liquid Swords. It’s not just another Saturday night on the Ped Mall. It’s part of the ambitious lineup for the fourth annual Mission Creek Festival, packing music, art and literary events into nearly every performance space, nook and cranny in the city over five days – six if you count the pre-festival party at the Mill at 9 p.m. Tuesday. The event’s biggest act hits the stage at the Englert Theatre at 8 p.m. Wednesday, when rapper GZA/Genius from the Wu-Tang Clan performs his seminal “Liquid Swords.”

Mission Creek Festival
Wednesday through Sunday (4/1 – 5), various Iowa City venues, cost varies by concert or $50 all-access festival pass, http://missionfreak.com/festival/

Paramount Theatre Reopening Benefit Concerts
Thursday, March 26 @ 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, April 15 @ 7:30 p.m.

Like many local performance groups, the Cedar Rapids Community Concert Association, lost a favorite performance venue when the Paramount Theatre was ravaged by the Floods of 2008. The group, which has been a part of Cedar Rapids since 1930, used to play five shows a season to packed houses at the Paramount. And they miss it. So, they’ve organized two concerts to raise money for the cause. One-hundred percent of the net balcony seating revenue will be donated to the Paramount reopening fund. The first concert will present Side Street Strutters, a Walt Disney World show band. This seven-piece ensemble pays tribute to the big band music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. The April concert will feature The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra’s greatest hits. The group includes a 16-piece orchestra under the direction of trombonist Bill Tole with vocalist Nancy Knorr of the Pied Pipers.

Paramount Theatre Reopening Benefit Concerts
7:30 p.m. Thursday (3/26) and Wednesday (4/15), US Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, balcony tickets $5 for student and $10 for adults, (319) 363-1888 or www.uscellularcenter.com

Three Other Things

Matthew Pearl, author, reads from latest novel, “The Last Dickens”
7 p.m. Thursday (3/26)
Prairie Lights, 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, FREE, streamed live at http://writinguniversity.uiowa.edu

Tom Jackson, photographer
1 p.m. Sunday (3/29)
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE, FREE, www.crma.org

Tangovia
7 p.m. Saturday (3/28)
Wesley Center, 120 N. Dubuque St., Iowa City, $5, www.tangovia.com

Get Out…and do something!

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We’ve got talent.Cedar Rapids may be nearly 2,000 miles from the theatrical meccas of Hollywood and New York, but there’s a lot of talent between the Rockies and the Mississippi right here in Eastern Iowa. Need proof? Head to Broadway Maybies, the annual fundraiser for the Young Parents Network, Friday or to CSPS Saturday and Sunday for performances by two area playwrights.

Broadway Maybies
@ First Assembly of God, Cedar Rapids
Information: (319) 364-8909 or www.youngparentsnetwork.org

Every year for nearly two decades, locals have gotten on stage and acted a fool all for a good cause. This year is no different. Young Parents Network will present the 19th annual Broadway Maybies talent show and fundraiser Friday (3/27). Tim Boyle and Scott Schulte will emcee the show featuring acts from area companies. Proceeds from the event will support the early childhood initiatives of Young Parents Network, an agency dedicated to the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and building successful families in Benton, Cedar, Dubuque, Iowa, Jones and Linn Counties. Buy raffle tickets for packages including gift certificates to local restaurants and sporting events in advance at www.youngparentsnetworkorg Tickets are $ each or 6 for $5. You do not need to present to win.

The annual show is at 7 p.m. Friday (3/27) at First Assembly of God, 3233 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets are $10 general admission and will be available at the door or in advance at Mercy Medical Center Gift Shop or St. Luke’s Gift Shop. e $10 for the show.

Local playwrights
A night of original theater @ CSPS, Cedar Rapids
Information: (319) 364-1580 or www.legionarts.org

Legion Arts presents two new works by Eastern Iowa playwrights: “My Father’s Imaginary Friend” by Monica Leo of West Liberty and the premiere of “Cedar Rapids Famous” by Joe Jennison of Cedar Rapids. Both plays offer a humorous view of prejudice and ask if we really are as open-minded as we claim to be. “My Father’s Imaginary Friend,” told through puppets, is the story of Leo’s parents and their immigration experiences. Leo is founder and lead puppeteer of Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, based at Owl Glass Puppetry Center in West Liberty. “Cedar Rapids Famous” is a one-act comedy set in and around Cedar Rapids in the summer of 2007, during the 22-and-a-half hours when same-sex marriage was briefly legal in Iowa. Jennison is executive director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100-plus arts and culture organizations in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.

See both plays Friday and Saturday (3/27 and 28) at 8 p.m. The plays are appropriate for audiences high-school aged and older. After the performances join the artists for an informal reception. Tickets are $13 in advance and $16 day of show. Student rush tickets priced at $5 go on sale one hour before the show.