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Three things to do this weekend

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0514_hoo_slipknot

Slipknot
Thursday, May 14

Heavy metal takes over downtown Cedar Rapids Thursday night when Des Moines-natives Slipknot rolls into town for another attention-grabbing concert at the U.S. Cellular Center. The nine-member, mask-wearing, hard-metal-playing crew – including DJ Sid Wilson, drummer Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, percussionist Chris Fehn, Jim Root, sampler Craig “133″ Jones, percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, guitarist Mick Thomson and vocalist Corey Taylor – take the stage in Cedar Rapids as part of their “All Hope is Gone” World Tour (they head to Germany in just a few weeks). The group has been together since 1995 and, while each band member has worked on side projects (Taylor and Root also play with Stone Sour), they remain dedicated to their shock and rock shows. Jumpsuits and all.
Slipknot
7 p.m. Thursday (5/14) U.S. Cellular Center, 370 First Ave., Cedar Rapids, Tickets are $39.50 to $45, www.uscellularcenter.com or www.slipknot1.com

HOUBY DAYS

Houby Days and Taste of Czech & Slovak
Friday to Sunday, May 15 to 17

Head on down to Czech Village this weekend for Houby Days. Houby means “mushroom” in Czech, and the festival celebrates the tasty fungi. Security and safety concerns by the city due to last years flood have curtailed events, which will end by 9 p.m., but business can maintain their normal operating hours. Parking will be tight, but attendees are encouraged to park by the Riverside Roundhouse and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library or on the other side of the Cedar River. To kick off the weekend festivities, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Guild are holding a Taste of Czech & Slovak from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at St. Ludmila Catholic Church, 211 21st Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. The rest of the weekend includes a Egg and Houby Breakfast, a car show, a tractor expo, National Bohemian, Moravian, and Slovak Folk Dance Festival, a parade, the crowning of the 2009 Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Queen, carnival, musical entertainment and plenty of houby for all.

For a list of events, go here.

Houby Days and Taste of Czech & Slovak
Various times, Friday to Sunday (5/15-17), Czech Village, Cedar Rapids, www.czechheritagefoundation.org, www.ncsml.org or www.newbohemia.org

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Benz Beerfest
Saturday, May 16

Toast the start of summer at the 5th annual Benz Beerfest at Benz Beverage Depot. It The outdoor beer-tasting extravaganza features more than 75 delicious brews from all over the world, along with . Plus, they’ll have brewmasters on hand pouring their brews, live music and food. It’s an event so big they close down the street in front of the store. It’ll cost you $15 to get in, but you’ll not only get a souvenir tasting glass, you’ll be supporting the Cedar Rapids Downtown District (the organization the event benefits). We’ll drink to that! If you do go (which you should) come say hi to the Hoopla Crew!

Benz Beerfest
1 to 5 p.m., Saturday (05/16), Benz Beverage Depot, 501 Seventh Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, $15, RSVP at (319) 365-2556 or www.benzbeveragedepot.com

THREE OTHER THINGS

American Craft Beer Week
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday (5/16)
Millstream Brewing Co., 835 48th Avenue, Middle Amana, (319) 622-3672, www.millstreambrewing.com
2 to 5 p.m., Granite City, 4755 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 395-7500, www.gcfb.net

Martine Locke
7 p.m. Friday (5/15)
Hamburger Mary’s, 222 Glenbrook Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, $3 cover charge after 8 p.m., www.hamburgermaryscr.com

Joe Cocker
8 p.m. Saturday (5/16)
Mississippi Moon Bar at the Diamond Jo Casino, 301 Bell St., Dubuque, $45, (563) 690-4800, www.diamondjo.com

Celebrate American Craft Beer Week, 5.11 to 17

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Celebrate American Craft Beer Week! May 11 to 17 is  a national celebration highlighting the culture and contributions of craft beer. Events across the state are planned including brewery tours, new beer releases, special deals and more.

To coincide with American Craft Beer Week, the Iowa Brewers Guild will launch their Web site IowaBeer.org. The site will feature all the breweries in Iowa, as well as a blog, event calendar, beer education, and a forum to discuss everything about Iowa beer. The Iowa Brewer’s Guild will also a launch an Iowa Beer Facebook page and Twitter account.

American Craft Beer Week Events in Iowa

Granite City – Cedar Rapids, Clive, Davenport
All locations will give brewery tours on Saturday, May 16 from 2-5 p.m. and feature the new seasonal beer, Blueberry Ale. The Davenport location is offering free mug club memberships during the brewery tours.

Millstream Brewing Co. – Amana
Brewery tours will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 p.m.

Olde Main Brewing Co. – Ames
On Thursday, May 14 from 5-8 p.m. take a tour of the brewery, participate in the tapping of a firkin, taste more than 8 beers on tap, and take home a growler or six-pack.

Raccoon River Brewing Company – Des Moines
Tours will be given of the brew house on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 p.m. Also take advantage of $6 paddle racks to sample each of Raccoon River’s brews and try the chef’s special appetizers.

Rock Bottom – West Des Moines
An open house will be held on May 16 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Patrons can enjoy 13 different beers on tap and sign the Declaration of Beer Independence. All week there will be a toast to craft beer during each happy hour. Enjoy new beers Stand Up Ale (California Pale Ale) and Pink Ribbon Ale (proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Awareness).