Each year the European Union chooses an area (or two or three) to be an “European Capitol of Culture.” The selected areas receive funding to create an extensive year-long program of activities that can showcase the area’s history, current lifestyles and overall community culture.

Lucky for me, the Ruhrgebiet happens to be one of these selected places for 2010.

It seems like the list of activities I can attend never ends. There are thousands of activities going on, with art and music festivals, new museums built to showcase the mining history of the area, theatrical performances and diversity projects that help to represent and educate people about the many, many types of people that live here naming only a few.

Each day brings something new, and it’s wonderful. There’s excitement each day, and everyone is invited to participate.

The first activity I attended this week was seeing the Schachtzeichen project. Consisting of hundreds of large yellow balloons elevated into the sky above the old mining sights in the area, I was able to see a visual representation of how extensive the mining networks were by simply finding the “pin-points” on the living-map. It was great, because honestly I really didn’t have much of an idea about where all of the mines actually were in the past unless there was an obvious building left behind.

On Wednesday my activities moved away from learning about Ruhr history to enjoying a theatrical performance on what is my most-hated form of local transportation, the S1 train. Infamous for 25-30 minute delays or simply not showing up at all, I was lucky enough to find that the train was on time and I was able to enjoy a play created  by TU-Dortmund students. Acting out skits about everything from Shakespeare searching for inspiration to Alice in Wonderland and a scene from Murder on the Oriental Express, I really enjoyed the show. However, I must say the highlight of my evening was watching the expressions of uninformed passengers and train security officials as they tried to figure out what was going on.

Finally, Friday evening was dominated by attending the ceremonial opening of the “U” downtown in what was formerly the Union Brewery. One of the largest projects in the area, the old building has been converted into a center of creativity that will play an important role in offering new opportunities to residents of Dortmund (and the Ruhrgebiet) to explore new opportunities and think creatively.

I’m really enjoying taking advantage of these activities and I think that it would be really neat if we did something like this in Cedar Rapids, the state of Iowa, or even on a nation-wide level. Everyone gets involved and everyone enjoys the final outcome. It’s great to see people out of their homes and active in the community. It will be one of the things I miss most about living here.

Sean Kingston, a rising star in the world of hip-hop, pop and blues, performed to a sold-out crowd in the Regents Center at Luther College on Nov. 13. Rousheen Paisley, Luther College news writer, caught up with Kingston before his performance.

Q: Your tour locations before this were Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. After this it’s London. “Why Decorah? Why Luther?”

A: I mean, to be honest with you, I don’t have no problems with locations, like, wherever I gotta go for a show I gotta go for a show. I like coming to these places, it’s like, the smaller places because to be honest with you they appreciate it more and they have a lot of – you know they just wanna bug out and have a good time.

Q: How’s performing here different than playing for larger crowds?

A: I like small audiences I think they more get to me, you know what I’m saying. You get to build the vibe with you and your people. It’s like with all the fans out there, you get to really look them in the eye.

Q: Critics of hip-hop say that it is a music genre that glorifies lifestyles that are basically dead-end. What do you think about such criticisms of hip-hop?

A: I definitely feel like that is a way that it’s being done. I feel like hip-hop right now where it’s at is kinda crazy with all the violence and stuff and people promoting these different things.

But see, I’m not really a hip-hop artist I’m more of a pop artist you know what I’m saying. Reggae a little bit of R&B, that’s me. I like it (hip-hop) but I feel like I’m in a whole different genre, a whole different market so I’m not really too concerned.

But I feel like, to be honest with you,
I don’t really – not really – I don’t curse in my music. I don’t curse in my music because I feel like I got a lot of kids
out there that look up to me and I’m a role model.

Kingston’s new album “Tomorrow” is in stores now.

The Cedar Rapids Community Concert Association has announced the lineup for its 2009-2010 concert season of five live concerts offered at a total cost of $30 for a general admission season membership.  

This season’s performances include, Papa Duke on Friday, September 11, with a blending of traditional Slavic and gypsy music, with a touch of pop and jazz.  

On Tuesday, September 22, the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band punctuates its performance with wit, zany comedy and a wide variety of music from Bourbon Street to Broadway.

Five outstanding musicians who make up the Boston Brass perform on Sunday, November 15, to bring new levels of brass performance with exciting original classical arrangements and burning jazz. 

Mac Frampton’s piano style is based on classical technique that draws liberally from jazz and rock idioms.  He and his trio will perform on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

The season concludes on Saturday, April 24, 2010, with a performance by Riders in the Sky, the country’s premier western cowboy group, which presents the music of the old west’s legendary singers.  

Season general admission membership (includes all five concerts) is $30.  Cost will increase after June 30 to $35 for season membership.  Reserved section memberships are $45, $50 after June 30.  Family general admission memberships are $60, $70 after June 30.  All performances are at 7:30 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.

The membership also admits members to five additional live attractions at West High School in Waterloo or Gallagher Bluedorn at UNI in Cedar Falls during the Metro Community Concert Association’s 2009/2010 concert series. 

For more information visit www.crcommunityconcerts.org or call 319-540-2301.

Candlebox with special guests The Large Midgets and Inch 75

The Linn County Fair presents Candlebox in concert as their headlining musical act Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. at The Linn County Fair grandstands. This is an all ages show.

Candlebox released their self-titled debut in 1993 and sold more than 4 million copies; the album peaked at number seven on Billboard’s album charts. Their follow-up album, “Lucy”, went gold in 1996.

They are best known for the singles “Change,” “You,” “Far Behind” and “Simple Lessons.” “Far Behind” entered Billboard’s Top 20 in July of 1993, peaked at number 18, and didn’t drop off the charts until January of 1994. The videos for “Far Behind” and “You” were in seemingly perpetual rotation on MTV and became two of the most requested videos of 1993.

Tickets are available at all Farmers State Bank location in Cedar Rapids and Marion.  You can also purchase tickets at www.thelinncountyfair.com; prices are $17 in advance and $20 at the gate the day of the show.

The Talent: James Frey (lead vocals), Brandon Clark (bass/vocals), Kelly Powers (guitar), Garrett Theilking (saxophone/vocals), John Schminke (guitar/vocals) and Mike Schminke (drums)
The Sound: Reggae, rock and ska
The Gig: 8 p.m. Saturday (4/18) @ The UI Field House, Grand Avenue, Iowa City and 9 p.m. May 28 @ The Industry, 211 Iowa Ave., Iowa City
The Album: The 5 Hits of Ecstasy
The Rest of The Story: www.blueislandtribe.com or www.myspace.com/blueislandtribe

The first and last thing you’ll remember after seeing Blue Island Tribe is their unparalleled energy and intoxicating sound.

Think Sublime, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers and 311. But a vibe that’s all their own.

James Frey (lead vocals), Brandon Clark (bass/vocals), Kelly Powers (guitar), Garrett Theilking (saxophone/vocals), John Schminke (guitar/vocals) and Mike Schminke (drums) formed Blue Island Tribe in the early 2000s while attending the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Now the band lives all over the place including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Des Moines, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.

Since getting together in college, the band has released four albums, most recently “The 5 Hits of Ecstasy.” For the record, the inspiration behind the title of the latest album was not derived from drugs. It’s a nod to the group’s infectious sound.

“The 5 Hits of Ecstasy” was recorded during in the summer of 2008 immediately after the band returned from an overseas tour in Japan and South Korea.

Since then, Blue Island Tribe has been busy. This past March they played three showcases at South By Southwest, a music festival in Austin, Texas. In January, the band’s photos were published in “Billboard,” “Pollstar” and “Radio & Records” Magazines. They will tour all summer and plan to enter into the studio in the fall to record another album.

The common thread that unites Blue Island Tribe is their long-standing relationships with one another and their fans. They are as energetic and crazy onstage as they are off-stage. Hence their mantra, “You can’t argue with crazy.”

Over the years the band has developed a very “tight” live sound that is highlighted by their amazing musicianship. Blue Island Tribe often showcases their lead players: John Schminke, the baby-faced lead guitar player and Garrett Thielking, on the sax. The two trade solos building off each other and the rest of the band to create a soulful and vibrant sound that can only be created by musicians that are wholly in sync with one another.

For example, one of the songs on their latest album was partially written on the fly at a show in South Korea. The music to “March On” was composed before they left the country to tour overseas, but the lyrics hadn’t been written yet. Then lead singer James Frey decided to improvise the lyrics. The resulting chorus line reads, “March On, March On, This Is Our Movement. March On, March On, It’s Time To Represent. March On, March, On, You Can Feel It In Your Soul. March On, March On, As The Music Takes Control.” The lyrics immediately struck a chord with the rest of the band members and after watching a video tape of the show, wrote down the lyrics and developed them into what they are now.

Experience Blue Island Tribe for yourself Saturday when they open for 311 at the University of Iowa Fieldhouse.

- Shea

Shea Veatch is a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa City native, builds relationships for a living and loves nothing more than skiing slalom on glass at the Coralville Reservoir on a random Tuesday in the summer.

“This is your hobby right?’ Well, it was in middle school. Now it’s my living.”

Ryan Hoagland, 28, Cedar Rapids
Self-employed musician

Ryan Hoagland, aka Hoagy, beats the crap out of things for a living. Unlike many musicians in this area whose passion for their art can only be for fun, for Hoagy, the love of song is his day job and his life.

For more than 20 years, music has been like breathing for Hoagy. He attended Jefferson High School and Kirkwood Community College before finishing his bachelors in music at the University of Northern Iowa. His passion, however, started much earlier.

“I played guitar and piano from age 6 to 10 but decided to switch to percussion,” Hoagy says. “When I was a kid, my cool uncle Brad played drums in different bands around town as well as in the Hawkeye Marching Band. I don’t even know if I ever saw him play but I knew that he played so I gave it a try and fell in love with it.”

“I’m lucky that I had a great mom that let me practice as much as I wanted to. She bought a second drum set for my brother to play; his was upstairs, mine was downstairs and we would do battles back and forth. I would hear him playing something and I would try to play it faster with more flashy fills. He, in turn, would send back something even crazier. My mom used this time to go grocery shopping.”

Hoagy also sings but despite playing percussion in countless bands through his career, he has yet to demonstrate this ability outside of school. While he hopes to release an album of solo work, Hoagy currently has his hands full hitting the skins with Chubby, Funk-Stop and Junk-Funk; performing with Theatre Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band; teaching choreography to the strolling band at Adventureland in Des Moines and substituting every now and again for random bands needing a backup drummer.

“The subbing thing can be pretty scary, showing up and having to play a three-hour set with a band when you’ve only met maybe one or two of the members,” he says. “It can be frightening but it is always a great challenge.”

If all of this performing sounds hectic and overwhelming, consider that it actually takes the least amount of time compared to teaching. Hoagy teaches private drumming lessons at West Music in Marion as well as group lessons at Johnson Elementary School.

“It’s wonderful for me when I can help someone else struggling with something difficult, to get them to the point where they get it,” Hoagy says. “I love the look on a student’s face when they finally understand and play it right for the first time.”

Whether playing a trap set, marimbas, timpanis, bongos or paint buckets, it’s hard for him to turn down any opportunity to perform. But there are only so many hours in the day.

“There are many factors that go into my joining a band: talent, professionalism and dare I say it – money,” he says. “I often get, ‘This is your hobby right?’ Well, it was in middle school. Now it’s my living.”

- Justin

WHAT HE CAN DO FOR YOU: Whatever your musical tastes, he will entertain you. Plus he can show you how to do it.
DID YOU KNOW: Ryan is in three bands, plays for Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band and teaches. Whew!

Funk-Stop

The talent: Marcus Perkins (vocals), Kevin K.D. Sims (vocals), Steve Shanley (keyboards), John Hall (bass), John Reasoner (guitar), Ryan Hoagland (drums), Jeff Schafer (baritone sax), Bob Manson (trombone), Peter Hart (tenor sax), Jason Maiers (trumpet) and Steve King (trumpet).
The sound: Jazz fusion
The Gigs: April 3 @ 1st Ave Live!, April 17 @ Cocktails and Co. and April 25 @ Volume, all in Cedar Rapids
The Rest of the Story: www.funk-stop.com

What happens when you combine 11 musicians of varying ages, influences and backgrounds? In the case of Funk-Stop, you get a high impact, soulful sound that features powerful horns and rhythm.

Hailing from all over the country, including Washington D.C., and Chicago, all members found their way to Cedar Rapids and each other. From the ashes of Funk 101, Funk-Stop has a new drummer, but the same instruments and many of the same musicians. Many are music instructors with doctorates and masters degrees by day, as well as musicians who play for a living. They also welcomed back one of their original singers who spent several years fronting Mean Street and the Hell Horns.

“About a year ago, Steve Shanley, John Hall and I had lunch and talked about putting a kick-ass horn band together to do more Jazz/Fusion,” says guitarist Reasoner. “We are very lucky to be able to do this where we live. It has given us the opportunity to give back to the community by way of benefits and school (performances). Being able to do what you love and help others is what it is all about.”

Inspired by Tower of Power, James Brown and Earth, Wind and Fire, Funk-Stop currently performs covers but hopes to tackle original material soon.

“Our main goal is to keep playing together,” Reasoner says. “We don’t really care too much about the money. We are in it for the music.”

Drummer Ryan “Hoagy” Hoagland agrees.

“We have a blast playing on stage with each other, playing great music,” he says. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

- Justin

The Talent: Destery Hildenbrand (lead vocals), Jeff Kellerhals (guitar), Brett Allen (percussion, vocals), Jake Thein (guitar, vocals), Mark Horn (bass)
The Sound: Rock ‘n’ roll with a punk rock twist
The Gigs: April 10 @ Scooter’s, 10537 Shaw Rd., Anamosa; April 17 @ Volume, 329 2nd Ave., Cedar Rapids; April 24 @ 5th Gear, 4617 J St. SW, Cedar Rapids
The Rest of the Story: www.myspace.com/pretendrockstar1

Pretend Rockstar is not your average cover band. They have a set list that is less mainstream than most other area cover bands. And their show includes multiple warddrobe changes from 80’s-inspired tuxedo jackets to matching Pretend Rockstar work shirts.

“We try and punk up some of our selections to keep everything upbeat and moving,” says lead vocalist Destery Hildenbrand. “Nowhere else in town will you go to a show and hear The Beach Boys, Paula Abdul, Rod Stewart, Vanilla Ice and Sir Mix-A-Lot all in the same show. We pride ourselves on the ability to keep the crowd guessing.”

The band members also spince things up by going into the crowd while singing and playing. You never know when you’ll have the lead singer or a guitar player make an appearance at your table. There is consistent witty banter, and if you are a regular at the bar where the band is playing, you will even have the opportunity to pay homage to your hangout by singing along to the “Cheers” theme song.

Pretend Rockstar name has been an area band for around five years, but the current lineup has been together for about a year and a half. Various band members have played together in other bands since 1999, and many of them have worked or attended school together.

On any given night, you’re likely to hear band members reminisce together, whether it be about a humorous memory from a bar three of them once worked at or the time that Pretend Rockstar played a bar with a leaky roof and had to use umbrellas during their show.

Of all their shows, one stands out as the most memorable.

It was a June 2008 show at 3rd Street Live.

“We opened for East 18 the week before the floods and were able to be one of the last live acts to grace the 3rd Street stage,” Destery says. “There was always something about being on stage there. It was exciting. It gave us small-time acts a big-time feel.”

- Winter

Winter Packingham works with children during the week and spends her weekends enjoying the local music scene.

Wylde Nept

The talent: Jon Southwood, Brian Fahrner, Westan James, Wayne Twombley, Steven James and George Curtis Jr.

The sound: Celtic

The gigs: Don’t miss their St. Patrick’s Day show. Location TBA.

The album: “A Drop of the Creature,” “Live in 3D,” “Traditional Routes” and “All’s Fair”

The rest of the story: www.WyldeNept.com

It is very refreshing to come across something new and different that kind of wakes up your senses and gives you that kick to the eardrums you have been looking for. Wylde Nept delivers just that kind of sound. 

Wylde Nept was started when a few of the guys found each other during a camping trip at a Celtic music festival and have been playing ever since. Their music, primarily inspired by traditional folk, is lively, fun and sure get your face smiling and foot tapping.   

“I find the spirit of the songs and then link music to feelings,” says Westan James, Wylde Nept’s lead singer. 

Listening to Wylde Nept, you can have tear in the eye during one song and then swing a beer wildly around while singing with a crowd during the next.   

George Curtis Jr., the bands percussionist, says it’s their motto, “If it’s not fun, then were not going to do it,” that’s kept the band together so well.  

That’s clear during each and every one of their shows.   

Seemingly with out effort this band is able to take a crowded room of people from all different back grounds and ages and transport them all to a different place. The music starts and people seem to forget about their daily problems and issues and raise a glass with someone they may or may not even know and begin to sing along to an Irish tune.   

The band plays many traditional songs like, “Whiskey in the Jar,” “The Scotsman” and many more. They also have many original songs like “Bewitchin’ Brenda” and “The Gallows.”  

They have been called a folk band, rock band, and have even opened for Fog Hat once upon a time. But they don’t just perform the music, or try to re-create the songs how they may have originally been presented. Instead they capture the feeling behind the songs and do an incredible job at putting it to music and sucking in the audience.   

“Come see us. If you don’t like folk music you might change your mind,” says George. 

I can tell you for sure this isn’t like folk music you have heard before and being at a show brings it even further to life. Be ready to have fun, always keep your drink full at the ready, and when you hear the word “Sligo”, tip a glass with the rest of the crowd. 

— Micah

Homemade Headtrip
The Talent: Nassor Cooper (vocals/acoustic guitar), Matthew Maybanks (vocals/acoustic guitar), Jeremy Hay (vocals/acoustic guitar), Forrest Stowe (keyboards/saxophone/vocals), Adam Gill (bass) and Brian Cooper (drums)
The Sound: Genre jumping
The gigs: April 10 at Tailgator’s, 3969 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids
The rest of the story: www.myspace.com/homemadeheadtrip

Six years ago, members of the bands Greener and Bohemian Soul Tribe put their heads together to create a new band. The result? The genre-jumping Homemade Headtrip. Their music spans everything from funk to disco, Latin to progressive rock and might even touch on jazz before it’s all said and done.

Aside from the many styles of music that Homemade Headtrip blends together, their use of acoustic guitars instead of electric guitars sets them apart. Along with the band’s three acoustic guitar players, you will hear bass, drums, keyboards and even the saxophone.

The band has had a busy gig schedule for the last five years and is currently taking a bit of a break. They’re playing one show every couple of months for now while various members get settled into new roles on the home front, such as husband and father. The band hopes to find some time to record a follow-up CD to their first album, “Happy Street,” in the near future.

Love for the music has kept this group of guys together after so many years of playing in the same band, says vocalist and acoustic guitar player Matthew Maybanks.

“It’s not really a choice. We all love it so much, we could never not do it. We tend to do it best when we all do it together.”

And what’s not to love about being in a band that has fun traveling to places like St. Louis, Mo., and Colorado together? Homemade Headtrip has even shared the stage with big names such as Liquid Soul, Days of the New and The Guess Who.

So what is it you can expect at a Homemade Headtrip show? A unique blend of instruments. A mix of covers and originals if they play a full-length show, or mostly originals if other bands are also playing. And six guys who are in it because they truly love it.

– Winter