DJs Take Over the Piano Lounge
Thursday, November 26 @ 9 p.m.
After you’ve gobbled up all the turkey you can eat, dance the night away to the unique sounds of DJs Kevin Bassett, Matt Rissi and Mike ‘All Night’ Long. These featured artists have been part of the dance music culture locally, nationally and even globally for over a decade and are bringing their magical technique behind the turntables to downtown Cedar Rapids to electrify the audience and the pack the dance floor Thanksgiving night. Trust us, this is one dance party you’ll be thankful for!
DJ Night
9 p.m., Thursday (11/26), Piano Lounge, 208 2nd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, regular cover charge, 319.363.0606, www.thepianolounge.com
Cedar Ridge Winery Grand Opening
Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 @ 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 29 @ 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The gang at Cedar Ridge Winery has put down their hammers and are raising a glass this weekend to help celebrate the grand opening of their newly constructed winery and distillery. The 7,050 square foot facility (that also includes a 2,500 square foot veranda) will be officially open to the public just in time for the holidays. The new location is where Cedar Ridge Wines and Sprits as well as Clearheart Spirits will be produced, but they also plan to host tastings, work on new products and provide the corridor with a new location for destination tourism and event rentals. So stop out this weekend to be part of the celebration. They’ll be appetizers, music on the baby grand piano, tours of the facility, and samples of their fine locally produced wines of course. We’ll drink to that!
Cedar Ridge Winery Grand Opening
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (11/27 and 11/28) and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (11/29), Cedar Ridge Winery, 1441 Marak Road (right along Highway 965), Swisher, Free, 319.362.2778, www.crwine.com
Johnson County Festival of Trees Opening Gala and Winter Ball
Saturday, November 28 @ 6 to 10 p.m.
City Circle Acting Company of Coralville is teaming up with the Coralville Marriott and Convention Center to fill the air with a little holiday spirit and a new holiday tradition in Coralville: The Johnson County Festival of Trees. And they are kicking the event off with a winter ball on Saturday night. Not only will you enjoy the sights of dozens of artistically decorated trees and wreaths donated from local business, organizations and individuals (that you can bid on and take home), but you’ll also entertained by music from the Rod Peirson’s Big Band featuring Craig Boche and performances from the Nolte Academy of Dance and the National Dance Academy. Plus, delightful appetizers and desserts are in store from from the Coralville Marriott Hotel, Vespa’s , Onami, Shorts Burger & Shine, Red Avocado, Mama’s Deli, Fair Grounds Coffee, and Tip Top Cakes. Plus, the proceeds will benefit the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, a 500-seat community performance space, now under construction in Downtown Coralville. After the gala, the Festival of Trees will be open to the public until December 6. Here’s to getting in the holiday spirit!
Johnson County Festival of Trees Opening Gala and Winter Ball
6 to 10 p.m. (11/28), Coralville Marriott and Convention Center, 300 E 9th St., Coralville,$25, 319.248.1750, www.citycircle.org
THREE OTHER THINGS
New Bohemia Black and Blue Benefit
7 to 11 p.m. Friday
Gatherings (in the Bottleworks Building), 905 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, $20 at the door, 319.573.2537, www.newbohemia.org
The Shop Next Door Open House
5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday
The Shop Next Door, 111 13th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, www.nextdoorcr.com
The Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular
3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana, $26.50, 319.622.6194, www.oldcreamery.com
You can win this room for a private football party for your group. This is part of the outstanding Monday Night Football deal which sucked us in. Not only do they offer $5 pitchers of Budweiser products, but each pitcher purchase earns two raffle tickets. These tickets are used for two things: A drawing held at the end of each Monday night game to have a private football party in their Wii room for the following Monday and the grand prize of two tickets for the Dec. 28 Vikings/Bears game in Chicago. Chicago is going to be freezing in December, but the free tickets will keep you toasty. The grand prize will be drawn Dec. 14; must be present to win.
