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Things to do this weekend (8/11-8/17)

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Sand In The City

Sand in the City

Friday to Sunday, Aug. 12 to 14

Downtown Iowa City will be tons of fun this weekend, literally. In just seven hours Friday, 13 teams will shape, mold and sculpt 200 tons of sand into bookish works of art, honoring Iowa City’s UNESCO City of Literature designation and the bookmark sculptures posted throughout the area. In keeping with the festival’s family-friendly theme, the sculptures will reflect scenes from children’s stories and books. But that’s not all the fun in the sun. This festival also features a kids’ sand pit, music by the FunkDaddies on Friday night, food and art vendors, more music and entertainment all weekend, and the family film “Lilo and Stitch” after dark Saturday in front of Macbride Hall. This is one event we guarantee you’ll dig.

Sand in the City

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday (8/12), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday (8/13), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (8/14), downtown Iowa City; free; www.summerofthearts.org

 

Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie’s American Song

Friday, Aug. 12, to Aug. 28

The voice that told us “this land is your land, this land is my land” lives on through a theatrical piece making its Iowa debut Friday night in Amana. Local actors and musicians will bring the folk hero to life through word and song, beginning in his home state of Oklahoma, to walking a ribbon of highway during the Dust Bowl Days, then from the redwood forests to the New York island. It’s a snapshot of history made for you and me.

Woody Guthrie’s American Song

Friday (8/12) to Aug. 28, Iowa Theatre Artists Company, 4709 220th Trl., Amana; 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 1:30 and

7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays; $20 adults (opening night $18), $10 students at (319) 622-3222; www.iowatheatreartists.org

 

Pat Benetar

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Aug. 18

The heat is on for Pat Benatar’s first trip to Dubuque. General admission tickets are all that’s left for next Thursday night’s hard rockin’ roll down memory lane. She’s racked up an impressive string of platinum and gold records, fueled by such hits as “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker,” “Shadows of the Night” and “Promises in the Dark.” Joining her onstage is her husband, Neil Giraldo. A songwriter and lead guitarist, he also produced all of Benatar’s albums. Sounds like his best shot was right on target.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

8 p.m. Aug. 18, Mississippi Moon Bar, Diamond Jo Casino, 301 Bell St., Dubuque; $35 to $95 ages 21 and over,

(563) 690-4758 or http://dubuquetickets.diamondjo.com

Celebrate summer:
Best fests

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From the Wild West and Renaissance days of yore to “Star Trek” future ways and more, enterprising Eastern Iowa towns and organizations are gearing up for their busiest season under the sun.

No matter what your preference in food and fun, you’re bound to find a reason to celebrate.

Patriotism will be on parade during the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and Coralville’s 4thFEST, while Hawkeyes salute their black and gold at FRY Fest in September.

Sauerkraut, pickles, sweet corn, mushrooms, beef, hogs and Cajun critters wash down oh so nicely with ice-cold beer and pop, while history and heritage will bring out the best in Hoover

ball and lederhosen.

So get out your calendars — paper or digital — and jot down these dates to remember. Then keep watching for more on music, film fests and seasonal fare. We’ve only just begun to turn up the heat.

— Diana Nollen

MAY

Chalk the Walk, Mount Vernon

May 7 and 8: Madonnari Festival; juried and public chalk drawings on downtown streets. www.visitmvl.com

Houby Days, Cedar Rapids

May 13 to 15: Czech Village. Czech food, music, maypole dancing, noon parade Saturday, carnival rides, puppet show, folk dance festival. www.ncsml.org/Events/20110513/44/Houby-Days.aspx

Benz Beer Fest, Cedar Rapids

May 14: 1 to 5 p.m. outdoors, Benz, 501 Seventh Ave. SE. More than 100 brews from around the world, music, guest brewmasters. $15, includes souvenir tasting glass. American Heart Association benefit. www.benzbeveragedepot.com/content.asp?ID=2383&Date=5/14/2011

Marion Arts Festival

May 21: City Square Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Juried art exhibits, 5K race, demonstrations, art activities. www.marionartsfestival.com

Cajun Fest, Amana

May 28 and 29: Taste Louisiana Cajun & Zydeco Festival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Food, music, kids’ activities, carnival rides, shopping, demonstrations, dance lessons. Admission: $10 adults, $2 ages 6 to 12. www.cajunfest.net

Iowa Renaissance Festival, Middle Amana

May 28 to 30: Middle Amana Park. Historical re-enactment, jousting, theater, comedy, merchants, food. Admission: $10 adults, $6 children. www.iowarenfest.com

JUNE

Iowa City Arts Festival

June 3 to 5: On seven blocks in downtown Iowa City. 120 local and national artists, music, entertainment, kids’ activities, foods. www.summerofthearts.org

North Liberty Fun Days

June 9 to 12: Penn Meadows Park. Carnival rides, music, car show, truck pull.

Grant Wood Art Festival, Anamosa

June 12:10 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Anamosa. Juried art contest, music, student art and educational displays, kids’ activities. www.anamosachamber.org/grantwoodartfestival

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

June 12 to July 4: Music, baseball, ski shows, Loverboy concert June 18, Patriotic Pops concert June 19, food, games, contests, parade June 25, Cardboard Boat Regatta June 26, Balloon Glow June 28, pancake breakfast July 4, fireworks. www.freedomfestival.com

Hog Wild Days, Hiawatha

June 16 to 19: Guthridge Park. Contests, Saturday parade, music, food, carnival rides, flea market, 5K run, fireworks Sunday. www.hogwilddays.com

TrekFest XXVII, Riverside

June 24 and 25: Hall Park. Carnival rides, games, food, parade, contests, demolition derby, music, “Star Trek” trivia, sci-fi costume contest, fireworks Saturday. www.trekfest.com

Wild West Weekend, Cedar Rapids

June 25 and 26: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Old West re-enactors, food, kids’ bounty hunt. $8 adults; $4 ages 3 to 14; $1 off with a Freedom Festival button. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/pages/default.aspx

JULY

Coralville 4thFEST

July 2 to 4: S.T. Morrison Park. Carnival, entertainment, contests, food, July 4 parade and fireworks. Free concert Sunday with the Cedar Island Band, The Grass Roots and Herman’s Hermits. www.coralville.org/index.aspx?NID=310

Iowa City Jazz Festival

July 1 to 3: Down-town Iowa City. Well-known jazz musicians, up-and-coming artists, fireworrks. www.summerofthearts.org

Fairytale Festival, Cedar Rapids

July 16: 3 to 7:30 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Storytellers, fairytale games, crafts, fairytale costume contest and parade. $8 adults; $4 ages 3 to 14; $1 off with costume. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/pages/default.aspx

Nordic Fest, Decorah

July 28 to 30: Norwegian food and crafts, parade, entertainment, Saturday night torchlight parade and fireworks. www.nordicfest.com

Walker Pickle Days

July 28 to 30: Games, contests, 5K run/walk, food, parade, music, fireworks. www.walkeriowa.com

AUGUST

Hoover’s Hometown Days, West Branch

Aug. 5 and 6: Music, entertainment, Civil War encampment, rides and games, food, exhibits, Hoover-Ball championships, Hoover gravesite ceremony, free birthday cake, fireworks. www.hooverassociation.org/newsevents/hooverfest.php

Sauerkraut Days, Lisbon

Aug. 10 to 13: Food, carnival, music, contests. www.sauerkrautdays.com

St. Jude’s Sweet Corn Festival, Cedar Rapids

Aug. 12 to 14: 50 Edgewood Rd. NW. Carnival rides, kids’ games, raffle, fun run/walk, music, food, 14 tons of sweet corn. www.judes.org/Sweet%20Corn%20Festival%20Information/sweetcorn_festival.html

Sand in the City, Iowa City

Aug. 12 to 14: Downtown. Sand sculptures, food, kids’ activities, music. Free admission. www.summerofthearts.org

Woodfest, Amana

Aug. 26 to 28: Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Wood craft displays, demonstrations, seminars, food, tool and supply sales. Noon to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission and parking. www.amanaartsguild.com

SEPTEMBER

FRY Fest, Coralville

Sept. 2: Iowa River Landing area. Hawkeye celebration with salute to Dan Gable, food, music. www.fryfest.com

Swamp Fox Festival, Marion

Sept. 8 to 11: Marion Square Park. Golf outing, food, music, craft show, 5K run and fun walk, parade. http://uptownmarion.com/things-to-do.html?item=238

BrewNost, Cedar Rapids

Sept. 23: 6 to 9:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Rd. SW. Domestic and international beers paired with hors d’ourves. www.ncsml.org/Events/20110923/80/BrewNost-2011.aspx

Oktoberfest, Amana

Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. German bands, food and beverages, games, theater shows, parade, walking tours, museums open. Noon to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.festivalsinamana.com

Three things to do this weekend

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Jazz Under the Stars
Thursday, Aug. 27

lakestreetdive

Soak up the stars at Lake Street Dive’s show this week at Jazz Under the Stars. Hailing from Boston, and led by bassist (and Iowa City West graduate) Bridget Kearney, the ensemble creates a blend of jazz, R&B, pop and their own sweet sounds. The Jazz series – in its 22nd season – has been entertaining Corridor music lovers for more two decades. Food and beverages are sold during the show, but you can also bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and picnic. Don’t miss the final installment of the 2009 season.

Lake Street Dive @ Jazz Under the Stars
7 p.m. Thursday (8/27), Noelridge Park, Cedar Rapids, Free, www.kcck.org

Sand in the City
Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30

Bill Dow of Billings, Mont., carves detail into a channel catfish head as he works on a sand sculpture for Cedar Rapids' Floodstock. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Bill Dow of Billings, Mont., carves detail into a channel catfish head as he works on a sand sculpture for Cedar Rapids' Floodstock. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

We may not have ocean-side resorts or miles of coastline beaches in Corridor. But this weekend in Iowa City we do have plenty of sand — and that’s the best part of going to the beach anyway, isn’t it? As a fundraiser for Iowa City’s Summer of the Arts, Bank of the West is sponsoring a weekend-long event for families – Sand in the City. The free event lines Iowa Avenue and Linn Street downtown Iowa City with giant sandboxes, elaborate sand sculptures, live music and kids’ activities. Teams from area business build sculptures and eventgoers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. The sand-filled fun will run from Friday (in conjunction with the Friday Night Concert Series) through Sunday.

Sand in the City
10 a.m. Friday (8/28), Saturday (8/29), Sunday (8/30) Iowa Avenue and Linn Street, Downtown Iowa City, Free, www.summerofthearts.org

Cracker @ The Mill
Sunday, August 30

Cracker in New York City in 2006. (Rahav/Photopass.com)

Cracker in New York City in 2006. (Rahav/Photopass.com)

The men who put a new spin on alt-rock in the mid-80s are still rocking today — or more specifically, Sunday at the Mill in Iowa City. Cracker is currently on tour promoting their ninth studio album, “Sunrise In the Land of Milk and Honey.” The group first made a mark on the college-aged MTV crowd 17 years ago, and are still making music that channels late ‘70s-early ‘80s pop-punk rock. Weaving decades of musical experience and plenty of unique style, Cracker is sure to be a one-of-a-kind Corridor show. Doors open at 8 p.m. and Detroit pop band The High Strung is set to open the show.

Cracker
9 p.m. Sunday (8/30), 120 E. Burlington Street, Iowa City, $15, www.icmill.com

Three more things

  • CR Rollergirls – “Death Proof Derby”
  • 7 p.m. Saturday (8/29)
  • US Cellular Center, 370 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, adults $13 in advance, $16 at the door, kids 5 & under free, www.uscellularcenter.com
  • Cedar Rapids Kernels Family Day
  • 2 p.m. Sunday (8/30)
  • Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Road SW, Cedar Rapids, $7-$10, www.kernels.com