Jennifer Coolidge
Thursday, Feb. 18

Maybe you know her as Stifler’s Mom. Or maybe you remember her as the snap and bend friend from “Legally Blonde.” Our favorite was her performance in “Best in Show.” No matter if you’ve seen her movies (including many of David Guest’s mockumentaries) or TV sitcom work before, you’re sure not to forget Jennifer Coolidge after her performance at Penguins Comedy Club. The famed blonde bombshell brings her stand-up act to town and that’s a night of laughs you don’t want to miss.

Jennifer Coolidge
7:30 p.m., Thursday (02/18), Penguins Comedy Club, 525 33rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, $19.50, (319) 362-8133, www.penguinscomedyclub.com

Carrie Newcomer
Friday, Feb. 19

If you didn’t get enough chocolate for Valentine’s Day, plan
to see Carrie Newcomer perform at CSPS on Friday night.
Her vocals and guitar work have been described as “rich as Godiva chocolate” and she’s been dubbed a “soaring songstress” — thanks to her poetic and spiritual lyrics. We
say, hear it for yourself.

Carrie Newcomer
8 p.m., Friday (02/19), CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, $17 in advance, $21 at the door, (319) 364-1580, www.legionarts.org

Wonderful Town
Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 18 to 21

This musical — about two sisters heading to New York City to make it big — may be set in the Great Depression, but it’s one show that promises to lift audiences out of a slump. And the Iowa City Community Theatre — who is presenting the show
on the Englert stage — is especially proud that the show will
go on thanks to the extra fundraising efforts they pulled off.

Wonderful Town
8 p.m. Thursday (02/18) to Saturday (2/20) and Sunday (02/21), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, $10 to 18, (319) 338-0443, www.iowacitycommunitytheatre.com

Three other things

Grape Expectations VII—A Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Marion Public Library
6 to 8 p.m. Friday (2/19)
Campbell Steele Gallery, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion, $25,
(319) 377-3412, www.marion
publiclibrary.org

New Odyssey
7 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (2/19, 20)
Riverside Casino Show Lounge, 3184 Hwy. 22, Riverside, Free, (319) 648-1234, www.riverside
casinoandresort.com

Jason Marcus
9:30 p.m. Wednesday (2/24)
The Summit, 10 S. Clinton St., Iowa City, (319) 354-7482,
www.thesummitnightclub.com

Keri Noble
Monday, November 16

Minneapolis singer/songwriter Keri Noble swings by CSPS on Monday night to showcase music from her latest, self-titled release. Noble, who got her start playing in small coffeehouses in Detroit, has certainly made a name for herself of late. Her music has been featured on “Grey’s Anatomy” and she’s performed live on CBS Saturday morning “The Early Show.” So spend your Monday night enjoying her intense and personal vocals and see yet another up-and-coming star in CSPS’ intimate setting.

Keri Noble
8 p.m. Monday (11/16), CSPS/Legion Arts, 1103 Third Street SE, Cedar Rapids, $9 to $11,
(319) 364-1580, www.legionarts.org

“Flood Them With Love” with Aeroroot
Saturday, November 14

his weekend’s “Flood Them With Love” fundraising event puts together a great band, free concert and a great cause. Fortune Magazine’s Corporate Battle of the Bands finalist Aeroroot will take the stage to help “Flood Them With Love” assist area flood victims. All you need to get in to the concert is a free will donation or a gift card to a local store (say Target, Kmart, Walmart, Hy-Vee, Fareway, Home Depot or Menards.)

“Flood Them With Love”
7 to 10 p.m. Saturday (11/14), Chrome Horse Saloon,
Free will donation, must be at least 21

Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14

If you make the trek to Des Moines for Iowa’s Premier Wine & Food Expo your stomach won’t be sorry. Sample dishes from area chefs and rub elbows with celebrity chefs Duff Goldman
of Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes” and Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods.” Organizers promise 38 food booths and more than 270 different beers, wines and spirits.
Iowa’s  Premier Wine & Food Expo
Noon to 10 p.m. Friday (11/13) and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday (11/14), Hy-Vee Hall, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, $20 for one day or $35 for a two-day pass, www.wineandfoodexpoiowa.com

Three other things

Paula Poundstone
8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Englert Theatre, 221 East
Washington Street, Iowa City, $30 to $40, 319.688.2653, www.englert.org

Sight and Sound Gala
6:30 p.m. Saturday
Cedar Rapids Country Club,
550 27th Street Drive SE,
Cedar Rapids, $100, 319.366.7503, www.crma.org

“Reefer Madness,
The Musical”
2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
University of Iowa E. C. Mabie Theatre, Iowa City, $15 to $20, 319.335.3213, www.uiowa.edu/~dpa/about.htm