A favorite bass-clef-based Iowa City tradition returns on Friday, as Holiday Tubas oompahs in the festive season on the steps of the Old Capitol. Robert Yeats, a University of Iowa music professor in the ’70s and founder of Holiday Tubas, called it “a lark” that became a tradition: brass musicians gathered to perform year after year regardless of the weather.
UI Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium John Manning now leads the festive ensemble, which will perform from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on Friday. Manning’s students form the core of Holiday Tubas, but anyone with their own tuba, sousaphone or euphonium is welcome to join in. Volunteer musicians should come to the Old Capitol Museum ready to play at noon on Friday.
“The performers are hoping to encourage all participants and attendees to don their most festive apparel to help make this year’s performance the most visually colorful and festive yet,” according to the UI listing for the event. Ugly sweaters are especially encouraged.
Once again this year, everyone will be invited into the Old Capitol Museum at the end of the performance for hot apple cider and cookies. As is tradition, the Holiday Tubas will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program’s Holiday Store. The store provides toys and other holiday items, as well as some basic necessities, for the families the nonprofit serves.
DVIP & RVAP have a list of suggested items sure to be in demand this holiday season.
- Gift cards for Walmart, Target, and Coral Ridge Mall stores
- Skin care sets for teens
- Socks and slippers, all sizes
- Water bottles
- Pajamas, loungewear, and robes, all sizes
- Bluetooth speakers and headphones
- Phone chargers and power banks
- LED/fairy lights, lava lamps, salt lamps, etc.
- Fidget toys
- Art/science kits
- Baby dolls and doll accessories
- Bath toys
- Car and train toys
- Fake food toys
- Baby books
- Teething rings
- Snack/sippy cups
Friday isn’t the only day for people who want to support the Holiday Store to drop off gifts. Through Monday, Dec. 23, there will be drop-off barrels for new, unwrapped gifts at the following locations.
- Applebee’s, 200 12th Ave Center, Coralville
- Bluebird Diner, all three locations: 330 E Market St, Iowa City; 650 W Cherry St #9, North Liberty; 112 E Main St, Solon
- Daydreams Comics, 229 E Washington St, Iowa City
- Dodge Street Tire, 605 N Dodge St, Iowa City
- First Presbyterian Church, 2701 Rochester Ave, Iowa City
- Reds Alehouse, 405 N Dubuque St, North Liberty
- Scheels, Coral Ridge Mall, Coralville
- The Serving Cafe, 209 E Main St, West Branch
- Tamarack Discovery School, 4 S Linn St, Iowa City
- Tractor Supply, 655 Hollywood Blvd, Iowa City
- Willowwind School, 950 Dover St, Iowa City
Gift cards for the Holiday Store can also be dropped off at Lepic-Kroeger Realtors in Iowa City (2346 Mormon Trek Blvd, Suite 2000-A).
