Iowa City Weekender: June 6-9

Well, June is off to a great start in my book. Here’s what’s happening this weekend!

THURSDAY June 6

Art Reception with Ayron Messerschmitt | 5:00 p.m. | Dulcinea

An art show with a portion of sales going to NAMI of Johnson County.

Strange Cage 12 | 8:00 p.m. | The Englert

A huge showcase of regional poetry. For all the artists and details visit the Facebook page.

William Stonewall Monroe | 9:00 p.m. | The Mill | $6

Cool name, nice tunes.

Soul Shake and Mixology | 10:00 p.m. | Gabes Upstairs/Downstairs

Your choice of Mean Joe Dee’s soul explosion or the hottest DJ’s in Iowa City upstairs. Both minimal or no cover charge and cheap drinks!

FRIDAY June 7

“The Space in Between” Opening Reception | 5:00 p.m. | The Englert | Free

The Englert Theatre’s Douglas & Linda Paul Gallery is pleased to host The Space in Between, an installation by Argentinian-born, Iowa City-based artist Isabel Barbuzza. The exhibit will be on display May 30th through June 25th in both the Englert’s theater space and the Douglas & Linda Paul Gallery, located on the second floor of the Englert. A free opening reception will be held in conjunction with the Iowa City Gallery Walk on Friday, June 7th from 5:00 to 8:00pm. –via Englert Theatre

More info here.

Party on the Patio | 6:00 p.m. | Gabes | Free

Always a blast and a great way to start your Friday night, this week features DJ Signature Move and DJ Techone Vee. Free food, cheap drinks!

The Olympics w. Trouble Lights, Huge Lewis | 9:00 p.m. | Gabes | $5

Trouble Lights hail from Fairfield, IA, electro pop to the max. They are accompanied by some of the best pop-rock Iowa City has to offer, Huge Lewis and The Olympics.

Dan DiMonte and The Bad Assettes w. Reldnips | 9:00 p.m. | The Mill | $6

Dan DiMonte is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar/trumpet/piano/drumset/bass guitar/ukulele/harmonica/various percussion,) vocalist, and composer from the Chicagoland area. He has played with many projects in the Iowa City area, including jazz groups, church groups, and local/touring acts. Also, with his project “The DiMonte Brothers Band,” he has played various venues around the Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana. His current project “Dan DiMonte and the Bad Assettes” is comprised of some of the best musicians from the Iowa City area and beyond, and together they make music with echoes of the old jazz greats, funk projects of yore, modern and vintage rock bands, the singer/songwriters young and old who tell the stories of the common man, and some new flavors never heard before. –via The Mill

SATURDAY June 8

NERV w. Astral Menace, Feeder/Gainer | 9:00 p.m. | The Crowley Castle | $5 Suggested Donation

I wrote about their going away show a few weeks ago, and they’re back, playing at the exact space they started in! If you missed NERV last time, come see them at their tour prime this time. Astral Menace is a grind/stoner metal band from Omaha, sounds killer! Feeder/Gainer sounds like some pretty straight up heavy metal. Should be an awesome show. If you don’t know where, axe somebody!

SUNDAY June 9

Pete Turns 60 | 8:00 p.m. | The Trumpet Blossom Cafe | Free

If you don’t know Pete Balestrieri, you should! As a saxophone player with a unique style he has played with The Violent Femmes, Crakety Sax, Old Scratch Revival Singers and the Cirque Stupendo to name a few. As a friend I always know I’m gonna get a big smile, a hug or a handshake…or all three. If you don’t know him, Sunday night is your chance to meet the man himself. I’m sure he would love you there for his 60th birthday! His live shows are intimate, fun and hilarious.