There is some really awesome stuff happening this weekend in Iowa City! First, I won’t be writing about Aziz Ansari at the IMU this Friday, because it is sold out and I am jealous. However, here are the haps that you must check out:

Thursday, May 9

CJ Boyd w. Haunter, Phil Ochs, Dwelling Fruit | 9 p.m. | The Crowley Castle | Donations

I have yet to write about a DIY, ‘non-legitimate’ venue event on The Weekender, but this one is gonna be great, and I’ve gotten the okay from the hosts. With recent incidents in other cities of law enforcement pretending to be ‘scene’ kids, let’s hope this article doesn’t create any problems for those just trying to have a good time and support creativity.

This show will be rad. CJ Boyd hails from who knows where? On tour constantly since 2008, his website proclaims, “CJ Boyd uses upright bass, voice, and loops in order to try and stop time. Oceans of sound become naked, lonely melodies become something not yet determined.”

Along with Boyd this show features some of the best ambient guitar/noise that Iowa City has to offer. Recent Iowa City transplant Haunter kicks two Crate amps to the max to blow your mind; finger-picking staple Phil Ochs keeps it chill and simple; and the newest addition to the scene Dwelling Fruit will be making it’s first appearance, featuring violinist Skye Carrasco and multi-instrumentalist Cole Highnam. If you don’t know where this is, ask somebody!

Unfun w. Scoundrel, Solid Attitude, Lipstick Homicide, The Ills | 8 p.m. | Public Space One | $5 | All Ages

Sludge-y Vancouver punk overtakes PS1 Thursday with some amazing local support from Solid Attitude (recently returned from an East coast tour), Lipstick Homicide (they played with Green Day, dude!) and The Ills. Gonna be a fun one!

Raw Mojo w. David the Goliath, Surf Zombies | 9 p.m. | The Mill | $6

For those not down with sweating it out in a cramped basement, The Mill will give you the space you need on Thursday night to jam the f*** out. These bands frequent Iowa City and are known for their fun and high-energy live shows. Check out their Facebook page.

Friday, May 10

Party on the Patio | 5 p.m. | Gabe’s Beer Garden | FREE | All Ages

This will be happening every Friday from now until that darn cold comes back to Iowa City. Various DJ’s every week, free food, cheap drinks (for those of age) and good times (for all)! This DJ’s are Mean Joe Dee, DJ XXL, DJ CJ + Rich Rok and Wolf Mixer. Come hang out!

Il Cattivo w. Lark’s Tongue, Acoustic Guillotine | 8 p.m. | The Blue Moose Taphouse | FREE

After you have some free food and dance your ass off at Gabe’s, head to The Blue Moose for some FREE metal! Il Cattivo hail from Denver and bring the prog-heavy, ex-members of Planes Mistaken for Stars. Lark’s Tongue are from Peoria, and everyone’s favorite metal maniacs Acoustic Guillotine will be the local support.

Arvid Noe w. Spelling Bee, Id Pyramid, Dead God’s Conclusions | 10 p.m. | The Trumpet Blossom Cafe | Donations | 21+

Quickly becoming one of the most fun places to see a show in Iowa City, The Trumpet Blossom hosts Arvid Noe from Boston, Spelling Bee from St. Louis, Id Pyramid from the Quad Cities and local Dead God’s Concussion on Friday. Personally, Spelling Bee is one of my favorite bands of the moment, they’re like a more melodic Lightning Bolt with pop tendencies, and they’re probably the nicest two people you’ll ever meet. Arvid Noe brings back memories of Arab on Radar and U.S. Maple. Id Pyramid is the solo project of Dennis Hockaday of Meth and Goats and like the bands he’s played in, it is super creative and fun stuff. Dead God’s Concussion is a beautiful mess from some awesome ladies. Combined with an uncomparable bar and atmosphere, this show will be amazing!

Saturday, May 11

The Body w. Damn the Gods, Aseethe, Acoustic Guillotine | 9 p.m. | Gabe’s | $7

Crazy heavy metal from Portland, The Body FINALLY visit Iowa City. From Pitchfork: “As it crushes and collides doom metal, harsh noise, industrial rock, and gospel singing into one mean mess, it seems to obey no rules but its own. The result is a singular, explosive masterpiece and one of the year’s essential heavy exploits– even if, at turns, it sends you cowering.”

Along with these thrashers you get another chance to catch Acoustic Guillotine, and Aseethe plays their first Iowa City show in a while, fresh off recording at Flat Black Studios. And since 2004 Damn the Gods have shared the stage with metal greats and they’re back again. Not to be missed for metal fans, and others: don’t be scared!

Greg Brown record release show | The Englert | 8 p.m. | $30-$45

Celebrating the release of his record Hymns to What Is Left, this is a joint collaboration with sponsor Tabor Homes Winery who will be hosting a wine-tasting from 6PM to 7:45 and selling by the glass throughout the show. From The Englert’s website: One of American folk music’s most prolific and profound singer/songwriters of the past three decades, Greg Brown has earned respect from his peers and a far-flung, passionately-devoted fan-base via a burnished, intimate baritone, a seemingly effortless gift for swinging, organic melody and–perhaps most of all–a humble, unvarnished poetic grace that can imbue even the most mundane, everyday human endeavors and emotions with quiet dignity, startling insight and gently twisted humor.

Shout-out to some cool stuff to check out early next week:

Monday, May 13: Vietnam w. American Dust, Illinois John Fever | The Mill | 8 p.m.
Wednesday May 15: Glow God w. SSP, Bill Naughty and The Science Guys, Missionary Haircut | Gabe’s| 8 p.m.