When you think of long-running musical traditions on Cedar Rapids area radio, there’s a good chance two things come to mind: polka on Sunday mornings and the blues on Saturday night. Bob DeForest is largely responsible for making the blues the sound of Saturday night in Cedar Rapids. His show, ’da Blues, debuted on KCCK […]
Cedar Rapids live music
Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra debuts new conductor at first performance since March, 2020
Dr. Ghyas Zeidieh has waited a long time to take to the podium and lead the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra in concert. The orchestra’s concert on Sunday, Dec. 5 will be a moment nearly two years in the making. The CRCO last performed in March of 2020. Since then, the ensemble has experienced both lows […]
Five questions with: Heather Mae
The Singing Out Tour, a Pride-centric passion project by musicians Heather Mae and Crys Matthews, stemmed from an impactful, longtime friendship. Then it turned into an outpouring of love, from the two artists on stage to everybody in their audience.
Wayback tours: When Marilyn Manson shocked Cedar Rapids
This article is the third in a series looking back at concerts that shaped the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids musical imagination as they reach milestone anniversaries. Technology was getting more advanced by the day in the ’90s, and music was one of the industries that absorbed the high-tech wave. The grunge bands of the […]
Elly Hofmaier’s rising tide: the UI senior and Elly H. and the Sexy Boys frontwoman on her burgeoning career
Since the school year and her musical career started, Elly H. and the Sexy Boys have supported Minneapolis-based Sister Species and Iowa-grown acts like Katie Sin, LAV.ISH, and Dana T. Hofmaier is also an alum of Circular Sessions, a music series based in Des Moines that focuses on the symbiotic relationship between music and cinematography.
Writers’ Workshop alumnus Kevin Gordon brings his poetry-fueled country blues to CSPS
Most reviews and interviews with Gordon mention that he spent time attending the Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa in the late ’80s getting his Masters in Poetry. But during this time he was also performing his music around eastern Iowa.
U.S. Cellular brings Kesha to CR, celebrating 30 years of cell service
The pop star Kesha will perform at the U.S. Cellular center on Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The venue’s namesake, U.S. Cellular, is presenting the concert to recognize the 30th anniversary of when it began offering cellular phone service in Cedar Rapids.
Woodstock’s break-out chanteuse Melanie heads to Cedar Rapids
Forty-nine years ago this week, a relatively unknown young woman took the stage at perhaps the seminal cultural event in U.S. history. Melanie Safka-Schekeryk was only 22 when the Woodstock Music and Art Fair — “3 Days of Peace & Music,” the posters read — took over a farm in upstate New York and changed the course of music.
No Mo’ FOMO: This weekend’s hottest shows, in summary
Lookin’ to get down, but not sure where to go this weekend? It’s OK; happens to the best of us. Don’t let Monday find you with no great stories to share. Little Village has the lowdown on this weekend’s can’t-miss shows.
Five questions with: Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor
Old Crow Medicine Show will be bringing their Grammy winning presentation of traditional American music to the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids on June 30, 2018, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29.50-47.50.
No Mo’ FOMO: This weekend’s hottest shows, in summary
Lookin’ to get down, but not sure where to go this weekend? It’s OK; happens to the best of us. Don’t let Monday find you with no great stories to share. Little Village has the lowdown on this weekend’s can’t-miss shows. Friday Beats & Books featuring Kevin B.F. Burt Coralville Public Library — Friday, June […]
Nellie McKay and her dog Bessie are coming to Cedar Rapids
When delightful East Coast songstress Nellie McKay makes a tour stop in Cedar Rapids this weekend, she won’t be alone. “She will be coming to Iowa, her first time in Iowa,” McKay said in a phone call of her travel partner, her beloved rescue dog Bessie. “She’s looking forward to lots of skips and rolls.”

