Hot Tin Roof is a program to showcase current literary work produced in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids metro area. Each month, a selected piece under 1,000 words is published in Little Village, and the author receives a $100 honorarium. The series takes its name from a famous play and movie by former Iowa City resident […]
Englert Theatre
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender: October 21-23
THURSDAY
Phantogram w. Josiah Wolf | The Blue Moose Tap House | 6 p.m. | $12, all ages
Electronic/rock duo Phantogram is astounding. They’ve already gained notoriety in Iowa City for upstaging an Antlers headlining show at the Blue Moose Tap House. Now they return, as sure as ever, with their slick beats, lilting vocals, and sick guitar hooks to tear up Iowa City in their own right.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender: October 14-17
Greetings Weekenders, Can I get a Chi-Chi-Chi? Can I get a Le-Le-Le? How about a VIVA CHILE! Sorry, this might be yesterday’s news but the images and sounds of celebration are really getting to me this morning, tugging on the ol’ heart strings, making my eyes leaky, you know how it is sometimes. Okay, deep […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Show Photos: Joan Baez at Englert – 10/6
It’s not everyday that I get to see a living musical legend perform, so naturally, I couldn’t wait to post the shots that security was kind enough to let me take. Joan sounds as lovely in person as she does on vinyl. She performed songs from all points of her celebrated catalog, and even pulled out an old Eric Burden cover and some Woodie Guthrie, much to my delight.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Tonight: Joan Baez at Englert Theatre
From her early collaborations with Bob Dylan, to her tireless activism for civil rights and peace, to her later involvement with Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Review, to her thousands of live performances all over the world, Joan Baez has lived a life of passionate engagement with the world and several generations of fans.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A One, and a Two, and a Three
Max Weinberg has led an interesting life as a musician. He recorded and toured with Bruce Springsteen and it’s his snare shots that propel Bruce’s biggest hit, “Born In The USA.” When Springsteen disbanded his E Street Band in 1989, Weinberg tried a variety of things–producing records, session work, Law School, college drum clinics, even (according to Wikipedia) motivational speaking to corporate audiences–before becoming the band leader for Conan O’Brien’s “Late Night” on NBC in 1993, a job he held for 17 years.
Now, in what Weinberg calls his “third act,” he has formed a 15-piece big band, appearing at the Englert Theatre Oct. 22. Weinberg was in Italy when I spoke to him about his current project and where it fits into his career.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
On the Beat: October’s bag of tricks
Best known for Halloween, its costume-and-trickery grand finale, October leaves almost everything to the imagination. The theme of surprise and disguise has also been a trend this year in local music promotion. With the rapidly changing venue scene, including new owners/bookers/venues, a bunch of shows popped up that had people saying, “Really? That show is happening there?.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Show Photos: Leslie & the Lys, Bitch, Caroline Smith & the Goodnight Sleeps 9/16
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted any shots from venues in town, but that doesn’t mean I’m not out there soaking it all up. I caught the first show of the Iowa Women’s Music Festival at the Englert last month featuring Caroline Smith & the Goodnight Sleeps, Bitch (of Bitch & Animal fame) and the infamous Leslie Hall & the Lys.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City Weekender: September 16-20
Where’s a holiday when you need one? This weekend started last night with Pezzettino and Mike Mangione at the Blue Moose, and it won’t stop till late-late-late on Monday night…And in between? Oh, let me tell you!
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Show Preview: Matt Alber @ The Englert 8/18
On the 18th, singer-songwriter Matt Alber will bring his skillful arrangements and soulful voice to Iowa City. Although he’s got a life story well suited for an ABC Movie of the Week (growing up in Black St. Louis, finding his voice in the gospel choir, moving to San Francisco, finding himself as a gay man, becoming successful, etc.), the music does not let any of this on.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
On the Beat: To New Beginnings
August is harvest season, and I don’t mean corn: It’s the annual time of year when we welcome the bountiful student population back to our small city. Whether or not you’ve been away, it’s worth noting that summer vacation has brought a few changes in the music landscape.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The First Family of Folk
Pieta Brown said she gets so nervous when she opens for her dad that she can “barely talk.” “It never goes away, that dad factor,” she told the Englert crowd, “specially when it’s that dad.” And who can blame her? That Dad’s voice, guitar-playing and presence get more imposing with each passing year. Who other […]
