By Joe Jennison

Robby Marvin, 25, went to an Access Iowa Exchange meeting at Cornerhouse Gallery, 2753 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, and listened to a speech given by Bob Untiedt, Executive Director of the Linn County Non Profit Resource Center. 

Marvin credits Untiedt for inspiring him at that meeting to "Do More." According to Marvin, it was because of Untiedt’s speech that night that he got to thinking about "what more could he do for the community?"  That "more" turned out to be The Robject (www.therobject.com), a year-long project in which Marvin plans to volunteer 365 hours and donate 31.2 percent of his earned income to 12 area nonprofits. Over the next year, through May of 2010, Marvin plans to give each of 12 nonprofit organizations a $1,000 matching grant and plans to volunteer 30 hours a month at each.

By Joe Jennison

Locals are oftentimes my best customers when it comes to informing people about arts and culture. Often, a local resident will stop by my desk at The Eastern Iowa Airport and we’ll chat about all of the options in the area.

However, there is a particularly type of local that can sometimes be -- a challenge.

Oftentimes, this person will stop at the desk, dig through the brochures and appear to be searching for something.

“Can I help you find some information about cultural events?” I ask.

“No,” they say. “I live here.”

I stop, breathe dip, and offer this retort: “Oh, you live here? Well, when was the last time you were at the African-American Museum of Iowa? How many Grant Wood paintings are currently on view at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art? What’s the name of one play that’s currently available to local audiences? Where can I find an original oil painting of an Iowa landscape for sale? What festivals are taking place this weekend? Can you tell me where can I go tonight or this weekend to see Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues or Choral music? And, oh yeah, what is the current exhibit at the Old Capitol?”

Usually the color drains from their face, their shoulders shrink a bit, and then, they politely ask me to tell them about what’s happening this weekend.

It’s my belief that both tourists and residents alike can use an occasional cultural tune-up. Stop into The Eastern Iowa Airport anytime to receive yours…

The Old Creamery Theatre Company, 39 38^th Ave., Amana, will present “The Odd Couple” beginning Thursday, May 28, and running through June 28. $26.50. Reservations and information are available through (800) 35 AMANA.

Red Cedar Chamber Music will present “Vienna By Starlight” Saturday, June 6, at 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 310 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Look for several Red Cedar Chamber Rural Outreach Concerts throughout the area during the days and weeks leading up to this concert. $15 to $18. Reservations and information are available through (319) 377-8028.

The Iowa City Downtown Gallery Walk will take place at 18 locations throughout downtown Iowa City on Friday, June 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. Free. More information about the Gallery Walk is available through (319) 351-8686.

The Iowa Arts Fest will take place on the Ped Mall, in downtown Iowa City, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 5, 6 and 7. More than 135 artists will have art for sale. The free event also includes live music, children’s activities and more. The Free Friday Night Concert Series takes place every Friday night from now through August on the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City. The free concert features local and regional bands. June dates for the Saturday Night Free Movie Series include Saturday, June 13, June 20 and June 27, on the lawn of the Pentacrest, on the University of Iowa campus, Iowa City. Movies are shown on the side of MacBride Hall. More information about Summer of the Arts events is available through (319) 337-7944.

Fireside Winery, 1755 P Ave., Marengo, offers the Sunsets at Fireside program every Friday night throughout summer. The weekly event includes “ live music and pastoral views while taking in the sunset from Fireside's outdoor patio.” Food is available for purchase and everyone is encouraged to bring a lawnchair. Free. More information is available through (319) 662-4222.

Cedar Rapids Downtown District (CRDD) offers the Downtown Farmer’s Markets, downtown Cedar Rapids, throughout the summer. June dates include Saturday, June 6, and Saturday, June 20, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The event includes more than 150 vendors from the state of Iowa, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations. Free. Also, this month, the CRDD is offering RIVERenaissance, a series of flood anniversary events that will be held from June 11 to 14. Events include a Flood Documentary and Time Capsule Presentation, a Rebuild Reunion and FloodStock, a day-long outdoor concert on Saturday, June 13, beginning at noon in Green Square Park. More information on CRDD events is available through (319) 398-0449.

The 2x2xU exhibit is back in the New Bohemia area of Cedar Rapids, along Third Street Southeast. The opening of the exhibit will take place Friday, June 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit includes 40-plus 2-by-2-foot panels artfully decorated by local artists. The exhibit will remain on display throughout the summer. Free. More information on the exhibit is available through (319) 364-1580.

City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will present “Hello Dolly!” at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. $15 to $20. Reservations and information are available through (319) 688-2653.

The Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival will take place in Lower City Park, Iowa City, beginning June 12 and running through July 12. This year’s plays are “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Richard III.” During the festival, the two plays will be performed in repertory, at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Sunday; and at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. $25 to $37. More information is available through (319) 338-7672.

The 37th Annual Grant Wood Art Festival will take place Sunday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The festival is showcased in downtown Anamosa, and is hosted by the Anamosa Area Chamber of Commerce. This event is a celebration of the legacy of Anamosa-native, and world-renowned artist, Grant Wood. $5. More information is available through (319) 462-4879.

Theatre Cedar Rapids Lindale, 4444 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, is bringing back "Disney's High School Musical On Stage" Thursday trough Sunday, June 18 to 21. $15 to $25 through (319) 366-8591.

The Iowa City Community Band will have several performances throughout June. See them at The Iowa Arts Festival on Sunday, June 7, at 12:30 p.m.; at North Liberty City Hall during Fun Days on Friday, June 12, at 6:15 p.m.; as part of Coralville Thursday Night Concert Series in ST Morrison Park on Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m.; and as part of the Free Saturday Night Movie Series on June 20, at 7:30 p.m. More information is available through (319) 351-2000.

The African American Museum of Iowa, 55 12^th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, offers its annual Juneteenth 2009 Celebration Day Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Viola Gibson Park, 14th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids. Events include exhibits, music, performances and an assortment of informational vendors. Free transportation is provided between the park and the museum. The museum also hosts Taste of Freedom Dinner and Dance, Friday, June 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. More information is available through (319) 862-2101.

Coralville Parks and Recreation offers its June installment of the Park It At The Movies event Friday, June 19, at 8:45 p.m.. at ST Morrison Park, Coralville. This is a free outdoor screening of the movie “Open Season.” More information is available through (319) 248-1750.

Ushers Ferry, 5925 Seminole Valley Road, Cedar Rapids, offers its Wild West Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Re-enactors will perform a variety of skits and gunfights, yes gunfights, throughout the day. $3 to $8. More information is available through (319) 286-5763.

Campbell-Steele Gallery, 1064 7^th Ave., Marion, offers “Music in the Mud” every Saturday night -- live music in a beautiful gallery setting. The bar opens at 5, with music from 6 to 9. Free. More information is available through (319) 373-9211.

Freedom Festival will take place from June 18 through July 4 throughout Cedar Rapids. Highlights include the Patriotic Pops Concert and Fireworks at Kirkwood Friday, June 19; the Classic Rock Concert and Fireworks at Kirkwood, Saturday, June 20, the Balloon Glow at Brucemore Thursday, June 25, Parade and FestaFun in downtown Cedar Rapids, Saturday, June 27, and the July 4 Freedom Festival Celebration of Freedom, at Kirkwood. More information is available through (319) 365-8313.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations whose mission is to build, strengthen and lead the local cultural industry and the communities it serves. More information is located at http://www.culturalcorridor.org <http://www.culturalcorridor.org/> Contact him direct at (800) 650-ARTS.

Have you “Conquered the Corridor”?

By Joe Jennison

I have been doing this job for more than three years now.

That is three years of rotaries, school groups, legislators, book clubs, newspaper articles and blogs, radio and television spots. I talk to people at The Eastern Iowa Airport, at festivals, at intermissions and in front of the ICCA booth at concerts and fairs and pretty much anywhere else that I’m asked to show up. I’m now also on Twitter and Facebook and Youtube, and I’m sure I’ll show up on new technologies too as they become available.

And yet, still, I hear the whining again and again and again: “There’s never anything to do!”

Of course, you and I know better, but how can we reach those who are as-yet-uneducated as to the Corridor’s plethora of arts and culture choices?

“Conquer the Corridor” is a new program developed by Priority One, the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, and the Cedar Rapids Downtown District. It is a fun and interactive 45-minute presentation administered by staff members of each organization. The program was originally developed through a partnership with Rockwell Collins as a way to connect employees to the Corridor area.

The goal of this program is to connect people to arts and culture, development, volunteer and networking opportunities in the Corridor. The “Conquer the Corridor” presentation is a free resource offered to any employer wanting to retain their new or incumbent employees by making them aware of opportunities outside the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work day. If you or your business or organization would like to learn more about this free resource, feel free to contact me direct at the number below.

Chalk the Walk is an annual two-day festival that takes place on Mount Vernon’s main street. The event presents the work of more than 250 artists utilizing a downtown city street as a canvas and more than a half-ton of chalk. This year’s event takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. More information is available through (319) 895-9513.

Maifest is the Amana Colonies' original spring celebration that offers the Taste of Amana Colonies food fair at the Festhalle Barn, Maipole dancing, German folk music, parade down Main Street and entertainment in the village of Amana. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most events free. More information is available through (319) 622-7622.

The 17^th Annual Marion Arts Festival will be held Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in City Square Park, Marion. The event features 50 juried artists hailing from coast-to-coast, live music, food, and a range of hands-on art experiences and demonstrations. Free. More information is available through (319) 377-6316.

"A Legacy for Iowa: Pollock's 'Mural' and Masterworks from the UIMA" opened Sunday, April 19, at the Figge Museum, 225 W. Second St., Davenport, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 2. The exhibit features 22 of the most important works in the University of Iowa Museum of Art collection, including works by Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. $7. More information is available through (319) 335-1727.

Songs from Lincoln’s Time is a musical performance by Cedar Rapids musicians Carlis Faurot and Glenn Lonsdale, who will play and sing music from the Civil War era. The event will include a special appearance by the President and Mary Todd Lincoln. See and hear history Saturday, May 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Carl and Mary Koehler History Center, 615 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. $25. More information is available through (319) 362-1501.

The Cedar Rapids Symphony – Orchestra Iowa will perform their final Masterworks Concert of the season Saturday, May 2, at 8 p.m., at Sinclair Auditorium, on the Coe College campus, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids; and again Sunday May 3, at 2 p.m. at West High Auditorium, 2901 Melrose Ave., Iowa City. Titled “Masterworks VII: Bohemian Rhapsody,” the evening will include works by Antonin Dvorak. $20 to $51. More information is available through (319) 366-8203.

Theatre Cedar Rapids presents the musical “Hair” at Theatre Cedar Rapids Lindale, 4444 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, opening May 1 and playing through May 16. See it Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7 and 14, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 and 10, at 2:30 p.m. $20 to $25. Reservations and information are available through (319) 366-8591.

Iowa Theatre Artists Company (ITAC) opens their new season with “The Lady with all the Answers,” about advice columnist Ann Landers. The piece opens April 16 and runs through May 10 at ITAC’s new space at 4709 220^th Trail, Amana. $25. Reservations and information are available through (319) 622-3222.

The University of Iowa Division of Performing Arts presents “Orpheus of the Underworld,” a spoof of the classic Greek legend. See it at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, at 8 p.m.; or Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. $10 to $20. Reservations and information are available through (319) 688-2653.

The Iowa City Community Theatre, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Road SE, Iowa City, will present “The Baker’s Wife” Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. from April 24 through May 3. $15. Reservations and information are available through (319) 338-0443.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company, 39 38^th Ave., Amana, will present “The Odd Couple” beginning Thursday, May 28, and running through June 28. This should be a lot of fun – I’ve been asked to play a smaller role, heehee. $26.50. Reservations and information are available through (800) 35 AMANA.

The Free Friday Night Concert Series returns to the Iowa City Ped Mall Friday, May 22, and will take place every Friday night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. throughout the summer. Free. More information is available through (319) 337-7944.

The Iowa Renaissance Festival and Gathering o’ Celts will take place Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 23, 24 and 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Middle Amana Park, Middle Amana. $10. More information is available through (319) 622-7622.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations whose mission is to build, strengthen and lead the local cultural industry and the communities it serves. More information is located at http://www.culturalcorridor.org <http://www.culturalcorridor.org/> Contact him direct at (800) 650-ARTS.

By Joe Jennison

It’s been more than nine months since the Floods of 2008.

That is about the time needed for artists to process their thoughts on the disaster and create art in response to it. Just as buildings and neighborhoods begin to rise from the once-devastated areas, art and artists too, are now venturing out of their broken neighborhoods to create and share their work.

I see it in my work every day. Visual and performing artists of every medium creating art both inspired by, and created despite, the Floods of 2008.

I think I first noticed this heightened creativity at Campbell-Steele Gallery, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion. Every Saturday, the gallery hosts “Music in the MUD.” A few weeks ago, illustrator Stan Fellows worked one of these events, sketching the Summit jazz band as they played live in the very busy gallery space. It was one of those moments where I witnessed first-hand art inspiring art inspiring art.

Two days later, I wandered into CSPS, 1103 SE Third St., Cedar Rapids, in the heart of the Flood-devastated New Bohemia District. Several artists, including Mel Andringa, Sharon Neff, John Schwartzkopf and Leonardo Torcuato, have works on display alongside photos of their Flood-destroyed studios. Torcuato’s exhibit includes some paintings inspired by the Flood featuring bright colors mixed with mud taken from some of the flooded neighborhoods. Powerful stuff.

Of course, this is just the beginning. As we move into the summer, the anniversary and beyond, several arts groups are planning events to celebrate our ability to persevere. Take the time to celebrate this month with those artists and arts groups that regularly offer all of us hope, inspiration and comfort.

Recognized by both fans and critics as one the best hip-hop records of all time, GZA/Genius’ “Liquid Swords” is a gritty depiction of urban life. GZA will perform this classic album in its entirety during his appearance at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Wednesday, April 1, at 8 p.m. $22 to $25. Reservations and information are available through (319) 688-2653.

All members of the community are invited to join Edgar Wibble Puppet Theatre, Wednesday, April 1, at 6 p.m., to celebrate the second anniversary of the theater, 4444 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids (Lindale Mall, beneath Younkers). Free. More information is available through (319) 294-7082.

“Raising Medusa,” by local poet/playwright Barbara Lau, offers a fresh narrative on loss and rebirth as both children and parents struggle to redefine themselves. See the world premiere play April 2 through 19, at Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. $12 to $24. Reservations and information are available through (319) 338-7672.

The Cedar Rapids Spring Metro Gallery Tour will take place Friday, April 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. The self-guided tour includes stops at Apple Creek Gallery, ARA Gallery and Interiors, Campbell-Steele Gallery, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cornerhouse Gallery and Frame and Wiederspan Gallery. Free. More information is available through (319) 373-9211.

The Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4, at the Collins Road Theatres, 1462 Twix Town Road, Marion. The festival will showcase the work of filmmakers from across the state and around the country, all with strong connections to Iowa. $8 to $10. Reservations and information are available through (319) 431-1320.

City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will offer its “Circle’s Edge Repertory Festival,” a series of four plays done over three weekends. Plays include “Rabbit Hole” by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Sarah Shattered” by John Cameron, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin, and “All the King’s Horses” by Steve Hunt. See the plays Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. from April 3 to April 19. $14 to $17. Reservations and information are available through (319) 248-1750.

Dreamwell Theatre will present Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, and April 3 and 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 10 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. $10 to $12. Reservations and information are available through (319) 541-0140.

Over the course of more than 50 albums, Richard Stoltzman has proven that he has few peers on the clarinet. Stoltzman salutes the “King of Swing,” Benny Goodman, in a performance Friday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. In his last appearance in Iowa City, Alpin Hong amazed school kids by playing piano and Tetris at the same time. Hong returns to perform Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., at City High Opstad Auditorium, 1900 Morningside Drive, Iowa City. Both concerts are presented as part of Hancher Auditorium’s “Can’t Contain Us” season. Tickets for all Hancher shows are available through (800) HANCHER.

The Grant Wood Studio and Visitor Center, 810 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, will be open again on weekends beginning Saturday, April 4. Hours will be Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. $3 to $5. More information is available at (319) 366-7503.

The Iowa Theatre Artists Company, 4709 220^th Trail, Amana, opens their new season in their new space with “The Lady With All The Answers,” a one-woman show about advice columnist Ann Landers. See it Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. April 16 through May 10. $10 to $25. Reservations and information are available through (319) 622-3222.

The “Rock & Worship Road Show” will offer a diverse line up including MercyMe, Jeremy Camp and Hawk Nelson, as well as new and burgeoning bands Tenth Avenue North and Addison Road. See the concert Saturday, April 18, at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. $10. More information is available through (319) 398-5211.

Creator of the popular V.I. Warshawski series of detective novels, Sara Paretsky will give a talk and sign books on Saturday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at TCR-Lindale, 4444 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. This is part of the Out Loud! Author Series through the Metro Library Network. Free. More information is available through (319) 377-3412.

The Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale will offer a 50^th Anniversary Gala Concert featuring the premiere of Jerry Owen's "Canticle Chorale." See the concert Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m., at First Lutheran Church, 1000 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. $15. Reservations and information are available through (319) 365-8221.

Molly Hammer and Marquetta Senters will reprise their roles as Patsy and Louise in “Always… Patsy Cline” April 23 through May 10, at the Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38^th Ave., Amana. $26.50. Reservations and information are available through (800) 35-AMANA.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations whose mission is to build, strengthen and lead the local cultural industry and the communities it serves. More information is located at http://www.culturalcorridor.org <http://www.culturalcorridor.org/>  This article first appeared in the Corridor Business Journal Monday, March 23, 2009. Find out more about the Corridor Business Journal at www.corridorbiznews.com

             by Beth Miller

Cedar Rapids was just the sort of community I was looking for two years ago when I moved home to Iowa. The move has given me a new career, new friends, a big old house in an historic neighborhood and more snow and ice than I have seen in many years. I knew very little about the arts community in the area and am thrilled with the myriad of offerings, something going on every weekend and many arts-minded people with whom to interact.

At the History Center I enjoy being one of two full-time staff members who handles everything from events to education, promotion, exhibits, web content, and grant writing, along with all the day-by-day operations that go along with running a museum and research library. We also have a great crew of volunteers, talented, creative, willing to take on a number of tasks to help with programs and events. Mostly we are grateful to our current director, Jim White, a board member and volunteer who has guided us as we look for ways to carry out our mission to preserve, interpret, present and share the history of Linn County. Now Jim wants to retire, and the History Center has begun a search for a new director, someone who will look at where we are and how we can move forward in putting together programs and events like the current exhibit, Six Degrees of Lincoln: The Iowa Connections, which runs through May, and education programs and workshops for children and adults. The History Center offers a monthly memoir writing workshop, Share Your Stories, and several exciting education programs for children, including summer workshops: 100 Years of Fun, Chautauqua, Inventors and Inventions and What’s in Grandpa’s Attic. For more information about current History Center events and programs, or to learn more about the Director position opening, visit our website at www.historycenter.org.

To see the Lincoln exhibit, visit the History Center Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays from 10:00-4:00. Admission is by donation. Or perhaps you’d like to have Abraham Lincoln present at your next meeting or conference. Tom Swenson, a Cedar Rapids actor and History Center educator, portrays Lincoln as well as Mark Twain and Thomas Edison for school, library and adult groups and can create a program that suits the needs of your organization. More information is available at the History Center website, www.historycenter.org or at www.windingroads.net. Or e-mail beth@historycenter.org.

Beth Miller
Project Coordinator
Carl & Mary Koehler History Center
615 First Ave. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
www.historycenter.org
319-362-1501

By Joe Jennison

I am writing to you this month from Des Moines as I attend the Iowa Not-For-Profit Alliance Conference.

Representatives from well over 200 non-profits from around the state are gathering together here this week to share best practices and learn to become better stewards of the nonprofit organizations that add to our state’s quality of life and economic bottom line.

In her opening remarks at the conference, Cyndi Pederson, Executive Director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, made these observations:

-- There are more than 28,000 nonprofits in Iowa

-- Nonprofits employ 9 percent of Iowa’s citizens, making nonprofits the 5^th largest employer in the state

-- Nonprofits contribute $8.3 billion annually to the state’s economy

-- Nonprofits receive help from Iowans in the form of 99 million volunteer hours each and every year

With numbers such as this, it is clear to me that those of us who work and volunteer in Iowa’s nonprofit community, are indeed following a path that pays back this state and its citizens both spiritually and economically.

Yes, Iowa’s nonprofits are both good for the soul, AND good for business.

Musick’s Feast presents “Plain and Simple: Organ Literature and Plainchant” Sunday, March 1, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2701 Rochester Ave., Iowa City. This is a concert of o rgan music based on plainchant, a body of traditional songs used in the liturgies of the Roman Catholic Church. The concert will be presented by members of the University of Iowa Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. $15. Reservations and information are available through (319) 430-4165.

Cornell College offers Music Mondays, in King Chapel, on the Cornell College campus, 600 First St. SW, Mount Vernon, twice this month. Check out Martin Bruns, baritone, and Jan Philip Schulze, piano, at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, March 2; or Aviv String Quartet, at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, March 23. Both concerts are $10. More information is available through (319) 895-4231.

Duncan Sheik won two Tonys for "Spring Awakening" in 2007. Making his Cedar Rapids debut, Sheik will perform his captivating original material as well as songs from the Broadway smash. See him perform Tuesday, March 3, at 8 p.m. at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. $28 to $32. Reservations and information are available through (319) 364-1580.

This month Iowa Public Radio’s "Know the Score" takes you behind the curtain of the Bach Festival taking place in Iowa City. It's a week-long celebration of the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring concerts, lectures and master classes by world-class performers and scholars. Be part of “Know the Score’s” live radio broadcast, Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Old Capitol Senate Chamber, on the University of Iowa campus, Iowa City. Free. More information is available through (319) 335-5730.

The popular musical “Forever Plaid” is restaged at Starlighters II, 136 E. Main St., Anamosa. The music in this show is a compilation of some of the greatest hits of the 50s and early 60s, sung in four-part harmony. See the show Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., or Sundays at 2 p.m., from March 6 through March 15. $14. Reservations and information are available through (319) 462-4793.
Young Footliters in Iowa City is going to put together a production of “Into the Woods, Junior.” This musical performance will be held at the historic Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Friday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 7, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. $10 to $15. Reservations and information are available through (319) 688-2653.

Kirkwood Community College , 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, will present several concerts in March. The Vocal Jazz Festival Concert featuring Jazz Transit and RSVP under the direction of Ray Salucka, will be presented Friday, March 6, at 8 p.m.; and the KCC Jazz Combos Concert featuring guest artist Al Naylor Group and Kirkwood Jazz Combos directed by Dr. Tim Feldkamp, will take place Thursday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. Both concerts are $8. More information is available through (319) 398-4956.

The Beggarmen , an acoustic Celtic-music quartet, will perform a variety of traditional tunes at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Sunday, March 8, at 8 p.m. Known for fine instrumental work on fiddle, guitar, tin whistles, mandolin, uilleann pipes and bodhran (the Irish frame drum), The Beggarmen also lend their voices to the mix for a varied, entertaining show. Free. More information is available through (319) 688-2653.

Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars bring the “diversity and vitality of Cuban music” to the Corridor Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at West High School Auditorium, 2901 W. Melrose, Iowa City; The Musicians from Marlboro return to the area Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. for a performance at the Brown Deer Golf Club, 1900 Country Club Drive, Coralville; and The Academy of Ancient Music, among the world’s leading period-instrument orchestras, will perform Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., at West High School Auditorium, 2901 W. Melrose, Iowa City. All three concerts are presented as part of Hancher Auditorium’s “Can’t Contain Us” season. Tickets for all shows are available through (800) HANCHER.

The Cedar Rapids Symphony welcomes guest conductor Apo Hsu to conduct “Masterworks VI: Spring at Last.” Currently working in Taiwan, Ms. Hsu has forged a career as one of the most exciting young conductors on the scene today, garnering international attention for being one of the few prominent female conductors in the field. See the concert Saturday, March 21, at 8 p.m., at Coe College’s Sinclair Auditorium, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids; or Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. at West High School, 2901 Melrose, Iowa City. Reservations and information are available through (319) 366-8203.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations whose mission is to build, strengthen and lead the local cultural industry and the communities it serves. More information is located at http://www.culturalcorridor.org <http://www.culturalcorridor.org/> This article first appeared in the Corridor Business Journal on Monday, Feb. 23. More information about the Corridor Business Journal is available at www.corridorbiznews.com

CEDAR RAPIDS—The Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA) announced the recipients of its annual Iowa Cultural Corridor Innovation Excellence Awards (aka The Ickys!)  Monday, January 26, at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City.

The 2009 Icky Award recipients are…

Children’s Programming: “Mary GrandPré: Harry Potter and Beyond”—Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Dance Programming: “The Nutcracker”—The Englert Theatre and Nolte Academy of Dance

Festival Programming: “Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival”—Cedar Rapids Independent Filmmakers

History Programming: “1968: Twelve Volatile Months that Changed the World”—National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Music Programming: “New Bohemia Music and Art Festival”—New Bohemia Group

Theatre Programming: “Moving Home”—Classics at Brucemore, Legion Arts, Liars Theatre, SPT Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and Urban Theater Project of Iowa

Touring Events Programming: “Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco”—U.S. Cellular Center

Visual Arts Programming: “The Year of the River: Flood Photography from The Gazette”—Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and The Gazette

Educational Programming: “Arts in a Post-Disaster Community: Lessons from New Orleans”—CSPS/Legion Arts, Access Iowa, and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance

Collaborative Award—between ICCA members: “Moving Home”—Classics at Brucemore, Legion Arts, Liars Theatre, SPT Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and Urban Theater Project of Iowa

Reaching Out Collaborative Award—between ICCA members and non-ICCA members: “Culture’s Alive at Lindale”—Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids Community School District Foundation, Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Science Station, and Theatre Cedar Rapids

Advocacy Awards were also presented to Bob Goodfellow and Audrey Linge-Ovel. These two awards—the Larry Eckholt Award for the South Corridor and the North Corridor Advocate Award—are meant to honor a community member/leader who exemplifies passion, commitment, and advocacy to the cultural vitality of the Corridor.

Presenting sponsor of the Ickys was Corridorbuzz.com with major sponsorship from Alliant Energy and supporting sponsorship by PTDN Diversity Network.

For more information about the Icky Awards and ICCA visit www.culturalcorridor.org.

ICCA was formed in October of 2005 with the merging of the Johnson County Cultural Alliance (JCCA) and the Cedar Rapids Area Culture Alliance (CRACA). The group's mission is to build, strengthen and lead the Corridor's arts and culture organizations and the communities they serve. ICCA maintains www.culturalcorridor.org, the area's one-stop shop for news and information about upcoming cultural events in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.

The two awards -- the Larry Eckholt Award for the South Corridor and the North Corridor Advocate Award -- are meant to honor a community member/leader who exemplifies passion, commitment, and advocacy to the cultural vitality of the Corridor.

The awards were nominated by the 149 organizational members of ICCA and voted on by the ICCA Board of Directors. These two awards are the only awards given to individuals and will be presented during the ICCA Innovative Excellence Awards (aka The Ickys!) on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City.

Bob Goodfellow is the recipient of the Larry Eckholt Award. He is recognized as a tireless advocate for Johnson County cultural organizations and individual events that celebrate the arts, culture, history, and education. He is a business person whose generosity to local groups often includes in-kind support and assistance in producing graphics and promotional materials through his company Goodfellow Printing Co.

Audrey Linge-Ovel will be awarded the North Corridor Advocate Award posthumously. From her years working with the Cedar Rapids Playtime Poppy Program to her gifting of the Iowa Theatre Building and the Grant Wood Studio, Linge-Ovel spent her lifetime giving back to the greater Cedar Rapids community and the cultural Corridor. Before her death last year, Linge-Ovel worked with her children and husband, Jerry Ovel, to create the Linge Family Foundation to continue her legacy of charitable giving.

"These two people exemplify service and dedication to the Corridor's cultural community," said Joe Jennison, Executive Director of ICCA. "And we are thrilled to be able to acknowledge their contributions as part of the annual Icky ceremony. We hope the entire community will come out to celebrate with us."

There are 11 other awards nominated and voted on solely by the membership of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. Those recognitions will be announced live during the Jan. 26 event.

The evening will begin with a dual reception from 5 to 6 p.m. at both the Iowa Artisans Gallery (207 E. Washington St.) and the Chait Galleries Downtown (218 E. Washington St.).

Area celebrity presenters, including Mayor Kay Halloran and Mayor Regenia Bailey, will present the awards. There also will be 12 live performances representing some of the cultural community's many successes during Calendar Year 2008.

Tickets to the Ickys are $20 and are available now through the Englert box office at (319) 688-2653.

About ICCA

ICCA was formed in October of 2005 with the merging of the Johnson County Cultural Alliance (JCCA) and the Cedar Rapids Area Culture Alliance (CRACA). The group's mission is to build, strengthen and lead the Corridor's arts and culture organizations and the communities they serve. ICCA maintains www.culturalcorridor.org the area's one-stop shop for news and information about upcoming cultural events in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.

The event will take place Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the Englert Theatre (221 E. Washington St., Iowa City). The evening will begin with a dual reception from 5 to 6 p.m. at both the Iowa Artisans Gallery (207 E. Washington St.) and the Chait Galleries Downtown (218 E. Washington St.). Tickets to the event are $20 and are on sale now through the Englert box office at (319) 688-2653.

Remember, these awards are not meant to be a “Best Of,” but rather an opportunity to recognize innovation and excellence in cultural programming.

Below is the official ballot. Remember, these awards are voted on only by members of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, making the Ickys the Corridor’s only Cultural Awards nominated and voted on by the peer organizations of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance.

I hope you’ll plan to join us on Jan. 26 at the Englert.

1. Children’s Programming (check one)

□ “Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous” (Science Station*)

□ “DinoMania: The Maze is Back!” (The Iowa Children’s Museum*)

□ “Mary GrandPre’: Harry Potter and Beyond” (Cedar Rapids Museum of Art*)

□ “Move It! Dig It! Do It!” (The Iowa Children’s Museum*)

□ “Puss in Boots” (Brucemore Outdoor Children’s Theatre*)

□ “Timeless Tales by: Hans Christian Andersen” (Children’s Theatre of Cedar Rapids/Playtime

Poppy*)

2. Dance Programming (check one)

□ “Afro Cuban Drum and Dance Ensemble” (University of Iowa Division of Performing

Arts*)

□ “Dance Gala: Special Edition” ( University of Iowa Division of Performing Arts* )

□ “Global Dance Fest” (Legion Arts* and The Cedar Rapids Tango Club)

□ “Hawkeye Swing Dance Festival” (University of Iowa Swing Dance Club*)

□ “Iowa Dance Fest” (ACE Arts Culture Experiment*)

□ “The Nutcracker” (The Englert Theatre* and Nolte Academy of Dance*)

3. Festival Programming (check one)

□ “16^th Annual Marion Arts Festival” (Marion Arts Festival*)

□ “2008 Toyota-Scion of Iowa City Jazz Festival” (Summer of the Arts*)

□ “Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival” (Cedar Rapids Independent Filmmakers*)

□ “Chalk the Walk” (City of Mount Vernon*, Mount Vernon Area Arts Council* and the

James Gang*)

□ “Freedom Festival” (Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival*)

□ “Iowa Arts Festival” (Summer of the Arts*)

4. History Programming (check one)

□ “ 1968: Twelve Volatile Months that Changed the World” (National Czech & Slovak

Museum & Library*)

□ “Beyond the Grave” (Johnson County Historical Society*)

□ “Circus Through the Centuries” (Carl and Mary Koehler History Center*)

□ “A Douglas Family Christmas at Brucemore” (Brucemore National Trust Historic Site*)

□ “Trains Across Iowa!” (Johnson County Historical Society*)

5. Music Programming (check one)

□ “ 2008 Friday Night Concert Series ” (Summer of the Arts*)

□ “Floodstock” (Marion Chamber of Commerce*, Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors

Bureau*, Cedar Rapids Downtown District*, Clear Channel Radio, Farmer’s State Bank,

In Sync Sales and Marketing, Heritage Microfilm and Z102.9)

□ “Handel’s Israel in Egypt” (Chamber Singers of Iowa City* )

□ “Klezmer to Classical – Music by Jewish Composers” (Red Cedar Chamber Music*)

□ “Masterworks I: Ode to Joy – Beethoven at Brucemore” ( Orchestra Iowa aka The Cedar

Rapids Symphony Orchestra* and the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale*)

□ “New Bohemia Music and Art Festival” (New Bohemia Group*)

6. Theater Programming (check one)

□ “Divapalooza 2” (SPT Theatre* and Theatre Cedar Rapids*)

□ “The Foreigner” (Mount Mercy College*)

□ “The King and I” (Iowa City Community Theatre*)

□ “Moving Home” (Classics at Brucemore*, Legion Arts*, Liars Theatre*, SPT Theatre*,

Theatre Cedar Rapids*, and Urban Theater Project of Iowa*)

□ “Nuncrackers” (Old Creamery Theatre Company*)

□ “The Rocky Horror Show” (Theatre Cedar Rapids*)

□ “School House Rock – Live!” (City Circle Acting Company of Coralville*, Englert Theatre*

and The Iowa Children’s Museum*)

□ “Smoke on the Mountain* (Iowa Theatre Artists Company*)

7. Touring Events Programming (check one)

□ “1964: The Tribute” (Englert Theatre*)

□ “Alejandro Escovedo” (Englert Theatre*)

□ “Broadway at the Paramount presents Rent” (Paramount Theatre*)

□ “Broadway at the Paramount presents Stomp” (Paramount Theatre*)

□ “Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco” (U.S. Cellular Center*)

□ “Dar Williams” (Englert Theatre*)

□ “Kathy Griffin” (Hancher Auditorium*)

□ “Randy Newman” (Englert Theatre*)

□ “William Yang in Shadows” (CSPS/Legion Arts*)

8. Visual Arts Programming (check one)

□ “16^th Annual Marion Arts Festival” (Marion Arts Fest*)

□ “2x2xU” (New Bohemia Group*)

□ “Grounds for Art” (Cedar Rapids Downtown District* and the Cedar Rapids Convention and

Visitors Bureau*)

□ “Mary GrandPre’: Harry Potter and Beyond” (Cedar Rapids Museum of Art*)

□ “Voom Portraits Robert Wilson” (CSPS at Legion Arts* and The University of Iowa

Museum of Art*)

□ “The Year of the River: Flood Photography from The Gazette” (Cedar Rapids Museum of

Art* and The Gazette*)

□ “Yoko Ono and the Window Wall” (Cornell College*)

9. Educational Programming (check one)

□ “American Artists Abroad Now: Contemporary Artists and Travel” (Cedar Rapids Museum

of Art*)

□ “Arts in a Post-Disaster Community: Lessons from New Orleans” (CSPS at Legion Arts,*

Access Iowa* and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance*)

□ “Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous” (Science Station*)

□ “Family Puppet Making Workshop” (Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Co.*)

□ “Growing Up in Iowa” (The Iowa Children’s Museum*)

□ “Playground of Science” (Coe College*)

□ “The School House Rock – Live! Project” (City Circle Acting Company of Coralville*,

Englert Theatre* and The Iowa Children’s Museum*)

10. Collaborative Award (between ICCA members)

□ “Big River Benefit for the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of

Iowa” (Kirkwood Community College* and the African American Historical Museum

and Cultural Center of Iowa*)

□ “Chalk the Walk” (City of Mount Vernon*, Mount Vernon Area Arts Council* and the

James Gang*)

□ “Grease” (Young Footliters* and The Englert*)

□ “Masterworks I: Ode to Joy – Beethoven at Brucemore” ( Orchestra Iowa aka The Cedar

Rapids Symphony Orchestra* and the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale* )

□ “Moving Home” (Classics at Brucemore*, Legion Arts*, Liars Theatre*, SPT Theatre*,

Theatre Cedar Rapids*, and Urban Theater Project of Iowa*)

□ “Out Loud! The Metro Library Network Author Series” (Cedar Rapids Public Library*,

Hiawatha Public Library* and Marion Public Library*)

□ “The School House Rock – Live! Project” (City Circle Acting Company of Coralville*,

Englert Theatre* and The Iowa Children’s Museum*)

□ “The Year of the River: Flood Photography from The Gazette” (Cedar Rapids Museum of

Art* and The Gazette*)

11. Reaching Out Collaborative Award (between ICCA members and non-ICCA members)

□ “15^th Annual Bluesmore” (Brucemore National Trust Historic Site* and the Linn County

Blues Society)

□ “Culture’s Alive at Lindale” (Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids Community School District

Foundation, Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau*, Iowa Cultural

Corridor Alliance*, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library*, Science Station* and

Theatre Cedar Rapids*)

□ “Daniel Heyman Artist Lecture” (Old Capitol Museum*, University of Iowa School of Art

and Art History*, University of Iowa Museum of Art*, University of Iowa Center for

Human Rights and the University of Iowa College of Law)

□ “Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center Grand Opening* (Wickiup Hill Outdoor

Learning Center* and Cedar Amateur Astronomers)

□“Floodstock” (Marion Chamber of Commerce*, Cedar Rapids Area Convention and

Visitors Bureau*, Cedar Rapids Downtown District*, Clear Channel Radio, Farmer’s

State Bank, In Sync Sales and Marketing, Heritage Microfilm and Z102.9)

□ “Sandbag Handbag Project for Flood Relief" (Iowa Artisans Gallery*, City of Iowa City,

The Soap Opera, Home Ec, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, The Johnson County

Crisis Center)

□ “Wild West Day Benefit for Ushers Ferry” (Ushers Ferry Historic Village*, Linn County

Conservation Board, Red Cedar Regulators, Willis Territorial Rough Riders and the Hole

in the Sock Gang)

* Denotes membership in the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance.

NOTE: Sometimes a large number of ties in certain categories necessitated larger numbers of nominees in those particular categories. That’s why some categories have five nominees while others have as many as nine nominees.

Tickets on sale for the Third Annual “Ickys”

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Nov. 26, 2008 – Tickets for the third annual Iowa Cultural Corridor Innovative Excellence Awards (aka The Ickys), are now on sale. The cultural program is the signature event for the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA), a group of 148 arts and culture organizations in the 11-county area around the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor. The 2009 Icky Awards, covering Calendar Year 2008, will be presented on Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City.

The Ickys are the area’s only Cultural Awards nominated and voted on solely by the 148 peer groups of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. The program will be hosted by Scott Schulte and Ric Swann of the very popular morning show on Z102.9 – “ Schulte and Swann .” During the evening, awards will be presented to local cultural organizations in the categories of children’s programming, theater programming, dance programming, educational programming, visual arts programming, festival programming, music programming, historical exhibits programming and touring events programming. Special honors will also be awarded for cultural advocacy and collaboration.

“This has been a challenging year for the area’s cultural community,” said Joe Jennison, Executive Director of ICCA. “This year it’s more important than ever to come together, show support and celebrate the Cultural Corridor -- the cultural heart of Iowa and a major contributor to the state’s great quality of life.”

In addition to the awards, the Jan. 26 ceremony will also feature live recreations of 2008 performances by cultural groups, included will be performances representing the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, Anamosa Pumpkinfest, Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, James Gang, Old Creamery Theatre Company, Paramount Theatre, Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts, Rage Theatrics, SPT Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids and Wickiup Hill. Also included will be celebrity presenters including former Governor Thomas Vilsack and Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Mayors Kay Halloran and Regenia Bailey.

Producing Sponsor for the event is Corridorbuzz.com. Other sponsors of the event include Alliant Energy and PTDN Diversity Network.

This event will also double as ICCA’s annual meeting. Tickets are $20 and are available to the general public through the Englert Theatre box office at (319) 688-2653.

ICCA was formed in October of 2005 with the merging of the Johnson County Cultural Alliance (JCCA) and the Cedar Rapids Area Culture Alliance (CRACA). The group’s mission is to build, strengthen and lead the Corridor’s arts and culture organizations and the communities they serve. ICCA maintains www.culturalcorridor.org, the area’s one-stop shop for news and information about upcoming cultural events in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.

By Carol Johnk

Have you ever – as an adult – had a childhood dream come true? Well, I have in a wonderful way.

As a child, I dreamed (as many little girls did) of being a ballerina. I had the music box with the perfect ballerina, en pointe, rotating to some, now-forgotten tune. I read book after book about the incomparable Margot Fonteyn and the beautiful and tragic Isadora Duncan. But, alas, I grew up in the middle of South Dakota in a small town with no dance studios. One year a teacher drove the 100 miles from another town to teach, but that didn’t last long and I never was able to even come close to fulfilling my dream.

But now, many years (I won’t say how many!) I’m dancing in “The Nutcracker.” I am not, of course, wearing the tutu with the sequins and the tiara and I certainly don’t have the long, slender, powerful legs ending in the beautiful, perfect, satin toe shoes. I am now one of the “party parents.” Meaning that I, along with several of my adult friends, get to play at being the parents in the opening party scene. This is where Clara receives the Nutcracker as a gift and sets the scene for the entire ballet. So, instead of having toe shoes myself, I watch as Clara receives her first pair as a Christmas gift from her parents. I watch as a group of dedicated and talented young dancers from the Nolte Academy of Dance twirl and leap and dance their way through my childhood dream.

I watch from the wings as these young dancers work on perfecting each of their roles – and most of them have several. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of toe shoes on the floor as the dancers defy gravity and leap and then are brought back to earth again. I listen to the hauntingly beautiful music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. I watch – and envy – the young girls as they stretch in preparation for the rigors of the dance. They are so flexible and strong. I must admit that I even envy their cute little dance shorts with matching leg warmers and the ability to pull hair into tight little buns and the discipline that it has taken for them to reach this point. I envy their grace and their dedication and their joy in the dance.

And, as I dance – the party parents do get to dance, too, a sedate, courtly dance – I can pretend for a little while.

I am also lucky enough to be playing the role of “Mother Ginger.” This is truly my favorite part of the show. I’m on stage with some pretty terrific young dancers – the polichinelles. They know their cues and they know when we aren’t hitting our mark on stage. When they are off-stage, they giggle and whisper and act like normal grade-school children. But, when it is their turn to be on stage, they take it very seriously and are not shy about telling me if I don’t quite do something correctly. I don’t even know all of their names, but when we are on stage I’m so proud of them . It is hard for me to describe the sense of joy that I get when I share the stage with these kids.

I’m grateful for the chance to participate in this glorious holiday classic. I am lucky enough to be able to dress up in fabulous period clothing and pretend for a little while. To lose myself in the fantasy. To live, in a small way, my childhood dream. And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll own a pair of toe shoes!!

Carol Johnk is Executive Director of Arts a la Carte, a non-profit movement arts organization based in Coralville. AAC fosters all forms of the movement arts by offering venues for teaching, creating, and sharing movement works.

The Nutcracker runs Dec. 5 - & at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Tickets are $14-$22 and are avialable at the Englert Box Office and online at http://www.englert.org/event_details.php?id=249

By Joe Jennison

In my position as Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA), I am regularly given the opportunity to sit on committees, quite often to plan community projects and events on both sides of the Corridor. I don’t always enjoy committee work, but every time I work with the representatives from this one particular committee, I walk away feeling fulfilled, engaged and very proud of the work.

The Corridor Networking and Welcome Receptions were designed to pave the way for communities, employers, cultural organizations and citizens to unite and network for a diverse, welcoming Corridor. These Welcome Receptions have been organized by PTDN Diversity Network since April of 2001, and this past year these quarterly events have grown because of the collaborations between PTDN and Access Iowa, Diversity Focus, Eastern Iowa Human Resource Association, and ICCA.

As I write this, I am only 12 hours past the success of this committee’s third venture, where approximately 100 people met for a brief program, food, wine and networking on the stage of the historic Englert Theatre. Nearly one quarter of the attendees to this event were new to the community.

Any one of these organizations would certainly be capable of pulling off a decent reception, but when all of us work together, something very special happens – each organization grows beyond its mission and its database, and new audiences become aware of the work and services of all these great nonprofits.

I look forward to our next quarterly Welcome Reception scheduled for April, and of course the fulfilling committee work, which will begin one month earlier.

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 210 Parkside Drive, West Branch, is offering a new holiday exhibit titled “A Very Elvis Christmas” that features 20 Christmas trees showcasing the life and career of Elvis Presley. The exhibit will run through Jan. 4, and is open every day, accept major holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $3 to $6. More information is available through (319) 643-5301.

Brucemore National Trust Historic Site, 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, is offering a special holiday program this year in addition to its Holiday Mansion Tours. At “A Douglas Family Christmas” v isitors will get the opportunity to meet the Douglas family and their house staff, circa 1911. This tour will be offered Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 5 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 18. $10. Reservations and information are available through (319) 362-7375.

The Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau, at the Festhalle Barn, in Main Amana, is once again offering its “Tannenbaum Forest.” Here, “ a forest of decorated, live Christmas trees inspires holiday wishes.” See the forest Mondays through Thursdays, from 1 to 3 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec 21. Free-will donation accepted to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. More information is available through (800) 579-2294.

Mount Mercy College, 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, will offer its “Lessons and Carols Christmas Concert” on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in Stello Performance Hall of Warde Hall on the Mount Mercy campus. Under the direction of Dr. Daniel E. Kleinknecht, the concert will feature traditional Christmas music as well as seasonal favorites. Free. More information is available through (319) 363-8213.

The Marion Chamber of Commerce sponsors “Christmas in the Park” every year at Marion City Park, in downtown Marion. Santa is delivered on a fire truck with hot chocolate, roaming singers, a live Grinch and the lighting of the city tree. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, and will be available through 8 p.m., tree lighting at 6 p.m. Free. More information is available through (319) 377-6316.

It's like two shows in one when the U.S. Cellular Center, 370 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, hosts “The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show.” First, the group will sing hits such as "Elvira" and "Bobbie Sue." Then, the stage is transformed and the Oak Ridge Boys offer a set of Christmas songs. See the show Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. $38.50. Reservations and information are available through (319) 363-1888.

There are several choices for theater this holiday season. Starlighters II Theatre, 136 E. Main St., Anamosa, is offering “Godspell.” See it Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., or Sundays at 2 p.m. from Dec. 5 through Dec. 14. $14. Reservations and information are available through (319) 462-4793. Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City, is once again offering its very popular one-man show, “Small Miracles” on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m., or Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. $12 to $20. Reservations and information for this one are available through (319) 338-7672. City Circle Acting Company of Coralville, at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, is offering “Santaland Diaries” this holiday season. See this very funny David Sedaris play Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17, 19 and 20, at 7:30 p.m., or Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. $15 to $18. Reservations and information are available through (319) 688-2653.

Svate'ho Mlkula'se (Saint Nicholas Day) will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the new National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library at Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Included will be performances, sing-a-longs, craftmaking and appearances by Sv. Milkulas, Andel, a Cert (St. Nicholas, the Angel, and the Devil). Free. More information is available through (319) 362-8500.

The Fire and Ice Holiday Festival will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. in downtown Cedar Rapids. The Holiday Delight Parade begins at 6 p.m., with fireworks to follow. Free. More information is available through (319) 398-0449.

Orchestra Iowa (also known as The Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra) has two high-profile events this holiday season. See the annual “Handel’s Messiah Singalong” Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 857 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; and see “Holiday Pops: Home for the Holidays” Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14, at both 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Sinclair Auditorium, on the Coe College campus, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids; or Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at West High School, 2901 Melrose Ave., Iowa City. Tickets range from $20 to $51. Reservations and information is available through (800) 369-TUNE.

Don’t miss “Lynne Rothrock’s Christmas Cabaret.” The diva will present her annual Christmas Cabaret at Campbell Steele Gallery, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19 and 20, at 8 p.m. $25. Reservations and information are available through (319) 373-9211.

Iowa's own Eastern Iowa Brass Band will present their annual Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mount Vernon District Auditorium, 525 Palisades Road, Mount Vernon. $10 adult, $4 student. Tickets are available at the door. More information is available through (319) 270-7662.

Fulfilling committee work. Another reason that I’m so glad I live here.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations, whose mission is to build, strengthen and lead the local cultural industry and the communities it serves. More information on these and other arts and culture events in Eastern Iowa is located at www.culturalcorridor.org

This column first appeared in the Corridor Business Journal on Monday, November 24, 2008. Find out more about the Corridor Business Journal at www.corridorbiznews.com

By Joe Jennison

If you’ve flown into The Eastern Iowa Airport recently, you may have seen me or my staff talking with a tourist, or perhaps one of us waved at you as you rushed by the Corridor Concierge Desk on your way to Baggage Claim.

“Welcome to the Corridor!” I sometimes shout out. “We’re glad you’re here!”

I love this part of my job.

Oftentimes, when I greet a business traveler or a new resident with a welcome such as is described above, I am struck by the stranger’s absolute shock and awe at the mere fact that someone in an airport actually reached out to say hello.

Apparently this doesn’t happen in Chicago O’Hare or Washington Dulles.

Many visitors are even further surprised when they realize that this hearty welcome is backed by substantial answers to their questions:

“I have two hours in your town, what should I do?”

“Is there a museum here that caters specifically to children?”

“Where can I hear some bluegrass music?”

Or, “What’s a good place for dinner?”

Of course, the answers to all of these questions and more are available daily at The Eastern Iowa Airport, but even the individual staff members at the airport’s Welcome Center are not able to reach out to every new resident or visitor.

That’s where you come in. Do you know someone new to the community?

Why not make their day with a hearty greeting a la The Eastern Iowa Airport Corridor Concierge Desk?

“Welcome to the Corridor! We’re glad you’re here!”

November begins with the UI’s annual Dance Gala. “Dance Gala: Special Edition” showcases the best talent of 40-60 UI faculty and students. Due to the historic flooding, this year’s event will take place at Space Place Theatre, 101 North Hall, on the University of Iowa campus, Iowa City. See the show Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from Oct. 30 through Nov. 8. $20, with discounts for seniors, students and youth through (319) 335-3041 or 1-800-346-4401.

Rockwell Collins engineer Rod Blocksome will present “The Search for Amelia Earhart's Airplane,” a discussion about the eight-year quest into the story of Amelia Earhart by the research teams from Nauticos Corp and Rockwell Collins. Two survey trips were taken, in 2002 and 2006, to Howland Island in the South Pacific in search of Earhart's aircraft. See what they found on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Marion Public Library, 1095 Sixth Ave., Marion. Free. More information is available through (319) 377-3412.

An all-star gathering of musicians performing in the Celtic and Irish traditions will fill The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington, Iowa City, with melancholy and joyous sounds on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 6 and 7, at 7:30 p.m. “An Irish Homecoming” includes champion dancers and former dance ensemble members of Riverdance and The Chieftains, the renowned Celtic band Cherish The Ladies, vocalists O’Connell and Reader, and the fiddle and guitar duo of Carroll and Doyle. This is going to be really cool. $15 to $42 through (800) HANCHER.

Set in the early 1900's, “Sarah Plain and Tall” brings to life the charming story of a Kansas farmer with two children, who places an ad in the newspapers seeking a wife. He receives a letter from a Sarah Wheaton of Maine who says she will visit the family for a month to see how things work out: "I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall." The play is produced by the Iowa City Community Theatre and will take place Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from Nov. 7 through 16. $15 through (319) 338-0443.

The annual Harmony Hawks Gospel Concert is hosted by the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks Barbershop Chorus, and provides two hours of non-denominational gospel music selected and performed by local artists. A free will offering will be accepted to benefit the local Salvation Army. See the concert, Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 and 7 p.m. at the New Covenant Bible Church, 1800 46^th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Free. More information is available through (319) 573-3443.

Laugh along with classic slapstick comedy of the Silent Era on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., when the moving pictures come to Ushers Ferry, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE, Cedar Rapids. “Silent Movie Night at Ushers Ferry” includes several silent-era films, free popcorn and pop. $8, with discounts for children. More information is available through (319) 286-5763.

Paula West will appear in concert at the Campbell Steele Gallery, 1064 7^th Ave., Marion, on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15, at 8 p.m., as part of the 'Cruz Steele Presents Brand New Favorites' concert series. The San Francisco-based, New York regular will bring her r ich, velvety contralto, excellent pitch and “insinuating sense of swing” to the gallery for two performances. $25 through (319) 373-9211.

AKAR, 257 E. Iowa Ave., Iowa City, closes out the year with a retrospective in honor of University of Iowa ceramics professor Bunny McBride. Featuring a combined 150 works of ceramic art by 30 potters who either influenced, or were students of McBride. Titled “30 (Potters) x5 (Pots),” will open on Friday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Free. More information is available through (319) 351-1227.

“Megan Gogerty Loves You Very Much” is a semi-autobiographical tale from Iowa playwright Megan Gogerty, who offers an evening of timely political commentary, where she follows the nation’s progress from the 2004 election through this November. See the world premiere play Nov. 21 through 30 at the Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. $20 to $24 through (319) 338-7672.

The Little Sisters of Hoboken return with another musical. “Nuncrackers” takes place in real time in the basement of the convent as the Sisters tape their first TV special. Rum-filled fruitcakes, wayward batons, and stolen Christmas presents all add to the kookiness of the convent. This one sounds like a real hoot. See it at the Old Creamery Theatre Company, 39 38^th Ave., Amana, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20. $16.50 to $25.50 through (800) 35-AMANA.

Making others feel welcome. Another reason that I’m so glad I live here.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance, a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations, whose mission is to build, strengthen and lead the local cultural industry and the communities it serves. More information on these and other arts and culture events in Eastern Iowa is located at www.culturalcorridor.org

This column first appeared in the Corridor Business Journal on Monday, October 27, 2008. Find out more about the Corridor Business Journal at www.corridorbiznews.com

A quick Google search later, I had my answer.

Barack Obama has a two-page position on the arts and culture posted on his website. On John McCain’s website: absolutely nothing on the arts and culture. Obama talks of the need to reinvest in arts education, and that while math and science skills are important for our children to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively — which can come from a meaningful arts education. Obama supports the creation of an “Artists Corps” of young artists trained to work in low-income schools and their communities. He supports increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Through his proposed health-care plan, he aims to make health care coverage affordable for artists. He also supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow artists to deduct the fair market value of their work, rather than just the costs of the materials, when they make charitable contributions.

As for McCain, my search led me to blogger CultureGrrl, a.k.a. Lee Rosenbaum, a veteran cultural journalist. She claims to have “scoured the web” trying to find McCain’s “cultural stance.” “On this,” she says, “the celebrated POW appears to be MIA.” Rosenbaum even searched the Republican Party platform using the keywords “arts” — which brought up the word “counterparts” — and “culture” — which brought up “military culture,” “culture of radical terror,” “shared culture and values,” “entrenched culture of official Washington,” “entrepreneurial culture,” and “agriculture.” And none of those are the kind of culture she was searching for.

And just a few important points about McCain’s arts-related voting record: in 1999, he voted against tabling the Smith/Ashcroft Amendment — the one that, if passed, would have completely eliminated funding for the NEA. In 2000, McCain supported cutting $7.3 million from the proposed budget for the NEA.

And that, I think, is enough said.

Cathy Wilkie is Editor of Art Scene, a monthly statewide magazine devoted to the arts and culture in Iowa. See www.artsceneiowa.com to view issues online.

By Joe Jennison

Advocates for the arts have a chance to vote smart on Nov. 4, when candidates for all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate will be up for re-election. This election season provides a watershed moment for all of us who support the arts to send Congress a clear message that the arts matter.

This year the arts have offered this state and its residents comfort and hope and inspiration in the face of overwhelming obstacles. But the arts also play an important role in the recruitment and retention of professional workers, bring money to the state in the form of cultural tourism dollars and build this state’s quality of life. It is arts and culture programming in your city or town that makes Iowa a great place to live, work and visit.

If you’re reading this message, you already believe in the arts, otherwise you would be reading another publication or Web site. You also already know that the arts fuel creativity and innovation, play an important role in the education of Iowa’s children, enrich our lives and strengthen our communities.

Despite the good news that is arts and culture, our Congress regularly underfunds the arts. The Americans for the Arts Action Fund PAC has produced a Congressional Arts Report Card as a guide to help you and I make arts-informed decisions this November. The guide contains carefully evaluated legislative benchmarks that form a detailed arts record, including a numerical score and letter grade, for each Member of the House. The entire report is available at www.artsactionfund.org/stay_informed/special_reports/

The votes that the Americans for the Arts Action Fund PAC deemed important include, among other things, amendments offered to eliminate or reduce funding for the NEA, arts education and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. According to the PAC, the Senate took no up-or-down votes on funding for arts education or the NEA from 2006 to 2008, and the Senate hasn’t held a vote directly related to the arts since 2000. The U.S. Senate does have a Senate Cultural Caucus chaired by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Norm Coleman (R-MN). The Cultural Caucus has 34 members with no Senators from Iowa, however, it should be mentioned that Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is leading efforts to restore annual support for arts education.

What follows are report cards from the 2008 Congressional Report Card put together by the Americans for the Arts Action Fund PAC. Cut this out and send it to your Congressman and let him know that Iowa’s cultural community is indeed paying attention. Now, more than ever, our government needs to step up its support for arts and culture.

Congressman Score Grade

Leonard Boswell 90 A

Bruce Braley 40 C

Steven King 0 F

Tom Latham 40 C

David Loebsack 88 A

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA), a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations in the 11-county area around Cedar Rapids/Iowa City. He is also a board member with the Iowa Cultural Coalition (ICC), a statewide arts advocacy organization based in Des Moines. More information on ICCA is available at www.culturalcorridor.org. More information on the ICC is available at www.iowaculturalcoalition.org. Contact him direct with story ideas or to comment on the column at joe@culturalcorridor.org.

This column originally appeared in the October issue of ArtScene, a Midwest publication dedicated to arts and culture. Find out more about ArtScene through www.artsceneiowa.com

By Joe Jennison

I got a call from Fort Dodge artist Regina Smith a few days after the waters receded. She knew that I live and work in Cedar Rapids, and simply wanted to find out what she could do to help.

At the time, several organizational members of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA) were submitting requests via www.culturalcorridor.org, and one organizational member was asking for some random office supplies as everything at this particular organization was lost in the Flood. I submitted a small list of requested items to Regina via email, fully expecting Regina to send one standard shipping box filled with items off to us.

One week later, a Decker Truck filled with thousands of items earmarked for the organizational members of ICCA arrived in Cedar Rapids from Regina and her friends and neighbors in Fort Dodge.

Of course, this is just one example of Iowa’s arts and culture community reaching out to ease the suffering of its cultural colleagues. The Grant Wood Memorial Chapel, for instance, now houses both Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Symphony. The Iowa Masonic Library and Museums is currently hosting the staff and offices of the African American Historical Museum. This past month, I saw Theatre Cedar Rapids “Gypsy” performed at McKinley Junior High, and later this month I will enjoy the Cedar Rapids Symphony’s opening concert on the lawn of Brucemore.

Needless to say, I have a great respect for the people of Fort Dodge, and because of the actions of this one dedicated artist, the suffering of many arts groups in the Cedar Rapids area have been eased.

I met Regina through my association with the Iowa Cultural Coalition (ICC), Iowa’s only statewide arts advocacy group. And in fact, I have met dozens of arts professionals across the state through this organization, and through this organization, many are working together to make Iowa a better place for all of us who work and volunteer in the arts.

I am inspired and empowered every day by the relationships I have developed through the ICC, and know that without a strong foundation built one relationship at a time across the state, this difficult time in our state’s cultural history would be so much harder to navigate.

Find out how you can get involved with other like-minded cultural colleagues though www.iowaculturalcoalition.org. Iowa’s cultural community needs to work closely together to see to it that all of its artists and organizations come back healthy and whole.

God Bless Iowa’s cultural community.

Joe Jennison is the Executive Director of the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance (ICCA), a group of 100+ arts and culture organizations in the 11-county area around Cedar Rapids/Iowa City. He is also a board member with the Iowa Cultural Coalition (ICC), a statewide arts advocacy organization based in Des Moines. More information on ICCA is available at www.culturalcorridor.org. More information on the ICC is available at www.iowaculturalcoalition.org. Contact him direct with story ideas about collaboration or to comment on the column at joe@culturalcorridor.org.

This column originally appeared in the September 2008 issue of ArtScene, a Midwest publication dedicated to arts and culture. Find out more about ArtScene through www.artsceneiowa.com

By Joe Jennison

I had my breakdown last Thursday.

It was Sept. 11, at about 7:15 p.m., and I was standing in the lobby of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. I had just come from the extremely moving exhibit “The Year of the River: Flood Photography from the Gazette” and I finally seemed to reach that point when I could no longer hold it in. You know, that point when three months of being brave and resilient and positive gave way to anguish and distress and anger – and relief.

The exhibit contains 83 images from Gazette photographers covering the historic Floods of 2008, and includes photos from both sides of the Cultural Corridor. Here, we again see the rivers rise, the sandbagging efforts begin and the waters then quickly overtake our cities and our buildings and our beloved nonprofit organizations. Through this exhibit, we also see the aftermath, the devastation and the hard work of rebuilding by so many that still goes on today.

But this time, unlike the first time I experienced the Floods of 2008, I stood and watched the familiar dread and fear and loss and pain overtake my community from inside an art museum, a place of peace and order and calm. And this time I could step out and away from the exhibit and leave the tragedy whenever I chose.

This time, I felt a sense of control.

At first I resisted even attending this exhibit. I felt as if I wasn’t ready yet to relive the tragedy. But afterward, I was so glad I went and experienced it and had my much-needed breakdown. In the context of an art museum that regularly showcases pieces of art from all periods of history, I allowed myself the opportunity to move forward.

That is the power of art.

The century-old Festhalle Barn, 622 46^th Ave., Amana, provides the perfect setting for Oktoberfest, a nonstop Amana-wide party that includes entertainment, dance and German-style foods and beverages. Autumn-themed events include a parade, street-side vendors, entertainment and craft demonstrations at local shops. See it Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Home Brew Competition Saturday. Most events free. More information is available through (319) 622-7622.

Pieta Brown will appear in concert at the Campbell Steele Gallery, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion, Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. as part of the “Cruz Steele Presents Brand New Favorites.”' This will be the first concert in a series of four concerts at the gallery this fall and winter that also will include headliners Erin Bode, Paula West and Prudence Johnson. $25 per concert. More information is available through (319) 373-9211.

The Cedar Rapids Environmental Film Festival offers feature length and short movies on environmental topics for the Cedar Rapid public during the month of October. The festival uses the power of films to educate, inspire and motivate its audiences to act on environmental issues. See the films at several locations throughout the month including Indian Creek Nature and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. All movies, locations and times are listed at www.prairiewoods.org. More information is available through Prairiewoods at (319) 395-6700.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, 410 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, will be one of several galleries participating in the self-guided Metro Gallery Tour on Friday, Oct. 3, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each gallery on the tour will showcase the latest artwork by regional and national artists. Free. More information is available through (319) 366-7503.

The Anamosa Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 20th Annual Pumpkinfest again this year on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pumpkin growers from all over the Midwest and as far away as Colorado and Michigan compete for $6,750 in prizes. $2 badge to enter. More information is available at (319) 462-4879.

Music Mondays , opens its 11th season with a performance by guitarist Stephen Marchionda in King Chapel, the centerpiece of the historic Cornell College campus, on Monday, Oct. 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. $10 ($5 for students) at the door. More information is available through (319) 895-4231.

From her recurring role on “ Seinfeld” and starring role on “ Suddenly Susan” to her HBO specials and Emmy-nominated Bravo series “ My Life on the D-List ,” Kathy Griffin has cemented her position as one of the sharpest-tongued comics around. See her show Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. $32 to $50 through (800) HANCHER.

Featuring scenes and songs that poke fun at both political parties and a variety of pundits – “Second City: Deface the Nation” proves that there’s no shortage of comedy coming out of Washington DC in this or any year. See the show Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 9 through 12, at 8 p.m. $12 through $24 through (319) 688-2653.

The Emmy Award-winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon series “School House Rock” is brought to the stage in a collaboration between the Englert, City Circle Acting Company of Coralville and the Iowa Children’s Museum. See the live stage show Friday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., or Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. $10 to $20 through (319) 688-2653.

Check out Judy Collins at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, 300 E. 9^th St., Coralville. Collin’s songlist includes classics such as "Both Sides Now," "Send in the Clowns," and "Chelsea Morning," among many, many others. See her show Friday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. $55 through (800) HANCHER.

Ushers Ferry Parlour Theatre presents “Morbid Curiosities: An Evening of Gothic Horror” Saturday, Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brucemore mansion, 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids. Step out of the light and comfort of the 21st century and into the deep darkness of the 19th century gothic horror with master storyteller Darrin Crow. $12 through (319) 286-5763.

Art that heals. Another reason that I’m so glad I live here.

Joe Jennison is the Ex