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Music to fill the air this summer in Eastern Iowa and beyond
Your guide to festival fare, grandstands, neighborhood concerts and more
Diana Nollen
May. 9, 2024 4:00 am, Updated: May. 9, 2024 8:04 am
It’s time to crank up the tunes and head outdoors for music under the sun and the setting sun. Indoor venues offer places to beat the heat to rock and country beats. Check out more options on HooplaNow.com as well.
BROOKLYN
BROOKLYN OPERA HOUSE: 105 Jackson St. A Tribute to Alan Jackson by Doug Brewin, 2 p.m. May 19; brooklynoperahouse.com/events
CEDAR RAPIDS
BRUCEMORE: 2160 Linden Dr. SE. Hello Summer! 7:30 p.m. May 31 and June 1, with poetry, dance and music, $15 to $25; Music at the Big House, 7:30 p.m. June 21 and 22, Sept. 13 and 14, $25 to $140 tables; Artisan Studio Showcase, Marcy Each at 7 p.m. July 16, Brigid Martin at 7 p.m. Aug. 2, $10 to $15; Music in the Courtyard, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29-31 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5-7, $25 to $140 tables; ticket links for each show on the calendar of events, brucemore.org/events/list/
CEDAR RAPIDS FREEDOM FESTIVAL: Cardboard Boat Regatta, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8, Robbins Lake at Ellis Park; Army Band, 6 p.m. June 16, Lowe Park, 4500 10th St., Marion, free; Balloon Glow, noon to 10 p.m. June 22, Jones Park, 201 Wilson Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, with Volta Youth Music and Arts Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. and BirdChild at 7 p.m., free with Freedom Festival Button; Celebration of Freedom Concert, 5 to 10 p.m. July 4, McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids, with Day’s Live Music at 5 p.m., Alisabeth Von Presley at 7 p.m., free with Freedom Festival Button; freedomfestival.com/calendar
CEDAR RAPIDS MUNICIPAL BAND: 18 free concerts, generally 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, June 5 to Aug. 4; professional ensemble performing in metro area parks and neighborhoods, July 3 concert at Guthridge Park, Hiawatha; indoor concerts July 24 at Washington High School and July 28 at Ballantyne Auditorium, Kirkwood Community College; crmuniband.org/concert-schedule/
JAZZ UNDER THE STARS: Thursdays in August; free admission, bring seating. Watch for details at kcck.org/juts/
MCGRATH AMPHITHEATRE: 475 First St. SW; outdoor concerts, festivals on the banks of the Cedar River; food and live music. Highlights: Orchestra Iowa Pops on the River, June 1; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, June 22; The Flaming Lips, June 25; The Beach Boys, July 12; Clint Black, Aug. 1; Bare Naked Ladies, Sept. 16. creventslive.com/events/veue/mcgrath-amphitheatre
PARAMOUNT THEATRE: 123 Third Ave. SE. Concerts all summer. Highlights: Saxon & Uriah Heep, May 23, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, July 26, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, July 27, The Mavericks, Aug. 16; Burning Red, a Taylor Swift tribute, Sept. 21. creventslive.com/events/veue/paramount-theatre
ROCK THE BLOCK: 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays, May 10 to Aug. 23, NewBo City Market outdoor stage, 1100 Third St. SE; local and traveling bands; free admission, bring seating; newbocitymarket.org/rock-the-block
TOURNAMENT OF DRUMS: 7 p.m. Aug. 2, Prairie High School Stadium, 401 76th Ave. SW; competition drum corps from Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Washington; $20 general admission, $25 reserved seating, ages 5 and under free; iowamusicandarts.org/tournament-of-drums
CORALVILLE
CORALVILLE 4THFEST: July 3 and 4, S.T. Morrison Park, 1513 Seventh St.; 5K run/walk, entertainment, food, carnival, free concert by Trophy Dads and Yacht Rock Revue at 6:30 p.m. July 3, parade and fireworks July 4; coralville.org/310/4thFest
DES MOINES AREA
80/35: July 12 and 13, Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines; eclectic lineup of local, regional, national acts; food and beverage vendors; tickets $130 to $350 VIP, parking $15 to $50; 80-35.com/
HINTERLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL: Aug. 2 to 4, Avenue of the Saints Amphitheatre, 3357 St. Charles Rd., St. Charles, south of Des Moines. With Hozier, Vampire Weekend, Noah Kahan, Mt. Joy and more. Passes: join the waitlist for three-day passes; $145 to $750 single day; camping, parking options; hinterlandiowa.com/
IOWA STATE FAIR: Aug. 8 to 18: Fairgrounds, East 30th Street and East University Avenue, Des Moines. Midway rides, food on a stick, exhibits, livestock, free and ticketed music, contests, Butter Cow. Grandstand lineup: Lauren Daigle, 8 p.m. Aug. 8, $35-$65; Foreigner with Melissa Etheridge opening, 8 p.m. Aug. 9, $35-$70; Jelly Roll, 8 p.m. Aug. 10, sold out; Greta Van Fleet, 8 p.m. Aug. 11, $45-$90; Brett Young, 8 p.m. Aug. 12, $35-$60; Thomas Rhett, 8 p.m. Aug. 13, $45-$100; Motley Crue, 8 p.m. Aug. 14, $60-$125; Gabriel Iglesias, 8 p.m. Aug. 15, $30-$65; The Avett Brothers, 8 p.m. Aug. 16, $35-$70; Ne-Yo, 8 p.m. Aug. 17, $35-$60; Kidz Bop, 6 p.m. Aug. 18, $20-$35; iowastatefair.org/entertainment/grandstand/
DUBUQUE
BACK WATERS STAGE, outdoors, Q Casino, 1855 Greyhound Park Rd. Highlights: Warrant, June 1; Billy Currington, June 28; Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Aug. 9; Riley Green, Aug. 29; backwatersstage.com/events/ For indoor concerts in the Q Showroom, go to qcasinoandhotel.com/entertainment/q-showroom/
DIAMOND JO CASINO, 301 Bell St. For details on Mississippi Moon Bar concerts and comedians, go to diamondjodubuque.boydgaming.com/entertain/mississippi-moon-bar
IOWA CITY
ENGLERT THEATRE: 221 E. Washington St. Full slate of concerts and events. Highlights: Asleep at the Wheel, 7:30 p.m. May 17, $22-$55; The War and Treaty, 7:30 p.m. May 23, $10-$38; Sam Bush, 7:30 p.m. June 28, $20-$54; Keb’ Mo’, 7:30 p.m. July 20, $44-$107; Robert Cray Band, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27, $31-$85; englert.org/events/
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES: 6:30 p.m. Fridays, May 10 to Sept. 20, Ped Mall stage downtown; free admission; bring seating; rain site is Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, Washington and Gilbert streets; summerofthearts.org/
RHYTHMS AT RIVERFRONT CROSSINGS: 6:30 p.m. concerts, Riverfront Crossings Park, 1001 S. Clinton St., Iowa City; Diplomats of Solid Sound May 25; Kevin Burt and Big Medicine, June 29; Dave Zollo & The Body Electric, July 27; Winterland, Aug. 24; Shade of Blue, Sept. 28; summerofthearts.org/
MUSIC ON THE MOVE: Bands at various Iowa City and Coralville parks, Wednesday nights in June; Tuesday nights in July and August, ending Aug. 20; summerofthearts.org/
IOWA ARTS FESTIVAL: June 7 to 9, downtown Iowa City; features local and national artists, food, kids’ activities, local and national musicians; Saturday main stage headliner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, 8 p.m.; free admission; summerofthearts.org/
IOWA CITY COMMUNITY BAND: Free concerts in various Iowa City/Coralville area sites; June 8 to July 14; https://www.facebook.com/ICCBand/
IOWA CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL: July 5 to 7, downtown Iowa City; local, regional, national and international jazz artists, fireworks Friday; free admission. Headliners: Friday: 8 p.m. Ingrid Jensen and the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra; Saturday: 8 p.m. Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix; Sunday: 3 p.m. 10 of Soul. summerofthearts.org/
NORTHSIDE SATURDAY NIGHTS: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays, May 11 to Sept. 28, Northside Outside community area, North Linn Street from Market Street to the Hamburg Inn alleyway; live music series curated by the Englert Theatre to showcase local talent; downtowniowacity.com/
MANCHESTER
DELAWARE COUNTY FAIR: July 8 to 14, fairgrounds, 200 E. Acers St. Grandstand concerts: Chris Young, 8:30 p.m. July 11, free to $60; Brantley Gilbert, 8:30 p.m. July 12, free to $60; delawarecofair.com/visit-the-fair/main-events/
MARION
MARION BY MOONLIGHT: 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday in June, Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th St.; different band each week; free, bring seating; uptownmarion.com/upcoming-events/annual-festivals/
MARION COMMUNITY BANDS: 7 p.m. June 11 and 25, Thomas Park, 343 Marion Blvd.; jazz and concert bands; free, bring seating; uptownmarion.com/upcoming-events/annual-festivals/
MARION BIG BAND: 7 p.m. Thursdays in July, Thomas Park, 343 Marion Blvd.; free, bring seating; uptownmarion.com/upcoming-events/annual-festivals/
MUSIC UNDER THE MOON: 7:30 p.m., Klopfenstein Amphitheater, Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th St.; June 8: The Beat Goes On starring Lisa McClowry as Cher; July 13: Head East, classic rock; Aug. 10: The Boy Band Night with Kenny Braasch; free, bring seating and snacks or buy from vendors; cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/News/News/7859/
UPTOWN GETDOWN: 6 p.m. Thursdays in August, Seventh Avenue, Uptown Marion; different bands each week; free, bring seating; uptownmarion.com/upcoming-events/annual-festivals/
MONTICELLO
GREAT JONES COUNTY FAIR: July 17 to 21, fairgrounds, 800 N. Maple St., Monticello. Carnival, food, exhibits, music. Grandstand concerts: Lainey Wilson, 8 p.m. July 18, $90; Creed, 7 p.m. July 19, $50-$55; Cody Johnson, 8 p.m. July 20, $75; Hailey Whitters, 7 p.m. July 21, $20; free hillside seating with blankets or tarps allowed on the grass beginning at 8 a.m.; greatjonescountyfair.com/
NORTH LIBERTY
NORTH LIBERTY BLUES & BBQ: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 13, Centennial Park, 1565 St. Andrews Dr.; free admission. Event features barbecue, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; free kids’ inflatables, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; beverage garden, 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.; free live blues music, 12:30 to 10:30 p.m.; northlibertyblues.org/
RIVERSIDE
RIVERSIDE CASINO EVENT CENTER, 3184 Hwy. 22: Howie Mandel, 8 p.m. May 17; Skid Row and Lzzy Hale, 8 p.m. May 18; Air Supply, 8 p.m. June 14; Taylor Nation, 8 p.m. June 21; Little River Band, 8 p.m. July 26; Lauren Alaina, 8 p.m. Sept. 20; riversidecasinoandresort.com/eventcenter.html
SWISHER
CEDAR RIDGE, 1441 Marak Rd., Swisher: Red, White and Bourbon, eight bands, July 4 to 7; cedarridgedistillery.com/events-calendar/
TAMA
MESKWAKI CASINO, 1504 305th St., Tama: 512: The Selena Experience, 8 p.m. May 11, free; outdoor arena: Arch Allies, 8 p.m. June 8; Grand Funk Railroad, 8 p.m. July 27; meskwaki.com/live-entertainment
TIPTON
CEDAR COUNTY FAIR: July 10-14, fairgrounds, 1195 210th St., Tipton. Exhibits, vendors, music, grandstand events and races, Rodney Atkins and Easton Corbin concert 7 p.m. July 13; thecedarcountyfair.com/
WAUKON
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY FAIR: July 17-21, fairgrounds, 705 Allamakee St., Waukon. Grandstand concert: The Pork Tornadoes, 7 p.m. July 19. allamakeecountyfair.org/
WEST LIBERTY
MUSCATINE COUNTY FAIR, 101 N. Clay St., West Liberty: July 17 to 21. Grandstand: Tracy Lawrence, July 20, $10-$35; etix.com/ticket/v/21994/muscatine-county-fair
Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com