April into Summer Iowa Women's Music & Events

Howdy folks!

This is an updated list of Iowa's live music, arts, social events and culture for, by, featuring, and of interest to women and friends for April, May, and into summer. To submit events or to sign up a friend to receive this list by e-mail, please e-mail iowalisa@juno.com. I also have this event list posted on my MySpace page at www.myspace.com/iowalisa.

May I suggest?... Be a part of the KUNI Live from Studio One audience this coming Monday, April 9. Come to CSPS in Cedar Rapids to hear two of the best women performers in Iowa today, Gayla Drake Paul and Sharon Bousquet, and have your clapping, hootin' and hollerin' on the radio too! KUNI is on-location at CSPS, and you can be too! Details below.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

NEW WEEKLY EVENT: The incomparable singer-songwriter-guitarist GAYLA DRAKE PAUL will perform at Cibo Fusion, 685 Marion Blvd, Marion every Friday from 6-9 p.m. Come for the great atmosphere, terrific people, incredible food, and awesome music! For more info, call Cibo Fusion at 319-447-1414. Eric Douglas will be joining Gayla on several Fridays.

KRIPALU DANSKINETICS (Yoga + Aerobics + Creative Play + Fabulous World Music!) classes are back this spring at Arts a la Carte, in the basement of Old Brick, Market St. and Dubuque St., Iowa City. There are two classes to choose from: Wednesdays April 18 - May 23, 5:30-6:45 p.m. and Sundays April 15 – May 20, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. For either series, the cost is $48 for 6 classes, pre-registration requested. Dance Fanatics Special: $85 for both sessions. Bring-a-Friend Special: Two people (one who is new to DansKinetics) $85 for either 6-week session. No prior experience is needed for any of these classes. Please contact Kathy Moon by e-mail or phone to register: 319-354-1188 or danskinetics-iowacity@earthlink.net.

IC PRIDE MEETINGS: Iowa City Pride Planning meetings are held the first and third Sundays of each month starting April 1st, at 4 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library. They will focus on fundraising and publicity for planned events. For more info, or to get involved, e-mail Bridget at bmalone@kirkwood.edu. The IC Pride Calendar is now finalized at http://pride.queerconnections.org.

LIARS HOLOGRAPHIC RADIO THEATRE: Liars Theatre in Marion (at Campbell Steele Gallery) has a great lineup of performances in April and May. For the full scoop, visit www.liarstheatre.com. Tickets for events at Liars Theatre may be purchased by calling 319-373-9211, or by stopping into the Campbell Steele Gallery in downtown Marion, Tuesday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NWMF ROCKS!: The National Women’s Music Festival, set for July 5-8 at Illinois State University in Bloomington/Normal, IL (our back yard!) has announced its line-up….Jamie Anderson, Kara Barnard, Suzanne Buirgy, Melissa Ferrick, Ferron, Ubaka Hill, Zoe Lewis, Poppy Champlin, Ember Swift, Lucie Blue Tremblay, Wishing Chair, Women in Docs, and much more, including workshops, marketplace, spirituality series, drumming, writer’s series, and a celebrity golf scramble. Go to www.wiaonline.org to register!

DRUMMING CLASS: A new hand-drumming class will be offered Fridays, April 20-May 25 (6 weeks), from 12:15-1 p.m. at West Music, 1212 5th St., Coralville. Cost is $60 for the 6 week session. To register, contact Melissa Blum at West Music, 319-351-2000 ext. 111 or e-mail mblum@westmusic.com. Any and all levels of experience are welcome.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR IWMF!: September 15 is the date for this year’s Iowa Women’s Music Festival in Iowa City. We will have a great line-up of performers, some new, some beloved, all exciting! The website is not yet updated, but please check back at www.prairievoices.net for updates.

ROAD TRIP FOR FERRON AND TRET: On Saturday, April 28, from 7-9 p.m., Ferron and Tret Fure will play a double bill at the High Noon Saloon, 701 E Washington St. in Madison. Tret and Ferron will be doing a "Song Swap." Tickets are $20 adv, $23 day of show, and are available by calling 608-268-1122 or online at www.high-noon.com. Tickets are also available at B-Side Records at 436 State St, Mad City Music Exchange at 600 Williamson St and at Tomboy girl at 2334 Atwood Ave. in Madison.

SCHOOL FOR MORAL COURAGE: Check out the new and very cool website for the School for Moral Courage, run out of Iowa City by the progressives and focused on the justice movement and its initiatives. A great calendar of events is there, as well as some exciting history and facts, essays, and info on ways to get involved. Visit www.schoolformoralcourage.com.

MICHIGAN WOMYN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP: It’s been announced! From August 7-12, check out the coolest in women’s music and culture, including Cris Williamson, Alix Olson, Stacyann Chin, Chris Pureka, God-des and She, Dar Williams, Nedra Johnson, Wishing Chair, Erin McKeown, Laura Love, Catie Curtis, Ruthie Foster, Barbara Higbie, Teresa Trull, Vicki Randle, Ferron, B*itch, Doria Roberts, Sarah Bettens, Elvira Kurt, Melissa Ferrick, Ubaka Hill, and comedians Vickie Shaw, Sabrina Matthews, and Karen Williams. And more!!! For more info, visit www.michfest.com or www.myspace.com/michfest.

NEW CDs in WOMEN’S MUSIC: Check out www.ladyslipper.org for new CD releases from some of the top names in women’s music and culture: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lisa Koch, Emma’s Revolution, Kate Clinton, Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Jill Scott, Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Erin McKeown, Carly Simon, Yoko Ono, Ruthie Foster, Po’ Girl, Ellen sitcom DVDs, and others!

LOOKING FOR CD’S TO REVIEW: Art Scene, Iowa’s only publication for the arts, is in need of Iowa and Midwest music to review in their monthly publication. Send music to review to: Art Scene, 8657 Douglas Ave., #136, Urbandale Iowa, 50322. For more info, call 515-210-7066, visit www.artsceneiowa.com, or e-mail roderick@artsceneiowa.com.

CONNECTIONS READING GROUP: Like to read? Come join our new reading group! We will be meeting the last Thursday of the month at 7:00 at the new LGBT Center at the University of Iowa. This is a group open to everyone in the community. There is a small requested donation. Come to our first meeting on February 22nd to help us choose the books we will be reading for the next few months. The LGBT Center is located at: 125 Grand Avenue Court, Iowa City (down the hill from Slater Hall), (319) 335-7123, Manager: Lena Hann. There is parking available in the Fieldhouse parking ramp and around the Quad. Visit http://imu.uiowa.edu/osl/culture_diversity/cultural_centers/lgbtc.php. Questions or information? Contact Bridget at malone.bridget@gmail.com or Todd at todd-degraff@uiowa.edu.

CAPITAL CITY PRIDE is interested in individuals and groups that may want to join two new organizations to participate in the upcoming June Pride events, June 9 and 10. ROTC (known as the Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps) is a national organization with groups located in many major cities. They meet regularly with a choreographer to create drill routines with a distinctive LGBT flavor—often using a combination of expert drill routines with a campy twist. Very popular in the Chicago area, the ROTC group regularly performs at street events and Gay Pride where large crowds gather to see their latest performance. COLOR GUARD: This organization will organize and choreograph flag drills. With the usual colorful rainbow flags this is a team that once organized in 1989 and performed in the Iowa City and Des Moines Gay Pride activities. If there is interest in reforming this group, it could bring a very colorful entry in our Pride activities throughout the state! For more information or to express interest, call Rick Miller at 515-274-5518.

NEW UI WOMEN’S SOFTBALL SEASON: Visit www.hawkeyesports.com for details.

CEDAR RAPIDS PRIDE FEST is looking for talent for its tenth annual festival in June. They would like to feature home grown talent from Iowa or the Midwest. Interested performers can email CR Pride at info@crglrc.org and put Cedar Rapids PRIDE 10 in the subject line.

LESBIAN MOTHERS GROUP: A new group provides a time and way for women with school-age and younger children to meet together occasionally to share experiences and get to know one another. The Plymouth GLBT Community has established a Des Moines community-wide group for Lesbian Mothers with Children. Send a note to: plymouthglbt@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in this group.

CONNECTIONS, the Iowa City organization that provides social and networking opportunities for GLBT folks and friends with a range of interests, is in full swing. Connections offers it all (a nature group, a spiritual group, a chess group, a movie night group, a cooking group, and a sewing group, just to name a few), and what it doesn’t offer can be arranged! Check out the new Connections website at www.queerconnections.org. For more info, e-mail queerconnections@yahoo.com.

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK: If you are interested in getting more involved and active in Iowa's GLBTQ community, focusing on safe schools and LGBT student leadership and development, check out the Iowa Pride Network's new website http://www.iowapridenetwork.org. Register at
http://www.iowapridenetwork.org/jointhenetwork.htm to join this LGBT and Allied network of students and supporters.

WOMEN’S CULTURAL COLLECTIVE: Check out the happenings in Des Moines and the surrounding areas that are sponsored or supported by the Women’s Cultural Collective (WCC) at www.iowawcc.org.

GLBT PRIDE/TWIN CITIES (Minnesota) is seeking GLBT artists OR GLBT-themed art for its 2007 GLBT Pride/Twin Cities Art Show (Art Show) to be held at The Soap Factory. A 501(c)3 non-profit, The Soap Factory provides 3000 sq ft of gallery space, and the freedom for artists to exhibit traditional painting, printing or photography along side sculpture, site-specific installation or video. The Art Show exhibit runs June 15 – July 22, 2007. Complete info can be found at http://tcpride.org/pride_events/2007_ArtShow.php. The deadline for submissions is May 23.

HELP WANTED: Kimberli Maloy is seeking camp staff for CAMP HITAGA’s 2007 summer season. Positions run from 4-6 weeks for sessions throughout the month of July and part of August. *July 4th holiday off* Seeking: Resident (Sun-Fri) Camp Counselors and program heads, Mini-Week (Sun-Wed) Camp Counselors, Day Camp (Days M-F with a Thursday overnight at camp) Counselors, Kitchen Staff (head cook, assistants), Lifeguards (must have current certification). Preference will be given to those with training or experience in the following fields: Nature/Ecology, Camp Craft (Outdoors Skills), Music (guitar, singing, etc), Early Childhood Development, Lifeguard or Pool Operator Certification, Canoeing, Horses/Equestrian, Archery, Sports/Challenges, Hand Arts/Crafts, Photography/Video. Meals and lodging are provided, as well as paid pre-camp training and time off over the weekend. Looks great on a resume' too! Contact Kimberli directly at 319.270.0975 or via email at: FlyingMonkeysCR@aol.com for more information or to obtain an application.

SUMMER OF THE ARTS: Mark your calendars for the Iowa Arts Festival (June 1-3), Friday Night Concert Series on the downtown Iowa City Ped Mall (May 18-September 14), the Iowa City Jazz Festival (June 29-July 1), and the Saturday Night Movies Series (May 19-September 15). Check out www.summerofthearts.org.

ONE-TIME EVENTS:

Thursday, April 5, 8 p.m., Iowa’s beloved SUSAN WERNER at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tickets, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Visit www.susanwerner.com.

Friday, April 6, 8 p.m., comedian PAULA POUNDSTONE, at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For tickets, visit the box office (1-6 p.m. weekdays), call 319-688-2653, or visit www.iowatix.com. Paula is heard regularly on NPR’s weekly news quiz show, “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” and is featured in her own recent stand-up special on Bravo entitled “Look What The Cat Dragged In.”

Friday, April 6, 9 p.m., COMEDY NIGHT at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Cool women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with lots of women’s music and events, a great atmosphere, and great food! For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Friday, April 6, 6-7:30 p.m., PASTA AND POUNDSTONE at Givanni's Italian Restaurante, www.givannis.net, 109 E College St, Iowa City, 319-338-5967. This is a cocktail and appetizer fundraiser for IC Pride before the Paula Poundstone comedy event at 8 p.m. at the Englert Theatre, http://www.englert.org/. $25.00 will buy you two drinks and appetizers. We will be in the private room upstairs. Come and socialize before heading over to the show (just three blocks away).

Friday, April 6, 7 p.m., SHARON BOUSQUET plays during First Friday Art Walk, Fairfield. For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com. Church of the Holy Spirit hosts an informal, inspirational Concert, Court Street on the Fairfield square between Somebody Cares & Field of
Dreams. A rare opportunity to hear Sharon play the songs she's written for various spiritual events around the country over the past two years.

Friday, April 6, 6-9 p.m., GAYLA DRAKE PAUL at Cibo Fusion, 685 Marion Blvd., Marion, 319-447-1414, www.cibofusion.com, www.skep.com/gdpaul.

Saturday, April 7, 2 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL, free concert celebrating the release of their new CD “Thinking Out Loud!”, at the Maquoketa Public Library, Maquoketa. For more info, e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Saturday, April 7, 6-9 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at Cibo Fusion, 685 Marion Blvd., Marion, 319-447-1414, www.cibofusion.com, www.dalziel.net.

Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., SOCIAL CHANGE TRAINING: Principles of Feminist Marketing, facilitated by Karen Kubby and Laurie Haag, at the U. of Iowa, Pomerantz Center, Room C232, Iowa City. For more info, contact the Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) at 319-335-1486.

Saturday, April 7, 7 p.m., GAME NIGHT at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Cool women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with lots of women’s music and events, a great atmosphere, and great food! For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Saturday, April 7, 8 p.m., MIKE AND AMY FINDERS at The Tuscan Moon, Kalona. For more info, visit http://www.tuscan-moon.com. Call ahead for reservations at the number on the website.

Monday, April 9, 7 p.m., GAYLA DRAKE PAUL and SHARON BOUSQUET at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. This is a fabulous, rare double-bill concert with two of the best women guitarist/singer/songwriters in Iowa today. Gayla will be bringing Eric Douglas to play with her, and Sharon may be bringing a support musician too. This show will be broadcast live on KUNI, LIVE FROM STUDIO ONE with Karen Impola. You can either tune in at 90.9 FM in most of Eastern Iowa, or come to the show to see it with your own eyes. It promises to be a great show! The KUNI show will be 7-8 p.m., and the concert will continue for the studio audience after 8 p.m. For more info, visit www.kuniradio.org, www.legionarts.org, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or call 319-364-1580 for tickets. For info about Gayla, visit www.skep.com/gdpaul, and about Sharon, visit www.sharonbousquet.com.

Thursday-Friday, April 12-13, WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: “Choosing to Lead: Empowering Women in Work and Life,” at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville. For more info, visit http://www.iowawomensconference.com/

Friday, April 13, 8 p.m., LUCY KAPLANSKY, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tickets, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Friday, April 13, 8 p.m., CAITLIN TULLY at Drake University, Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines. For more info, call the Civic Music Association at 515-280-4020, visit www.civicmusic.org, or e-mail info@civicmusic.org.

Friday, April 13, 8:30 p.m., LOJO RUSSO at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Cool women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with lots of women’s music, a great atmosphere, and great food! For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Check out www.lojorusso.com.

Friday, April 13, 6-8 p.m., SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES WINE TASTING at Vineria, 264 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Featured wines will be from Spain, Chile and Argentina – all three at the cutting edge of modern winemaking. Enjoy great wines paired with great appetizers, including cheese from Spain There will be 12 fine wines to taste. Space is limited. Make reservations by calling 319-373-6141 or e-mailing vineria@msn.com. Cost is $15.00 per person. Get $5 back on your purchase of 3 or more bottles.

Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m., KAT DARLING with Aaron Short, at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Cool women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with lots of women’s music, a great atmosphere, and great food! For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m., The Gilded Bats, featuring SUSIE NEHRING at Uptown Bill’s Small Mall, 401 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. For more info, call 319-339-0401. This is a comfortable, intimate music space with a community of very caring people.

Saturday, April 14, 6 p.m., OWLS (Older Wiser Lesbians) Monthly Potluck in Iowa City. For more info and directions, contact katharn@xwires.net.

Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m., SONiA and disappear fear at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tickets, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. SONiA presents a great mix of women’s music, political folk, and now she’s got a new band. Daring and fun to watch.

Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m., HERSONG - Quad Cities Women's Chorus, Spring Concert "Music From the Heart" at the First Congregational Church, 2201 7th Avenue, Moline, IL. For more info or tix, e-mail isingnplay@juno.com. Tickets $10 advance, $15 at door.

Sunday, April 15, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (two services), SHARON BOUSQUET performs the special music at the Unitarian Universalist Society, Iowa City. Check out www.sharonbousquet.com. (Of course, plan to come for an entire church service.)

Sunday, April 15, doors at 9 p.m., LESLIE AND THE LYES at The Picador, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Hilarious comedy/pop/hip hop from Ames. Check out www.myspace.com/lesliehall. Don’t forget to wear your gem sweater!

Sunday, April 15, 7 p.m., LIZ STAHLER (www.lizstahler.com) with Nathan DuPrey (www.nathanduprey.com) at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Cool women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with lots of awesome music, a great atmosphere, and great food! For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Monday, April 16, 7 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL on KUNI Live From Studio One, celebrating their new CD. Be part of the studio audience for only $3 at the Communication Arts Building, UNI, Cedar Falls. Or tune in to 90.9 FM in most of Eastern Iowa. For more info, visit www.kuniradio.org or e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Tuesday-Sunday, April 17-22, MAMA MIA, the Broadway musical featuring the music of ABBA, at The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. For tickets, visit www.civiccenter.org or call 515-246-2300. Price range: $27.50-$70.

Tuesday-Sunday, April 17-22, HAIRSPRAY, the Broadway musical on tour at Hancher Auditorium, on the campus of the U. of Iowa, Iowa City. All performances at 7:30 p.m. with additional 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets, visit www.hancher.uoiwa.edu or call 319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER. For more info about the show, visit www.hairsprayontour.com.

Wednesday, April 18, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Greater Des Moines Friends of Human Rights, Inc. presents The 21st Annual Symposium “Building Partnerships in Civil and Human Rights” at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, 10th & Walnut Street, downtown Des Moines. The event includes a welcome by Des Moines Mayor, T. M. Frank Cownie, Keynote Introduction by Walter Reed, Iowa Department of Human Rights, Keynote address by Governor Tom Vilsack, workshops, a luncheon, luncheon address by Dr. George D. Williams, Former HUD Administrator and President of Diversity Dynamics, awards presentations, and a special performance by the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus. For more info or to register, contact Rudy Simms at 515-237-1457 or rusimms@dmgov.org.

Thursday, April 19, 7-9 p.m., BETH AMSEL at Uptown Bill’s Small Mall, 401 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. For more info, call 319-339-0401. This is an intimate music space with a community of very caring people. Visit www.bethamsel.com. $10 cover for the artist.

Friday, April 20, 7 p.m., MAGDALEN HSU-LI, Concert and Redefinition of Identity Lecture, at the University of Iowa, Illinois Room, Iowa Memorial Union, Iowa City. No cover charge. For more info, call 319-335-3900. Magdalen is a very cool rocker girl with great politics and fun music. Check her out at www.magdalenhsuli.com.

Friday, April 20, 8 p.m., RACHAEL SAGE (www.rachaelsage.com) with MARTHA BERNER (www.marthaberner.com) at Ritual Café, Des Moines’ coolest coffeehouse; women-owned and non-smoking. Come for the great music and have some awesome food and coffee. 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Friday, April 20, 8 p.m., DARLYNE CAIN opens for Dennis Warner, Lighthouse Coffeehouse, West Des Moines Christian Church, 501 Mills Civic Parkway just off I-35, West Des Moines.

Saturday, April 21, 8:30 p.m., DARLYNE CAIN at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. A personal friend of mine, Darlyne is a highly recommended performer too! Visit www.darlynecain.com.

Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., WEAVING COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM 2007 at Spirit Hill Retreat Center, 604 Cedar Valley Rd., West Branch. In an increasingly complex world where technology advances exponentially and allows greater and greater global interconnectedness, is it possible for spirituality to remain simple? Or is it a necessity that spirituality remains simple to help us remain balanced? Come be a part of the community discussion. Cost: $30-$50. Activities: Workshops, discussion, networking, drumming, ritual, good food. Register: http://www.ipan.org/symposium. Questions: ipan@ipan.org.

Tuesday, April 24, 7-10 p.m., KIMBERLI’S OPEN MIC, a last-Tuesday-of-every-month open stage at Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Sign up at 6:30 or by e-mailing FlyingMonkeysCR@aol.com the week prior to the show. FREE to attend, tips accepted. Music, readings, poetry, etc. are all welcome. The Blue Strawberry serves awesome food, gourmet coffee, beer, and wine, and is non-smoking. This is a great social and musical event, and fun for all, performers and audience alike! Performers should prepare 3-4 tunes or 10-15 minutes.

Wednesday, April 25, 5-7 p.m., GUEST BARTENDING FUNDRAISER FOR RAPIDS AIDS PROJECT at Daniel Arthur’s, 821 3rd Ave. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. All tips will be donated to the RAP Client Assistance Fund.

Friday, April 27, 9 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at Jameson’s in Waterloo, http://www.jamesonspublichouse.com/. For more info, e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Friday-Saturday, April 27-28, VENUS ENVY, a showcase of women in the arts, at Bucktown Center for the Arts, downtown Davenport. For more info, visit www.venusenvy.org/mail.htm or www.bucktownarts.com. LOJO RUSSO is on tap to play; check out the website for others.

Saturday, April 28, 7 p.m., MELANIE SUE MAUSSER at Uptown Bill’s Small Mall, 401 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. For more info, call 319-339-0401. This is a comfortable, intimate music space with a community of very caring people.

Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., RACE, PRIVILEGE, AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE WORKSHOP, featuring filmmaker Shakti Butler, at the U. of Iowa, Iowa City. This is a transformative workshop with the director of “The Way Home” and “Making Whiteness Visible.” Sponsored by the Women’s Resource and Action Center at the U. of Iowa. For more info, call WRAC at 319-335-1486 or visit www.uiowa.edu/~wrac. Registration is $25; some scholarships are available.

Saturday, April 28, 8 p.m., AMELIA WHITE with MARY BUE at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Cool women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with lots of women’s music, a great atmosphere, and great food! For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Check out www.ameliawhite.com and www.marybue.com.

Saturday, April 28, 8 p.m., OUT OF BOUNDS, CSPS/Legion Arts’ open stage, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Check out http://www.legionarts.org/events/Oob04.htm for information on how to get into the lineup.

Wednesday, May 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m., CMC ADULT SPELLING BEE, at Xavier High School, 42nd St., west of Edgewood Rd., Cedar Rapids. Refreshments served from 5-5:30 p.m. Specatators are welcome, at no charge, to cheer on the contestants. This is a fundraiser for the Catherine McAuley Center for Women. It features three-person teams sponsored by local businesses, civic groups, or organizations for a chance to take home the trophy and title of Champion Spellers. Sponsorship of a team is $300, and CMC’s goal is to have at least 15 teams participate. The registration deadline is May 30. Call Amy at 319-363-4993 for more info or to register a team. For team registration forms, visit www.catherinemcauleycenter.com.

Thursday, May 3, 6:30 p.m., Sci-Fi/historical fiction writer MARY DORIA RUSSELL at the DSM Public Library AVID Author Series, Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines. More info: 515-283-4152.

Friday, May 4, LOJO RUSSO performs at Take Back The Night in the Quad Cities. For more info, e-mail lojo@lojorusso.com or visit www.lojorusso.com.

Friday, May 4, LOJO RUSSO performs at the Bier Stube in Davenport. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com.

Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, ANGELA KARIOTIS in a world premiere performance, Odyssey Trippin’ at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tickets, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m., THE QUIRE in concert: “Who Are the Brave? An Exploration of Heroes in Song, Word and Images,” at Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., Iowa City. There is no charge for the concert, but a free-will donation will be collected. For more info, visit www.thequire.org or e-mail marlys-boote@uiowa.edu.

Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6, CHALK THE WALK, Iowa’s first-ever Madonnari Festival in downtown Mount Vernon. Presented by the Mount Vernon Parks and Rec Dept. and the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council. The event will present the work of more than 200 artists utilizing a downtown city street as a canvas and nearly half a ton of chalk. Info: Craig at 319-895-9513 or 319-551-9513 or cwilson@cityofmountvernon-ia.gov.

Monday, May 7, 6:30 p.m., New fiction writer MARSHA HAMILTON at the DSM Public Library AVID Author Series, Central Library, Des Moines. More info: 515-283-4152.

Tuesday, May 8, 8 p.m., KRIS DELMHORST at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tickets, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Visit www.krisdelmhorst.com.

Friday, May 11, ALICE PEACOCK at the Lighthouse Coffeehouse, West Des Moines Christian Church, 501 Mills Civic Parkway just off I-35, West Des Moines. Visit www.alicepeacock.com for more info.

Saturday, May 12, 8 p.m., ALICE PEACOCK at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tickets, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Check out www.alicepeacock.com.

Friday, May 18, 7 p.m., COLLEEN JAMESON, singer-songwriter of politically-charged folk and the stuff of life, at the Open Door Coffeehouse, Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Gourmet coffee and refreshments served. No cover; donations will be taken for the artist at the door. ($5-10 suggested, or what you can.) For more info, call 319-431-0982, e-mail iowalisa@juno.com, or visit www.crfaithumc.org. For more on Colleen, visit www.myspace.com/colleenjameson.

Saturday, May 19, 8 p.m., SHARON BOUSQUET at Café Paradiso, 607 W. Broadway Ave., Fairfield. Visit www.cafeparadiso.net and www.sharonbousquet.com.

Sunday, May 20, 5-7 p.m., AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Reception at 5 p.m., Program at 6 p.m. Speaker, readings, music and food/cash bar. Visit www.grantwood-redcross.org for more info. SHARON BOUSQUET provides the musical part of the program, remembering those who have died from AIDS and celebrating those living with HIV. Check out www.sharonbousquet.com.

Sunday, May 20, 9 a.m., IC PRIDE 5K FUN RUN at City Park, Iowa City. Come out and run to raise money for the Iowa City June Pride festivities! Cost is $20 in advance, $25 day of event. More details soon at www.queerconnections.org.

Sunday, May 20, STEPH TAYLOR at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.stephtaylor.com.

Saturday, May 26, 7-9 p.m., KELLY CARRELL at Uptown Bill’s Small Mall, 401 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. For more info, call 319-339-0401. This is an intimate music space with a community of very caring people. Visit www.myspace.com/kellycarrell for more info about Kelly. Then come support our good friend! No cover.

Saturday, May 26, 8 p.m., OUT OF BOUNDS, CSPS/Legion Arts’ open stage, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Check out http://www.legionarts.org/events/Oob04.htm for information on how to get into the lineup.

Thursday, May 31, SERVING UP HOPE, city-wide dinner fundraiser for the Rapids AIDS Project. Enjoy a meal, drinks, and snacks during designated hours around town in Cedar Rapids, and a percentage will be donated to RAP. For more info on the participating restaurants, coffeehouses, and businesses, visit www.grantwood-redcross.org or call RAP at 319-393-3500.

June 1, THE ROCHES, Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa City.

June 1, AMBER NORGAARD at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.ambernorgaard.com. Ritual Café is becoming THE place to hear live music in Des Moines. Women-owned-and-operated. Check it out!

Saturday, June 2, KELLY RICHEY at Blues N Brew at Bloomsbury Farm, 3260 69th St., Atkins.

Saturday, June 2, CEDAR RAPIDS PRIDE FEST, Greene Square Park, downtown Cedar Rapids.

Friday-Saturday, June 8-9, WOMEN’S RETREAT at The Natural Gait (stables and horse riding ranch), near Marquette, IA. For more info, visit www.thenaturalgait.com, e-mail ntrlgait@acegroup.cc, or call 877-776-2208.

Saturday, June 9, MARTINE LOCKE at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.martinelocke.com.

Saturday, June 9, 2:30 p.m., Iowa mystery writer SHIRLEY DAMSGAARD at the DSM Public Library AVID Author Series, Central Library, Des Moines. More info: 515-283-4152.

Saturday-Sunday, June 9-10, CAPITAL CITY PRIDE – Des Moines, "Love, Support, Equality.” For more info, visit www.capitalcitypride.org.

Friday, June 15, LOJO RUSSO performs at the Tuscan Moon in Kolona. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com or e-mail lojo@lojorusso.com.

Saturday, June 16, EDIE CAREY at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.ediecarey.com.

Saturday, June 16, IOWA CITY PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL. Colleen Jameson.

Friday, June 22, 7 p.m., PRIDE OPEN DOOR COFFEEHOUSE with DEB TIEMENS and some special GLBT films during social time, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. For more info, call 319-431-0982 or e-mail iowalisa@juno.com. Visit www.crfaithumc.org.

Friday-Saturday, June 29-30, DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL, downtown Des Moines. Ritual Café will be hosting numerous cool events during the arts festival. Check out www.ritualcafe.com.


RECURRING EVENTS:

Every Friday, 6-9 p.m., the incomparable singer-songwriter-guitarist GAYLA DRAKE PAUL plays at Cibo Fusion, 685 Marion Blvd, Marion. Come for the great atmosphere, terrific people, incredible food, and awesome music! For more info, call Cibo Fusion at 319-447-1414. Eric Douglas will be joining Gayla on several Fridays.

Last Tuesday of every month, 7-10 p.m., KIMBERLI hosts an open mic at the Blue Strawberry Coffee Company, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Great atmosphere, coffee, music, food, beer, and wine. To get on the play list, contact Kimberli at flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

Every Friday, 8-10 p.m., Uptown Bill's Small Mall, 401 S. Gilbert St., in Iowa City hosts an open mic. Everyone and all genres of performance are welcome.

First, third, and fifth Thursdays of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., EVENINGS FOR SPIRIT, women gathering at SpiritHill to share our spiritual experiences, visions and longings. The evenings include time for sharing and time for silence. Laughter, tears and singing are often shared as well. No specific spiritual practice is followed. This event is always open to newcomers. SpiritHill Retreat, 604 Cedar Valley Road, West Branch, 319-643-2613, spirit-hill@earthlink.net.

CONNECTIONS: First Tuesday of every month Connections meetings are back in the fall. "CONNECTIONS," an organization of individuals and families that comes together to form, build and sustain queer community in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, has many specific-interest groups that hold meetings throughout the month. For more information about Connections and upcoming events, e-mail karen-haslett@uiowa.edu or contact Carlton Blackburn at carltonbburn@yahoo.com or 319-341-0195. Sign up for the Connections listserv at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/connections-news/ or e-mail connections-news-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Free. If you want to start a group, e-mail your ideas to connections-news@yahoogroups.com. E-mail the general Connections e-mail address at queerconnections@yahoo.com and visit their new website at www.queerconnections.org.

Every Sunday – SUNDAY NIGHT BLUES JAM at the Yacht Club in Iowa City, hosted and coordinated by NIKKI LUNDEN. 8 p.m.-midnight. Food and drink specials. For more info, e-mail sticklunden@yahoo.com.

Last Saturday of every month, Augie’s at 313 20th St. in Rock Island, IL hosts KARAOKE NIGHT, which owner Rick Goulet says is heavily attended by the women’s community. Call 309-788-7389 for more info.

Every Thursday, 5-7 p.m., Augie’s at 313 20th St. in Rock Island, IL hosts an evening home-cooked dinner, benefiting Aids Project Quad Cities. For $5, get a great meal and donate to a great cause. Call 309-788-7389 for more info. Get on Augie’s e-mail list to receive weekly updates with the ever-changing dinner menu by e-mailing r.goulet@mchsi.com.

Second Tuesday of every month, 5:30-7 p.m., EQUALITY IOWA’S HAPPY HOUR is held at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Come get to know what EqIA has to offer you and how you can get involved with changing the lives of the LGBT community in Iowa. Equality Iowa is working tirelessly in Des Moines and around the state to improve the civil rights of LGBT people through lobbying, education, and public policy work. For more info about Equality Iowa, contact Sandy Vopalka at PoliticInIA@aol.com or 515-537-3126 or visit www.equalityiowa.org. Ritual Cafe is a women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with a great atmosphere. For more info about Ritual Cafe, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Every Friday night, 6-7:30 p.m., “WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW” HAPPY HOUR at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. Come join us "down the rabbit hole" and redefine happy hour as we meet weekly to explore science and spirituality. Weekly event. No cover. This is a women-owned establishment, smoke-free, with a great atmosphere. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Every Saturday, noon to 1 p.m., WOMEN FOR PEACE IOWA host Weekly Street Corner Vigils for peace, rain or shine. Meet at the corner of 1st Ave. and Collins Rd. SE (in front of Granite City Brewery), Cedar Rapids. Show your support for our troops by calling for their return from Iraq. For more info, e-mail khall479@aol.com.

Fourth Tuesday of every month, WOMEN FOR PEACE IOWA book discussion group, beginning September 26, 7:00 p.m. at The Peace Center, 3rd St. SE and 11th Ave., next to CSPS, Cedar Rapids. First book: The End of Poverty, by Jeffrey Sachs (order from Barnes and Noble, $16). For more info, e-mail khall479@aol.com.

Every Sunday evening, 7 p.m., LESBIAN READING GROUP at the Women’s Resource and Action Center, 130 N. Madison St., Iowa City. Starts September 10. Pre-registration is required at www.uiowa.edu/~wrac or by phone at 319-335-1486.

Every Tuesday evening, 7:30-9:30 p.m., ARGENTINE TANGO practice and open dance, at the Wesley Center, 120 N. Dubuque St., Iowa City. A donation of $1-2 per person is requested for use of the Wesley Center. For more info, contact Karen Jackson at 319-447-1445 or e-mail kljedgewood@msn.com.

Every Saturday, 3:30 p.m., SALSA LESSONS taught by Gloria Zmolek, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. No experience or partner necessary. Lessons are free; donations accepted. For more info, contact Gloria at 319-365-9611 or visit www.bailelatino.org.

Every Thursday, 7 p.m., COUNTRY LINE DANCING, taught by members of the Women’s Cultural Collective, at the Thoreau Center, 35th and Kingman Blvd., Des Moines. Cost is $5.00 per person per night. You will need to bring your own beverages. For more info, e-mail Billie Dyer at chachacha1@excite.com.

Every Friday, 6 p.m., GAY FRIDAY, Greater Des Moines all-inclusive dinner group, sharing issues affecting the GLBT Community @ allies. Meet for food, fellowship & films at the Friends Meeting House, 42nd and Grand, Des Moines (enter from 42nd Street). For more info, contact gay_friday_dm@yahoo.com. Gay Friday is open to everyone interested in GLBT issues, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, nationality, religious or political affiliation.

First Saturday of every month, 11 a.m., QCAD 1st SATURDAY POTLUCK BRUNCH, Plaza Office Bldg., 1705 2nd Ave., Ste. 508, Rock Island, IL. QCAD is Quad Citians Affirming Diversity. This is a monthly (1st Saturday) social and brunch event for all. Bring a dish to share. Please RSVP at 309-786-2580 with the number of people attending.

Last Friday of every month, 7 p.m., QCAD LESBIAN MOVIE NIGHT, Plaza Office Bldg., 1705 2nd Ave., Ste. 508, Rock Island, IL. QCAD is Quad Citians Affirming Diversity. For more info, call 309-786-2580.

Every Monday, 4-5 p.m., TUTORING AT OSADA: Join Women for Peace Iowa at 905 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, in Apartment 110, to tutor elementary-age African refugee children. No teaching experience required, just a willingness to give a little TLC to some beautiful children. For more info, e-mail khall479@aol.com.

First Friday of the month, FAIRFIELD ART WALK. For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com.

Every Thursday, Scott and Michelle Dalziel host an open mic at Grape Harbor in Dubuque from 7:30 - 11:00 p.m. Visit www.grapeharbor.com and www.dalziel.net.

That's all for now! Thanks for supporting your community, live music, and the arts!

Lisa