June into Summer: Iowa Women's Music & Events

June into Summer: Iowa Women's Music and 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 the rest of June, July, 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. To view this list on-line, with advanced notice of events though the summer, go to www.myspace.com/iowalisa or http://iowalisa.blogster.com.

Come one, come all to the Grrls with Guitars summer fundraiser for the 2007 Iowa Women's Music Festival on Sunday, June 24 at the Mill in Iowa City. Then check out Iowa City's most beautiful voice: Deb Tiemens at the Open Door Coffeehouse in Cedar Rapids, June 29. See below for details!

WANT FREE TICKETS TO MARTINA MCBRIDE THIS THURSDAY, 6/21 for a show in Cedar Falls? Ticketmaster sent me a special offer e-mail which I can forward on. All you need to pay is Ticketmaster convenience charges. E-mail me at iowalisa@juno.com if you want me to send you the free offer e-mail.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

JOFFREY BALLET'S FREE OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES — The Joffrey Ballet will help The University of Iowa celebrate the 35th anniversary of Hancher Auditorium with five free outdoor performances in Iowa next month. Two of those performances will take place in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor. The ballet will perform on Friday, July 6, at Brucemore, which is a hub for cultural, philanthropic, and educational activities for Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa. Brucemore is located at 160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids. The ballet also will perform on the green at Hancher Auditorium on The University of Iowa campus in Iowa City on Saturday, July 7. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. The ballet also will perform in Muscatine, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs. For additional information, visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/hancher35/index.html.

NEW CDs: The grassroots music distributor and on-line retailer, Ladyslipper, sells the definitive collection of CDs by women in music. June's many new releases include LAURA LOVE (NeGrass), GIRLYMAN (Joyful Sign), and SINEAD O'CONNOR (Theology). Visit www.ladyslipper.org and buy your CDs here rather than from a big corporate chain.

CANS FOR THE QUIRE: Audra and Steph are collecting cans and bottles, returning them, and donating the money to help Quire members go to the GALA Festival next summer in Miami, FL. They are hoping to raise $20,000 (not all from cans of course) so that they can send 30 Quire members to this special event. Spread the word and e-mail Steph if you have cans and bottles to pick up: rainrock66@yahoo.com.

GENTLE YOGA: Kathy Moon is hosting a small group for Gentle Yoga in her home. Contact her for directions if you want to drop in. Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m., May 30 - July 25 (no class July 4), Eastside Iowa City location, 319-354-1188, danskinetics-iowacity@earthlink.net.

ALL IOWA AIDS BENEFIT is in search of volunteers to plan the October 14 benefit event. 1st meeting of the year, Monday, June 18, 6 p.m. at the AIDS Project of Central Iowa office, 711 E 2nd (in the East Village), Des Moines. Many volunteer opportunities are available. If you can't make it to the meeting, but would like to get involved, call David at the Project, 284-0245, 9-5 weekdays or e-mail davidv@aidsprojectci.org.

SCHOOL FOR MORALE COURAGE: Check out the rest of the June community calendar at http://www.schoolformoralcourage.com/june.html.

GIRLS ROCK! CAMP: Kimberli is currently accepting registrations for an all girls camp session that includes music, singing, skits, challenges, girls self defense and more, concluding with a complete talent show for family and friends to attend. August 5-8 at Camp Hitaga (just north of Cedar Rapids, 5551 Hitaga Rd, Walker). Included: All meals, activities, camp t-shirt and lodging included in registration price. For girls entering 3rd grade to 12th grade in the fall. The camp will include all aspects of putting together a talent show (lights, sound, program, acts, etc), archery, team building skills/Challenge Course, Girls Self Defense Class, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, outdoor skills, crafts, and nature education. Cost is $165 per girl. Contact Kimberli for more info: flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

DID YOU KNOW?: Women who partner with women have a greater risk of breast cancer than other women. (Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 2007). Free breast and cervical cancer screenings are available to women who partner with women ages 40-64. Call 1-866-339-7909 to see if you qualify. (Planned Parenthood Public Service Announcement)

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, Martine Locke, 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!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR IWMF!: September 15 is the date for this year's Iowa Women's Music Festival in Iowa City. Announcing a great line-up of performers, some new, some beloved, all exciting!: EMILY LOUISE, SHARON BOUSQUET, AWFUL PURDIES, JANELLE LAUER, WISHING CHAIR, SUSAN WERNER, and the phenomenal RUTHIE FOSTER. Check our website at www.prairievoices.net for updates and more info.

MICHIGAN WOMYN'S MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP: 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.

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, 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 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.

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


ONE-TIME EVENTS:

Thursday, June 21, MARTINA MCBRIDE at The McLeod Center, Cedar Falls. You can get free tickets for this; just e-mail me and I'll send you the e-mail connection to the Ticketmaster special offer!

Thursday, June 21, 4-7 p.m., BLT WOMEN'S HEALTH NIGHT 2007 at the Emma Goldman Clinic, 227 N. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Free annual exams and STI testing, by appointment or walk-in. Call 319-337-2111 or 800-848-7684 to set up an appointment or check times. For more info, visit www.emmagoldman.com.

Thursday, June 21, 7-10 p.m., NATURE ROCKS "The Concert," a GREEN benefit for The Indian Creed Nature Center, & SPT Theatre Company, at Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids. Featuring: live music concert by SPT, wine from Cedar Ridge Vineyards, and important lessons about conservation, recycling and sustainability. Families are encouraged to bring food, beverages and lawn chairs. Tickets are $25 for adults; children 12 and under are free. For more info or to purchase tickets, call The Indian Creek Nature Center at 319-362-0664.

Thursday, June 21, 8 p.m., MIKE AND AMY FINDERS with AL AND ALETA MURPHY, at The Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames. For tix or more info: 515-232-5331, or visit www.octagonarts.org.

Thursday-Sunday, June 21-24, 20th ANNUAL CEDAR RAPIDS BBQ ROUNDUP, 8th Ave. SE and 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday, June 22, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), HITAGA HOUSE CONCERT (new series!) with SHARON BOUSQUET. Held in the Director's cabin at the wonderful Camp Hitaga, where you can stay and camp out, 5551 Hitaga Rd., Walker. Wonderful rustic, private, natural setting -- intimate concert series with some fantastic artists! All Hitaga House Concerts conclude with a bonfire and acoustic jam (outdoors if weather permits). Pre-show refreshments provided, no carry-in food/beverages allowed for the concert. Camping (tent, cabin, RV) available for a small fee. For more info, e-mail flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com or visit www.hitagahouseconcerts.checkoutmypage.com.

Friday, June 22, 6-8 p.m., SUMMER SIPPERS WINE TASTING, at Vineria Wine Shop, 264 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Summer is here, the deck and grill await. This tasting will feature wines perfect for sitting on the porch with friends or a casual backyard barbecue. There will be appetizers served during the tasting. Please make your reservation in advance! Cost $ 15.00, $5.00 back on your purchase. Call 319-373-6141, e-mail vineria@msn.com, or visit www.vineriawineshop.com.

Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m., PRIDE RIDE for Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Participants will be biking toward each other and meeting at the historical Sutliff Bridge. This is 50-miles round trip. For more info, e-mail malone.bridget@gmail.com or visit http://pride.queerconnections.org.

Saturday, June 23, 5-8 p.m., PROUD FAMILIES FAMILY NIGHT OUT, GLBTA parents are invited to bring their kids to Mercer Scanlon Gym for open play with a variety of equipment. Proud Families is a group for GL families and gathers once per week for a potluck and play date. For more info, e-mail proudfamilies@mchsi.com.

Sunday, June 24, 7 p.m., GRRLS WITH GUITARS, a hot women's music showcase at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City, featuring Iowa favorites BEJAE FLEMING, JACKIE BLOUNT, LOJO RUSSO, and KELLY RENEA. The event is sponsored by Connections and the Iowa City Pride Committee. Proceeds will benefit the Iowa Women's Music Festival. $10 suggested donation at the door. The event will be non-smoking. For more info, visit http://pride.queerconnections.org or www.icmill.com.

Sunday, June 24, 3 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at Tabor Winery, Baldwin, IA. For more info, e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Monday, June 25, 7 p.m., JANELLE LAUER on KUNI, Live From Studio One, on 90.9 FM in most of Eastern Iowa. Be a part of the studio audience for $3 on the campus of UNI, on the third floor of the Communication Arts Building, Cedar Falls. For more info, visit www.kuniradio.org/kustud.html.

Tuesday, June 26, 7-10 p.m., OPEN MIC hosted by KIMBERLI at The Blue Strawberry Coffee Co, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. This is a very cool open mic at a very cool coffeehouse (great drinks, beer and wine too, great food, awesome coffee). This is the place to be on the last Tuesday of the month. Sign up at 6 p.m. or via e-mail at flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

Wednesday, June 27, 5-7 p.m., JOHNSON COUNTY CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS CELEBRATION, Hotel Vetro Lehman Ballroom, 201 S. Linn St., Iowa City. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available. A brief program will occur at 5:30; otherwise it's a social reception celebration. Honored guests: Former and current legislators and elected officials that have worked for civil rights and all of us that have dreamed of this day when all Iowans can share in the civil right protections we have enjoyed in Iowa City. For more info, contact Robin Butler 319-330-5587 or 319-338-0999. The Iowa City Area Pride Committee is hosting this reception and is seeking sponsors to offset costs. Contributions can be sent to the Iowa City Area Pride Committee, c/o Robin Butler, 110 Shrader Rd, Iowa City, IA 52245.

Thursday, June 28, 7:30 p.m., QUEER TALENT SHOW at Old Brick, 26 E. Market St., Iowa City. To sign up or for more info, contact Mark at mccuskermark@aol.com or check out http://pride.queerconnections.org.

Friday, June 29, 7 p.m., PRIDE OPEN DOOR COFFEEHOUSE, a concert with beloved Iowa City musician and singer, DEB TIEMENS, and some special GLBT and alternative short films during the musical breaks, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Gourmet coffee and refreshments served. For more info, call 319-431-0982 or e-mail iowalisa@juno.com. Visit www.crfaithumc.org. Suggested donation $5-10 at the door.

Friday, June 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., BEJAE FLEMING with JACKIE BLOUNT at Bookends at Bandshell, Duff and 5th/6th Streets, Ames. For more info, e-mail bejaef@msn.com. Visit www.bejaefleming.com.

Friday, June 29, 8 p.m., JOFFREY BALLET FREE PERFORMANCE at Western Gateway Park, Des Moines. This is a free outdoor performance. For more info, visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/hancher35/locations.html.

Friday, June 29, 5 p.m., ONE IOWA'S 2ND ANNUAL EQUALITY BALL, 504 E. Locust Ave., Des Moines. In honor of the monumental legislation recently passed, this year's theme is "We The People." 5:00 - 7:00 pm - Cocktails and Hors D'oeuvres 7:00 - 10:00 pm - Open Bar and Entertainment, 8:00 & 9:15 pm - Special Entertainment Provided By Champagne Showers, CC Sakowitz, Jessica Tyler, Iris Aspire, and many more! $5 suggested donation. For more info: http://www.one-iowa.org/equalityball.html.

Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1, DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL, downtown Des Moines. Ritual Café will be hosting numerous cool events during the arts festival. Check out www.ritualcafe.com and www.desmoinesartfestival.org. LOJO RUSSO performs at 12:30 p.m. on June 30.

Friday-Sunday, June 29-July 1, IOWA CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL, downtown Iowa City. Visit www.summerofthearts.org for more info.

Saturday, June 30, 6-8 p.m., PRIDE POTLUCK DINNER, sponsored by the United Action for Youth GLBTQA youth group, at the UAY, 335 Iowa Ave., Iowa City. Everyone is invited (all ages). Bring a dish to share. Drinks will be provided.

Saturday, June 30, 8 p.m., LOJO RUSSO at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.lojorusso.com.

Saturday, June 30, 6 p.m., OWLS (Older Wiser Lesbians) potluck and social, in Iowa City. For more info and directions, e-mail katharn@xwires.net.

Sunday, July 1, 5 p.m., JOFFREY BALLET FREE PERFORMANCE at Bayliss Park, Council Bluffs. This is a free outdoor performance. For more info, visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/hancher35/locations.html.

Monday, July 2, 5-7 p.m., THIRD PLACES at Taj Mahal, 3939 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Sample the Monday night Indian dinner buffet. PTDN (Professional and Technical Diversity Network) "Third Places" events are generally scheduled for the 1st Monday of the month in Cedar Rapids, and the 3rd Monday of the month in Iowa City, starting at 5:00 p.m. There generally will be no formal program, just a chance to "unwind" after work and visit with other people of like interests. For more info, e-mail russ@novotnys.info.

Tuesday, July 3, 8 p.m., JOFFREY BALLET FREE PERFORMANCE at Weed Park, Muscatine. This is a free outdoor performance. For more info, visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/hancher35/locations.html.

Wednesday, July 4, 2 p.m., MIKE AND AMY FINDERS with AL AND ALETA MURPHY at City Park, Franklin.

Friday, July 6, SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at The Fireside Winery in Marengo. For more info, e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Friday, July 6, 8 p.m., JOFFREY BALLET FREE PERFORMANCE at Brucemore Historical Mansion, 160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids. This is a free outdoor performance. For more info, visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/hancher35/locations.html.

Friday, July 6, 8 p.m., MIKE AND AMY FINDERS at Isabella's Bar (it's non-smoking!), Dubuque. Advance tickets available. Call 563-585-2049, email info@isabellasbar.com, or visit www.isabellasbar.com.

Saturday, July 7, JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS at Prairie Meadows, 1 Prairie Meadows Dr., Altoona. For more info, visit www.prairiemeadows.com.

Saturday, July 7, COLLEEN JAMESON at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.myspace.com/colleenjameson.

Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m., KELLEY HUNT with CANDYE KANE and Diplomats of Solid Sound, at The Surf Ballroom, 460 North Shore Dr., Clear Lake, in the KUNI Blues Blowout, part of the Bicycle, Blues and BBQ Festival. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door, available at www.iowatix.com. Or buy at the box office: Call 641-357-6151. Box Office Hours: Open 5 Days a Week M-F, 9 a.m. - 5p.m. More info: www.kuniradio.org.

Saturday, July 7, 8 p.m., JOFFREY BALLET FREE PERFORMANCE on the green (outdoors) at Hancher Auditorium, on the campus of the U. of Iowa. This is a free outdoor performance. For more info, visit http://www.hancher.uiowa.edu/hancher35/locations.html.

Friday, July 13, 8 p.m., ALISON KRAUSS and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas at The US Cellular Center, downtown Cedar Rapids. For tix and more info, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Friday, July 13, MARCIA BALL at the Rib American Festival, Veterans Auditorium, Des Moines.

Friday, July 13, 9 p.m., PIETA BROWN w/ LISSIE, at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Pieta Brown's own blend of folk, rock, country and blues has garnered numerous comparisons to musical forbearers like Rickie Lee Jones, Bobbie Gentry, and Bob Dylan. Lyrically and musically poetic, Brown's deceptive simplicity and seductive purity combine to create songs that meet somewhere between the Carter Family and Tom Waits. $10 cover. Visit www.pietabrown.com. For more info, call the Mill at 319-351-9529 or visit www.icmill.com.

Friday, July 13, 8 p.m., REV. JAMES LAWSON, mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to speak at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, 10th & Walnut, downtown Des Moines. Lawson is an internationally acclaimed civil rights and peace activist who is best known for being one of the principle architects of the national civil rights and desegregation movements. A mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and one of the original Freedom Riders, he continues to mobilize and organize people on justice and equality issues today. Tickets for the event can be purchased for $15 in advance or $20 at the door. To purchase tickets, call the Iowa CCI office at 515-255-0800 or visit their website at www.iowacci.org/calendar/statewide_convention.htm.

Saturday, July 14, 6 p.m., MIKE AND AMY FINDERS at "Camp Euforia", Iowa City. Visit www.campeuforia.com.

Saturday, July 14, 7:30 p.m., NIKKI LUNDEN plays before the Summer of the Arts Saturday Night Free Movie (The Straight Story, Rated G), on the UI Pentacrest, outside the Old Capitol building, downtown Iowa City. For more info, visit www.summerofthearts.org.

Sunday, July 15, 3-6 p.m., MIKE AND AMY FINDERS at Prairie Moon Winery, Ames. Visit http://www.prairiemoonwinery.com.

Monday, July 16, 5-7 p.m., PTDN (Professional and Technical Diversity Network) CORRIDOR WELCOME RECEPTION, at the Eastern Iowa Airport. Sponsors – Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance & Diversity Focus & Access Iowa. Welcome by Tim Boyle. Come meet people and welcome your new neighbors. For more info, e-mail russ@novotnys.info.

Thursday, July 19, TRINA HAMLIN, at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.trinahamlin.com.

Friday, July 20, 7 p.m., OPEN DOOR COFFEEHOUSE with SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Gourmet coffee and refreshments served. Everyone welcome, families too! For more info, call 319-431-0982 or e-mail iowalisa@juno.com. Visit www.crfaithumc.org and www.dalziel.net. Suggested donation $10 at the door.

Saturday, July 21, SHARON BOUSQUET, at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Visit www.sharonbousquet.com.

Thursday, July 26, 7 p.m., LOJO RUSSO at Tuscan Moon, Kalona. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com.

Friday, July 27, 7:30 p.m., BEJAE FLEMING with JACKIE BLOUNT at the Stomping Grounds, 303 Welch Ave., Ames. For more info, e-mail bejaef@msn.com or visit www.bejaefleming.com.

Saturday, July 28, 7-10 p.m., EVENING AT AUSADIE, 845 1st Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. This delightful evening of cocktails, music, and hors d'oeuvres is a summer fundraiser of the GLRC of Cedar Rapids, with sponsorship support from Studio 13 and The Piano Lounge. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and are available from any GLRC member or by calling the GLRC at 319-366-2055. Visit www.crglrc.org.

Saturday, July 28, 8 p.m., DOWN TO THE RIVER Book Release Party and Concert, at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Sandy Dyas' new book, Down to the River: Portraits of Iowa Musicians will be published in June 2007 by the Iowa Press. Sandy moved to Iowa City in 1987 and began documenting the area's vibrant live music scene, with its distinctive combination of folk, blues, roots/Americana, and rock sounds. The sixty photos in Down to the River capture her twenty years of photographing live music venues and shooting portraits of musicians in and around the city, resulting in a collection of images as compassionate and honest as the music itself. Many artists featured in the book are set to perform, including BeJae Fleming. $5 cover. Visit www.icmil.com and www.sandydyas.com. Call 319-351-9529 for more info.

Saturday, July 28, 6 p.m., OWLS (Older Wiser Lesbians) potluck and social, in Iowa City. For more info and directions, e-mail katharn@xwires.net.

Friday, August 3, 4 p.m., LOJO RUSSO at Jameson's in Waterloo. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com.

Saturday, August 4, GIRL PARTS, at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

Saturday, August 4, LOJO RUSSO at the Upper Iowa Celtic Festival, Waterloo. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com.

Thursday, August 9, ELLIS at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872.

August 9-11, LANDLOCKED FILM FESTIVAL at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For more info, contact the Englert Theatre at 319-688-2653, info@englert.org, or www.englert.org.

Saturday, August 11, Noon-4 p.m., GLRC of Cedar Rapids PRIDE PICNIC at Pleasant Creek State Park, the North Shelter of Palo Lake. A kegger, hamburgers, and hotdogs will be provided. Bring a covered dish to share. Games, volleyball, croquet, and badminton, plus a silent auction. Donate a new or unique used item in good shape for the auction. For more info, visit www.crglrc.org.

Sunday, August 12, 3-6 p.m., BEJAE FLEMING with JACKIE BLOUNT at the Prairie Moon Winery, Ames. For more info, e-mail bejaef@msn.com or visit www.bejaefleming.com.

Sunday, August 12, 7:30 p.m., GILLIAN WELCH at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium, Des Moines. For more info or tix, visit www.ticketmaster.com. For artist info, visit www.gillianwelch.com.

Friday, August 17, SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at The Fireside Winery in Marengo. For more info, e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Saturday, August 18, 6:45 p.m., JENNIFER DANIELSON plays before the Saturday Night Free Movie (Spirited Away, Rated PG) on the UI Pentacrest, outside the Old Capitol building, downtown Iowa City. For more info, visit www.summerofthearts.org.

Saturday, August 18, 6-9 p.m., BEJAE FLEMING, JACKIE BLOUNT, and JOE & VICKIE PRICE, at Sugar Grove Winery, Newton. For more info, e-mail bejaef@msn.com or visit www.bejaefleming.com.

Monday, August 20, 5-7 p.m., THIRD PLACES at Café Z, 1705 S. 1st Ave, Iowa City (across Lower Muscatine from Sycamore Mall). Cafe Z is a French and Italian restaurant. PTDN (Professional and Technical Diversity Network) "Third Places" events are generally scheduled for the 1st Monday of the month in Cedar Rapids, and the 3rd Monday of the month in Iowa City, starting at 5:00 p.m. There generally will be no formal program, just a chance to "unwind" after work and visit with other people of like interests. For more info, e-mail russ@novotnys.info.

Saturday, September 1, LOJO RUSSO performs at the Bier Stube in the East Village, 2228 E. 11th St., Davenport. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com or www.bier-stube.com.

Saturday, September 8, JAMIE ANDERSON, hosted by the Women's Cultural Collective of Des Moines, at the Friend's Meeting House, Des Moines. For more info, e-mail wcc@iowawcc.org.

Saturday, September 15, Noon – 6 p.m., 14th ANNUAL IOWA WOMEN'S MUSIC FESTIVAL, in Upper City Park, Iowa City. The tradition continues, and this year will be fantastic with a line-up of tremendous talent, including RUTHIE FOSTER, SUSAN WERNER, WISHING CHAIR, JANELLE LAUER, AWFUL PURDIES, SHARON BOUSQUET, and EMILY LOUISE. The event will be free to attend and open to the public, as always. Bring lawn chairs for grass seating and some spending money so you can shop in our marketplace and eat some festie food. For more info, visit www.prairievoices.net, e-mail festival@prairievoices.net, or call 319-335-1486. Anyone who wishes to volunteer for this great event, to donate to keep this festival affordable, or to become a vendor to keep our marketplace thriving, please let us know! We sure can use every bit of help!

Tuesday, September 18, 7:30 p.m., EVITA, the Broadway musical on tour, at The Paramount Theatre, on 3rd Ave. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids. For more info, call 319-398-0223 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23, FOUR KINGDOMS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL, Rock Island, IL. Lojo Russo performs. For more info, visit www.fourkingdoms.com.

Saturday, September 22, HITAGA FOLK AND ARTS FESTIVAL, at Camp Hitaga, Walker. For more info, e-mail flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

Sunday, September 23, 2 and 7:30 p.m., EVITA (touring Broadway production), at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, on the campus of UNI, 8201 Dakota St., Cedar Falls. For more info or tix, visit www.uni.edu/gbpac.

Friday, October 5, 8 p.m., SUZANNE VEGA at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., downtown Iowa City. For tickets or more info, e-mail info@englert.org, visit www.englert.org, call 319-688-2653, or stop in at the box office M-F, 1-6 p.m.

Thursday, October 25, 8 p.m., SARAH VOWELL, American author, journalist, humorist, and commentator – "The Madonna of the Americana," at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For tickets or more info, e-mail info@englert.org, visit www.englert.org, call 319-688-2653, or stop in at the box office M-F, 1-6 p.m.

Friday-Sunday, October 26-28, SUSTAINABLE LIVING CONFERENCE: Renewable Resources and the Future of Iowa, in the New Bohemia District, Cedar Rapids. The conference will be held at CSPS (1103 3rd St. SE), the Matyk Building (1029 3rd St. SE), the African American Museum (55 12th Ave. SE), and at the P-3 Union Hall (116 14th Ave. SE).

Wednesday, October 31, 7:30 p.m., HAIRSPRAY, the Broadway musical on tour, at The Paramount Theatre, on 3rd Ave. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids. For more info, call 319-398-0223 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, November 11, 3 and 8 p.m., Monday, November 12, 7:30 p.m., ANNIE (touring Broadway production) at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, on the campus of UNI, 8201 Dakota St., Cedar Falls. For more info or tix, visit www.uni.edu/gbpac.

December 7, WISHING CHAIR at Lighthouse Coffeehouse, West Des Moines.

January 7, 2008, EASILY AMUSED at Drake University, Des Moines.

Friday, January 11, 7:30 p.m., PAULA POUNDSTONE at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, on the campus of UNI, 8201 Dakota St., Cedar Falls. For more info or tix, visit www.uni.edu/gbpac.

February 29, March 1, DIVAPALOOZA 2 at Theatre Cedar Rapids, 1st Ave. SE and 3rd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. For tix or more info, call 319-366-8591.

March 7, 2008, ANGELIQUE KIDJO, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City.

Sunday, April 13, 2 and 7 p.m., GYPSY (touring Broadway production) at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, on the campus of UNI, 8201 Dakota St., Cedar Falls. For more info or tix, visit www.uni.edu/gbpac.


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.

Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m., STONEWALL DEMOCRATS, the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party, meets at The Blue Strawberry Coffeeshop, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. For more info, contact Greg Williams, President of the Linn Co. Chapter, at linnstonewall@mchsi.com or call 319-389-0093.

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.

First Tuesday of every month, "CONNECTIONS," an organization of individuals and families that comes together to form, build and sustain queer community in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, meets and 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, 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 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.

Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the each month at 7 p.m., a DRUMMING CIRCLE meets at the Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. For more info, call 319-393-5422.

Thanks for supporting live music, women in the arts, and your community!
Lisa