May 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 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. You can also view this list at www.myspace.com/iowalisa.

Let me direct your attention to a very interesting and unique fundraiser for the 2007 Iowa Women’s Music Festival on May 29 – something new this year – a poker night! See below for details!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

GAYLA DRAKE PAUL: This incomparable singer-songwriter-guitarist performs 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.

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. Wednesdays through May 23, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Drop-ins welcome, $10 per class. 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 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 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!

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. The website is not yet updated, but please check back at www.prairievoices.net for updates and more info.

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: Peggy Seeger, Susan Werner, Lucy Kaplansky, The Roches, Angelique Kidjo, 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.

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. 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. For more information or to express interest, call Rick Miller at 515-274-5518.

UI WOMEN’S SOFTBALL SEASON: Visit www.hawkeyesports.com for details. Remaining home games in Iowa City are May 2 vs. Drake, and May 5-6 vs. U. of Illinois.

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.

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.

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. Meals and lodging are provided, as well as paid pre-camp training and time off over the weekend. Contact Kimberli at 319-270-0975 or via email at FlyingMonkeysCR@aol.com for more info 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:

Tuesday, May 1, 8 p.m., MARIA MALDAUR & Her Bluesianna Band with Horns, at the Morning Star Studio, 51-1/2 S. Court St., Fairfield. Maria is a legendary platinum recording artist and spent 6 weeks at the top of the Billboard Blues Chart in 2006. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Students at the door $10. Tickets available at The Chocolate Café & 21st Century Books in Fairfield, or by calling 641-472-4287.

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.

Thursday, May 3, 7 p.m., ACOUSTIC SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE, featuring Landen Boyer, Jami Beste, Sam Locke Ward, Rachel Feldmann, Kate Kane, and Nikki Lunden, at the Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. $5 cover. For more info, visit www.icmill.com, or call 319-351-9529.

Friday, May 4, 9 p.m., PIETA BROWN featuring Bo Ramsey, at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. $10 cover. Visit www.pietabrown.com. For more info, visit www.icmill.com, or call 319-351-9529.

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 the East Village, 2228 E. 11th St., Davenport. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com or www.bier-stube.com.

Friday, May 4, 6:30-10 p.m., FAIRFIELD 1st FRIDAY ART WALK, Student Art Exposition with art, dance, and music. For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.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’s 2007 Spring 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. To request an accommodation in order to attend, please call 319-335-1487.

Saturday, May 5, FLAVORS OF FAIRFIELD II BICYCLE RIDE, cycling, live music, contests, prizes, food, and a Farmers’ Market. All levels of cyclists welcome. Registration is 6-10 a.m. on Saturday in Howard Park, North Court St. and Hempstead (three blocks north of the square). For more info, visit http://flavorsride.fairfieldtoday.com.

Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. check-in, 10 a.m. start, NAMI 5K WALK, Lower City Park, Iowa City. This is a 5K family walk benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Register at www.nami.org/namiwalks. For more info, call 319-358-8448 or e-mail dellamcgrath@qwest.net.

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.

Sunday, May 6, 9 p.m., THE TROLLIES (Nikki Lunden’s popular band is back!) with Pelusa, at The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. For more info, visit www.icmill.com, or call 319-351-9529. $5 cover.

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.

Thursday, May 10, 8 p.m., THE DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND with the cool vocal stylings of the Diplomettes, at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For more info, contact the Englert Theatre at 319-688-2653 or info@englert.org.

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.

Friday, May 11, 6-8 p.m., AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND WINE TASTING at Vineria Wine House, 264 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Sample wines from Australia and New Zealand, featuring many exciting new arrivals from the Land Down Under. There will be 12-15 wines to taste. Make your reservations soon! Space is limited. No overcrowding. Cost $15.00 per person. $5 back on your purchase. For reservations for this tasting, call 319-373-6141 or e-mail vineria@msn.com. Visit www.vineriawinehouse.com.

May 11-27, THE FULL MONTY, at Theatre Cedar Rapids. For more info, visit www.theatrecr.org.

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.

Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., CelebrAsian, 5th Annual ASIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL, at Water Works Park, 408 Fleur Dr., Des Moines. Free, rain or shine. Parking $2. For more info, visit www.celebrAsian.org.

Saturday-Sunday, May 12-13, HISPANIC MIDWEST FOLK FESTIVAL in Columbus Junction, at the Louisa County Fairgrounds, Highway 92. This great family event features authentic Latin American cuisine, performances and crafts from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. For more info, go to www.CJHispanicFest.org or contact Monica Ruiz, Event Coordinator, Hispanic Cultural Festival, 319-728-7405, cscolumbus@iowatelecom.net.

Monday, May 14, PRIDE FUNDRAISER: Thai Flavors, located at 340 E. Burlington St., Iowa City, will donate a portion of their profits to the IC Pride Fund this day only. So eat well and help IC Pride at the same time. Visit www.thaiflavors.net.

Thursday, May 17, 7:30-11:30 p.m., WOMEN’S ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE, hosted by Kimberli, and featuring several great female musicians, including Lojo Russo, Sharon Bousquet, and more to be announced! This night is always a blast, with a women’s jam at the end. All women are welcome to bring your voice, instruments, and energy to add to the fun at the end of the night. $6 cover. For more info, visit www.icmill.com, call 319-351-9529, or e-mail flyingmonkeyscr@aol.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.

Friday, May 18, 7 p.m., THE BUZZ AND SING THING, open mic competition and fundraiser for FutureNet, the Iowa Network for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Parenting, and Sexual Health, at Ritual Café, 13th St. between Locust and Grand, downtown Des Moines. Local musicians will compete to raise funds for a statewide non-profit agency dedicated to adolescent pregnancy prevention and sexual health. Ankeny singer-songwriter Mary McAdams will emcee the event. Free and open to the public, donations accepted. The audience will vote for their favorite performers by putting money in the tip jars. Whichever performer brings in the most cash votes will win the competition. To compete, contact mary@marymcadams.com. For more info, visit www.ritualcafe.com.

Friday, May 18, 6-8 p.m., HIGH END WINE TASTING, at Vineria Wine House, 264 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. During this tasting, sample ten wines from around the world with high ratings (above 93 points), hard to find, and small productions. Dan Katalinich, Tom Lally, and Josh O'Donnell will guide the tasting. This tasting is seated. Space is limited to 30 seats.
Make reservations in advance! Cost is $35 per person. For reservations for this tasting, call 319-373-6141 or e-mail vineria@msn.com. Visit www.vineriawinehouse.com.

Saturday, May 19, All day!, GAY IN THE GATEWAY, on 13th St. in downtown Des Moines, outside of Ritual Café, 13th St. between Locust and Grand. This will be an all day event with 13th Street closing down to host it. The day will begin at 10:00 am and finish with a street dance in the evening. More info at www.ritualcafe.com.

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

Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., MARION ARTS FESTIVAL at City Square Park in downtown Marion. Ranked as the number one fine art event of its size in the Midwest, this annual festival features art from 50 artists from coast to coast, music, food, family fun, and a 5K race. Visit www.marionartsfestival.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., RAINBOW RUN, IC PRIDE 5K FUN RUN & WALK at Lower City Park, Iowa City. Check in begins at 7 a.m. at Shelter #7. 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 at www.queerconnections.org. Questions? E-mail christine-ziemer@uiowa.edu. Walkers, runners, baby strollers, dogs, etc. are welcome.

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.

Wednesday, May 23, 7-9 p.m., TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TRAINING in Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room E. In preparation for the Iowa Women’s Music Festival Texas Hold’em fundraiser on May 29 (see that listing), this will be a workshop for the game of Hold'em and a fun time to hang out and play cards. For more info, e-mail robinbutler@aol.com.

Wednesday, May 23, 4-6 p.m., FIFTEEN IN FIVE, Community Planning Process status meeting and 2-Year Annual Expo, at the African American Historical Museum, 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Free.

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.

Saturday, May 26, 6 p.m., OWLS (Older Wiser Lesbians) Monthly Social and Potluck, in Iowa City. For location, directions, and more info, e-mail katharn@xwires.net.

Saturday, May 26, 8:30 p.m., SARAH BURRILL at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. Women-owned and operated, great coffeehouse!

Saturday, May 26, 6-8:30 p.m., BEJAE FLEMING with Jackie Blount, at Cibo Fusion, 685 Marion Blvd., Cedar Rapids. For more info, e-mail bejaef@msn.com.

Sunday, May 27, JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, Council Bluffs. For tix: www.stircove.frontgatetickets.com.

Tuesday, May 29, 5-7 p.m., THIRD PLACES, a social gathering for the PTDN (Professional and Technical Diversity Network), at Motley Cow, 327 E. Market St., Iowa City. Everyone in the Corridor is invited!

Tuesday, May 29, 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.

Tuesday, May 29, 7 p.m., TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TOURNAMENT to benefit the 14th annual IOWA WOMEN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL, at the American Legion, 3016 Muscatine Ave., Iowa City. Prairie Voices Productions has teamed up with the poker players of the Iowa City American Legion to offer an Iowa Women's Music Festival fundraising tournament with a $20 buy in and $10 rebuys, with a $10 add on at the break. The Iowa Women's Music Festival will split the proceeds with the winner's prize pool. We will also have a cash raffle. If you don't know about all that buy-in stuff or even what Texas Hold'em is, or you need a brush up on your game, or you just want to play and practice we are holding a Texas Hold'em mini-school on Wednesday, May 23, 7-9 p.m., in Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room E. This will be a workshop for the game of Hold'em and just a fun time to hang out and play cards. For more info, e-mail robinbutler@aol.com.

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.

Friday, June 1, 8 p.m., THE ROCHES, Iowa Arts Festival, downtown Iowa City. For more info, visit www.summerofthearts.org. Free concert.

Friday, June 1, MATTHEW SHEPARD SCHOLARSHIP DINNER, Des Moines. For more info, visit www.iowapridenetwork.org.

Friday, 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!

Friday June 1, FAIRFIELD 1st FRIDAY ART WALK, Student Art Exposition with art, dance, and music. For more info, visit www.FairfieldArtWalk.com.

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. For more info, visit www.crglrc.org.

Sunday, June 3, I-CARE PANCAKE BREAKFAST, on the Ped Mall, downtown Iowa City. Support I-CARE and have a great breakfast at this Iowa City tradition….and enjoy the artist booths at the Iowa Arts Festival afterwards.

Sunday, June 3, PRIDE RIDE sponsored by the LGBT Community Center of Central Iowa. For more info, visit www.lgbt-dsm.com.

Sunday, June 3, 7 p.m., CARRIE RODRIGUEZ with special guest Tim Easton, in an outdoor summer concert one block north of CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. These outdoor concerts, put on by Legion Arts, are free and a whole lot of fun! Bring lawn chairs. For more info, check out www.legionarts.org and www.carrierodriguez.com.

Monday, June 4, JUST PLAIN FOLKS TOURING SHOWCASE, at the Guitar House, North Liberty. For more info, visit www.theguitarhouse.com and www.justplainfolks.org. The purpose of this showcase is networking between musicians and those involved in the local music.

Tuesday, June 5, 7 p.m., CONNECTIONS FORUM: Queer History in IC at Hotel Vetro, 201 S. Linn St., Iowa City.

Tuesday, June 5, JUST PLAIN FOLKS TOURING SHOWCASE, at Ritual Café, 1301 E. Locust St., downtown Des Moines. For more info, e-mail ritualcafe@aol.com or call 515-288-4872. For details on the showcase or how to get involved, visit www.justplainfolks.org. The purpose of this showcase is networking between musicians and those involved in the local music.

June 5-29, PRIDE ART SHOW at Framers’ Intent, 361 E. College St. Iowa City. For more info and a full Pride calendar of events, visit www.queerconnections.org. The deadline for art submissions is June 1. The Pride Art Reception will be held June 8. For more info, contact linzwhy@avalon.net.

Friday, June 8, HITAGA HOUSE CONCERT (new series!) with Australian singer-songwriter MARTINE LOCKE. Held at the wonderful Camp Hitaga, where you can stay and camp out. 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-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. Great coffeehouse, great music!

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, June 9, dusk, SATURDAY NIGHT FILM SERIES features “In and Out” in honor of Pride Month, on the University of Iowa Pentacrest, downtown Iowa City.

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

Sunday, June 10, 9:30 a.m., UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRIDE SERVICE & RECEPTION at the UU, 10 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City.

Monday, June 11, GAY DAY AT ADVENTURELAND, for more info: www.capitalcitypride.org and www.adventureland-usa.com.

Thursday, June 14, 9 p.m., AWFUL PURDIES, at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. This is Iowa City’s all-women very original band featuring AMY FINDERS on mandolin and vocals, ANNIE SAVAGE on harp, fiddle, and vocals, GABRIELLE KOURI on banjo, electric guitar, and vocals, KATIE ROCHE on glockenspiel, classical guitar, whistles, and vocals, and MARCY ROSENBAUM on guitar, bass, and vocals. $5 cover. Visit www.icmill.com and www.myspace.com/awfulpurdies. Call 319-351-9529.

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.

Friday, June 15, 5-9 p.m., PRIDE PATIO PARTY. Join friends in the patio space in front of the former Tait’s store on the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City to enjoy the Friday Night Concert Series. Look for the rainbows and bring friends!

Friday, June 15, 7:30 p.m., EDIE CAREY in a rare double bill with Ben Schmidt at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For more info, visit www.ediecarey.com or contact the Englert Theatre at 319-688-2653 or info@englert.org.

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. The Parade starts at noon and runs from College Green Park to the Pentacrest, Iowa City. Immediately after the Parade, a rally on the Pentacrest will feature inspiring political figures. The Iowa City Pride Festival has changed locations this year and will be held in Upper City Park, Shelter #3 (same location as Iowa Women’s Music Festival on September 15). The Pride Festival starts at 3 p.m. The Pride Festival will feature live music, food, vendors, and games.

Sunday, June 17, 8:30 a.m., GAY GARDEN TOUR, Iowa City. Gather at Happy Hollow Park at 850 Brown St. at 8:30 a.m. and tour the city’s gardens from 9 a.m. ‘til noon. Refreshments will be served before and after the tour at Happy Hollow.

Monday, June 18, 5-7 p.m., THIRD PLACES, a social gathering for the PTDN (Professional and Technical Diversity Network), at Thai Spice, 1210 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Everyone in the Corridor is welcome!

Friday, June 22, HITAGA HOUSE CONCERT (new series!) with SHARON BOUSQUET. Held at the wonderful Camp Hitaga, where you can stay and camp out. 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.

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 women’s music showcase at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. 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.

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.

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 films during the musical breaks, 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-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.

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, 9 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. $5 cover. Visit www.icmil.com and www.sandydyas.com. Call 319-351-9529.

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

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.

Monday, July 16, 5-7 p.m., THIRD PLACES, a social gathering for the PTDN (Professional and Technical Diversity Network), at Café Z, 1705 S. First Ave., Iowa City. Everyone in the Corridor is welcome!

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

Friday, August 3, LOJO RUSSO at Jameson’s in Waterloo. For more info, visit www.lojorusso.com.

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, 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!

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.

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).

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

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

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

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," an organization of individuals and families that comes together to form, build and sustain queer community in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, meet 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, 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.

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, the arts, and your community!
Lisa