Sept. into Winter - 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 the rest of September into the winter. To submit events or to sign up a friend to receive this list by e-mail, please e-mail iowalisa@juno.com.

The Iowa Women’s Music Festival is gearing up for a GRAND engagement on September 15 in Upper City Park of Iowa City, and we’ve been planning and arranging like crazy. It’s the place to be from noon to 6 p.m. with the PHENOMENAL Ruthie Foster playing at 5 p.m. Details below...

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CALL FOR SINGERS: The Quire begins rehearsals on Sunday, September 9 from 6-8:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., Iowa City, in preparation for a winter concert to be held on December 15. Rehearsals take place each Sunday from 6-8:30 p.m. To join the choir, attend rehearsals beginning September 9 or September 16. Membership is open to all GLBT folks, as well as allies who support the community. There are no auditions; you only need to be willing to attend rehearsals regularly and learn your music. The Quire prepares two full concerts each year in the winter and spring, and occasionally performs shorter programs at events in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area. The Quire is a member of Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA), and has developed a reputation for excellence and variety in its concert programs. For more info, contact Marlys Boote at 319-337-6203 or Linda Kroon at 319-354-5263. If you are not able to sing in the Quire but wish to financially support the organization, tax-deductible contributions may be sent to The Quire, P.O. Box 1101, Iowa City, IA 52244.

IOWA WOMEN’S MUSIC FEST IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!: September 15 is the date for this year’s Iowa Women’s Music Festival in Iowa City. We have a stupendous line-up of performers! This is our year of heavenly vocals, from the first to the last performer! Don’t miss anyone! EMILY LOUISE, SHARON BOUSQUET, AWFUL PURDIES, JANELLE LAUER, WISHING CHAIR, SUSAN WERNER, and the phenomenal RUTHIE FOSTER, Noon-6 p.m. in Iowa City’s Upper City Park….and it’s FREE! Check our website at www.prairievoices.net for updates and more info.

DINNER BY GHOSTLIGHT: THE GHOULS NEXT DOOR: 4-course dinner with 3-course musical comedy entertainment held at Sugar Grove Vineyards & Gatheringplace (a rejuvenated grange hall now on the Silos & Smokestacks national registry in rural Newton). Dates are October 26, 27 & November 2 at 6:30 p.m. and November 3 at 5:30 p.m. Writer/Producer Elaine Mattingly of Newton partners with Colette Hill of Sugar Grove vineyards to offer artfully and vibrantly orchestrated evenings of original music (by composer/arranger/pianist John Mattingly), original texts and adaptations especially written by Elaine Mattingly for the professional troupe the Sugar Grove Players, and hearty gourmet country cuisine with wines and cheeses. Cost is $50 per person and includes gratuity; call Sugar Grove Vineyards for reservations at 641-787-9463. Reservations deadlines are the Tuesday prior to the performance.

BOWLERS SOUGHT: Sue is looking for some women bowlers to fill out a league at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City. It's a Tuesday night league running now through April. They have about 5 teams and they'd like to get up to 8. If you know of anyone interested in joining/putting together a bowling team, contact Sue Almen-Whittaker at sue-almen-whittaker@uiowa.edu or call her at 319-887-6807.

SCHOOL FOR MORAL COURAGE: Check out the School for Moral Courage’s Community Calendar at http://www.schoolformoralcourage.com/september.html.

JOIN THE IOWA CITY PRIDE COMMITTEE 2008!: The Planning Committee is back at the drawing board starting Sunday, Sept. 16. They will be meeting monthly to plan next summer's Pride festivities. They are looking for people with energy and vision to help with fundraising and planning. It's a fun group and a great way to serve the community. Meetings will be the second Sunday of each month at the Iowa City Public Library at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Bridget Malone at malone.bridget@gmail.com.

KRIPALU CLASSES ANNOUNCED: Check out Kathy Moon’s new website for the scoop: www.DancingWisdom.com. Here are the details on this fall's classes: KRIPALU DANSKINETICS (Yoga + Aerobics + Creative Play + Fabulous World Music!) on Wednesdays August 29 - October 17, 5:30-6:45 p.m. or Sundays August 26 - October 14, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. KRIPALU GENTLE YOTA on Wednesdays August 29 - October 17, 7 - 8:30 p.m. $80 for 8 classes, pre-registration requested. All classes will be held at Arts a la Carte in Iowa City. No prior experience is needed for any of these classes. Please contact Kathy by e-mail or phone to register: 319-354-1188 or Kathy@dancingwisdom.com.

FREE SERIES AT THE ENGLERT: Mondays at noon, from August 27 to November 26, The Englert in Iowa City is the home for a free series of twelve sessions on US foreign policy, who makes it and how it's made; national security and how to define it; nuclear proliferation; China, the Middle East and Latin America; the American economy and the global economy; the environment and public health as foreign policy. Featuring prominent leaders from government, media, business and NGO's, US and the World promises to be a provocative and insightful look at where we are and where we're going. For more info on the series “US and the World: America’s Interaction with the World,” visit www.englert.org.

NEW CDs OF WOMEN IN MUSIC: Check out www.ladyslipper.org for brand new September titles, including Lorenna McKennitt’s “Nights from the Alhambra”, Ani DiFranco’s “Canon”, Tret Fure’s “True Compass”, and Sweet Honey in the Rock’s “Experience…101”. Also catch new titles from Barbara Higbie, Tegan & Sara, Ann Wilson (of Heart), Michelle Shocked, Mary Gauthier, and more! Get Melissa Etheridge’s “The Awakening,” out in stores Sept. 25.

SACRED SPACE HAS MOVED: The Sacred Space Meditation Center has moved from the downtown location to the eastside of Iowa City. Their new address is 526 Terrace Road. For directions, email info@icsacredspace.com or call 319-400-3088. They have a new Sufi Circle that is forming, reflexology classes, meditation courses, and a lot more. E-mail info@icsacredspace.com for the entire listing of events and offerings.

SAVE THE DATE!: The National Women’s Music Festival is being held July 10-13, 2008 on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Watch for updates on the website: www.WIAonline.org.

WEBSITE FOR MIDWESTERN EVENTS: If you want to know what’s going on in neighboring states for women, check out Kai Phillipi’s website www.lambdabuzz.com.

DANCE CIRCLE: The Dances of Universal Peace are simple circle dances set to chants and songs from different spiritual traditions. All dances are taught beforehand. The dances are healing and inspiring for those who dance and help to bring more peaceful energy into our community and world. All are welcome! The Iowa City dance circle meets every second Sunday from September to May at: Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City, 10 South Gilbert St. Dances led by Sophia Virginia Melroy. For more info, call 319-338-1778

WAKE THE MUSE!: Wake the Muse is an experiential weekend January 25-27 for creative women that will feature workshops focusing on the theme of The Creative Process from Inspiration to Manifestation. The featured presenter for the weekend is Carol Lynn Pearson who is an accomplished writer and performer, as well as a contributing author to the popular series Chicken Soup for the Soul. The conference seeks workshops by other presenters on the topics of Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Women's Traditions and Crafts, Lifestyle and Small Business or Non-profit Development. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2007. They are also seeking performance artists for evening programs on Friday and Saturday. For an application, contact: Sarah Hobart, Executive Director, Heartland Daughters Productions, 515-664-3784, HeartlandDaughters@gmail.com.

LEARN T'AI CHI CH'UAN: A new class in Yang Style Short Form T’ai Chi, taught by Kelly O’Berry, starts on September 10 and will be held every Monday and Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Cost is $60 per month. For more info, contact Kelly at 319-351-2703 or kob@xwires.net.

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. They will pick up in the Iowa City area, or you can deliver the cans to them.

BAND OPPORTUNITY: Kelly Carrell is starting a Country/Blues/Folk band for weeknight gigs in Iowa City and weekend gigs around Iowa. Looking for the following: Drummer, Piano/keyboard player, Fiddle player, *Bass player, *Lead Guitar (must be able to play electric and acoustic). *ability to play harmonica a plus but not required. If you play another instrument that is not listed above but would complement a country/blues/folk band, let Kelly know. For auditions, contact Kelly at 319-321-5709.

MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: The fest continues through Sunday, September 30. Adult tickets are $15.75 and tickets for children ages 6-12 are $7.75. Children 5 and under are free. For more information about the festival, visit http://www.renaissancefest.com.

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) and the Saturday Night Movies Series (Now-September 15). Check out www.summerofthearts.org.

ONE-TIME EVENTS:

Sunday, September 9, 5 p.m., VOLUNTEER MEETING for Iowa Women’s Music Festival at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Anyone interested in volunteering this year at IWMF on Sept. 15 can come to the Mill to meet some of the organizers and get signed up. There are various areas that we need help in.

Sunday, September 9, 12-5 p.m., PEACEFEST IOWA in College Green Park, Iowa City. Peacefest is “A Day of Community Action Calling for the Immediate End of U.S. Aggression in the Middle East,” with keynote speaker Jeff Leys, Co-Coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence. For more info, check out www.peacefestiowa.org. Iowa Women’s Music Festival will be tabling at this event, so come get a t-shirt in advance and say hello to us!

Sunday, September 9, 7 p.m., GIVEWAY, a group of musical sisters from Ireland, with gorgeous vocals and musicianship, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For tix or more info, e-mail info@legionarts.org, call 319-364-1580, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Monday, September 10, 7 p.m., JAMIE ANDERSON on KUNI Live From Studio One, at the Communication Arts Building on the campus of U. of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. Be in the studio audience for $3 donation, or listen on 90.9 FM in most of Eastern Iowa. For more info, visit www.kuniradio.org.

Monday, September 10, 8 p.m., GIRLYMAN at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For tix or more info, e-mail info@legionarts.org, call 319-364-1580, or visit www.legionarts.org. Check out www.girlyman.com.

Tuesday, September 11, ANI DIFRANCO’s new 36-song, 2-CD set retrospective “Canon” is released to stores!

Wednesday, September 12, 6:30 p.m., LINN COUNTY STONEWALL DEMOCRATS Monthly Meeting, at the Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Meet with like-minded democrats to discuss GLBT issues in politics and get involved in being an activist for GLBT rights. For more info, e-mail Greg at forgottenfreedoms@gmail.com or linnstonewall@gmail.com.

Wednesday, September 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., "Iowa's Next Steps in Equality," a community briefing and discussion about what the Varnum v. Brien trial court decision means, where the case is heading & how you can support marriage equality in Iowa, sponsored by One Iowa and Lambda Legal. First Unitarian Church of Sioux City, 2508 Jackson Street, Sioux City. To RSVP, please send an email indicating the briefing you plan to attend to equalityforum@one-iowa.org.

Thursday, September 13, 7 p.m., SECOND CITY (comedy troupe), 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.

Thursday, September 13, 8 p.m., SWATI with Jesse Harris, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Thursday, September 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., "Iowa's Next Steps in Equality," a community briefing and discussion about what the Varnum v. Brien trial court decision means, where the case is heading & how you can support marriage equality in Iowa, sponsored by One Iowa and Lambda Legal. Sheraton Hotel, 210 South Dubuque St., Iowa City. To RSVP, please send an email indicating the briefing you plan to attend to equalityforum@one-iowa.org.

Thursday, September 13, INCONVENIENT JOKES: “HOT HUMOR FOR A HOT PLANET” at Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City. Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) is working hard to raise awareness of and responses to the threat of global warming. As a concrete gesture of support, Iowa PSR is also raising funds for the continued success of the Common Ground Clinic in New Orleans. As a part of its suite of activities addressing global warming, Iowa PSR has organized both an art show and silent auction, and a night of political satire in conjunction with their Health Consequences conference. The show features nationally known comedians, Dave Zollo, the director of the New Orleans Common Ground Clinic, and a cameo appearance by God. The Art Show and Silent Auction will be held at the Vetro from 2 p.m. on Friday Sept. 14 through Sunday 11 a.m. with a special wine and cheese reception Saturday evening at the Vetro. For more info, check out www.iowa-psr.org. Tickets for Inconvenient Jokes Hot Humor at the Hancher are available at: https://boxoffice.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Thursday, September 13, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at DaVinci’s in Dubuque. For more info, visit www.davincisdubuque.com or e-mail scottandmichelle@dalziel.net.

Friday, September 14, 8:30 p.m., EMBRYO 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. Check out www.myspace.com/ladyblueband.

Friday, September 14, 8 p.m., NIKKI LUNDEN at the Java House, half a block from the Ped Mall on Washington St. in downtown Iowa City. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/nikkilunden.

Friday, September 14, 8 p.m., LENKA DUSILOVA (singer from Prague) at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For tix or more info, e-mail info@legionarts.org, call 319-364-1580, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Friday, September 14, 8 p.m., WRAC COFFEEHOUSE at 130 N. Madison St., Iowa City. As precursor to the Iowa Women’s Music Festival, stop in at the Women’s Resource and Action Center for some socializing and fun!

Friday, September 14, 6-8 p.m., END OF SUMMER WINE TASTING at Vineria, 264 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids. They will be pouring a sampling of the hottest new releases. Sample a total of 16 reds and whites. They’ll have a selection of cheese and appetizers to accompany the wine. Please make your reservation in advance by calling 319-373-6141. Cost for the tasting is $15.00. You’ll get $5.00 back on your purchase of 3 or more bottles. Visit www.vineriawineshop.com or e-mail vineria@msn.com.

Saturday, September 15, Noon – 6 p.m., 14th ANNUAL IOWA WOMEN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL, in Upper City Park, Iowa City (intersection of Dubuque St. and Park Rd.). The tradition continues, and this year will be fantastic with a line-up of super tremendous talent, including RUTHIE FOSTER, SUSAN WERNER, WISHING CHAIR, JANELLE LAUER, AWFUL PURDIES, SHARON BOUSQUET, and EMILY LOUISE. The event is free to attend and open to everyone, as always. Pets are welcome! Bring lawn chairs or blankets for grass seating. We will have food vendors, merchants, an Iowa Shares silent auction, and a live auction. This festival will also be ASL interpreted for our HOH and deaf friends. 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 greatly appreciate every bit of help!

Saturday, September 15, 5:30-10 p.m., BLACK SHEEP at Unity Center, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. This concert will be held outdoors, so bring lawn chairs, no coolers. Gates open at 5:30; concert opens at 7 p.m. with the Unity Spirit Choir, directed by Nina Swanson, followed by Black Sheep. A picnic dinner is available for purchase starting at 5:30. A silent auction will also be held. Dessert will be available for purchase. For more info or to contribute silent auction items, call Nancy Dearborn at 319-573-5877. Rain date is September 22. Tickets are available from Music Loft and Unity Center, 319-393-5422. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit Unity's new fellowship hall.

Saturday, September 15, 8:30 p.m., EPIPHANY 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, September 15, 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at Riverssance Music & Arts Festival, Lindsay Park, East Village, Davenport at 10 a.m., and then to the Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque at 5:30. Check out www.dalziel.net.

Sunday, September 16, 10 a.m., LOJO RUSSO at Riverssance Music & Arts Festival, Lindsay Park, East Village, Davenport. Check out www.lojorusso.com and www.midcoast.org.

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.

Tuesday, September 18, ANI DIFRANCO with MELISSA FERRICK at Hancher Auditorium, on the campus of the U. of Iowa, Iowa City. This is three days after the Iowa Women’s Music Festival, so Iowa City will continue to rock with great women in music! Get tix on the Ticketmaster website, at www.ticketmaster.com. This show is presented by SCOPE.

Wednesday, September 19, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., DIVERSE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, “Diverse Paths-Shared Destinies,” hosted by Diversity Focus, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 350 1st Ave., downtown Cedar Rapids. This conference will address a range of critically important themes relating to the ever changing cultural climate in the Cedar Rapids - Iowa City Corridor. The conference will provide educational and professional tools related to creating welcoming business and community environments in the Cedar Rapids – Iowa City Corridor. Opening keynote speaker - Mr. Clay Jones, Chairman, President, and CEO of Rockwell Collins. Luncheon keynote speaker is Mr. Stedman Graham, Bestselling Author, Educator, and Entrepreneur. Cost is $79 for the conference and luncheon / $29 for the luncheon only. Register: www.kirkwood.edu/ce, or call 319-398-1022 or 1-800-332-8833.

Thursday, September 20, 7 p.m., BRENDA WEILER at Being There Coffeehouse, 110 1st Ave. N, Altoona (near Des Moines). $10 cover, all ages. Check out www.brendaweiler.com.

Thursday, September 20, 8 p.m., GRADA at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For tix or more info, e-mail info@legionarts.org, call 319-364-1580, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Thursday, September 20, PLACE YOUR BETS ON TCR, a benefit for Theatre Cedar Rapids, at the Elmcrest Country Club, Cedar Rapids. Enjoy the "Speak Easy" feel of gaming tables (black jack, poker, roulette, video horse racing) and a piano man. For more info, e-mail Casey at casey@theatrecr.org or call 319-366-8592.

Thursday-Friday, September 20-21, LAYING CLAIM TO OUR SPIRIT: Iowa African American Women’s Leadership Conference, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 350 1st Ave, downtown Cedar Rapids. Sponsored by the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, this is an uplifting exploration of the legacy of African American women past, present, and future, with specific emphasis on Iowa. All who are interested in this legacy are welcome to attend. Complete conference program and registration form are now available on www.blackiowa.org. Thursday evening, Sept. 20, the Museum will honor four African American women at the Iowa African American Women History Makers Gala. Gateway Dance Theatre of Des Moines will also perform. Keynoting Laying Claim to Our Spirit are Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Julia J. Cleckley, the first minority woman general in the Army National Guard; Cedar Rapids native Anne Harris Carter, diversity expert; R. Lucia Riddle, Vice President—Federal Government Relations with Principal Financial Group, who will speak on public engagement; and Dr. Paula Mahone of Des Moines, who will speak on African American women’s mental health. The registration fee is $99 by September 7. Gala tickets are $25 for conference registrants, $45 for non-registrants. Student rates are available. For more information, to register or to sponsor, visit www.blackiowa.org or call 319-862-2101 ext. 14.

Friday, September 21, 10 a.m., BRENDA WEILER, interview and live performance, on Iowa Public Radio, “The Exchange” with Ben Kieffer, on WSUI AM 910.

Friday, September 21, 8 p.m., BRENDA WEILER with Ben Carroll at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. This is a CD release show for Brenda’s new CD “end the rain.” Check out www.brendaweiler.com.

Friday, September 21, 8:30 p.m., STEPH TAYLOR 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. Check out www.stephtaylor.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, 8:30 p.m., BRENDA WEILER 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. Check out www.brendaweiler.com.

Saturday, September 22, 7-9 p.m., GAYLA DRAKE PAUL at Bluegrass Café, Tama. $3 cover. This is a terrific new Iowa listening room, no alcohol for sale, but you may bring your own beer and wine. For more info, e-mail gdpaul1@juno.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.

Sunday, September 23, 1:30-3 p.m., CATHERINE MCAULEY CENTER’S 11th ANNUAL TEA PARTY at the Hallagan Education Center, Mercy Medical Center, downtown Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 1 p.m. Bring your friends, relatives, and colleagues and relax over a cup of Catherine’s Comfortable Tea, finger sandwiches, fruit, scones, and decadent desserts. Tickets are $20 (available at CMC). Door prizes will be awarded. This is a fundraiser for CMC’s programs. For more info, call Amy Burns at 319-363-4993.

Sunday, September 23, 3 p.m., SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at Tabor Winery, Baldwin, IA. For more info, visit www.dalziel.net.

Monday, September 24, 5-7 p.m., PTDN CORRIDOR WELCOME RECEPTION at the U. of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City. PTDN is the Professional and Technical Diversity Network, bringing together people who want to promote diversity in our community and network with others of like minds. For more info, contact Russ@novotnys.info.

Tuesday, September 25, 7-10 p.m., OPEN MIC hosted by Kimberli, at The Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Great food, great coffee, great atmosphere, great music. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. to perform. For more info, e-mail flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

Thursday, September 27, 9 p.m., PUBLIC PROPERTY, smooth roots rock reggae sounds, playing to benefit Iowa City’s Independent Living, at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. For more info, visit www.icmill.com or call 319-351-9529. $5 minimum donation. Check out http://www.publicprop.com/.

Friday, September 28, 8:30 p.m., BETH AMSEL with JENNY GOODSPEED 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. Check out www.bethamsel.com.

Saturday, September 29, 8 p.m., SHARON BOUSQUET at Café Paradiso, 607 W. Broadway, Fairfield (in the Broadway Bldg.). For more info, call 641-472-0856 or visit www.cafeparadiso.net. Duo show! Very nice songwriter venue, best coffee you can find anywhere. Great music to boot! Visit www.sharonbousquet.com.

Saturday, September 29, 8:30 p.m., PATCHOULI at 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. Check out www.patchouli.net.

Saturday, September 29, 6-9 p.m., SUNSETS AT SUGAR GROVE LIVE MUSIC SERIES with Mike and Amy Finders, at Sugar Grove Vineyards & Gatheringplace, Newton, Iowa. See www.sugargrove.com for directions and other details. Bring a lawn chair to ensure seating; you may bring your own food or purchase gourmet cheeses, bread, spreads, crackers, chips, dipping oils, pop and water. Six Sugar Grove wines offered. Sorry, no non-Sugar Grove alcoholic beverages allowed on the premises. $5 cover includes a $2 wine coupon. Kids 17 & under free.

Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m., BETH AMSEL at Saints Rest, 917 Broad Street, Grinnell. For more info, call 641-236-6014.

Monday, October 1, 7:30 p.m., QUEEN LATIFAH at Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City. For more info and tickets, visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Monday, October 1, 7 p.m., BETH AMSEL on Live From Studio One, KUNI 90.9 FM. Be a part of the studio audience at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. Call 800-772-2440 or visit www.kuniradio.org for more info.

Tuesday, October 2, 7 p.m., BETH AMSEL at Isabella's (In the Ryan House), 1375 Locust, Dubuque. For more info, call 563-585-2049 or www.isabellasbar.com.

Thursday, October 4, NERVOUS BUT EXCITED 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. Check out www.nervousbutexcited.com.

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.

Friday, October 5, Noon-1 p.m., NIKKI LUNDEN at MC Ginsberg Jewelers, 110 E. Washington St., Iowa City. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/nikkilunden.

Friday, October 5, NIKKI LUNDEN 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. Check out www.nikkilunden.com.

Friday, October 5, SCOTT & MICHELLE DALZIEL at Fireside Winery, Marengo. For more info, visit www.dalziel.net.

Saturday, October 6, 4 p.m., QCA DIVERSITY FILM FESTIVAL fall fundraiser, at the Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., downtown Davenport. The festival will feature the Quad Cities premiere of two critically acclaimed films focusing on the GLBT experience. The first film is “Nina’s Heavenly Delights,” a romantic comedy from documentary filmmaker and 1993 Frameline Award recipient Pratibha Parmar. The second film, “Boy Culture,” debuted at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Reservations can be made by contacting Quad Cities Affirming Diversity (QCAD) at 309-786-2580. The cost of tickets is $60 for either film, including a reception with appetizers, and $75.00 for both films, including the reception.

Saturday, October 6, 9 p.m., PIETA BROWN CD RELEASE CELEBRATION, 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. Live and in concert to support her new record "Remember The Sun." Featuring Bo Ramsey on electric guitar. $10 cover. Visit www.pietabrown.com. For more info, call 319-351-9529 or visit www.icmill.com.

Sunday, October 7, 7 p.m., ELIZA GILKYSON, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Sunday, October 7, 6 p.m., BETH AMSEL at Octagon Center For The Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames. For more info, call 515-232-5331 or www.octagonarts.org.

Friday, October 12, 7:30 p.m., HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO, at Hancher Auditorium on the campus of the U. of Iowa, Iowa City. For tix and info, visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Saturday, October 13, 7:30 p.m., OFF THE WALL, an annual fundraiser for CSPS/Legion Arts, at 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets go on sale September 5. Get this one on your calendar now. It's a fabulous, annual fall fundraiser and art auction. You'll enjoy a great party, provide invaluable support for Legion Arts, and get the perfect piece of art for your home or office. Watch www.legionarts.org for further details.

Saturday, October 13, HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO, at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Visit www.ticketmater.com for more info and tix.

Sunday, October 14, 8 p.m., BRENDA WEILER at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. For more info, visit www.icmill.com, call 319-351-9529 or check out www.myspace.com/bweiler. $8 cover. Non-smoking.

Sunday, October 14, 17th Annual ESPECIALLY FOR YOU Women’s Race Against Breast Cancer, 5K Run/Walk, or 1 mile family walk. Starts and ends at Mercy Hospital, 8th St. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids. To register or for more info, visit www.mercycare.org or call 319-398-6582. 7 a.m. late registration, 8 a.m. start.

Monday-Saturday, October 15-20, SONiA and disappear fear are artists in residence at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org for a full schedule of SONiA’s appearances.

Wednesday, October 17, 8 p.m., ANAIS MITCHELL with SONiA, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Thursday, October 18, 9 p.m., LUCY KAPLANSKY at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Lucy's new album "Over the Hills" was the #1 most played album on 153 folk radio stations in March 2007, and "Manhattan Moon", the first song on the album, was the #1 most played song! $12 cover. Visit http://www.lucykaplansky.com/site.html. For more info, call 319-351-9529 or check out www.icmill.com.

Friday, October 19, 8 p.m., NAMOLI BRENNET with SONiA, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Visit www.namolibrennet.com.

Friday, October 19, STEPH HAYES with Chris Schultz 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. Check out www.myspace.com/thegoodproblems.

Friday, October 19, 7:30 p.m., SHAKTI DANCE COMPANY, 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.

Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m., SATURDAY SCHOLARS SERIES featuring Linda Bolton, Associate Professor of English, speaking on "Ethical Activism in the Poetry of Adrienne Rich and Mary Oliver." Linda Bolton is an award-winning teacher with a special interest in the ethical dimensions of literature. During the football season, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at UI sponsors the "Saturday Scholars" series---billed as a kind of "tailgating for the mind." Saturday Scholars lectures take place in 40 Schaeffer Hall (on the Pentacrest, near the intersection of Clinton and Washington Streets). For details on the full Saturday Scholars series, visit http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/alumni/saturday_scholars/.

Saturday, October 20, NAMOLI BRENNET 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. Check out www.namolibrennet.com.

Sunday, October 21, 7 p.m., KAREN SAVOCA with Pete Heitzman, at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

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.

Thursday, October 25, 8 p.m.-midnight, MIKE AND AMY FINDERS BLUEGRASS, at The Mill Restaurant, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. For a decade, Mike and Amy Finders (say finn-ders) have been traveling the Midwest, playing the music they love, music that echoes the tall grass prairies and Mississippi river valleys that raised them, a “refreshing brand of frontier prairie blues.” They blend acoustic bluegrass, folk and country styles with their award-winning original songs and superb singing. $8 cover. For more info, call 319-351-9529, visit www.icmill.com, can check out http://www.mikeandamyfinders.com/index2.html.

Friday, October 26, KARLA RUTH 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. Check out www.karlaruth.com.

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).

Tuesday, October 30, 7-10 p.m., OPEN MIC hosted by Kimberli, at The Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Great food, great coffee, great atmosphere, great music. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. to perform. For more info, e-mail flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

Tuesday, October 30, 8 p.m., ERIN MCKEOWN at Steyer Opera House, Decorah. For more info, visit www.erinmckeown.com.

Wednesday, October 31, 8 p.m., ERIN MCKEOWN at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Visit www.erinmckeown.com.

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.

Thursday, November 1, LAURA LOVE at Ames Public Library.

Thursday, November 1, 8 p.m., MELISSA FERRICK at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Friday, November 2, NICOLE TORRES 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. Check out www.nicoletorres.com.

Saturday, November 10, The QUIRE, Eastern Iowa’s GLBT Chorus, and ONE VOICE MIXED CHORUS (from the Twin Cities, MN) at The Englert Theatre, half a block from the Ped Mall on Washington St., downtown Iowa City. The Quire will join One Voice onstage for several pieces. This is a benefit concert to help The Quire raise funds to attend the GALA festival in Miami.

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.

Monday-Saturday, November 12-17, SCOTT TURNER SCHOFIELD in residence at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Scott is an Atlanta FtM transgendered theatrical artist who performs provocative and enlightening “one trannie” shows. Check out the current performance, www.undergroundtransit.com.

Thursday, November 15, 8 p.m., EDIE CAREY in concert at Faith United Methodist Church, 1000 30th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Edie is a fabulous singer-songwriter from New York City who tours the country bringing a lot of great music from her multitude of wonderful CDs and unending joy from her warm and delightful stage presence. We welcome her back for this intimate concert. Everyone invited! Please join us for a great night! Gourmet coffee and refreshments served. For more info, call 319-431-0982 or e-mail iowalisa@juno.com. Check out www.ediecarey.com.

Thursday, November 15, 9 p.m., NIKKI LUNDEN at the Cedar Rapids Piano Lounge, 208 2nd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/nikkilunden.

Friday-Sunday, November 16-18, THE NUTCRACKER, 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.

Saturday, November 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., CATHERINE MCAULEY CENTER QUILT SALE, at the American Red Cross building, 6300 Rockwell Dr. NE. All proceeds from the sale of the quilts will benefit CMC’s programs. Free admission.

Saturday, November 17, WINE DINNER WITH GAYLA DRAKE PAUL, at Sugar Grove Vineyards & Gatheringplace, Newton, Iowa. Sugar Grove wines will be paired with carefully selected and prepared courses of Colette's Custom Cuisine. Attendees will enjoy the internationally acclaimed Gayla Drake Paul in concert between courses of their wine dinner. Attendees will also come away with recipes for all the dishes featured during the evening by Colette Hill and the folks at Sugar Grove Vineyards & Gatheringplace. Call Sugar Grove for more details 641-787-9463.

Monday, November 26, 5-7 p.m., PTDN CORRIDOR WELCOME RECEPTION at the African American Museum, Cedar Rapids. PTDN is the Professional and Technical Diversity Network, bringing together people who want to promote diversity in our community and network with others of like minds. For more info, contact Russ@novotnys.info.

Tuesday, November 27, 7-10 p.m., OPEN MIC hosted by Kimberli, at The Blue Strawberry, 118 2nd St. SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Great food, great coffee, great atmosphere, great music. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. to perform. For more info, e-mail flyingmonkeyscr@aol.com.

Friday, November 30, BARB RYMAN 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. Check out www.barbryman.com.

Wednesday-Saturday, December 5-8, TRIBUTE (Christmas show with Carol Montag, Nina Swanson, and Kathy Donnelly) at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Call ahead, as tickets sell out early for this wonderful holiday show!

December 6-30, RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR at Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. For info and tix, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

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

Saturday, December 8, 7:30 p.m., SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City. Visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Wednesday-Saturday, December 12-15, MY FAIR LADY, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City. Visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Saturday, December 15, QUIRE (Eastern Iowa’s GLBT Chorus) WINTER CONCERT at Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., Iowa City.

Monday, January 7, 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.

Friday-Sunday, January 25-27, WAKE THE MUSE, an experiential weekend of creativity for women, with workshops, performance art, and presentations, in the Des Moines area. For more info, contact: Sarah Hobart, Executive Director, Heartland Daughters Productions, 515-664-3784, HeartlandDaughters@gmail.com.

Monday, January 28, 5-7 p.m., PTDN CORRIDOR WELCOME RECEPTION at the Iowa Children’s Museum, Coralville. Bring the kids! PTDN is the Professional and Technical Diversity Network, bringing together people who want to promote diversity in our community and network with others of like minds. For more info, contact Russ@novotnys.info.

Thursday, February 7, 8 p.m., CHERYL WHEELER at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Thursday, February 14, A LAURA LOVE VALENTINE at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org. Special surprises are in store for you this night, including rumors of a Valentine’s dinner that you can have with your sweetie.

Sunday, February 17, 8 p.m., CATIE CURTIS at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Monday, February 18, 7:30 p.m., TOSCA (the opera), performed by Teatro Lirico D’Europa, 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.

Saturday, February 23, 7:30 p.m., PABLO ZIEGLER and CLAUDIA ACUNA (Chilean vocalist), at Hancher Auditorium, on the campus of U. of Iowa, Iowa City. Visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Sunday, February 24, 2 p.m., AXISTheater COMPANY, The Number 14, satirical, silly, and quirky slice of urban life; theater on a bus! Great for families! Hancher Auditorium, on the campus of U. of Iowa, Iowa City. Visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

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.

Friday, March 7, 7:30 p.m., ANGELIQUE KIDJO, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City. For tix and info, visit www.hancher.uiowa.edu.

Friday, March 7, 7:30 p.m., AXIS DANCE COMPANY (merging the dance of dancers with and without disabilities), 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.

Saturday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., THE 5 BROWNS (5 brothers and sisters who are virtuoso classical pianists), 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.

Tuesday, April 8, 7 p.m., CAROL MONTAG at Musser Public Library, 304 Iowa Ave., Muscatine. For more info, call 563-263-3065.

Saturday, April 12, 8 p.m., SUSAN WERNER at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

Saturday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., CHERRYHOLMES (award-winning bluegrass family), 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.

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.

Sunday, May 11, 7 p.m., LUCY KAPLANSKY at CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. For more info or tix, call 319-364-1580, e-mail info@legionarts.org, or visit www.legionarts.org.

RECURRING EVENTS:

Every Friday, 6:30-9:30 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 info about Connections and upcoming events, e-mail Carlton Blackburn at carltonbburn@yahoo.com or call 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, 1029 3rd St., next to CSPS, Cedar Rapids. For more info, e-mail khall479@aol.com or call 319-393-2508.

Second Tuesday of every month, WOMEN FOR PEACE KNITTERS meet for knitting, crocheting, and discussion, 9:30-11 a.m. at Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Rd., Hiawatha. For more info, call 319-377-3252 or go to www.womenforpeace-iowa.org.

Fourth Tuesday of every month, WOMEN FOR PEACE KNITTERS meet for knitting, crocheting, and discussion (yes, a second day of the month!), 7-8:30 p.m. at the Marion Public Library, 1095 6th Ave., Marion. For more info, call 319-377-3252 or go to www.womenforpeace-iowa.org.

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 8 - 11 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, your community, and women in the arts!
Lisa