Category Archives: Music

Visiting Iowa City for an Iowa game, tailgating is only the beginning

Whether looking to revisit some old college haunts, catch a ball game or rage at a hardcore show, Iowa City has all this to offer and even some highbrow activities to amuse the sophisticate in the crowd. It’s rare to … Continue reading

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Shape Shifting Reporter Michael Hall

Con artist, chameleon, musician, writer and journalist. Those are some nifty identities to wear on your utility belt.  All play off of themselves and all enable Michael Hall to gain access to what he wants out of life and to … Continue reading

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Rick Zollo: A Man Comes Around

Rick Zollo has come in from the cold.  After spending 30 years casting lifelines from out on the perimeter this would-be writer finally has found an audience.  Mind you, Zollo didn’t necessarily care if anyone answered his call, he would … Continue reading

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Dave Van Ronk with Elijah Wald ~ “The Mayor of MacDougal Street

In the 1940s, lines were being drawn – a side had to be picked, either for or against – and we’re not talking about world wars here, this is jazz, baby! The “mouldy fig wars” had erupted, pitting the bebop … Continue reading

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The Pines ~ “Sparrows in the Bell”

I had some bad cabin fever this past March.  The snow and cold had me on lockdown.  In lieu of an actual outing I popped in “Sparrows in the Bell,” the Red House Records debut by The Pines. This offered … Continue reading

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Dubuque Iowa After Dark

Excuse me but have you seen where Iowa City’s nightlife might have gone?  It seems to have been misplaced. I swear it was here just the other night. Turns out it wandered 85 miles northeast to Dubuque.  This doesn’t happen … Continue reading

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The Who’s “Tommy” Falls Flat

If only I were deaf, dumb and blind…that might have made last Friday evening’s sophomoric performance of “Tommy” sufferable. The Catalyst Acting Company’s rendition of The Who’s venerable rock opera opened at the Englert on the wings of pigeons, soaring … Continue reading

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VOOM Portraits Impress

Ah, Dita von Teese, half-naked on a trapeze — that warms a cold February morning.  If high-definition burlesque is up your alley I suggest strapping on your snow assault equipment and setting a course for the University of Iowa Art … Continue reading

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Shredding the Pea Patch with Music Critic Jim Musser

In January of 1997 Pat Boone released a comeback recording of sorts.  With God in his heart and leather on his mind Boone paid homage to several heavy metal classics on, In A Metal Mood – No More Mr. Nice … Continue reading

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The Road Home: A New Orleans Tale of Evacuation

It has been nearly 16 months since Hurricane Katrina crashed the party in New Orleans and managed to bring about a sound not heard there in almost 40 years – silence.  Bourbon Street and the renowned jazz clubs were closed … Continue reading

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