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SotA Events Recieve ICKY Award Nominations!
ICKY Award Nominations Three of Summer of the Arts events are nominated for a 2008 ICKY (Innovative...
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Summer of the Arts and The Englert Theatre Present a Co-Fundraiser
An Evening with Dr. John and The Neville Brothers A Fundraiser for the Englert and Summer of...
FNCS 2008 Band Bios
2008 Friday Night Concert Series Band Bios
Check back in the spring of 2009 to see our 2009 band line up! Or join our mailing list to be one of the first to find out news on our events.
2008 Band Information
May 16 City High and West High Jazz Ensembles
May 23 Funk 101 (www.funk101.org)
Funk 101 is an 11-piece funk and soul band that delivers a high impact show featuring the soulful lyrics of K.D. Sims and Jillian Noah, backed by the hottest horn and rhythm section around. Their music is inspired by James Brown, Kool and the Gang, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many others.
May 30 Big Wooden Radio AND Euforquestra
Big Wooden Radio (www.bigwoodenradio.com): Big Wooden Radio is a roots-based acoustic band featuring tight harmony vocals. Their eclectic sets are highlighted by original compositions as well as unique arrangements of traditional and contemporary songs. BWR's music has been used as a soundtrack for the ABC Network's Emmy Award-winning news program "20/20."
Euforquestra (www.euforquestra.com): Euforquestra is a cutting-edge, worldbeat ensemble from Iowa City, IA, with influence spanning a wide array of traditional music and culture from all over the globe. The self-proclaimed "Afro-Caribbean-Barnyard-Funk" brings an explosive sound, moving crowds all over the nation, while touching on such genres as Afrobeat, Afro-Cuban, Samba, Soca, Funk, Reggae, Salsa, Calypso, and Bluegrass.
June 6 Iowa Arts Festival
June 13 Grooveship (www.grooveship.org)
GrooveShip was born in 1994 but grew up in 2005. Rehearsals for the current and final lineup started in October of 2005 in Saul's living room in the SE part of Iowa City. Marcus Perkins had always wanted a 4 piece funk band that played the music that was on the radio in the 1970's. Bands like The Meters, Sly and the Family Stone, Earth, Wind and Fire, Buddy Miles, etc.
June 20 The Recliners
The Recliners is a collective of eight musicians with wide-ranging musical interests; it has been called Iowa City's most eclectic band, with material ranging from folk rock to bluegrass to Irish tunes. The band consists of eight musicians including three physicians, a nurse, a neurology research scientist, two psychologists, and a realtor/ English instructor.
June 27 Jazz Camp Combos
This will be a special treat for Friday Night Concert Series regulars. The Jazz Camp Combos are made up of high school students from all over the country who have come together to attend Jazz Band Camp at The University of Iowa. This is their night to shine. They'll be joined by some of the best jazz musicians from The University of Iowa as well!
July 4 Toyota-Scion of Iowa City Jazz Festival
July 11 The Beaker Brothers (www.beakerbrothers.com)
The Beaker Brothers isn't a nostalgia act or a tribute band. We're playing music that has been in our heads and our hearts since we first heard it. It's music from Back in the Day...This is not your father's rock band. No, wait, maybe it is. Anyway, we're sure you're gonna dig it
July 18 Lake Street Dive (www.lakestreetdive.com)
Enjoying a special return engagement! This talented foursome is self described as "Boston's Best Looking Free Country/Indie Cabaret" and they're not kidding. The band is made up of four jazz students from The New England Conservatory, with Rachel Price as the lead vocalist. The bass player, Bridget Kearney, is an Iowa City native and she's thrilled to return to her roots for this special concert.
July 25 The Rod Pierson Band with Craig Boche (www.rpbigband.com)
Rod Pierson Big Band featuring Craig Boche offers you the sound of today's big bands, the biggest entertainers from the popular "Rat Pack" period and classic instrumental big band hits. The band has a flexible song list to customize a backdrop for you that's distinctly witty and elegantly fit. The band's instrumentation and size (13) allows for versatility and fun.
August 1 The Mayflies Featuring Annie Savage (www.themayflies.com)
The Mayflies have been pushing the outer limits of bluegrass in the greater Midwest region and Colorado since 2001. Their live shows are rife with hot banjo pickin', stellar 3 part vocal harmonies, driving, funky drums and bass, and blustery psychedelic electric guitar work. The Mayflies' shows range from wildly energetic to beautiful and introspective in their scope.
August 8 The Ben Soltau Project AND Dead Larry
Winners of the First Friday Night Concert Series Battle of the Bands!
August 15 Orquesta Alto Maiz (www.salsaband.com)
What began as a humble, but extremely fun project for the College Hill Arts Festival at the University of Northern Iowa in 1986 has evolved into a truly unique ensemble in the heartland of America. Over the past twenty years Alto Maiz has developed a large and faithful following of dancers and fans whose support has encouraged our efforts in the exploration of this wonderful music known, generically, as "salsa" and Latin jazz.
August 22 Samba Noso AND The Gglitch (www.myspace.com/senome)
Samba Nosso (Portuegeuse for "Our Samba") is a bold attempt by a diverse group of individuals to interpret and portray the music of Brazil. A seven piece band, Samba Nosso explopits the full instrumental range of the Brazilian Samba, and performs many of the classical Samba and Bossa Nova tunes. The beautiful and complex melodies and rhythms of Brazilian music are best appreciated in the samba's festive attitude and the Bossa Nova's gentle and seductive vibe. Samba Nosso has been a pioneering ambassador in bringing this form of music in full force to the Iowa City music scene.
The Gglitch (www.gglitch.com): The GgLITCH is a TECHNOFUNKROCK band from Iowa City that plays experimental improvised music. Enjoy music in a seamless salad of different styles, including funk, rock, reggae, jazz, bluegrass, and circus oohmpa. Interwoven in the risk-taking, demonstrative musicianship and catchy original compositions, the Gglitch serves up a tasty gumbo of hard-swinging rockish covers, by heroes including the Doors, Zappa, Beatles, as well as an occasional jazz standard like Song For My Father, or a silly TV show theme song toodle.
August 29 Diplomats of Solid Sound (www.thediplomats.org)
Move on up to the bandstand folks and get ready to behold the undeniable groove of the ambassadors of instrumental soul, The Diplomats of Solid Sound. Tune into the hard stepping funky action of these dancefloor scientists. Originally derived from the primordial ooze of Booker T and the MG's and the lounge surf of The Ventures the Diplomats armed with a handful of originals and a batch of choice covers played parties, opening slots, and small clubs. Live sets include originals, classy standards, soul shouters, and laid back infectious grooves.
September 5 Public Property (www.publicprop.com)
Much has been said about Public Property's Midwest origins as a white reggae band hailing from Iowa City, IA. After three albums, 3 years, and hundreds of gigs, the group no longer need defend itself from skeptics or critics who believe reggae is one color and comes from one place. Started in 2003 by the Hawaii born and bred frontman Dave Bess, the band seamlessly jumps from roots reggae to gospel reggae, ska to hip-hop infused funk, to rock and back to reggae, all the while keepin' the dance floor hot and the booties shakin'. Add female vocalists, a ukulele, and lyrics as controversial as Bob Marley himself, it's no wonder this band has risen so quickly in the U.S. reggae and jam scenes as one of the top nationally touring reggae acts.
Friday Night Concert Series
Founded in 1991, The Friday Night Concert Series is a FREE, family-friendly event held on the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City. The event features live music performed by local bands each and every Friday night from the middle of May to early September (excluding the first…
Saturday Night Free Movies
Founded in 2005, The Saturday Night Free Movie Series is a FREE, family-friendly event held in downtown Iowa City. The event features musical entertainment or special activities, short films by local filmmakers and a feature movie on the University of Iowa Pentacrest.
Iowa Arts Festival
The Iowa Arts Festival is a weekend-long, free community celebration featuring over 115 visual artists, a music festival, a culinary expo, and a variety of creative and educational activities. Voted "Favorite Festival" by the Iowa Press Citizen.
Iowa City Jazz Festival
Founded in 1991, The Iowa City Jazz Festival is a FREE, family-friendly event held in downtown Iowa City. The event features live music performed by both local bands and internationally acclaimed recording artists. The festival has won numerous awards throughout the years...
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