Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Don't know how I missed this thread the first time around.)

Cedar Rapids is part of a cultural area that includes Iowa City (University of Iowa) and some of the surrounding communities. The area turns out to be a great music area. The area is home to many fine musicians including Catfish Keith, Greg Brown, Bob Black, Al Murphy, Craig Erickson, Big Wooden Radio, Several fine jazz musicians and ensembles, several working blues bands and a number of good venues that book nationally known performers.

The Mill in Iowa City hosts a permenent Celtic and bluegrass jam every Tuesday night. The Mill also books national acts ranging from country rock and blues to bluegrass, folk and even singer-songwriters. Iowa City is also home to other good music venues including The Sanctuary and Gabe's Oasis. Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City is where Broadway shows and acts like Stomp and River Dance perform but it has also hosted both Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie.

The whole area is dotted with quaint out-of-the-way places that feature music from time to time. Doc Watson has played at The General Store in Stone City—the subject of Grant Wood's famous painting of the same name—and many other well known folk acts have performed there as well.

I first saw Duke Robillard at an old stone pub in the tiny village of Waubeek called F & B Company. Waubeek is on the Wapsipinicon River near Stone City and was home to the Waubeek Trackers who I believe used to appear on A Prarie Home Companion. Duke now plays at 3rd Street Live, a larger venue, when he comes to to Cedar Raids—about once a year. Buddy Guy also plays at 3rd Street Live when he comes to town.

Another good Cedar Rapids venue is C.S.P.S, a combination art gallery and performance stage. Performers who have played there recently include Tom Paxton, Peggy Seeger and Mike Seeger. I'm guessing that C.S.P.S seats fewer than one hundred people but the audience is loyal and attentive.

Starlighters Theater in Anamosa, also near Stone City, has been presenting a series of concerts by well known singer-songwriters including David Olney and Steve Young.

My point is that real venues in the Cedar Rapids area actually pay well known performers to play. It's my hope that this news will provide encouragement to those of you who tour professionally (Rick, Frank, Jean (others?) are you paying attention?) to include the Cedar Rapids area on your next tour so I can come and hear you perform. If you would like to come but need some help making contact with local venues, feel free to PM me or use my email address in the Member Photos & Info section. I'll be happy to do some legwork to help get you here.

Cedar Rapids isn't really the end of the world. You can't even see it from here.

      - Mark