KCCK Culture Crawl with Dennis Green

Julia Jessen, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at Cedar Rapids Art Museum, and Dennis Green team up for the museum's upcoming June Art Bites: All that Jazz: Photographs by Carl Van Vechten and George T. Henry.  Julia and Dennis will be talking about the exhibition Wednesday, June 4, 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM at CRMA. … Continue reading

Ed English and the rest of The Beaker Brothers Band will be performing at the Inside Out Reentry Community Spring Concert “Be an Instrument for Change” Annual Fundraiser, June 1, 3pm at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City. He and Dai Gwilliam from the Inside Out fundraising committee are in the studio to talk about … Continue reading

Spring has sprung and the grounds at Prairiewoods are bursting with life! Leslie Wright is back in the studio ahead of the Annual Prairiewoods Garden Party: Growing Our Roots. Enjoy a night of music, food and nature while raising funds to support Prairiewood's mission.  It's Saturday, June 7, 5-8pm. Tickets at prairiewoods.org.  Subscribe to The … Continue reading

It's almost summer and you know what that means… Iowa City Summer of the Arts! Executive Director Lisa Barnes is in today with all the details and a stellar line up. It's  The Iowa Arts Festival, June 6-8.  For more information and schedules visit summerofthearts.org. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture … Continue reading

Local musician Wes Shirley is in the studio ahead of a new concert experience focused on spotlighting songwriters. The first in the series features local artists Sarah Cram Driscoll and Joel Sires. It's “CR Songwriter Series” June 6, 6:30pm at the Cedar Rapids Public Library Whipple Auditorium.  Tickets and more info can be found at … Continue reading

Lyn Curry from Vocal Artists of Iowa is in the studio ahead of upcoming concert series “Elemental Springs” Saturday, 5/17, 3pm at Voxman Concert Hall in Iowa City & Sunday, 5/18, 3pm at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. For more information visit vocalartistsofiowa.com. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” … Continue reading

Orchestra Iowa (almost) closes this season out with “Masterworks VI: A Booming Finale” coming up Saturday, May 17, 7:30 pm at Paramount Theatre & Sunday, May 18, 2pm at Coralville Center for Performing Arts. Insights held in the Encore Lounge at 6:45pm Saturday night and 1:00pm at West Music Sunday afternoon. Tim Hankewich also hints … Continue reading

Adam Springer & Drew Hurn from the Wonderful Smiths along with Nick Dusil from Iowa Giving Crew are in the studio ahead of a benefit concert coming up May 17, 7pm at the Ideal Theater with Wonderful Smiths and The Mamiltons. All proceeds will go towards Iowa Giving Crew.  Tickets at idealtheaterandbar.com. To keep up … Continue reading

Dr. Gerry Kreitzer is back in the studio ahead of the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale's season finale, “Music That Touched Our Souls” coming up Sunday, May 18, 2:30pm at First Lutheran Church.  For tickets and more information visit crchorale.org.  Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture Crawl” in your favorite podcast player. … Continue reading

Joe Lock and Stacie Eastman from the Eastern Iowa Health Center are in the studio today ahead of “Just For the Health of It” coming up Sunday, May 18, 2-5pm at Big Grove Brewery Cedar Rapids. Funds raised during this event will go towards a new pharmacy servicing members of the community and other community … Continue reading

Summer of the Arts Executive Director Lisa Barnes is here ahead of “Forever Young: A Bob Dylan Tribute Fundraiser” May 10, 2pm at the Englert Theatre. Stick around for some great Summer of the Arts programming too! For more information and upcoming events visit summerofthearts.org. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search “Culture … Continue reading

Artist Saw Naing Lin watched first-hand as his home village in Burma (now Myanmar) was destroyed, sending him and his family to a refugee camp, where he taught art to kids and teens. Eventually, he and his family made their way to the U.S. and settled in Cedar Rapids, to be near their friend John … Continue reading

The Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra exclusively performs new jazz music created by Iowa composers. The group performs May 7 in Ballantyne Auditorium on the Kirkwood campus. Also performing will be the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble, directed by Chris Navarette, who will sit in with the IJCO on trumpet. Tickets are $10, available in advance at Kirkwood.edu/ballantyne … Continue reading

Iowa BIG students Gavin Cornwell and Nyomi Kelso along with The History Center program manager Jenny Thielman are in the studio ahead of “The Quest,” a city-wide team based race of puzzles and challenges that delve into the history of Cedar Rapids. It's May 3 with an 8:30am check in at The History Center. To … Continue reading

Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles is back in Iowa on tour with “Guitars, Music and Miles 2025” with a show at The Ideal Theater at 8pm on Saturday, May 3. Get your tickets now at idealtheaterandbar.com.  To keep up with Michael Charles visit his website, michaelcharles.us. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture … Continue reading

Family Folk Machine's spring concert, “LOVE” will take place Sunday, May 4, 2pm at the Englert Theatre. Director of the choir, Jean Littlejohn, talks about the concert and the wide range of genres this intergenerational machine has prepared for their season finale.  This event is free to the public. More information can be found at … Continue reading

The Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra gears up for their spring concert, “Marching to the Future,” coming up Sunday, April 27 at 3pm in Kirkwood's Ballantyne Auditorium. Josh Reznicow reflects on his first year as the orchestra's conductor and shares pieces of his vision for this community centered ensemble marching forward.  Tickets to the concert are … Continue reading

The Thaler Holocaust Memorial Fund (THMF), established in 1995 by Dr. David and Joan Thaler, providessupport for education about the Holocaust to residents and students at colleges in the Linn Country area. Thaler planning committee chair Amy Belice & Holocaust survivor Rodi Glass meet via zoom with Dennis in this segment of the Culture Crawl.  … Continue reading

Riverside Theatre presents “The Lifespan of a Fact” by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell (based on the book by John D'Agata & Jim Fingal). Director of the show, Adam Knight, and cast member Martin Andrews (John D'Agata) are in the studio ahead of the plays opening night and Iowa City debut. The … Continue reading

Clear Creek Amana High School presents “Newsies” at Clear Creek Amana HS Performing Arts Center April 24-26. In the studio to break things down we have Karley Griffin (Medda Larkin), James Cavanary (Joseph Pulitzer), Makayla Ratliff (Tommy Boy), and behind the scenes with CCA marketing is Hayden Bailey.  Shows will be Thursday 4/24 at 7pm, … Continue reading

The U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors appear at Iowa City West for concert on Friday, April 18. Staff Sgt. Emily Perkins is the group's vocalist and tells us that the show will encompass many of the different eras and sub-genres of jazz for a fast-paced, entertaining show. Admission is free, but Emily recommends reserving a ticket … Continue reading

Crooked Path is back with Rob Bell‘s new play “We'll Get Back to You“ as they raise funds and get ready to take the play to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. In the studio we have director Kristin Hanggi and one of the cast principles, Chris Okiishi.  The show will run April 4-19 at … Continue reading

Jazz music meets Chamber music as Miera Kim and Carey Bostian of Red Cedar have commissioned leading Iowa jazz players Blake Shaw and Dan Padley to write new music for this “all strings but different strings” group, dubbed the Crossover Quartet. Also on the program will be some new arrangements of jazz standards, along with … Continue reading

Scott Chrisman & Eric Freesem are in the studio ahead of the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival coming up April 4-6 at the Collins Road Theatres. There's something for everyone, so head over to their website (crifm.org) and check out the festival schedule and film synopses.  For tickets and more info visit crifm.org.  Subscribe to … Continue reading

As the grounds of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center begin to come to life, Leslie Schwarting and the staff at Prairiewoods prepare for their 24th annual event, “Spirituality in the 21st Century.” This year's event, “The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality & Our Quest for an Inspired Life,” will focus on mental health … Continue reading

Kirkwood Community College presents “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson, a five person play that explores the life of hearing impaired female astronomer Henrietta Leavitt as she defies odds in the early 1900s. In the studio to talk about the show are cast members Madeline O'Donnell (Henrietta Leavitt), Reuben Thomas (Margaret Leavitt), and Lyova Merkle (Peter … Continue reading

Cedar Rapids Opera is gearing up for “Song of the Nightingale,” a contemporary opera by Lisa Despain and Melisa Tien. Here to tell us more about it is Zara Zemmels (Collector), Sophia Formella (Nightingale) & Simon Brea (Curator). This family friendly, short (by opera standards) production will be at Kirkwood's Ballantyne Auditorium March 22 at … Continue reading

TKM Productions presents “Over the River & Through the Woods” by playwright Joe DiPietro. Tom Milligan and Adam Burnham are in the studio with the rundown on this cleverly hilarious play. It's March 29-30, Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm at The Amana Performing Arts Center.  For tickets and more info visit … Continue reading

Educator and singer Mary Jane Knight is releasing an album entitled “Rising Free” at a concert on March 23 at Riverside Theatre. Mary Jane says the album is a deeply personal collection of original mantras and musical pieces that have benefited her own life journey, but the album is designed for any listener looking for … Continue reading

Young Footliters Imagination Studio presents “Penguin Goes to Flight School,” a musical based on the children's book Flight School by Lita Judge. Director Keegan Colletta Huckfeldt and cast members Ella Schmitz and Lucy Polyak are in the studio to fill us in on all the details. The show is suited for kids (and adults) ages … Continue reading

Under the direction of Dr. Gerry Kreitzer, the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale has been preparing for their upcoming performance of the Grammy-nominated three-part Oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson, Considering Matthew Shepard. The music celebrates and honors the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was brutally attacked and murdered in 1998.  … Continue reading

Miera Kim & Carey Bostian with Red Cedar Chamber Music have been busy this year with their violin and cello concert program, Cultural Passport. This program highlights folk music representing cultures from around the world and covers a range of compositional styles.  Upcoming performances for the public will be Saturday 3/8, 12pm at Marion Library, … Continue reading

A.J. Plummer & Jason Wright in the studio today ahead of their upcoming cabaret show at Opus Concert Café, In My Imagination, Friday 3/14 and Saturday 3/15 at 7:30pm. The space is tight and tickets will go fast! Tickets and more info can be found at artsiowa.com. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or … Continue reading

Kirsten Brooks and Franco Machado-Pesce are in the studio amidst Riverside Theatre's production of “Native Gardens” by Karen Zacharías, directed by Kirsten Brooks. This immersive play deals with property lines, feuding neighbors, and… acorns? The show is open through March 16. Get your tickets now at riversidetheatre.org.  Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or … Continue reading

The Swampland Jewels team up with the Dandelion Stompers for a Fat Tuesday concert March 4 at Wildwood Saloon in Iowa City. Forrest Heusinkfeld and Nate Basinger talk about the band's “Gulf Coast” sound and reveals plans for an album later this year. Advance tickets at www.wildwoodsaloon.com. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or … Continue reading

The Avita Duo is comprised of the mother-daughter team of Ksenia Nosikova, chair of the piano department at the University of Iowa, and Katya Moeller, currently studying at Juilliard. The duo performs March 4 at Opus Concert Cafe prior to their first ever New York performance later in March. Tickets for the Opus show at … Continue reading

Orchestra Iowa performs their second concert in as many weeks, with “A Lyrical Journey,” featuring one of Tim's favorite symphonies, Brahms 4, special guest pianist Lorraine Min performing Saint-Saëns, and a piece by composer Caroline Shaw, whose music is also featured in a new documentary on Leonardo de Vinci. March 1, 7:30pm at Paramount Theatre … Continue reading

Culture Crawl 1031 “Nice to Wear a Dress Again” As the midwest hunkers down for these late winter cold spells, Crooked Path Theatre invites everyone to a summer getaway of sorts in an immersive Jane Austen experience. Patrick Du Laney and Katy Hahn (playing Elizabeth Bennet)are in the studio to give us the details on … Continue reading

Cecilia Rokusek, president and CEO of Cedar Rapids' National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, is in the studio with a star studded list of upcoming events at NCSM: February 19 – “Love” concert with the Slovak Srdcovka Band. March 7 – Petr Janda, Czech rock icon. April 16 – Jan Smigmator, Czech swing and … Continue reading

UNI's Tallcorn Jazz Festival fast approaches and today we have festival coordinator and UNI upperclassman Luke McIlhon on board to talk details. Spoiler alert: they got John Clayton.  The festival is Thursday, Feb. 20 & Friday, Feb. 21. For schedules and more information visit tallcornjazzfest.com. For concert tickets visit unitix.evenue.net. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl … Continue reading

  Culture Crawl 1026 “This Time I Won't Sing ‘Schmoogle'” The Dandelion Stompers celebrate the second volume of their wind-aided recording sessions, “Whirlwind Sessions,” at an album release party and Valentine's Day Dance Feb. 14 at Wildwood Saloon. Tickets at www.wildwoodsaloon.com. Get the album at the party or www.dandelionstompers.com. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at … Continue reading

  City Circle Theatre Company presents Andrew Lippa's “WILD PARTY: In Concert” Feb 7-9 & 14-16 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. In the studio we have director Carrie Pozdol and actress/dancer Anna Slife who will be playing the role of Jackie. This wild show explores the contrast of darker themes with the … Continue reading

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art curator, Julia Jessen, is back in the studio today with the woodworking artist behind current CRMA exhibit, “Against the Grain,” John Schwartzkopf. Tune in to hear more about John's process and for a preview of upcoming exhibitions.  It's “Against the Grain: The work of John Schwartzkopf” (open now – April … Continue reading

Riverside Theatre opens January 30 with “The Cure At Troy” by Seamus Heaney, directed by Adam Knight. In the studio before opening night we have Aaron Stonerook (Odysseus), Adam Knight (director), and Tim Budd (Philoctetes) to tell us a little bit about bringing this old tale into a fresh light.  Shows run January 30 through … Continue reading

Leslie Wright is back in the studio at the start of this new year with a slew of offerings coming up at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center. Retreats and events include topics ranging from end of life transitions, food relationships, grief circles, native flute circles, unplugged events, and the Japanese art of Kintsugi.  Some events are … Continue reading

Iowa City Community Theatre opens this week with Peter Morgan's, “Frost/Nixon,” a one act play based on televised interviews between former U.S. president Richard Nixon and English broadcaster David Frost. In the studio today are director Barry Schreier, Kehry Anson Lane (Frost), and Scot Hughes (Nixon).  Performances will be January 17-18 & 24-25 at 7:30pm … Continue reading

Cedar Rapids Opera presents “Cinderella,” performed in English with English subtitles and based on the French opera Cendrillon by Jules Massenet. Abigail Rethwisch (Cinderella), Kate Johnson (Fairy Godmother) and Dennis Jesse (Pandolfe) describe this two and half hour opera as a family friendly, ethereal retelling of the classic tale.  Shows are January 17, 7:30pm and … Continue reading

In part 2 of our conversation with Diana Nollen, outgoing Arts & Entertainment Editor at the Cedar Rapids Gazette, she talks about the joys and challenges of covering the local arts scene, particularly in the wake of disasters like the 2008 flood, 2020 derecho, and a global pandemic. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture … Continue reading

Diana Nollen is ending a 42-year career as a writer, reporter, and editor for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. And we thought it would be fun to turn the tables and interview HER! In part one of a conversation that will span two shows, she reveals her most memorable interviews. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at … Continue reading

Ron Clark is with us ahead of “Christmas Express! On Air” a live radio show performance featuring music by Streamline Deluxe with special guest Annie Savage. It's Friday, December 20th, 7:30PM at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City. Tickets are $25.  For tickets visit riversidetheatre.org or call 319-259-7099. Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or … Continue reading

Tim Hankewich's summer project is working on Christmas music during the hottest parts of the year. We'll heard the results at one of the region's biggest seasonal shows, Orchestra Iowa's Holiday Spectacular, featuring nationally-renown tenor Ben Gulley. In addition to Tim's arrangements, the work of Iowans Paul Clark and Peter Blesch. Plus, two vocal choirs, … Continue reading