16 music acts to fill your Memorial Day weekend

The sun is shining and popular summer concert series like Rock the Block and Uptown Friday Nights are back in full swing in this week’s roundup of Eastern Iowa music acts:

Jimmy Newquist of Caroline’s Spine and Dickie

Jimmy Newquist is lead singer of Caroline’s Spine, an alternative rock band out of Arizona, and an award-winning producer and composer. Dickie, aka Dick Prall, has created a collection of dark and moody singalongs on his fifth full-length release.

7 to 10 p.m. today (5/24) | Dick’s Tap and Shake Room, 1602 E Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids | $25 advance, $30 door | Dickstapandshake.com

 

Memorial Day ROCK

Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with Four Day Creep & The Wreking Crue outside until 10 p.m. Unbalanced will keep you rocking throughout the night until 1 a.m. The Wreking Crue is a Motley Crue tribute band. Four Day Creep from Cedar Rapids is a guitar rock band that takes songs and makes them its own. Unbalanced plays favorites by P!nk, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, 21 Pilots Paramore and more.

6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday (5/25) | Chrome Horse Saloon NewBo, 1201 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids | Free

 

Uptown Friday Nights: Lonesome Road

This high-energy group features tight harmonies, a thunderous beat, picking skills and a set list filled with current country rock, as well as classic and modern rock favorites.

6 p.m. Friday (5/25) | McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, Cedar Rapids | $5 | Uptownfridaynights.com

 

Starship Pilgrims and Benjamin Cartel

Starship Pilgrim’s music will have you reminiscing on the glory days, as well as looking forward to what’s to come. The tunes on Benjamin Cartel’s new disc, “Gothenburg,” conjure up subliminal tension like that of Randy Newman or John Prine.

9:30 p.m. Friday (5/25) | Dick’s Tap and Shake Room, 1602 E Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids | $8 advance, $10 door | Dickstapandshake.com

 

Central City Live: Toxic Blonde

This Iowa-based rock band covers everything from Prince and Van Halen to Pantera.

6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday (5/25) | Courtyard Park, 13 S. Fourth St., Central City | Free

 

Full of Hell

This hard-core punk band incorporates elements of grindcore and harsh electronics. Based out of Maryland and Pennsylvania, the group was formed in 2009. Also performing are Closet Witch, Druids and more.

9 p.m. Friday (5/25) | Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa City | $10 | Icgabes.com

 

Howl at the Moon: Wolf Program and Concert

Pat Willis has been playing music for almost three decades. He will perform original music, including titles from his “Mission Wolf” album, and share stories about his time living on a wolf refuge. Bring a blanket; chairs are not allowed in the amphitheater.

7 to 9 p.m. Friday (5/25) | Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids | $10 adults, $5 ages 12 to 3, free under 3 | Indiancreekanturecenter.org

 

Rock the Block: Autumn’s Waiting

This Cedar Rapids rock band plays all original tunes. Musicians are Chad McCleary, lead guitar and lead vocals; Jesse Gerst (bass guitar), Chad Carr (drums) and Jarod Hogan (rhythm guitar and lead vocal).

5 to 8 p.m. Friday (5/25) | NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids | Free | Newbocitymarket.org

 

Luther Symphony orchestra and Nordic choir showcase

The Luther College Symphony Orchestra and Nordic Choir will present its spring showcase concert. Admission is free.

7:30 p.m. Friday (5/25) | Luther College, Main Hall of the Center for Faith and Life, 700 College Dr., Decorah | Free

 

35th & Taylor

This Midwest band offers an alternative rock sound with a heavy blues influence. Lead singer Anna Taylor appeared on Season 6 of “The Voice.” The band was awarded the Spirit Award by the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association by unanimous vote.

8 p.m. Friday (5/25) | The Famous Mockingbird, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion | $10 | Thefamousmockingbird.com

 

Luther Jazz Orchestra and Concert Band

Luther’s Jazz Orchestra will perform several works, featuring Luther’s Vocal Jazz in the latter part of their concert portion.

1:30 p.m. Saturday (5/26) | Luther College Center for Faith and Life Main Hall, 700 College Dr., Decorah | Free

 

Lauren Mitchell Band

The title of Lauren Mitchell’s latest recording, “Desire,” hints at the passions that drive this singer from Florida’s Gulf Coast. She was nominated for two Blues Blast Music Awards this year: Soul Blues Album and the Sean Costello Rising Star Award.

8 p.m. Saturday (5/26) | The Famous Mockingbird, 1064 Seventh Ave., Marion | $20 | Thefamousmockingbird.com

 

Those Far Out Arrows

This Omaha band plays rock ’n’ roll music. Also performing will be Samuel Locke Ward and Porchburner.

9 p.m. Saturday (5/26) | Gabe’s, 330 E. Washington St., Iowa City | $6 | Icgabes.com

 

E. Iowa Brass Band

This ensemble will perform an outdoor Memorial Day concert; bring seating.

2 to 3 p.m. Monday (5/28) | Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum, 210 Parkside Dr., West Branch | Free | Hoover.archives.gov

 

Emil Viklicky

Internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Emil Viklicky returns with his take on Moravian jazz. He’s bringing double bass player Petr Dvorsky from the Czech Republic and Chicago drummer Ernie Adams.

7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (5/30) | National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids | $18 to $25 | Ncsml.org

 

Marion Bands

Rehearsals begin Tuesday (5/29) from 7 to 8:15 p.m. for the Marion Community Concert Band, and continue June 5, 19 and 26 in the Marion High School band room, 675 S. 15th St. Jazz band rehearses from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Thursdays, May 31, June 7, 14, 21 and 28. Concerts are 7 p.m. June 12, July 3 in Marion City Park; and 7 p.m. June 13 at Lowe Park, opening for the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. All ages are welcome to play: Marioncommunitybands.us