Schedule:

May 10, 2024

6:30PM: Iowa Steel Band at Ped Mall Stage

May 17, 2024

6:30PM: Clear Creek Amana High AND Liberty High Jazz Ensembles at Ped Mall Stage

May 24, 2024

7:00PM: West High AND City High Jazz Ensembles at Chauncey Swan Ramp

May 31, 2024

6:30PM: Murphy Fisher Quartet AND Beauty & the Beats at Ped Mall Stage

June 14, 2024

6:30PM: Juneteenth Celebration: Blake Shaw AND Alyx Rush AND Shining Star at Ped Mall Stage

June 21, 2024

6:30PM: Swampland Jewels at Ped Mall Stage

June 28, 2024

6:30PM: Avey Grouws Band at ReUnion Brewery-Iowa City

July 12, 2024

6:30PM: Vibe at Ped Mall Stage

July 19, 2024

6:30 PM: Charlotte Blu AND Natural Habits at Ped Mall Stage

6:30 PM: Charlotte Blu

Charlotte Blu is a talented singer-songwriter who has captivated audiences with her soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Born and raised in a small town in the Midwest, Charlotte’s love for music began at a young age when she started playing guitar and singing in church. After her 2019 appearance on NBC’s “The Voice”, Charlotte continues to make a name for herself with her unique blend of blues, soul, and pop influences which is earning her a devoted fan base.

In 2022, Charlotte released her debut EP, “The Colors of You” which showcased her songwriting skills and powerful vocals. Charlotte is currently working on new material and working with other talented artists. In addition to her music career, Charlotte is also an advocate for mental health awareness in women and young people.

7:30 PM: Natural Habits

Natural Habits is self-defined as “original midwestern roots rock” – not quite country, not quite pop, not quite rock and roll. Fronted by singer/songwriter Nikki Lunden Trotter, this band brings your mind and heart to full attention with personal and complex songs of love, addiction, recovery and even gets political at times.

Natural Habits consists of Nikki Lunden Trotter (The Trollies, Heinous Canis, Lunden Reign), Seth “Puma” Koenig on drums (The Trollies, Heinous Canis, Lunatics on Pogosticks), Adam Grosso on bass (The Trollies, Euforquestra, Jumbies), Dave Helmer on guitar (Crystal City, Dave Helmer Band) and the one and only Smudge on hand percussion.

July 26, 2024

6:30 PM: Vivian Shanley Quartet AND Betsy Hickok and Ron Roberts Quartet at Ped Mall Stage

6:30 PM: Vivian Shanley Quartet

The Vivian Shanley Quartet is a jazz combo made up of Iowa-based performers, composers, and educators. Vivian Shanley is a DownBeat award-winning bassist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and she is currently studying music education and bass performance with Mark Urness at Lawrence University. Ana Koch studies guitar at the University of Iowa, where she is pursuing a nursing major and has completed her music minor. Sam Ross is a saxophone student at The University of Iowa, pursuing a BM in Jazz Performance and studying with Dr. Damani Phillips. Farren Johnson is an elementary art teacher in Grinnell, and she drums with the Iowa Women’s Jazz Orchestra, the IWJO Sextet, and Chameleon Society

7:30 PM: Betsy Hickok and Ron Roberts Quartet

Vocalist Betsy Hickok performs sensitive and swinging interpretations of jazz standards. She has appeared in the Des Moines Metro Arts Jazz in July series, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, Noce Jazz Cabaret, and other regional venues with some of Iowa’s top musicians. Guitarist Ron Roberts is a Chicago area native who has played regularly with artists throughout central Iowa.

Ron and Betsy have performed together since 2010 and received a Special Recognition Award in 2019 from the Des Moines Community Jazz Center Hall of Fame. Ryan Smith is a woodwind specialist living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who has performed throughout the Midwest and in Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong, and China. Drew Morton, bassist and multimedia artist, is a regular musician with various groups in the area including Jack Lion, Koplant No, and Christopher’s Very Happy Band.

August 2, 2024

6:30 PM: The Fabulous Trutones AND Cedar County Cobras at Ped Mall Stage

6:30 PM: The Fabulous Trutones

The Fabulous Trutones. That’s what happens when three veteran musicians come together with a singular purpose….to present their original music with intensity, passion and joy. Over the past nine years, from their early days in the local pubs of Cedar Falls and Waterloo Iowa, then branching out to bigger venues in neighboring cities throughout the Cedar Valley, to becoming yearly favorites at some of the area’s largest festivals, their devoted following has grown along with their unique sound and electric, high-energy performances. Catch one of their shows, join the fun and follow them into the future. It’s just going to get better and better….”

Tim Wagoner, guitarist and lead vocalist, began playing piano at the age of 8, picked up guitar at the age of 10 and went on to major in music at the University of Northern Iowa. Following this musical path eventually led him to Dallas TX and 10 years in the Texas blues scene, then 20 years in Nashville TN as a song writer, studio musician and live performer, traveling for 8 years with notable New Orleans based blues band, Big Al & The Heavyweights, covering the lower 48 and releasing 5 CDs. With The Fabulous TruTones, he continues the journey.

Paul Ferguson, bass guitarist and vocalist, began playing professionally in his teens and never looked back. A prominent figure in the Midwest music scene for most of his life, Paul also spent years in Dallas TX, working with R&B, blues and original acts. A founding member of successful area bands like Sugar Daddy, Homestretch, Surprise, Major Healey, Wagg and Stackhouse, Paul brings it all to The Fabulous TruTones. Nothing stands for long without a strong foundation. Thanks to Paul, The Fabulous TruTones stand tall.

James Dreier, percussionist, began his professional career at age 16 by walking into the basement of Waterloo bassist Paul Ferguson to join the Fabulous Pawns. Thus began his musical odyssey, spanning 50+ years, including a 9-year stint in Boston (Berklee College of Music) and 21 years as a jazz professor at the University of Iowa. Throughout, Dreier has been a member of numerous groups, playing and recording jazz, blues, rock, funk, Latin and more. At this end of the spectrum, he is an Emeritus (retired) professor, playing with another “fabulous” group, The Fabulous TruTones, with that same bass player from 1969. Dreier also plays with the classic rock band, The Beaker Brothers, as well as the jazz group 3 Dawgs and a Bone.

7:55 PM: Cedar County Cobras

Cedar County Cobras play American Roots & Blues music from the last century. The music takes on an “old time” blues feel that would most likely be found in a juke-joint down a gravel road in rural Iowa. Arriving with an upright bass, foot-drum, mandolin, and a collection of guitars this duo plays music that is best described as “boot-stompin” delta blues and roots blues.

August 9, 2024

6:30 PM: River Glen and Band AND Flash in a Pan at Ped Mall Stage

6:30 PM: River Glen

River Glen and his band are a powerhouse of talent and their love of performance is palpable. Their original music playfully blends elements of folk, pop, rock, jazz, and more…always with clever rhymes and tasty grooves. River’s songwriting is steeped in the socially conscious tradition of songwriters like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, and his work strikes a delicate balance of pop-appeal and lyrical substance. In 2017, River was named an Iowa Arts Council Fellow for his music. While serving in this honorary position he began work on “As Above, So Below”, an album of original music featuring more than 150 singers/musicians, almost entirely from his home state of Iowa. In October of 2023, River and his bandmates were named Artist of the Month by Iowa Public Radio. Find the album “As Above, So Below” as well as additional information about River’s music, videos, and Car Concerts at www.RiverGlenMusic.com.

7:55 PM: Flash in a Pan

Flash in a Pan is an Iowa City-based quartet that has been playing across the Midwest since 2012. Founded by guitarist Blake T. Daly, the current line-up also consists of banjo player Alex Flesher, mandolinist Max Lipnick, and bassist Lee Eckles. Flash in a Pan has cultivated a unique tonality balancing tradition and innovation in folk and bluegrass music. Noted for their shining vocal harmonies, vibrant stage energy, and modern sensibility in composition, Flash in a Pan has become a darling to festival stages, theatres, and bar rooms alike. Their musical style offers a blend that is all at once familiar and refreshingly unexpected.

August 16, 2024

6:30 PM: The Beaker Brothers at Ped Mall Stage

For over 15 years the Beaker Brothers Band has been paying homage to the original Jam Bands of the late 60’s and early 70’s – the Allman Brothers, Clapton, Santana, Little Feat, Rolling Stones, James Gang, the Doors, Steely Dan, Neil Young, CCR, and many more. The Beaker Brothers Band isn’t a nostalgia act or a tribute show. We’re playing music that has been in our heads and our hearts since we first heard it. This is the music we played in our youth. And we’re as awed by it today as then. We’re thrilled that we’re not alone.

August 23, 2024

6:30 PM: Dandelion Stompers at Ped Mall Stage

For the past decade, the Dandelion Stompers have brought savory horns, spicy vocals and red-hot rhythms to eastern Iowa. With a brand-new album under their belt they are ready for ten more years of singing, dancing, and stomping!

Lineup: Chris Clark-bar sax; Tim Crumley-percussion; Katie Greenstein-tpt; Brandi Janssen-bass; Marc Janssen-gtr; Katie Roche-voc; Suzanne Smith-cl; Devin van Holsteijn-alto sax

August 30, 2024

6:30PM: Uniphonics at Ped Mall Stage

Since forming in Iowa City in 2007, The Uniphonics performed in 15 states, played at notable festivals, and opened for platinum selling artists. They’ve released 3 albums: Truth Be Told (2009), Crawl (2010), and The Uniphonics (2020). “Crawl” and “The Uniphonics” featured collaborations with internationally known artists, including Grammy Award winning jazz legend Robin Eubanks, Twin Cities vocal phenom Heatbox, and Iowa guitar legend Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin.

Their sound combines hip hop, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, and latin. They’ve been described as “taking the jam-band approach to hip hop,” with virtuosic live band instrumentation and improvisation.

The Uniphonics are a who’s who of the Eastern Iowa music scene. The band shares members with other regional and national acts, including Diplomats of Solid Sound, The Channel Cats, Plastic Relations, The Swampland Jewels, Jumbies, and dozens more.

The Uniphonics are: Forrest Heusinkveld: Drums, Vocals, Bethann Heidgerken: Vocals, Craig Heidgerken: Guitar, Derek Thorn (aka MC Animosity): Vocals, Nassor Cooper: Vocals, Eddie McKinley: Saxophone, Ryan Casteel: Bass

September 6, 2024

6:30PM: The Jumbies at Ped Mall Stage

Jumbies takes the rhythm, energy and motion of traditional Afro-Caribbean musical styles such as Soca and Reggae, the vibrant sound of the steel pan, and a high-energy funk backing band and spins out a tasty cocktail of seriously danceable music. What further blows the mind is that this sound comes out of five guys from Iowa.

September 13, 2024

6:30 PM: Big Begonias AND Miss Christine at Ped Mall Stage

6:30 PM: Big Begonias

Big Begonias took root in 2020 and have been blooming since.  Dedicated to creating transcendental folk and honkytonk sounds, the 4-piece band features original music by Gabrielle Kouri and George Spielbauer.  Gabrielle, a founding member of Iowa City’s beloved Awful Purdies, plays guitar, banjo, and sings, while George (Cedar County Cobras) plays various guitars.  Dave “Chief” Lumberg (Shoe Money, Mayflies) commands the bass, and drummer Dr. Dan Miller keeps the beat alive.  Big Begonias have performed at Harmony Festival in Cedar Rapids and North Liberty’s Concert in the Park.  Their song “All The Ladies” was featured on the Englert podcast, Best Show Ever in 2021.

7:30 PM: Miss Christine

Christine Moad (they/them) shatters preconceived notions and societal expectations with their music.Christine Moad has traveled the world from Tennessee to Monaco as a professionally touring bassist. Moad, a bassist and singer-songwriter recording under the moniker Miss Christine, blends indie rock with blues and soul influences delivered with defiant punk attitude to open listeners’ minds to possibilities beyond the gender binary. They graduated from Berklee College of Music before gaining experience as a session musician in Nashville. Christine defied expectations yet again by leaving Nashville behind for a farm near Iowa City where they write and record their original songs. Miss Christine released their debut solo album, Conversion, in 2019. With support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the follow up, Bittersweet, was released on Bandcamp in 2023.

September 20, 2024

6:30 PM: Signal Flow Productions at Ped Mall Stage

Date: May 10 - September 20, 2024

Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Location:

Ped Mall Stage - 210 S Dubuque Street Iowa City, IA 52240

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