Category Archives: Uncategorized

Music Scene in Des Moines, Iowa

Founding member, lead singer, and bass player of Kansas City blues-rock band Trampled Under Foot, Danielle Nicole stepped out on her own in 2015 with her debut album “Wolf Den.” In 2018, Nicole returns with a follow-up release via Concord Records.

“I grew up playing the blues, and the blues is still a big part of what I do. But now I’m reaching out more and trying different things. It still sounds like me, but I’m stretching out a lot more than I have previously.”

8:00 p.m. to Midnight

2307 University, Drake Campustown

Art in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Michael S. Ryan and Connie Gross have a way with color that is captivating, compelling the viewer to ask themselves, “How did they do that?” The answer? Through nuance of color.”

“Michael paints landscapes and interior views. He is always striving for that perfect mix of color, line, brushwork, size, and harmony that will make that perfect painting…something poetic”.

“Connie paints abstracts, landscapes and florals and inspires the viewer through color, movement, texture and the play of light through positive and negative shapes.”

“The greatest secret artists have, is how they manipulate hue, tint, shade, tone, saturation, luminosity, chromaticity, brightness, grayscale, vanishing boundaries, undertones, glazes, transparency, reversed grounds, illusion, vibration, temperature, and intensity.”

“Even without a full semester of color theory by Joseph Albers, you can see Mike and Connie’s aptitude when you look at their paintings – they work – you don’t know why, but you see it and feel it.” – Black Earth Gallery

Black Earth Gallery

1010 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Suite 2, On the Alley in the New Bo Arts & Entertainment District

319-431-2669

blackearthgallery@gmail.com

www.blackearthgallery.com

@black_earth_gallery

Statement from National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu

NEA logo. Three triangles in red, blue, and yellow with

Today we learned that the President’s FY 2019 budget proposes elimination of the National Endowment for the ArtsWe are disappointed because we see our funding actively making a difference with individuals in thousands of communities and in every Congressional District in the nation.

In FY 2018 to date, the NEA has awarded 1,134 grants totaling $26.68 million to organizations and individuals in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, launched a national songwriting competition for high school students, convened four summits across the country as part of Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, issued a research report on the economic impact of the arts in rural communities, and distributed emergency funding to arts agencies in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among other activities.

We understand that the President’s budget request is a first step in a very long budget process. We stand ready to assist in that process as we continue to operate as usual.

As a federal government agency, the NEA cannot engage in advocacy, either directly or indirectly. We will, however, continue our practice of educating about the NEA’s vital role in serving our nation’s communities.

Live at Lefty’s – 10.16.16

Where did she come from?  Get out and support live music!

Samantha Fish wields a Telecaster like Luke Skywalker with a light saber and sings with sweet ferocity. The Kansas City native soaked up the blues at KC’s Knuckleheads Saloon where she took in the touring acts that performed there. She’s a road warrior and has been gigging steadily for the past seven years, notably as part of Ruf Records’ Blues Caravan–Girls with Guitars series, then with her own band. Her 2011 album Runaway, created under the guidance of her mentor, Mike Zito, was awarded a Blues Music Award in 2012 for Best New Artist Debut. Her latest album, Wild Heart, displays a deepening maturity in both songwriting and chops. Members of Zito’s band, Royal Southern Brotherhood added their talents to the record and RSB’s Charlie Wooten remarked, “She’s not just another pretty face.” No, indeed. She’s a young torchbearer for the blues and can prove it.

Centennial Art Dedication

There will be a Centennial Art Dedication held on Saturday, October 15th at 10:00 a.m.in the Urbandale Public Library parking lot.  The city commissioned a sculpture called “Strata” by artist Dan Perry, which will be placed in the city hall complex, between the library and the art park.  This is a free dedication event for the public and includes a FREE meal.

Artist Information: http://danperrysculpture.com/home.html

Rural Creative Placemaking 

In Iowa, Next Generation will facilitate further development of rural-urban dialogues, strengthen network structures for rural practitioners, and seek to deepen appreciation for the value of rural arts and culture in urban Iowa. Iowa partners include the Des Moines Social Club, the Iowa Arts Council, USDA Rural Development, and the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

This network is co-chaired by Matthew Harris, Administrator of the Iowa Arts Council, and Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. To view the complete roster of Iowa Working Group members, view this PDF:Regional Network Working Group.

The mission of this Regional Network and the objectives of its convening in July, 2016 will be guided by an initial survey, please consider contributing your thoughts.

To receive occasional updates from Iowa, as well as periodic rural creative placemaking news, initiatives, events, and opportunities, please consider joining the Next Generation mailing list.  Please feel free to direct email inquiries here.