Monday, March 18 • The McCharmlys. Chicano doo-wop act from Santa Ana, CA. With Surf Zombies. 7 p.m., Ideal Theater, Cedar Rapids. TheIdealTheaterandBar.com.
Monday, March 18 • Xochitl Gonzalez in Conversation with Jamel Brinkley. Writers’ Workshop graduate and New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming, Xochitl Gonzalez will read from her new novel, Anita de Monte Laughs Last, joined in conversation by author Jamel Brinkley. 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Tuesday, March 19 • Savage World RPG for Teens. Join in the Savage Worlds role-playing game. All skill levels welcome. Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m., Iowa City Public Library, Room E, Iowa City. ICPL.org.
Tuesday, March 19 • Judy Woodruff. The PBS NewsHour Senior Correspondent has undertaken a reporting project to better understand the country’s political divide. 7:30 p.m., Hancher, Iowa City. Hancher.uiowa.edu.
Tuesday, March 19 • Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock show so hot it carries its own health warning. 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Tuesday, March 19 • Mostly Kosher. The acclaimed klezmer-rock band radically reconstructs Judaic and American cultural music through ravenous klezmer beats and arresting Yiddish refrains. 7:30 p.m., Temple Theater, Des Moines. DMPA.org.
Tuesday, March 19 • Nam Le & Daniel Khalastchi. Writers’ Workshop alumni Nam Le and Daniel Khalastchi will read from their new books of poetry. 7 p.m., Prairie Lights Books, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Wednesday, March 20 • Studio 13: Open Stage Wednesdays Drag Show. Anyone can perform, sign up by 10 p.m. 10 p.m., Studio 13, 13 S. Linn St., Iowa City. ICNightlife.com/studio13.
Wednesday, March 20 • Tarot Readings at Noble House. Readings by Richard Morell every third Wednesday. 6 p.m., Noble House, 115 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/NobleHouseKava.
Wednesday, March 20 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing—from either side of the stage. 7:45 sign up, 8 p.m. go, with a featured performer halfway through. 8–10 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Thursday, March 21 • Costaki Econo-mopoulos. You probably know him best from his regular appearances on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show. 7:30 p.m., Capitol Theater, Burlington. BurlingtonCapitolTheater.com.
Thursday, March 21 • Capital City Pride Presents: Michael Arceneaux. This Houston-bred, Howard-educated writer and author writes about race, sexuality, politics, religion, and Beyoncé. 6 p.m., Temple Theater, Des Moines. DMPA.org.
Thursday, March 21 • Beyond Earth: The Quest for Life on an Icy Moon. Feat. NASA Engineer Kobi Boykins. 7:30 p.m., Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Thursday, March 21 • Tay Tay Dance Party. This show featuring DJ Swiftie is Taylor-made for fans of all ages. 8 p.m., Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Thursday, March 21 • Eulenspiegel Puppets Birthday Happy Hour. Eulenspiegel celebrates 50 years with free refreshments for all ages, Eulenspiegel history, recordings of past shows, games, and prizes. 4:30 p.m., Eulenspiegel Puppets, 319 N. Calhoun St., West Liberty. OwlGlass.org.
Thursday, March 21 • Hike A Park: Big Hollow. Get to know a new park and enjoy some guided hikes with a Des Moines county naturalist. 4 p.m., Big Hollow Creek Recreation Area, Burlington. (319) 753-5808.
Thursday, March 21 • The Thirsty Word at Cafe Paradiso. Third-Thursday reading series hosted by Meredith Siemsen features stories, plays, and poetry by area writers. 7:30–9 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main, Fairfield. By donation. Sign up at sourceoffice@lisco.com. Facebook.com/ThirstyWord.
Friday, March 22 • Jim Jefferies: Give ’Em What They Want Tour. This Australian comedian hit the comedy scene with his gut-busting debut HBO special, I Swear to God. Jim’s ninth stand-up special, Intolerant, came out on Netflix last year. 7 p.m., Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Friday, March 22 • Living Improverty. Specializing in short-form and musical improv. 8 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. CSPSHall.org.
Friday, March 22 • Hairball. Paying a mind-blowingly accurate homage to some of the biggest arena acts of classic rock. 7:30 p.m., Bridge View Center, Ottumwa. BridgeViewCenter.com.
Friday, March 22 • Culinary Class: Easter Desserts. Come celebrate delicious Easter sweets with Chef Sandrine Wallace. 6–7:30 p.m., NewBo City Market, Czech Village, Cedar Rapids. NewBoCityMarket.org
Friday, March 22 • Club Hancher: Y La Bamba. “Fusing psychedelia-dappled dreampop, south-of-the-border rhythms, and intricate guitar work with forthright lyrics of Mexican-American womanhood.” —Boston Globe. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Hancher Auditorium, Strauss Hall, Iowa City. Hancher.uiowa.edu.
Friday, March 22 • Piano Concert by Werner Elmker. Come for the pay-what-you-may vegan meal and stay for some sublime piano music. Open for dinner at 5:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. Golden Magnolia Sanctuary, Fairfield. Fairfield365.com.
Friday, March 22 • Charles Wesley Godwin. Touring his latest country album, Family Ties. 7:30 p.m., Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Friday, March 22 • J.E. Sunde. Jon writes densely poetic songs with a bent toward the philosophical. Also, his voice sounds like some sort of weird angel. 7:30 p.m., The James, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Fri-Sat, March 22–23 • Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus: Kelly: We All Need an Idol. 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Consistory, Des Moines. DMGMC.org.
Fri-Sat, March 22–23 • OCP: An Evening with Carol Burnett. The Ottumwa Community Players perform a variety of Carol Burnett sketches in this side-splitting two-night comedy event. Time TBA, Hotel Ottumwa, Ottumwa. (641) 777-3468.
Fri-Sat, March 22–23 • Comedy Xperiment. This improv group creates hilarity in a sports-themed formats, nonsensical scenes, or even a short one-act plays—all based on audience suggestions. 7:30 p.m., Stoner Theater, Des Moines. DMPA.org.
Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon, March 22–25 • Cinema Fairfield: Poor Things. An opulent, weird, and wild Frankensteinish tale of a self-made woman, starring Emma Stone. 7 p.m., Sondheim Theater, 200 N. Main St., Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Saturday, March 23 • Dusty Slay: The Night Shift Tour. This blue- collar comedian from the south has close to half a million Tik Tok followers, four Late Night appearances, a Comedy Central set, and a Netflix half-hour special under his belt. 7 p.m., Englert, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Saturday, March 23 • Woodshop Basics. Learn to use basic saws and presses safely—and make an essential woodworking tool. 12–2 p.m., IC Fab Lab, Iowa City. ICFabLab.org.
Saturday, March 23 • Fairfield Farmers Market Indoors. Produce, handmade wares, baked goods, food to go. 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Golden Magnolia Sanctuary, 200 S. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, March 23 • Cookie Basket. Weave a beautiful medium-sized cookie, bread, or pastry basket that features both basic and advanced techniques. 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Stone House, 26983 J40, Bentonsport. VillagesFolkSchool.com.
Saturday, March 23 • Fairfield Reads: Bet the Farm. Hear author and beginning farmer Beth Hoffman. She has worked as a journalist covering food and agriculture for 20 years. Now she farms 500+ acres in Iowa. 1:30 p.m. Fairfield Public Library, 104 W. Adams, Fairfield. (641) 472-6551. Free copies of her book Bet the Farm while supplies last.
Saturday, March 23 • Vandello. Vibrant and magnetic, Vandello’s fresh take on modern-vintage vibes is completely their own. 8 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. CSPSHall.org.
Saturday, March 23 • Hoekstra & Gibbs. Whitesnake/Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Joel Hoekstra goes acoustic and joins up with Brandon Gibbs. 8 p.m., The Washington, Burlington. TheWashingtonMusic.com.
Saturday, March 23 • Grosse Isle. A magical collaboration between traditional musicians from Quebec and Ireland. 7 p.m., Skylark Studios, Rock Island, IL. QuadCityArts.com. Also on March 20 and 21 at area libraries.
Saturday, March 23 • Commotion: A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Feat. Steve McLain, Jimmy Ryan, Mark Ellis, and George Foster. 7 p.m., What Cheer Opera House. Facebook.com.
Saturday, March 23 • Fruition. Songwriting and harmonies tie diverse influences together for this five-member newgrass and rock band. 8 p.m., Englert, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Saturday, March 23 • Moon River: The Songs of Johnny Mercer. Songs from forty years of film by Hoagy Carmichael, Artie Shaw, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, and Henry Mancini. 7:30 p.m., CCPA, Coralville. CoralvilleArts.org.
Saturday, March 23 • Orchestra Iowa Masterworks IV: Silent Woods. Featuring cellist Zuill Bailey. 7:30 p.m., Paramount, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Sat-Sun, March 23–24 • Shelter House Book Sale. Thousands of used books are generously donated by members of the community and sold at low prices to support Shelter Houser’s critical work. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m., 860 Quarry Road, Coralville. ShelterHouseIowa.org/book-sale.
Sunday, March 24 • Irish Music Session. An informal gathering of area musicians plays Irish music most Sundays. Join in, or relax and listen as you enjoy a hot cuppa or craft beer on tap. 3–5 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Sunday, March 24 • Daimh. “Daimh have carved a reputation from the bedrock of Gaelic culture . . . authentic Gaelic music with a modern edge and a magnificent range of expression.” —Folkworld. 7 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. CSPSHall.org.
Sunday, March 24 • Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular. The smash-hit multimedia laser and light show featuring the original master recordings of Pink Floyd. 8 p.m., Hoyt Sherman, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Sunday, March 24 • Sun June and Wild Pink. Indie pop. 7 p.m., The Raccoon Motel, Davenport. TheRaccoon-Motel.com.
Sunday, March 24 • SEISO: Tales of the Symphony. 2 p.m., Bridge View Center, Ottumwa. BridgeViewCenter.com.
Sunday, March 24 • Write at the Stanley. Generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection in this guided gathering. RSVP. 2:30–4:30 p.m., Stanley Museum of Art, Iowa City. StanleyMuseum.uiowa.edu.
Monday, March 25 • Iowa City Poetry Slam. Poets compete for prizes in a three-round elimination. To join, bring three poems. Sign up begins at 6:30 p.m., slam starts at 7 p.m., Coffee Emporium, Iowa City. (319) 338-5382.
Mon-Tues, March 25–26 • Sō Percussion & Caroline Shaw. Composer and vocalist Caroline Shaw collaborates with the adventuresome percussion band described by The New Yorker as an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam.” 7:30 p.m., Hancher, Hadley Stage, Iowa City. Hancher.uiowa.edu.
Tuesday, March 26 • Swamp Fox Bookstore: Heather Gudenkauf. A talk by New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf, author of The Weight of Silence and Not a Sound. Time TBA, Marion Public Library. MarionPublicLibrary.org.
Tuesday, March 26 • The Book of Mormon. Entertainment Weekly calls it “the funniest musical of all time.” 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Tuesday, March 26 • Death Café. The Death Doula Collective of the Heartland hosts a monthly informal conversation about death. Last Tuesdays. 7–8:30 p.m., Green House, Iowa City. DeathCafe.com.
Wednesday, March 27 • Pilobolus: Re: Creation. Combining wit, sensuality, and stunning physical acumen, new collaborators take this company into uncharted waters. 7:30 p.m., Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Wednesday, March 27 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing—from either side of the stage. 7:45 sign up, 8 p.m. go, with a featured performer halfway through. 8–10 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Thursday, March 28 • Embroiderers’ Guild at the Czech. See members of the Cedar Valley Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild demonstrate their skills every fourth Thursday. 1–3 p.m., National Czech & Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids. NCSML.org.
Thursday, March 28 • ICPL Knit & Crochet Hangout. Bring your current project on the last Thursday of the month for an evening of conversation and fiber arts of all kinds. 6–8 p.m., Iowa City Public Library. ICPL.org.
Thursday, March 28 • Five for Fighting with String Quartet. In the two decades since “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” hit the stratosphere, the artist has both evolved and come back around full circle. 7:30 p.m., Englert Theatre, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Thursday, March 28 • Zach Williams: A Hundred Highways Tour. Christian rock. 7:30 p.m., Paramount, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Thursday, March 28 • Red Cedar Chamber Music: Old Friends. Free concert at the library. 12 p.m., Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. RedCedar.org.
Fri-Sat, March 29–30 • SPT Theatre’s Senses of Humor: Touch. A kooky mix of themed music, sketches, and monologues: relaxed, often raucous, and ridiculously fun. 8 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. CSPS.org.
Friday, March 29 • Martha Graham Dance Company: GRAHAM100. An indispensable dance company celebrates 100 years, bringing its founder’s classic works to the stage alongside new work by contemporary choreographers. 7:30 p.m., Hancher, Iowa City. Hancher.uiowa.edu.
Friday, March 29 • The People Brothers Band. Rhythm & soul, rock, blues, and funk band. 8 p.m., Redstone Room, Common Chord, Davenport. CommonChordQC.org.
Friday, March 29 • Ilyon Woo for Looking Forward. Lecture with New York Times bestselling author Ilyon Woo benefiting the Iowa City Public Library. 7 p.m., Englert, Iowa City. Englert.org. Pay what you can.
Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon, March 29–April 1 • Cinema Fairfield: Cabrini. The new biopic on the life of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. 7 p.m., Sondheim Theater, Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Saturday, March 30 • Fairfield Indoor Farmers Market. 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Golden Magnolia, 200 S. Main St., north door, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, March 30 • The Pa’akai We Bring. The play follows a family of salt farmers on the island of Kauai, mixing in ancient stories, hula, live music, original songs, and plenty of audience participation, all joyously served up with aloha. 11 a.m., Temple Theater, Des Moines. DMPA.org.
Saturday, March 30 • Tim Britton with Tim Langan & Jesse Langan. This all-star Irish trio features uilleann pipes, fiddle, and guitar. 8–10 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Saturday, March 30 • Beatles: Yesterday and Today. Tribute band. 7 p.m., Pella Opera House. PellaOperaHouse.org.
Saturday, March 30 • Red Cedar Chamber Music: Old Friends. 7 p.m., Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St, Iowa City. Visit RedCedar.org for full schedule of free and ticketed March concerts.
Sunday, March 31 • Salsa/Latin and Pop Music Dance. Sundays; lesson 7 p.m.; Latin dance 8–9 p.m.; Latin, ballroom, swing mix 9–10 p.m. Morning Star Studio, 51 1/2 S. Court St., Fairfield. (641) 919-5698.
Sunday, March 31 • Irish Music Session. An informal gathering of area musicians plays Irish music most Sundays. Join in, or relax and listen as you enjoy a hot cuppa or craft beer on tap. 3–5 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Wednesday, April 3 • Step Afrika! This dance company blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, and contemporary dance. 7:30 p.m., Sondheim, Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Wednesday, April 3 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing—from either side of the stage. 7:45 sign up, 8 p.m. go, with a featured performer halfway through. 8–10 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Thurs-Fri-Sat, April 4–6 • Mission Creek Festival. The annual music and literary festival kicks off Thursday at Hancher with Neko Case, Hanif Abdurraqib, L’Rain, followed by a weekend of programs and performances that include Osees, Indigo De Souza, Live Wire Radio, the Small Press & Literary Magazine Book Fair, the Lit Walk, readings at Prairie Lights, and the I.C.E. C.R.E.A.M. Zine Fair. Iowa City. MissionCreekFestival.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, April 5–7 • Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival. Fifty-seven films from across the country, all with Iowa connections, will be screened. Various times, Collins Road Theatres, 1462 Twixt Town Rd., Marion, Iowa. CRIFM.org.
Friday, April 5 • John Mellencamp. Among his accolades, this American music icon is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 8 p.m., Des Moines Civic Center. DMPA.org.
Friday, April 5 • Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent, and a show so hot it comes with a health warning. 7:30 p.m. Burlington Civic Music, 200 N. Front St., Burlington. (319) 752-0336.
Saturday, April 6 • Fairfield Indoor Farmers Market. 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Golden Magnolia, 200 S. Main St., north door, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Sat-Sun, March 6–7 • Rug Weaving. Learn loom warping, loom stringing, weaving, and rug finishing. Teri’s Weaving Studio, Vernon. VillagesFolkSchool.com.
Sunday, April 7 • Irish Music Session. An informal gathering of area musicians plays Irish music most Sundays. Join in, or relax and listen as you enjoy a hot cuppa or craft beer on tap. 3–5 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Wednesday, April 10 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing—from either side of the stage. 7:45 sign up, 8 p.m. go, with a featured performer halfway through. 8–10 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Saturday, April 13 • Grant Wood: Rages to Riches. Presented by Grant Wood enthusiast Dr. Randy Lengeling. 10 and 11 a.m. American Gothic House, Eldon. Reserve a seat by calling (641) 652-3352. Free.