Fri-Sat, July 26–27 • Nordic Fest. This festival celebrates the area’s Scandinavian heritage with a parade, food, activities, and entertainment for the whole family. Various times, Decorah. NordicFest.com.
Friday, July 26 • The Riverdogs. Blend of Delta, swamp, and gospel rhythm & blues. 10 a.m. Fairfield square. Free.
Friday, July 26 • Illowa Folk Dance. All dances are taught, no partner required. Live music by the Good´un String Band. Fourth Fridays, 7–9:30 p.m., Bettendorf Presbyterian Church,1200 Middle Rd., Bettendorf. Facebook.com/IllowaCommunityFolkDance.
Friday, July 26 • Vivian Shanley Quartet and Betsy Hickok & Ron Roberts Quartet. Jazz. 6:30 p.m., Ped Mall Stage, Iowa City. SummeroftheArts.org. Free.
Friday, July 26 • RAGBRAI Mount Pleasant: Spazmatics. 6 p.m., country and rock covers by Blake Jack & South 35; 8 p.m., the Spazmatics, an ’80s cover band. 6–10 p.m., Mount Pleasant town square. MTPleasantRagbrai.com.
Friday, July 26 • Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. Blues-rock guitarist. 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Friday, July 26 • Rock the Block: Fight Paper Box. Free Friday night concert series. 6–8 p.m., NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids. NewBoCityMarket.org.
Friday, July 26 • Little River Band. The Eagles founding member Glenn Frey dubbed Little River Band “the best singing band in the world.” 8 p.m., Riverside Casino, Riverside. RiversideCasinoandResort.com.
Friday, July 26 • The Comancheros. A Southern rock band from the Show Me State. 8 p.m., Wildwood, Iowa City. Tixr.com.
Friday, July 26 • Friday Night Out: Fleur-de-Lis Component Earrings. Create pretty fleur-de-lis components using beads. Optional dutch drinks and snacks after class. 5:30–7:30 p.m., Beadology, Iowa City. BeadologyIowa.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 26–28 • Backbone Bluegrass Festival. National, regional, and local musicians on one stage. Backbone Bluegrass Festival Grounds, Strawberry Point. BackboneBluegrass.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 26–28 • Squonk Brouhaha. An immersive outdoor visual and musical spectacle featuring the Squonkcordion, an enormous instrument powered by behemoth bellows topped with towering tuba bells. Friday 6:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.; Sun. 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., Cowles Common, Des Moines. DMPA.org. Free.
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 26–28 • Your One Wild and Precious Life. Explore a life well lived at this retreat with Natalie Benway-Correll and Emily Jalinsky, featuring equine-based empowerment exercises, farm-to-table meals, guided yoga, flora circle, creativity workshops, and more. RSVP. Windy Goat Acres, Chelsea. WellLivedLife.org.
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 26–28 • National Balloon Classic. Spectacular nine-day hot air balloon event, with 100+ balloons, live music nightly, Nite Glow, food concessions, kite shows, skydivers, fireworks, and more. National Balloon Classic Memorial Balloon Field, 15335 Jewell St., Indianola. NationalBalloonClassic.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Lady Franklyn Improv Show. Iowa City’s resident professional improv team takes the stage for a night of laughs. Most Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Willow Creek Theatre, 327 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Find updates on Facebook.
Saturday, July 27 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Fresh produce, eggs, crafts, baked goods, plants, flowers, food to go. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Howard Park, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Iowa City Farmers Market. Open air market with fresh, homegrown produce, baked goods, handicrafts, plants, flowers, and live music and activities in the park each week. Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.–noon, Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, Iowa City. ICGov.org/farmersmarket.
Saturday, July 27 • Burlington RAGBRAI: Dip it. Dip it Good. The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa culminates in Burlington, as bikers dip their tires in the Mississippi. BurlingtonRagbrai.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Colonies in Bloom—Part Two. Self-guided tour of private gardens off the beaten path. See rare plants, beautiful displays of color, and get tips from the masters themselves. Find a painted “hidden gem” for a prize at the Visitor’s Center. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Amana Colonies. AmanaColonies.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Party & Paint: Matisse. Have fun recreating Spanish Woman with a Tambourine by Henri Matisse with guidance from Bill Teeple. No experience needed. Tasty refreshments are included. RSVP. 7:30–9:30 p.m., ICON Gallery in Fairfield, or online via Zoom. (641) 919-6252.
Saturday, July 27 • Rhythms @ Riverfront Crossings Park: Dave Zollo & The Body Electric. 6:30 p.m., Riverfront Crossings Park, Iowa City. Summerof-theArts.org. Free.
Saturday, July 27 • Northside Saturday Nights: Fork in the Road. Free outdoor concert series. 6–8 p.m., Northside District, Iowa City. DowntownIowaCity.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Rick Springfield. This 1980s icon wishes he had Jessie’s girl. 8 p.m., Rhythm City, Davenport. Rhythm-CityCasino.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Primus and Coheed & Cambria. Primus made some of the most cutting-edge rock music of the 1990s. Special guest Too Many Zooz. 6:30 p.m., McGrath Ampitheatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Saturday, July 27 • Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: The 10 Tour. The famed “pop music in a time machine” celebrates their 10th anniversary. 8 p.m., Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Sunday, July 28 • Sanctuary Strolls. Meet rescued farm animals and explore a beautiful walking trail. Vegan picnics encouraged. Sundays, 1–4 p.m., Iowa Farm Sanctuary, 1696 250th St. NW, Oxford. Facebook.com.
Sunday, July 28 • Community Zine Workshops. With Alison Stimson and Emaly Joon Breffle, in the spirit of co-creating a culture of zero-waste, storytelling, and community publishing. 4–7 p.m., Fairfield Public Library. Also on July 30, 6–9 p.m.
Monday, July 29 • Engage Fairfield. Looking for a new job or career opportunity? Explore exciting careers and get your resume reviewed on the spot for job opportunities throughout Southeastern Iowa! Don’t miss out on the job fair of the year! 12:30-4 p.m. Argiro Center, MIU Campus, 1000 N. 4th St., Fairfield. Facebook at Engage Fairfield.
Monday, July 29 • Argentine Tango Practica. Every Monday evening. Beginner’s lesson at 7:15 p.m., practica to follow. The Lab, 408 W. Lowe Ave., Fairfield.
Monday, July 29 • Iowa City Poetry Slam. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m., Coffee Emporium, Iowa City. (319) 338-5382.
Monday, July 29 • Plant Walk. Join ISU Extension and Outreach Horticulture Specialist Kala Miller for a small group walk around the library neighborhood to identify interesting plants. RSVP. 10 a.m., Fairfield Public Library. Fairfield.lib.ia.us.
Tuesday, July 30 • Music on the Move: Blake Shaw. Double/electric bassist, vocalist, and jazz professor. 6:30 p.m., Emma J. Harvat Square, Iowa City. Summerofthe-Arts.org. Free.
Tuesday, July 30 • Mike Mains & The Branches. Indie rock band from Michigan. 6–9 p.m., Raccoon Motel, Davenport. TheRaccoonMotel.com.
Tuesday, July 30 • Jazz in July at Hoyt Sherman Place. Jazz on three stages, feat. the Andrew Wittmer Quintet, Brazilian Jazz Project, and Parranderos + Jazz. 5:15–9 p.m., Tuesdays in July, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. HoytSherman.com.
Wednesday, July 31 • Fairfield Wednesday Market. Produce and handmade goods. Wednesdays, 3–6 p.m., east side of Fairfield Square.
Wednesday, July 31 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up, 7:30 go time, with a featured performer halfway through. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Wednesday, July 31 • Steve Earl. Alone Again Tour. The master storyteller goes solo and acoustic. With special guest Channing Wilson. 7:30 p.m., Hoyt Sherman, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Thursday, August 1 • Barry Manilow. One of the world’s all-time bestselling recording artists gives his last Des Moines concert. 7 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. IowaEventsCenter.com
Thursday, August 1 • Clint Black. Hear this country music veteran’s groundbreaking debut album, Killin’ Time, start to finish. 7 p.m., McGrath Ampitheatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Thursday, August 1 • Jefferson Street Farmers Market. Produce, plants, baked goods, honey, jams, natural soaps, candles, handmade goods, live music, and more. Thursdays, 4:30–7 p.m., downtown Burlington. Facebook.com/downtownburlingtoniamarket.
Friday. August 2 • Fairfield First Fridays. Hot summer night in Central Park! 6-10 p.m. Downtown Fairfield.
Friday. August 2 • The Fabulous Trutones & Cedar County Cobras. Two Iowa bands bring roots, rock, and blues outdoors for a free concert at the Ped Mall. 6:30 p.m., Ped Mall Stage, 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. SummeroftheArts.org.
Friday. August 2 • Artisan Studio Showcase: Brigid Martin. See the premiere of Brigid’s new musical in a staged concert reading. 7 p.m., Brucemore Mansion, Cedar Rapids. Brucemore.org.
Friday. August 2 • Apocalypso Tantric Noise Choir. Viruosity blasts through every beat as James Moore, David Hurlin, and Eric Hurlin (pictured in 2005) funk it up on bass, drums, and keys. By donation. 7:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Saturday, August 3 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Fresh produce, eggs, crafts, baked goods, plants, flowers, food to go. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Howard Park, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, August 3 • Free Movie Series: Hercules. BYO chairs and blankets. 8:30 p.m., Pepperwood Plaza, Iowa City. SummeroftheArts.org. Free.
Saturday, August 3 • Trolls Band Together. Free movie on the riverfront. 7 p.m. kids’ activities, movie at dusk, McGrath Ampitheatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Saturday, August 3 • Camel Hump Day in Bentonsport. Blank Park Zoo Mobile Unit will be giving lectures with two animals from the zoo. With in-store specials and activities for children and adults in downtown Bentonsport. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 21964 Hawk Dr., Bentonsport. (319) 592-3579.
Saturday, August 3 • Catfish Keith. World-touring acoustic blues pioneer. 7:30 p.m., The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Englert.org.
Saturday, August 3 • Historic Summer Walking Tours. Learn about where German immigrants worked, lived, and created a community in the Gold Coast neighborhood. 10–11 a.m., German American Heritage Center, Davenport. GAHC.org.
Saturday, August 3 • Iowa City Farmers Market. Open air market with fresh, homegrown produce, baked goods, handicrafts, plants, flowers, and live music and activities in the park each week. Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.–noon, Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, Iowa City. ICGov.org/farmersmarket.
Saturday, August 3 • Johnson County Barn Tour. Enjoy a half-day bus tour of Colony Acres Family Farm, the Schwab Round Barns, the Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn, and the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm. Lunch is included. RSVP. 8:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m., departing from Johnson County Historical Society Museum at Xtream Arena, 200 E. 9th St., Coralville. (319) 569-4502 or jaci@johnsoncountyhistory.org.
Saturday, August 3 • Northside Saturday Nights: Blake Shaw. Free outdoor concert series. 6–8 p.m., Northside District, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Saturday, August 3 • Brady Lee Band. Enjoy live music on the front stage while a DJ plays on the back stage. 10 p.m., Elray’s, Iowa City. ElraysLiveandDive.com.
Saturday, August 3 • Davina & the Vagabonds. “A little Amy Winehouse-worthy neo-soul here, a little Great American Songbook-influenced songcraft there.” —Rolling Stone. 8 p.m., Codfish Hollow Barn, Maquoketa. CodfishHollowBarnstormers.com.
Sat-Sun, August 3–4 • Theatrical Reading: Tistou: The Boy with Green Thumbs. John Lewis will present a captivating dramatic reading from Maurice Druon’s novel Tistou: The Boy with Green Thumbs for an adult audience of book lovers and theater enthusiasts. 1:30–2:15 p.m., Fairfield Public Library. (641) 472-6551, Ext. 1.
Sunday, August 4 • Sanctuary Strolls. Meet rescued farm animals and explore a beautiful walking trail. Vegan picnics encouraged. Sundays, 1–4 p.m., Iowa Farm Sanctuary, 1696 250th St. NW, Oxford. Facebook.com.
Sunday, August 4 • Cinema Fairfield: 2001 A Space Odyssey. 7 p.m., FACC, Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Mon-Tues, August 5–6 • Cinema Fairfield: Thelma. Monday 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Tuesday 7 p.m. (with captions), FACC, Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Tuesday, August 6 • Joss Stone. This Grammy and BRIT award-winning artist released her acclaimed debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003 at age 16. 8 p.m., Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Tuesday, August 6 • Bush—Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour. With Jerry Cantrell & Candlebox. 6:30 p.m., McGrath Ampitheatre, Cedar Rapids. CREventsLive.com.
Tuesday, August 6 • Music on the Move: Crystal City Trio. Rock, pop, Americana, and jazz. 6:30 p.m., Northside Market Place, Iowa City. SummeroftheArts.org. Free.
Tuesday, August 6 • Fairfield Municipal Band Concert. 7 p.m., summer’s final Tuesday night concert in Fairfield’s Central Park. Ice cream treats available for purchase.
Tuesday, August 6 • Michael Miller: The High Bridge. Former U of Iowa professor Michael Miller will read from his new historical fiction. 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Wednesday, August 7 • Fairfield Wednesday Farmers Market. Produce and handmade goods. Wednesdays, 3–6 p.m., east side of Fairfield Square.
Wednesday, August 7 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up, 7:30 go time, with a featured performer halfway through. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Wednesday, August 7 • Artist to Artist. Artists are invited to network and bring their work for constructive critique. 6 p.m., Art Center of Burlington. BTownArt.com.
Wednesday, August 7 • Cinema Fairfield: An American Tail. 1 p.m., FACC, Fairfield. Visit FairfieldACC.com for the full schedule of family matinees in August.
Wednesday, August 7 • Summer Music in West Liberty: Two Bit Maniac. Classic rock, jazz, and blues. Wednesdays in August. 6:30–9 p.m., Ron-de-Voo Park, West Liberty. Monica@puppetspuppets.com. Free.
Wednesday, August 7 • BYOB Open Mic. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. 7 p.m. sign up, 7:30 p.m go. Willow Creek Theatre, 327 S. Gilbert, Iowa City. Facebook.com.
Thursday, August 8 • Jefferson St. Farmers Market. Produce, plants, baked goods, honey, jams, natural soaps, candles, handmade goods, live music, and more. Thursdays, 4:30–7 p.m., downtown Burlington. Facebook.com/downtownburlingtoniamarket.
Thursday, August 8 • Fort Madison Downtown Summer Market. Purveyors of cool wares: handcrafted, woodwork, metal, art, home decor, and more. 3–8 p.m., downtown Fort Madison. (319) 372-7785.
Thursday, August 8 • Free Summer Concert: Winterland. Beloved Iowa City band pays faithful tribute to the Grateful Dead. 7:30 p.m. outside the FACC, 200 N. Main St., Fairfield. FairfieldACC.com.
Thursday, August 8 • Blues Music Night at The Lab. Local blues bands every Thursday. Hang out and dance. 8–10 p.m., The Lab, 408 W. Lowe, Fairfield. Free.
Thursday, August 8 • Ottumwa Municipal Band. Free concerts every Thursday evening in July. 7–8 p.m., Central Park, 106 N. Court, Ottumwa. MeetOttumwa.org.
Thursday, August 8 • Cait West in Conversation with Lori Erickson. Cait West will talk with Iowa City author Lori Erickson about West’s debut memoir, Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy. 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Thurs-Fri-Sat, August 8–10 • Tugfest 2024. Annual tug-of-war across the mighty Mississippi, with fireworks and live music entertainment. Various times, 229 N. Cody Rd., LeClaire. Visit Tugfest.com for full schedule.
August 8–18 • Iowa State Fair 2024: Fair Fever. With a nostalgic throwback theme, the 10-day fair celebrates the best in Iowa agriculture, industry, entertainment, and achievement August 8–18. Enjoy a wild array of fair food, beer vendors, demonstrations, crafts and kids’ Ag Art contest, antiques, exhibits, a carnival, and more. Grandstand acts include Lauren Daigle, Foreigner with Melissa Etheridge, Jelly Roll, Greta Van Fleet (left), Brett Young, Thomas Rhett, Motley Crue, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, the Avett Brothers with G. Love & Special Sauce, NE-YO, KIDZ BOP, and more. State Fairgrounds, Des Moines. IowaStateFair.org.
Friday, August 9 • Tim Johnston: Distant Sons. Iowa City author Tim Johnston will read from the new paperback edition of Distant Sons, named a Best Mystery Fiction of 2023 by Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine. 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Friday, August 9 • NED Talks Series. “Experts” will bring their knowledge and laughs in this new comedy series of “Noteworthy Eclectic Dialogues.” 7:30 p.m., Willow Creek Theatre, Iowa City. Facebook @ willowcreektheatrecompany.
Friday, August 9 • Acoustic Fridays on the Riverfront: Jonas Magram. With guitar in hand, Magram pays tribute to folk, pop, and rock legends like Joni Mitchell, Yusuf Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Sting, The Band, Elvis, and more. 5 p.m., Bridge View Center plaza, Ottumwa. BridgeViewCenter.com. Free.
Friday, August 9 • Friday Night Concert: River Glen and Flash in a Pan. A mix of folk, pop, jazz, and rock, followed by an Iowa City bluegrass quartet. 6:30 p.m. and 7:55 p.m., Ped Mall Stage, Iowa City. SummeroftheArts.org. Free.
Fri-Sat, August 9–10 • Hoover’s Hometown Days. Celebrate Hoover’s 150th birthday at this annual bash featuring a parade, Hoover-Ball tournament, Fire in the Hole Bags Tournament, fun run, food trucks and vendors, beer garden, live music, and more. Fri. 4 p.m.–Sat. 9 p.m., Main Street, West Branch. HooverDays.org.
Fri-Sat, August 9–10 • Quad Cities Balloon Festival. Balloon launches, motorcycle show, family activities, food vendors, and more. Various times, Rhythm City Casino Resort, Davenport. QuadCitiesBalloonFestival.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, August 9–11 • A Grand Night for Singing. Iowa City Community Theatre presents this first-rate revue, a fresh take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein canon, conceived by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. Various times, Englert Theatre, Iowa City. IowaCityCommunityTheatre.org.
Fri-Sat-Sun, August 9–11 • River Valley Lodge & Horsecamp Events. Open to anyone who would like to watch or participate. Aug. 9: Ron Wallace Barrel Racing Series; Aug. 9–11: Fourth Wright’s Donkey Sorting with barrel racing; Aug. 9–11: River Valley Trail Challenge. River Valley Lodge and Horsecamp, 29080 Hawk Dr., Farmington. RiverValleyHorseCamp.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Fresh produce, eggs, crafts, baked goods, plants, flowers, food to go. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Howard Park, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, August 10 • J40 Botanical Prints. Free. Stop by the Villages Folk School table at Bloom and Bark during the J40 Farm Crawl and learn how to create beautiful fabric designs using flowers and vegetables. Small fee to purchase cloth bag, scarf, or scrap to print on (optional). With Pat Crawford. 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Bloom and Bark Farm, 18517 County Rd., J40, Keosauqua. VillagesFolkSchool.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Comedienne: Tanya Lewis. Christian family-friendly comedy from the recipient of the 2016 and 2018 Church Stars Comedienne of the Year Award and African American Museum honoree. 5 p.m., RiverCenter, Davenport. DavenportLive.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Village of East Davenport Wine Walk. Register for a bracelet, and visit participating businesses to enjoy a sample of local, domestic, or imported wine at each stop. 3–6 p.m., East Davenport. VillageofEastDavenport.com. julie@campmc.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Mini Golf & History Lesson with AAMI. Putt around and learn about the first African American to win a championship-round match in Iowa Amateur golf history. Presented by the African American Museum of Iowa. 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Mini Pines Mini Golf, 3800 42nd St., NE, Cedar Rapids. BlackIowa.org.
Saturday, August 10 • J40 Farm Crawl. Food, farm tours, open buggies and hay wagon rides, local artists, live music, you-pick flowers, history, mead & wine tasting, handcrafted furniture, glass blowing, free homemade ice cream, and more. Start the day off with a home-cooked breakfast at the Amish School (8 a.m.–noon), then wander down the road to explore the different participating farms and businesses. 9 a.m–4 p.m., County Road J40, West of Keosauqua. (641) 233-8210. VillagesofVanBuren.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Free Outdoor Movie: Trolls Band Together. Preshow activities with Z102.9 and ImOn. 8:30 p.m. movie, Ranshaw House, 515 Community Dr., North Liberty. SummeroftheArts.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Art in the Garden. This garden party raises funds for Homestead’s service learning and food security programs. Enjoy guided tours of the gardens, Beginning Plein Air Painting class with Jeri Sparks (RSVP at JeriSparks.com), music by Daniel Pappas, a Plein Air auction, and more. 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Homestead 1839, Burlington. Facebook.com/homestead1839. (319) 750-9425.
Saturday, August 10 • Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau Exhibit Tour. Join the curator for a tour and learn about the stories behind 75 works. RSVP. 10–11 a.m., National Czech & Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids. NCSML.org. Also on Aug. 27.
Saturday, August 10 • Ottumwa Community Market. Crafts, baked goods, jewelry, recycled treasures, arts, live music, fresh produce, and more, rain or shine. Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ottumwa.
Saturday, August 10 • Owl’s Nest Street Party. Rock music party by Hollowtree, January, Moonlighting, Goat Fight, and Friday @ 5. Doors open at 5 p.m., Owl’s Nest Bar & Grill, 116 S. Court St., Ottumwa.
Saturday, August 10 • The Big 9 Summer Concert Series: Jerm Theory. Free concert series in the parks along Davenport’s riverfront. 6–8 p.m., The Freight House, Davenport. DavenportIowa.com.
Saturday, August 10 • Seed Savers Exchange Benefit Concert. Enjoy a magical benefit concert under the stars and among the gardens, supporting SSE’s mission to protect and promote America’s garden and food heritage. Feat. Lissie (pictured), William Elliott Whitmore, David Huckfelt, Annie Humphrey, and Joe & Vicki Price. BYO chairs. Cash bar and food for purchase. 4 p.m. gates, 6 p.m. concert, SSE, Heritage Farm, 3074 N. Winn Rd., Decorah. SeedSavers.org.
Saturday, August 10 • Northside Saturday Nights: Marc Janssen. Free outdoor concert series. 6–8 p.m., Northside District, Iowa City. Englert.org.
Sunday, August 11 • Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour. For three decades he’s toured as a pop artist while also performing with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. With Lindsey Kraft. 7:30 p.m., Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Sunday, August 11 • Sanctuary Strolls. Meet rescued farm animals and explore a beautiful walking trail. Vegan picnics encouraged. Sundays, 1–4 p.m., Iowa Farm Sanctuary, 1696 250th St. NW, Oxford. Facebook.com.
Sunday, August 11 • Sensory Days at the River Museum. The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium welcomes anyone who may benefit from a sensory-friendly environment to a series of Sensory Days this summer. 8 a.m.–10 a.m., Dubuque. RiverMuseum.org.
Monday, August 12 • Yin Yang Wire Earrings. Learn to manipulate thin wire around a larger wire to create a yin yang design. Turn your pieces into a set of earrings. Instructor: Zanetta Hoehle. 5:30–8:30 p.m., Beadology Iowa, Iowa City. BeadologyIowa.com.
Tuesday, August 13 • Graham Nash. More Evenings of Songs & Stories with two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. 7:30 p.m., Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. HoytSherman.org.
Tuesday, August 13 • Ben Folds. The Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that ranges from pop albums to symphonic collaborations. 7–11 p.m., The Capitol Theatre, Davenport. FirstFleetConcerts.com.
Tuesday, August 13 • Music on the Move: James Tutson. A heritage of soul music permeates the music of this 2023 Iowa Fellow for the National Endowment for the Arts. 6:30 p.m., Fairmeadows Park, Iowa City. SummeroftheArts.org. Free.
Tuesday, August 13 • Vi Khi Nao. Vi Khi Nao will read from her new novel, The Italy Letters—named a Ms Magazine “Most Anticipated Feminist Book of 2024.” 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Wednesday, August 14 • The Rapids. Improvised soap-opera hilarity. 7 p.m., Mirrorbox Theatre, Cedar Rapids. MirrorboxTheatre.com.
Wednesday, August 14 • Steve-O. Known for Jackass, this stunt performer, actor, and TV personality pushes the boundaries. 7 p.m., Five Flags, Dubuque. FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Wednesday, August 14 • Classic Film Festival: Tokyo Story by Yasujiro Ozu. With subtitles. Popcorn provided. Wednesdays in August, 2–4 p.m., Fairfield Public Library. (641) 472-6551. Fairfield.lib.ia.us. Free.
Wednesday, August 14 • Dr. Jennifer Harvey: Antiracism as Daily Practice. New York Times bestselling author Dr. Jennifer Harvey will read from and talk about her new book, Antiracism as Daily Practice: Refuse Shame, Change White Communities, and Help Create a Just World. 7 p.m., Prairie Lights, Iowa City. PrairieLights.com.
Wednesday, August 14 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up, 7:30 go time, with a featured performer halfway through. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Thursday, August 15 • Night Creek Stomp. Explore Flint Creek wildlife by night with the Nature Center & Des Moines County Conservation. 8:30 p.m., Starr’s Cave Nature Center, Burlington. DMCConservation.com. Free.
Thursday, August 15 • Thursday Night Gravel Ride. Pick from three routes ranging from 10 to 35 miles. All routes end at the Cider House. Bring water, lights, and helmet. Ride departs 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, The Ride, 123 N. Court St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/theridebikeshop.
Thursday, August 15 • Chommy’s Bike Night: Lucas Beebe. Bike in every third Thursday of the month for entertainment and live music. 6–9 p.m., Chommy’s, Eldon. (641) 652-3461.
Thursday, August 15 • Tony Furtado. Tony is an evocative and soulful singer and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar, and baritone ukulele. 7 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids.
Thursday, August 15 • The Thirsty Word Reading Series. This third-Thursday reading features an evening of short, original pieces read by area creative writers. From poetry to sci-fi and from nonfiction to screenplays. 7:30–9 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/ThirstyWord. Send submissions to Sourceoffice@lisco.com.
Thurs-Fri-Sat-Sun, August 15–18 • Alternating Currents Festival. A dozen venues across the Quad Cities will host a wide variety of live music, film screenings, comedians, and visual arts. Over 50 national and regional acts will perform. Multiple Quad Cities locations. AlternatingCurrentsqc.com.
Friday, August 16 • Burlington Cruise Night. Classic cars and hot rods of all ages cruise the Jefferson Street “strip” in a blast from the past. Shop, dine, reminisce, and check out the rolling stock. 5–10 p.m., Downtown Burlington. (319) 752-6365.
Friday, August 16 • David Huckfelt. Huckfelt brings healing Americana originals with guitarist TBA. Note the new Cafe concert time: 7:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main, Fairfield. CafeParadiso.net.
Fri-Sat, August 16–17 • ComedySportz. Family-friendly improv every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Spotlight Studio, 1800 7th Ave., Moline. ComedySportzQC.com.
Fri-Sat-Sun, August 16–18 • Iowa State Fair. The fair continues through Sunday with a showcase of “the best in the state,” fun food, carnival rides, and touring acts nightly on the grandstand stage. IowaStateFair.org.
Saturday, August 17 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Fresh produce, eggs, crafts, baked goods, plants, flowers, food to go. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Howard Park, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Saturday, August 17 • Freight House Farmers Market. 150+ vendors. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Freight House, 421 W. River Dr., Davenport. FreightHouseFarmersMarket.com.
Saturday, August 17 • Southeast Iowa Pagan Fest. Annual gathering with drumming, vendors, workshops, circles, chanting, and “all the best juju.” All welcome. 10 a.m., Dankwardt Park, Burlington. Facebook.com/TheBroomCloset2014.
Saturday, August 17 • Floatzilla 2024. With over a thousand participants and the river closed down to commercial watercraft, Floatzilla offers a unique opportunity for paddling enthusiasts to explore the area’s natural beauty. Post-paddle party features live music and food vendors. 7–4:30 p.m., River Action, Lake Potter, Rock Island, IL. (563) 322-2969. FloatzillaQC.org.
Saturday, August 17 • Cedar Valley Winery 15th Anniversary Celebration. Bring your lawn chair for an evening of live entertainment, food, award-winning estate wines, and fun. 5–9 p.m., Cedar Valley Winery, Batavia. contact@cedarvalleywine.com.
Saturday, August 17 • Ron Bennett Memorial Car Show. Prizes, awards, giveaways, food trucks, and more. 11 a.m., Deery Brothers, Burlington. DeeryBrothers.com.
Saturday, August 17 • Hand Me Down the Fiddle: Gallery Talk. Learn about Norwegian fiddlers, fiddles, and fiddle tunes in the Upper Midwest. 1 p.m., Vesterheim Museum, Decorah. Vesterheim.org.
Saturday, August 17 • Farney Gras. Burlington’s “finest dive bar,” brings Bourbon Street to Jefferson Street with music, drinks, food trucks, and celebration. Costumes encouraged. 5 p.m., Farney’s on Jefferson, Burlington. Facebook.com/100063847550786.
Sat-Sun, August 17–18 • Bike Van Buren XXXVIII. This is a casual, family-oriented bicycle ride through Van Buren County offers SAG support and food and drink stops along a route that winds through the historic Villages and Historic Hills Scenic Byway. RSVP. VillagesofVanBuren.com.
Sat-Sun, August 17–18 • Keosauqua Lions Breakfast. All-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast under the tent in Keosauqua City Park. 6:30–9 a.m., 100 Van Buren St., Keosauqua. VillagesofVan-Buren.com.
Sat-Sun, August 17–18 • Midwest Ford Fest. Classic Ford car show, all makes and models welcome, with camping, swap meet, flea market. Poker Run at 12:30 p.m. and Cruise-In Movie at 5:30 p.m. 12:30–4 p.m., Jimmy Jones Shelter, 1 Joe Lord Memorial Dr., Ottumwa. JohnRemmett@msn.com.
Sunday, August 18 • Annual Pelican Festival. Volunteers with spotting scopes will help visitors watch American White Pelican flocks stopping at the lake during early migration. Family activities include nature programs, conservation and commercial exhibits, and face-painting. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Iowa DNR’s Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 2564 Amana Road NW, north side of upper Coralville Lake, Swisher. Free.
Sunday, August 18 • Disco Through the Decades Dance. No partner needed. 7:30–9:45 p.m., Morning Star Studio, 511⁄2 S. Court St., Fairfield. (641) 919-5698. Facebook.com/ Fairfield.Pop.Music. Dance.Coalition.
Sunday, August 18 • Sanctuary Strolls. Meet rescued farm animals and explore a beautiful walking trail. Vegan picnics encouraged. Sundays, 1–4 p.m., Iowa Farm Sanctuary, 1696 250th St. NW, Oxford. Facebook.com.
Wednesday, August 21 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up, 7:30 go time, with a featured performer halfway through. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Saturday, August 24 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Fresh produce, eggs, crafts, baked goods, plants, flowers, food to go. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Howard Park, Fairfield. Facebook.com.
Sunday, August 25 • Sanctuary Strolls. Meet rescued farm animals and explore a beautiful walking trail. Vegan picnics encouraged. Sundays, 1–4 p.m., Iowa Farm Sanctuary, 1696 250th St. NW, Oxford. Facebook.com.
Wednesday, August 28 • Cafe Paradiso Open Mic. Take part in the tradition of community sharing from either side of the stage. 7:15 sign up, 7:30 go time, with a featured performer halfway through. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Cafe Paradiso, 101 N. Main St., Fairfield. Facebook.com/OpenMicAtCafeParadiso.
Saturday, August 31 • Fairfield Farmers Market. Fresh produce, eggs, crafts, baked goods, plants, flowers, food to go. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Howard Park, Fairfield. Facebook.com.