Weekly Music Scene - Iowa City

Before I start getting into reviewing bands and venues and all that blazz, I want to plug some cool on-going events in Iowa City that are open to artists of all skill levels and genres. It's just a small part of the huge music scene, but one that I really appreciate as it gives me access to musicians who are up-and-coming, as well as established artists trying something new or working with new people.


A short list (if I missed any, please let me know in the comments below):

Monday Night Open Mic with J. Knight - Mondays, 8pm. The Mill, Iowa City
An Iowa City institution. So many great acts have played their first show at the Mill’s Open Mic. Many seasoned pros test out new material before a live audience. Come check it out – you never know when you’ll catch the next great Iowa City songwriter. To sign your act up, call J. Knight in advance at 319.338.6713.

Underground Open Mic - Tuesdays, 8pm - 12ish. Iowa City Yacht Club - 13 S Lynn St. Iowa City
FREE!

There is also an open mic at Studio 13, which is 20 feet away, at the same time on Tuesdays. However, every time I have been there it was just comedy, not music. Still fun.


Free Jam Session & Mug Night @ ICYC Free Jam Session every Wednesday. Bring your axe or just sit back and listen to some great music.We also have mug night every Wednesday. $5 gets you a mug filled with beer that you get to keep - bring it back and you get $1 refills!

Thursday Night Live: Open Mic and more!
Thursdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Uptown Bill's Coffee House (map)
Celebrating 13 years of Uptown Bill's Open Mic.Ten minute slices of music and other performances. Open to all ages and abilities. Sign up beforehand at the coffee house. Or by email: uptown bills@gmail.com.

LOCALLY OWNED @ Gabe's - Thursdays
Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm (event ends at 11:00 pm) - Free - This event is 19 and over. Highlighting local bands.
During Locally Owned, which happens downstairs, there is a dance party going on upstairs. $2 admission for those 21+ and $5 for the youngins. Called Mixology, this event is local DJs spinning until bar close.

Of course, if you're looking for free music in Iowa City during the summer, all you have to do is wander into the Ped Mall on a Friday or Saturday evening thanks to Summer of the Arts. Not always my bag, but they have really good shows once in a while and it's cool that our city has so much going on.

Without fail, I can be found at the Yacht Club on Tuesdays for the Underground Open Mic. There is such a mix of acts that it's always a good time. Acts are not limited to music - poets and comedians grace the stage right along with mellow aucostic soloists, full plugged-in metal bands, screamy punk bands, and rappers. Hostess Kate Kane keeps things moving between sets with bits of trivia which can win you prizes, some of which are lovingly hand-crafted by her mother. Radical, right? In addition, there is always a raffle with prizes ranging from giant baskets of candy to kites to big-ass containers of twizzlers to Ouija boards (which i won, hot damn!). It's a blast every single week - just don't show up with your instrument expecting to play the first time you walk in. Slots are booked 2-3 weeks in advance due to popularity and Kate's mad organizational skills.

This week's line up is totally killer:
8:00 Maiden Mars
8:30 warren terror
9:00 Jenny Watkins spoken word
9:05 Kitten Crisis
9:35 J Ace
9:45 Rational Anthem
10:15 Benny The Jet Rodriguez
10:55 Peter Stolp
11:05 Lipstick Homicide...

I plan on blogging about most of these bands already and a couple of them I have been dying to see. It's going to be so much fun! I will post a link to Shadow Fox Photography's pictures of the event later this week for those of you who can't make it (lame).


Hope to see you there! ~mandab