Description

Summer of the Arts is proud to announce its newest programming: Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings, presented by Veridian Credit Union. The event is happening one Saturday each month, from May to September, at Riverfront Crossings Park in Iowa City (1001 S Clinton Street). 

This series features several favorite Iowa bands, all under different genres and styles. Each group of performers have made their mark both across the Corridor and on various Summer of the Arts stages. 

Attendees can listen to amazing music while enjoying the expansive outdoor space and natural beauty. Riverfront Crossings Park houses a one-of-a-kind playground to entertain families, while still preserving the native flora. Additionally, the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department will put on family-friendly activities at the park, in correlation with the series. Local food vendors Moo Moo’s Ice Cream Truck and Selina’s Creations are also taking part, setting up food trucks to enhance the concert experience. A tentative plan for alcohol sales is in the works, with more details to come in the months leading up to the first concert. 

Attendance for Rhythms and Riverfront Crossings is free. Shows run from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM. The performance schedule is as follows: 

May 25: Diplomats of Solid Sound 

June 29: Kevin Burt & Big Medicine 

July 27: Dave Zollo & the Body Electric 

August 24: Winterland 

September 28: Shade of Blue 

Summer of the Arts is a nonprofit organization which produces local arts and culture events which include: Iowa Arts Festival presented by MidWestOne Bank and MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa City Jazz Festival presented by GreenState Credit Union, Friday Night Concert Series presented by McGrath Toyota of Iowa City, Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings presented by Veridian Credit Union, Free Movie Series presented by Urban Acres Real Estate and GreenState Credit Union, Music on the Move presented by Hills Bank, and Holiday Thieves Market presented by Procter & Gamble. 

The mission of Summer of the Arts is to build community by bringing people together in the Iowa City Area to experience, learn about, and enjoy free arts and cultural programs. 

May 25                                      Diplomats of Solid Sound (updated 1/23/24) 

Diplomats of Solid Sound is an American band and song writing powerhouse. Their mixture of old school funk, soul, and Americana has appeared in dozens of hit TV shows and movies throughout their 20+ year career. With more than 50 million streams, the Diplomats have a dedicated following in Europe and North America. 

The Ladies: Sarah Cram - vocals, Katharine Ruestow – vocals, Abbie Sawyer – vocals The Gents: Nate “Count” Basinger – organ, Forrest Heusinkveld – drums, Eddie McKinley - tenor saxophone, Douglas Roberson – guitar, Nolan Schroeder - baritone saxophone, Marty Christensen - bass 

Links: 

www.diplomatsofsolidsound.com 

www.facebook.com/diplomatsofsolidsound 

www.instagram.com/diplomatsofsolidsound 

https://www.youtube.com/@diplomatsofsolidsound 

June 29                                       Kevin Burt & Big Medicine 

For nearly 3 decades, Kevin Burt, Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member (class of 2019), has been mesmerizing audiences with his powerfully smooth and soulful vocal. Paired with his unique harmonica and guitar presentation along with his quick wit, Burt engages with his audience touching their souls while tickling their funny bones. 

Website: www.KevinBurtMusic.com 

Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @KevinBurtMusic 

July 27                                             Dave Zollo & the Body Electric 

Since bursting onto the midwestern music scene with the band High and Lonesome in 1992, David Zollo has had a busy career. Along with constant touring, in the U.S and Europe, with High and Lonesome (1992-1998) and his current band, The Body Electric (1998-present) Zollo has recorded 7 records of his own material. Despite the many things Zollo has done during his career, it is as a live performer that many feel he's at his best. 

August 24                                               Winterland 

Specializing in the Grateful Dead’s catalog and sound from 1969 through the late 1970s, Winterland pulls you back in time to a place where the Dead’s rhythm and blues, folk and country roots were still deeply embedded in their music even as they explored the wild and experimental outer reaches of psychedelic rock. More importantly, though, Winterland channels the music of the Grateful Dead with uncanny authenticity, a sublime fidelity to the Dead’s musicianship, tonality and, in particular, emotional relationship with the audience. Walk into any given Winterland show and witness firsthand: every face is radiant, reflecting the elation of sharing — with the band and with each other — the pure, innovative, beautifully complex music of the Dead. This interconnectedness, which breaks down the barriers between people and music and allows everyone to become collaborators in an elusive web of fleeting, living art, represents an essential unity of musical experience. In other words, what Winterland has attained has proven to be a microcosm of the feat that the Grateful Dead of the late ‘60s to the late ‘70s achieved and escalated to a full-fledged cultural phenomenon. It is a thing of subtle and wily magic, not to be missed. 

September 28                                 Shade of Blue (2018)

Shade of Blue fans have been gyrating to the band’s hypnotic and infectious grooves in the Midwest for nearly a quarter of a century. Founded by guitarist and vocalist Dave Rosazza as a blues trio in 1989, Shade of Blue has evolved into one of the Iowa City area’s most beloved musical institutions as a featured act and as an opener for internationally acclaimed artists such as the Neville Brothers, Koko Taylor, and George Clinton.

Featuring the impressive vocals of sultry songstresses Simone Green and Joan Ruffin, the band has expanded its repertoire over the last two decades to include funk, R&B, gospel, and jazz while maintaining its blues roots. The versatile saxophone stylings of Saul Lubaroff and a rhythm section comprised of keyboardists Sean Seaton and Denny Ketelsen, bassist Ken Fullard, percussionist Paul Cunliff and drummer Matt Bernemann complete the sonorous tour de force known as Shade of Blue. 

Website: https://www.shadeofblue.net/?fbclid=IwAR1cjlHb6kaFn6yM8c_4hHKSvuGg7m9jKLPICOnD5AbQBMjQGf3zH14zoFw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iowacitysob/