There’s always something going on at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa!
We hope that your family and friends enjoy a relaxing time together this Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, if you want to stretch your legs and work off some of that turkey dinner, we invite you to come to the First Street Community Center for “Small Business Saturday“.
We will have FREE live music inside the building performed by James Kennedy and Friends. They will be playing an eclectic blend of jazz, blues, rock in the hallway in front of the Uptown Theatre with two sessions: 10:30-noon and 1:30 – 3pm.
In addition, we will be hosting the Home Business Expo. This group of innovative home businesses will be on display in the First Street Community Center’s gymnasium from 9am – 4pm.
Of course, throughout the day all of your favorite “Old School Shops” will be open, some may even have special treats or deals!
So, if you like live music, a warm building to walk in during a cold Fall day, and lots of interesting shopping opportunities, or maybe you want to learn something about starting a home based business, come on out to the First Street Community Center this Saturday.
Eastern Iowa’s Dave Moore will be performing in the Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa this Saturday, November 18, @7:30pm (doors open at 7:15pm).
He is a 2017 recipient of the Folk Tradition Midwest Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the great songwriters to come out of the state of Iowa and is a Red House recording artist.
Known for his elegant songwriting and instrumental prowess on blues guitar, button accordion and harmonica, he has become somewhat of a legend.
Local songwriter Greg Brown and Dave Moore both developed a national reputation in the early years of both Prairie Home Companion and the legendary Red House Records.
Greg Brown and Dave worked together on recording projects and extensive tours. Dave made many appearances on Garrison Keillor’s popular A Prairie Home Companion on NPR, including time as the show’s band leader.
In Iowa, Dave has been an Iowa Arts Council artist in residence in the schools. He has appeared on recordings by Garrison Keillor, Greg Brown, and many others.
His songs have been recorded by Lowen & Navarro, Larry Penn, Greg Brown, and even more others.
While Dave grew up in Cedar Rapids, lives now in Iowa City, his father lived in Mount Vernon.
TICKETS:
$15 General admission, $50 Patrons, $5 Students, available at the event or before via http://davemoore.bpt.me.
Eddie Piccard and the Busch Brothers take to the Uptown Theatre stage on Friday, November 10th @ 7:30pm with their show “Meet Me In New Orleans”.
Jazz has been called “the truly American art form.” Growing out of the rhythms and cultures of New Orleans it has spread over the world, bringing joy to listeners on many continents, in many cities. And here in eastern Iowa we have our own jazz legend—Eddie Piccard. Eddie and his band will be performing in Mount Vernon on November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Uptown Theater in the First Street Community Center. The program—Meet Me in New Orleans— will include many Dixieland favorites. Eddie has always loved Dixieland music. He started out on the trombone and became familiar with New Orleans jazz early in his career.
Eddie Piccard grew up in eastern Iowa, and began playing music on his grandmother’s piano. He left for larger venues in Chicago, Florida and on the west coast. But he came back to Iowa in the 1980s and has become a jazz icon in eastern Iowa since returning to his home state. Iowans remember fondly the jazz club Eddie and his wife Dallis opened on Mount Vernon Road in the 1990s. But Iowans weren’t the only ones to frequent Eddie’s place. Travelers from other states came to this club for the chic décor and the unforgettable nights of music. Jazz musicians stopped by, too, after finishing up a gig in the area. The club was forced to close because of road widening. Eddie now plays regularly all over eastern Iowa, as well as in the Chicago area and the Twin Cities.
Eddie and the musicians play hot traditional favorites, classic Dixieland, and cool Latin tunes. The group features Eddie on piano and vocals, Tim Crumley on drums, Rich Martin on vibes, and Dave Richter on bass. This year the group will be joined by the Busch Brothers, popular Dixieland instrumentalists from Wisconsin. “We all love playing in Mount Vernon,” Eddie says. “And this group always brings full energy to the stage.”
More Info
Rich Martin’s career began in college where he was a drummer and a vibist. He took an extended break from performing to teach at Cornell College. But the music called him back and he began sitting in with Eddie’s trio fifteen years ago, while still teaching. He is now a full-time member of the group.
Dave Richter comes from Dubuque to perform in Meet Me in New Orleans. He is well-known in northeast Iowa as an accomplished guitarist, bassist, and banjo player. He performs in Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Chicago area.
Tim Crumley performs frequently with the Eddie Piccard Jazz Quartet, as well as a number of regional ensembles, including Ashanti, The Rusty Johnson Group, and the John Shultz Trio. Tim is a lyrical and sensitive drummer who is always engaged and engaging.
TICKETS: $15 and can be purchased at Bauman’s Clothing Store.
Patrons are welcome to bring a favorite beverage and purchase a Community Center cup.
After a well deserved “vacation” the Mount Vernon Farmer’s Market is re-opening this Saturday inside the Gymnasium of the First Street Community Center.
WHEN:
Most every Saturday 10am – 12pm in the First Street Community Center Gymnasium. They will take time off for holidays and we will try to have this information in our events calendar.
Bring your kids, your friends, and a stray neighbor or two! We have a variety of vendors and a plethora of delicious items from which to choose. Stock the cupboards and fill the pantry, it is time for the Mt. Vernon Winter Farmers Market!
Farm eggs, fresh roasted coffee and coffee beans, apples, wines, pork and lamb, and an abundance of delicious, seasonal produce! Everything at our market is produced and raised here in Iowa, by the vendor selling directly to you! We are proud to be local!
If you have any questions, please contact Mount Vernon Farmers’ Market Managers: Danielle Martin or Laura Strabala at (319) 310-4145 or [email protected].
Be sure to stop inside the First Street Community Center to check out all the fantastic shops as well!
