Kicking off a series of monthly kids puppet shows, Balderdash Ditty will be performing FREE for kids on Saturday December 17th, there will be 2 shows: 10:30am and 11:30am in the Uptown Theatre. Come join the fun!
The shows will feature performances by Balderdash Ditty, which is composed of Mount Vernon residents Dale Beeks, Kim Benesh, Braden Rood and Emily Beeks.
The presentation will be interactive, based on a theme, with music and puppets for children accompanied by an adult.
This series of shows will be performed on the third Saturday of each month through April. There will be two performances each day, at 10:30 and 11:30 am.
Dates of upcoming shows are Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18, and April 15.
The First Street Community Center’s Uptown Theatre is proud to be hosting a wonderful musical performer, Amy Stoner on Friday, December 9th @ 7:30pm.
We invite you to join cabaret chanteuse Amy Friedl Stoner for an evening of holiday music and laughter.
Mixing traditional Christmas songs with contemporary holiday tunes, Amy and her band will remind you of your favorite songs and introduce you to new ones.
For the performance in the Uptown Theatre this evening Amy is thrilled to be joined by Cameron Sullenberger, Luke Viertel, John Hall & Tim Crumley.
The Uptown Theatre with it’s intimate layout almost erases the separation of stage and audience to let you really feel the performance and not just watch it from a distance.
Get your tickets early before this popular event sells out!
The holidays are quickly approaching, and the First Street Community Center with the Old School Shops in Mount Vernon are already decking the halls for the city’s Magical Night celebration Thursday, December 1st, 2016.
Magical Night festivities will begin at the First Street Community Center – at 5:00 pm Santa will “flip the switch” to light up the historic building.
This year marks the sixth anniversary of the First Street Community Center, owned by Rick and Trude Elliott of Mount Vernon. The building was originally the town’s high school, then its middle school. Now it is home to more than 12 local businesses and the First Street Community Center amenities which include a gymnasium, theater and meeting spaces, are available for the public to rent.
Schedule of Activities at the First Street Community Center:
5:00 pm Help Santa light up the First Street Community Center building
5:00 to 8:00 pm
Cookie Decorating, sponsored by Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation
5:00 to 8:00 pm
Business Open House, visit local businesses, enjoy live music, snacks and begin your holiday shopping
5:00 to 8:00 pm
Arts Fest – “Snowflake Chandelier” presented by Stan Crocker & Mount Vernon Schools
6:30, 7:00 and 7:30 pm: “Holiday Tidings” from Dance Arts Iowa @ Uptown Theatre
Young Ballerinas excited about their performance in Nutcracker -Magical Night – 2012
Ballerinas in the Living Window Magical Night – 2012
For more information:
Contact Trude Elliott about Magical Night activities at the First Street Community Center via phone at: (319) 558-9202 or email at: [email protected]
Did you know this?
Magical Night activities will take place throughout uptown Mount Vernon.
Go to www.VisitMVL.com for a complete list of events.
Eddie Piccard will once again be serving up “All That Jazz” at the First Street Community Center on Saturday November 19 at 7:00 p.m.
For each Mount Vernon appearance Eddie offers a special highlight, and this year’s performance will offer “Music of New Orleans.”
“My first instrument was a trombone,” Piccard said. “And one of my heroes is the Texas trombone player, Jack Teagarden. It is always a kick to play piano with Dixie groups. The contrapuntal effects of group improvisation add excitement to the music.”
The first part of this year’s program will feature the Eddie Piccard Quintet. This group plays hot traditional favorites and cool Shearing melodies, as well as warm Latin tunes. Eddie will be on piano and vocals, Craig Dove on bass, Jon Wilson on drums, Rich Martin on vibes, and Dave Richter on guitar.
For the Dixieland part of the program the quintet will be joined by the Busch Brothers – Marty on trombone, Larry on trumpet, and Luke on clarinet.
“We really like playing for the audience at the Community Center,” Eddie said. “And this group will have a swinging, toe-tapping sound that people will really enjoy.”
Eddie Piccard grew up in eastern Iowa, and began playing music at an early age. 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. People still talk about the jazz club he and his wife Dallis opened on Mount Vernon Road in the 1990s. Patrons remember a sophisticated spot that offered unforgettable nights of music. Eddie now plays regularly in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area, as well as in the Chicago area and the Twin Cities.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Bauman’s Clothing Store or at the performance. You can call (319) 895-8692 for more information.
As with most performances at the First Street Community Center, patrons are welcome to bring a favorite beverage and purchase a Community Center cup.
Performers
Eddie Piccard has been a professional musician and a jazz artist since he left college. Before coming home to Cedar Rapids, he had extensive experience in the jazz world playing in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and San Francisco, sometimes opposite such musicians as George Shearing and Ramsey Lewis. As Piccard fans know, Eddie both plays and sings in a wide variety of styles.
Jon Wilson, talented musician and percussion educator, has performed and recorded with many original bands including Jake Kaligis and Driver. A much sought-after drummer since moving to Cedar Rapids in 2000, he has continued to work in several musical genres and plays regularly with Eddie Piccard.
Craig Dove plays piano, upright and electric bass, guitar and is an accomplished vocalist. He has performed throughout the U.S. and in London. He has recorded solo and with a variety of musicians. Craig is also the Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
Rich Martin got his first taste of jazz as a boy hearing Gene Krupa in Sing, Sing, Sing. He grew up surrounded by music and was able to see some of the greatest performers of the time, who remain his idols. Rich has been known to levitate when a tune starts to swing.
Dave Richter comes from Dubuque to perform in All That Jazz. He is well-known in northeast Iowa as an accomplished guitarist, bassist, and banjo player. He performs in Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Chicago area.
Larry Busch is a veteran of the Guy Lombardo, Wayne King, and the Al Pierson Orchestras. He has been leading his own big band for many years and is currently the leader of the Dixieland Allstars.
Marty Busch, a trombonist, has toured with Al Cobine, Johnny Mathis, Dick Jurgens, The American Vintage Orchestra, and the Larry Busch Big Band.
Luke Busch has played with the Dixieland Allstars, the Mad City Funk, and his own SKA band.
This concert is made possible by: Burke Investments – Fred Burke
