The Ideal Theater and Bar brings R&B Nights to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — In the words of R&B superstar Usher, you can “dance and fall in love on a slow jam” at Cedar Rapids R&B Nights at The Ideal Theater and Bar in NewBo.

The monthly events are a reason to dress up, enjoy cocktails and dance the night away to Usher, Mariah Carey and other R&B artists in a historic theater transformed into a classy cocktail lounge and intimate live entertainment venue.

Ideal owner Kenyon Thorp described R&B Nights as an “era” in Cedar Rapids entertainment that kicked off in August 2023. Cedar Rapids-based rapper and DJ, Tone Chalmers, approached Thorp with the idea after going to R&B Nights in Atlanta and Phoenix.

“If there’s things that you like to see when you go out of town, why aren’t we doing that here?” Chalmers said in an interview with The Gazette.

Thorp’s vision for the venue is to introduce Iowans to a variety of genres, musical styles and cultures. When Chalmers pitched R&B Nights, it was the end of the summer. Thorp said that is a tricky time for an indoor venue in the Midwest, since there’s a limited amount of time to enjoy warm weather.

“I was really looking for fresh ideas ... and to also introduce the venue to maybe a new market that I hadn’t even touched on yet,” Thorp said. “And one of them was the R&B market.”

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Chalmers posted to social media asking his followers what they thought of the idea.

“And it went locally viral ... tons of shares, tons of likes, like these people were waiting for someone to say this and someone to do it,” Chalmers said.

Those likes, comments and shares turned into in-person attendance that jam-packed The Ideal during the first event.

“The stars aligned for this to happen the way it did and the first night was huge, like wildly successful. It could have been ... a one-off thing,” Chalmers said. “But it was like, OK, they want this even more than what I wanted from it. We have to continue to do this, and we’ve been doing it monthly since.”

Shawniece Quillin of Cedar Rapids has been going to R&B Nights since the beginning. She’s grateful to have an event for the older crowd.

“I’m glad that it’s the grown people coming out and we have a nice time,” she said.

Thorp said that in the Midwest, genres like R&B have a negative stereotype. Thorp and Chalmers wanted to create a safe and welcoming space for people to experience something they love — or something they haven’t experienced yet.

“A big part of my vision for The Ideal is introducing people to genres and musical styles and cultures that they have maybe never encountered before, especially living here in Iowa, in the Midwest,” Thorp said. “I think through a little bit of old-fashion entertainment, I think we’re going to get back to each other in a way that’s really important and valuable.”

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What is Rhythm and Blues?

The Ideal Theater and Bar opened in October 2022 in a building that originally housed a silent theater that Czech immigrant Frank Smid opened in 1914. This coincides with the birth of blues music, a genre of music developed by Black musicians inspired by spirituals and Southern gospel.

Genres like gospel, blues and jazz were called “race records” and marketed toward Black Americans. After World War II, the label “race records” was replaced by “rhythm and blues” or “R&B.” Many genres have sprouted from the blues music tree, like rock ’n’ roll, disco, funk, Motown, soul and the modern R&B styles known today.

Classic R&B, inspired by blues and gospel, overlaps with rock ’n’ roll. Think Fats Domino and James Brown to Aretha Franklin and Al Green. Contemporary R&B is smoother, sexier and may incorporate hip-hop styles. Big contemporary R&B artists are Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey.

“When I grew up, I used to listen to the songs that my mother grew up listening to,” regular R&B nights attendee and musical artist Madi Bloc Bay said of the genre. “And it was all about love.”

Despite R&B’s massive influence, Chalmers said he’s had to educate Iowans on what it is. And he’s happy to do it.

“I’m in Rotary Club and I went to another club where I spoke about R&B Nights and they didn’t even know what the genre was. That’s crazy for me. ... I was definitely raised to R&B music,” Chalmers said. “So it’s really exciting to introduce people to a new genre and ... giving them new favorite songs, giving them new moments and memories. I feel like that’s what the DJ’s job is — to create an atmosphere and environment and a moment and memory that will last forever for the listeners.”

“R&B culture is amazing, it’s fun, it’s energetic, it’s infectious,” Cedar Rapids resident Natoya Cole told The Gazette at R&B Nights on Feb. 14.

That night, Chalmers played a bit of everything from the iconic “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey to slower jams like Deborah Cox’s “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here.” Attendees said the event’s vibe is “sexy.” Hit the dance floor and you’ll be in good company.

“It’s more of a sensual vibe,” Kelly Murphy of Coralville said of the dance floor. “Because you have a lot of the very close dancing, everybody’s really feeling the music.”

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‘We do it right here’

R&B Nights are engaging and interactive, not casual bar entertainment you can passively experience. Plus, it’s the only event at The Ideal with a dress code.

“We talked about how we wanted the event to feel, and part of that was feeling good and feeling like your outfit is fly and attractive,” Thorp said.

Show up dressed up and get in for a $10 cover. Wear a ball cap, hoodie or blue jeans and entry will cost $20.

“We really do it right here, which is a surprise for me because you would imagine in the major cities it would be a lot bigger,” Chalmers said. “But here, not only do we pack the place, but we get the audience participating. They’re singing along, they fill the dance floor and some ... (will) sing their hearts out from the back of the venue, sitting in their seat and you can hear every last voice.”

R&B Nights take place the first Friday of the month. Find updated event information at The Ideal Theater and Bar Facebook page.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com