John Manning, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Iowa School of Music, conducts the University of Iowa Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble perform during a holiday concert on the Old Capitol steps in Iowa City on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. The tradition of performing holiday tuba music on the Pentacrest began in the 1970s, when now-associate professor emeritus Bob Yates brought the ensemble outdoors. Manning has been conducting the group for the last twelve years. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette) — John Manning, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Iowa School of Music, conducts the University of Iowa Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble perform during a holiday concert on the Old Capitol steps in Iowa City on Dec. 9, 2016. The tradition of performing holiday tuba music on the Pentacrest began in the 1970s, when now-associate professor emeritus Bob Yates brought the ensemble outdoors. Manning has been conducting the group for the last twelve years. (The Gazette)

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Songs of the season soon will be floating on air in Eastern Iowa. Here’s a look at what’s in store. If you don’t seen your concert here, please add it to the Event tab at HooplaNow.com

Nov. 27, 2024

Steve Shriver’s Second Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Dueling Piano Party: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 27, Olympic South Side Theater, 1202 Third St. SE, Suite 200, Cedar Rapids. Spend Thanksgiving Eve dancing, singing and enjoying a few drinks with your friends while listening to Dueling Pianos. Tickets: $25 reserved seat at a table; $100 table of four; $250 table of 10; theolympiccr.com/events/dueling-pianos-1

Nov. 29, 2024

Thankful Dead — A Thanksgiving Celebration with Winterland: 8 p.m. Nov. 29, Ideal Theater, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. All-ages show by Grateful Dead cover band; doors open 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 advance; $20 show day; free under age 10; theidealtheaterandbar.com/show-calendar

Nov. 30, 2024

A Johnny & June County Christmas: 7 p.m. Nov. 30, Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 E. Platt St., Maquoketa. Featuring Bennie Wheels and Lori Gravel with the music of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Tickets: $25 adults, $15 ages 18 and under in advance; $28 adults, $18 ages 18 and under at the door; ohnwardfineartscenter.com

Dec. 1, 2024

A Swingin’ Christmas: 2 p.m. Dec. 1, Amana Performing Arts Center, 39 38th Ave., Amana. Featuring The Rod Pierson Big Band and Craig Boche, with guest appearances by Justin Roberts from KCRG-TV9 on the keys and vocalist Deb Kennedy of presenting group TKM Theatrical Productions. Tickets: $25; for group rates email deborahkennedy@live.com or call (319) 899-3799; details: tkmtheatricalproductions.com/courses

The Great Bluegrass Herons & Friends Acoustic Christmas Program: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Farmers Mercantile Hall, 100 W. Main St., Garrison. Performers include The Great Bluegrass Herons, The Anderegg Family, fiddler Joy Ward, storyteller Meg Merckens and singer Mary Rathje. Admission: $15; children free. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/172610-the-great-bluegrass-herons-friends-acoustic-christmas-program-farmers-mercantile-hall

Mount Mercy University’s Winter Concert: 2:30 to 4 p.m. Dec. 1, Prairie High School Auditorium, 401 76th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. Featuring Mount Mercy’s University Band, University Choir, and new University Strings ensemble; free; mtmercy.edu/news-events/events/2024/12/winter-concert

Holiday Steel: 3 p.m. Dec. 1, The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Caribbean-flavored celebration of the holiday season with Des Moines’ premier steel band, Tropical Steel. Features unique versions of traditional Christmas carols, favorite holiday tunes from various cultures, and songs of celebration and peace. Tickets: $22 adults, $11 students; thejamesic.com/

Dec. 4, 2024

Cornell College: Handel’s “Messiah”: 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4, Mount Vernon High School Performing Arts Center, 731 Palisades Rd. SW, Mount Vernon. Cornell’s combined Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra present the Christmas portion of “Messiah,” including the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Free admission. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/170630-cornell-college-presents-handel-s-messiah-mount-vernon-high-school

Dec. 4 to 18, 2024

Lunch in the Loft: Music for the Seasons: Noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18, First Lutheran Church, 1000 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Free midday concerts featuring Cedar Rapids community organists and musicians; seating in the choir loft or main level; bring your lunch, coffee, water and cookies provided. Dec. 4: Robin Wagner, organist, St. Andrew Lutheran. Dec. 11: Jacob Sprengeler, organist, Concordia Lutheran. Dec. 18: Brett and Marita Wolgast, music staff, First Lutheran Church. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/172265-lunch-in-the-loft-concert-series-first-lutheran-church

Dec. 5 to 8, 2024

Christmas at Luther: Dec. 5 to 8, Center for Faith and Life Main Hall, Luther College, 700 Luther Dr., Decorah; plus unlimited livestream tickets for Dec. 8. Theme: “Seeking Refuge for a Weary World,” performed by multiple Luther choirs, Luther College Symphony Orchestra and a student jazz combo. Times: 5:45 p.m. Dec. 5; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Tickets and details: luther.edu/music/christmas-at-luther

Dec. 6 to 8, 2024

A Christmas Pajama Party Concert: Dec. 6 to 8, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Music and stories from Rich Heritage of Cedar Rapids Theatre. Times: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7; 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Tickets: $25, cspshall.org/rhcr-christmas

Dec. 7, 2024

Joy to the World: Dec. 7, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. 3 to 4:30 p.m., Candlelight Yoga with Marsha Nieland and live music by Jonny Lipford, register for yoga $30 at marshanieland.com; 5 to 7 p.m., art show by six local artists. Free admission; cspshall.org/joy-to-the-world

Dec. 8, 2024

Winter@Coe: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Sinclair Auditorium, Coe College, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Coe College music ensembles perform contemporary music and holiday favorites; free; coe.edu/why-coe/events/calendar/detail/18346/wintercoe

Christmas in Faith: 3 p.m. Dec. 8, FaithLife Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave., Marion. Organist Barbara Ritchie, vocalists and instrumentalists share new and familiar Christmas tunes; family friendly; free admission; reception follows. opus695.org

Go Tell it on the Mountain, a handbell Christmas concert: 4 p.m. Dec. 8, Marion Methodist, 5050 REC Dr., Marion. Performances by A Joyful Noise, Jubilation, Bell Canto, and Touch of Brass. Admission: A non-perishable food item to benefit the Marion Food Pantry. Stay for a soup supper served by the Marion Methodist Men. Details: marionmethodist.org/events/Events; also livestreaming at MarionMethodist.org/Watch-Live

Maddie Poppe: Tis the Season: 7 p.m. Dec. 8, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Seasonal sounds from Clarksville native Maddie Poppe, who rose to stardom after winning Season 16 of “American Idol.” Tickets: $33.50 to $43.50; creventslive.com/events/2024/maddie-poppe-tis-the-season

Cabaret chanteuse Lynne Rothrock will wrap a big, bright bow around a seasonal mix of toe-tapping, hand-clapping, nostalgic and sentimental sounds, with just a touch of comedy, from Dec. 12 to 14, 2024, at the Opus Concert Cafe in downtown Cedar Rapids. (Alisabeth Von Presley/TINT)

Dec. 8 and 10, 2024

Christmas with Chorale Midwest: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; Christ Episcopal Church, 220 40th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Continues season theme of “Love, Joy, and Peace Through Song,” with favorites, a few new arrangements, and some new pieces — all to celebrate the holidays. Tickets: $23; choralemidwest.org/

Dec. 12, 2024

A Carol Christmas: 7 p.m. Dec. 12, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Featuring Carol Montag and guests. Tickets: $30 advance, $34 door, $180 VIP table for four; cspshall.org/a-carol-christmas

Dec. 12 to 14, 2024

Lynne Rothrock: Christmas with Lynne: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 to 14, Opus Concert Cafe, 119 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Holiday music from Lynne Rothrock and her merry band of musicians runs the gamut from toe-tapping and hand-clapping to nostalgic and sentimental, with just a touch of comedy. Tickets: $32; artsiowa.com/tickets/concerts/lynne-rothrock-christmas/

Fever’s Candlelight: Christmas Special: 8:45 p.m. Dec. 12, The Midnight Gem, 2613 Ders Dr. NW, Swisher. Music from “The Nutcracker,“ classical and traditional holiday favorites. Tickets: $32 to $55; themidnightgem.com/ See link for other concerts in Iowa City and Waterloo.

Dec. 13, 2024

Holiday Tubas: 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13, front steps, Old Capitol Building, University of Iowa, 21 N. Clinton St., Iowa City. Wrap up for the weather and gather outdoors to hear holiday sounds. https://sites.google.com/view/iowatubaeuph/

Alisabeth Von Presley: Christmas in the Key of A: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Family-friendly event with favorite holiday songs, comedy sketches, outrageous outfits, guest stars and choreography. Tickets: $30 to $60; creventslive.com/events/2024/avpchristmas

The Pentacrest is reflected in a tuba on Dec. 8, 2023, at The Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa. Around 100 members of the community came out to the Old Capital Museum for the annual Holiday Tuba performance. (The Gazette)

Dec. 13 to 15, 2024

The Madrigal: A Winter Revel: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 to 15, The James Theater, 213 N. Linn St., Iowa City. Elegant and immersive dinner theater experience. Diners will be transported to 16th century England, with singing and instrumental music, dance and conversation. Tickets: $95; thejamesic.com/

Dec. 14, 2024

Christmas Music Extravaganza: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 14, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; free. Christmas music presented by metro-area United Methodist Churches, including a mass choir selection.

Low brass players from around Easter Iowa fill the Cedar Rapids Public Library's downtown lobby with the sounds of the season in December 2023. This year's free Merry TubaChristmas concert will be held there Dec. 14, 2024. (Cedar Rapids Area Merry TubaChistmas)

Merry TubaChristmas: 3 p.m. Dec. 14, Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Holiday sounds from Eastern Iowa low brass players. Free admission. How to participate: crtubachristmas.com/

University of Iowa Holiday Percussion Pops: 3 p.m. Dec. 14, Concert Hall, Voxman Music Building, 93 E. Burlington St., Iowa City. Free admission; livestreaming at music.uiowa.edu/events/school-music-livestream

Amy Friedl's Christmas at the Paramount: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Mixing traditional Christmas songs with contemporary holiday favorites, featuring a six-piece band led by Luke Viertel, and guests from the Mount Vernon Swingin’ Stangs Jazz Band. Tickets: $39 to $59; creventslive.com/events/2024/amyfriedl

Eddie Piccard’s Holiday Dinner Show: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Ideal Theater and Bar, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Catered dinner with classic jazz. $30 to $40; sales end Dec. 9; theidealtheaterandbar.com/show-calendar

Dec. 14 and 15, 2024

Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale: Handel’s “Messiah,” Part One: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 15; First Lutheran Church, 1000 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Features Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, guest soloists, First Lutheran choir and sing-along option (bring your own score). Tickets: $18 advance; $23 door; students free with ID; crchorale.org/the-messiah-133251.html

Dec. 18, 2024

Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O: 7 p.m. Dec. 18, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. New York-based drummer, named 2018 Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 door; cspshall.org/christmas-tree-o

Dec. 19 to 21, 2024

Christmas with Jim McDonough: The Solo Piano Experience: Feel the nostalgia of gathering around the piano to share in our favorite holiday songs and treasured memories. Mount Vernon: Dec. 19, 7 p.m.., Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center, 731 Palisades Rd. SW; $30 to $42. DeWitt: Dec. 20, 7 p.m. Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center, 519 E. 11th St..; $27. Elkader: Dec. 21, 2 p.m. Elkader Opera House, 207 N. Main St.; $35 advance, $40 door; pianofavorites.com/shows

Dec. 20, 2024

Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas: 7 p.m. Dec. 20, Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. Intimate performance of music and dance, blending the soulful voice of the violin with the songs of Christmas, performed by the former first violinist of the Boston String Quartet. Tickets: $19.80 to $47; coralvillearts.org/

Chamber Singers of Iowa City: Holiday Voices: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Congregational Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton St., Iowa City. Hear a blend of traditional favorites, sing-alongs and seasonal readings. Tickets: $20; free for full-time students; icchambersingers.org/concerts/holiday-voices

Reggae Christmas: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Ideal Theater, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. With Baby J & The Golden Street Band. Tickets: $10 advance; $15 show day; facebook.com/idealtheaterandbar

Dec. 20 to 22, 2024

Music Director Timothy Hankewich greets the audience at the start of Orchestra Iowa's 2015 Holiday Spectacular at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids. Hankewich and company will be busy this season, presenting Handel's "Messiah" on Nov. 20 and 21, 2021; followed by Holiday Spectacular from Dec. 3 to 5; Brass and Organ Holiday Concert on Dec. 14; and the Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 18. (The Gazette) — Music Director Timothy Hankewich greets the audience at the start of Orchestra Iowa's 2015 Holiday Spectacular at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids. (The Gazette)

Orchestra Iowa Holiday Spectacular: Dec. 20 to 22, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Merry holiday melodies, featuring Orchestra Iowa, tenor Ben Gulley and Orchestra Iowa Holiday Chorus. Times: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21; 2 p.m. Dec. 22. Tickets: $32 to $68; creventslive.com/events/2024/holiday-spectacular

The Naughty List: A Crooked Path Holiday Cabaret: Dec. 20 to 22, The James Theater, 123 N. Linn St., Iowa City. Crooked Path will spike your eggnog with music, laughter and general nonsense. Times: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21; 2 p.m. Dec. 22. Tickets: $27 adults, $10 students; thejamesic.com/

Dec. 21, 2024

Irish Christmas Ceili: 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 21, Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. A Winter Solstice Celebration from Champagne Academy of Irish Dance and Tara McGovern, with dance, music and holiday fun. Tickets: $23; coralvillearts.org/

Iowa Dance Festival: Holiday Edition: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Space Place Theater, 20 Davenport St., Iowa City. Performers will share choreography in a range of styles. Tickets: $10 adults; free ages 12 and under; iowadancefestival.org/

Dec. 21 and 22, 2024

Christmas Carols: Celebration & Contemplation: Vocal Artists of Iowa. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Voxman Concert Hall, 93 E. Burlington St., Iowa City; 3 p.m. Dec. 22, First Lutheran Church, 1000 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. facebook.com/VocalArtistsofIowa

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com

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