march shows in central iowa

grinnell / the picador / the mill / mshop / vaudeville mews / ames progressive


and here are some march shows. it's just the combined calendars of the 5 venues listed above. mostly indie rock bands and local acts.

click on the venue name above to find out more about the shows and bands listed for example, the mews site has prices, links to artist websites and vids posted. check out the mill's calendar for more events not listed here, misc events and so on.

highlights include: fruit bats, a sunny day in glasgow, vivian girls, haiti relief fundraiser and the mission creek festival launch (xiuxiu at the end of the month and david bazan on apr01)

Mar 2 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Hearth, Bisonhearts, Pink Kodiak, Julie Hallman

Tue 03.02 9PM
TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL CLUB
w. Dr. Manhattan, Bald Eagle Refugees, Happy Chromosomes PLUS, JUST ADDED: midnite set by mandlebrot & 'skyy (members of Drip House and Rene Hell)!!
Dr. Manhattan returns with their rowdy rock antics. Awesome pop weirdos Bald Eagle Refugees support alongside Cedar Rapids freewheeling indie popsters the Happy Chromosomes. The pop will come to an end with a much-anticipated midnite set by mandlebrot & 'skyy at midnite / FREE

Wed, Mar 3rd 5:30 pm
Toki Wright, Omaur Bliss, Haziq Ali, Maxilla Blue

Wed, Mar 3rd 9:30 pm
Summer Camp: On The Road 2010 

Wed 03.03 9PM
The Nadas
Beloved native Des Moines folk rock group and Authentic Records recording artists, The Nadas, have sold hundreds of thousands of albums, toured along thousands of miles of highway (in Meatloaf's old tour bus, no less), and were named Playboy Magazine's "Best College Band You've Never Heard Of".
$12 / $15 Day of Show

Mar 4, 2010 8:00 PM (Doors open at 7:30pm)
The Nadas
$10 ISU Students - $15 Public - $2 Day-of-show increase (Rock/Folk Rock/ Country)

Thu, Mar 4th 7:30 pm
A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Wolves In The Attic, Asteroid Marian

Fri 03.05 9pm
Rock Art
For years the Writers' Workshop has parked itself at the Mil for the Talk Art reading series wherein poets and fiction writers share their latest work. Now, the writers dust off their guitars and sing rather speak. Introducing: Rock Art, the new showcase of local writers who also play music. 9PM / $6

Mar 5 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Fortnight, The Atudes, Bombardier, Sons & Heirs

Fri, Mar 5th 5:00 pm
An Airbag Saved My Life, Tyborn Jig, Land of Blood and Sunshine, Nightingales

Fri, Mar 5th 9:30 pm
The Heligoats, Mother Culture, Callen's Mudmen, The Huxley Maxwell Exit

Mar 6 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
The Heligoats, the Poison Control Center, Sarazin Blake, Dot Coma

Sat, Mar 6th 5:00 pm
Icarus Himself, Wet Chemistry, Laarks, So Much Fun, The Good Ole Fashion

Sat, Mar 6th 9:30 pm
Cornmeal, Snafu, Panic Pixel

Sat 03.06 9pm
Dave Zollo and the Body Electric w. Sad Iron Music
Singer songwriter, blues keyboard king, and local treasure Dave Zollo returns to the Mill with his legendary group the Body Electric. As the horse pulling the Trailer records carriage, Zollo has recorded with and backed up many greats Will Whitmore, Greg Brown, Todd Snider, Joe Price, The Pines and many (perhaps countless?) others. If you haven't seen Dave perform before you should, because he's the real deal. 9PM / $7

Sun, Mar 7th 5:30 pm
Fortnight, Ely Falls, Why Make Clocks

Mar 7, 2010 7:00 PM ~ 11:45 PM (Doors open at 6:30pm)
Haiti Relief Show
w/ Keno, Lancelot, Bombardier
$5 General Admission All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. There will also be free-will donations available. This event is sponsored by The M-Shop, Student Union Board Awareness, Mu Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Inc, Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc, and Omicron Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta Inc.

Mar 8 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
William Blackart, Adam Faucett, Longshadowmen

Mon, Mar 8th 5:00 pm
We All Have Hooks For Hands, One For The Team, These Stains Is Us, Pink Kodiak, Let's Be Friends!

Mon, Mar 8th 9:30 pm
Trey Lane, Killuminati Klick, Population Control

Mar 8, 2010 8:00 PM (Doors open at 7:30)
Howie Day (acoustic) w/ Mikey Wax
16 Students +$2 Day-Of-Show Increase -- $20 Public
Ames, IA- Best known for his hit song “Collide” which was featured on TV shows including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scrubs,” Howie Day will be performing acoustically at Iowa State’s Maintenance Shop on Monday, March 8th. After taking a short break from music after his second album, Day finally released a third album entitled “Sound the Alarm” in 2009 which he is currently out on tour promoting. Alternativeaddiction.com says, “The best comparison you can really throw down what this album is sonically… it’s like a Lisa Loeb/Natalie Imbruglia record from the 90’s sung by a dude. There’s that kind of quality song writing to what’s on this record and that type of instrumentation to it too.

Tue 03.09 9pm
TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL CLUB
w. Brooks Strause, Monadnoc, Light Pollution
Brooks Strause's eerie Americana sound is as chilling as it is inescapable. This up and coming Iowan folk crooner has been making a name for himself, whether it's with his captivating solo shows or through his rustic and energetic live sets. Beat-inspired storyteller and mood-setter Monadnoc returns to the Mill with the release of his new album Olive Oil and Indian Blood. 9PM / FREE

Mar 9 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Univox, Land of Blood and Sunshine

Tue, Mar 9th 5:00 pm
Ali Harter, Longshawdowmen, The Key Party, Cahalen Morrison, Josh Sinclair (of Hollywood Burnout)

Mar 10 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Light Pollution, Why Make Clocks

Wed, Mar 10th 5:00 pm
Light Pollution, Seedlings, Pogo Force Five, Gabe Cordova, Jet Citi

Wed, Mar 10th 9:30 pm
Louis Logic, Type, Young Drew, Bru'tal w/DJ Richie Daggers

Wed 03.10 7pm - 10pm
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band
The house band will include members such as Al Murphy, Bob Black, Dale Thomas, Joe Petersen, and Aleta "the Hammer" Murphy and other IC Bluegrass giants. 7PM - 10PM / $5

Mar 11 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
The Hollands!, Strong Like Bear, Jimmy Hobbs

Thu, Mar 11th 5:00 pm
Flashbulb Fires, Ely Falls, Modern Day Satire, Tyke

Thu, Mar 11th 9:30 pm
Mondo Drag, The Jitz, Wolves In The Attic

Thu 03.11 9pm
Via Audio
w. Pattern Is Movement, Oh Kuso
Via Audio are purveyors of sparkling indie pop. Ecstatic beats, bubbling synths, and chiming guitars -- they've got it all. Hailing from Brooklyn via Boston the band is on tour behind their new, energetic record Animalore (produced by Jim Eno of Spoon.) Via Audio's tourmates, Pattern Is Movement is a very engaging duo. Their setup includes a drum kit and a stockpile of awesome keyboards; their sound is an interesting collision of math-rock influences and pop music flourishes. 9PM / $8

Friday, March 12 Doors at 9pm
Bible of the Devil with Bloodcow & Snow Demon
Price: $6 / Ages: 19+

Fri 03.12 9pm
Ed Gray
w. John Bellows
Ed Gray is a singer songwriter and wildly inventive improv musician. Known nation wide for his critically acclaimed LP's such as "Fall Song", "Fresh Coat on The Powder Keg", and 2007's collaboration with Simon Joyner "The Late Gray Ed Great". As well as a wealth of self released cassettes from the 80's and 90's. 9PM/$6

Fri, Mar 12th 5:00 pm
Pain Of Evolution, Hallowed Hysteria, Doomsday Crush, Chasing Silence

Fri, Mar 12th 9:30 pm
Spirits of the Red City, Me and My Arrow, Longshadowmen, We Are Ourselves

Mar 13th
Vivian Girls w/Male Bonding

Mar 13 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Spirits of the Red City, Johnny Anderson

Sat 03.13 9pm
Shame Train
w. The Woes, The Lonelyhearts
Shame Train are in fine form these days. With their three-guitar attack they are one of Iowa City's best country-rock n' roll bands. Hailing for New York City, The Woes boast a sound that pulls from a handful of musical threads -- the blues, bluegrass, creole, country, rock -- but stands up with its own distinctive charm. The Lonelyhearts are pure sadness and modern folk misery: big acoustic guitar chords, lyrics like obituaries, and sad organs to carry you home. This is whiskey music, it's party music, it's dancing with your partner music, and it's definitely staying out late music. Brown juice, WHAT?! 9PM / $6

Sat, Mar 13th 5:30 pm
Hanwell, Ely Falls, Patrick Fleming (of Poison Control Center)

Sat, Mar 13th 9:30 pm
Slaughterhouse Rootz, Lickety Splitt, Bombardier

Mar 14, 2010 8:00 PM (Doors open at 7:30 PM)
Bowerbirds w/ Why Make Clocks
$8 Students - $10 Public - $2 Day-of-show increase
(Acoustic/Americana)

Sun, Mar 14th 5:30 pm
Township, Superchief, Rag n Bones

Sun, Mar 14th 9:30 pm
Metavari, Husband&Wife, Rhonda Is a Dead Bitch

Mar 15 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Good Morning Midnight, Modern Day Satire

Mar 15th
Bowerbirds

Mon, Mar 15th 7:30 pm
Junius, Battlefields, Taciturn, Skin of Earth, Blutiger Fluss

Tue, Mar 16th 5:00 pm
Good Morning Midnight, Kiernan McMullan, Modern Day Satire, Sons&Heirs, Gabe Cordova

Tue, Mar 16th 9:30 pm
Miggs, Decoy, Ryan Knorr

Tue 03.16 9pm
Pretty Things Peepshow
A vaudeville style burlesque sideshow. Their stellar cast is made up of North America’s finest talent, which includes world famous burlesque dancers, pin up models, SuicideGirls Bettina May and go-go Amy. Sexy Sideshow Siren Miss Heather Holliday and The Dapper Dan of Danger Mr. Donny Vomit. These artists have performed both together and separately all over the world. Some of their more notable accomplishments are the Vans Warped Tour, OZZFest (with OZZY Osborne). You may have seen them on stage at the Coney Island “Sideshow by the Seashore” or at Ripley’s Believe It or Not. They have appeared on television on Miami Ink, The Girls Next Door, The Discovery Channel, TLC, VH1 and QVC. They have also been seen in music videos for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, 50 Cent and Probot (Lemmy and Dave Grohl). The Pretty Things Peepshow offers you not only an amazing night of entertainment but also the professionalism that can only come from a cast of seasoned performers.
9PM / $8 advance tix at Iowatix.com & at The Record Collector downtown/ $10 day of show

Wed, Mar 17th 8:00 pm
Pretty Things Peepshow!

Thu, Mar 18th 5:00 pm
Terror at Sea, Made2Falter, Devour The Plague, Black by Dawn, Let's Be Friends!

Thu, Mar 18th 9:30 pm
Coolzey, Raashan Ahmad, Purple Asteroid Cadillac, Bru'tal w/DJ Richie Daggers

Mar 18 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Spelling Bee, Buick McSnake

Thu 03.18 8pm
Trent Wagler & The Steel Wheels
Trent Wagler & the Steel Wheels perform Original Americana Roots Music. Their acoustic music ranges from old time, country folk, infused with elements of gospel, blues, and rock and roll. Trent has been singing since the age of 4. He grew up Mennonite, singing four part harmonies in a family gospel quartet. His musical training since then includes punk rock, jam bands, select university choirs, traditional Arabic music, and his grandfather’s harmonica. The Steel Wheels joined Trent in January of 2005, adding a fresh sound and exciting energy to his songwriting. The Steel Wheels are Brian Dickel on Bass, Eric Brubaker on Fiddle, and Jay Lapp on Mandolin. 8PM / $10

Fri, Mar 19th 8:00 pm
Family Groove Company, Truth Be Told

Fri 03.19 9pm
Leslie & The Ly's
w. Christopher The Conquered
Leslie Hall initally caught the hearts & eyes of America’s children when she began posting images of her world famous gem sweater collection on the interweb. Her stage show is like nothing you have seen before. Complete with video projection & 3-6 costume changes (all lovingly hand sewn by her mother), you can expect to be “beat”dazzled. Leslie’s laserbeam dance moves have been known to cause near blindness in the fans who gather at her shows. You can be sure that gay men will squeal with delight when she tumbles and triumphs never before seen dance moves. If you are lucky, it is possible that a bead of perspiration may ripple down her brow and upon your flesh.
9PM/ tickets: $10 in advance tix at iowatix.com & at The Record Collector downtown/ $12 day of show

Sat, Mar 20th 5:00 pm
OneFate, Shoot The Moon, The Curse of Hail, Terror at Sea

Sat, Mar 20th 9:30 pm
Bright Giant, Teddy Boys

Sat 03.20 9pm
Burning Halos w/ The Sullivan Gang & Justin Alan Cox (of the Bad Fathers)
9PM/ $6

Sun, Mar 21st 5:00 pm
We Are The Willows, Fanny Pruce, The Nutleys, The Most Handsome Duo In The World, Andy Fish

Mar 22 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
We Became Actors, Lonely Cub & Our Friends the Insects

Mon, Mar 22nd 5:00 pm
The Arrogant Bastards, Die Mutts, 6000 Wings & the Bended Bow, Boy Meets World

Tue 03.23 10pm
Tuesday Night Social Club
w. Screens (ex-Apes, ex-The Mall), tba
The Mall was one of the best bands that no one ever heard about. Ripping out insanely dense and rhythmically vicious songs while the boys in HEALTH were still toddlers, the Mall was a glorious and explosive thing to listen to. Emerging from the breakup of that great band comes former Mall member Dan Tierney who has created a new project called Screens. From what we've heard, the rhythmic assault remains though there's a echo-laden ambiance to this music that was absent in the Mall -- should be fun. 10PM LATE SHOW / FREE

Tue, Mar 23rd 5:00 pm
The Goddamn Gallows, Callen's Mudmen, Look Out Loretta, Animal Mothers

Tue, Mar 23rd9:30 pm
Sole and The Skyrider Band, Astronautalis, Ceschi Ramos, Dark Time Sunshine

Wed, Mar 24th 5:00 pm
 Elle Bandita, The Post Op Whores, Foilbiter, Freebase, Muskrats

Wed, Mar 24th 9:30 pm
Michael Miller, Kate and Nate, Morning Sex & The Good Weed, Brent Houzenga

Wednesday, March 24 doors at 9pm
Goes Cube with East of the Wall & Aseethe
ages: 19+

Wed 03.24 6:30PM Doors / 8PM Show
Tyrone Wells
Tyrone Wells has delivered an epic pop/rock album with his second major label effort, Remain. Pursuing a more collaborative process and having added a more lush production to his singer-songwriter roots, the new album proves to be a great showcase for his powerful and emotional voice.
TIX: $12 advance tix at iowatix.com & at The Record Collector downtown/ $14 day of show

Thu, Mar 25th 6:00 pm
E.V.O., Icy K, Tim Evans

Thu, Mar 25th 9:30 pm
Whitewater Ramble

Thu 03.25 9pm
University of Iowa Jazz Performance
This is a classic monthly event at the Mill. Students and Staff from the University Jazz Dept. display their talents on stage with a variety of ensembles representing different genres in the vast jazz form. To see some of the best Latin jazz, classic jazz, bebop, fusion and more stop by this wonderful event. 9PM / $3 for students with ID / $5 for everyone else

Mar 26 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
Br’er, Morning Sex & the Good Weed, Monday Mourners

Fri, Mar 26th 5:00 pm
No Bragging Rights, Affiance, Across The Sun, Anno Domine

Fri, Mar 26th 9:30 pm
The Stereofidelics, The Renegades of Sound, Soapbox Prophets

Fri 03.26 9pm
Fruit Bats
w. Blue Giant
Eric Johnson, the mastermind behind Fruit Bats is one of the best folk rock songwriters of our time. His 2006 record Spelled In Bones was a masterpiece of ethereal folk arrangements and stunning pop songcraft. Johnson and Fruit Bats now return with a new record called The Ruminant Band (on Sub Pop). It was one of 2009's most sublime records. The songs recall the honest grit and ambient textures of Califone and Johnson's melodies are not unlike the soaring and complex vocals of the Shins' James Mercer (which makes sense considering that Johnson is also a member of the Shins). Fruit Bats live shows are as enveloping and hypnotic as the albums. This is a gem, not to be missed. 9PM / $10

Friday, March 26 doors at 9pm
Zoos of Berlin with Child Bites & Local TBA
ages: 19+

Mar 27 2010  8:00P    Ames Progressive Office
The Daredevil Christopher Wright, The New Bodies, Jordan Mayland

Sat, Mar 27th 6:00 pm
H & K, The Honeybees

Sat, Mar 27th 9:30 pm
The Monads, Mr. Baber's Neighbors

Sat 03.27 9pm
Burlington Street Bluegrass Band
A very special early Saturday evening performance of the great Burlington Street Bluegrass Band. The Mill's house band includes all of the greatest bluegrass players in the Iowa City area icluding Al Murphy, Bob Black, Dale Thomas, Joe Petersen, and Aleta "the Hammer" Murphy. Music from 6 til 9PM / $5

Sat 03.27 10pm
Ol' Thrashers Reunion 3
w. HOTT, Liberty Leg, Acoustic Guillotine, The Tercels, Bad Accidents For the third year in a row the quatrogenerians of the old Iowa City punk scene will be getting together to spread mirth, merriment and raise funds for United Action for Youth (a local youth service agency that provides counseling and artistic opportunities to area youth). The Tercels from Wisconsin open with some great acoustic music, Liberty Leg will rattle the roof, Acoustic Guillotine will shatter the foundations with their guitarless heavy metal, Hott will return to the Mill stage to burn things up and Bad Accident will rile the crowd with their righteous brand of Unibomber punk rock! Don't miss this opportunity to give your money to a good cause and hear some great music. 10PM/ $6

Sun, Mar 28th 5:00 pm
Red Pony Clock, Zoos of Berlin, Child Bite, Land of Blood and Sunshine, The Seed of Something

Sun, Mar 28th 9:30 pm
Steve Poltz

Sun 03.28 6pm
Roxi Copland
w. Shannon Curtis & Rae Fehring Jazz/Pop singer/songwriter Roxi Copland makes her debut appearance at the Mill – her unique genre is probably best described in the words of one particularly eloquent reviewer as “a possibly schizophrenic but absolutely brilliant concoction of jazz, pop and soul.” We’re not quite sure if she’s better described as “Norah Jones with bite” or “Amy Winehouse sober.” Copland’s rapidly-growing resume includes opening for a number of prominent national acts, including most recently pop sensation Vanessa Carlton, jazz virtuoso Jason Lindner, and the acapella powerhouse the Manhattan Transfer. Appearing with Copland will be L.A. Singer/songwriter Shannon Curtis (described by the LA times as “...a beautiful piano player who sounds like the love child of Fiona Apple and Norah Jones”) and Rae Fehring, Iowa City’s own phenomenal indie rock artist.
EARLY SHOW: 6PM / $7

Mon, Mar 29th 6:00 pm
Two Tons of Steel, Bob Tyler and The Reckless Hearts

Tue, Mar 30th 6:00 pm
Music in Transit

Tuesday, March 30 doors at 9pm
Mission Creek Festival: Pocahaunted with Sun Araw, Peaking Lights, Rene Hell
ages: 19 +

Tue 03.30 8PM / Show: 9PM SHARP
Mission Creek Festival: KRUI & TNSC Kick-Off Party
w. The Cave Singers, Birds & Batteries, Mondo Drag
Another year, another Mission Creek Festival! It's bound to be a wild week of music, books, and good times. Tuesday Night Social Club and KRUI team up to present the official festival pre-party. This is the best way to kick off the week and get your endurance built up to speed. The wonderful Cave Singers from Seattle, WA headline this show. Their music is all-heart and soul: a fiery folk sound that recalls local hero Will Whitmore but hits with the intensity of Lucero or Centro-matic. Birds & Batteries (from San Francisco) have a sound that mixes elements of California country and spacey dance rock. Also don't forget, there will be FREE PIZZA courtesy of KRUI at 8PM. First come, first serve! FREE PIZZA / FREE

Wed, Mar 31st 7:00 pm
Electric Six, Tyborn Jig, Squidboy, wkndrcrds

Wednesday, March 31 doors at 8pm
Mission Creek Festival: Xiu Xiu with tUnE-yArDs, Talk Normal, Coyote Slingshot
ages: 19+

Wed 03.31 9PM
Mission Creek Festival
w. The Daredevil Christopher Wright, Brighton MA, Sarah Mannix & the Wandering Bears, The New Bodies
The Daredevil Christopher Wright is a stunning band with gorgeous harmonies, delicate folk atmospherics, and occasional moments of upbeat pop. Hailing from Eau Claire, Wisconsin these guys are becoming one of our favorite acts. They worked with Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) on their latest album and the association makes sense: both bands find their answers in the power of lyricism and touching folk soundscapes. Beloved Chicago rock n' rollers Brighton, MA play too -- and Sarah Mannix's indie-pop outfit takes the stage after a long absence alongside the New Bodies. $6