Showtime September: Five states, six events
From jazz to outdoor theater, there was plenty to see this month
Summer and fall always seem to be prime time for attending concerts. Book a show in town or on the road, it’s going to be an experience.
But even by my standards, September was a big month. I ventured to five states, including Iowa, to see events. That’s travel to California, Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio.
Consider the checklist: the Monterey Jazz Festival, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers George Clinton and Herb Alpert, Janelle Monae, untraditional punk band Flogging Molly at one of the most traditional venues (the Surf Ballroom) and an outdoor drama/musical based on Tecumseh in Ohio.
Guitarist John Scofield (fourth from left) plays at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. (Photo by John Naughton.)
I visited the Monterey Jazz Festival for the first time September 22. There were five stages, from a large arena-like venue to a tiny one that barely fit a small band. The annual event began in 1958 and fits nicely in the Monterey County Fairgrounds.
My trip to northern California occurred to attend a wedding, but as I like to say, I multitask.
I attended with friends from Santa Cruz that I’ve known since college. I hadn’t seen Tim and Barb for nearly 20 years and it made the show even better. The musical highlight for me was seeing the legendary guitarist John Scofield. The crowd was so well educated and appreciative of the music.
The Irish/American punk band played at Clear Lake’s Surf Ballroom. (Photo by John Naughton.)
Take an Irish-American punk rock group and place them in one of Iowa’s most traditional venues, the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.
A Wednesday night show of that nature — September 13 to be exact — doesn’t necessarily draw a big crowd at the venue, but the dance floor was packed. The band played high energy songs for an enthusiastic group of fans.
A bartender reported the bar sold out of Irish Jameson whiskey and Guinness beer. (Not a surprise, if you know the fan base.)
Legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert played at Iowa City’s Englert Theatre. (Photo by John Naughton.)
A more gentle affair was found at Iowa City’s gem of a venue, the Englert Theatre.
Herb Alpert (accompanied by his wife and musical partner Lani Hall) visited September 20. If you haven’t seen a show at the Englert, you’re missing out.
Alpert is 88 years old and still performing. He told stories along with his showcase of pop brass songs such as “Rise,” “A Taste of Honey,” and his vocal No. 1 “This Guy’s in Love with You.”
The venerable venue opened in 1912. “It’s rare I play somewhere that’s older than me,” Alpert cracked.
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