Category: Arts

Arts, Charles City, Obituaries

James Grob, newspaperman and playwright, dies at 54

baldissimo

Contributed Obituary CHARLES CITY — James Gaven Grob died on July 5, 2022, after five years of battling cancer. He was 54 years old. He passed away peacefully at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City with his wife Michelle by his side. He was born on March 1, 1968, in Winona, MN and grew up in Oelwein. He was an athlete and part of the 1985 All-Conference Northeast Iowa Conference football team. He also participated in drama and speech. James earned his degree in English and Communications at the University of Iowa and minored in Theatre Arts. He was … Continue reading James Grob, newspaperman and playwright, dies at 54

Arts, Charles City

Musical comedy ‘The Wedding Singer’ begins 3-show run today in Charles City

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Complete with 1980s guitar licks, fishnet gloves and poofy bridesmaid dresses, “The Wedding Singer” opens its three-show run in Charles City tonight (Wednesday, June 30). The Stony Point Players will present the musical comedy at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday (July 1) and Friday (July 2) in the North Grand Auditorium (the old Charles City Middle School). Student admission is $5. Adult admission is $12. You can buy tickets at the door or online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/53173. The cast for this community theater presentation includes more than 40 area residents of multiple generations, from middle school students to seasoned … Continue reading Musical comedy ‘The Wedding Singer’ begins 3-show run today in Charles City

Arts, Charles City Schools

Cast explains why you should see ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ this weekend

Chris Baldus

Members of the Charles City High School Drama Department want you to see their presentation of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” this weekend. Actor Sincere Collins says you should go to see the musical comedy because “it is not only a vibrant production with new LED multi-colored lights but a magnificent collection of enthusiastic and heart-wrenching musical numbers with a cast of thespians dedicated to make this show one of a kind.” Actor Christian Howe, who plays a lactose-intolerant vice principal who doesn’t like kids, was more concise. “You’re guaranteed to laugh,” he said. The first showing is … Continue reading Cast explains why you should see ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ this weekend

Arts, Bulletin boards, Calendar, Charles City

Music festival of local bands at Floyd County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 8

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Fairgrounds will rock Saturday, Sept. 8. The gates will open at 10 a.m. for the local music festival “Space Jam.” Live music begins at 11 a.m. General admission is $12. Admission and camping is $15. For more details, click here. Continue reading Music festival of local bands at Floyd County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 8

Arts, Charles City

Photos: How to make flying monkeys

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Here is a peek backstage at the Stony Point Players’ production of “The Wizard of Oz” in July. 1. Kaleb Davis and Daffny Gonzales have their monkey blue faces painted on. 2. Sherri Niles, the Wicked Witch of the West, helps Kaleb into his monkey suit. 3. Kaleb is ready to go, but he’d tell you it’s very warm in the flying monkey costume Continue reading Photos: How to make flying monkeys

Arts, Calendar, Charles City

See preview pictures of CC’s ‘Wizard of Oz’; advance tickets on sale for June 30 to July 1 performances

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — Dorothy, Toto and a cast of more than 100 are bringing the merry old land of Oz to the North Grand Auditorium. Charles City’s Stony Point Players are putting on a summer musical, “The Wizard of Oz.” There will be three performances: 7 p.m. Saturday June 30, 2 p.m. Sunday July 1, and 7 p.m. Monday July 2. Children’s tickets are $5. Adult tickets are $7. Order reserved seat tickets online at showtix4u.com or by phone at 1-866-967-8617 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central Time. Remaining seats will be sold at the door. Charles City High … Continue reading See preview pictures of CC’s ‘Wizard of Oz’; advance tickets on sale for June 30 to July 1 performances

Arts, Calendar, Charles City

Bill Riley Talent Show returns to Charles City July 1

Chris Baldus

News Release CHARLES CITY – Who will be Iowa’s next Maddie Poppe? Young talent from around the region will be showcased in Charles City on Sunday, July 1, with cash prizes and a chance to qualify for the state fair on the line. The annual Bill Riley Talent Show has become a part of the Fourth of July holiday tradition in Charles City and is open to ages 2 to 21 to perform and display their talents in the areas of vocal music, instrumental music or dance. There are two age categories, the Sprout Division (ages 2-12) and the Senior … Continue reading Bill Riley Talent Show returns to Charles City July 1

Arts, Calendar, Uncategorized

2018 Artafest accepting entries

Chris Baldus

CHARLES CITY — The Charles City Arts Center is accepting entry applications for the 2018 ArtaFest, which will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, in Central Park. The deadline to apply is July 6. To be featured on the website, entries are needed by June 15. There is a $40 entry fee for all entries and $5 jury fee for new applicants. To rent a tent is another $25. The entry fees to entries not selected will be refunded. The jury fees will not. For more information, go to Artafest charlescity.weebly.com. Applicants with questions or special requests … Continue reading 2018 Artafest accepting entries

Arts, Charles City Schools, Uncategorized

School house rock: CCHS Choirs bring back the 1970’s and 80’s at Pops Concert

Chris Baldus

In the 80s, “groovy” was uncool. “Righteous” music was “rad,” and feathered hair parted in the middle was the style, along with those “decent” white leather Nike sneakers. Oh yeah, Monday night was a major flashback for some of us in the audience in North Grand Auditorium. And when emcees Ryan Wolfe and Joe Iseneker tried out some 80’s slang, it was hard to not burst out with my own. I was in junior high in the 80’s. And, yes, it was a “choice” time, as the dynamic duo put it. The Charles City High School Pops Concert, which was … Continue reading School house rock: CCHS Choirs bring back the 1970’s and 80’s at Pops Concert

Arts, Charles City Schools

PHOTO gallery: CCHS production of ‘The Addams Family’

Chris Baldus

  The Charles City High School presentation of the musical comedy “The Addams Family” wrapped up its three-day run (including a matinee for younger students) on Saturday in the Historic auditorium at the former middle school. The cast and crew of more than 50 students, as well as the pit musicians and adult directors, put in two months of rehearsal and building the gothic manor sets. Continue reading PHOTO gallery: CCHS production of ‘The Addams Family’

Arts, Chickasaw County, Floyd County

Area musicians to perform with North Iowa Concert Band on Nov. 21

Chris Baldus

The North Iowa Concert Band, under the direction of John Klemas, will present a Fall Concert on Tuesday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the North Iowa Area Community College campus. Chuck Cooper is the band’s announcer.   The North Iowa Concert Band’s program includes: “Gavorkna Fanfare” by Jack Stamp; “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” by David R. Holsinger; “Man of La Mancha” Music by Mitch Leigh, Lyrics by Joe Darion, Arranged by Frank Erickson; “The Purple Carnival March” by Harry L. Alford, Edited by Frank Erckson; “Rest” by Frank Ticheli; “Victory At … Continue reading Area musicians to perform with North Iowa Concert Band on Nov. 21

Arts, Charles City Schools

Marching Comets earn highest possible rating at state band festival

Chris Baldus

  FORT DODGE, Iowa — Beneath a darkened and stormy sky, the Charles City High School marching band performed the moody “Dark Knight” movie theme. Perfect. The rain also worked well with the theme to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The marching Comets, whose show theme this year was “Heroes and Villians,” nailed their performance in the Iowa High School Marching Band Festival in Fort Dodge. They earned a Division I overall rating, the highest possible. The show also included the theme from “The Incredibles.” Below are all the results from the Fort Dodge site. The state festival is actually divided … Continue reading Marching Comets earn highest possible rating at state band festival

Arts, Charles City, Uncategorized

Floyd County Extension and OutreachSeptember 2017 Calendarp

Chris Baldus

Monday, Sept. 11 3:15-5 p.m. Clover Kids – Charles City Charles City 5-7 p.m. Record Book Judging Charles City Tuesday, Sept. 12 3-5 p.m. Clover Kids – Nora Springs Nora Springs 5-7 p.m. Record Book Judging Charles City Monday, Sept. 18 5:15-6 p.m.  4-H Committee Meeting Charles City 6-7:30 p.m. 4-H Leader’s Meeting Charles City Tuesday, Sept. 19 3-5 p.m. Clover Kids – RRMR Rockford 6:30- 8 p.m.  Floyd County Extension Council meeting Charles City Continue reading Floyd County Extension and OutreachSeptember 2017 Calendarp