By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
The finals for the 2010 Iowa Blues Challenge, presented by the Central Iowa Blues Society, will be held Saturday, May 22 at 8 p.m. at the Downtown Marriott. Trouble No More, Bob Pace Band featuring Steve George, Bella Soul Blues Revolution featuring Tina Haase Findlay, Stoney Ground and The Steady Rollin’ Blues Band will compete for one of the nation’s finest prize packages of its kind, including cash, gigs, recording time and the chance to represent Iowa at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Admission is $10. Visit www.cibs.org or call 245-5500. ...
In related news, Blues on Grand will be closed the night of the Iowa Blues Challenge finals, but will host for the first time in several years a performance by Bernard Allison on Friday, May 21 at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $15. The club also announced it will continue its weekly Friday Work Release Party featuring music by Sumpin’ Doo during the summer. Showtime each Friday is 4 to 7:30 p.m. The $4 admission includes free food by Jesse James.
Dying Fetus, Arsis, Misery Index, Annotations of an Autopsy and Conducting From the Grave, perform Saturday, May 22 at 3 p.m. (no, that’s not a typo) at House of Bricks. Tickets are $15 through Midwestix.
The Iowa Speedway in Newton kicks off its 2010 concert series with a performance by David Neal on Saturday, May 22. Visit www.iowaspeedway.com.
Diane Birch plays Monday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at People’s Court. Tickets are $17.50 through Midwestix.
Three acts acts of note playing the Vaudeville Mews this week include: Metal band Chiodos, on tour with Bullet for My Valentine, headlines its own show on Sunday, May 23 at 5 p.m., $14; acoustic bluesman/writer Doug MacLeod plays Tuesday, May 25 at 8 p.m., $12; and a burlesque show by Dangerous Curves Ahead: Burlesque on the Go Go! plays Wednesday, May 26 at 10 p.m., $15.
West Des Moines singer-songwriter Scott Stilwell, who has spent time writing and performing in Nashville, last week released a new song online entitled “Nashville Waters,” in response to that city’s recent flooding. Visit www.reverbnation.com to hear it, or see Stilwell perform it and other songs for free on June 6 at 6 p.m. at West Des Moines Christian Church.
Rib America Festival, a three day event that has brought BBQ and several rock and blues bands to the parking lot of the Iowa Events Center the past few years, will not return. Iowa Events Center officials tell Cityview that they are taking a year off from hosting the event.
Stone Sour’s new album, “Audio Secrecy,” will be released later this summer. The band is currently completing its production. The Des Moines-based group which includes Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and James Root, will be previewing new songs on the “Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival Tour” which kicks off Aug. 17 in Minneapolis, but does include a stop in Iowa.
The Greater Des Moines Music Coalition will announce a handful of remaining bands as well as the lineup for a third stage featuring DJs and hip-hop acts to play its 80-35 festival July 3-4 on May 24. CV
