ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture

Clarinda will have you in the mood to celebrate Glenn Miller's life and music this weekend. Photo: Clarinda Chamber of Commerce.

Right on cue: Big bands gather for Clarinda festival

Clarinda celebrates its most famous native son during the Glenn Miller Festival this weekend, June 8-11, at the town square, the high school, the library and other venues around town.

The legendary trombone player and bandleader from the golden days of the big band disappeared on a flight over the English Channel during World War II, but his legacy lives on in his hometown, where the annual festival attracts bands from near and far. This year’s lineup includes the Glenn Miller Orchestra, of course, along with Michael “Gooch” Gurciello and his Las Vegas Band, the Hot Tomatoes from Denver, and the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra from Kansas City. Plus, Mike Delaney will also play some harmonica hits from some of the instrument’s greats, including Borra Minovich’s Harmonical Rascals and the Belgian virtuoso Jean-Baptiste Frederic Isidor Thielemans (better known as “Toots”).

If you go, be sure to stop by the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum, where you can tour Miller’s boyhood home as well as a visitors center that chronicles not only his rise to worldwide fame in the 1930s and '40s but the enduring impact of his music in the decades since. In just for years, Miller’s big band scored an impressive 16 No. 1 records and 69 Top 10 hits, including “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade.”

Celebrate summer with a favorite seasonal food and Le Mars specialty — ice cream. If you’re into the sweet stuff, the town hosts its Ice Cream Days June 16-18. Photo: Courtney Cook.

Cool down at Ice Cream Days in Le Mars

Known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World, the town of Le Mars in northwest Iowa literally smells sweet, thanks to the two Wells ice cream plants in town, as well as the Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor, where you can sample flavors such as homemade vanilla, rocky road and strawberry cheesecake.

In fact, the sweet treat is so revered that the town hosts an annual Ice Cream Days tribute, this year June 14-17. There’s an ice cream social (obviously), a parade, car show, art walk, outdoor movie and even a carnival. The full event schedule lists the activities and locations.

Weiner dogs welcome: The Dachsund Derby is a crowd favorite during Wurst Fest. Photo: Amana Colonies.

Have the wurst time ever in Amana

Join the sizzling celebration of sausages at the Amana Colonies Wurst Festival June 16 and 17. Keeping the German tradition of sausage-making alive and interesting, this annual event offers a mouthwatering selection of local sausages, including creative twists and a veggie brat option for your vegan friends.

Sample and vote for your favorites, as sausage makers compete for titles like Best in Wurst and Weirdest Wurst. Stay cool under the beverage tent with refreshing drinks, including beer and Amana wine, while enjoying live music all day. Don't miss the Wurst Games and Dachshund Derby, where local Dachshunds sprint to be crowned the "Wurst Dog in Eastern Iowa." Register your furry friend for a chance to win a $100 Amana Colonies gift certificate.

See updated details and a schedule of events on the festival’s Facebook page.

Pet, feed or work out with some fuzzy friends this summer. Alpaca farms around Iowa raise the animals for their fleece.

Up close and personal with some Inca animals

Name a better way to spend an afternoon than by making friends with a herd of baby alpacas. It’s hard to top. Alpacas generally give birth to their young, called crias, in May through September, which means there’s a good chance you’ll meet a few at any of these Iowa alpaca farms.

Irish Meadows Alpaca Farm, La Motte
Located in far eastern Iowa south of Dubuque, this picturesque 1850s farm is all the sweeter with alpacas. With about 140 of the fluffy animals and several old brick-red barns, visitors can snap photos and shop for socks, hats, scarves, blankets and yarn on-site or visit their Facebook page for more information.

Rusty Stars Alpaca Farm, Winterset
Open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to visitors, this Madison County farm allows you to meet and feed alpacas with names like Niko, Ginger, Tanzie and Maybelle. A shop features stuffed alpacas, plus socks, yarn, shirts and candles. But the real fun is entering the alpaca enclosure, feeling how super soft their coats are, and seeing their natural reactions. There’s also yoga with the alpacas on weekends.

J&J Alpacas, Muscatine
Available by appointment only, this farm southwest of Davenport offers tours for a nominal fee. If you’re lucky, you’ll see crias and learn their names from owner Jody Ehler. Raw fibers are also available for sale in up to 12 colors. Book your time slot with the fuzzy guys online.

Click here to watch a preview of all that the secret concerts have to offer. Photo: Cabin Concerts.

Enjoy concerts and a campout near Elkader

Somewhere up in the woodsy hills near Elkader, there’s a little tin-roof cabin where those in the know gather for live outdoor concerts. The music serenades the humans, their dogs, the birds in the trees, the fireflies and anything else with ears to enjoy it.

The exact location of the Cabin Concerts is a secret – only ticketholders receive the map – but anyone can check out the schedule online. Saturday’s concert with William Elliott Whitmore is sold out, but there are plenty of others in the weeks ahead. On the July 14-15 weekend, for example, folks can stay up late on Friday for the Cosmobilly Band, among others, then toast some s’mores and camp overnight before the next day’s lineup with John Till, Slapdash Bluegrass and others.

To get a feel for the whole experience, in all its free-wheeling glory, check out the video from last season. The word “idyllic” comes to mind.

A mesmerizing production of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" returns to the Stephens stage on Jan. 30. Photo: Evan Zimmerman.

New programming coming to Stephens Auditorium

Stephens Auditorium in Ames has announced its Performing Arts Series lineup for the 2023-24 season. The season will feature 14 performances from October 2023 to May 2024, including a classic ballet, soaring vocals, an international orchestra, jazz and Broadway musicals. The diverse lineup features musical performances from the Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and Mannheim Steamroller, and Broadway shows “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Mean Girls.”

Subscription tickets are currently available for purchase. Tickets for individual productions will go on sale at later dates.

Eat your heart out: Taste all kinds of food truck fare at Food Truck Fight, and then vote for your favorite to win the top honor. Photo: Food Truck Fight.

The ultimate foodie event is back for more

The battle is on in Bettendorf. Food Truck Fight returns this year with a lineup of 20 food trucks, all vying for the winner’s title. From noon to 8 p.m. on June 17, foodies will have the opportunity to indulge in a mouthwatering array of offerings from local and regional vendors, and then cast their votes for the best truck. A few noteworthy competitors include Famous Dave’s, Kelley Girls Woodfire Pizza, and the reigning champion Arty’s Ice Cream & Grill.

Attendees also have access to a stocked beverage tent, live music and activities for the family. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door for $10, or splurge on VIP for some extra perks.