2011 Performing Arts Schedule
Scott Cawelti & Deb Nierman (Friday, noon-1:15 p.m.)  .jpg)
Drawing on his CD "Landscape Iowa: 16 James Hearst Poems, Sung" Scott Cawelti (with Deb Niermann) will sing original melodies for several James Hearst poems, as well as a medley of songs from other poet-songwriters, including Mike Smith, Greg Brown, Leonard Cohen, and Steve Goodman. Cawelti's CD has received several five-star reviews, including this: "Landscape Iowa is a great CD. Anyone who lives or has lived in the country will especially appreciate these songs in the way they represent the simplicity, change, and humor of farm life. Cawelti is so intimate with these poems that it is difficult to believe he didn't write them."
Dave Malam (Friday, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.) 
Dave has played guitar for 50 years in the Cedar Falls area with a variety of bands. His music has ranged from country to rock and roll (he claims he's never played polka!). In recent years Dave has renewed his interest in the blues. His style has been greatly influenced by such traditional blues artists as Blind Boy Fuller and Big Bill Broonzy. Come hear Dave and friends perform your favorite blues standards as well as some original tunes.
Karla Ruth (Friday 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.)
The music of singer/songwriter Karla Ruth has been described as a seamless fusion of pop, rock, blues, folk, and jazz. She believes in the power of meaningful lyrics and lingering melodies and her songs are filled with personal observations about life, love, and chances taken or lost. Karla is an active member of the Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association; a non-profit group of guitarists that supports live music and provides performance opportunities for area singer/songwriters. www.KarlaRuth.com.
The Ramblers (Friday 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
Finding a wealth of untapped and overlooked gems from three centuries of music and mayhem, the Ramblers have created a niche that until now has gone unclaimed. The diverse and unexpected side roads the band takes are always fun and never anything like any ordinary cover band. Their song list rambles all over the musical map. The band features: Scott Gallagher, Denny McCabe, Bob Smith and Ed Narigon. The Ramblers: extraordinatory music, ordinary guys. Sponsored by Witham Automotive
String Trio: Cara Keidel-Schmidt, Michaela Gansen, Jesse Luke
(Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Violinists Michaela Gansen and Cara Keidel-Schmidt have been performing together since their preschool years when they began taking violin lessons at the UNI Suzuki School of music over twenty years ago. They met Dubuque-native and cellist Jesse Luke, also a former Suzuki student, while playing in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony and have been performing for numerous weddings and other special events for the past few years together. The three thoroughly enjoy playing works by Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, and many other classical composers. Currently, two of the members are working towards receiving degrees in music from the University of Northern Iowa; Michaela, her graduate degree (received her undergraduate from St. Olaf collage in Northfield, MN) and Jesse, his undergraduate degree. Cara, a graduate of UNI, is a violin teacher at the UNI Suzuki School and also works with both the preschool and youth ministry programs at St. John Lutheran church in Cedar Falls.
Orquesta Alto Maiz (Saturday, noon - 2:00 p.m.)
Happy anniversary and many thanks to the "The Salsa Band" who generously donated this year's performance to the festival! What began as a humble, but extremely fun project for the College Hill Arts Festival in 1986 has evolved into a truly unique ensemble in the heartland of America. Over the past twenty years Orquesta Alto Maiz has developed a large and faithful following of dancers and fans whose support has encouraged our efforts in the exploration of this wonderful music known, generically, as "salsa" and Latin jazz.
Comfort Kings String Band (Saturday, 2:30-4:00 p.m.)
Like many a band, the Comfort Kings String Band started out with mostly idle chatter and love of music. Over time that's evolved into a sound and style that's rooted in the worlds of traditional bluegrass and progressive newgrass. The group is also quick to brandish its Midwestern credentials as being the best band (they know of ) in the Cedar Valley named after a tractor. Band members include: Amie Steffan on vocals and guitar, John Molseed on banjo, Chris Schwartz on bass, John Nelson on mandolin and Cody Grimes on guitar and fiddle.
Rick Vanderwall (Saturday 4:15 – 5:00 p.m.)
Rick took up the guitar at the young age of 47. He is co-founder of the Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association that sponsors summer concerts at Overman Park prior to the "Movies Under the Moon." Rick also is a member of a local band Three Blind Mice. Rick can frequently be heard singing original songs at Cup of Joe about being a teacher and other amusing aspects of his life.
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