Thursday, May 25, 2017

(Some content courtesy: Globe Gazette)

Band Festival celebrates 79 years of entertaining N. Iowa
Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. in the Downtown Plaza (weather permitting), featuring the Mason City Middle School Band and the season-opening performance of the Mason City Municipal Band, conducted by Russ Kramer. The performance begins at 6:45 p.m., and will include such favorites as "The Star Spangled Banner," "The North Iowa Band Festival" march (Berryman), Meredith Willson's "Seventy-Six Trombones," and "America, The Beautiful," as well as  "With Quiet Courage."
The Mason City Municipal Band’s next concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, on the north plaza of Southbridge Mall.
The main stage for the weekend's entertainment will be in front of the North Iowa Regional Commerce Center, 9 N. Federal Ave. Bring your lawn chairs, all concerts are free!
On Friday, the MCHS Mohawk Danzers will perform in front of the Main Stage at 5 p.m., with the MCHS Orchestra performing on the Downtown Plaza at 5:15 p.m. The Thrillbillies take the main stage at 6, followed by Chris Hawkey at 8.
On Saturday, the Newman High School Dance Team will perform at 1 p.m. in front of the Main Stage, with the MCHS Jazz Band performing at 1:15 on the Plaza, prior to the 2 p.m. awards ceremony. Saturday evening’s entertainment will be on the Main Stage, with Betty and the Gents at 5 p.m., followed by The Pork Tornadoes at 7.

The North Iowa Band Festival is this weekend, which includes fun, food, festivities, fellows…
For more information, visit www.nibandfest.com.



Surf Ballroom hosts rock 'n' roll and illusion 
The Surf Ballroom & Museum will be busy this weekend, with rock 'n' roll and magic.
On Friday, May 26, American rock band FUEL will take the stage, with special guests Dishwalla and Marcy Playground. Doors open at 8.
On Sunday, May 28, it's renowned illusionist Rick Thomas.
Fuel formed in 1993 while playing the club circuit in and around Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The band signed to Sony Records and in 1998 released its debut album "Sunburn" with the hit single “Shimmer." "Something Like Human" took the band to a new level, hitting multi-platinum status driven by the singles “Innocent” and “Hemorrhage." In 2003, with the release of "Natural Selection," the band had sold more than 3.5 million records in the U.S., and headlined its own sold-out tours.
In 2014, Fuel released "Puppet Strings." Catapulted by the single “Soul To Preach To,” the album entered the Billboard rock charts at no. 1. 
Tickets are $24 in advance or $29 at the door. Doors will open at 8 p.m.
Thomas, one of the greatest and most successful illusionists in the world today, has completed five world tours covering more than 50 countries. From sold out shows at Caesars Colosseum, headlining the Sydney Opera House in Australia and performing both in Las Vegas and on Broadway, Thomas entertains millions of people across the world with breathtaking and spectacular magic.
Thomas weaves magic, music, comedy and dance into a seamless spectacle. Honors include “Magician of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts and Magic’s highest recognition "Illusionist of the World" by the World Magic Awards. He has been featured on numerous national television specials, and is a renowned Las Vegas performer, performing a staggering 600 shows a year.
Tickets are $23 in advance, $28 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the seated show.
Surf Ballroom box office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with additional hours Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets may be purchased by calling 641-357-6151 or on-line at www.surfballroom.com.

What’s Happening in Mason City & North Iowa Sept. 6 – Sept 13

September 7-9, 2018 Mason City Civil War Reenactment – East Park, located at the corner of East State Street and South Virginia Ave. ...