More Fun Stuff In The Neighborhood!

January 23, 2017

Monday Night BINGO - Burke's Bar & Grill,  631 6^th St. SW - South location only (641-423-9610). No entry fee to play & prizes for winners! For more information, call Burke's Bar & Grill. Starts at 7pm. http://bit.ly/2iAxJ1S

January 25, 2017

Wednesday Inflatables - Roller City, 600 2^nd NW (641-423-2000). Lunch Hour Tiny Tot Inflatables: 11am-1pm- Enjoy a play date with family and friends, $10 per family. Afternoon Inflatables: 3:30pm-8pm- bring the kids after school to burn some energy, $7 per person. Inflatable socks are required to play, but once you purchase a pair ($2 per person) they are yours to keep and re-use. www.myrollercity.com

January 25, 2017

NIACC Trojan Women's Basketball vs. Ellsworth CC - NIACC Gym, 500 College Drive (641-422-4416). Starts at 5:30pm www.niacctrojans.com

January 25, 2017

NIACC Trojan Men's Basketball vs. Ellsworth CC - NIACC Gym, 500 College Drive (641-422-4416). Starts at 7:30pm www.niacctrojans.com

January 25, 2017

Connections Between Rock Crest/Rock Glen and Sydney, Australia's  Castlecraig Neighborhood - Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center, 520 1^st St. NE (641-424-2510). Speaker Peggy Bang will be sharing connections between Mason City's Rock Crest and Rock Glen Historical District and Sydney, Australia's Castlecraig area designed by Walter Burley Griffin. Program begins at noon, feel free your own lunch. FREE admission. www.stockmanhouse.org

January 26, 2017

NIACC Trojan Wrestling vs. Rochester Community Technical College- NIACC Gym, 500 College Drive (641-422-4416). Starts at 7pm www.niacctrojans.com

January 26-28, 2017

THIN BLUE LINE - Art on the Plaza, 1 S. Federal Ave (319-461-1031). Art on the Plaza, a locally owned gallery will honor our local law enforcement by inviting them to stop in and choosing a handmade gift, in appreciation for all they do for our community. Art on the Plaza is opened from 12pm-4pm.

Now Showing at Cinema West Theaters

(641) 421-1617 / www.cectheatres.com  / Movies starting Friday, January 20, 2017 - Thursday, January 26, 2017

General admission is $8.50; matinees general admission (before 6 p.m.) is $6.50;

Children (3-12) and seniors (62 and over), $6.50 all times. 3D movies additional $2.25.

Now Showing	Rating	Times
Bye Bye Man	PG13	Fri-Mon: 12:10, 2:25, 4:35, 7:10, 9:45pm Tue-Wed: 4:35, 7:10, 9:45pm
Hidden Figures	PG	Fri-Mon:1:10, 4:00, 6:55, 9:40pm Tue--Wed:4:00, 6:55, 9:40pm
Sing	PG	Fri-Sun: 11:50, 2:10, 4:25, 7:00, 9:30pm Mon-Wed: 4:25, 7:00, 9:30pm
La La Land In LDX	PG13	Fri-Mon: 12:20, 3:45, 6:45, 9:35pm Tue-Wed: 3:45, 6:45, 9:35pm
Live By Night	R	Fri-Mon:  1:20, 4:05, 6:55, 9:40pm Tue-Wed: 4:20, 7:05, 9:30pm
Monster Trucks	PG	Fri-Mon:  11:40, 2:00, 4:20, 7:05, 9:30pm Tue-Wed:  4:20, 7:05, 9:30pm
Underworld Blood Wars	R	Fri-Mon:12:00, 2:20, 4:30, 7:15, 9:45pm Tue-Wed: 4:30, 7:15, 9:45pm
Patriots Day in LDX	R	Fri-Sun: 12:40, 3:40, 6:40, 9:35pm Tue-Wed: 3:40, 6:40, 9:35pm
Sleepless	R	Fri-Mon:  1:15, 4:15, 7:20, 9:50pm Tue-Wed: 4:15, 7:20, 9:50p m
Rogue One A Star Wars Story	PG13	Fri-Sun: 1:00, 3:50, 6:50, 9:50pm Tue-Wed: 3:50, 6:50, 9:50pm

MASON CITY ATTRACTIONS

·   Charles H. MacNider Art Museum- 303 2^nd St. SE - (641) 421-3666 - Wed., Fri., Sat., 9am-5pm; Tues & Thurs. 9am-8pm.  Admission Free. www.macniderart.org

·   Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House & Architectural Interpretive Center - 530 1st St. NE - (641) 423-1923

Stockman House Tours: May 14 – September;  Tours  on Mon, Tues, Wed 10 am, 11 am, Thurs, Fri, Sat 10am, 11am, 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm; Sun. 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm  October: Tours on  Sat. 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm;  Sun. 1 pm, 2 pm, & 3 pm  Admission: $10 adults, $5 Youth 12-17, $2 Children 6-11. Architectural Interpretive Center & Gift Shop Hours: Same Hours as the Stockman House PLUS every Saturday throughout the year from 10am-2pm. Admission: A donation is requested when visiting the Architectural Interpretive Center.   www.stockmanhouse.org. 

·   Historic Park Inn Hotel (Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Hotel / Bank) Tours – 7 West State Street (641) 423-0689 Thurs. & Fri. 11:30am & 1:00pm; Sun. 1:30pm & 2:30pm or by appointment for groups 10 or more.  Admission: $10 per person www.wrightonthepark.org

·   Lime Creek Nature Center- 3501 Lime Creek Rd. - (641) 423-5309 – Center open Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm; Multiple use trails open daily: 6am – 10:30pm.  Admission Free.   www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us

·   NIACC Art Gallery – 500 College Drive. Open to the public Monday – Friday 9am-4pm. Free admission. www.niacc.edu

·   Prairie School Architecture Tour/Historical Walking Tour- Prairie School Tour encompasses 14 blocks & the Historic Tour is an additional 13 blocks. Walking tour guidebook is available for $5.00 at MacNider Art Museum & Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House.

·   The Music Man Square and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home- 308 and 314 S. Pennsylvania Ave. -  (641) 424-2852 – Open Tues.- Sun., 1pm-5pm, other times by appt., closed holidays.  Admission: $10 Adults; $5 students, children 6 & under free.  Admission includes both The Music Man Square and The Meredith Willson Boyhood Home. www.themusicmansquare.org

·   Roller City - 600 2nd NW (641-423-2000) Fantastic Fridays Roller Skating: 7-10pm $7 per skater. Weekend Roller Skating, Fri 7-10pm $8 each; Sat 10am-noon $10 per family, 1-4pm $6 each, 7-10pm $8 each; Weekday Inflatable’s (Bounce Houses), Tues, Wed, Thurs $8 each (no cost for adults and feel free to bring in dinner); Also on Wed 11am-2pm $10 per family and feel free to bring in lunch. All prices include equipment rental and tax.

Here's Your Weekend Plan!

January 20, 2017

Live Music: Evergreen Grass Band- Lorados, 18 S. Federal Ave. (641-424-8060) Live music starts at 6pm.

January 20, 2017

Fantastic Fridays Roller Skating - Roller City, 600 2^nd NW (641-423-2000). Kick off the weekend with roller skating from 7pm-10pm. Check Roller City's Facebook page for weekly themes and events! www.myrollercity.com

January 20-22, 2017

Collins Memorial Youth Hockey Tournament - North Iowa Event Center, 3700 4^th St. SW (641-424-3547). Mason City Youth Hockey; Mites, Squirts, Peewees, Bantams. www.masoncityhockey.com

January 21, 2017

VFW Post 733 - 1603 S. Monroe Ave (641-424-3874). Full House Band, 7pm-11pm - ribs will be served at 5pm. Public welcomed.

January 21, 2017

Yesterday and Today (The interactive Beatles experience) - NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-422-4188). Nations most innovative and unique show utilizing the works of the Beatles. This amazing group perform as themselves and leave the song choices completely in the hands of the audience through request cards completed prior to the show. Show begins at 7:30. All Tickets are $25. Call or order online for tickets at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice

January 21, 2017

Sunrise Rotary Basketball Tournament - NIACC Recreation Center, 500 College Dr. (641-512-3845). A limit of 24 teams for 5^th, 6^th, 7^th * 8^th grade boys and girl basketball teams. Registration starts at 7am. www.masoncitysunriserotary.org/basketball-tournament

January 21, 2017

Kids Karnival - Southbridge Mall (641-421-3600). Carnival activities including crafts, games, door prizes and entertainment. Bring the family for lots of indoor fun from 11am-2pm. FREE FREE FREE www.masoncity.net/pview.aspx?id=18101&catid=0

January 21, 2017

Roller Skating - Roller City, 600 2^nd NW (641-423-2000). Morning Skate: 10am-12pm - A slower pace geared towards younger families, $10 per family. Afternoon Skate: 1pm-4pm - The most popular session for parties and larger groups, $6 per skater. Night Skate: 7pm-10pm - Most popular skating session with Jackpot Dice Game and much more, $7 per skater. www.myrollercity.com

January 21, 2017

Mason City High School Instrumental Music Dept. - Mason City High School, 1700 4^th St. SE (641-421-4436). The Music Department will host their 8^th annual showcase concert from noon to 4pm in the school cafeteria. This event will be a fundraiser for the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank. Groups that are participating will be the String  Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Bank, Jazz Band, and the Mohawk Power Pep Band. Godfather's Pizza and other lunch items will be available for purchase during the performance.

January 21, 2017

NIACC Trojan Women's Basketball vs. Iowa Central CC - NIACC Gym, 500 College Drive (641-422-4416). Starts at 1pm www.niacctrojans.com

January 21, 2017

NIACC Trojan Men's Basketball vs. Iowa Central CC - NIACC Gym, 500 College Drive (641-422-4416). Starts at 3pm www.niacctrojans.com

January 21, 2017

Robotics Tournament- Lincoln Intermediate School, S. Pennsylvania Ave. (641-421-4423). Lincoln Intermediate School will host its third annual VEX Robotic Regional Competition. Competition beings at 10:30am in the gym and will include participants from grades 5-12 with 23 teams from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The tournament is free and open to the public.

January 21 & 22, 2017

Rex Taylor Auction - North Iowa Events Center - Olson Building 3700 4^th St. SW. Rex Taylor consignment and household auction. Two day sale: Saturday 9:00am-5:30pm; Sunday 10am-5pm. http://northiowaeventscenter.org/events/events-calendar/

January 22,  2017

Knight Hawk Wrestling Tournament - Mason City High School, 1700 4^th St. SE (641-583-1355). K through 6^th grade collegiate style wrestling tournament. Divisions: PeeWee K-2; Junior 3-4; Senior 5-6 www.facebook.com/Mason-City-Wrestling-Club-288171927879290/

The Official Winery of MusicArtLife!

Train Wreck Winery LLC.

112 North Phillips St
Algona, IA 50511 

515-395-3376

 Hours: 

Friday & Saturday: Noon to 5 pm

RIP, Tommy

(Courtesy: Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter: Tommy Allsup made it a point to attend the Winter Dance Party as a way to honor the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, as well as play the music he and others love.  This photo was taken of Allsup on stage at the 2016 Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom.-Photo by Chris Barragy.)

The 2017 Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom will include a salute to two fallen rock and roll icons with North Iowa ties.

Word was received Thursday, Jan. 12, of the passing of Tommy Allsup, the last remaining bandmate of Buddy Holly. Allsup, 85, who played on Holly’s last concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake in 1959, had remained a close friend of the Surf.  He returned each year to participate in the Winter Dance Party, honoring the lives and music of Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson.

After the Feb. 3, 1959 concert it was Allsup who reportedly lost a coin flip for a seat aboard the plane which was taking Holly, Valens and Richardson to the next stop on the Winter Dance Party tour.  The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Mason City Airport, also killing pilot Roger Peterson.

Allsup, a western swing guitarist and music producer, died Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Surf Ballroom staff shared their sentiments about Allsup’s passing on their Facebook page: “Words are hard to come by today as we mourn the loss of an important member of the Surf Ballroom and Winter Dance Party families. As the last remaining band mate of Buddy Holly who played on the 1959 tour here at the Surf, we lost a true fixture in rock ‘n roll history. His quick, easy smile and warm personality were just two of his many great characteristics that made him so special to us. We will miss his flawless guitar riffs and the look of pure joy on his face as he played.”

Allsup was scheduled to perform at this year’s Winter Dance Party.  Instead, his son, Austin Allsup, will be on stage Friday night during the Winter Dance Party weekend.  Allsup, who recently competed on NBC’s, “The Voice,” made the announcement on his Facebook page.

The 2017 Winter Dance Party weekend will also include a tribute to Bobby Vee, who passed away in October.  Vee’s career started in Moorhead, Minn. on Feb. 3, 1959 when his group, The Shadows, volunteered to help  after learning of the plane crash that took the lives of Holly, Valens and Richardson.  On Saturday, Feb. 4, The Killer Vees, featuring Jeff, Tommy and Matt Vee, and others, will perform at the Surf.

The Official Dentist of MusicArtLife!

Central Park Dentistry

23 N Federal Ave ·(641) 423-4225

Note: The publisher of MusicArtLife is a complete, embarrassing dental coward. She is a nightmare patient, and is amazed that anyone can tolerate her. The staff of Central Park Dentistry is always patient, kind, and incredibly tolerant of the occasional bursts of profanity that the patient spews upon discovery of the consequences of her cowardly dental neglect. Oh, and Central Park Dentistry has payment plans, too!

We Love It When Venues Work Together To Make Something Even Cooler.

(Courtesy: Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter) 

Good food, with a side of one-of-a-kind musical artifacts, is now being served up in Clear Lake.

The Surf Ballroom & Museum and MNG Restaurant Corp. have collaborated to create a Clear Lake dining experience unlike any other.

The Surf District Rock ‘n Roll Grill is located in the former District 619 Restaurant building, just north of the Surf Ballroom. The newly remodeled restaurant has a Rock ‘n Roll themed atmosphere featuring music and memorabilia from artists who have performed at the Surf Ballroom.

Laurie Lietz, executive director of the Surf Ballroom explained the Surf had been exploring concepts to find additional ways to showcase the many artifacts in its archives, as well as to further tell the story of the Surf and its history. The concept of a Rock and Roll themed dining experience seemed like a natural fit for the organization.

“Since we became a non-profit (in the 1990s) we took it upon ourselves to collect artifacts from artists who came through and take photos of every act without really having a plan for them,” explained Lietz.  “We felt it was our duty to continue to record the Surf’s history.”

With the exception of one artifact (a guitar and top hat provided by rocker Slash), none of the memorabilia on display at the Surf District Rock ’n Roll Grill has been previously displayed at the Surf.  Approximately 75 items are on display; pieces may be rotated in and out of the restaurant periodically.

Diners will enjoy seeing photos and memorabilia provided by more recent Surf Ballroom acts, ranging from Alice Cooper, to Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Willie Nelson, to name a few.

Surf District Rock ‘n Roll Grill Owner Grant Maulsby says the décor, atmosphere and menu chosen for the restaurant compliment the already great dining offerings available in Clear Lake.  The business offers a varied menu ranging from onion rings and pretzel bites with beer cheese dip appetizers, to burgers and wraps, and even steaks.  The meals are complimented by a full bar.

MNG Restaurant Corp. will own and operate the business and will showcase a portion of the Surf’s memorabilia through a licensing agreement.  The restaurant seats 134 and has a capacity of 190.

The Official Hairdresser of MusicArtLife!