BIRTHDAY BASH * BENEFIT CONCERT * LOTS OF MUSIC * Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 12 * March 25, 2011

CIRCLE APRIL 10th FOR

BILL'S BIRTHDAY BASH

Music, food, the "Bill" movie and a chat with Barry Morrow are planned Sunday, April 10 at Uptown Bill's It's all part of a birthday celebration for Bill Sackter, who would have been 98 this year. The birthday bash runs from 2 to 7 pm. The original "Bill" movie will be shown at 2:30 pm. A chat by phone with Barry Morrow, Bill's friend and the screenwriter, is planned following the film (approximately 4 pm). Please join us for a great afternoon.

LOTS OF OTHER EVENTS

COMING UP, TOO...

Here's a look at other events coming up in the next couple of weeks at Uptown Bill's:

Tuesday, March 29, 6-7 pm: Live broadcast of Tom's Guitar Show. Several guest musicians on this show. 

Thursday, March 31, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night. Art starts at 6 pm; Music with Bevineau & the Heartmakers starts at 7 pm.

Friday, April 1, 7-9 pm: Open Mic. A great showcase of local musicians, plus poetry and more. 

Saturday, April 2: Dunlavin Green

Monday, April 4, 4:30 pm: UI World Music Ensemble

Tuesday, April 5, 6:30 pm: Amy Schmidt and Orion Walsh. Almost Circle opens. 

Thursday, April 7: Benefit concert for Uptown Bill's. Hosted by I-Envision, UI business student group.

Friday, April 8, 7 pm: Open Mic. Concert at 9 pm: Andina and Rich,  www.andinaandrich.com 

Saturday, April 9, 7-9 pm: Pigs and Clover

Sunday, April 10, 2-7 pm. Bill's Birthday Bash

Monday, April 11, 4:30 pm: UI World Music Ensemble

WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE

INTERESTED IN...

...David Berkeley's recent concert at Uptown Bill's is now online. You'll find a link at the Uptown Bill's page on Facebook.

...Hardcover mysteries are on sale for just $1 this week at Bill's Bookmark

...You can sign up now for Friday's Open Mic. You'll find a sign up sheet on the side of the pop cooler.

...Yogurt is now available at Uptown Bill's. What else would you like to see in our refrigerator? Let us know.

...Find out more about the original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop. Visit the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. 

BILL DOCUMENTARY

SHOWING SUNDAY

Two showings of "A Friend Indeed," the documentary about the life and legacy of Bill Sackter, are planned Sunday, March 26. The film will be shown at 6 pm and 8 pm in W10 of the business building on the University of Iowa campus. Free. 

HERE'S A SWITCH:

QUOTES ABOUT TEA

This week, we offer quotations about tea (instead of coffee). It's a gentle

reminder that Uptown Bill's offers more than a dozen different varieties

of tea.

Make tea, not war -- Monty Python's Flying Circus

I may seem like a strange cup of tea, but if it's all right with you, it's all

right with me -- Sister Hazel

Thank God for tea. I am glad I was not here before tea

  -- Sydney Smith

You never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me

  -- C.S. Lewis

I'm a little tea pot short and stout

Here's my handle, here's my spout

Do you want a cup of tea?

Tip me up and pour me out

  -- Children's nursery rhyme

Have a favorite saying about tea? Send it to us. We'll offer more tea quotes

in an upcoming issue. Quotes about coffee are welcome, too.

EIGHT YEARS AGO IN

BILL'S NEWSLETTER

Our lunchtime squirrel is missing. A regular visitor, he ate lunch while

sitting on a partially fallen tree limb outside the coffeeshop windows. Perhaps

he was scared away by the snow or is away for Spring Break (March 2003)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's Coffee House. Published since 2000, the Newsletter is written by Tom Gilsenan, a former manager of Wild Bill's and now director of Uptown Bill's. You can write to him at tomgilsenan@gmail.com

Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. It has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more than 35 years. Located in North Hall, the coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, check the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. You can call the coffeeshop at (319) 335-1281. Donations to support the work of the coffeeshop may be sent to: Bill's Coffeeshop Fund, University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Contributions are tax deductible.

Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of Wild Bill's. Now in it 10th year, it includes a bookstore, performance venue and other businesses in addition to a coffeeshop. Located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's is open every day from 8 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's page on Facebook. You can call Uptown Bill's at(319) 339-0401. Donations to support the work of Uptown Bill's may be sent to: Extend the Dream Foundation, Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Contributions are tax deductible.

CHRIS BELL SUNDAY * BIRTHDAY BASH AHEAD * LOTS OF MUSIC IN BETWEEN * Bill's Coffeesop Newsletter * Vol. 12 * March 19, 2011

GREAT SERIES OF SPRING CONCERTS

BEGINS SUNDAY WITH CHRIS BELL 

CHRIS BELL , a singer/songwriter from New York, is the first in a series of musicians who are playing at Uptown Bill's in the next few weeks. There are more than a dozen musical events at the Coffee House between now and April 10.

Chris plays Sunday, March 20 at 7 pm. Now on tour in the Midwest, he's probably best known for playing the cello like a guitar. Opening for him: Bevineau & The Heartmakers, a great local band which played its first concert at Bill's last fall. 

Chris is probably best known for playing the cello like a guitar. He has played all over the US. Locally, he played last summer at both Uptown Bill's and the original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop.  He has also played at Java House. You can find out more about his music on his Facebook site. 

Here's a list of other musical performances scheduled at Uptown Bill's in the next few weeks:

Sunday, March 20, 7-9 pm: Chris Bell, Singer/songwriter from New York. Bevineau & the Heartmakers open.

Wednesday, March 23, 7-9 pm: Stoop Singers, www.myspace.com/stoopsingers

Thursday, March 24, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night. Edible art is the theme this week. 

Friday, March 25, 7 pm Open Mic. 9 pm: Josh Harty, country blues,  www.joshharty.com 

Saturday, March 26, 7-9 pm: Truckstop Souvenir

Tuesday, March 29, 6-7 pm: Live broadcast of Tom's Guitar Show. Several guest musicians on this show. 

Thursday, March 31, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night. You never know who might stop by and play a little music.

Friday, April 1, 7-9 pm: Open Mic. A great showcase of local musicians, plus poetry and more. 

Saturday, April 2: Dunlavin Green

Tuesday, April 5, 6:30 pm: Amy Schmidt and Orion Walsh. Almost Circle opens. 

Thursday, April 7: Benefit concert for Uptown Bill's. Hosted by I-Envision, UI business student group.

Friday, April 8, 7 pm: Open Mic. 9 pm: Andina and Rich,  www.andinaandrich.com 

Saturday, April 9, 7-9 pm: Pigs and Clover

THEN JOIN US FOR A GREAT BIG

BILL SACKTER BIRTHDAY BASH

Bill Sackter would have been 98 years old this year. We're planning a big party to celebrate his birthday. It's Sunday, April 10, 2 to 7 pm at Uptown Bill's. Lots of music, plus food, a showing of the original "Bill" movie, and more. Barry Morrow, Bill Sackter's friend and screenwriter for the Bill movies, will talk about the film after the showing. Hosted by UI students from MSW class. You'll find a poster attached to this Newsletter with more information. You're invited to print the poster and post it at school or work. 

WE THOUGHT YOU'D BE

INTERESTED IN THESE..

HAVE you visited the Vintage Shoppe? It's one of the enterprises which makes up Uptown Bill's. Find out more at the Vintage Shoppe page on Facebook?

LOOKING for a good used book? Uptown Bill's has hundreds to choose from. Most paperbacks are $1.50; hardcovers $3. 

..WOULD you like to organize a screening of "A Friend Indeed," the Bill Sackter documentary? We'll be happy to help. Call Tom G. for details at (319) 339~0401.

... ARTISTS with disabilities are invited to show their work at Uptown Bill's. For information on art shows at the coffee house, call (319) 339~0401. 

...Would you like to perform at Uptown Bill's. Our stage is open to all ages and abilities. Call Tom G. for more information: (319) 339~0401.

...Open Mic is held every Friday at the coffee house. You can sign up for your very own 10 minutes to perform anytime during the week. The sign-up sheet is next to the water cooler at Uptown Bill's. 

...Had a good malt lately? Malts and shakes are a specialty of Uptown Bill's. Stop in soon for one of these. 

...Several special events are planned for Bill Sackter's Birthday in April. A benefit concert, plus a birthday party and potluck supper are planned at Uptown Bill's on Sunday, April 10, 2 to 7 pm. A reception and film are planned at the original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop on Wednesday, April 13. More details soon. 

...Sackter House Media recognizes books on topics related to disabilities  and books written by authors with a disability. Look for a selection at Uptown Bill's or online at: www.sackterhousemedia.org.

...Check "Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop" on Facebook for a virtual tour of the original Wild Bill's Coffeeshop. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's Coffee House. Published since 2000, the Newsletter is written by Tom Gilsenan, a former manager of Wild Bill's and now director of Uptown Bill's. You can write to him at tomgilsenan@gmail.com

Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. It has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more than 35 years. Located in North Hall, the coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, check the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. You can also call the coffeeshop at (319) 335-1281. Donations to support the work of the coffeeshop may be sent to: Bill's Coffeeshop Fund, University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Contributions are tax deductible.

Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of Wild Bill's. Now in it 10th year, it includes a bookstore, performance venue and other businesses in addition to a coffeeshop. Located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's is open every day from 8 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's page on Facebook. You can also call Uptown Bill's at (319) 339-0401. Donations to support the work of Uptown Bill's may be sent to: Extend the Dream Foundation, Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Contributions are tax deductible.

SAVE THIS MUSIC CALENDAR * CESAR CHAVEZ DAY * LOOKING BACK * Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 12 * March 12, 2011

REMEMBERING

CESAR CHAVEZ

CESAR CHAVEZ died eighteen years ago. But his spirit and vision live on in the
United Farm Workers union he founded and in the Cesar Chavez holiday
celebrated on Thursday, March 31 (www.cesarchavezholiday.org).

I was thinking about Chavez last week while watching the movie Food Inc.

The message from the filmmakers is a simple one: The way food is being grown
and manufactured in the US is not healthy. But we can change that.

Chavez would have loved the film. He lived its message for most of his
life, and he encouraged the rest of us to do the same.  

Chavez was the visionary leader behind the United Farm Workers (UFW) union.
He's also a good candidate for a social work hero. 

I first heard about Cesar Chavez in 1968, when members of the UFW

came to Minneapolis seeking support for a boycott of head lettuce. Later,
there was a boycott of table grapes.

The UFW didn't send just the farmworkers – two entire families came to
spread the labor union's message. My first assignment was to find winter
clothing for the families. I went on to picketing, asking churches and
schools not to serve grapes, and urging grocers to carry only lettuce with
the UFW Black Eagle on the box.

Despite all this, I still was not prepared for the man I found when I first
met Cesar Chavez. I met him several times while I was editor of the
East San Jose Sun, a weekly newspaper serving the city where Chavez had

grown up and gotten his start as an activist.

For an activist, he was quite reserved, almost shy. And for a union leader, 

he seemed uncomfortable in the spotlight. Yet he was very inspiring. I remember
thinking one time when I was listening to him: If there are saints in our
time, Chavez surely must be one.

Over the years, he and others told me about his life and his organizer.
Chavez moved to San Jose, California in 1952 to organize a local chapter of
the Community Service Organization (CSO). The group was born in Los Angeles,
growing out of a city council campaign there. Fred Ross, an organizer from
Saul Alinsky's organization in Chicago, played a key role in getting the
group started. (Saul Alinsky got his start with the Back of the Yards, a

community organization near Hull House.)

From Los Angeles, Ross went to work organizing other CSO chapters around the
state. He hired Cesar Chavez to help. Chavez moved to San Jose and organized
a CSO chapter there. At one time, the San Jose chapter was the biggest of a
string of CSOs around California. The chapter offered immigration
assistance, citizenship class and related projects.

Chavez left San Jose in 1962, intent on starting a labor union for
farmworkers. He had been concerned about the plight of farmworkers, many
from Mexico or of Mexican descent, for a number of years. But he had been
unable to persuade CSO to become an advocate on behalf of "campesinos."
So he quit his CSO job and headed to the Salinas Valley to start
organizing. He organized nationwide boycotts of grapes, Gallo wine and head
lettuce to draw attention to the poor wages and working conditions of
farmworkers – and to pressure growers to sign contracts with the union. The
boycotts were successful and the UFW signed contracts covering thousands of
workers.

By the mid-1970s, it appeared that the struggle for better wages and working
conditions for farmworkers had been won. But a series of setbacks during the
1980s slowed the UFW momentum and even erased some of its earlier gains. By
1990, it was clear that some new strategy was needed. So Chavez and other
union leaders decided to return to San Jose where he had begun 30 years
before.

The last time I saw Chavez was in 1992, only a few months before he died. The
scene was a familiar one – in front of a grocery store in San Jose. It was a
sort of homecoming for Chavez; his appearance brought out many activist
friends. In his talk, he linked the dreams of rural farmworkers to the sense
of justice in urban consumers. He urged us to act on our shared hopes for a
better community. Once again I had that feeling: I am in the presence of an
extraordinary person.

Chavez died in 1993. But his legacy continues, both in the UFW and in the
day set aside each March to remember his life and work. 
(You can find out more by visiting these websites: www.ufw.org and
www.cesarchavezfoundation.org.)

His legacy lies in each of us, too. We can follow his example, using justice,

fairness and concern for the environment as measures for where we shop

for our food and what we buy. For more ideas on how to do this, 

visit: www.takepart.com.

ADDING A TENTH TO A LIST OF
'TEN IDEAS FOR SOCIAL WORK'

From time to time, the Coffeeshop Newsletter has offered a list of 'Ten ideas for social work ' 
There are nine ideas on the list; readers are invited to suggest a tenth.  It's been awhile, so we'd
like to try this again.

Here is the original list of nine:

1. Be tolerant
2. Widen your circle
3. Have high expectations

4. Stay young
5. Find people you can trust
6. Take time to be alone

7. Read a daily paper
8. Support a public library
9. Have hope

Here's a sampling  of the reader suggestions for this list. Take a look at
these;

***Be non-judgemental  ***Open yourself up to new ideas  ***Understand and
celebrate differences  ***Write a letter instead of an e-mail

***Be a good listener ***Be passionated about your work ***Invest in the
future (youth, community, share, recycling) ***Have a sense of humor

***Let things affect you, move you  ***Listen  ***Play with children
***Be open to challenges ***Love the people you work for  ***Trust yourself

***Talk to people  ***Always stand up for what you believe in ***Never stop
learning   ***Dissolve your judgments  ***Let out your creativity
***Connect yourself and the environment

Now, it's time to add your own. We'll print your suggestions in a coming issue of 

the Newsletter. 

FOR YOUR COFFEEBREAK:
QUOTES ABOUT COFFEE

***Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical -- Jonathan Swift,
author of Gulliver's Travels

***Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee --
Stephanie Piro, cartoonist and author of "Caffeinated Cartoons: Cartoons
about coffee and tea."

***A morning without coffee is like...sleep -- Author unknown.

***Go ahead...make my coffee -- Author unknown

Have a favorite quote about coffee? Or a caffeinated joke? Send it to us.
Just click reply and start writing.

LOOKING BACK IN THE
BILL'S NEWSLETTER

Eight year ago (2003): Bill Sackter, Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells and other
figures from social work history will come to life in "Good Evening from
Bill's Coffeeshop," a radio drama opening soon.

Nine years ago (2002): Thursday evening potlucks have become a regular
feature at the coffeeshop.

Ten years ago (2001): Stop by Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and make a poster to honor
the important women in your life. It's a project for Women's History Month

CLIP & SAVE THIS

MUSIC CALENDAR

Plenty of great music coming to the coffee house in the next few weeks. Few places in town offer the variety you'll find at Uptown Bill's. Take a look at the list and put a few of these concerts on your calendar:

Thursday, March 17, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night.

Friday, March 18, 7-9 pm: Open Mic.

Saturday, March 19, 7-9 pm: Tim Roberson (Beat Prairie) & Phil Gabe.

Sunday, March 20, 7-9 pm: Chris Bell, Singer/songwriter from New York. Bevineau & the Heartmakers open.

Wednesday, March 23, 7-9 pm: Stoop Singers, www.myspace.com/stoopsingers

Thursday, March 24, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night

Friday, March 25, 7 pm Open Mic. 9 pm: Josh Harty, country blues,  www.joshharty.com 

Saturday, March 26, 7-9 pm: Truckstop Souvenir

Tuesday, March 29, 6-7 pm: Live broadcast of Tom's Guitar Show

Thursday, March 31, 6-8 pm: Art & Music Night

Friday, April 1, 7-9 pm: Open Mic

Saturday, April 2: Dunlavin Green

Tuesday, April 5, 6:30 pm: Amy Schmidt and Orion Walsh. Almost Circle opens. 

Thursday, April 7: Benefit concert for Uptown Bill's. Hosted by I-Envision, UI business student group.

Friday, April 8, 7 pm: Open Mic. 9 pm: Andina and Rich,  www.andinaandrich.com 

Saturday, April 9, 7-9 pm: Pigs and Clover

Sunday, April 10, 2-7 pm: Bill Sackter Birthday Party. Music, food, "Bill" movie, and more. Hosted by UI students from MSW class.

MORE THOUGHTS ON REVIVING

STREET CARS IN IOWA CITY

Great idea. When I was a kid (late 1940s) in Iowa City there were still [street car] tracks on Park Road between what is now Hancher and City Park from a line that had crossed the bridge to Dubuque St. They were soon paved over. My mom used to ride the CRANDIC to Cedar Rapids to shop sometimes. And, of course, we regularly rode the Rock Island to Chicago, Des Moines, or Denver. there were 4-5 trains per day. I took the train to college in Ohio in the early 60s. 

If this Governor doesn't give back the Federal grant money by refusing to put up some state money we may see passenger trains in Iowa City again soon.

A light rail like you propose could also stop at the CR airport!

     ~  Craig Mosher

Thank you for this neat article.  I enjoy reading about Iowa City history.  As I'm sure you know, the Irving Weber books have a lot of info on the old streetcar system.  I live near Rundell Street which is double-wide because it used to be a streetcar route – I enjoy walking over there and thinking about what it was like "back in the day."  Thanks again for the great newsletter.

      ~  Andy Hosmanek

NEW MISSION STATEMENT 

FOR EDF/UPTOWN BILL'S

Uptown Bill's is a project of the Extend the Dream Foundation. Here's the mission statement which the board of the foundation approved at its last meeting:

In the spirit of Bill Sackter, we strive to nurture and encourage individuals with disabilities by providing:

1) a gathering place where people of all abilities are welcome

2), employment and micro-enterprise opportunities for individuals with disabilities

3) a community forum on abilities awareness

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's Coffee House. Published since 2000, the Newsletter is written by Tom Gilsenan, a former manager of Wild Bill's and now director of Uptown Bill's. You can write to him at tomgilsenan@gmail.com

Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. It has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more than 35 years. Located in North Hall, the coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, check the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. You can also call the coffeeshop at (319) 335-1281. Donations to support the work of the coffeeshop may be sent to: Bill's Coffeeshop Fund, University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Contributions are tax deductible.

Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of Wild Bill's. Now in it 10th year, it includes a bookstore, performance venue and other businesses in addition to a coffeeshop. Located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's is open every day from 8 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's page on Facebook. You can also call Uptown Bill's at (319) 339-0401. Donations to support the work of Uptown Bill's may be sent to: Extend the Dream Foundation, Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Contributions are tax deductible.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH * OPEN MIC * BIRTHDAY PLANS * Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter * Vol. 12 * March 5, 2011

CELEBRATE WOMEN'S

HISTORY MONTH

**Jovita and Soledad Pena. Jane Lathrop. Ida B. Wells. Juliette Low**

Chances are you didn't hear about any of these women in your high school

history class (Or in college history courses either). Most history books have 

plenty about founding fathers but very little about founding mothers.

**Isadora Duncan. Rachel Carson. Susan B. Anthony. Dolores Huerta**

Giving these and other influential women their proper place in history is

the goal of Women's History Month -- celebrated each March. The idea for

this originally came from the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the

Status of Women. They suggested a week, which has evolved into a month

**Mary McLeod Bethune. Jane Addams. Betty Friedan. Corita Kent. Carrie

Nation. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. Florence Kelly. Louise D. Bowen**

You can learn more about these women and others during March by visiting 

the Facebook page for Uptown Bill's.  Several women's history resources

have been posted there since March 1. Others will be added each week.

And there are quizzes, too. So visit the page often. And feel free to add 

your own resources as well.

**Gloria Steinem. Clara Barton. Louisa May Alcott. Jeanette Rankin. Kate

Millett. Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Dorothy Day. Edith Abbott**

COFFEE HOUSE IS KEY PART OF

LEGACY OF JANE ADDAMS

Uptown Bill's customers are often surprised to learn that Jane

Addams imagined places like a coffeehouse as social work settings.

Actually, it was one of earliest innovations introduced by her -- and the

other women of Hull House.

 The settlement house opened its doors on Halsted Street in Chicago

in September 1889. The coffeehouse opened shortly after that. It was to be a

community gathering place, Addams said, where all would be welcome. The

coffeehouse was both an informal drop-in place as well as the sponsor of a

host of programs, including theater, music, lectures and debates.

By 1895, the coffeehouse experience was in print. It was included

in one of the chapters which make up Hull House Maps and Papers. In 1910,

Addams included the coffeehouse in her best-known book, Twenty

Years at Hull House.

The coffeehouse idea was just one of a host of remarkable ideas

from Addams and the women of Hull House. They also started a day care

center for working mothers, a health clinic, a branch library and a public

playground. All of these were innovations when they began a century ago --

new institutions which responded to specific community needs.

Addams and the women of Hull House were also involved in forming a

host of community organizations. Among the best-known: NAACP, NASW, PTA,

AAUW, American Civil Liberties Union and the Women's International League

for Peace and Freedom. They also helped organize labor unions and

cooperatives.

LIVE MUSIC BLOOMS

AT UPTOWN BILL'S

Looking for live music from a great variety of musicians? Check out the schedule of upcoming concerts at Uptown Bill's:

Saturday, March 12, 7 pm

Joe Brisben and John McNamara

Saturday, March 19, 7 pm

Tim Roberson and Phil Gabe

Sunday March 20, 7 pm

Chris Bell, a singer songwriter from New York, return to the Uptown Bill's stage. He plays the cello like a guitar. Check out Chris and his music on Facebook. You'll find a link on the Facebook page for Uptown Bill's. Opening for Chris: Bevineau and the Heartmakers.  

Wednesday, March 23, 7 pm

Stoop Singers bring their old time music tour to Bill's. www.myspace.com/stoopsingers

Saturday, March 26, 7 pm

Truckstop Souvenir, longtime local favorites. We've been playing their CD recently at Uptown Bill's.

For more details on these and other performances, check the Facebook page for Uptown Bill's or visit the website at www.uptownbills.org. 

FOR EVEN MORE MUSIC

CHECK OUT OPEN MIC

Have you been to Open Mic at Uptown Bill's? Check out the most eclectic Open Mic in town. Fridays, 7-9 pm. Hear new musicians and longtime favorites. Plus poetry and more. If you'd like to perform, sign up now at the coffee house. 

WAIT, THERE'S STILL MORE:

ART & MUSIC THURSDAYS

Join us Thursdays, 6-8 pm for Art & Music Nights. Each week, a different art project. Last week's theme was Mardi Gras. The masks on the wall were created that night. This week the theme is St. Patrick's Day. Plenty of green in this week's art projects.

WE THOUGHT YOU'D

BE INTERESTED IN...

...Do you know about The Vintage Shoppe, another of the businesses which is a part of Uptown Bill's. Find out more at the new Facebook page for the Vintage Shoppe.

...Looking for good used books? Check out the books at Uptown Bill's. Great selections at great prices. Paperbacks are $1.50; hard cover books are $3.

...Like to perform on the stage at Uptown Bill's? Call Tom G. at (319) 339-0491. Right now, we're looking for individuals and groups who would like to be a part of Art & Music Night on Thursdays. We're also booking for summer concerts.

...Have you seen "A Friend Indeed," the new documentary about Bill Sackter's life and legacy? Copies are available for $20 at Uptown Bill's.

...Books by and about individuals with disabilities are the focus of Sackter House Media, another of the projects which is a part of Uptown Bill's. Check out the display at the coffee house. Or online at www.sackterhousemedia.org.

...A Bill Sackter Birthday party is being planned for Sunday, April 10, 2-7 pm. Music, food and a showing of the Bill movie. Barry Morrow, Bill's friend and screenwriter for the Bill movie, will join the celebration by phone from his home in California. 

___________________________________________

Bill's Coffeeshop Newsletter is a virtual extension of Wild Bill's Coffeeshop and Uptown Bill's Coffee House. Published since 2000, the Newsletter is written by Tom Gilsenan, a former manager of Wild Bill's and now director of Uptown Bill's. You can write to him at tomgilsenan@gmail.com

Wild Bill's Coffeeshop is a project of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa. It has been a part of campus life in Iowa City for more than 35 years. Located in North Hall, the coffeeshop is open weekdays from 8 am. For more information, check the Friends of Bill's Coffeeshop page on Facebook. You can call the coffeeshop at (319) 335-1281. Donations to support the work of the coffeeshop may be sent to: Bill's Coffeeshop Fund, University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244. Contributions are tax deductible.

Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of Wild Bill's. Now in it 10th year, it includes a bookstore, performance venue and other businesses in addition to a coffeeshop. Located at 730 S. Dubuque, Uptown Bill's is open every day from 8 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's page on Facebook. You can call Uptown Bill's at (319) 339-0401. Donations to support the work of Uptown Bill's may be sent to: Extend the Dream Foundation, Uptown Bill's, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Contributions are tax deductible.