SEE YOU AT THE FAIR * PLENTY OF MUSIC * MIDSUMMER ON THE PRAIRIE * BILL'S COFFEESHOP NEWSLETTER * VOL. 12 * JULY 9, 2011

MIDSUMMER ON

THE PRAIRIE

We are in a long stretch of hot, humid days now, broken occasionally by thunderstorms. It is summer on the prairie. The weather is not necessarily conducive to people, but it is wonderful for the corn.

Daylight still begins before most of us are up. Night comes slowly, providing us with long lingering evenings. Fireflies are still a part of the evenings, you can see them along the creek behind Uptown Bill's. But now one can hear the cicadas, too, sounding like little engines running in the night. They will get louder as the summer goes along, eventually sounding like a small factory operating a night shift. 

The arrival of the cicadas marks the midpoint of the summer, but for now we are still hoping that summer will go on forever. 

PLENTY OF MUSIC

AND LOTS MORE

Three nights of live music, plus an Open Mic and other events are planned this week at Uptown Bill's. Here's a look at this week -- and what's happening through the rest of July: 

Wednesday, July 13
6 pm. Readers & Writers Group. 7 pm. Spoken Word Open Mic. 
7:30 pm. Jenny Dalton, singer/songwriter from Minneapolis

Thursday, July 14
6 pm. Art & Music Night. 7 pm. Open Mic (Singer/Songwriter). 
7:30 pm. Diving Horses, local musical group

Saturday, July 16

2-5 pm Open Reading. 
5:30 pm Michelle Lynn 7 pm. David Olson, singer/songwriter from Twin Cities.

Wednesday, July 20
6 pm Readers & Writers Group. 7 pm Open Mic (Spoken Word).

Thursday, July 21
6 pm. Art & Music Night. 7 pm. Open Mic (Singer/Songwriter)

Saturday, July 23
Saturday Night Music, 7 pm. Dave Moore (Opening: Garrin Jost, Lauren Bevineau)

Wednesday, July 27
6 pm. Readers & Writers Group. 7 pm. Open Mic (Spoken Word.

Thursday, July 28
6 pm. Art & Music Night. 7 pm. Open Mic (Singer/Songwriter)
7:30 pm – Gwendolyn Countryman

Saturday, July 30
7 pm. Saturday Night Music: Sara Pray and Thomas Kivi

GREAT BARGAINS IN

BILL'S BOOKMART

Children's books are just 25 cents in the bookstore; CDs are $2. (Lots of new CDs added during the past week.) As always, paperbacks are $2; hardcovers are $3. Come see us soon. Check out Bill's Bookmart on Facebook for more details. 

FOLLOW THE COFFEESHOP

'WALK ACROSS IOWA'

Dale Hankins is walking across Iowa to spread abilities awareness and tell the continuing story of Bill's Coffeeshops. You can follow the walk on the Facebook page for "Bill's Coffeeshop Walk Across Iowa."

Read about the walk in a Daily Iowan story by Chastity Dillard: http://www.dailyiowan.com/2011/07/11/Metro/24081.html

WHAT'S FEATURED IN

SACKTER HOUSE MEDIA

Books by and about  individuals with disabilities are featured in the Sackter House Media display at Uptown Bill's. Come by and see what we have

SEE YOU AT 

BOOK FAIR

Saturday, July 16 is the day for the annual Iowa City Book Fair. Look for our booths, plus those of others, in Gibosn Park (next to UI library). Fair runs from 10 am to 5 pm. The fair is part of the IC Book Festival running all weekend.

OPEN READING AT

THE COFFEE HOUSE

Uptown Bill's hosts an open reading from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, July 16. You're invited to come by and read a story or poem you have written -- or one you really like. Sign up sheet is on the side of the pop cooler at the coffee house. 

CIRCLE LABOR DAY

ON THE CALENDAR

Uptown Bill's hosts the annual Ralston Creek Fair and Flea Market on Monday, Sept. 5. This event is so big that we'll take over the parking lot across the street to make room for antique dealers and other vendors. Plus, it's the 10th anniversary of Uptown Bill's. It will be a great day. Hope to see you.

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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 8:30 am during the summer. 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 its 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 Monday through Saturday from 7 am. For more information, check the Uptown Bill's website or Facebook page. 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