SEE YOU ON LABOR DAY * EVENTS: LIVE TV & SINGER SHOWCASE * BILL'S COFFEESHOP NEWSLETTER * VOL. 12 * AUGUST 27, 2011

FAIR, FLEA MARKET, MUSIC 

& MORE FOR LABOR DAY

UPTOWN BILL'S celebrates its 10th anniversary with a giant Labor Day extravaganza on Monday, Sept. 5. The day includes the Ralston Creek Fair & Flea Market, a series of special programs, a full day of music and a showing of the documentary film "A Friend Indeed." 

(Would you like a poster for this event to hang up at your office or school? Send a message to tomgilsenan@gmail.com and we'll send you a poster you can print out and post.)

Uptown Bill's is the crosstown cousin of the Wild Bill's Coffeeshop, a part of the community for more than 30 years. Wild Bill's began as a place of employment for Bill Sackter and later became a symbol of "abilities awareness" around the state and beyond.

Extending the idea of the original coffeeshop, Uptown Bill's includes not only a coffeeshop, but also a bookstore a performance venue and other businesses. These are located at 730 S. Dubuque St., six blocks south of downtown Iowa City. A second group of businesses, including a vintage shop and record store are located at 2203 F. St.  Individuals with disabilities and community volunteers staff each of the businesses. A non-profit organization called Extend the Dream Foundation is the umbrella for all of these enterprises. 

CELEBRATION

 OF 10 YEARS!

Uptown Bill's opened in the summer of 2001 at the corner of Gilbert and Court streets. The coffee house and bookstore moved last year to its present location at 730 S. Dubuque. The new location has emerged as a popular music venue for both local and regional musicians.

The upcoming Labor Day event (Monday, Sept. 5) opens with a pancake breakfast (7 to 9 am). The annual Ralston Creek Fair and Flea Market starts at 8 am and continues til 3 pm. The Fair and Flea Market will take place in the University of Iowa parking lot across from Uptown Bill's.

FULL DAY OF

MUSIC, TOO

Music starts at 10 am on Labor Day and continues into the evening. Here's a look at who's performing:

10 am: Pennies on the Rail

11 am: Drew Hayward

1 pm: Irish Sessions

3 pm: Tom's String Band

4 pm: Beat Prairie

5:30 pm: Deadhorse (Ambient rock from Erie, PA)

7 pm: Greg & Susan Dirks

Several of the neighboring businesses are also planning open houses or other events on Labor Day. 

EVENING SHOWING OF BILL DOCUMENTARY

FILM WILL COMPLETE LABOR DAY EVENTS

The day's events will end with a showing of "A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter story" at 7:45 pm. The film traces the life of Bill Sackter and Wild Bill's Coffeeshop. 

OTHER EVENTS COMING UP

AT THE COFFEE HOUSE...

...Live broadcast of Tom's Guitar Show. Tuesday, Aug. 30, 6 pm. A PATV production.

...Spoken Word Open Mic. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 7 pm

...Art and Music Night. Thursday, Sept. 1, 6 pm. Open Mic follows at 7 pm.

...Singer/songwriter showcase. Saturday, Sept. 3, 7 pm. Iowa City has a rich heritage of singer/songwriters. Come and meet some of the next generation at this special session of Saturday Night Music.

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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 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 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.

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In the spirit of Bill Sackter, Uptown Bill's strives to nurture and encourage a gathering place where people of all abilities are welcome. Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Watch us on You Tube: www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLEE41220297F8D82C

Visit our web page: www.uptownbills.org