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Blame Not the Bard – Irish Songs & Stories

Blame Not the Bard is bringing their Irish Songs and Stories back to the Coggon Opera House on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m. This band brings a genuine authenticity to the Irish music they play. It’s as if they were from the Emerald Isle itself. With strong vocals, some fancy fiddling and even a dance step or two, Blame Not the Bard never fails to entertain and will leave you with an Irish smile on your face and in your heart.

General admission seating. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door. Call (319) 721-1350 to learn more and to reserve will call tickets. Payment is by cash or check.

Blame Not the Bard began in 2015 as a side project among friends. They were soon delighted to see that their love for fiery instrumentals, unearthing captivating stories, and getting the whole crowd involved was catching on, leading them to some of the most iconic stages in Iowa. Since then BNTB has played hundreds of shows and regional festivals across the Midwest.

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Marion Big Band 18th Annual “Sounds of the Season” Concert

It’s the 18th Annual Marion Big Band “Sounds of the Season” Concert and the Coggon Opera House’s holiday gift to the community! The afternoon will be a combination of Sounds of the Season “Big Band Style” and traditional big band tunes. Admission is free, but donations to support the Coggon Opera House are welcome. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.
Holiday Dessert Bar
Following the concert, the Coggon Historical Society is hosting a Holiday Desserts Bar in the Opera House Annex across the street. Donations will support their work .
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The Music of SIMON & GARFUNKEL – performed by Swearingen & Kelli

Swearingen & Kelli recreate the music, memories and magic of the most famous folk-rock duo of our time, Simon & Garfunkel. Their show is a nostalgic journey back in time to the unique sound of Simon & Garfunkel’s late 60’s folk club performances.

AJ Swearingen has been performing this music for over twenty years with mastery of Paul Simon’s intricate guitar playing. His deep baritone blends perfectly with Kelli’s angelic vocals delivering a true tribute to the sound of the 1960’s Greenwich Village, NY coffeehouse performances. The duo is on a mission to share this iconic music to new audiences around the country with their unique ability to channel the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel.

Both artists were heavily inspired by the great 70s singer-songwriters, but their unique ability to channel the sounds of Simon & Garfunkel is immediately apparent when you hear them perform these classics songs live.

Seating at the Coggon Opera House is by general admission only. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or reserved for will-call by leaving a message at (319) 435-2071. (It may take several days to respond, but we will return your call!) Payment by cash or check only. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.

Looking for a place to eat before or after the show? Coggon’s new Mexican restaurant, Tequila Jalisco Bar & Grill, would love to have you come and eat there. They open at 11 a.m. If your group is larger than 6 persons, please give them a call at (319) 435-2856 so they can be ready for you.

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Johnny Rogers – The History of Rock N Roll

The Coggon Opera House welcomes Johnny Rogers back to the opera house stage on Sunday, July 21, at 2 p.m. with his ‘History of Rock & Roll – Buddy and Beyond Show.”

From Branson to Las Vegas, Rock ‘n’ Roll showman Johnny Rogers is in the business of bringing yesteryear’s music and history of Rock ‘n’ Roll to life. This show is a crowd-favorite and appeals to just about everyone. His show is a tribute to the music of the legends of Rock n’ Roll. Johnny opens with his uncanny portrayal of the late Buddy Holly and goes on with a tribute to the legendary Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, Elvis and many more.

Johnny is an outstanding musician and can pull off guitar licks that would make Jimi Hendrix proud! He was inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and into the Midwest All Music Association Hall of Fame in 2019. Whether this will be your first time to hear him, or you’ve heard him before, you will be amazed at Johnny’s versatility and talent. A great way to spend a summer afternoon in the air-conditioned Coggon Opera House.

Seating at the Coggon Opera House is by general admission only. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or reserved for will-call by leaving a message at (319) 435-2071. Payment by cash or check only. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.

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Coggon House of Blues

On Sunday, June 2, the Coggon Opera House becomes the Coggon House of Blues featuring BillyLee and Bryce Janey, along with KAT Blue & The True Believers.

At 7:00 p.m. it will be a House of Rockin’ Blues. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. General admission seating. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door. You can also call 319-435-2071 to reserve will call tickets. Payment through the Coggon Opera House is by cash or check.

BillyLee and Bryce Janey are well known, locally based blues rock singers, guitarists and songwriters. Through the years they have achieved success as solo artists, as collaborators in various bands and together as father and son. Both have been inducted into the Iowa Rock n Roll Association’s Hall of Fame.

“KAT Blue & The True Believers” is Powerhouse Rockin’ Blues! Led by song stylist KAT Blue, this group brings the heat and does not let up. KAT’s voice will catch your attention while her powerful interpretations steal your heart and rock your soul. Each musician joining the team brings a high level, passionate talent to the performances that always leave you wanting to hear more.

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Blame Not the Bard – Celebrate All Things Irish – with Storyteller Darrin Crow

It’s time to celebrate all things Irish with Blame Not the Bard. This group is on a mission to bring alive the songs and stories of Ireland. Expertly blending their historical knowledge with fiery instrumentals and musical prowess, Blame Not the Bard’s high-energy show will get your hands clapping and feet tapping through an afternoon of down-to-earth entertainment you won’t soon forget! This year storyteller Darrin Crow joins them sharing his captivating Irish tales.

General admission seating. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door. Call (319) 435-2071 to learn more and to reserve will call tickets. Payment is by cash or check.

Blame Not the Bard was formed in 2015. Since then, they have played hundreds of shows, lighting up the stages in intimate lounges and major festivals including main stage appearances at the annual Iowa Irish Fest. Boasting multiple media appearances and numerous appearances on the award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast with tunes from their debut album, Soundcheck, and a 2022 full-length Greetings from Iowa PBS special, Blame Not the Bard is sharing their songs and stories nationwide.

In August of 2023, Blame Not the Bard released their sophomore album “Now and Again,” which features their current lineup of Andrew Philbrick, Corey Baker, Nicole Philbrick, along with their newest member, Dan Vaughn.

Darrin Crow is a storyteller from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Storytelling has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember, whether it was listening to his aunts, uncles and grandparents talking about farming and coal mining in Iowa or immersing himself in Jules Verne and Tolkien up in his tree house. He studied interpretive speech in college, and then worked as an actor and itinerant storyteller in Pennsylvania and Florida. In 1999 he returned to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has been telling stories ever since.

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17th Annual Marion Big Band “Sounds of the Season” Concert

It’s the 17th Annual Marion Big Band Sounds of the Season Concert and the Coggon Opera House’s holiday gift to the community! The afternoon will be a combination of Sounds of the Season “Big Band Style” and traditional big band tunes. Admission is free, but donations to support the Coggon Opera House are welcome. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.

Holiday Dessert Bar. Following the concert, the Coggon Historical Society is hosting a Holiday Desserts Bar in the Opera House Annex across the street. Donations will support their building projects.

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A Bluegrass Night at the Opera House

It’s another great night of BLUEGRASS MUSIC at the Opera House! This year’s evening of bluegrass music features Banjoy with Bob & Kristie Black, Straightback Chair, and the Great Bluegrass Herons.

Banjoy headlines the show with Bob Black playing a wicked banjo. Banjoy performs everything from classic bluegrass and gospel songs to originals and lively instrumentals. The Great Bluegrass Herons are a couple of couples from the rural Sharon Center, Iowa area who have played and sung bluegrass music together since 1991. Straightback Chair has been together for over 10 years playing bluegrass, Americana and “songs we like.” They love to perform in Opera Houses and the Coggon Opera House one of their favorites.

General admission seating. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door. Call (319) 435-2071 to learn more and to reserve will call tickets. Payment is by cash or check only at the door. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.

 

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A Rock ‘n’ Roll Tribute – From Elvis to the Beatles featuring The Neverly Brothers

The Neverly Brothers concerts take you on a guided musical VIRTUAL TOUR of the birth, near death and resurrection of rock n’ roll rock n roll – from 1955 to 1965. You’ll learn rock history and be thoroughly entertained with their chronological song sequence, stories behind the music and vintage wardrobe changes. Their energetic stage show consists of show-stopping renditions of early hits by Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and more!

The first half of their concert pays tribute to the music created by the 1950s American Rock n’ Roll pioneers – which by 1960 had become a distant memory but became the inspiration for the next wave of young rock bands from Britain. The second half then pays tribute to the 1964 British Invasion bands that re-recorded the forgotten 1950s American rock music – along with lesser known early 1960s rhythm & blues songs, recorded their own original songs and pulled Rock n’ Roll from the edge of extinction by re-inventing and re-energizing it for a new generation.

Their repertoire includes spirited performances of classics like Great Balls Of Fire, Johnny B. Goode, Wake Up Little Susie, Summertime Blues, That’ll Be The Day, Twist & Shout, Roll Over Beethoven, Satisfaction, You Really Got Me, Love Potion #9 and many more!

It‘s not “Moldy Oldies”- it’s “Old-School Cool!” So hop aboard our virtual tour bus and fasten your seatbelts for an exciting MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR!

Seating is by general admission only. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door. You may also reserve will-call tickets by leaving a message at 319-435-2071. Your call will be returned to confirm your tickets. This will be a popular show and we recommend calling in advance for will-call tickets. Payment by cash or check only at the door. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.

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The Gordy and Debbie Show – Reminiscing

Gordy and Debbie, the highly popular husband-wife entertainment act, make their 5th return to the Coggon Opera House. Come hear a mixture of the country & pop music
that shaped this Musical Duo as they take you and go Reminiscing.

General admission seating. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or you can reserve will-call tickets by leaving a message at 319-435-2071. This will be a very popular show and we recommend calling in advance for will-call tickets. Payment is by cash or check only at the door. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.

The Coggon Opera House is air-conditioned.

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