Midwinter Renaissance Faire
Saturday, Jan. 20
Hark! Iowa’s only indoor Renaissance Faire is making many happy returns to the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Spectate sword fights, bow to royalty, and stroll amongst the tradesfolk as they demonstrate their talents ’round the Faire, from spinning and weaving to Shakespearean fare. Prithee partake of Renaissance airs, jugglers, kids’ arts & crafts, and ye olde selfie station. Then fill yer bellies with root beer and turkey drumsticks at the Greyhound Deli & Cafe. Events will storm the building, with uncommon commoners in the Commons, featuring a knighting ceremony at 3:30 p.m.; sword fighters and falcons in Whipple Auditorium; calligraphy, trivia and pirates in Beems; and 1 p.m. Tea with the Queen in the Children’s Program Room.
Midwinter Renaissance Faire -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (1/20), Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE; free admission; Crlibrary.org
Tonic Sol-fa
Jan. 26
Repeat performers at the Iowa State Fair, this Emmy-winning a cappella group is coming to Coralville for its only Eastern Iowa stop this season. Springing from St. John’s University in central Minnesota, the ensemble has been building momentum for two decades, performing around the world, releasing 10 CDs and taping three public television specials. They have and sharing the stage with Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy, Lonestar, Montgomery Gentry, Shawn Colvin and Weird Al Yankovic, among others. And they have performed the national anthem for professional sporting events, national political conventions, former presidents and at Mount Rushmore.
Tonic Sol-fa -- 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26, Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St.; $17 to $27, venue box office, (319) 248-9370 or
Coralvillearts.org
Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre: ‘Turandot’
Friday and Sunday, Jan. 19 and 21
Set in Legendary China and performed in Italian with English supertitles, Puccini’s final opera is an epic love story. Princess Turandot (soprano Rebecca Nash) has many suitors, but to win her hand, they must solve three riddles — or die. Heads roll until a handsome prince (tenor Ta’u Pupu’a, formerly of the NFL) enters the realm. During his quest, he sings the haunting “Nessun dorma.”
Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre: “Turandot” -- 7:30 p.m. Friday (1/19) and 2 p.m. Sunday (1/21), Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; $19 to $69, Paramount Ticket Office, (319) 366-8203 or Paramounttheatrecr.com, $10 student tickets at (319) 366-8203; free curtain talks, Encore Lounge one hour before show; Sunday matinee broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio
