Little Village: How would you describe your experience growing up in Mount Vernon, Iowa?

Dan Bern: Well, looking back, there was a lot of time and space to kind of hack around and try lots of things. Not a lot of pressure to find one track and follow it. Mount Vernon is a small town and the school was small. You were pretty free to do a lot of things and begin finding out who you are.

LV: Did anything specific to Iowa influence your musical interests and taste?

DB: I guess probably KUNI. In the afternoons they’d play stuff that wasn’t country or hit radio, anything from Woody Guthrie to Greg Brown. So that opened up some horizons.

LV: When did you leave Iowa, and was your decision to move away made in order to pursue music?

DB: Well, I left after high school, went up to Wisconsin for college and after that I went to Chicago, started playing on the streets, open mikes every night, etc. So I guess so.

LV: Do you think living elsewhere has somehow helped you know Iowa better?

DB: In some ways; don’t you always have to go away to get some different perspective on a place? On the other hand, I don’t really feel I know Iowa terribly well. I know Mount Vernon and Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City a little bit, but not a whole lot else. I went to tennis camp in Decorah, and I got my first speeding ticket in Ottumwa. But I don’t think I could tell you where Muscatine is.

LV: What other places have you called home, and could you talk a little about each place?

DB: I lived in Chicago for about five years, then I headed to Los Angeles, where I lived a couple different times for quite a few years. I’ve lived longer in L.A. than anyplace else and am gonna do another stint pretty soon. Then I lived mostly on the road for some years, and a year or so in New York. And for the past six years I’ve lived in a small town in New Mexico, which has felt a lot like Mount Vernon in many ways. Lots of time and space. Chicago and L.A. were, for me, about seeing and hearing lots of different things, meeting creative people, writing lots of songs and trying to make a living.

LV: You’ve lived in New Mexico for about six years now. Why the move to the southwest, and how has it influenced your life and art?

DB: Well, it’s been a great place. Great weather and people, healing hot springs… you gotta go to the desert at some point in your life, right? Great place to paint, write, get healthy.

LV: Would you consider yourself an “Iowa” singer-songwriter or a musician of any other place? What do you think such a label means, if anything?

DB: Well…how about “Iowa-born”? That’s one thing that’ll never change, where you were born. I imagine being from Iowa gives you a certain sense of some things… maybe it’s not rushing around all the time, taking a moment to sit on a curb in the sun. No matter where I go, I know where I’m from. I’m glad I’m from where I am.

LV: Does returning to Iowa feel like coming home, and do you notice any changes (for better or worse) in the state?

DB: It does feel like home, in ways that surprise me. The way the grass feels when you’re barefoot. Lately I’ve spent the most time here in the summer, but the fall was always my favorite time in the Midwest, so maybe I can come around for more of that, too. Doing this show “Moving Home” in Cedar Rapids, I’ve gotten to know a whole crop of really creative folks in a very short time, and it’s been great. The flood is of course the biggest change, and it’ll be interesting (and obviously a challenge) to see what changes are wrought over the next few years.

LV: Having lived in several different places, and with countless miles of touring behind you, do you feel settled?

DB: Naw! Not at all. But I guess that’s just me.

IOWA CITY

The University of Iowa Arts Campus

By foot or on bike, a trip along the riverside pathways of the Iowa Arts Campus has always provided a lovely view and a comforting reminder of the importance of art at the University of Iowa and in Iowa City. Formed more than 70 years ago, the Campus is home to a mix of of modern and classic architecture that houses Hancher Auditorium and most of Iowa’s art-oriented schools and departments. Sadly, it’s proximity to the Iowa River also means the Arts Campus fell victim to some of the most severe UI flooding.

Flooded buildings that have displaced faculty, staff and students and impacted current and future arts programming include the Voxman Music Building and Clapp Recital Hall (School of Music), the Theatre Building (Theatre Arts), the Museum of Art, and both the old (but classic) Art Building and Stephen Holl’s architectural wonder, Art Building West (School of Art and Art History). Affected artist workspace includes photography, ceramics, metalsmithing and sculpture studios, which were under six to seven feet of water and will not be available for use in the fall.

At the Museum of Art, the good news is that most of the collection — artworks representing 99 percent of the value of the UIMA’s collection, according to interim director Pamela White — was packed and moved to secure off-site storage, the bulk of it in Chicago. It’s still unclear when the artwork will return home and the UIMA can be fully open to the public, but it’ll be longer than anyone would like.

With cleanup and recovery underway, the full extent of damage and the impact on arts programming during the upcoming academic year remains to be seen. The UI has made it a top priority to maintain full academic offerings in the arts, but many classes and performance/work spaces will need to be relocated. A few UI sources to watch for updates: UI Flood Information, Arts Calendar, Hancher Auditorium blog, and Foundation Flood fund

On the east side of the River, lower-level flooding closed the Iowa Memorial Union, which houses the Bijou Theater, a longtime source for independent and foreign film. The Bijou is dry, but the IMU also hosts other entertainment during the year, and it’s unknown when the building will return to full capacity. For updates, check the Bijou website.

Riverside Theatre

Although its primary home is on north Gilbert Street is high and dry, the flooding couldn’t have come at a worse time for Riverside Theatre, which was set to open its annual Shakespeare Festival at the outdoor Riverside Festival Stage in City Park. The stage flooded with the rest of the park, and Riverside moved this year’s productions (The Comedy of Errors and The Winter’s Tale) to Opstad Auditorium at City High School. The move has caused a dip in attendance at the otherwise popular festival, and Riverside would love to see you in the seats before the shows close on July 13. Donations are also being solicited to help cover lost ticket revenue and to replace some equipment lost due to flooding of Riverside’s shop in Coralville

CEDAR RAPIDS

If you’ve seen the jaw-dropping photos and aerial footage (who hasn’t?), you know just how devastating the floods were to Cedar Rapids, with the core of the city built on and around the Cedar River. Home to the much-loved Czech Village and diverse neighborhoods and arts organizations, Cedar Rapids took a direct hit to the heart of its cultural life.

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

The museum was able to move most of its collection before flooding and estimates only five percent of the collection was affected by water or high humidity. The building itself suffered flood damage and is being professionally cleaned and sanitized. The exhibition preparation area was destroyed and tools, equipment and supplies housed in storerooms were un-salvageable. All summer events at the museum have been canceled, and the museum hopes to reopen in a limited capacity around Labor Day. The Grant Wood Studio was not affected and will reopen in July. Donations can be made through the Cedar Rapids Art Museum website.

Cedar Rapids Public Library

The CRPL’s main branch downtown was flooded and the collection suffered extensive damage. All staff have been relocated, and the main branch will remain closed until safe cleanup and recovery allows staff and eventually the public to return. At this time, the CRPL is asking donations be placed on hold until they have the room to accept items.

National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library / Czech Village

Astonishing early photos of the Czech & Slovak Museum showed its building drowning in more than 15 feet of exterior water (10 feet inside). Fortunately, two semis of artifacts were moved out before the flood, and other items were moved to higher ground before evacuation was required. Staff are now working to preserve as much damaged material as possible with the help of conservationists. The building has suffered severe damage, but as NCSML president Gail Naughton has said, “a museum is more than a building, it exists in the hearts and souls of people.” A flood relief fund has been setup online. Also uncertain is the fate of flooded homes and other businesses in the Czech Village neighborhood, as the Cedar Rapids City Council faces tough decisions about how to rebuild. If you feel it’s important to protect the area’s rich history and diversity, let them know

African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa

About five feet of water soaked materials at the African American Historical Museum. It’ll take completion of salvage and cleanup efforts to know how much of its collection will be saved. Updates on recovery and programming can be found online, where donations can also be made.

Legion Arts / CSPS & New Bohemia

Providing some of the most eclectic music and arts programming in the state, Legion Arts is a cornerstone of the New Bohemia arts district. Fortunately, the upper floors of its building (which house gallery and performance space) suffered minimal flood damage and the structure appears sound. Unfortunately, the ground level businesses of CSPS and the rest of the New Bohemia district didn’t escape the devastating floodwaters. Many local artists have been impacted by the flood, and Legion Arts has setup an Iowa Artist Relief Fund to help.

Theatre Cedar Rapids

A longtime Cedar Rapids arts staple, Theatre Cedar Rapids recently launched a capital campaign for improvements to its home, the century-old Iowa Theatre Building. Now TCR is faced with flood damage and recovery, which they’ll need to overcome while also looking to the future. Waters flooded the dressing rooms and costume shop and soaked the stage and auditorium seats. Summer productions and theatre camps for students have been moved. Updates and news on alternate venues for productions in the upcoming season will be posted online, where donations can also be made. TCR also houses productions by Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, whose programs will be impacted by flooding.

Paramount Theatre
This September 1 marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the historic Paramount Theatre, which opened as the Capitol Theatre before being bought and renamed by Paramount Pictures in 1929. It was gifted to the City of Cedar Rapids in 1975 and two restorations have helped it remain a spectacular venue. The anniversary will still come, but the Paramount suffered extensive flood damage and will need some serious TLC to recover. More than eight feet of water rose above stage level and upended the Paramount’s historic (1,000-pound) Wurlitzer Organ, which is maintained by the Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society. Parts of the organ are being salvaged, but the console couldn’t survive the water damage; a rarity, it will need to be rebuilt or replaced. Thankfully, no water entered the pipe chambers and CRATO members are hopeful that the organ will be played again in its original home. To help the cause, visit www.cr-atos.com. The Paramount is also home to the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, also in need of financial support; donate online at www.crsymphony.org.

If you’re downtown this weekend, there’s no escaping the Iowa City Jazz Festival. But who would want to? It’s Christmas in July for music lovers. As always, this year’s lineup is stellar, and it’s all free. Fireworks will follow Friday night’s headliners, Medeski Martin & Wood. The festival runs through Sunday evening, so grab a blanket or lawn chair and setup camp.

If you’re looking for some alternative options or need a festival break, here are some Weekender best bets:

Thursday, July 3

Paul Geremia | George’s Buffet, 312 E. Market St. | 9pm | Free

Check out a free show by Rhode Islander Paul Geremia, called “one of the best country blues finger-pickers ever” by Acoustic Guitar magazine.

Friday, July 4

Jerry Joseph | The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St. | 10pm | $8

Portland rocker Jerry Joseph brings his guitar licks and rock gospel to town Saturday night at The Mill. Matthew Grimm opens.

Saturday, July 5

Wonder of the World (Iowa Summer Repertory Theatre) | West High Auditorium, 2901 Melrose Avenue | 8pm | $12-24

Go indoors and enjoy some laughs with an Iowa Summer Rep performance of Wonder of the World by contemporary American playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Wonder follows Cass Harris, armed with a list of 267 things she’s determined to do in her life.

Sunday, July 6

Soundscapes at the Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St. | 9pm | $5

Wind down on Sunday night with a multi-artist bill of ambient soundscape artists at the Yacht Club. Local musicians Mark Rushton and Jon Harnish will join St. Louis-based sound artist Eric Hall (whose work includes installations for the Saint Louis Art Museum) and electroacoustic composer Andrew Weathers (pacific before tiger) from North Carolina.

Monday, July 7

Dan Bern | Old Brick, 26 E. Market St | 8pm | $15 in advance, $18 at the door

Old Brick is the place to be on Monday night, as Iowa native Dan Bern will perform a flood benefit for Legion Arts and the Iowa Artist Relief Fund. The popular singer-songwriter will perform a solo show; tickets available at iowatix.com. Bern is also appearing in productions of Moving Home, an original theatre/music/story performance created by area artists that will be staged July 10-12 and 17-19 at Brucemore in Cedar Rapids. All proceeds will be donated to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation’s flood relief fund.