Entertainment

Sixty-two films were screened at the 2025 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, April 4-6, 2025 at the Collins Road Theatres, 1462 Twixt Town Road, Marion, Iowa. Awards were handed out at the Saturday night Eddy Awards Ceremony, presented by Farmers State Bank, as well as following the Student Cinema Sunday screenings.Professional Narrative FeatureGold – 5683, by Brittany Benedict, Kevin Shepherd and Michael Huntington (Newhall, Iowa)Silver – Remote, by Matthew Tribble and Marc Bauer (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines)  ---Eddy Award Winners   Student FreestyleGold – EDM is Plastic?, by Than San, Loras College (Dubuque, Iowa)Silver – Unwritten, by Hunter Jones, Loras CollegeStudent Narrative Short Form FilmGold – Brothers: A Civil War Story, by Casey Schaffer, Matthew Donley and Zachary Gutherman, De Sales University (Waterloo, Iowa and Westminster Colorado)Silver – Eighteen Years, by Libby Perry and Emily Surma, Loras CollegeStudent DocumentaryGold – I went on the adventure of my dreams by Jack McCarthy, North Scott High School (Eldridge, Iowa)Silver – Jayden Upton: Give it Your All!, by Dylan Ervin, Kevin Franks and Nolan Swartz, Loras CollegeStudent Narrative Long-Form FilmGold – 50mm, by Dillon Jacobson, University of Iowa (Iowa City)Silver – Exaltation, by Will Schwartz, University of IowaHobbyist Short FormGold – Inheritance, by Allanah Swenka and Benjamin Schmidt (Coralville)Silver – Chase, by Lilah Pearl Skaar, Anthony Syracuse, Jme Lee and James Brown (Denver, Iowa)Hobbyist DocumentaryGold – Good Tough Kid, by Michael James McDonald, Seth Stoltenow and Joshua Cole (Wyoming, Michigan)Silver – Tinker by Ryan Adams (Independence, Iowa)Hobbyist FeatureGold – The Gates, by Tiffany A.

The Matchsellers are a rollicking American Stringband from Kansas City. Join us for a Sunday afternoon of lively bluegrass, old-time music and storytelling from a truly unique band! Their shows are a lot of fun! Click here for video of the group that you can enjoy!“…a twisted sense of lyrical humor paired with energetic Americana music” – Norman Transcript, OklahomaRefreshments will be provided by Garrison Library for a donation.

I never encourage you to leave town, especially to watch a movie, because we have the best theatre right here in Vinton! However, I thought this event might be something some might enjoy knowing about!---Sixty-two films from across the country, all with an Iowa connection, will take center stage at the 2025 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (CRIFF), running April 4-6 at Collins Road Theatres in Marion.

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with some lively Irish and Bluegrass music from Bob Black & Banjoy, with Joy Ward on the fiddle! This is always a great show! Hope to see you there!Refreshments are provided by the Garrison Library for a freewill donation. The concert will be on Sunday, March 16th from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm with admission of $12 except for children who can enjoy the music free!Join us at:Farmers Mercantile Hall100 W Main St.

Join us for our 2nd Annual Red Carpet Party at the library! We will be watching the celebrity red-carpet arrivals in Hollywood for the Academy Awards! Our night includes Oscar-themed trivia games, beverages, appetizers, and more! Formal dress is encouraged but not required. Thanks to a generous donation from Express Limousine of North Liberty, we are also holding a raffle for a 2-hour limo ride prior to the event.

By Marcy HorstBob Dylan, “A Complete Unknown,” was joined by four guitars, a harmonica, and a mandolin at the Palace last weekend to raise more than $1,000 toward our Light Up the Palace 25th Anniversary Project. Thanks so much to musicians Phil Thomas, Jay Cherry, Todd Frank, and Jim Magdefrau who graced our stage for the Dylan tribute and gave of their time and immense talent.

Join us for our 2nd Annual Red Carpet Party at the library! We will be watching the celebrity red-carpet arrivals in Hollywood for the Academy Awards. Our night includes Oscar-themed trivia games, beverages, appetizers, and more! Formal dress is encouraged but not required. Thanks to a generous donation from Express Limousine of North Liberty, we are also holding a raffle for a 2-hour limo ride prior to the event.

By Marcy HorstDYLAN LIGHTS UP THE PALACEThis week the Palace Theatre is excited to showcase both our screen and stage. The Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” rated R, running 141 minutes, opens Friday, January 31, and plays in our regular weekend schedule.On Saturday, February 1, several local musicians, Todd Frank, Phil Thomas, and Jim Magdefrau, and one who hails from Chicago, Jay Cherry, will take the stage between the 2 pm and 7 pm movie showings, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm.

The Boys are a dynamic Midwest country band fronted by twin brothers Lee and Adam Klett. They will be performing as a duo for this show. With roots in classic rock and 90’s country music, they bring a traditional feel to modern country music. Hailing from SE Iowa, Lee and Adam are known for their rich natural harmonies and well rounded writing style.

By Marcy Horst“Sonic 3,” rated PG and running 109 minutes, was confirmed on last week’s booking sheet to open this Friday, January 24, and will play in our regular schedule on Friday and Saturday at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday at 7 pm. The event will be for sale at www.vintonpalace.org Tuesday morning. Unless it changes Monday night.THE MOVIE BUSINESS IN 2024Why can’t you purchase your tickets sooner if we know a movie has been confirmed? Because so often in today’s film business, many previously agreed upon bookings change after the weekend run.