Mike Zito entertains the crowd in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, during the 2018 Czech Village Blues. This year’s event is set for Saturday, Aug. 10. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Czech Village Blues approaches its third year as a fundraising effort to restore the Riverside Roundhouse, a site for farmers markets since 1963 that was dismantled after the devastating floods of 2008.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, for the event along the Cedar River in Czech Village, hosted by Friends of Czech Village and the Linn County Blues Society.

The Riverside Roundhouse is shown after the 2008 flood and before it was dismantled to make way for a new location for the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, seen in the background. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Last year, more than 1,500 spectators attended, bringing in $30,000 in revenue for the roundhouse and related efforts.

Related: Roundhouse rebuilding efforts

The 2019 Czech Village Blues features headliner Toronzo Cannon, who has played multiple tours in Europe, and delivers roof-raising performances around the United States.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

New this year, a shuttle will be provided from the City of Cedar Rapids Lot 44, at 861 Second St. SE to the site of the festival, at 16th Avenue and A Street SW in Czech Village.  ParkCR charges a small fee to park in the lot.

See photos from last year’s Czech Village Blues and learn more about this year’s event, from Friends of Czech Village:

The Linn County Blues Society is teaming up with Friends of Czech Village to start a new blues tradition in Cedar Rapids. When the Linn County Blues Society’s Bluesmore ended its 21-year run in 2015, the all-volunteer group began looking for a new venue for the event. In 2017, they found it. 2018 was fabulous and 2019 looks even better.

Czech Village Blues will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019 in the Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village. The event will be a one-day blues music festival to raise funds to rebuild the Roundhouse in Czech Village. The show is a joint production of Friends of Czech Village and the Linn County Blues Society.

Czech Village Blues will feature Toronzo Cannon as the 2019 headliner. Toronzo Cannon has battled his way to the top of the ultra-competitive Windy City blues scene, has played multiple tours in Europe, and delivered roof-raising performances around the United States. For more information about this exciting act, please visit www.toronzocannon.com.

The middle act features #1 Billboard blues artist, Anthony Gomes. Anthony is a triple threat guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. His high-energy shows and dynamic stage presence make him one of the top draws on the rock and blues circuit today. Read more at www.anthonygomes.com.

Opening the show will be local favorite, Charlie Morgan and the Bone Crushers featuring Tommy “T-Bone” Giblin.

Czech Village Blues will also feature a youth stage at this year’s festival where young, local Blues performers will have the opportunity to “show their stuff” in front of a large audience beginning at 4:30pm.

Tickets can be purchased online at CzechVillageFriends.org or in the following retail locations: White Lion Treasures, Checkers Tavern, O’Malleys Irish Bar, Parlor City Pub & Eatery, Q-Dogs BBQ and The Village Meat Market.

Czech Village Blues Frequently Asked Questions

Ally Venable performs during the second Czech Village Blues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Where should I park?
You may park anywhere in the area there you find available. NEW this year- We will be providing a shuttle service from the City of Cedar Rapids Lot 44 located at 861 2nd Street SE. There will be a small fee to park in this parking lot and is charged by ParkCR. The shuttle is through NTS (Neighborhood Transportation Service) and is paid for by proceeds from the event.
Can I bring my own food / cooler / drinks?
No outside coolers, food, or drinks. Food and Drinks (soft drinks, beer and Cedar Ridge Rum, Vodka and Bourbon) will be available for purchase on site. Bring your own chairs / blankets for seating.
How do I get into the festival?
The entrance is at 16th AVE at A St SW.
When do gates open for the event?
Gates open at 4:00 pm. Youth Stage Musicians start at 4:30 Charlie Morgan and the Bonecrushers start at 5:00pm.
Can I bring my dog with me?
No Pets are allowed into the festival (with the exception of service animals).
What happen if it rains?
The show will be held unless there is lightning. No umbrellas are allowed.
Can I bring my children? Do they need tickets?
Absolutely! Bring the family. Children under 12 admitted free with a paid adult.

Friends of Czech Village is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for and reconstructing the Riverside Roundhouse building in the Czech Village neighborhood. Once rebuilt, this high-quality facility will be a venue for farmer’s markets, recreational activities, festivals, social occasions, and more.

The Linn County Blues Society is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and perpetuation of Blues music in Eastern Iowa, as well as to provide charitable contributions to other community organizations. For more information, please visit www.LCBS.org.

Tony Brown and Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin perform during the inaugural Czech Village Blues. (photo/Cindy Hadish)