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CSPS to open season with unique performances

By Cole Cheney

A guitar trifecta, a bluesy banjoist and the all-too-common transvestite harpist are heading to Cedar Rapids this month to kick off the new season at the CSPS/Legion Arts Hall, an artistic sanctuary that recently reopened after June floodwaters forced its closure for almost four months.

Inaccessible since the Cedar River surged 10 and a half feet into the CSPS building on June 13, the second-story CSPS theater at 1103 Third St. remained dry. But the floodwaters limited access and corroded utilities in the building, and thieves took advantage of the situation a month after the flood and made off with nearly $14,000 in audio/visual equipment.

The equipment has been replaced. Performances have been scheduled. Now the venue is just awaiting the return of its audience.

“We are not quite back to normal and we may never get there,” says F. John Herbert, executive director of the nonprofit arts organization. “But that is not our goal right now. We want to bring our devastated area together with great shows and a sense of community.”

The flooding and the problems that followed did little to scare off artists, Herbert says, as the venue’s slate of upcoming shows rivals that of years past.

At 8 p.m. Friday, the California Guitar Trio is scheduled to play the venue’s first post-flood concert. The trio will feature Paul Richards of Salt Lake City, Hideyo Moriya of Tokyo and Bert Lams of Brussels performing acoustic guitar at a classical level of expertise.

The trio will use just three acoustic guitars to play Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue,” as well as more modern-day tunes including Ennio Morricone’s theme for the Clint Eastwood western “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Admission is $13 in advance and $16 at the door.

That show will prime the stage for a unique performer the likes of which CSPS has never hosted before.

At 8 p.m. Saturday, classical harpist Baby Dee will perform. A 55-year-old frizzy redhead and self-proclaimed transsexual, Baby Dee’s music is solid regardless of her persona. Her unique laugh, giant stature and unclassifiable accent only add to her captivating stage presence. Admission is $13 in advance and $16 at the door.

Slightly less eclectic but equally talented, Guy Davis will perform a benefit concert for flood relief at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. An accomplished guitar, dobro and harmonica player whose aim is “to reclaim the banjo for the black man,” Davis is a CSPS favorite and will perform with 63-year-old blues woman Ann Rabson.

“I’ve played the CSPS in horrible humidity and a complete snowstorm,” Davis says. “I love the place. If I’m lucky, I’ll put on a good show for some people that really need healing words.”

In addition to the live performances, an opening reception for an exhibit called “Art 365” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15. Admission is free. The show is conceptually based on the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition question of “what would you get if you gave an artist $10,000 and a year to work?” Funded by grants from the group, six Oklahoma artists will present their works, including fictional portraits, functional sculptures and photo documentaries.

The shows are among many others that organizers have scheduled in hopes of bringing some attention back to the historic landmark and venue.

CSPS stands for "Cesko-Slovanska Podporujici Spolku," which translates to Czech and Slovak Prudential Society. Though the building now serves as a venue for more than Czech heritage, it still operates as the first location in New Bohemia and the Czech cultural district to reopen after the flood.

Despite his concerns about attendance, Herbert says CSPS will continue to encourage the arts and culture scene in Cedar Rapids.

“There are three main interests in the faces of our audiences right now,” says Herbert. “The flood, the troubled economy and the presidential elections will each take away from our numbers.”

Regardless, Herbert says, CSPS is determined to get back on its feet.

“Baby Dee will intrigue people, Davis’ blues will speak to their woes and ‘Art 365’ will give locals something new to think about,” Herbert says. “That’s all we need to do right now.”