2011 Hoover's Hometown Days Entertainment
LIVE BANDS
Loaded
Performing Friday, August 5th from 8:00 pm to Midnight at the West Branch Fire Station
Be ready to be blown away by the music of Loaded. Formed in April of 2010, Loaded is a modern country band. They cover tunes from artists such as Lady Antebellum, Sugarland and Brad Paisley. Many songs actually sound more like rock. Think Johnny Cash's music with a little bit of a funk beat. "We have a mix of music so if you don't really like modern country, you'll like the other stuff we play." It's a lot like 80s rock, really — higher energy, with a few surprises thrown in as well."
Dale Thomas and the Bandera Boys
Performing on Saturday at the West Branch Fire Station from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Dale Thomas and the Bandera Boys were inducted into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. The band plays a variety of 50's and 60's rock and roll music.
8 Seconds
Performing on Saturday from 8:00 pm to Midnight at the West Branch Fire Station
Cited as one of the most popular Midwest Country Rock bands, 8 Seconds is arguably one of the most energetic and powerful modern country cover acts in the area. Their powerhouse reputation has earned them numerous opening spots for national touring/recording artists such as Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Tracy Byrd, Billy Currington, Randy Houser, Justin Moore and Josh Thompson to name a few. They have a loyal fan base and even when they leave the stage for the evening, their show stays with people for long after they're through. People ALWAYS look forward to the next chance to catch them perform. Their slogan "You may not like Country but you will love 8 Seconds."
SPECIAL GUESTS
Lynda Johnson Robb
Speaking at the Celebration of Life for President Hoover at 11:45 am
Born into a family of public servants who played a major role in our nation's history, Lynda Johnson Robb is the first child of our late President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, known affectionately as "Lady Bird." Since her arrival on March 19, 1944, Lynda has carried on her family legacy with fervor and grace. Lynda began her professional life on the staff of McCall's Magazine and later became a contributing editor at Ladies' Home Journal. She put that career on hold in 1981 to work with her husband, Lieutenant Governor Chuck Robb, on his successful campaign for the office of Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Lynda currently serves as President of the National Home Library Foundation and is a member of the Board of the LBJ Foundation, which supports the LBJ Library and the LBJ School of Public Service. One of her most rewarding activities has been serving since 1968 as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Reading is FUNdamental, Inc. (RIF), where she is now Chairman Emeritus. She also serves on the RIF Board in Northern Virginia.
Simon Estes
Singing at the Celebration of Life for President Hoover at 11:45 am
Simon Estes, operatic bass-baritone of African-American descent, was born in the small town of Centerville, Iowa. His mother said he had "incredibly beautiful" voice. He has had a major international opera career since the 1960s. He has sung at most of the world's major opera houses as well as in front of presidents, popes and internationally renowned figures and celebrities including Lyndon Johnson, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, Boris Yeltsin, Yasser Arafat, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. He was notably part of the first generation of black opera singers to achieve wide success and is viewed as part of an instrumental group of performers who helped break down the barriers of racial prejudice in the opera world. His repertoire includes roughly 100 roles.
ENTERTAINMENT and SPECIAL EXHIBITS
All Entertainment and Exhibits are on Saturday on the Historic Site
Department of Natural Resources – The "Cause and Effect: Your Eco Story"
All Day Exhibit on the Historic Site
The DNR presents an exciting way to learn about energy and waste topics - a mobile education trailer! The "Cause and Effect: Your Eco Story" exhibit, is an all-inclusive experience that includes informative displays, interactive kiosks, educational videos and more. The exhibit is equipped with touch screen computer games, flat screen TVs and interactive displays. The exhibit showcases: Sustainability, Recycling, Household Hazardous Materials, Water Conservation, and Energy Conservation. It is also handicapped accessible, heated and air conditioned.
The Army of the Southwest - Civil War Encampment
All Day Entertainment with several special performances West of the Barn on the Historic Site; 11:00 am, 1:15 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm performances
The Army of the Southwest is a group of re enactors dedicated to educating people of all ages about the Civil War. Our 40 members come from throughout southwest Iowa. The unit consists of Confederate and Union infantry, artillery, and cavalry. Both sides are people who have very special interests in recreating the civil war. The common bond that all re enactors share is trying to bring to life the flavor of the civil war era by our live demonstration. We show how the soldiers lived during that era. In addition we have a strong group of period civilians. Reenactments are "living histories" in which our group pitches tents, fights skirmishes and carries on camp life as it would have been done in the great conflict. Visitors can see replicas of the tents, clothing and weaponry that was used by both the soldiers and civilians. The Civil War Encampment exhibit is sponsored in part by Humanities Iowa, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Iowa Community Cultural Grant program and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
Nicole Rock School of Dance
On Outdoor Stage East of the Library at 11:00 am
Watch these children dance their way into your hearts. The children showcase their talents after many months of hard work.
Rage Theatrics
Multiple performances West of the Barn on the Historic Site; 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm
Rage Theatrics helps both actor and audience develop knowledge and skill in the art of stage combat through touring shows, feature-length productions, and educational workshops. Based in Iowa City, IA, Rage is dedicated to developing original theatre, performing classic works, and presenting unique and high-quality action theatre. Experience the thrill of stage combat at its best.
The Magic of Isaiah - Magician
Roaming the Historic Site beginning at 3:00 pm
The most entertaining magician in Western Wisconsin. Isaiah has been performing magic since the age of nine. Being bitten by the magic bug he continues to strive towards excellence in making every event special for his audience. His shows have plenty of laughs, audience participation, education, and the most important ingredient MAGIC. He is an entertainer for all ages. Come and experience the Magic of Isaiah.
Just 4 Fun
On Outdoor Stage East of the Library at 1:15 pm
Just 4 Fun is a group of ladies from the Quad Cities area who specialize in old time string band music. They have performed in the area for over 10 years in a wide variety of settings. Their music is enjoyed by people of all ages
Touch of Fun
On Outdoor Stage East of the Library at 2:15 pm
A very unique quartet formed in 1988. They total 279 years of age and 144 years of combined barbershop experience. But they are not just four old guys who like to sing under a street light! They have made folks laugh throughout a three state area and entertained at many special occasions in and around the Quad Cities. Though senior citizens, their love and respect for music and performing continues to escalate, in hope that folks who attend their performances forget their troubles and get some stress relief for just a little while. Please say hello to Terry, Dick. Mike and Stan. They are true ambassadors of friendship and song.
Eastern Iowa Brass Band
On Outdoor Stage East of the Library at 3:45 pm
For over 25 years, the Eastern Iowa Brass Band has been entertaining audiences throughout Iowa, the Midwest and even beyond. Over the years the EIBB has performed at various festivals and Artist Series in towns throughout Iowa. Various sponsoring organizations have funded the band's participation at these events. For the past several years, the band has averaged more than 20 concerts per year. The EIBB has also been honored to present concerts at 6 of the annual Iowa Bandmaster's Association meetings in Des Moines. In 1991, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. invited the band to be a part of their Festival of American Folklife. The band performed 2 concerts per day for 4 days in Washington, D.C. as a part of that event. The 35 member ensemble performs from a repertoire which features original works for brass band, as well as arrangements of well known orchestral and wind band literature. Featured soloists are frequently used in concert programs which also include marches, medleys, hymn tune arrangements, folk songs, Broadway show tunes and novelty features.
INSIDE THE LIBRARY
The MacBride Raptor Center
On stage in the Library Auditorium at 1:15 pm
See and learn about the raptors! Raptors are majestic, wild, beautiful and mysterious creatures. They appear in our myths, legends, and art as powerful symbols of natural forces. The graceful soaring of an eagle, the swift descent of a falcon, and the moonlit silhouette of an owl thrills us.
Book Signing - Margaret Hoover and Clifton Truman Daniel
In the Olberg Room, Hoover Library at 2:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Margaret Hoover will be signing her new book, American Individualism: How a New Generation of Conservatives Can Save the Republican Party. Margaret Hoover worked in the White House for President George W. Bush and today she is a political commentator for Fox News, where, as one of Bill O'Reilly's Culture Warriors, she regularly champions the conservative cause. She also happens to be the great-granddaughter of the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover. The Republican Party, she believes, has fallen dangerously out of step with the rising generation of young Americans. In American Individualism, Margaret Hoover challenges the up-and-coming millennial generation to take another look at the Republican Party. Her book urges millennials to reconsider the Republican Party, while spelling out the steps the party must take in order for it to become the political home for the millennial generation.
Clifton Truman Daniel is the oldest grandson of former US President Harry S. Truman and son of the late E. Clifton Daniel Jr., former managing editor of the New York Times, and best-selling mystery writer Margaret Truman. He is currently Director of Public Relations for Harry S Truman College, one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago. Prior to that, he worked as a feature writer and editor for the Morning Star and Sunday Star-News in Wilmington, North Carolina. Clifton Truman Daniel shares a portion of letters written by his grandmother to President Truman, along with portions of Harry's responses, family photographs, and stories. These letters provide new insight into the lives and personalities of Bess and Harry Truman during the formative years of his political life. Despite Bess's shy and self-effacing manner, her lively correspondence offers a glimpse of a caring and witty woman who shared her concerns about family, politics, and day-to-day activities with her husband.
Steve Brower
On stage in the Library Auditorium at 2:15 pm
Steve Brower, a registered landscape architect in private practice in Iowa, specializes in landscape planning, naturalistic designs, and recovery of natural habitats. Studies in landscape perception, emotional responses to environment, and environmental behaviorism have been the cornerstone for both his design and conservation work. As a youngster in Burlington, Steve grew up in the Aldo Leopold neighborhood and discovered the same landscapes that influenced Aldo sixty years earlier during his boyhood tramps. And by coincidence, he worked for the US Forest Service in his first professional jobs, studying many of the same issues that Leopold encountered, including the Gila Wilderness. His early Iowa conservation work involved developing a Corridor Trail Network for Iowa's Landscape. He is also a National Park Service-approved historian who has researched and written numerous reports, including the 1981 National Register of Historic Places Nomination for the Starker-Leopold compound overlooking the Mississippi River, and a photo essay and interpretation on "Aldo Leopold: Writing from his Burlington Roots."
Niabi Zoo
On stage in the Library Auditorium at 3:30 pm
The Niabi Zoo will bring the zoo to the Hoover stage! Niabi is home to over 900 animals representing more than 160 species. Approximately 250,000 visitors a year make Niabi Zoo one of the largest attractions in the Quad Cities.
Green Fire - Documentary Film
On stage in the Library Auditorium at 4:45 pm
The first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist, Aldo Leopold. Green Fire highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land.