How 'bout some cowbell?!?!

I’m a sports fan. I enjoy live sporting events… the atmosphere, the fans, the food and beer. If I had to pick my favorite, hockey would not have been on my list.

Yet, going to the Roughriders game on Saturday, I realized that you don’t have to be a hockey fan to enjoy live hockey games. These fans are intense!!! You can’t help but get in to the game, when everyone around you is focused, excited and so INTO what’s happening on the ice. And… the constant ring of cowbell in your ear reminds you just where you are!

The arena was packed full, and fans sporting their Roughrider jerseys and showing off the team colors of green and black surrounded me. If you’ve never been to a hockey game, I can now honestly say I recommend that you do! I had a great time watching the fast pace on the ice, the players banging into the glass, and getting into the game with all the rest of the fans in the stands. There was no lack of beer, yelling, and easy companionship among the crowd, and, again, that cowbell! The intensity of the fans didn’t excuse anyone… even children finding their way back to their seats were not spared the holler of “Hey, sit down, the games on!” Of course, it was all in good fun, but these fans are not ones to mess with!

This particular game was played against the Saints, and while the final scored favored the guest team, the Roughriders fans never faltered in their support of their beloved team. So. I suggest you check out the next game, see for yourself. And… MORE COWBELL!!!

Discovery

I’ve lived in Cedar Rapids for about 4 years now… and I had NO idea how much there was to do around here, and how many great places we all have for entertainment until I started this gig! I decided to check things out on Wednesday, and had to pleasure of going to 2 places I have never been before… Outskirts and La Cantina.

Outskirts, over by Kirkwood, had a nice little vibe to it… friendly people right off the bat. Although I left before the karaoke started, I was able to simply get to enjoy those that were there. The night included playing pool, and even teaching one of the patrons how to play the card game Rummy (I always keep a deck in my purse - you’d be surprised how often I’m happy I have them with me!). I’m so happy I now have a new place to hang out and enjoy!

After the cards and pool, I was hungry, so it was off to La Cantina, where I had some fantastic food. The warm chips and dip for free were the perfect appetizer to my chicken quesadilla… packed FULL of chicken & cheese and served with rice & beans, it took about 5 minutes for my friend and me to clean the plate! The wait staff was friendly, prompt and the music was the perfect atmosphere for a late night dinner! See, if I’d never started this gig, I never would have discovered some of the best chips and salsa I’ve had in LONG time!

With a full belly, I headed to Cedar River Landing where DJ Bryan Lee was kickin’ the beats. This place was PACKED full! The atmosphere was of people having a great time, enjoying the music, the drinks and the company of their friends.  Normally to me, bar music is just bar music and a DJ is just a DJ. But DJ Bryan Lee had something a little extra special about what he was playing that seemed to make everyone want to dance … I don’t think I saw a single person there that wasn’t at least bouncing their head to the music! It was the perfect ending to my evening!

All in all, it was a really fun night, I met some great people, ate some great food, and listened to some great music. I look forward to continuing to explore Cedar Rapids, and letting all YOU know what I thought! See you on the town!

TOM GREEN IN CR!

When my boss asked me if I wanted to interview Tom Green, my response was “You mean TOM GREEN, Tom Green? Like, ‘Daddy would you like some sausages?’ Tom Green? Heck yes I do!” My mind started racing furiously trying to come up with questions.  I mean, if you’re a Tom Green fan , you know he’s from Canada.  He likes to skateboard.  He got his start on Canadian Public Television.  The Tom Green Show was then picked up by MTV.  He had the famous Cancer Episode. He married and divorced Drew Barrymore.  He stared in the movies Freddy Got Fingered, and Road Trip.  Everyone already knows all these things about Tom.  I wanted to come up with my own unique interview. So I came up with 10 questions I thought would be fun to ask. 

As we’re driving to meet him, my boss asks me if I’m ready, and what I’ve got planned for the video interview. Whoa. Hold the phone. VIDEO INTERVIEW??? You mean I actually have to know what the hell I’m doing and attempt to not look completely stupid while doing it? Oh shit. Thus started my sad and pitiful attempt at turning myself into a “real” interviewer/reporter. Somewhat prepared by the time we got there, we’re introduced to Tom Green. With a smile of greeting and an awkward fist bump, it became real… This was TOM GREEN, people! So. Deep breath. Luckily, I had time to compose my star-struck self, as we watched his show.

Touching on everything from why married people shouldn’t have Facebook pages, his battle with cancer, being almost 40 years old & everything that comes along with that, and the wonders of modern technology, the show was full of life, energy.   It is rare for a stand up comedian to make me ACTUALLY laugh out loud, but this show had me laughing like a crazy person, just like everyone else in the club.

I was pleased to discover that Tom was super cool, super “normal” and all around a great guy. After his show, he was more than willing to take all the pictures people wanted, sign autographs, and humored people who wanted to put their bumm on him!

My interview was a success!  I didn’t get to ask any of my questions.  I guess I’ll never really know if his dad truly did like sausages, if he has ever owned a Chrysler LaBaron, or if Rip Torn is really a jerk in real life.

If I ever have to chance to see Tom do his act again, I definitely will!

Check out our Facebook page for the interview, and support live comedy!

SuperTime!

Whether you were rooting for the Steelers or the Packers, this year’s Big Game was guaranteed to be a good one! I decided to hit a few of the local bars to check out all you crazy fans, and enjoy the game!

Walking in to Cocktails and Company was like walking into a Steelers Fans Only Zone! There was only the occasional green & yellow jersey in the whole place! Everyone was focused on the TV’s around the bar, and it was apparent who the majority of the patrons were rooting for, from the groans of displeasure and colorful words yelled when the Packers scored! And of course, when the Steelers did something great (Like Ben Roethlisberger running the ball for a first down at the end of the first quarter!), there were cheers of joy all around!  I decided to try out some of the yummy food offered, and thoroughly enjoyed my Cocktails Combo Basket, including (my favorite) mushrooms, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and more! When I received my bill, the name on the ticket was cleverly put as “Patriot” as I was rocking my NE Patriots jersey (Hey, just cuz they aren’t in the Game this year, doesn’t mean I can’t show my colors!).  With a full belly and a wish of good luck to the Steelers fans, I ventured out to my next venue!

Tailgator’s was the place to be if you wanted a very quiet and personal  space to watch the game… with a total of 6 patrons there, it was a laid back environment. As the bartender told me, it was expected to get busy after the game was over, so hopefully the bar got crazy with after-game celebrating!

Now, if Cocktails was the place for Steelers fans, Double Inn was just the opposite! I think I saw a total of 2 Steelers jerseys in the whole place!  Fans of the Packers were out in force! The atmosphere at Double Inn was more like a big family get together, where everyone knows everyone! With a buffet laid out, including some most delicious taco pizza (which I enjoyed greatly!), it was a feeling of a very large family reunion, where most just happen to be Packer Fans. As we all know the result of this years Game, I’m sure the celebration at the Double Inn was just fantastic!

So, for all you sports fans, wherever you were to enjoy the Game, I hope you had a great time, you cheered, and jeered and ate yourself silly! I know I had a great time hanging out with you Cedar Rapids fans! See you around town!

Finding Live Music

Going to Red Baron Friday night for my first bar hopping experience for CR Nite Out turned out to be the perfect choice! I immediately felt the vibe of happy people having a great time… and the music? Fantastic! Hostage was the band of the evening, and I got to chat for a few minutes with the lead singer, Steve Lawrence. When I asked him how long Hostage had been doing it’s thing, his somewhat vague response was “Hostage has been around… for a LONG time… and we’re not going anywhere!” What a perfect attitude! Playing covers from AC/DC to the Steve Miller band, it was a high energy atmosphere… and they even had a guest singer, as one of the audience got to go up and sing a few songs with them! If this is the level of great live music Red Baron chooses, you can bet the great bands will continue to flock there!

After reluctantly leaving Red Baron, I high tailed it up the street to the Chrome Horse. Another great live band? You guessed it! Skin Kandy was rocking out the stage! Long hair, piercings, and tight pants was the look of the lead singer, as he rocked the stage with the rest of his group. A crowded dance floor and lots of singing along showed how much the bar patrons enjoyed their music selections. When they started into the song “Shout at the Devil” by Motley Crue, I was taken back to memories of myself rocking out in my living room on Guitar Hero, thinking how cool I was, and that this must feel like being a rock star… only one difference… Skin Kandy really does have rock stars in the group! The feeling was of a big party, and anyone and everyone was invited… including a bunch of cowboys, as it turns out the rodeo was in town! If you were looking for a packed house with lots of different people and personalities, Chrome was the place to be last night!

A change of pace was in order next, as I walked into Cedar River Landing… a single guitar player, playing acoustic guitar (Marci Playground and Brittany Spears were just 2 of his interesting choices) to a smaller crowd of patrons. This was just one member of the band Daylight Savings Account (Wheel of Fortune’s Before and After category, anyone?) entertaining the crowd at CRL. After the loud and energetic bands of the previous two bars, this was a nice difference to relax and end the evening with. The friendly staff and people at the bar were an added bonus to the fun music played by Daylight Savings Account.

And that was the evening folks. I look forward to checking out 3 more of Cedar Rapids great bars on Sunday for the Big Game… Hope to see you out!

Meet Jen Kat

What’s up, everyone! I’m Jen Kat, the newest blogger and photographer for Cedar Rapids Nite Out.  Just like you I am always looking for the best in local entertainment and food & drink specials in town.  I’m going to be hitting all the hot spots in Cedar Rapids, taking pictures of everything going on in our great city!

Log on to www.crniteout.com to find something to do, and keep following us to find all the great live music, stand up comedy, karaoke and more, that’s going on in Cedar Rapids!

Every week we’ll have updates on what’s what and where to go, including my blog and photographs!

I’ll be at Red Baron, Chrome Horse and Cedar River Landing this Friday February 4th… So put on your party pants and happy face,  and we’ll see you out!

PS. I heard a rumor Tom Green is coming to town, stay tuned for more………