Cedar Rapids had plenty of reasons to celebrate the arts this week, with two uplifting announcements arriving almost back to back.
On Sunday, June 21, the city marked its very first Make Music Day with free live performances open to the public. The global celebration of music landed in Cedar Rapids for the first time, giving residents a chance to enjoy live entertainment at no cost and welcoming the summer solstice in style.
The good news kept coming the following day, when the Paramount Theatre announced its 30th-anniversary Broadway season. The beloved downtown venue — a cornerstone of Cedar Rapids’ cultural life — is marking three decades of bringing professional Broadway productions to Eastern Iowa audiences. The milestone season announcement signals another year of world-class live theater coming to the city’s historic stage.
Together, the two moments paint a bright picture for the local arts scene: Cedar Rapids is a city that embraces live performance, from free community celebrations on the street to marquee Broadway shows under the Paramount’s storied roof. Whether you’re a longtime season ticket holder or a first-time concertgoer, there’s something to look forward to in Cedar Rapids this year.
