5 things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including blues singer Tab Benoit

Saint Patrick’s Day may still be two weeks away, but Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is hosting an early celebration featuring Irish dance and live music this weekend.

At the same time, Grammy nominee and blues artist Tab Benoit will take the Englert Theatre stage.

Here are five things to do this weekend in Johnson County, and two spots for brunch and happy hour.

Tab Benoit at the Englert Theatre

Friday evening: Grammy nominee and blues artist Tab Benoit brings the sounds of Southern blues to the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St. The guitarist’s career began in 1993 with the release of “Nice and Warm,” the first album of more than a dozen in his repertoire three decades later. Benoit, a Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee, is the founder of the Voice of the Wetlands nonprofit and launched Whiskey Bayou Records. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit Englert Theatre’s website to purchase tickets, which are $37.50.

Concerts at La Wine Bar & Restaurant

Friday and Saturday evening: La Wine Bar & Restaurant, which serves dishes spanning Korean barbecue to bubble tea, continues its weekend concert series with two popular local performers. Friday night at 7 p.m., catch blues and rock singer-songwriter Dave Zollo perform. The next evening at the same time, Cedar County Cobras duo brings its American roots and blues sounds. La Wine Bar & Restaurant is located at 180 E. Burlington St. Visit La Wine Bar & Restaurant’s website for more information about upcoming performances.

St. Paddy’s at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts

Friday evening: The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is hosting a St. Paddy’s performance with Irish music quartet Coppers & Brass, harp duo Wandering Wild, the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance, poet David Hulm, historian David McMahon and singers Colin Nies and Noel VanDenBosch. Located at 1301 Fifth St. in Coralville, the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit Coralville Center for the Performing Arts’ website to purchase tickets, which are $22 for general admission.

Harvest Festival at Liberty High School

Saturday afternoon: Enjoy an Indian meal, musical performances, dance and more at the Harvest Festival, presented by the India Association of Iowa City Area. President Sudhakar Subramani told the Press-Citizen in an email that different states in India celebrate the harvest festival at different times in the year due to the diversity in climate and crop, but will occur at the time of the main harvest of a particular region. The festival starts at 3 p.m. at Liberty High School at 1400 S. Dubuque St. in North Liberty. Tickets are required and cost $18 for adults and $15 for children ages five to 12. Visit the India Association of Iowa City Area's Facebook page to purchase tickets.

Iowa City Downtown District's spring gallery walk

Friday evening: Stop in downtown Iowa City businesses to view art on display in the return of the longtime tradition of the Iowa City Gallery Walk. This free, self-guided tour will take participants into more than a dozen downtown businesses, including Sweets & Treats, the Iowa Artisans Gallery, the James Theater, Glassando and more. There, folks can see art including paintings, photographs and art from area K-12 students and Midwest artists. The 2023 Spring Gallery Walk is from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit Iowa City Downtown District’s website to view all the participating businesses.

Where to go for brunch or happy hour in Johnson County

Friday and Saturday evening: If you’re out late, visit Reds Alehouse in North Liberty at 405 N. Dubuque St. for happy hour. Enjoy $5 mules, $4 select draft beer, $3 domestic bottles and $3 fireball and house shots. Happy hour is from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday or Sunday morning: Buttermilk biscuits and gravy, a Cuban-style breakfast burrito of mojo pork and plantain aioli and doughnut holes are just a few of the delicious things to try at Tribute Eatery & Bar at the Iowa River Landing at 901 E. Second Ave Suite 100 in Coralville. Pair it with piña colada mimosa or a glass — or two — of jalapeño vodka with a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos rim. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Things to do this weekend in Johnson County, including Englert concert