- National
- Czech & Slovak
- Museum & Library
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Calendar of Events, Programs and Exhibits
An important aspect of our mission is to promote cultural education through community programming. Continue your education and have some fun at the events, programs and exhibits listed below.
- Programs of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library are supported, in part, by a grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Enrichment Grant Program.
- Permanent Exhibit
- Homelands: The Story of the Czech & Slovak People. This exhibit tells the story of the Czech and Slovak people from the days of Slavic tribes wandering into Central Europe, through the Velvet Divorce in 1993. Homelands features art, a 1935 Czech-made motorcycle, and folk costumes.
- Special Exhibits
1968: Twelve Volatile Months that Changed the World. Set in the global chronology of turbulent events, this original exhibit explores life in a communist country and the Prague Spring, Czechoslovakia’s failed attempt at "socialism with a human face." Experience controversial politics, daily shortages, dissident art, rampant propaganda, blatant censorship, and the suspicion that comes with living in a controlled society. This is a story that demands to be remembered. Closes January 25, 2009.
Prints by Marek Hofman. Marek Hofman was born in 1981 and recently completed his studies at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. He enjoys using traditional woodblock printing techniques, finding inspiration in the ancient world and in music. This exhibit features prints based on the operas of Mozart. April 27 – August 24, 2008
Selections from the book, The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. The illustrations, journal entries and personal photographs of MacAthur fellow and internationally renowned artist, Peter Sís illustrate the harsh realities of a closed society and the inevitable longing for freedom.
- UPCOMING EVENTS, PROGRAMS & EXHIBITS
There's always something happening at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Check back often to find out about the latest programs, events, and exhibits. The Calendar is subject to change without notice.
MAY 2008
Fri. May 2: Prints by Marek Hofman Exhibit Opening Reception. 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Laska Gallery. Exhibition sponsored by GreatAmerica Leasing.
Sat. May 3: Artist Talk and Gallery Tour. Marek Hofman will talk about his work and lead a personal tour of his exhibit. 2 p.m. WFLA Heritage Hall and Laska Gallery. Free.
Thu. May 8: Gallery Tour of 1968. Join a member of the museum staff as she leads a tour of this special exhibition. 2:00 p.m. Meets in Hruska Grand Hall. Free to members or with paid admission to the gallery.
Mon. May 12: Kavá a Knihy (Coffee and Books). The Company Car by C.J. Hribal. 7:00 p.m. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Thu. May 15: Learn at Lunch. "Czech/Slovak Gardening How-To." Bring your lunch and learn about old-time Czech and Slovak varieties of vegetables, fruits and flowers that you can grow yourself! Thumbs of all colors welcome. Noon. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Fri. May 16: Taste of Czech & Slovak Enjoy a splendid variety of savory and sweet Czech & Slovak traditional foods from goulash to poppy seed cake. 5 - 7 p.m. 20 samples for $8 or 10 samples for $5. Tickets sold at door. Proceeds benefit the Museum Guild of the NCSML.
May 16, 17, & 18: National Bohemian, Moravian, and Slovak Folk Dance Festival & Houby Days in Czech Village
Friday, May 16
5 - 7 p.m. Taste of Czech & Slovak Enjoy a splendid variety of savory and sweet Czech & Slovak traditional foods from goulash to poppy seed cake. 20 samples for $8 or 10 samples for $5. Tickets sold at door. Proceeds benefit the Museum Guild of the NCSML.
6 - 10 p.m. The T Tops Band - Live on the Avenue
6 p.m. - Midnight - Carnival by Superior Shows behind Sykora Bakery
7 - 9 p.m. Czech Plus Band at Kosek Bandstand
Saturday, May 17
7 - 11 a.m. Egg, Houby, Kolace Breakfast St. Wenceslaus Church-Cihak Hall $6 in advance, $7 at the door, kids 3 and under $3 (1224 5th St. SE)
8 to 11 a.m. St. Wenceslaus Church and Park Tours
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Show Sokol Park
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Strolling accordionist Ron Johnson
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts, Crafts, Flea Market and Great Food Vendors
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Czech Plus Band & Czech Heritage Singers Kosek Bandstand
9 a.m. Flag Raising Ceremony
9:30 - 4 p.m. 1968: Twelve Volatile Months That Changed The World Save $1 off admission for knowing the Czech word for mushrooms is houby.
10 a.m. May Pole Dance NCSML Garden
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Welcome Houby Lovers to the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa - Free Admission Today for Houby Button wearers in honor of our Czech neighbors (55 12th Ave. SE)
Noon PARADE on the Avenue
Noon - Midnight Carnival by Superior Shows. Behind Sykora bakery
1 - 4:30 p.m. Party Time band with Dave Franklin Live on the Avenue
1 p.m. Gallery Tour of 1968: Twelve Volatile Months that Changed the World
1-4 p.m. Folk Art Demonstrations NCSML Hruska Grand Hall. Free with paid admission to galleries.
1:30 p.m. Czech Heritage Pageant Parade of Kroje NCSML Garden Stage
2 p.m. Nat'l Bohemian, Moravian & Slovak Folk Dance Festival. NCSML Garden
4 p.m. Czech Folk Hymn/Polka Mass St. Wenceslaus Church
5 –7 p.m. Pork & Dumpling Dinner - St. Wenceslaus Church Gym, $ 9 advance, $10 at the door
6 p.m. Miss Czech/Slovak Iowa Pageant Talent Competition and Crowning Hruska Grand Hall, NCSML
6 – 9 p.m. Mike Laseck & The Rhythmaires Live on the Avenue
6 – 10 p.m. 5 of Hearts Band Kosek Bandstand
Sunday, May 18
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Strolling accordionist Ron Johnson
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Egg, Houby, Kolace Breakfast St. Wenceslaus Church Gym
10 a.m. - close Arts, Crafts, Flea Market and Food Vendors
10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Church and Park Tours and History Display -St. Wenceslaus Church, Chihak Hall
Noon - 4 p.m. 1968: Twelve Volatile Months That Changed The World. Save $ 1 off admission for knowing the Czech word for mushrooms is houby.
Noon - 6 p.m. Carnival by Superior Shows
Noon - Cabbage Roll Relay Race on 16th Avenue
1 - 4 p.m. Leonard Reyman & The All Accordion Band Kosek Bandstand
1 p.m. Youth Hawkeye Tractor Pull
2 - 4 p.m. H&H Fun Train Ride
4 p.m. Children's Parade drawings for bicycles and other prizes immediately following
Thu. May 22: Legacy Society Luncheon. To honor new members and recognize departed members of the Legacy Society. 12 p.m. By invitation only.
Thu. May 22: Shock and Aftershock: Conversations about 1968. Professor Kenneth Lyftogt presents, "1968: The Year Everything Went Wrong." Lyftogt will provide a history of the Vietnam War, and will focus on the Tet Offensive. 7:00 p.m. in WFLA Heritage Hall. Reception follows in Hruska Grand Hall. Free.
Fri. May 30: Emil Viklicky in Concert. Don’t miss this renowned Czech Jazz pianist. Mr. Viklicky is known for his exquisite jazz stylings as well as his use of traditional Moravian folk music within the jazz idiom. Back by popular demand at NCSML, he is sure to bring the crowd to its feet once again. 7:00 p.m. Hruska Grand Hall. Advance tickets: $8. At the door: $10. Advance tickets available at Museum Store starting two weeks in advance. Seating is limited!
JUNE 2008
Thu. June 5: Gallery Tour of 1968. Join a member of the museum staff as she leads a tour of this special exhibition. 2:00 p.m. Meets in Hruska Grand Hall. Free to members or with paid admission to the gallery.
Thu. June 5: Shock and Aftershock: Conversations about 1968. Another Light Goes Out: The Loss of Robert F. Kennedy and Perspectives on the Politics of 1968. 7:00 p.m. WFLA Heritage Hall. Reception follows in Hruska Grand Hall. Free. *Tentative*
Mon. June 16: Upbeat! Concert Series presents Iowa Festival Church Chorus. 7:00 p.m. Hruska Grand Hall with reception to follow in WFLA Heritage Hall. The Iowa Festival Chorus, under the direction of Allen Koepke, will present a one-hour "Bon Voyage" concert of American music - spirituals, gospel, and folk. The 36-member chorus will tour Europe, singing concerts in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Prague June 19 through 30.
Tues. June 17: Community Conversation to view and comment on final design of the NCSML expansion. 5:30 p.m. WFLA Heritage Hall
Thu. June 26: Upbeat! Concert Series presents the Czech School Singers. Hruska Grand Hall. 6 p.m. Free. * Tentative*
Sat. June 28: Gallery Tour of 1968. Join a member of the museum staff as she leads a tour of this special exhibition. Meets in Hruska Grand Hall. Free to members or with paid admission to the gallery. 1 pm.
Sat. June 28: Upbeat! Concert Series presents the Marion Big Band. 2:00. NCSML Garden. Free.
JULY 2008
Wed. July 9: Upbeat! Concert Series presents Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. 7:30 pm. Sokol Park.
Thu. July 10: Gallery Tour of 1968. Join a member of the museum staff as she leads a tour of this special exhibition. 2:00 p.m. Meets in Hruska Grand Hall. Free to members or with paid admission to the gallery.
Fri. July 11: Something’s Happening Here: A ‘60s Party! Don your groovy rags, grab your steady, and become one with your inner flower child. Come on down to the NCSML for a far out celebration of the 1960s. Groove to your favorites from the 60s, dig into a hog roast and share in the hippy-happy feeling of Prague Spring. 6-9 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $25 per person. RSVP by July 3.
Thu. July 17: Shock and Aftershock: Conversations about 1968. Shoot for the Moon: The Space Race. 7:00 p.m. WFLA Heritage Hall with reception to follow in Hruska Grand Hall. *Tentative*
Sat. July 19: Wings and Rockets: Kids Explore Space Technology. Parents and kids, come be part of the 1960s space race for a day. Get engineering tips and build a champion paper airplane with the help of a Rockwell Collins expert. Then, put your design to the test in a paper airplane flight contest. Afterwards, enjoy refreshments as we fire off rockets! Fun for the whole family! Presented in partnership with Rockwell Collins.
Thu. July 24: Upbeat! Concert Series presents Leonard Reyman’s Accordion Band 7:00 p.m. Hruska Grand Hall. Free and open to the public.
Sat. July 26: Gallery Tour of 1968. Join a member of the museum staff as she leads a tour of this special exhibition. 2:00 p.m. Meets in Hruska Grand Hall. Free to members or with paid admission to the gallery
AUGUST 2008
Fri. Aug. 1: Upbeat! Czech Plus Band. 7:00 p.m. Garden. Free.
Thu. Aug 14: Gallery Tour of 1968. 2 p.m.
Aug. 21: Invasion Day: The Shocking Events in Czechoslovakia’s History. Noon. WFLA Heritage Hall. Garden. GH. Free.
Sat. Aug. 23: Gallery Tour of 1968. 2 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 2008
Thu. Sept. 4: Shock and Aftershock: Conversations about 1968. The Women’s Movement for Equal Rights
Sat. Sept 6: LLL/Gallery Laska Gallery Opening. *Tentative* Culture and Cultivation: Landscape Narratives from the Czech Republic. Cecilia Rusnak. 2:00? 6:00p.m.?
Sept. 7: Red Cedar Chamber Music Concert.
Sat. Sept. 13: Upbeat! Leonard Reyman’s Accordian Band. 2-4 p.m. in Grand Hall.
Sept. 18: Learn at Lunch. Noon. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Sat. Sept. 20: Upbeat! Dixie Notes Plus Band. 2-3p.m. Garden. Free.
Sept. 26: BrewNost! Advance tickets $55. At the door $65.
OCTOBER 2008
Thu. Oct. 9: Shock and Aftershock: Conversations about 1968. The Role of Student Activism in 1968.
Oct. 16: Learn at Lunch. Noon. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Oct. 18: Cooking in Babi’s Kitchen. 10:00 a.m. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free. TENTATIVE
Oct. 30: Fall Dinner
NOVEMBER 2008
Sat. Nov. 15: Bells of Liberty: The Music of Jindrich Feld. Dr. Kenneth Tse presents a lecture/recital about the life and music of Jindrich Feld. 2:00 p.m. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Tue Nov 18: Shock and Aftershock: Conversations about 1968. Dying for Democracy: Lessons from Czechoslovakia, China and Burma. Rex Honey. 7:00 p.m. HH. Free.
Nov. 20, 2008: Learn at Lunch. Noon. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Nov. 21, 2008 – Nov. 30, 2008: Museum Store Open House
Nov. 21, 2008: Old Prague Christmas Market. Marj personalizing ornaments
Nov. 22, 2008: Old Prague Christmas Market.
Nov. 27, 2008: Closed for Thanksgiving.
Nov. 28, 2008: Marj Nejdl personalizing ornaments
Nov. 29, 2008: Marj Nejdl personalizing ornaments
DECEMBER 2008
Dec. 6, 2008: Sv. Mikuláš Day. Marj Nejdl personalizing ornaments
Dec. 13, 2008: Cookie Walk. Marj Nejdl personalizing ornaments
Dec. 18, 2008: Learn at Lunch. Noon. WFLA Heritage Hall. Free.
Dec. 20: Marj Nejdl personalizing ornaments
- For more information about these events, contact
- Leah Wilson, Director of Programs and Marketing, at 319-362-8500 or lwilson@NCSML.org
- The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- 30 - 16th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404-5904
- Phone: 319-362-8500 · Fax: 319-363-2209
- This page was updated May 06, 2008
