175th Anniversary Celebration Media Release 5 12 08CONTACT:
Randy Gehl
Public Information Officer
City of Dubuque
563-589-4151
rgehl@cityofdubuque.org
May 9, 2008 – For Immediate Release
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175 Anniversary Celebration set for May 31 & June 1
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DUBUQUE, Iowa – Dubuque’s 175 Anniversary Committee and KCRG-TV9 will sponsor Dubuque’s
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Saturday, May 31, Sunday, June 1,
175
Anniversary Celebration on and at the Alliant Energy
Amphitheater in the Port of Dubuque. The event will coincide with Dubuque’s anniversary date of June
1, 1833. That date marks 175 years since the Black Hawk Purchase Treaty went into effect, legally
permitting pioneers to settle in the area now known as Dubuque.
Saturday’s event begins at 7 p.m. and will feature musical entertainment by “Mighty Short Bus” followed
by “The Janeys.” Admission is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase. The event
will conclude at midnight with a special display.
The Mighty Short Bus:
With over 350 shows under its belt, including performances at Summerfest, Waterfest, The Taste
of Madison, and numerous opening shows for national acts, The Mighty Short Bus is quickly
outgrowing its roots in Madison, Wis. The Mighty Short Bus has been compared to southern rock
bands such as The Black Crowes and Lynyrd Skynyrd, but that is only half of their sound… maybe
less. The music goes a step further, infusing their would-be southern rock sound with the cold
truth of a winter’s day, giving them a true Midwest Rock sound.
The Janeys:
The Janeys feature a father and son twin guitar force with son Bryce’s gritty, soulful vocals and
tasty guitar chops, combined with father Billy Lee’s intense, rapid-fire, telecaster guitar playing.
Bryce performs throughout the Midwest with his own solo band and with Iowa's own “The
BlueBand,” in successful venues like Buddy Guy’s Legends from Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul,
Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis (B.B. King’s) to Denver and Keystone, Colorado. A
blues guitarist, songwriter, and performer, Billy Lee is a 2005 Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame
Inductee and has been compared by some to such greats as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy,
Albert Collins and Jimi Hendrix.
Sunday’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and, in addition to food and beverages, will include activities
and entertainment for the entire family. Sunday’s activities will coincide with the Dubuque County
Historical Society’s “Lead Rush Across the Mississippi,” a reenactment of the historic lead rush of 1833,
which will be held at 1 p.m.
Additional details will be announced and posted on the committee’s website, www.dubuque175.org.
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Local businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring this community event or other 175
anniversary-related events and projects should contact City of Dubuque Public Information Officer Randy
Gehl at (563)589-4151 or rgehl@cityofdubuque.org.
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