FRY Fest concert: Josh Turner

Josh Turner will headline Friday's FRY Fest concert in Coralville. (Modern Management photo)

Friday, Sept. 2, 2011

All things Hawkeye will be centerstage Friday, redubbed FRYday for Coralville’s annual FRY Fest celebration. What began as a salute to Hayden Fry to kickoff the football season, will this year turn the spotlight on legendary University of Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable. Of course, football will still be on black-and-gold minds during the daylong festivities that culminate with the sounds of country hottie Josh Turner at 8:30 p.m. Local band 8 Seconds will crank up the heat on the outdoor stage at 6:30 p.m. Gates and the beer garden open at 5 p.m., complete with a mechanical bull. So channel your inner cowpoke, grab your blanket or chair, but leave food and coolers at home. Yee-haw-keye!

FRY Fest concert: Josh Turner: 5 p.m. Friday (9/2), Iowa River Landing, East Ninth Street and Quarry Road, Coralville; tickets $10  at http://fryfest.com/outdoor-concert/, $15 Friday at the gate

Gary Morris concerts

Friday to Sunday, Sept. 2 to 4, 2011

Nashville-based country singer and actor Gary Morris is returning to Eastern Iowa for three upcoming concerts. (Gary Morris photo)

He wowed ’em in Vinton last November and on Broadway in “Les Miserables.” He’s sung for the Queen of England and all the living U.S. presidents. His best-known hit is “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” but he’s had a whole string of hits, from “Baby Bye Bye” to “Leave Me Lonely.” And now with his new “Faith & Freedom” CD beneath his wings, Gary Morris is coming home. Eastern Iowans have three chances to hear him this weekend. He’s not a native Iowan, but his Iowa ties run deep. He has relatives in Vinton, his oldest son went to Cornell College and his earliest gigs were in the Hawkeye state. We’ll claim him.

Gary Morris concerts

• 7:30 p.m. Friday (9/2), Grand Opera House, 135 W. Eighth St., Dubuque, $25, www.thegrandoperahouse.com
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday (9/3), Elkader Opera House, 207 N. Main St., Elkader, $25 adults, $5 under age 12, (563) 873-2378, www.elkaderoperahouse.com
• 7 p.m. Sunday (9/4), Vinton Palace Theatre, 210 W. Fourth St., Vinton, $25, www.vintonpalace.org

Hawkapalooza: Mike Posner

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011

What’s cooler than a free concert featuring Mike Posner; a chance to win Hawkapalooza shirts, Coca Cola products, and gift certificates and games? Not much. Head to Hubbard Park for the third annual Hawkapalooza, a celebration of Hawkeye athletics including a pep rally, food and concert by Posner, a pop and hip-hop artist of “Cooler Than Me” and “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” fame. Posner’s visit to Iowa City comes fresh off his 2010 single “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” featuring Lil Wayne and his guest vocals on a remix of the Adele track “Rolling in the Deep.” What’s cooler than that?

Hawkapalooza: Mike Posner:  p.m. Thursday (9/1), Hubbard Park, Iowa City, free, www.scope.uiowa.edu

BONUS: Uptown Bill’s Labor Day Extravaganza

"A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story"

Monday, Sept. 5, 2011

Uptown Bill’s, the crosstown cousin to Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop in Iowa City, is staging a holiday celebration with food, music, the annual Ralston Creek Fair & Flea Market nearby and a 7:45 p.m. showing of the award-winning documentary “A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story.” Every day is Bill Sackter Day at the shops that celebrate the life and spirit of this extraordinary man “who left a lifetime of institutionalization to emerge as an international hero for people with disabilities.” Read more of his amazing story at www.billsackter.com Then check out his legacy in action Uptown.

Uptown Bill’s Labor Day Extravaganza: 7 a.m. Monday (9/5), Uptown Bill’s, 730 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City; pancake breakfast $5, flea market, music, movie; www.uptownbills.org/events.html