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Arts & Culture

North Iowa’s cultural offerings range from the architectural masterpieces of Frank Lloyd Wright to the musical compositions of Meredith Willson and Buddy Holly.

Traveling Broadway productions and renowned speakers at the North Iowa Community Auditorium join community band concerts, theater productions and art exhibits on the cultural calendar.

Museums

One of the first stops on any cultural tour should be the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, home to a permanent collection of significant American art. The museum also hosts an extensive collection of puppets—including the marionettes used in the movie “The Sound of Music”—made and collected by world-renowned puppeteer Bil Baird. Temporary exhibits, films, concerts, art classes, an art library and a sales/rental gallery make the museum a key part of the community. The site is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is wheelchair-accessible.

A sculpture of famous composer and musician Meredith Willson greets visitors to The Music Man Square, which is made all the more inviting by the sounds of his music filling the air. At the heart of the square is the Meredith Willson Museum and the Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, filled with artifacts from his life. Across the street stands the historic public library, made famous in the library scene of “The Music Man.” The library features a rare and distinctive literary autograph collection.

Visitors to the Stockman House Museum can enjoy a glimpse of life at the turn of the last century as well as gain a better understanding of the history of American architecture and the contributions of Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries.

An affordable family destination, the Kinney Pioneer Museum is located near the Mason City Airport and transports visitors back to life on the Western frontier. Patrons get a glimpse of pioneer times through the use of living history and vintage exhibits. A pioneer village with a blacksmith shop and log cabin features demonstrations. Motorcoach parking is available.

Clear Lake’s Fire Museum was created by the Clear Lake Volunteer Fire Department and preserves firefighting memorabilia from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum is housed in a replica of a days-gone-by fire station, complete with its centerpiece—a 1924 Ahrens-Fox pumper truck.

The Clear Lake Art Center and Central Gardens of North Iowa are welcoming respites for residents and visitors to enjoy artistic creations and natural beauty.Music and Festivals

Area bands such as the North Iowa Concert Band and Mason City Municipal Band perform regularly throughout the year. Adding to the melodious mix are The Clear Lake Municipal Band and The Mason City Big Band.

Sweet Adelines and the River City Barbershop Chorus display vocal harmony on familiar old tunes, while The North Iowa Choral Society performs a more classical repertoire.

The North Iowa Community Auditorium is regularly filled by patrons of the Performing Arts series, featuring local and national talent throughout the year. Thanks in part to local sponsors, the entire family can enjoy special holiday events, award-winning musicals, lectures and concerts. Major renovations were recently completed to the North Iowa Community Auditorium. This project was made possible by the generosity of several North Iowans and their dedication to one of the region’s most treasured commodities. The “jewel of North Iowa” is now positioned to better fulfill its vital mission of bringing top-notch performing arts and renowned speakers to our region.

“The Day the Music Died” is remembered each February during the “50s in February” celebration, held at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. The annual tribute honors the memory of the original Winter Dance Party at the venue where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson performed their final concerts. The three singers perished in a plane crash just outside of Clear Lake in 1959.

The North Iowa Band Festival, held each May, is the largest community celebration in North Iowa and is sponsored by the Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce. June brings the annual MacNider Summer Arts Festival celebration followed by the Barbecue Bash in July.

Varied musical genres are featured throughout the summer when the Mason City Downtown Association brings its Friday Night Live concert series to the downtown plaza.

Music can also be enjoyed each July at the annual Dixie Fest in Clear Lake, and from strolling carolers during “Christmas By the Lake” each December.

Performing Arts

Cerro Gordo County can always count on the Mason City Community Theatre for entertainment. Members of the troupe provide an array of performances throughout the year, and five productions yearly bring out some show-stopping talent. But get your tickets early, with only 146 seats in the theatre, performances frequently sellout.

From September to May, the Stebens Children’s Theater displays the talents of area youth in productions tailored to the younger crowd. The 120 seats of this theater provide the audience with an intimate setting in which to enjoy incredible young talent. Classes are offered year-round.