GO Cedar Rapids is thrilled to announce newbo evolve™, an annual three-day, multi-faceted celebration of the Bohemian creative spirit, premiering Aug. 3-5, 2018.
Inspired by nationally-known annual events like South by Southwest® (SXSW®), TED Talks and Burning Man, newbo evolve attendees will be able to participate and learn in a variety of topics from fashion and design to technology and culinary arts, and much more. In its inaugural year, newbo evolve will feature an outstanding lineup of celebrity talent and experts to lead the festival’s cornerstone programming, aimed at drawing attendees in search of growth and inspiration.
newbo evolve passholders will receive guaranteed preferred-section seating for concerts from Grammy awardwinners Maroon 5, headlining Saturday, Aug. 4, and Kelly Clarkson, headlining Friday, Aug. 3. Maroon 5 have solidified their position as one of pop music’s most enduring artists, selling more than 17 million albums worldwide with hit singles “Misery,” “Moves Like Jagger,” “Maps,” “Animals,” “Sugar,” and “Don’t Wanna Know.” Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first season of “American Idol” in 2002, has grown to be one of the most popular artists of this or any other era, with over 100 No. 1 Billboard singles and total worldwide sales of more than 25 million albums and 36 million singles like “Thankful,” “Breakaway,” “My December,” “All I Ever Wanted,” and “Stronger.”
“Purchasing a three-day pass not only means getting a great seat at terrific concerts, but attendees can choose if they want to focus on specific topics or sessions covering a variety of subjects. We’ll run concurrent multiple sessions and repeat selected sessions we believe will be the most popular,” said GO Cedar Rapids CEO Aaron McCreight.
Sunday’s keynote speaker will be Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Screenwriter, film director and author John Waters will perform a one-man, spoken-word lecture entitled “This Filthy World,” a “vaudeville” act celebrating the film career and obsessive tastes of the man William Burroughs once called “The Pope of Trash.” Many of the interactive sessions will be led by celebrity professionals like Clint Harp (carpentry and woodworking); Carson Kressley (fashion/stylist); and Christian Siriano (fashion designer). Some of the celebrities also will be available for attendee-only book signings, pop-up shops and meet and greets.
“We want our festival-goers to get the most from their newbo evolve experience, so celebrities will participate in a variety of different sessions,” said McCreight. “For instance, Christian Siriano will preside over a Fashion Town Hall ‘Fashion for Real Women,’ but also will lead a classroom session.”
An eye-catching part of newbo evolve 2018 will be the Cedar Screamer Zip Line, a visual and physical nod to the resilience of the community and the beauty of the Cedar River that devastated Cedar Rapids neighborhoods in 2008. The 1,000+ foot zip line will take daring adventurers up 10 stories high for a unique excursion across the Cedar River. The Cedar Screamer will be the only zip line in Iowa that crosses such a large body of water. It will be open to the public May through mid-August.
The newbo evolve footprint will radiate from the NewBo/Czech Village District and spread throughout downtown Cedar Rapids. The DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Center, along with restored historic theaters, cultural museums and the NewBo City Market, will host sessions and speakers while showcasing the renaissance Cedar Rapids has experienced since the floods. The outdoor main stage will be located on the bank of the Cedar River at the foot of the Bridge of Lions, which connects the historic Czech Village to the hip New Bohemia District.
Four thousand newbo evolve passes will go on sale Friday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. CST, on newboevolve.com and through Ticketmaster. Each $375 pass includes guaranteed preferred-section seating at both the Friday and Saturday evening concerts; access to all newbo evolve sessions on a first-come basis; admittance to the exclusive lounge, performance space and garden area that will transform the New Bohemia District during the festival; discounts, perks and specials with area dining and retail merchants; and much more. Attendees must be 18 years or older to purchase a three-day pass. The $375 pass price does not include applicable taxes and fees.
About newbo evolve
Produced by GO Cedar Rapids, newbo evolve is three days of art, music and inspiration in the heart of Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s New Bohemia neighborhood. In the first year, newbo evolve also will be a commemoration of the 10 years of revitalization and progress in the New Bohemia District since the flood of 2008. Each year this celebration of the creative Bohemian spirit will highlight different areas of the arts and technology, giving attendees a chance to grow, explore and celebrate. Get inspired at newboevolve.com.
About GO Cedar Rapids
GO Cedar Rapids is dedicated to enhancing the local economy by promoting the Cedar Rapids area as the premier destination in the region for travel, tourism and events. Visit gocedarrapids.com for more information about area events, dining and entertainment. In 2016, travel-generated expenditures totaled $787.9 million and the tourism industry employed 6,500 people in Linn County.