What's there to see?
 
From scenic bluffs to historic Cable Car Square shopping district, Dubuque boasts attractions for every age and taste.

Cable Car Square: Fourth and Bluff streets area. Fifty shops are located at the foot of the Fenelon Place Elevator, the world's shortest, steepest, scenic railway. Novelties available in the stores range from handcrafted items and fine arts to antiques and gifts to gourmet coffees and teas to clothing, sandwiches and sweets.
Cathedral Square/Sculpture: Second and Bluff streets. View "Five Figures for Five Flags," a welded copper sculpture of a lead miner, missionary priest, steamboat pilot, farmer and his wife by Ann Opgenorth and Donna Marihart, of Bellevue, Iowa. Located in front of St. Raphael's Cathedral, the square celebrates the history of the cathedral and rectory.
City Service Facilities: Public Information Coordinator, 1300 Main St., 589-4151. Tours available of the Carnegie-Stout Public Library, City Hall and annex, Dubuque Regional Airport, fire department, Five Flags Civic Center and Theater, greenhouse, information services, KeyLine Transit System, Law Enforcement Center, planning services, water plant, water pollution control plant and municipal services center.
Continuum/Centennial Sculpture: Municipal Services Center, Kerper Court. Two large clockwise circular forms represent the United States' two centuries. The planes of 20 cubes represent the decades. The sculpture was erected in 1976 in celebration of the nation's bicentennial.
Crystal Lake Cave: Five miles south of Dubuque on U.S. 52, 7699 Crystal Lake Cave Drive, 556-6451. A natural "living cave" with intricate and rare formations, this cave is one of several known caves in the United States with examples of cave flowers, a rare form of aragonite crystals. Picnic areas and a gift shop are available. Hours: open first weekend in May. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends only in May. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in June, July and August. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends in September. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays in October and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends in October.
Moundside Orchard and Bakery: 5400 South Mound Road, 552-1446. Regional icon for home style baked goods and seasonal treats. Fourteen varieties of apples in season. Call for tours and other info.
Diamond Jo Casino: See "Gambling."
Dubuque's American Lady: 1630 East 16th St. (Dubuque Yacht Basin), 557-9700 / 877-762-9700. Web site: www.americanladycruises.com. Take in the beauty of the mighty Mississippi River aboard the Dubuque’s American Lady, a luxurious yacht offering cruises at breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a cocktail cruise, sightseeing cruise and cruises for events, parties and fundraisers. Operates April through October, call for reservations.
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens: 3800 Arboretum Drive, 556-2100. Eleven-time recipient of the All-American Rose Selection Association award. The arboretum sponsors an annual Rose Festival, which features rose and photography clinics, artists and activities for children. It has more than 13,000 hosta perennials of more than 700 varieties. During summers, live music is performed Sundays and at other times. A gift shop, a botanical library, viewing decks, walking trails and educational displays are available. The arboretum and all events are free. Donations are requested. The grounds are open 7 a.m.-dusk. May 1-Oct. 31. Nov. 1-May 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Visitor's center opens at 9 a.m.
Dubuque County Courthouse: 36 E. Eighth St., 589-4441. The only gold-domed courthouse in the state, it was the first building in Dubuque County to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built as Dubuque's first combination courthouse and jail, it is an example of the Victorian/Edwardian decorative theme. The jail achieved "landmark" status in 1987. Courthouse hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tours of the courthouse and jail are given on a reservation basis.
Dubuque County Fairground: 14583 Old Highway Road, 588-1162 or 588-1406. Site of the Dubuque County Fair, usually in late July. Features NASCAR Nextel Cup Racing every Sunday from April through September and dancing every week. Other events include home, gun and ag shows, auctions, concerts, truck pulls, rodeos, circuses, flea markets and craft shows. RV camping is available.
Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino: See "Gambling."
Farmers Market: The market covers a four-block area beginning at 13th and Iowa streets. A tradition for more than 150 years, the Dubuque Farmers Market features homemade and homegrown products: fresh farm produce, flowers, baked goods, arts and crafts. The market opens at 7 a.m. Saturdays from May-November. Most merchandise is sold by noon. Call 588-4400 for information.
Fenelon Place Elevator (Also known as the Fourth Street Elevator): 512 Fenelon Place, 582-6496; fax: 588-2357; Web site: www.dbq.com/fenplco. The elevator was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as the world's shortest and steepest railway. The 296-foot-long lift was constructed in 1882 for convenience purposes. Now, passengers are elevated 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place. As the cable car climbs, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin are visible through its front window. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 1-Nov. 30. Round trip rides are $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 5-12. One-way trips are $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. Children younger than 5 ride free.
Five Flags Civic Center: Fourth and Main streets. Business office phone: 589-4254, ticket office: 589-4258. Five Flags Civic Center comprises of the historic Five Flags Theater, home of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and Heartland Ballet; Five Flags Arena, home of Dubuque ThunderBirds Hockey, circuses, conventions and concerts, the Basement Bijou, home of Fly-by-Night Productions, and Five Flags Ballroom, Majestic Room and Orpheum Room, all available for company meetings. Business office hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; Ticket office hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and noon-4 p.m. Saturdays. Web site: www.fiveflagscenter.com.
Gerry Murphy Tours and Travel: P.O. Box 1413, 800/974-7714. Discover Dubuque Tours cover historic downtown Dubuque, Eagle Point Park and other area attractions. Tours are $10 and last 1 1/2 hours. Can be picked up at your hotel or visitor's center.
Grand Opera House: 135 W. Eighth St., Business office: 588-4356, ticket office: 588-1305. See "Arts" for more information.
Grandview Avenue Parkway: Two miles of peonies and annual flowers pop up on the grassy dividers during the summer. Around Memorial Day, they usually are in full bloom.
Heitkamp Memorial Planetarium: 1450 Alta Vista St., Loras College, 588-7154. Located between Christ the King Chapel and the library. Provides weekly one-hour astronomy presentations throughout the school year. Shows change monthly; depending on interest and sky conditions, shows might be followed by a trip to the observatory to use the telescope. Presentations available on a reservation basis for area schools.
Iowa's Great River Road: Start on U.S. 52 north or south of Dubuque. The Great River Road is a 3,000-mile network of highways that parallels the Mississippi River and meanders along Iowa's eastern border. Start from Dubuque and travel either north or south to view the Mississippi River's beautiful scenery.
Julien Dubuque Monument: Off South Grandview Avenue and Julien Dubuque Drive, 556-0620. The stone tower of Galena magnesia limestone stands over the grave of Dubuque's founder near the edge of the bluff from which its stones were quarried. The 29-foot monument overlooks the Mississippi River and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Mathias Ham House Historic Site: 2241 Lincoln Ave., next to the entrance of Eagle Point Park, 583-2812. Built in 1856, this Italianate Villa was the home of Mathias Ham, one of Dubuque's earliest settlers. The 23-room limestone home reflects the splendor of Dubuque in steamboating's golden era. A 10-minute video provides visitors with a glimpse of the characters who lived in Ham House during that time. It is a Victorian historic home site, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Also located on the site are a one-room schoolhouse and an 1833 double log cabin, Iowa's oldest building. Guided tours daily May 1-Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open year-round for groups of 20 or more.
Mines of Spain Recreational Area: 8999 Bellevue Heights, 556-0620. Accessible from U.S. 52. and Julien Dubuque Drive. The Mines of Spain is a 1,380-acre area offering picnic facilities and five miles of hiking trails. Includes the E.B. Lyons Nature Center, a 37-acre interpretive nature center complete with trails of historical and natural sites such as the Julien Dubuque Monument. Center includes wildflower garden, butterfly and bird garden, rest rooms, history of the Mines of Spain, fossils, American Indian relics and an area for children with live reptile exhibits.
Miss Dubuque: Third Street/Ice Harbor. 583-8093 or 800/747-8093. A modern yacht cruising the Mississippi River, ideal for private charters, weddings, business meetings, bridal showers, cocktail and dinner cruises. Cruising April-October. Capacity: 149.
Old Main Street Area: Below Fifth Street, a designated National Register Historic District highlighted by the Five Flags Theater, the Old Main area features unique merchandise, including clothing, flowers, jewelry and gifts, as well as many services - all available in restored buildings. Call the Dubuque Tourist Information Center for information, 556-4372.
Port of Dubuque: The former site of Dubuque's boat building industry is the focal point of Dubuque's riverboat heritage. In addition to a fleet of riverboats, the Ice Harbor area features the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque River Rides sight-seeing cruises depart from and return to the harbor. For more information, see related listings. Also departing from the Ice Harbor are gambling cruises on the Diamond Jo. For information, see "Gambling."
Progressive Dinner and Victorian House Tour: Held at four of Dubuque's loveliest old mansions, one course of an elegantly served dinner is served at each home, an introduction to each history is given and a tour guide tells stories about 19th century Dubuque. The meal begins with an appetizer at the Mathias Ham House. Next, the tour moves to the Redstone Inn for soup and French bread. The main course is served at the Ryan House, a restaurant that once was the home of "Hog" Ryan, a Civil War general. The last stop is for dessert and coffee at the Mandolin Inn, which gets its name from the unusual leaded and painted glass window on the first landing of the grand oak stair. The dinner is available to group tours throughout the year and to individual diners on the second and fourth Saturdays from January-November. Tours are offered on the second and fourth Friday and Saturday beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving through December. Reservations are required. For information, call 556-5000.
Rustic Hills Carriage Tours/Dubuque by Carriage: Call 580-0558 or 556-6341. Horse-drawn carriages provide transportation around historical Dubuque: Fenelon Place Elevator, Shot Tower, Cooper Wagon Works and numerous mansions. Narrated historic tours range from 15 minutes to an hour, departing from the Fourth Street Cable Car Square and Third Street Ice Harbor daily April l-Oct. 31. Tours run between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening tours depart from the Diamond Jo Casino and the Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena at 7 p.m. from April to October and weekends during November and December. Carriage rides, historic tours, group tours, wedding tours, romantic evening tours, country hay rides, covered-wagon rides and sleigh rides are available year-round on a reservation basis.
Ryan House: 1375 Locust St., 556-5000. Built in 1873, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With 30 rooms and three stories, the Ryan House is considered to be the finest example of the Second Empire style of architecture in Dubuque. Originally, this Victorian home belonged to Civil War meatpacker William "Hog" Ryan, who entertained notables such as President Grant. Groups of 20 or more can book special events year-round.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church: 1199 Main St., 582-4543. Constructed in 1896 of Bedford limestone, St. Luke's is an example of Romanesque Architecture. It features nine Tiffany windows and a brass altar railing that is a replica of one found in the Cathedral of Ravenna, Italy.
St. Raphael's Cathedral: 231 Bluff St. 582-7646. Under the supervision of Dubuque's first bishop, Mathias Loras, the unfinished cathedral was opened Christmas Day 1857. The stained-glass windows depict figures from the Old Testament and saints of the Catholic Church. As one of the oldest churches in Iowa, the cathedral is an example of Gothic architecture.
Shot Tower: East Fourth Street Extension. Dubuque's Shot Tower stands on the riverfront as a unique memorial to the early munitions industry. Built in 1856, the Shot Tower is believed to be one of five that exists in the United States. When the tower first began producing shot, it produced one to two tons daily. At its peak, it produced six to eight tons daily.
The Spirit of Dubuque/Dubuque River Rides: Third Street Ice harbor, 583-8093, www.dubuqueriverrides.com. Mississippi River rides aboard an authentic paddle wheeler. Cruising daily May-October with sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises. Reservations are required for all meal cruises. Call for cruise schedule; the office is open year-round.
Town Clock: Seventh Street and Town Clock Plaza. The clock originally was erected in November 1864. At the time of its construction, it was said to be the most accurate town clock in the United States. In 1872, the clock fell, killing a woman and a child. The present clock was built in 1873 and became electrically driven in 1947. The 13-ton clock tower was relocated to the plaza area in 1971.
Tri-State Market: Illinois 35, East Dubuque, Ill., 815/747-6832. Providing a country view of garden fresh vegetables, in season fruit, fresh and dried flowers and crafts, the "Pumpkin Barn" also offers the area's largest pumpkin display. Open July-October.
Trolleys of Dubuque Inc.: P.O. Box 1322, 552-2896. The old-fashioned transportation offers year-round chartered shuttle services for weddings, dinner parties, shopping and city tours. Twilight city tours and Christmas-light tours also are available. Cost of rides varies with destination and number of people.
Zebulon Pike Lock and Dam No. 11: Lock Dam Road, 582-0881. The 16-gate dam, visible from Eagle Point Park, was completed in 1937. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the facility and offers complementary tours on Sundays at 2 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Tourism Information
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau: 300 Main St., 557-9200 or 800/798-4748. Provides information on businesses, industry, hotels, recreation, festivals and other tourism-related topics.
Iowa Welcome Center: Third Street Ice Harbor, 556-4372. Located in a converted warehouse overlooking the Ice Harbor, this four-story building features museums, historical exhibits, shops and an observation deck. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily in the summer with 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays) in the winter.

Local Museums and Tours

The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium opened in June 2003 after 25 years of raising $54 million to establish and expand upon the original Mississippi River Museum.

The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is accredited by the American Association of Museums - a distinction held by 9 percent of American museums, and it was named an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in August 2003.

The river campus includes the William Woodward River Discovery Center, the National Rivers Hall of Fame, the Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum, a boatyard, a wetland and a refurbished train depot.
It is located at 350 East Third St., 557-9545.

William Woodward Discovery Center: Has five large freshwater aquariums, live animal exhibits, wet labs, towboat simulators and hands-on activities that will educate and entertain.

National Rivers Hall of Fame: Offers stories of people who pioneered the waterways of the United States, including Louis Armstrong, Mark Twain, and Lewis and Clark.
Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum: Displays and celebrates the history of riverboats on the Mississippi through exhibits and artifacts.
Woodward Wetlands: Includes a boardwalk trail that winds along natural and living history outposts. See turtles, flora and fauna and explore the natural habitat of the Mississippi.
Steamboat William M. Black: Is the size of a football field and was a working dredge boat that once roamed the Mississippi River. Overnight stays and dining soon will be available.
Depot Cafe: Is the museum's food and beverage station located in the refurbished Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Train Depot, built in 1891. The Depot also houses a small boat collection.
Educational Programs and Field Trips: Are available for students from prekindergarten age to college-level and beyond. Call for details.
Historic Dubuque Tours: Also available through the Historical Society.

Art Galleries

Arts: Where are the galleries, theaters?
 
As Dubuque continues to grow, arts and theater in the community continue to thrive. Small and large art studios are scattered across the city and the Dubuque Museum of Art offers a variety of shows throughout the year. College and community theaters perform everything from children's theater to musicals in beautiful historic theaters or newly renovated auditoriums.

A Frame of Mind: 2600 Dodge St., 583-2422. Offers custom framing, prints, preframed gallery items and gift frames.
Brownstone Gallery and Frame Shop: 1172 Main St., 582-1561. The gallery's variety of fine art ranges from jewelry and accessories, lithographs and serigraphs, to posters and reproductions by local, national and international artists. Custom framing also available. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, closed Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
Carnegie-Stout Public Library: 360 W. 11th St., 589-4225. The library, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, has a permanent art collection, including oil paintings, watercolors, prints, photographs and sculpture. Two Grant Wood paintings, "Appraisal" and "Victorian Survival," are on loan to Dubuque Museum of Art. The central gallery also features artwork from local schools and local artists. Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Chavenelle Studio Metalworks: 1155 Kelly Lane, 583-2218; fax: 583-3566; Web site: www.chavenellestudio.com. One piece sheet-metal sculpture for office, home and garden. Call for appointment.
Creative Touch Gallery and Frame: 3460 Hillcrest Road, 556-6279 or 556-1813. The gallery features local and international artists' works. Original pieces and prints are showcased. Collections focus on impressionism, contemporary Americana, lithographs and serigraphs and mixed media pieces. Professional framing services also are available. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Open Sundays only in December.
Dubuque Museum of Art: 701 Locust St., 557-1851. The museum's bimonthly exhibits feature 19th and 20th century American artists' paintings, sculpture and photography. Art classes, workshops and lectures that coincide with exhibits are offered. They also offer "art after hours," social events for a younger age group (21-40). The hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Closed Monday and holidays. Admission for adults is $5, seniors and students $3, children younger than 12 are free and Thursday is free admission for all.
Fourth Street Gallery: 486 W. Fourth St., 584-2346. Local and regional art and artists featured along with photography and gifts. Open daily during the summer months.
Germain Fine Art: 1543 Central Ave., 583-8087. Painting and prints along with painting restoration.
Outside the Lines: 409 Bluff St., 583-9343. Eclectic collection of fine art and craft made by local artists and artisans, paintings, drawing, sculpture, stained glass and more.
Papua New Guinea Museum: Wartburg Theological Seminary, 333 Wartburg Place, 589-0200. Papua New Guinea is represented by photographs, ancient artwork and artifacts, such as weapons, jewelry and household objects. Because students direct the exhibition, hours change each semester. Call for exhibition times.
Quigley Gallery 1550: 1550 Clarke Drive, 588-6300. Professional, faculty and student works are exhibited with works varying from traditional to avant-garde paintings and sculptures to contemporary digital pieces. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Starlite Art and Framing: 3413 Starlite Drive, 556-3042. Starlite offers picture framing services and sells art and frames.
TNT Jewelry and Gallery: 2204 Central Ave., 556-8688. Limited editions, open editions, and local and regional artists works for sale. Custom framing and engraving also available. Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Extended hours during the holidays.
Upstart Crow Fine Arts: 137 Main St., 582-7778. Upstart Crow Fine Art gallery offers original oil paintings and art glass. Their local artists include Tom Metcalf, Mike Meyer and Jim Ehlinger.
Visitation Arts Complex Gallery: 1450 Alta Vista St. Loras College students, faculty, alumni and visiting artists' works are exhibited. Call 588-7118 for times of exhibits and other information.
Music and Theater
Bell Tower Theater Productions: 2728 Asbury Road, 588-3377. Located in Fountain Park below Rafters Restaurant. Productions are staged monthly, ranging from full productions of plays and musicals to single performer. Bell Tower Theater regularly hosts dinner theater productions.
Clarke College Theatre Box Office: 1550 Clarke Drive, 588-6329. Productions are staged during the academic year. Tickets become available two weeks before each performance. Contact the box office for show times and ticket information.
Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and The Cadets: 1101 Central Ave., 582-4872. The Colts Youth Organization provides programs for youth (ages 10-21) in music, performance and life skills training through a positive environment that emphasizes character and social development, leadership, self-discipline and the pursuit and achievement of excellence in the performing arts. The organization sponsors the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, Colt Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, Dubuque Colts Youth Choirs and the Colts Summer Band. www.colts.org.
Dubuque Arts Council Artist in Residence: 2728 Asbury Road, Suite 220, 556-7748. The group sponsors world-class musicians, dancers, writers and actors for schools, residencies and public performances. The organization also sponsors summer concerts at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m..
Dubuque City Youth Ballet: 2085 Mullen Road, 583-2047. Started in 1969 by Tatiana Bechenova, former soloist with the Ballet Russe, Col. de Basil, and directed by her daughter, Marina O'Rourke, who graduated from Oklahoma University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Pedagogue. The company presents several full-length ballets each year.
Dubuque County Fairground: 14583 Old Highway Road, 588-1162 or 588-1406. The fairground hosts many dancing opportunities on weeknights and weekends. They also provide a live orchestra four times a year and plenty of space for ballroom dancing. Call 588-1406 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays to confirm ballroom dance times.
Dubuque Cultural Alliance: P.O. Box 3214, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3214, 552-3135. This group meets regularly to facilitate cooperation among local arts organizations, area colleges, cultural institutions and civic organizations.
Dubuque Fine Arts Society: Sponsor of local festivals such as Dubuquefest and organizations such as the Writer's Guild. The Dubuque Fine Arts Society has been in operation for more than 20 years. 599-0291.
Dubuque Fine Arts Players: 1686 Lawndale, 588-6300. (Gary Arms). The Dubuque Fine Arts Players sponsors the oldest one-act playwriting contest in the United States. The contest, begun in 1977, draws entries from across the nation and several countries. It relies on volunteers to read and evaluate contest entries and produce plays in Dubuque.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra: 2728 Asbury Road, Suite 900, 557-1677. Five weekends of classical concerts are offered at the historic Five Flags Theater in addition to two pops concerts in winter and spring. In the fall, there also is a family Halloween concert. Chamber concerts are offered in alternate locations. Children's concerts are held in conjunction with the schools. Season subscriptions and single tickets are available.
Five Flags Civic Center: Fourth and Main streets, 589-4258 (ticket office), 589-4254 (business office). A multipurpose facility designed to accommodate conventions, exhibitions, trade shows, sports, wedding receptions and performing arts. Contains the Five Flags Theater, a four-level, 750-seat theater listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings - where theater, dance and musical groups perform throughout the year.
Fly-By-Night Productions at the Bijou Room: Fourth and Main streets, 589-4258, "Theatre in an intimate space." Shows performed in the Bijou Room of Five Flags.
Grand Opera House: 135 W. Eighth St., 588-1305 (box office) 588-4356 (business office). Built in 1896, the Grand Opera House is the oldest theater in Dubuque and one of the oldest in Iowa. Comedies, dramas, musicals, puppeteers, dance ensembles' performances and shows for children are offered. Summer performances are offered in June, July and August. Regular season is October through April.
The Great Midwestern Educational Theatre Company: P.O. Box 237, Peosta, Iowa. 563/542-5452. (Amy Ressler).
The Hazel Green Opera House, 2130 Main St., Hazel Green, Wis. Home of the Fever River Puppeteers. Seasonal marionette shows, puppet workshops and other events. For information, call 608/759-4425, or visit www.mhtc.net/~hgoperahouse.
Heartland Ballet: 2085 Mullen Road, 583-2047. The Heartland Ballet, a company of pre-professional dancers, was formed in 1988. Presents several full-length ballets annually.
Loras College: 1450 Alta Vista St., 588-7100. The college's Arts and Lecture Series features nationally and internationally known talents in music, dramatics, comedy and dance. Loras also offers performances by its choir, wind and jazz ensembles and the Loras Players, Iowa's oldest amateur theater group.
Northeast Iowa School of Music: 2728 Asbury Road, Suite 200, 690-0151. The Northeast Iowa School of Music offers private and group music lessons for all ages. They teach all instruments and voice lessons, as well. admin@nisom.com.
The Music Men: 563/773-3132. Dubuque's barbershop chorus, comprised of men of all ages, celebrates more than 50 years of harmonizing in the tri-state area. They perform at various locations, including retirement homes and the Grand Opera House. The chorus sponsors Harmony Explosion, a vocal music seminar for high school students, each fall. The group rehearses from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays at the Summit Congregational Church on Kennedy Road.
Miscellaneous: Many coffeehouses and bars around the area offer live music and open microphone opportunities. Some establishments also allow local talent to sing or play with owner permission. Check local phonebook listings for more information.
Movie Theaters
Cinema Center 8 Theater: Motion pictures, 75 Kennedy Road, 588-3000 or 588-4639.
Kennedy Mall Cinema 6: Motion pictures, 555 Kennedy Road, 588-9215 or 588-9581.
Star Cinema: Motion pictures. 2835 Northwest Arterial, 582-7827.