Next up is Party in the Park this Thursday July 17 from 6:30-8 pm at Mercer Park in Iowa City with Ben Schmidt Trio.

Singer-songwriter Ben Schmidt hails from Chicago, IL, but has planted roots firmly in the Iowa soil.

Ben’s songs are steeped in the poetry of the Iowa landscape, drawing imagery from the everyday routines, struggles, and miracles of the human experience.

With musical styles from folk to blues to country and soul, Schmidt has developed a rich texture of sound inside of which his characters can dance, pray, celebrate, and mourn.

Ben Schmidt Trio includes Chris Dimond on guitar and Tara McGovern on fiddle, both from the Iowa City-based trio KERAK.

Thanks again to the Global Food Project for having us at the first market of the season last Saturday. We had a wonderful time.

The markets will continue on Saturday afternoons through September from 3-5 pm at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.