Local musicians giving free show to help Capitol II Theater

Is there anything better than the word free? There aren’t many things that are, and tonight, after the Cardinals square off against Grinnell, citizens are invited to a free all-ages show at the Capitol II Theater featuring local talent.

Brandon “KissDa Cook” Cook will be rapping, and Mike “ScratchDub” Husted will be doing a DJ set. The theater will have concessions for sale, and freewill donations will be accepted.

Cook is excited about the chance to perform for his hometown and help out the theater.

“The whole idea was for it to be a community project,” Cook said. “I had a vision to help out the movie theater in my own way and also to have a positive show in Newton. I put two and two together and thought, ‘I might as well talk to the Bleeker family.’”

Cook said the Bleekers were very open-minded about the idea, but they wanted to make sure it was a family friendly show before agreeing to do it.

“We rehearsed for their daughter’s slumber party as a way to figure out sound, and they loved it, and so they pursued it,” he said.

Cook said he has been rapping for about four years, he does it for fun and has no plans to become famous. He also describes himself as a “motivational rapper” and likes to focus on positive things in his rhymes.

He said he is also grateful his church, Come As You Are Newton or CAYA, lent him sound equipment and Todd Stein lent him lighting equipment. He doesn’t want to reveal too much about how the performance will go, but he promises it won’t be the “typical rap show.”

“The outcome is in God’s hands,” Cook said.

The show is scheduled to start once the football game ends or 10 p.m., whichever comes first at the Capitol II Theater on the east side of the square.

Staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.