From Pulse: Octopus bar celebrates anniversary with music on the Hill

By JOHN MOLSEED

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- In less than a year, the Octopus on College Hill has become a known venue for various and unique musical performances.

Although that may seem fitting because Octopus owners Dave Diebler and Barb Schlif make up two-thirds of the Iowa rock band House of Large Sizes, Diebler said his initial plan wasn't to have music at the bar.

"I didn't see having bands at all," he said. "I wanted to open a neighborhood bar."

The decision to have music didn't originate from him, he added.

"People --- younger people --- pretty much demanded we do it," he said.

To mark the Octopus' one-year anniversary, Diebler, along with Slim Beast Productions, are presenting a weekend of music Aug. 16 and 17.

Ames artist Gloom Balloon, Land of Blood and Sunshine, of Marshalltown, and Cedar Valley artist Emily Mollman will perform Aug. 16. Har-di-Har, In Rooms and Graham Howland will perform Aug. 17.

Gloom Balloon is a solo project of Patrick Tape Fleming, founder of indie rock band Poison Control Center. Land of Blood and Sunshine is a pop rock band with a psychedelic sound. Har-di-Har is an experimental rock duo formerly of Cedar Falls. In Rooms is a Des Moines-based samba/rock band. Graham Howland is a member of the local Dylan Sires and Neighbors rock trio. Poet Aaron McNally will also perform, reading a piece dedicated to the Octopus one-year anniversary.

The Aug. 16 festivities will also include Iowa Swabian-Hall pork provided by Carl Blake, and three different beers provided by Broad Street Brewing Co. of Reinbeck will be tapped in the Octopus beer garden for the event.

"I think it's a fantastic, diverse lineup," Diebler.

The celebration marks the one-year anniversary for the business, but there's plenty else to celebrate on College Hill, Diebler said. Since the Octopus opened its doors, new venues Gingers and the Social House have opened, and a farmers market is now being held adjacent to the Octopus. What was a vacant lot for years at 2215 College St. is now the site of a residential and commercial building under construction.

"That building is really taking shape," Diebler said. "It's a great time to be up on College Hill."

The timing for opening the business was right.

"Maybe we instinctively knew," he said. "Maybe we're just lucky."

The music is now an integral part of the business, he added.

"We do music because it brings people in. It also brings the right kind of energy, excitement," he said. "As long as we can make it work, we're going to do it."

Tickets for each day of music are $8 and are available at Mohair Pear and the Octopus.