The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Zappa pushes boundaries

Grammy-Award-winner Dweezil Zappa will bring his show “Zappa Plays Zappa” to the Englert stage this weekend.

The American rock guitarist and occasional actor hopes to use music as a tool to express his inner words while navigating through many geographic and musical territories.

His performance will begin at 8 p.m. Friday at the Englert Theater, 221 E. Washington St. Admission ranges from $25 to $60.

“Zappa Plays Zappa” is an American tribute act that contains a collection of father Frank Zappa’s rock-oriented compositions from the 1960s to the ‘80s.

The band is devoted to playing the work of Dweezil Zappa’s legendary father and is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the album Roxy & Elsewhere. The group will play the entire album from beginning to end at the concert.

In 2012, Zappa turned the “Zappa Plays Zappa” group into a six-piece band whose members are dedicated to preserving the music of his father.

Megan Zappa, the wife of Zappa, said he is very proud of his father’s music and works tirelessly to keep it alive.

“Dweezil is a very driven and determined man who is sensible, kind, level-headed, intelligent and down-to-earth,” she said. “He is also a dedicated father himself.”

Before the concert, Zappa will host a sold-out master class at 2 p.m., also in the Englert.

In the class, musicians can learn guitar techniques and Zappa’s motto of “Learn and Destroy” to destroy the boundaries that confine music creativity.

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