Shadows Over Clear Lake

The Iowa City Municipal Airport will host author and historian Tommy Canale for a presentation exploring the 1959 Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Canale will discuss the musicians whose legacies continue to influence rock ‘n’ roll and the plane crash that later became known as “The Day the Music Died.”
“Shadows Over Clear Lake: The Tragic Tale of the 1959 Winter Dance Party” will be presented at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at the Iowa City Municipal Airport, located at 1801 S. Riverside Drive.
How to participate
Seating is limited.
Text 702-670-0012 to reserve your seat. Tickets are $10 per person at the door.
Canale will discuss the history surrounding the Winter Dance Party, including entertainers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. ‘The Big Bopper” Richardson. The presentation will explore lesser-known details surrounding the tour and the Feb. 3, 1959, plane crash near Clear Lake, as well as the lasting legacy of the musicians and their music.
About the author
Author of “Shadows Over Clear Lake: The Tragic Tale of the 1959 Winter Dance Party,” Tommy Canale, is a riveting storyteller, researcher, broadcaster, and speaker whose work focuses on bringing stories about music history to life.