Summer Arts & Entertainment Guide
| Music | Film | Theater | Art | Outdoors |
By Michael Swanger
Live music is so much a part of everyday summer life around here that we often
take it for granted. Don't believe me? When was the last time you went to a
farmers' market, an art show, a neighborhood festival, a food or beer event,
a biker rally, a winery or a fair and didn't hear a band? Not often, I'm guessing.
It's the one art form that organizers insist on using to not only help draw
a crowd, but to add some culture and flavor to their event.
With that said, however, if you don't support live music it will go away.
The proof is in the absence of a few venues and longtime concert series that
are missing from this summer's calendar. So be sure to support live music
when you can. It's good for the soul and the community.
The following is a sampling of shows, organized by venue or event that can
be found throughout central Iowa through the end of August. It is not an
inclusive list, as many shows have yet to be announced. But it's a good start.
Read Cityview each week for breaking music news, artist interviews (local
and national) and concert photos/reviews. Also, be sure to check out Cityview's
calendar for the most comprehensive listing of concerts in central Iowa.
All Play
615 3rd St., Des Moines
333-5050
June 2 — Crooked Still
June 4 — Mingo Fishtrap
June 10 — Terry Quiett Band
June 17 — Kelley Hunt
June 21 — Blues Caravan - Girls With Guitars
June 25 — Killborn Alley Blues Band
July 3 — Albert Castiglia
July 23 — Trampled Under Foot
July 29 — Lionel Young Band
July 31 — Tinsley Ellis
The Ames Progressive
118 Hayward Ave. Suite 3, Ames
http://www.amesprogressive.org
June 9 — The Lonelyhearts
June 22 — Tyson Ballew, The Scribblers
June 24 — The Bassturd, Coolzey, Todd on Acid, MRPF3
June 25 — The Wire Frames, Dr. Murdock
July 8 — Sam Vicari
July 14 — Little Bobby
July 26 — Insomniac Folklore
Ankeny Summerfest
Northview Middle School/Prairie Ridge Sports Complex
http://www.ankenysummerfest.org
July 7 — The Rumbles
July 8 — The Nadas
Ankeny Unplugged Concert Series
Wagner Park Bandshell
4-9 p.m. $3
http://www.ankenyunplugged.com
June 4 — Brother Trucker, Thankful Dirt
June 11 — Dick Prall, Andy Elwell, Mary McAdams
June 18 — The River Monks, Seedlings, Wolfgang
June 25 — Jefferson County Green Band, Jim Seem
Behind the Barn
Living History Farms, Urbandale
6:30-8:30 p.m.
278-5286
July 20 — High Society Big Band
Belin String Quartet
Fridays, 12:15 p.m. Free
Nollen Plaza or Downtown Des Moines Library Lawn
280-4020
June 3, 10, 24 and July 1, 8, 15 and 22 — Nollen Plaza
June 17 — Downtown Library
July 29 — Children's concert, Downtown Library
Big Country Bash
Water Works Park, Des Moines
331-9200. $32.50
June 26 — Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Colt Ford, Josh Thompson, Steel Magnolia, Jason Brown, JB and the Moonshine Band
Bike Down to I-Town
Downtown Indianola
6-10 p.m. Free
http://www.bikedowntoitown.com
June 17 — Toaster
July 15 — Standing Hampton
Aug. 19 — Boomerang
Blank Park Zoo Brew
7401 S.W. 9th St.
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.
June 1 — Dueling Guitars
June 8 — Out of the Blue
June 15 — Damon Dotson
June 22 — Toaster
June 29 — Rudy York
July 6 — Decoy
July 13 — Standing Hampton
July 20 — Monkey, Monkey, Monkey
July 27 — Pianopalooza
Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant
5485 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
564-7300
http://www.bluemoonduelingpianobar.com
May 28 — Todd Cutshaw, Jeremie Malotke, Brad Herron
June 2-4 — Todd Cutshaw, Tim Buie, Marcus Toner
June 9-11 — Papi Sorrelis, Dave Hawke, Brandon Kent
June 16-18 — Mike Brasky, Don Peters, Wiz
June 23-25 — Dean Madonia, CD Thomas, Adam Browne
June 30-July 2 — Todd Cutshaw, Spencer Bates, Jeremie Malotke
July 7-9 — Marcus Toner, Andy Paczak, CD Thomas
July 14-16 — Dave Hawke, Todd Cutshaw, Dean Madonia
July 21-23 — Brad Herron, Todd Cutshaw, Dean Madonia
July 28-30 — Michael John, Matt Black, John Sacket
Bluegrass Tuesdays
Warren County Courthouse Lawn, Indianola
6:30 p.m. Free
http://www.bluegrasstuesdays.com
May 31 — The Grascals, Mr. Baber's Neighbors
June 7 — Michael Cleveland and the Flamekeeper, Highway Home
June 14 — Dry Branch Fire Squad, County Line
June 21 — Punches Family Bluegrass, Youth in Bluegrass
June 28 — Monroe Crossing, Sammy and Amy Greer
July 5 — Rhonda Vincent, Spring Hill Bluegrass
July 12 — Daily and Vincent, Southern Reign
July 19 — Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen, Rob Lumbard
Blues Before Sunset
State Historical Building Grand Terrace
Fridays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free
281-4011
http://www.culturalaffairs.org
June 3 — Hot Tamale & The Red Hots
July 8 — Bella Soul
Aug. 5 — Fat Tuesday & The Greasefire Horns
Bombay Bicycle Club
8410 Hickman Road, Clive
June 15 — Scott H. Biram, The Dirt Daubers
Aug. 20 — Eric Sardinas and Big Motor
Caspe Terrace
33158 Ute Ave., Waukee
987-0899
June 4 — Dave Liebman
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut St.
246-2300
June 17 — John Prine and Iris DeMent
July 22-31 — Max Wellman and Roxi Copland (The Temple Theater)
Clive Festival
Clive Aquatics Center, 1801 N.W. 114th St.
Free
July 15-16 — Bands TBD
Club 504
504 E. Locust St., Des Moines
May 30 — Living with Lions
June 1 — Everyday Every Night
June 12 — Rich the Factor
June 17 — Juneteenth Celebration with Juvenile
June 19 — Warhellride, The Estate, By Its Right Name
June 23 — Authority Zero
June 24 — Assembly Line of Gods, Barrelbright
July 18 — Armor for the Broken
Aug. 6 — Cirrus Minor
DG's Taphouse
127 Main St., Ames
232-1528
June 3 — Andre & The Giants
June 4 — Dead Larry
June 7 — Mary and the Giant
June 11 — Obsidians Dream
June 17 — The Ramblers
June 18 — Kris Lager Band & Funk Trek
June 21 — The Infamous Stringdusters
June 25 — The Uniphonics & PB and The Jam
July 8 — David Zollo
July 22 — SOAP
July 23 — Useful Jenkins
July 30 — Heatbox & Jon Wayne and the Pain
Aug. 25 — Elephant Revival
Dale Valley Vineyard and Winery
3097 285th St., Stuart
523-2199
http://www.dalevalleyvineyard.com
May 28 — Trouble No More
June 4 — Backstage Boogie Band
June 18 — Mason Jar Marnin
July 9 — "Winestock" with Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
July 23 — Chad Elliott
July 30 — Gabrielle Louise
Aug. 6 — Mason Jar Marnin
Aug. 20 — El Dorados
Aug. 27 — Backstage Boogie Band
Des Moines Arts Festival
Western Gateway Park, downtown Des Moines
Free. June 24-26
http://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org
GuideOne Performing Arts Stage
June 24 — Java Jews, The Beggarmen, Salsa Vibe
June 25 — Creative Fusion, Clearly
June 26 — Flying Pig Fiddle and Banjo, Poetic Rebound
Jazz & Wine Pavilion
June 24 — Onyx 2, Dan Bliss, Rob Lumbard, Hot Club of Des Moines, Claire Norman, Bella Soul Jazz Trio
June 25 — East Side Jazz Team, Happy Go Lovely, James Kennedy and Friends, Dirty Grampa, Max Wellman
June 26 — River Monks, Workshop Trio
Main Stage
June 24 — Rebel Creek, Pictures of Them, Scars on 45, The Smithereens
June 25 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts, Richard Webster, Modoc, The Envy Corps
June 26 — Bonne Finken, Central Iowa Music Lab, Decoy
Des Moines Social Club
Kirkwood Hotel, 400 Walnut St.
288-3672
http://www.desmoinessocialclub.org
June 6 — Chris Madsen Trio
June 11-12 — Fourth Annual Subjective Circus
80/35 Festival
Western Gateway Park, Downtown Des Moines
244-2771. $25-$150
July 2 — Girl Talk, Galactic, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Titus Andronicus, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Thankful Dirt, The Poison Control Center, Grining Match, Wolves in the Attic, La Strange, Christopher the Conquered
July 3 — Of Montreal, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Parlours, Bitch, The Giving Tree Band, Bear Hands, Okkervil River, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Handsome Furs, Civil Twilight, The River Monks, Land of Blood and Sunshine, The Workshy, The Uniphonics
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd St., Des Moines
284-1970
May 29 — Infuzion
June 1 — Brother Trucker
July 6 — Brother Trucker
Flying Mango
4345 Hickman Road, Des Moines
May 29 — Romi Mayes
June 12-13 — Lipbone Redding & the Lipbone Orchestra
July 17 — Sharon Little Trio
July 18 — Carrie Rodriguez
Friday Fest
Walker Johnston Sports Complex
9000 Douglas Ave., Urbandale.
4:45-8 p.m. $7.
276-3246
May 27 — Faculty Lounge
June 3 — Throwing Toast
June 10 — Flipside
June 17 — Gimikk
June 24 — The Blue Band
July 1 — Toaster
July 8 — Stone Thro
July 15 — Driveway Rockers
July 22 — Final Mix
July 29 — The Heartbeats
Friday Fest
Pattee Park, Perry
6:30 p.m. Free
(515) 465-4601
June 24 — David Zollo, Brother Trucker
Aug. 19 — The Nadas
The Gas Lamp
Lost Highway Roots Revival with DJ Eight Ten every Tuesday
Open Jam every Thursday with Janey Hooper
After Work Release party every Friday with Sumpin' Doo
May 28 — Rudy York
May 31 — Lost Highway
June 1 — Zoe Muth and The Lost High Rollers
June 4 — Randy Burk and the Prisoners
June 5 — Chatham County Line
June 12 — Kevin Gordon
June 29 — Sean Chambers
July 2 — Bright Giant
July 8 — Real Old Airplanes
July 13 — Laurie Morvan
July 14 — Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers
Hessen Haus
101 Fourth St.
288-2520
May 28 — Bob Malek & His Fisherman
June 4 — Bill Koncar
June 11 — Barefoot Becky & Her Ivanhoe Dutchmen
June 18 — Jerry Beauchamp Band
July 2 — Bob Malek & His Fisherman
July 9 — Barry Boyce Band
July 23 — Barefoot Becky & Her Ivanhoe Dutchmen
Aug. 27 — Barry Boyce Band
House of Bricks
525 E. Grand Ave.
727-4370
http://www.thehouseofbricks.com
May 27 — Dirty Grampa
May 28 — Index Case, JonnyRock, The War I Survived
May 28 — Diamond For Eyes, Wrestling with Wolves
May 29 — I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business
May 31 — ByltsRightname, Jailbox
June 2 — Gemini Syndrome
June 4 — Cirrus Minor, Calous, Goat Hill
June 10 — Throw the Fight
June 11 — Seven Day Sonnet, September
June 11 — Only, Mars on Fire
June 12 — Bang Tango, The Knobs
June 16 — Soulmotor, The Texas Hippie Coalition
June 17 — Primer 55, El Diablo
June 17 — Longbottom Leaf, Nebula Was
June 18 — The Manicas
June 18 — Emperical
June 26 — Beatallica, D.D.E.P.
July 6 — Ryan Cabrera
July 8 — Everett Smithson Band
July 9 — Smoking Blindfolded, Scarlett Suicide
July 13 — The Convalescene, Engage the Nightmar
Aug. 20 — Alien Ant Farm
Aug. 24 — Nashville Pussy, Superchief
Hoyt Sherman Theater
1501 Woodland Ave.
244-0507
July 14 — Little Feat
Hull Avenue Tavern
834 Hull Ave.
266-9338
http://www.thehullavenuetavern.com
May 27 — Hangover (DJ mikes Bday party)
May 28 — Steve Robinson and the Foundation
June 3 — Driveway Rockers
June 4 — Izzy StarChild
June 10 — Mars on Fire, tba
June 11 — Alchemist
June 16 — Modern Superstar (Featuring Former Members of Britny Foxx & BulletBoys) & Gypsy
Pistolero (Former Members of LA Guns, BulletBoys, and Britny Fox), and the
Knobs
June 17 — Humbled Soul
June 18 — Union Pulse
June 24 — The Knobs, tba
June 25 — Absolute Power, tba
July 1 — Kurt Kiefer (Accoustic),tba
July 2 — Section Hate, tba
July 8 — Rebel Creek
July 9 — Odium, tba
July 15 — Aqua Marine Dream Machine
July 16 — Richard Ardnt (Accoustic)
July 22 — Two Happy Cats
July 23 — Shatter
July 29 — The Maw, tba
July 30 — Whippen Jr
Iowa Speedway
Newton
(866) 787-8946
June 24-25 — Never Shout Never, We the Kings
July 15-16 — The Dirt Drifters, Green River Ordinance
Aug. 5-6 — Jamey Johnson, Tyler Hilton
Iowa State Fair
Iowa State Fairgrounds
(800) 545-FAIR
Grandstand
Aug. 11 — Casting Crowns, Sanctus Real, $30
Aug. 12 — Jason Aldean, Chris Young and Thompson Square, $45
Aug. 13 — Def Leppard, Heart, $49
Aug. 14 — Sugarland, Sara Bareilles, $46
Aug. 16 — Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doobie Brothers, $46
Aug. 18 — Ronnie Dunn, $35
Aug. 19 — Train, Maroon 5, $47
Aug. 20 — Reba, Jerrod Niemann, $45
Aug. 21 — Janet Jackson, $55
Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage
Aug. 11-13 — The Nadas, 7 & 9 p.m.
Aug. 14 — Martin Sexton, 8 p.m.
Aug. 15 — Josh Kelley, 8 p.m.
Aug. 16 — Sarah Darling, 8 p.m.
Aug. 17 — Ying Yang Twins, 8 p.m.
Aug. 18 — Brother Trucker, 7 & 9 p.m.
Aug. 19-20 — The Blue Band, 7 & 9 p.m.
Aug. 21 — Here Come the Mummies, 7:30 p.m.
Anne and Bill Riley Stage
Aug. 11-12 — Tonic Sol-fa, 7 & 9 p.m.
Aug. 14 — The Johnny Holm Band, 7 & 9 p.m.
Aug. 15 — All Star Weekend, 8 p.m.
Aug. 16-20 — Ron Diamond, 7 & 9 p.m.
Aug. 21 — Tenth Avenue North, 8 p.m.
Budweiser Stage
Aug. 11-13 — Jay and the Americans, 8 p.m.
Aug. 14-15 — Confederate Railroad, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 16-17 — Georgia Satellites, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 18-19 — Lovin' Spoonful, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 20-21 — Paul Revere and the Raiders, 8 p.m.
Susan Knapp Amphitheater
Aug. 11 — The Oak Ridge Boys, 8 p.m.
Aug. 12-13 — Jason Brown, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 14 — Jason Michael Carroll, 8 p.m.
Aug. 15-16 — Hairball, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 17 — The Band Perry, 8 p.m.
Aug. 18 — Stealing Angels, 8 p.m.
Aug. 19 — Country Gold featuring Leroy Van Dyke, Jeannie Kendall,
Eddy Raven, T. Graham Brown, 6 &
8:30 p.m.
Aug. 20 — Blaine Larsen, 8 p.m.
Aug. 21 — Lee Brice, 7 p.m.
Jasper Winery
2400 George Flagg Parkway
282-9463
Thursdays 6-9 p.m.
May 26 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
June 2 — The Nadas
June 9 — Brother Trucker
June 16 — Pianopalooza
June 23 — Final Mix
June 30 — Tony Valdez & the Retro Rockets
July 7 — Brian Congdon and Brad Seidenfeld
July 14 — Decoy
July 21 — Flipside
July 28 — David Zollo
Aug. 4 — Salsa Vibe
Aug. 11 — Brian Congdon and Brad Seidenfeld
Aug. 18 — Boomerang
Aug. 25 — Bob Pace Band
Java Joes Coffeehouse
214 Fourth St. Free
288-5282
http://www.javajoescoffeehouse.com
May 28 — Austin Schreck
June 4 — Fourth Street Swing
June 5 — CJC Combo
June 14 — Irish Jam
June 19 — CJC Combo
June 23 — Dan Bliss
June 24-25 — Austin Schreck
June 26 — Johnston Station Jazz Band
July 2 — Fourth Street Swing
July 3 — CJC Combo
July 9 — Student Jazz Band
July 12 — Irish Jam
July 16 — RBJ Trio
July 17 — CJC Combo
July 24 — Johnston Station Jazz Band
Aug. 6 — Fourth Street Swing
Aug. 7 — CJC Combo
Aug. 9 — Irish Jam
Aug. 13 — Austin Schreck
Aug. 20 — Austin Schreck
Aug. 21 — CJC Combo
Aug. 28 — Johnston Station Jazz Band
Jazz in July
Various metro locations. Free
July 1 — Orquestra Alto Maiz opening for Des Moines Symphony's Yankee Doodle Pops, State Capitol Grounds, West Terrace
July 2 — Whitney Marchelle Jackson, 1600 6th Ave.
July 3 — Java Jews, Music Under the Stars, State Capitol Grounds
July 4 — Glenn Miller Orchestra, Urbandale Lions Park
July 7 — The Jazz Page, Waukee Downtown Triangle
July 8 — World Port, Aviva campus, West Des Moines
July 9 — Jim Oatts Quintet, Roosevelt High School front lawn
July 10 — Workshop, Union Park
July 12 — John Krantz Quartet, Colby Park, Windsor Heights
July 13 — Big Band Sound, Sylvan Theater, Greenwood Park
July 14 — Soya Vista Jazz Orchestra, Wesley Acres front lawn
July 15 — Scott Davis Quartet, Beaverdale Park
July 16 — Ashanti, Clive Aquatics Center
July 17 — Des Moines Big Band, Johnston Public Library
July 18 — Dave Rezek's Alpha State Agents, Shops at Roosevelt parking lot
July 19 — The Belin String Quartet, West Des Moines City Hall patio
July 20 — High Society Big Band, Living History Farms
July 21 — Drake Faculty Band, Harmon Fine Arts Building, Drake
July 22 — The Fred Gazzo Band, Casady Building lawn
July 23 — Susie Miget, Historic East Village
July 26 — Ballyhoo Foxtrot Orchestra, Terrace Hill
July 27 — Salsa Vibe, 828 Scott Ave.
July 29 — Betsy Hickok Ensemble, Thomas Mitchell Park
July 30 — Bella Soul, location TBA
KGGO Summer Jam
Water Works Park
418-9381. $32.50
June 25 — Kenny Wayne Shepherd, .38 Special, Jackyl, Frank Hannon, Cold Filtered, Bachman & Turner, Ace Frehley, FireHouse, John Waite
The Lighthouse Concert Series
West Des Moines Christian Church
4501 Mills Civic Parkway, 223-1639
http://www.lighthouseconcerts.webstarts.com
June 10 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
July 15 — Max Jury
Aug. 12 — Dennis Warner
The Longest Yard
122 5th St., West Des Moines
274-1710
May 26 — Spam
June 2 — Mike Aceto
June 9 — Dustin Baird
June 16 — Spam
July 7 — Spam
July 14 — Mike Aceto
July 28 — Spam
Aug. 4 — Mike Aceto
Aug. 18 — Spam
Main Street Concerts
Tom Evans Plaza, Ames
Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free
(515) 233-3472
http://www.mainstreetculturaldistrict.com
June 2 — Trouble No More
June 9 — Good Guys
June 16 — Green Oaks
June 23 — Dan Grause
June 30 — Onion Creek Band
July 7 — Blue Moon Players
July 14 — Brewer Project
July 21 — Flying Pig, Fiddle and Banjo
July 28 — Keith McCaulley
Mars Café
2318 University Ave.,
369-6277
http://www.myspace.com/marscafe
May 27 — Madison Ray
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 — Max Wellman Trio
June 3 — Scot Schwestka and Richard Webb
June 25 — Bearkat
July 1 — Scot Schwestka and Richard Webb
July 7, 14, 21, 28 — Max Wellman Trio
July 8 — Melissa Ludwig Band
Aug. 1 — Fly Paper
Aug. 5 — Scot Schwestka and Richard Webb
Mother's Pub
2900 West St., Ames
(515) 292-2301
June 3 — T.U.G.G.
June 8 — Red Wanting Blue
Aug. 26 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
Music in the Junction
Railroad Park, Valley Junction
West Des Moines
Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m. Free
222-3642
May 26 — Comfort Zone
June 2 — Jonny & the Rectifiers
June 9 — Lavender Lace
June 16 — Boggy Depot
June 23 — Salsa Vibe
June 30 — Brother Trucker
July 7 — Tony Valdez Large Band
July 14 — Melodie Proffitt Band
July 21 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
July 28 — Boomerang
Aug. 4 — The Sons of Gladys Kravitz
Aug. 11 — The Heartbeats
Aug. 18 — Vince Cline Trio
Aug. 25 — El Dorados
Music in the Park
Colby Park St., Windsor Heights
Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Free
June 7 — Java Jews
June 14 — Tijuana Brass
June 21 — Sacred Heart Sax and Brass
July 5 — Urbandale Adult Community Band
July 12 — John Krantz Quartet
July 19 — Ballyhoo Foxtrot Orchestra
July 26 — Hold On
Aug. 2 — Greater Des Moines Community Band
Aug. 9 — Hot Club of Des Moines
Music on the Plaza
Prairie Heritage Civic Plaza, Altoona
Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Free
May 27 — Bonne Finken
June 3 — Out of the Blue
June 10 — Bella Soul
June 17 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
June 24 — Hot Tamale & the Red Hots
Music Under the Stars
State Capitol's West Terrace
Sundays, 6:30 p.m. Free
June 12 — Veterans Jazz Band, Iowa Military Band
June 19 — The Charlson Trio with Heather MacLennan, Des Moines Metro Concert Band
June 26 — The Rhythm Majors, 34th Army Band
July 3 — The Java Jews, Rob Lumbard
July 10 — Bruce Martin and Friends, Des Moines Metro Concert Band
July 17 — Janey Hooper Trio, Des Moines Metro Concert Band
July 24 — Fred Gazzo, Des Moines Metro Jazz Band
Nitefall on the River
Simon Estes Amphitheater, downtown Des Moines
June 3 — Hairball
June 9 — Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Toots & The Maytals
June 12 — Warren Haynes Band
June 20 — Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegele, Andy Grammer
June 23 — Christina Perri
June 24 — The Nadas
June 30 — Toad the Wet Sprocket
July 1 — Umphrey's McGee
July 6 — Matisyahu, The Wailers
July 7 — Gin Blossoms
July 8 — Yonder Mountain String Band
July 21 — Lee DeWyze
July 28 — Keller Williams
Penoach Winery
26759 N. Avenue, Adel
7-10 p.m. Free. 993-4374
June 10 — Brother Trucker
July 1 — Hot Tamale & the Red Hots
July 22 — Meloddie Proffitt
Aug. 5 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
Aug. 26 — Chad Elliott
People's Court
216 Court Ave.
277-3727
May 29 — Freak Week Revival
June 2 — Bonne Finken
June 9 — Iron and Wine
June 15 — Paul Thorn
June 17 — Fastball
June 18 — Junk Poet
June 19 — Fitz & the Tantrums
June 22 — Jack's Mannequin
Aug. 4 — Marc Broussard
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
Altoona, Interstate 80, Exit 142
(800) 325-9015
June 23 — KC and the Sunshine Band
Rendezvous on Riverview Concerts
Corner of 6th and Boston, Highland Park
Fridays, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Free
June 3 — Flipside
June 17 — Brother Trucker
June 24 — Ben 2K
July 1 — Spam
July 8 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
July 15 — Out of the Blue
July 22 — Route 66
July 29 — Lavender Lace Band
Ritual Café
13th Street between Grand and Locust
288-4872
June 3 — Maren Christensen
June 4 — Sink Company
June 9 — Open mic
June 17 — Kristie Stremel
June 18 — Rebel Creek
July 1 — Julie Schurr
July 8 — Strong Like Bear
July 14 — Open mic
Aug. 11 — Open mic
The Royal Mile
210 4th St.
280-3771
Mondays - Singer/Songwriter Night at the Mile
7 Flags Events Center
2100 NW 100th St., Clive
276-7003
http://www.7flagseventcenter.com
May 27 — Cheap Trick
July 15 — Cinderella
Smokin' in the Junction
Valley Junction, West Des Moines
Free
May 28 — Mickel Williams, The Blue Band, Comfort Zone, Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
May 29 — Vince Cline Trio, El Dorados, Brother Trucker
Snus Hill Winery
2183 320th St., Madrid
Free. (515) 795-3535
May 27 — Cross Roads
May 29 — Fat Tuesday with Janey Hooper
June 3 — Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts
June 5 — ProMusica
June 10 — Billy Club
June 12 — Scott Davis Group
June 17 — Hot Tamale & The Red Hots
June 19 — El Dorados
June 24 — Boomerang
June 26 — Ashanti
July 1 — Fat Tuesday with Janey Hooper
July 3 — Barn Owls
July 8 — Midlife Crisis
July 10 — Burning Sensations
July 15 — Hold On
July 17 — Bill Martin
July 22 — Cross Roads
July 24 — ProMusica
July 29 — Trouble No More
July 31 — World Port
Aug. 5 — Bill Martin
Aug. 6 — Cornstock X
Aug. 12 — Piranha Brothers
Aug. 13 — Pave the Jungle Raiser
Aug. 14 — Steel Drums Band
Aug. 19 — Planet Passengers
Aug. 21 — Ashanti
Spirit Midwest Christian Music Festival
Jordan Park, West Des Moines
Free
Aug. 5-6 — Sidewalk Prophets, Manafest, Willet, Lightswitch, Vance Lambert, Fades Away, KJ, Corey Brooks Band, Broken Point of View, Tonia Hughes, Ted Yoder, Kelsey Skaggs, Tru-Serva, Worldview Warriors, Leo, Risen, Sean Covington, Madison Lorentzen, Lee Roessller
Summerset Winery & Inn
15101 Fairfax, Indianola
Sundays, 3-6 p.m. $3.
May 29 — Cross Roads
June 5 — El Dorados
June 12 — Tony Valdez & the Retro Rockets
June 19 — The Blue Band
June 26 — Malcolm Wells and The Two Timers
July 3 — Tony Valdez & the Retro Rockets
July 10 — Fat Tuesday & the Greasefire Horns
July 17 — Bob Pace Band
July 24 — Erick Hovey Band
July 31 — Hot Tamale & the Red Hots
Aug. 7 — El Dorados
Aug. 14 — Ashanti
Aug. 21 — Freestyle
Aug. 28 — Tony Valdez Large Band
Terrible's Lakeside Casino
777 Casino Drive, Osceola
477-LAKE
http://www.terribleslakeside.com
June 10-11 — David Sanborn
June 24-25 — Jeff Bates
Thursday in the Park
Central Park, Grinnell
7:30 p.m. Free
http://www.grinnellchamber.org
236-1626
June 3 — Mojo Machine
July 1 — Whiplash
Aug. 5 — Rude Dog & the Canine Unit
Aug. 26 — Fatal Attraction
Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
223-6151
May 27 — Hollywood Undead
June 4 — Big Band Celebration
June 10 — Little River Band
June 15 — Wiz Khalifa
June 16 — Quiet Riot
July 26 — O.A.R.
Aug. 8 — Bright Eyes
Aug. 22 — All Time Low
Vaudeville Mews
212 Fourth St.
243-3270
May 26 — Hester Prynne
May 27 — Cowboy Indian Bear
May 27 — Why Make Clocks
May 28 — Joy Island
May 28 — The Stage Door Johnnies
May 29 — Truth & Salvage Co.
May 31 — Yarn
May 31 — The Growlers
June 1 — The Half Hearts
June 2 — Dayglo Abortions
June 3 — The Poison Control Center
June 4 — ByltsRightName
June 4 — Little Brazil
June 6 — Lydia Loveless
June 9 — Ryan Montibleau Band
June 10 — Rebel Creek
June 10 — Jefferson County Green Band
June 11 — K-Sno
June 11 — Mercies May
June 12 — Parachute
June 16 — Quintron and Miss Pussycat
June 17 — Going to Grandmas
June 17 — Nash Smith & Ganges
June 18 — Lovers
June 18 — Joe Jack Talcum
June 20 — We are the Willows
June 20 — Dark Mirror
June 21 — Waxeater
June 23 — Matt Duke
June 24 — Metal Up Your Tap with Deadnight
June 25 — Catfish Keith
July 5 — The Strange Boys
July 7 — Jon Dee Graham
July 22 — Exhumed
July 27 — Colourmusic
July 30 — I Call Fives
Wells Fargo Arena
730 Third St.
564-8000
http://www.iowaeventscenter.com
May 29 — Taylor Swift, Needtobreathe
June 23 — Michael Buble
Aug. 10 — Josh Groban CV
By Jared Curtis
Once again the summer is upon us, which means it's the perfect time for cinephiles
to overindulge in their favorite past time. The summer movie schedule is designed
to get everyone to the theaters on a weekly basis by throwing out all genres,
from romances and comedy to drama and over-the-top action.
"
Thor" officially started the summer season with a mediocre tale that
only increased the audiences' appetites for July's "Captain America:
The First Avenger" as well as next summer's ensemble, "The Avengers." Rutger
Hauer returned to the big screen to mess some people up in the ridiculously
gory and great "Hobo With A Shotgun." "Bridesmaids" proved
that women can be funny. Although a few sequels have already debuted ("Pirates
of the Caribbean" and "The Hangover Part II"), look out for
new chapters in the "Transformers," "Final Destination" and "Spy
Kids" series. But the biggest sequel and possibly biggest movie of the
summer is the final chapter of the beloved "Harry Potter" films.
Other big films to look out for include director Jon Favreau's ("Iron
Man") "Cowboy's and Aliens" and Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts
in "Larry Crowne." But just remember Jason Momoa, there is only
one "Conan The Barbarian" and you're not him.
Overall it seems like a great summer of films, but don't take my word for
it. Get out and see some movies this summer. Just remember to get a little
sun every now and again. Here are 10 films to see this summer, followed by
a complete list of releases.
"X-men: First Class"
June 3
Directed by Matthew Vaughn, starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, January Jones and Jennifer Lawrence
Let's face it, the third chapter of the "X-Men" series, "X-Men:
The Last Stand," was weak, and the follow-up, the "Wolverine" spin-off,
was even worse, so it appeared all was over for the team of mutants. But director
Matthew Vaughan ("Layer Cake," "Kick Ass") jumped on board
and created a prequel to the original trio, showing viewers the beginning of
the end between Charles "Professor X" Xavier (McAvoy) and Erik "Magneto" Lehnsherr
(Fassbender). The film takes place in the 1960s, as the U.S. must join forces
with the mutants to help stop the Cuban Missile Crisis. But as they say, with
great power comes great responsibility, and the rift on how to continue on
between Professor X and Magneto creates the tension and hatred that will eventually
become a mutant war. Don't fret Marvel fans, it's not just Charles and Erik;
plenty of the other beloved characters are introduced including Emma Frost
(Jones), Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Havok (Lucas Till), Azazel (Jason Flemyng)
and Mystique (Lawrence). With a strong cast and interesting story, I'm willing
to take another chance on the "X-Men."
"Super 8"
June 10
Directed by J.J. Abrams, starring Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths
and Kyle Chandler
One of the best things about director J.J. Abrams ("Star Trek") is
that he knows how to make a teaser trailer.
When he produced "Cloverfield" and helped create "Lost," nobody
knew what was going on. Now he releases "Super 8," and, surprise,
nobody knows what is going on. The film is getting a lot of buzz and being
compared to the classic Steven Spielberg (who produced) films of the '70s and
'80s. The story follows a group of young teenagers (Courtney, Fanning, Griffiths)
who are shooting their own movie. But when a train crashes with a truck and
becomes derailed, something inside one of the cars escapes. Soon, all hell
breaks loose, and the movie these kids are shooting becomes a terrifying reality.
Luckily, town sheriff (Chandler) is there to help, and together they must figure
out a way to survive. "Super 8" is being called a coming-of-age story
with monsters, but no matter what it is, consider me hyped.
"Troll Hunter"
June 10
Directed by Andre Overedal, starring Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Hans Morten Hansen and Tomas Alf Larsen
I like to take a chance on a few of my summer picks, and "Troll Hunter" is
one of those gambles. I'd never even heard about this film until a couple of
weeks ago, but after creating some buzz at film festivals, the story was on
my radar. And even though it'll probably not even make it to the metro (Des
Moines is independent film repellent), I wanted to bring it to readers' attention.
Once I watched the trailer, I was sold on the concept of some college students
who head out into the woods to investigate a series of bear attacks. But once
there, they discover the guide they are with is not hunting bears, but rather
giant trolls that roam the countryside. After seeing the truth for themselves,
they join forces to stop the trolls from leaving their secluded woods and terrorizing
the world. Yes, "Troll Hunter" sounds ridiculous, but I think it's
got midnight movie written all over it.
"Green Lantern"
June 17
Directed by Martin Campbell, starring Ryan Reynolds, Peter Sarsgaard, Blake Lively and Mark Strong
Originally, I wasn't sold on the "Green Lantern." I was never a
fan of the comic book, and Ryan Reynolds isn't an actor I keep on my radar.
Plus, with all the other superhero films this summer, there were plenty of
other choices. But then the trailers started popping up, the sci-fi angle of
the film became more prevalent, and I suddenly found myself interested. If
there is a strong story and if we get plenty of training time with some crazy
looking aliens on the planet Oa, I think "Green Lantern" could be
the surprise hit of the summer. Sure, "Captain America" looks tougher
in the trailers, but when Peter Sarsgaard is cast as the telekinetic villain
Hector Hammond, you know director Martin Campbell ("GoldenEye," "Casino
Royale") has created something special. If you don't believe me, just
try reciting the code without getting chills, "In brightest day, in blackest
night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware
my power, Green Lantern's light!"
"Horrible Bosses"
July 8
Directed by Seth Gordon, starring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis and Jennifer Aniston
Last year, Drew Barrymore put out a mediocre love story called "Going
The Distance." The story was a bland re-telling of long-distance relationships,
but there was a reason to watch the film — the scenes with Charlie Day
("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Jason Sudeikis ("Saturday
Night Live"). This is why "Horrible Bosses" could be the funniest
film of the summer, as those two, along with Jason Bateman, try to kill each
other's terrible bosses. Nick (Bateman) works hard but is continually put down
by his boss Dave (Kevin Spacey). Dale (Day) is a dental assistant who likes
his job but hates that his boss (Anniston) sexually harasses him on a daily
basis. And Kurt (Sudeikis) works as a car salesman for the slimy Bobby (Colin
Farrell in complete creepy, slob mode). After receiving advice from con man
Motherfucker Jones (Jamie Foxx), the three decide to kill their bosses. But,
of course, things go horribly and hilariously wrong in this black comedy directed
by Seth Gordon ("The King of Kong").
"Captain America: The First Avenger"
July 22
Directed by Joe Johnston, starring Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones and Dominic Cooper
"Captain America: The First Avenger" is the film I'm most excited
to see this summer, as it looks like all kinds of badass. First, you have the
weakling Steve Rogers being picked by Col. Chester Phillips (Jones) for a special
project to create a super solider. Then we see his transformation from puny
runt to an Adonis, which is an amazing work of camera trickery. He is stronger,
can run faster and is the perfect weapon to fight the Nazis. Along with the
Howling Commandoes and his indestructible shield, Captain America brings terror
and fear to the Nazi regime. At least until he crosses paths with the Red Skull
(Weaving), a Nazi weapons genius who goes rogue while trying to pursue a weapon
of great power to propel his plans of world domination. If you're only going
to see one film this summer, superhero or not, "Captain America: The First
Avenger" is that film. Plus, it will only continue to build the hype for
next summer's "The Avengers" film.
"Bellflower"
Aug. 5
Directed by Evan Glodell, starring Tyler Dawson, Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman and Rebekah Brandes
The second under-the-radar film on the list, "Bellflower," has been
getting plenty of buzz from numerous film festivals. But even without the hype,
I'd be all over "Bellflower" due to its plot: Two friends (Dawson
and Glodell) spend all of their time building crazy weapons and flame-throwing
cars, preparing for a "Road Warrior"-type apocalypse, so their gang, "Mother
Medusa," will be the toughest gang in the wasteland. No, the film isn't
an apocalyptic tale; it's set current day, but the dedication these two friends
have in creating these monstrosities is inspiring. Everything is going according
to their plan, until one of them falls in love with a charismatic young woman
(Wiseman) and the two are introduced into an entirely new group of friends.
Soon, their journey of ruling the apocalypse turns into a journey of love,
hate, infidelity, betrayal and extreme violence more devastating than they
could have ever imagined it. Any movie that starts with a Lord Humungus quote
from the "Road Warrior" is aces in my book.
"30 Minutes or Less"
Aug. 12
Directed by Ruben Fleischer, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari and Nick Swardson
If you're hunting for plenty of laughs and some crazy, rambunctious action
this summer, look no further than "30 Minutes or Less." Directed
by Ruben Fleischer ("Zombieland"), the film follows Nick (Eisenberg),
a pizza delivery guy who ends up being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
When Nick delivers a pizza, he crosses paths with Dwayne (McBride) and Travis
(Swardson), two low-level criminals trying to figure out a way to raise cash
to pay a hit man (Michael Pena) to kill Dwayne's lottery-winning father (Fred
Ward). With no other options, Dwayne straps a bomb to Nick's chest and forces
him to rob a bank. To complete the job, Nick is forced to make his roommate,
Chet (Ansari), help him pull off the heist. With such a crazy premise and an
extremely funny cast, "30 Minutes or Less" will have audiences laughing
a lot longer than a half hour.
"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark"
Aug. 12
Directed by Troy Nixey, starring Katie Holmes, Guy Pierce, Baliee Madison and Alan Dale
As the only truly scary movie on the list, "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" was
chosen because the sole involvement of Guillermo del Toro ("The Devil's
Backbone," "Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy"), who co-wrote
and produced the R-rated film. Although it's a remake of a 1973 made-for-TV-movie,
del Toro brings a creepy, scare factor to all of his projects. The story follows
a young girl named Sally (Madison), who after her mother abandons her, goes
to live with her father, Alex (Pierce), and his girlfriend, Kim (Holmes). Alex
is renovating the house they are staying at in hopes of flipping it for a profit.
One day Sally comes across a hidden basement with a sealed up fireplace. Sally
is drawn to the fireplace and begins to unseal it before her father stops her.
But a small creature escapes and begins tormenting Sally, and as her demeanor
changes, Kim begins to discover that the dream home they bought is full of
nightmares.
"Our Idiot Brother"
Aug. 26
Directed by Jesse Peretz, starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel and Emily Mortimer
Normally, I like to end the summer with a bang, but there isn't a whole lot
including the unnecessary remake of "Fright Night" and the unnecessary
re-imagining of "Conan The Barbarian." So I chose a small, independent
film that received plenty of Sundance Film Festival praise, "Our Idiot
Brother." The story follows the trials and tribulations of a family with
three sisters (Banks, Deschanel and Mortimer) and, as the title suggests, their
idiot brother Ned (Rudd). After Ned unknowingly gives some weed to an undercover
cop, he is arrested and loses his job and his girlfriend. With nowhere to go,
the laid back and idealistic Ned, along with his dog named Willie Nelson, infiltrates
the lives and couches of his three completely different sisters, shifting and
upsetting their daily routines. Rudd is such an easy going, laid back guy to
begin with, it's hard not to assume that his stoner character will join the
ranks of idealistic movie burnouts like The Dude.
(All dates are subject to change)
May 26
"The Hangover Part II" (d. Todd Phillips; with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis)
"Kung Fu Panda 2" (d. Jennifer Yuh Nelson; with the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Gary Oldman)
May 27
"The Tree of Life" (d. Terrence Malick; with Brad Pitt, Sean Peen and Jessica Chastain)
June 3
"X-Men: First Class" (d. Matthew Vaughn; with James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence)
"Beginners" (d. Mike Mills; with Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Melanie Laurent)
"Submarine" (d. Richard Ayoade; with Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine)
June 10
"Super 8" (d. J.J. Abrams; with Riley Griffiths, Elle Fanning and Kyle Chandler)
"Troll Hunter" (d. Andre Ovredal; with Otto Jespersen, Hans Morten Hansen and Tomas Alf Larsen)
"Judy Moody and The Not Bummer Summer" (d. John Schultz; with Jordana Betty, heather Graham and Jaleel White)
June 17
"
Green Lantern" (d. Martin Campbell; with Ryan Reynolds, Peter Sarsgaard
and Blake Lively)
"Mr. Popper's Penguins" (d. Mark Waters; with Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino and Angela Lansbury)
"The Art of Getting By" (d. Gavin Wiesen; with Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts and Michael Angarano)
June 24
"Bad Teacher" (d. Jake Kasden; with Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and Jason Segel)
"A Better Life" (d. Chris Weitz; with Demian Bichir, Nancy Lenehan and Isabella Rae Thomas)
"Cars 2" (d. John Lasseter; with the voices of Owen Wilson, Michael Caine and Larry the Cable Guy)
July 1
"Larry Crowne" (d. Tom Hanks; with Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston)
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (d. Michael Bay; with Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson)
"Monte Carlo" (d. Thomas Bezucha; with Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy)
July 8
"Horrible Bosses" (d. Seth Gordon, with Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day)
"Project Nim" (d. James Marsh; with Bob Angelini, Bern Cohen and Reagan Leonard)
"Zookeeper" (d. Frank Coraci; with Kevin James, Rosario Dawson and Leslie Bibb)
July 15
"Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2" (d. David Yates; with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint)
"Winnie The Pooh" (d. Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall; with Jim Cummings, John Cleese and Craig Ferguson)
"Snow Flower and The Secret Fan" (d. Wayne Wang; with Li Bingbing, Gianna Jun and Vivian Wu)
July 22
"Captain America: The First Avenger" (d. Joe Johnson; with Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving and Tommy Lee Jones)
"Another Earth" (d. Mike Cahill; with Brit Marling, William Mapother and Jordan Baker)
"Friends With Benefits" (d. Will Gluck; with Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis and Emma Stone)
July 29
"Cowboys & Aliens" (d. Jon Favreau; with Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde)
"Crazy, Stupid, Love." (d. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa; with Steve Carell, Julianne Moore and Ryan Gosling)
"The Smurfs" (d. Raja Gosnell; with Neil Patrick Harris and the voices of Hank Azaria and Katy Perry)
"The Devil's Double" (d. Lee Tamahori; with Dominic Cooper, Ludvine Sagnier and Raad Rawi)
Aug. 5
"Bellflower" (d. Evan Glodell, with Tyler Dawson, Evan Glodell and Jessie Wiseman)
"The Change-Up" (d. David Dobkin; with Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Wilde)
"Rise of the Plant of the Apes" (d. Rupert Wyatt; with James Franco, Freida Pinto and Andy Serkis)
Aug. 12
"30 Minutes or Less" (d. Ruben Fleischer; with Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride and Aziz Ansari)
"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (d. Troy Nixey; with Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce and Bailee Madison)
"Higher Ground" (d. Vera Farmiga; with John Hawkes, Vera Farmiga and Dagmara Dominczyk)
"Final Destination 5" (d. Steven Quale; with Emma Bell, Nicholas D'Agosto and Tony Todd)
"The Help" (d. Tate Taylor; with Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer)
Aug. 19
"Conan The Barbarian" (d. Marcus Nispel; with Jason Momoa, Rose McGowan and Ron Perlman)
"Fright Night" (d. Craig Gillespie; with Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin and Christopher Mintz-Plasse)
"Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World" (d. Robert Rodriguez; with Jessica Alba, Jeremy Piven and Danny Trejo)
"One Day" (d. Lone Scherfig; with Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess and Patricia Clarkson)
Aug. 26
"Our Idiot Brother" (d. Jesse Peretz; with Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks and Zooey Deschanel)
"The Debt" (d. John Madden; with Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington and Jessica Chastain) CV
By Jared Curtis
No longer is the summertime desolate for theater. In years past, there would
only be a handful of shows existed to keep audiences entertained until the
fall season starts. But that is no longer the case. As more and more companies
hold shows during the summer, acting is alive and well with plenty of options
to suit all tastes.
The Civic Center brings "Chicago" to town, with plenty of songs
and J. Peterman himself, John O'Hurly, starring as Billy Flynn. The Des Moines
Playhouse will take its audience back through time with a stop in the 1980s
for "The Wedding Singer" and a trip to the 1960s with "Hairspray." StageWest
once again sets the bar for local theater with Neil LaBute's "Beauty
Plays," three different shows ("Reasons to be Pretty," "The
Shape of Things" and "Fat Pig") all tied together by common
themes and commentary on contemporary society and our obsession with physical
beauty/appearances. Aside from the indoor performances, plenty of outdoor
shows are scheduled as well, thanks to The Iowa Shakespeare Experience/Shakesperience
Festival and Repertory Theater of Iowa's "Shakespeare on the Lawn." Although
a performance isn't scheduled every weekend, theatergoers will stay entertained
and enlightened this summer.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut St.
(515) 246-2300
June 2-5 — "Chicago The Musical" Broadway's razzle-dazzle
smash "Chicago" takes over the Civic Center for four days, with John
O'Hurley ("Seinfield," "Dancing With The Stars") starring
as Billy Flynn. "Chicago" is the fifth-longest running production
in Broadway history and is the winner of six Tony Awards and a Grammy. The
show has everything you could want in a great theater-going experience including
knockout dancing, an edge-of-your-seat story and one show stopping-song after
another. Tickets are $20-$63.50.
Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd St.
277-6261 (ticket office)
974-5356 (register for classes)
http://www.dmplayhouse.com
June 3-26 — 'The Wedding Singer' based on the 1998 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore film, "The Wedding Singer," follows Robbie Hart, who lives in his grandmother's basement in New Jersey and sings in a wedding band circa 1985. His dreams of being a singer/songwriter are long gone, replaced now by a burning desire to find the right girl and settle down. When his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar, he becomes a wedding planner's worst nightmare, taking out his bitterness on stage until his eye and heart turn to a new friend, Julia. But she's engaged to a wealthy Wall Street broker, and Robbie must decide if music is the right path to follow if he wants to win Julia's heart. Tickets are $17 to $35.
July 15 – Aug. 7 — 'Hairspray' Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show." Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program's reigning princess, integrate the television show and find true love while singing and dancing all without messing up her hair? Tickets are $20-$35.
The Des Moines Playhouse also has a number of summer theater classes available. For more information, visit http://www.dmplayhouse.com.
StageWest
Civic Center's Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St.
http://http://www.stagewestiowa.com
309-0251
StageWest is one of the first theatres in the country to present Neil LaBute's "Beauty
Plays" presented on various days during a four-week period. Three plays,
three separate stories that are all tied together by common themes and commentary
on contemporary society and our obsession with physical beauty/appearance and
the search for human connections.
"All three plays are award-winning, stand-alone productions, and we're putting them all together (different directors, different casts) for an exciting series of Neil LaBute's best works," said Ron Lambert, Producing Artistic Director.
June 23-26, July 7, 9 — 'Reasons to be Pretty' A love story about the impossibility of love, "Reasons to be Pretty" confronts America's obsession with physical beauty headlong when Greg, a working-class guy in a long-term relationship, inadvertently remarks to a friend that, compared to a pretty coworker, his girlfriend is "regular." This off-hand statement, a slip of the tongue, begins a downward spiral as the characters begin to experience insecurities in their own lives. Is anyone ever totally comfortable in his or her own skin?
July 6, 9, 14, 16-17 — 'The Shape of Things' The first of LaBute's "Beauty Plays," "The Shape of Things" is an exploration of art and intimacy, and people's willingness to do things for love. It is set in a small, midwestern university town and centers on the lives of four young students who become emotionally and romantically entangled as they try to cram academics, jobs, love and meaning into hectic lives.
July 8, 10, 13, 15-16 — 'Fat Pig' Size does matter. In "Fat Pig," conventionally good-looking Tom falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy woman, who happens to be plus-sized. Forced to explain his new relationship to his perplexed friends, Tom must come to terms with his own preconceived notions of love and attraction. This alternately funny and poignant play not only critiques Hollywood's standards of beauty, but questions the ability to change what we dislike about ourselves.
Tickets are $22-$25 or $60 for all three plays (any performance), available at The Civic Center Ticket Office, through Ticketmaster or online at http://www.civiccenter.org.
StageWest's free, monthly play reading series, "Scriptease" continues on the last Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave.
June 28 — 'In The Sawtooths' Winner of the Kennedy Center's 2007 National Student Playwriting Award, "In The Sawtooths" follows Oby, Nellie and Darin, who have been friends since high school. Now in their 30s, they have become busier in their lives, but one thing remains constant — their annual backpacking adventure in the mountains of Idaho. As their trip nears and all of the necessary preparations are made, their lives are suddenly shattered by tragedy. What ensues is a true test of an old friendship. Can Oby, Nellie and Darin remain friends as they desperately try to navigate through an immense and unexpected wilderness? The show starts at 7 p.m., and admission is free.
The Iowa Shakespeare Experience/Shakesperience Festival
274-8989
http://www.iowashakespeare.org
The Iowa Shakespeare Experience presents Shakesperience Fest 2011 featuring two full-length plays:
"Shakespeare-Under-The-Stars The Regina Monologues – the Royal
Queens and Kings of Shakespeare" Macbeth's witches conjure Queen Cleopatra
and Queen Elizabeth right into our midst to share wit, wisdom and the war between
the sexes in a fun-filled romantic comedy with mysterious twists and turns.
"
Classics-Along-The-Cityscape: Mark TWAINment Tonight!" America's own Bard
makes an appearance on our Riverside as you've never seen him before, with
fresh twists on old favorites plus rare Twain romantic works — stories
for the intelligentsia and for families alike are portrayed by Twain plus his
wife, daughters and a terrific musical entourage. Featuring the music of Rob
Lumbard.
2011 Shakesperience Festival and concert line-up (Additional information at http://www.IowaShakespeare.org)
July 22 — Date Night at Shakesperience Fest
The grounds open at 6 p.m. for picnics, wine tasting, homemade gelato by Chocolaterie Stams and European/English delicacies by Ames British Foods. Date night specials include private picnic "romantic pasha" tents and VIP Cabaret Tables available for advance purchase through MidwesTix. At 7 p.m., the Picnic-with-Panache informal contest begins — bring a picnic feast with all the accoutrements like Candelabras, fresh flowers, fine linens and crystal or dress in your best summer frocks or Renaissance attire and you might win an automatic VIP seating upgrade. Music by Kings of Croon with special guest Fred Gazzo. At 8:15 p.m., The Iowa Shakespeare Experience presents "Classics-Along-the-Cityscape: Mark TWAINment Tonight."
July 23 — Young Professionals Night and Art Market Fair at Shakesperience Fest
Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnics, wine tasting, homemade gelato by Chocolaterie Stams and European/English delicacies by Ames British Foods. At 6:30 p.m., enjoy the "Up and Comers" Art Fair and mini-Grey Market, showcasing the works of the Metro's most exciting young artists and designers. Private picnic "romantic pasha" tents and VIP Cabaret Tables available for advance purchase through MidwesTix. At 7 p.m., enjoy the "Play Outside Stage Party" with the cast, featuring music and select beers, wines and appetizers; $10 per person. Tickets available at the Stage Steps. Includes complimentary VIP section seating during the show. Also at 7 p.m., the Picnic-with-Panache informal contest begins — bring a picnic feast with all the accoutrements like Candelabras, fresh flowers, fine linens and crystal, or dress in your best summer frocks or Renaissance attire and you might win an automatic VIP seating upgrade. Live music from Tina Haase Findley and special guests. At 8:15 p.m., The Iowa Shakespeare Experience presents "Shakespeare-Under-the-Stars: The Regina Monologues – the Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare," featuring live music and dance.
July 24 — VIP Night and Interactive Family Night at Shakesperience Fest, featuring Des Moines Civic Music and The Belin String Quartet. The party starts at 6 p.m. for picnics, wine tasting, homemade gelato by Chocolaterie Stams and European/English delicacies by Ames British Foods. At 7 p.m., the Picnic-with-Panache informal contest begins — bring a picnic feast with all the accoutrements like Candelabras, fresh flowers, fine linens and crystal, or dress in your best summer frocks or Renaissance attire and you might win an automatic VIP seating upgrade. Live music from the Social Groove Community Drummers with a special interactive performance by the Belin String Quartet and surprise guest appearances. Also at 7 p.m. is "The King Doth Keep His Revels Here Tonight" Tented VIP Wine Party hosted by some of the metro's most prominent community leaders (for tickets, see http://www.IowaShakespeare.org). At 8 p.m., families with young children are encouraged to move into the front area seating sections (see ushers for more information). At 8:15 p.m., The Iowa Shakespeare Experience presents "Classics-Along-the-CityScape: Mark TWAINment Tonight," featuring music by Rob Lumbard. After the show, meet the Festival Director at the stage steps who will let the kids take the stage and backstage areas to explore sets, costume areas and more, as well as an opportunity to meet the cast and get autographs.
July 25 — Rain Date Performance (all Shakesperience shows offer a terrific rain date location for picnicking indoors, downtown at the "Secret Castle." The website has more details. If any show is cancelled for rain, an extra outdoor performance in the Amphitheater may be held on this date.)
July 29 — Date Night at Shakesperience Fest
The grounds open at 6 p.m. for picnics, wine tasting, homemade gelato by Chocolaterie Stams. Date night specials include private picnic "romantic pasha" tents and VIP Cabaret Tables available for advance purchase through MidwesTix. At 7 p.m., the Picnic-with-Panache informal contest begins — bring a picnic feast with all the accoutrements such as Candelabras, fresh flowers, fine linens and crystal, or dress in your best summer frocks or Renaissance attire and you might win an automatic VIP seating upgrade. Also at 7 p.m. is a romantic version of The Regina Melodies Concert featuring Tina Haase Findlay and special guests. At 8:15 p.m., The Iowa Shakespeare Experience presents "Shakespeare-Under-the-Stars: The Regina Monologues – the Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare," featuring live music and dance.
July 30 — Saturday Sizzles at Shakesperience Fest
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnics, wine tasting, homemade gelato by Chocolaterie
Stams and European/English delicacies by Ames British Foods. Sizzling Saturday
specials include private picnic "romantic pasha" tents and VIP Cabaret
Tables available for advance purchase through MidwesTix. At 7 p.m., the Picnic-with-Panache
informal contest begins — bring a picnic feast with all the accoutrements
such as Candelabras, fresh flowers, fine linens and crystal, or dress in your
best summer frocks or Renaissance attire and you might win an automatic VIP
seating upgrade. Also at 7 p.m. is a pre-show concert featuring romantic tunes
sung by Kings of Croon with special guests Fred Gazzo. At 8:15 p.m., The Iowa
Shakespeare Experience presents "Classics-Along-the-CityScape: Mark TWAINment
Tonight," featuring music by Rob Lumbard.
July 31 — "Friends and Family" Night at Shakesperience Fest
Open at 6 p.m., attendees can enjoy picnics, wine tasting, homemade gelato by Chocolaterie Stams and European/English delicacies by Ames British Foods. Friends and Family night specials include private picnic tables and VIP Cabaret Tables available for advance purchase through MidwesTix. At 7 p.m., the Picnic-with-Panache informal contest begins — bring a picnic feast with all the accoutrements such as Candelabras, fresh flowers, fine linens and crystal, or dress in your best summer frocks or Renaissance attire and might win an automatic VIP seating upgrade. Also at 7 p.m. is a special interactive version of The Regina Melodies Concert featuring Tina Haase Findlay and special guests. At 8:15 p.m., The Iowa Shakespeare Experience presents "Shakespeare-Under-the-Stars: The Regina Monologues – the Royal Queens and Kings of Shakespeare," featuring live music and dance.
Aug. 1 — Rain Date Performance (all Shakesperience shows offer a terrific rain date location for picnicking indoors, downtown at the "Secret Castle." The website has more details. If any show is cancelled due to rain, an extra outdoor performance in the Amphitheater may be held on this date.)
711 Theatre Project
Grand View University Viking Theatre, 2811 E 14th St.
June 10-11 — The 711 Theatre Project. On June 3, 18 troupes will be shown
the set, given their required elements and then have seven days to produce
their original short plays. Then, on June 10-11, starting at 8 p.m., nine troupes
each night will perform the new works. They are vying for more than $4,000
in cash, prizes and gifts including the coveted "Best of Show" award,
which includes a trophy and a prize package worth more than $1,000, including
$250 in cash. Some of the other prizes awarded include: "Audience Choice," "Best
Playwright" and "Best Ensemble." Tickets are $10 and are on
sale now through http://www.midwestix.com. Tickets will also be available an
hour prior to show time for $12. For more information, visit http://www.711theatre.com or http://www.facebook.com/711theatre.
48 Hour Film Project Events
http://www.48hourfilm.com/desmoines
The 48 Hour Film Project will once again take over the cinematic landscapes of Des Moines. On July 29, participating teams will gather at the Des Moines Art Center and be given a genre, a character, a prop and a line of dialogue that they must work into their film. They must turn in their films 48 hours later to be eligible for the competition. Submitted films will be screened for the public at the Fleur Cinema Aug. 3-4, with the best films screening again on Aug. 18 at the Fleur. Registration begins May 31 online at http://www.48hourfilm.com/desmoines, and all spaces are first come, first serve.
The Repertory Theater of Iowa
June 3-4, 10-11 — 'Victorian Voices: Sense & Sensibility' Written by actress and Repertory Theater of Iowa company member Kerry Skram, this new adaptation seeks to transfer to the stage Austen's wry wit and the complex, enduring characters of her 19th century world, a world fraught with the struggle between romantic emotionalism and common sense. Performances are scheduled for June 3-4 and 10-11. Each evening will include a light pre-show supper before the performance and a dessert discussion afterward. Tickets are $55 with proceeds to benefit the Terrace Hill Foundation. Seating will be limited and reservations are required. Reservations may be made by phoning (515) 280-3450 or (515) 280-3980.
July 21-24 — 'Shakespeare on the Lawn: As You Like It' Repertory Theater of Iowa returns to Salisbury House & Gardens July 21-24 for "Shakespeare on the Lawn." This summer's event will feature "As You Like It." Guest artist Karla Kash will direct the show.
The Des Moines Social Club
400 Kirkwood St.
http://www.desmoinessocialclub.org
May 27 — 'The Maria Project'
The Des Moines Social Club and The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
present "The Maria Project," a compelling family story that begins
in 1906 and tells a riveting tale of the impact of a family secret over three
generations. Using documentary footage, text and percussion, this groundbreaking
solo piece uplifts and gives voice to the family stories in all of us. The
show starts at 7 p.m. and admission is $20 at the door. For more information,
visit http://www.themariaproject.com.
July 28-30 — DMSC All-Metro Student Production of Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughterhouse-Five'
Based on Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel, "Slaughterhouse-Five" follows Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time after he is abducted by aliens. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, the audiences follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all the phases of his life. Directed by Yvette Zarod Hermann, the cast of 18 talented students (ages 8-19) plays more than 40 different roles. Admission is $8.
ACTORS, INC
Ames Community Theater, 120 Abraham Drive
June 10-26 — 'Art' Set in Paris, "Art" revolves around three friends — Serge, Marc and Yvan — who find their previously solid 15-year friendship on shaky ground when Serge buys an expensive painting. Serge is proud of his acquisition fully expecting the approval of his friends. Marc is open about his distaste for the painting, but are there other factors clouding his judgment? Yvan, who is getting married soon, tells Serge he likes the painting, but laughs about it with Marc behind Serge's back. As their arguments become less theoretical and more personal, they border on destroying their friendship. The show contains some adult language. Admission is $15 and can be purchised at Gallery 319, 310 Main St., Ames. (515) 232-2354 or http://www.gallery319ames.com.
Story Theater Company
Ames City Auditorium, 520 6th St.
http://www.storytheatercompany.org
June 24-26 — 'Annie, Jr.' One of the most beloved musicals in history, "Annie, Jr." tells the story of a Depression-era orphan determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago at a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In this fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Tickets are $8 (kids $5) available at the door.
ACTORS, Inc also has a number of summer theater camps available. For more information, pricing and class description, visit http://www.storytheatercompnay.org. CV
Caption: theater1: "Chicago" brings "All That Jazz" to the Civic Center June 2-5.
Caption: theater2: StageWest presents "Beauty Plays" three Neil LaBute plays ("Reasons to be Pretty," "The Shape of Things" and "Fat Pig"), presented on various days during a four-week period.
Caption: theater3: Matt Wiggins and Jami Bassman star in a sexy 2011 summer of "Theatre Under the Stars" classics on the Riverwalk at the Metro's 3rd annual Shakesperience Festival.
Caption: theater4: Repertory Theater of Iowa returns to Salisbury House & Gardens July 21-24 for "Shakespeare on the Lawn."
Sing and dance your way back in time as The Playhouse presents 'The Wedding Singer'
In 1998, "The Wedding Singer" rocked its way in to theaters and
became not only one of the most popular films of the year, but also one of
the best films of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's careers. And with all good
films, the stage version wasn't far behind. In 2006 it debuted on Broadway
eventually being nominated for five Tony Awards. Although the stage varies
a bit from the film, "The Wedding Singer" proves to be plenty of
fun as The Des Moines Playhouse brings the excess of the '80s to town for most
of the month of June.
"
I'm a big fan of the film, and I really enjoyed the music when I heard the
soundtrack to the musical," said Craig Peterson, who plays wedding singer
Robbie Hart. "I really liked the story. It's a flash back to the style
and fun of the 1980s including big hair, flashy clothes and plenty of fun."
Set in 1985, "The Wedding Singer" follows rock-star wannabe Robbie
Hart, who lives in his grandmother's basement in New Jersey. His dreams
of being a singer/songwriter are long gone, replaced now by a burning desire
to find the right girl and settle down. When his fiancée leaves
him standing at the altar, he becomes a wedding planner's worst nightmare,
taking out his bitterness on stage until his eye and heart turn to a
new friend, Julia.
"
The show is an absolute blast. It's fun and upbeat, and the music is very
catchy," said Bridget Roepke, who plays Julia. "Julia is a very
sweet and understanding girl, but fairly naïve. She's that girl that
everyone loved and respected in high school."
Although Robbie is madly in love with her, Julia is engaged to a wealthy
Wall Street broker named Glen (Brandon Lee).
"
She wants to get married but soon discovers that maybe her fiancée,
Glen, isn't quite the catch she thought he was," Roepke said.
The storyline is similar to the film but does make a few changes.
"
The film and the stage musical are actually quite similar," Roepke said. "Some
of the major differences are that instead of Julia and Glen having been engaged
for a long time, Glen proposes to Julia on stage in the number called 'Pop!'
And the character of Rosie (Janet Habick) is actually Robbie's grandmother
in the musical, rather than just an older friend of his."
Along with a few story changes, more musical numbers make their way into
the show (the wedding band is hilariously named "Simply Wed"),
creating a theater-going experience like no other.
"
There is a lot more music and dancing, and since it's on the stage, you're
going to see bigger and brighter characters," Peterson said. "My
favorite scene is where Robbie is in the bar, and the guys are discussing
the beauty of being single. It's a fun, manly scene."
As with most musicals, the songs help bring the scenes to life, conveying
a wide range of fun and emotions.
"
My favorite scene is definitely 'Casualty of Love.' Robbie is singing at
a wedding after having his heart broken and explains to the guests why certain
people, including himself, will never find true love," Roepke said. "The
song is so bitter yet hilarious that it makes me laugh every time."
With so many great songs and plenty of laughs, "The Wedding Singer" should
please audiences from 18 to 80.
"
This show is so much fun. The story is a classic, and it's one that everyone
can relate to," Roepke said. "The script is hilarious, and the
songs are super catchy and fun to listen to. The show is going to be enjoyable
for everyone." CV
By Jim Duncan
Art is big business, yet no one ever talks about "the art industry." That's
probably because artists like to believe their calling is anti-industrial,
that they are the caretakers of beauty and nature in the postmodern world.
Plus, industrialists often write artists off as mere children who never grow
up — even Picasso agreed with them. Both sides make their points in summer.
Like school kids, the art world closes shop and heads to the hills or the beaches
during the hot season. Except in Des Moines.
Alison Elizabeth Taylor (American, born 1974)The Breeder, 2009-10Wood veneer and shellac56 x 45 inchesImage and work courtesy of the artist and James Cohan Gallery, New York/Shanghai |
Summer here is prime time for the fine arts. In Des Moines, national reputations
have been built against the winds of tradition. With little more than the
sheer force of their personalities, retired Maestro Robert Larsen and the
late Mo Dana created two summer festivals of national repute in central Iowa's
unlikely soil. Like corn, Larsen's Des Moines Metro Opera thrived in heat
and humidity; drawing the tassel of star singers, on summer break from the
cultural capitols of the world, to the silk womb of Indianola. Dana's Des
Moines Arts Festival now fills the city's hotels and restaurants with eager
art shoppers from near and far.
Both festivals have persuaded itinerant artists to pitch their tents in the
farm belt summer. Both convinced locals to support those artists with endearing
enthusiasm. In doing so, they transformed the image of summer in Des Moines
while inspiring other notable festivals. ArtFest Midwest and Iowa Sculptural
Festival now have big followings of their own.
Summer festivals have even inspired brick and mortar arts institutions to
bump up their summer programs. As the following calendar shows, Des Moines'
gallery scene has grown exponentially since Art Fest began. Only Kavanaugh
and Olson-Larsen galleries are still around from those days.
Calendar
(*APT* indicates a special Art Pimp tout)
Recurring Events and Family Attractions
Thursday Night Art Walks in downtown Newton
First Friday Art Walks, Fairfield Town Square
Third Wednesdays of the month, Art Walks on Iowa State University campus.
Third Friday open houses at 304 15th St., Studio 100, (the former Fitch Gallery).
Sculptor James Ellwanger, whose large works dot the city like steely icons, opens his studio and displays his paintings.
Special Events
Festivals
Des Moines Metro Opera 39th Summer Festival (Simpson College, Indianola, http://www.desmoinesmetroopera.org)
May 28 — "Death by Aria"
DMMO's James Collier Apprentice Artist Program kicks the season off in the lobby of the Blank Performing Arts Center with this free evening of introductions and arias.
June 2 — "Singing On Tap" at Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar, 6 p.m.
June 10 — Cabernet Night Live, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
American Slice #15 Thomas Jackson |
An evening of standards and show tunes mixed with opera presented by DMMO's Apprentice Artists and hosted by Wicker Van Orsdel at the Des Moines Social Club at 400 Walnut, Downtown. $40 ($50 after May 31).
June 25 — Opening night gala dinner, 5 p.m. $100.
June 4, 8, 16, 18, 29 and July 2, 9 — Apprentice Artists Program
Lekberg Hall at Simpson hosts this series of free scene presentations from the repertoire.
June 9 — "Threads & Trills" luncheon, noon Holiday Inn Jordan Creek.
June 16 (twice) and 18 — "Peanut Butter & Puccini Family Opera Adventure," *APT*
9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Blank Center. Kids and adults take backstage tour of the opera. Learn about wig and makeup application, lighting, etc. $10 includes lunch.
June 19 - Ju1y 12 — The 2011 Season *APT*
"La Boheme" by Puccini, June 24, 26 and July 1, 5, 9 and 17
The world's most popular opera, and the original "Rent," Henry Murger's
story of his youth in 1830's Paris became Puccini's ticket to immortality.
DMMO's performance, with conductor David Neely, will bring back two audience
favorites — Jan Cornelius and Harold Meers lead the cast.
"Don Pasquale" by Donizetti, performances June 25 and July 3, 6,
8, 12 and 16
DMMO continues its impressive run of Donizetti covers with this classic buffa
in which young love strives to prevail over lecherous old men and moronic scholars.
Zulimar López-Hernández makes her DMMO debut as the vivacious
Norina with Rod Nelman, Taylor Stayton and John Moore vying for her attention.
"Dialogues of the Carmelites" by Francis Poulenc, performances July
2, 10, 13 and 15, plus July 7 at Des Moines Social Club
A nun's crisis of faith is set amidst the horrors of the French Revolution
in one of the 20th century's top operas. Audience darling Jane Redding returns
to sing the role of Sister Blanche of the Agony of Christ.
July 12 — Samuel Ramey master class
The world-renowned bass presents a master class ($10) at Lekberg Hall.
July 14 — "Stars of Tomorrow" Concert, Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University, $10 - $20. *APT*
DMMO's Apprentice Artists perform arias and ensembles at Sheslow Auditorium.
$10-$20.
May 31, June 6, 9, 12, 17, 19, 26, 30 July 3, 7, 10, 15, 17 — "Apprentice
Artist Program Performances," (times vary) at Lekberg Hall, Des Moines
Social Club, and Sheslow Auditorium.
The troupe performs scenes and entire acts from both popular operas and rarely seen works. Most performances are free.
Iowa Sculpture Festival, Maytag Park, Newton, iowasculpturefestival.org. $2
June 10-12 — The 9th annual event brings big bronze and steel art to Maytag Park and its new indoor venue at DMACC Newton campus for a hands-on experience of meeting artists, picnicking, swimming and watching comedians, magicians, balloon animal makers, etc.
Des Moines Arts Festival, Gateway West, http://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org. Free.
June 24- 26 — A festival grand enough to inspire copycats, critics and loyalists, plus national rankings. (A top 10 festival by American Style) The three-day, free events bring 185 national artists of all media, and 24 emerging local artists, to the riverbanks of downtown Des Moines. Plus, there's enough food and music to turn shopping into a mega-event and source of civic pride.
ArtFest Midwest, Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, http://www.stookeyshows.com/afmw/index.html. Free.
June 25 – 26 — Piggybacking on the big shoulders of DMAF, the "Other Art Show," boasts lots of demonstrations (glassblowing, pastel portraits, lampwork jewelry, pottery etc.) plus free parking and regional chauvinism. More than 210 artists will be showing, with approximately 40 percent from Iowa and 90 percent from the Midwest. The fest is now calling itself the "largest fine art show in Iowa."
Art Stop — Sept. 23-24
The annual shuttle bus tour of central Iowa's art galleries, studios and museums.
Galleries
Ongoing
Art Dive, 1417 Walnut St., http://www.artdive.com
Des Moines' alternative gallery plans alternative exhibitions. Be surprised.
2AU, 200 Fifth, West Des Moines
Alison Elizabeth Taylor (American, born 1974)Roadside, 2006Wood veneer and shellac47 x 56 inchesImage and work courtesy of the artist and James Cohan Gallery, New York/Shanghai |
Beach boys of Ipanema and mermaids of Tahiti mix it up with Tanzanian gems
this summer.
Kavanaugh Gallery, 131 5th Street West Des Moines, 279-8682, http://www.kavanaughgallery.com
Specializing in purchase estate collections, there's no telling what you might find here.
Susan Noland Studio Gallery, 902 42nd St.
The psychological properties of gems are front and center in this master goldsmith's repertoire.
Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames http://www.octagonarts.org
Limited Engagements
Steven Vail Gallery, 500 E Locust St., http://www.stevenvailfinearts.com
Through July 8 — "Chuck Close - Self Portraits"
Ranging from woodcuts and silk screens to a handmade cotton and linen paper prints, this show demonstrate how a single subject can be represented in radically different approaches. This is pretty much the same survey of Close that played to great applause at the Walker Art Center in Minnesota, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the High Museum of Art in Georgia, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in New York.
Olson-Larsen Galleries, 203 Fifth, West Des Moines, http://www.olsonlarsen.com
June 3 - July 16 — "Landscape Show" *APT*
New works by the gallery's "summer epic" stars Gary Bowling, Dave Gordinier, Rod Massey, Betsy Margolius and Roger Towndrow.
July 22 – Sept. 3 — "Three Takes on Photography"
New works by David Ottenstein, Dan Powell and Peter Feldstein.
Sept. 9 – Oct. 8 — "New Work" APT*
Gallery stalwarts Scott Charles Ross and John Preston.
Moberg Art Gallery, 2921 Ingersoll Ave., http://www.moberggallery.com
Through July 9 — "John Phillip Davis" *APT*
New works by a thought-provoking painter/sculptor.
July 15 – Aug. 20 — "Travis Rice" *APT*
Installation master brings multi media to a massive debut show at the gallery.
Aug. 26 – Oct. 1— "Thomas Jackson" *APT*
Eye-popping illusions from a master.
Finder's Creepers, 515 18th St., http://www.finderscreepers.com
Alternative to alternative, plus a little black magic.
June 10 — "Back from the Cosmos"
Matt Welbourn, Van Holmgren and Brent Houzenga bring psychedelic visions.
July 15 — "The Wretched Hive of Scum & Villainry"
An art show with a villain theme.
August — "Clowns"
Don't joke about it.
Heritage Art Gallery, 111 Court Ave., http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org
Through June 2 — "Lovers, Mothers, and Their Dreams"
The disturbingly whimsical art of Annick Ibsen and Linda Lewis.
June 6 -Aug. 25 — "Iowa Exhibited 26"
The annual exhibition of work by artists across the state, professional and
amateur.
Museums
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org
Through Sept. 4 — "Surface Value" *APT*
James Gobel, Alison Elizabeth Taylor and Mickalene Thomas present unique visions of American life and lifestyle, exploring pop culture influences from the dark outer rims. So called "painters," each one uses media in an innovative way, incorporating fabric, wood, and rhinestones into the two-dimensional space of the canvas.
Through July 31 — "Kalup Linzy's Keys To Our Heart"
Chuck Close, Untitled (Self Portrait), 2007, 42 color woodcut |
Inspired by the history of black filmmaking, "race movies," 1940s musicals starring Lena Horne, and the Hollywood 1950s melodramas of the Danish-German director Douglas Sirk.
May 28 – Sept. 18 — "The Fashion Show"
Works on paper in which clothing plays a central role in the image. Ranges from dresses, kimonos, coats, ruffs, lace, jewels, gloves, hairstyles, powdered wigs, hats, denim, leather and body piercing.
June 3 – Oct. 2 — "Iowa Artists"
Works of Stephanie Brunia, Matthew Kluber and Matt Corones.
Summer classes. Day camps and family workshops. Call 271-0306.
Ankeny Art Center, 1520 S.W. Ordnance Road, http://www.ankenyartcenter.com
June 1- 29
"They Said, He Saw: A Window / A Window: They Said, He Saw." Nathan Chandler and Luke Hubbard.
"Painter of Life" Rich Hoffmann.
July
"A Tinsel Town Event" Lorely Burgduff, Kevin Mutchler and Steve Deniston
"Works by Don Raker"
August
"Works by Donna McConkey"
"Works by Joyce O'Brien"
Brunnier Museum of Art, University Museums, 290 Scheman Bldg., Ames, http://www.museums.iastate.edu
Through Aug. 6
"Constructed Color: Quilts and Coverlets from the Farm House Museum Collection"
"A Fragile Thread of Glass"
"Priscilla Sage: Contemporary Sculpture"
"Play With Me: Dolls from the Ann Brunnier Collection"
"Ulfert Wilke: Words To Be Seen"
"The Jeweled Past: Russian Enamels"
"Brilliant Cut Glass"
The Vesterheim, 523 W. Water St., Decorah, http://www.vesterheim.org
Through April, 2012
"Polar Exploration" Featuring Roald Amundsen, Richard Byrd and Bernt Balchen.
June 2 - July 2, 2011
"The Hjelles of Siewers Springs" A photo exhibit documenting a Norwegian immigrant family and their Decorah legacy.
July 23 - 30
"National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition" Rosemaling, weaving, woodworking and knife making by contemporary artists.
Sept. 1, 2011-Sept. 3, 2012
"Sigvald Asbjørnsen, Sculptor" Works by the renowned artist, including portrait busts of famous Norwegians and Americans.
Sept. 22 - April 30
"Peale Furniture Collection" More than 20 exceptional pieces of
Norwegian furniture from the estate of Ruth Stafford Peale, wife of Norman
Vincent Peale.
Faulconer Gallery, Grinnell College, http://www.grinnell.edu/faulconergallery
David Ottenstein, Chicken Coop, Page County #2, Pigment ink print. |
Through June 5 —"Photos of John Philips"
Civil Rights historian.
"Ar(t)chive: American Art in Historical Context, 1930-1990 "
Through Aug. 11 — "Women in Conflict"
Appraises the status and value.
June 24 – Sept. 4 — "Liz Steketee - Family Albums"
Reconstructed memories offer creative insight into the act and the art of taking family photos.
MacNider Art Museum, 303 Second Street SE, Mason City, http://www.macniderart.org
Through July 18 — "Art of Africa"
Works from Smithsonian collections focus on Sub-Saharan cultures.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second St., Davenport, http://www.art-dma.org
Through Aug. 21 — "Water Views from the Figge Collection"
June 11 – Sept. 4 — "The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Chair Design" CV
By Amber Williams
After the blustery winds let up and the grey skies turn blue, Iowans all agree that it's time to go outside — outside to play, walk, bike, dance, drink and think. And work? Nah, forget about work. This is about play. Whether you're a meticulous planner or a whimsical wanderer, scan this list of hot happenings around the metro and decide which of these summer events are right for you.
Outdoor events and festivals
May 28-June 14 — Bad Boyz Mustang Club of Greater Des Moines will be cruising around the metro all summer long for Cruise Nights and car shows at various locations. Their next stop is at the Hot Rod's 2nd Annual Spring Car Show in Altoona on May 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. Then on to Cruise Night at the 5 & Diner in Pleasant Hill on May 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. Check out the website for an entire list of Bad Boyz events at http://www.badboyzmustangclub.com.
Check out Labowski look-a-likes at Dude-A-Rama. |
June 4 — The 5th annual SWINE Festival, featuring Iowa's proudest pork products paired with some of the state's finest wines, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Des Moines Area Community College, 2006 S. Ankeny Boulevard, in Ankeny. Ten of Iowa's top chefs will serve gourmet pork creations and suggest wine pairings, which will be available for sampling. Admission is $35 ($20 for designated drivers and minors ages 7-20), and prices include one free bottle of wine of your choosing and a commemorative wine glass.
June 4-5 — "Get to the Greek" — Orthodox Church of St. George, that is, at 1110 35th St., for the Greek Food Festival, and you don't have to be Greek to eat, drink and dance like one. This family affair includes traditional Greek foods and drinks, a tour of the archaic church and music and dancing from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 5. Admission is free, but tickets for the meal are $12 in advance at Dahl's Food Stores or by calling (515) 277-0780, or $14 at the door. Visit http://www.stgeorge.ia.goarch.org to learn more.
June 9-11 — Grimes' "Funtastic Event" has a new name this year: Governors Days, but it features all the traditional funtastic elements. The weekend kicks off on Thursday, June 9, with a carnival in the park and the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corp. On Friday, June 10, the carnival continues including craft and food vendors, a beer garden and Toaster performing live from 7:45 to 10:45 p.m. A Lions Club breakfast starts Saturday off right, along with a 5K run/walk, a one-mile run and a parade. The Nadas conclude the night in the beer garden performing from 7:45 to 10:45 p.m. with a fireworks finale to follow. All this and so much more comprise Grimes' annual community celebration.
June 10-13 — Celebrating diversity is a year-round affair with Capital City Pride Des Moines, but every year Pride Fest throws that celebration into high gear promoting acceptance and tolerance of the homosexual, bisexual and transgender community with a parade. Join the fun at any of Pride's many scheduled events. Learn more online at http://www.capitalcitypride.org.
June 11-Oct. 2 — Here's an idea for the summer: leap out of a perfectly good airplane with the Des Moines Skydivers, a nationally known skydiving destination near Winterset, overlooking the famous covered bridges and lush landscape of Madison County. Book a tandem experience for any of the following dates: June 11, 12, 25 and 26; July 23 and 24; Aug. 6, 7, 20 and 21; the annual Skydiving Boogie Sept. 2-5; and Oct. 1 and 2. Call (515) 243-1711 or visit http://www.desmoinesskydivers.com for more information.
June 16-19 — Johnston's annual community Green Days festival is in its 15th year. Held near the Johnston Public Library, historically the event is a celebration of agriculture and horticulture involving many local garden clubs, nurseries and greenhouses. Today that celebration also includes a parade, a carnival, children's activities, a live DJ, Danzing the Night Away, local bands Flipside and Standing Hampton in the beverage garden, a rib cook-off contest, a Bill Riley talent search, a classic car show, a 5K run/walk and more. Admission is free.
June 16-18 — Sit, sip and mingle at Winefest Des Moines, featuring wine events for all tastes, from the elegant cocktail atmosphere of Prima Dinners on Thursday night to the more casual tastings of Sip & the City on Friday and a Grand Tasting on Saturday night. Ticket prices for each event vary. Check out http://www.winefestdesmoines.com to learn more.
June 18 — The 27th annual Mid-Iowa Brit/Euro Car Classic in Johnston, featuring some of the state's best British, European and American classic automobiles, will be held in conjunction with Johnston Green Days this year, the city's annual community celebration, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be located along Merle Hay Road north of Northglenn Drive.
June 18 — A new scenic course brings a few more challenges to the Clive Running Festival event this year, winding through several Clive neighborhoods along the Greenbelt trail, which was enhanced with two new water fountains paid for by last year's proceeds. This non-profit event uses its proceeds for the betterment of the Clive community. The course starts at the Clive Aquatics Center, at 1801 N.W. 114th St., and ends at Living History Farms. Entry fees vary depending on the race and the number of people per team. Registration runs up until the Saturday before the race, but additional fees apply after June 15. Check out http://www.fitnesssports.com/juneraces/Clive_Fest/Cliveinfo.html for more details.
June 24-26 — Winner of the Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals and Events, the Des Moines Art Festival features astounding artists and their work from all over the country, as well as art-related activities for guests, live music and performing arts. This year the event will appropriately take over the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park downtown. Organizers are always in need of volunteers at this massive, crowd-gathering event. Learn more online at http://desmoinesartsfestival.org.
The annual Wing Ding for chicken wings at Jethro's BBQ. |
June 25-26 — Stookey Companies presents Artfest Midwest, "the other art show" complementing the Des Moines Art Festival. A bus will be available to shuttle art lovers from downtown to the Varied Industries building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where central Iowa high school and college student artists will show and sell their work. Other kids activities are planned, as well. Admission and parking is free. Find out more details online at http://www.stookeysshows.com.
July 1 — The Des Moines Symphony celebrates our nation's birthday in style with a free outdoor concert at the Iowa State Capitol West Terrace. Maestro Joseph Giunta and the orchestra take the stage at 8:30 p.m. The patriotic ambiance abounds with a blaze of glorious fireworks to end the evening and segue Des Moines into Independence Day. (Also, learn about the Yankee Doodle Drive Against Hunger at http://www.dmsymphony.org.)
July 7-10 — "Get Your Game On" at the Ankeny Summerfest this year, which is the theme of the grand parade that is scheduled to run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 9. The carnival sets up on day one of the festival and a host of kids' games and activities will follow. Entertainment includes a Bill Riley State Fair Talent Show, fireworks on Sunday night and the Nadas play live from 8:30 to 11:45 p.m. on Friday to kick things off. Find out more at http://www.ankenysummerfest.org online.
July 9 — For many of us, summer is a time for some serious outdoor drinking. That's why Cityview will be bringing Brewfest back for its fifth year at Principal Park — four surly hours of sipping, swigging and chugging some of the world's most beloved beers from 3 to 7 p.m. Almost 400 beer varieties make an appearance year after year. For $23 (in advance, $28 at the door and $10 for designated drivers) beer lovers get unlimited samples of craft, domestic and imported beers. Tickets are available at Des Moines area Hy-Vee Food stores and Principal Park. Learn more at http://www.dmcityview.com/brewfest or http://www.dmbrewfest.com. Join us for a toast!
July 13-17 — Get a little country groove going in nearby Adel for the Dallas County Fair. Where else in the metro can you find a carnival, a rodeo, a tractor pull and mudslinging figure-8 races, plus an array of children's activities and not to mention a beer garden, a community dance, a hypnotist and live music? Take Hickman Road west through Waukee. The fairgrounds are located at 28057 Fairgrounds Road on Adel's north side.
July 21-24 — The Salisbury House and Gardens bring so much culture to Des Moines' summer with outdoor events like Shakespeare on the Lawn. The eighth annual event will bring the esteemed talents of Repertory Theater of Iowa with "As You Like It… as Will Wrote It!" from 7:30 to 10 p.m. atop the manicured English gardens. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and prepare to be awed. Tickets are $20 and $18 for members.
July 23 — Get wing-dingy at the third annual Wing Ding event, mixing Des Moines' best chicken wings and frosty adult drinks with local music all in support of Artists With Disabilities. Live music performances by The Snacks, Dead Yellow Canaries, Soulful Security and Truth Be Told will provide entertainment for more than 1,000 expected attendees. Ten central Iowa restaurants will serve wing recipes samples including Bourbon Street Bar and Grill, Court Ave. Brewing Co., El Bait Shop, Gerri's, Jethro's, Mo' Rub Spice Wings, Quinton's and West End Diner, among others. Sign up for a wing-eating contest the day of the event, which will run from 4 to 11 p.m. at Jethro's BBQ, 3100 Forest Ave. Tickets in advance are $15, or pay $20 at the door. Tickets go on sale on June 8 and can be purchased at Hy-Vee stores or online at http://www.eventbrite.com. Admission includes wings, drinks, activities and live music. All proceeds go to help VSA Iowa provide experiences in art, drama, dance, music, visual arts and creative writing to more than 30,000 Iowa children and adults with disabilities this year.
July 29-30 — Viva L'Italia! It means, "Long live Italy," and in Des Moines, Italy is alive and well. Perhaps no one does music, dancing and food better than our Italian brothers and sisters at the Italian-American Heritage Festival. More than 10 Italian bands and performers will be there along with a party of vendors drawing crowds to the Court Avenue bridge. Gates open from 11 to 2 a.m. on Friday, July 29, and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 30. Admission is free before 4 p.m. on both days, and $5 after that. Visit http://italianfestivalofiowa.com to find out how this event benefits the Food Bank of Iowa and Gigi's Playhouse in Urbandale.
July 29-Aug. 6 — Perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring, photogenic events in the metro, the National Balloon Classic at the Indianola Air Field is featuring new balloon shapes, such as the American bald eagle and other animal figures, this year. The 5K race will be returning, and the classic parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 30 at the Irving Elementary School. Find out more about the scheduled events and balloon rides online at http://www.nationalballoonclassic.com.
July 30 — Urbandale's 2nd Annual Amazing Race will start at 9 a.m. at the Lions Park Gazebo in Urbandale. Teams of two will test their physical fitness and clue-solving skills as they compete in a foot/bike race across Urbandale to earn prizes and bragging rights. Participants must be 21 years old. The cost is $5 per team. Visit http://www.urbandaleparksandrec.org to register, or for more information call (515) 278-3963.
July 30 — The annual Pleasant Hill Summerfest kicks off with a parade, car show, pet show, inflatables and finales with a fireworks display. Toaster will provide live entertainment at 7 p.m. This event is fun for the whole family.
July 30 — The Dude indeed abides. Come and enjoy a white Russian along with other "The Big Lebowski" movie lovers at the third annual Dude-a-Rama at AMF Lanes, 3839 N.E. 14th St. Tickets go on sale June 1 and will be available at http://www.eventbrite.com. The party starts at 7 p.m. and lasts till they kick you out. Come dressed as your favorite Lebowski character for a chance to win awesome prizes, and enjoy White Russian specials, a mixing seminar, live music from The Snacks and Floodplane, Lebowski trivia and, of course, bowling. Tickets run between $25 and $40 depending on the package. Check out http://www.dude-a-rama.com for more information.
Tandem skydiving takes place all summer long at the Des Moines Skydivers near Winterset. |
Aug. 11-21 — Long considered the country's largest state fair and one of the state's biggest tourism draws, the Iowa State Fair never disappoints, and "nothing compares," as goes this year's theme. The state fair literally has something to appeal to all tastes. Speaking of tastes, for many fair-goers, it's all about the food! Whether you're there for livestock and agriculture exhibits, grandstand bands, beer, meats on sticks, the carnival or simply to people watch, it's true: nothing else compares to the Iowa State Fair. Grounds hours are from 7 to 1 a.m. Go to http://www.iowastatefair.com to learn the different ways you can purchase tickets and receive discounts and to get more details on the numerous events and concert line-ups.
Aug. 12-13 — Only folk singer James Taylor could say it best when describing the Adel Sweet Corn Festival, and "how sweet it is," which is why that's this year's theme. This annual community celebration showcases a historic, small town charm with a classic parade, food and craft vendors lining the brick streets, a classic car show and all the FREE sweet corn you can eat provided by local growers. A teen dance is scheduled for Friday night with a live DJ, and Brother Trucker will play the street dance Friday night at the pavilion, just off the square. Visit http://www.adelpartners.org to learn more.
Aug. 27 — Most towns celebrate on the square, but Waukee's "festival on the triangle" known as Waukee Fest, isn't the only thing that makes the city and its annual celebration unique. It's definitely worth the short drive with a feet-stomping parade kicking off the day followed by a community breakfast, art and craft vendors, tons of kids' activities, local entertainment with a beverage garden and a band as well as a steak fry dinner… to name a few. For more information contact McKinlee Gibson at mgibson@wakee.org by email, or call (515) 987-4522.
Sept. 4 — One of Iowa's biggest athletic beacons, the Hy-Vee Triathlon, has joined the World Triathlon Corporation as an U.S. Championship event, making it part of the prestigious U.S. 5150 Triathlon Series where local, amateur athletes will compete on the same platform as professionals from around the world right in downtown Des Moines. Teams and individuals have until July 31 to register. Individual fees are $150 ($175 after Aug.1), and teams pay $225. Register online at http://www.hy-veetriathlon.com.
Sept. 17 — The 2011 Hy-Vee IronKids event for athletes ages 6 to 15, depending on age, includes a two- to eight-mile bike ride and 500-yard to two-mile run at the West Des Moines City/School Campus, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway. Athletes are divided into three categories: Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The cost is $30, but additional family members can register for $20, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Register online at http://www.ironkids.com.
Participatory sports
May 26-Sept. 1 — Ohm… ready to relax? Yoga in the Gardens at the Salisbury House starts at 6 p.m. It's two hours of calm, quiet stress relief among the beautifully manicured gardens and with Shakti Yoga House instructors who gear the class toward all ability levels. Classes are $25 at the door, and they run all summer long including May 26, June 30, July 28 and Sept. 1. A reception will follow each session.
June 3-18 — There's still time to register for the Iowa Senior Games online for $40. This event is for the seasoned athlete (age 50 and older). Games kick off with a softball tournament at Raccoon River Park at 5 p.m. Other events such as cycling, golf, shuffleboard, tennis, basketball, table tennis and numerous others will follow throughout this competitive event spanning June 3-4 and June 16-19. Online registration is open until June 11 at http://www.iowaseniorolympics.com.
June 4 — This run is not for the faint. Dam To Dam, Iowa's Distance Classic, is the largest 20K race in the nation. It's also one of Des Moines' most popular running events, which is why all 8,000 spots have already been filled. Still, there's room for about 624 people in the 5K option, which now ranks as the largest race of its size in the state. Also, youth runs include Olympic distances of 100, 200 and 800 meters. Everyone winds down after the race at Nollen Plaza where food, drinks and live music will welcome the crowd as they stagger in. The Atudes will perform some original songs as well as '70s classics to fit this year's tye-dye theme. Learn more at http://www.damtodam.com online.
June 25 — The Des Moines Botanical and Environmental Center's annual Flower Power 5K and one-mile walk is slated for 8 a.m. Registration runs through June 11 and can be done online at http://www.getmeregistered.com for $20 for the 5K and $18 for the walk.
July 2 — The Urbandale Parks & Recreation Department and Urbandale Sports Association will have its 5th Annual Co-ed Kickball Tournament at the Walker Johnston Softball Complex in Urbandale. The "good old after-school days" sport returns with 10-person teams to compete in two guaranteed games. The cost is $100 per team. For registration or more information go to http://www.urbandaleparksandrec.org or call (515) 278-3963.
July 2-4 — Urbandale is famous around the metro for its 4th of July fireworks, which are delivered from the west side of Walker Johnston Park at 10 p.m. But that's not all the community's annual festival has to offer. This three-day celebration of independence starts with a Trash to Treasures sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center, a carnival in Lions Park opening at noon and a teen street dance with DJ Dreams Unlimited from 8 to 11 p.m. on the corner of 71st Street and Aurora Avenue on July 2. The following day events include live music by the Lavender Lace Band, Deja Voo and Boomerang Band throughout the day and a Hometown Heroes amateur skateboarding completion, among other things. A July 4th parade starts at 10 a.m. at the old City Hall. Check out http://uniquelyurbandale.com/4th_of_July online to see an entire listing of events.
July 9-24 — This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Iowa Games, slated to begin with an opening ceremony at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on July 15. All of Iowa's 99 counties are represented by outstanding athletes who come together to compete at this annual tradition, which is powered by the Iowa Food and Family Project. This year local star athletes Shawn Johnson and Tim Dwight will compete among their peers. Check out http://www.iowagames.org to learn more.
The famous Des Moines Art Festival takes place at the Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park downtown in June. |
June 11-12 — The Des Moines Cycle Club invites anyone who loves riding bikes through small town Iowa and the scenic countryside to participate in Tour the Raccoon, a two-day ride for cyclists of all levels. The entire 60-mile ride can be accomplished via the safe and smooth paved central Iowa trail system, which makes it perfect for families who like to stay fit together. It's also an ideal local tourism event that takes riders through several small towns, including overnight host, Jefferson, which will be celebrating its famous Bell Tower Festival that weekend. So there will be plenty of food and things to do and see. Online registration at http://www.dmcycleclub.com/tour_raccon/ ends on June 6, and a $30 fee applies. Day-of registration takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. at Eason Elementary School in Waukee for $35.
July 15-16 — This year's Clive Festival is graced with two awesome local recording artists, Roxi Copeland, who performs at 5:30 on July 15, followed by Bonne Finken & the Collective at 8 p.m. Saturday brings three more jazz artists performing from 5:30 to 10:15 p.m. Other activities include a bean bag tournament, a beer and wine tent, a Kids For Clive art contest and more. Check out http://clivefestival.com/event-and-activities for more details.
July 24-30 — Get on your bikes and ride the 39th Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), 454 miles spanning from Glenwood to Davenport this year. The windstorm of wheelers — some of whom are avid cyclists, others who are there just for the party — will bring bus loads of out-of-town and out-of-county sales revenue to multiple small town and cities in its path. It's a great way to mingle with new people, see Iowa's beautiful countryside and promote wellness. This year, Altoona will be one of the many overnight stops for the caravan. Register online at http://www.ragbrai.com.
Aug. 13 — Skaters have their day with no restrictive signs posted at the Skateboard Xtreme Challenge, which will take place at 11 a.m. in the Urbandale Sake Park. Skateboarders can show off their stuff and win cool prizes. The competition is divided according to age. Go to http://www.urbandaleparksandrec.org or call (515) 278-3963 for more information.
Aug. 13 — Urbandale Parks and Recreation is also sponsoring the new Spike & Splash Water Volleyball Tournament event this year. It starts at 10 a.m. at the Urbandale Public Swimming Pool. Four-person teams will compete in men's, women's or co-ed divisions. It costs $50 per team. For registration or for more information go to http://www.urbandaleparksandrec.org or call (515) 278-3963.
Spectator Sports
Iowa Cubs
Principal Park
(515) 243-6111
All games start at 7:05 p.m., except Sundays, which are at 1:05 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and Friday night games finish with a brilliant fireworks display.
May 26 — vs. Las Vegas at 6:35 p.m.
June 4-7 — vs. Omaha
June 9-12 — vs. Round Rock
June 21-24 — vs. Memphis
June 25-28 — vs. Albuquerque
June 30-July 3 — vs. New Orleans
July 13 — Triple All-Star Game
July 14-17 — vs. Oklahoma City
July 18-21 — vs. Nashville
Aug. 3-6 — vs. Fresno
Aug. 7 — vs. Sacramento at 3:05 p.m.
Aug. 8-9 — vs. Sacramento
Aug. 10 — vs. Sacramento at 12:05 p.m.
Aug. 20-23 — vs. Oklahoma City
Aug. 29-Sept. 1 — vs. Nashville at 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 2-4 — vs. Omaha
Sept. 5 — vs. Omaha at 1:05 p.m.
The Iowa Barnstormers
Wells Fargo Arena
http://www.theiowabarnstormers.com
(515) 633-BALL (2255)
Kick-off is at 7 p.m.
May 27 — vs. Utah
June 4 — vs. Orlando, Fla.
June 18 — vs. Dallas, Texas
July 1 — vs. Tulsa, Okla.
July 9 — vs. Kansas City, Mo.
July 23 — vs. Georgia
Des Moines Menace
West Des Moines Valley Stadium
All games start at 7:30 p.m.
(515) 226-9890
June 4 — vs. Des Moines International
June 18 — vs. Kansas City
June 25 — vs. Winnipeg
July 1-2 — vs. WSA Winnipeg
July 8-9 — vs. Thunder Bay
July 16 — vs. Menace Alumni
July 23 — vs. Kansas City
Des Moines Derby Dames
7 Flags Event Center
June 25 — vs. Twin City Derby Girls (Champaign-Urbana, Ill.)
July 16 — vs. Kansas City Rollergirls Plan B
Crash Test Dolls
7 Flags Event Center
Bouts start at 7 p.m.
May 28 — vs. Cedar Valley Push-Up Brawlers (Waterloo)
Mid Iowa Rollers
Iowa Events Center
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the bout starts at 7 p.m.
July 16 — vs. Eastern Iowa Outlaws
July 30 — vs. Cedar Rapids Roller Girls
Aug. 13 — vs. Old Capitol City Roller Girls
Aug. 27 — vs. Muddy River Nightmares
Iowa Crush
West Des Moines Valley Stadium
(515) 783-6229.
May 28 — vs. Wisconsin at 7 p.m.
June 4 — vs. Minnesota at 3 p.m.
June 1-5 — With 71-par potential on 7,000 yards, the Principal Charity Classic, held at the Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, is a 54-hole stroke-play competition featuring more than 78 champion tour players, including defending champion Nick Price all vying for a $1.725 million purse. This year, Envy Corps will be performing live on xx. One-day tickets are $15, good for any day of the tournament. Weeklong and round tickets are $175 and Champions Club Single Day tickets are $200, which includes a luncheon buffet, beer, wine and soda and the opportunity to watch the players from three different premier locations. Visit http://www.principalcharityclassic.com to learn more.
June 3 — It's a Showdown at Sundown, y'all, and these youth wrestlers are the sport's future greats. Check them out at the metro's only outdoor youth wrestling event starting at 7 p.m. at the Waukee High School Football Field under the lights. This third annual event showcases youths from kindergarten to high school seniors competing in 4-man round robin brackets. Come out and see who will earn the coveted "Most Takedowns" trophy.
July 25-30 — The Iowa High School Association baseball tournaments for Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A take the field at Principal Park to see who's this year's best. Check out http://www.iahsaa.org/baseball to find out the details.
Farmers' Market
Adel — This year the Adel Farmers' Market has moved to Harvey's Floral Company located on Adel's south side along Iowa Highway 169 featuring products from the new community garden, as well as other vendors every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. June 7 through Sept. 30.
Altoona — Celebrating its 25th year, the Altoona Farmers' Market returns to the corner of 11th Avenue and 14th Street downtown from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday throughout the summer.
Ames — The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Cultural District are introducing a new weekly farmers' market event every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 25 to Sept. 24, at the 400 block of Main Street. Find out more at http://www.amesmainstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Downtown — The Downtown Community Alliance is heading the downtown farmers' market, from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Oct. 29 in the historic Court Avenue district of Des Moines. Find out more at http://www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com or call (515) 286-4928.
Drake Neighborhood — Located at 25th Street and University Avenue (in the parking lot of the First Christian Church), the Drake Neighborhood Farmers' Market runs from 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday from June to September. Visit http://www.drakefarmersmarket.com to learn more.
Des Moines Highland Park — Located along the sidewalk at the corner of 6th Avenue and Euclid Avenue, the Highland Park Farmers' Market starts on June 2 and runs till Oct. 9 every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Contact Norm Gilbert at (515) 288-1735 or (515) 991-5267 for more information.
4-Mile — On Des Moines' east side, at 3711 Easton Boulevard, the 4-Mile Farmers' Market takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday, running from July 1 to Sept. 16 featuring events such as Jazz in July, hot air balloon rides, cool cars and sky diving demonstrations.
Johnston — Every Tuesday all summer long, the Johnston Farmers' Market will take place at the City Hall parking lot, at the corner of N.W. 62nd Avenue and Merle Hay Road, from 3 to 7 p.m. Visit http://www.cityofjohnston.com for more details.
Uptown Ankeny — The Uptown Ankeny Association has a farmers' market planned for May 28 and June 2, 4 and 11 from 8 a.m. to noon, with a Farmers' Market Jubilee scheduled for June 25. Go to http://www.uptownankeny.org for more information.
Valley Junction — Another favorite historic spot in the metro, Valley Junction, at the corner of 5th Street and Railroad Avenue, offers a farmers' market celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. including the Music in the Junction concert series to accompany the vendors and entertain the guests from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday throughout the summer until Sept. 29. See an entire listing of the concert lineup at http://www.valleyjunction.com.
Waukee — Every Wednesday from June 1 to Sept. 28, the Waukee Farmers' Market will gather guests and vendors at the triangle in the heart of the business district. For more information contact Lyn Schafer with Classic Floral at (515) 987-1552.
West Glen — The West Glen Town Center and merchants host a farmers' market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until Aug. 6 staged on the Avenue of the Arts. For more information contact Jodi Runge at (515) 564-7508. CV
A Dam fine tradition
Des Moines' Dam To Dam 20K race maxes out again this year
By Amber Williams
For 32 years people have been lining up to run one of the country's favorite
long distance races and the largest 20K in the nation, Des Moines' Dam To Dam.
On June 4, 16,000 pairs of jogging shoes will hit the pavement stretching from
the Saylorville Dam to Nollen Plaza in Des Moines.
Standing atop the Saylorville Dam, where the race begins, the downtown Des
Moines finish line is a dot in the horizon marked by the peak of the 801
Grand building. A vast countryside, a sea of rooftops and riverside run make
up the course map, which is a big part of the draw, according to race director
Kurt Schaeffer.
"
It's a real fun course, because you start on Saylorville Dam, and it's fun
to look south toward downtown and you can see the roof of 801 Grand," he
said. "On a sunny day you can see the glow of the gold dome off the
capitol, too.
"
The course is great," he continued. "The first seven miles are
either level or downhill, which lets the runners get warmed up till they
face a few small hills toward the end of the run. I think people like it
because it's a fun course to run. It's a point-to-point race, and there's
not too many of them. Most start and finish in same area
The scenery makes it an interesting race, as well, Schaeffer said. The first
half of the race is out in the country and the second half is in the Des
Moines city limits. And it ends with a leisurely stroll along Robert Ray
Drive aside the Des Moines River with a picturesque view of the city as they
reach the finish line at Nollen plaza
"
It's a fun time. It's something different, and it's fairly easy," Schaeffer
said.
The average runner completes the course in about two hours (plus or minus
15 minutes), and the fastest time hasn't been touched in 22 years. Phil Coppess
won the 1989 Dam To Dam with a time of 59 minutes and 23 seconds, Schaeffer
said.
"
That year he was the fastest marathoner in the U.S.," he said. "So
he was in really good shape."
Perhaps one of the 8,000 participants will take home the record this year.
Regardless, the first place winner earns $1,000, and varying cash prizes
go to the top seven runners. However, all slots in the 20K are full, and
there are only 624 spots left in the 5K option, which starts and finishes
at Nollen Plaza.
"
In that last mile, we really load up on music and photography," Schaeffer
said. "It makes it a very fun time for the 5k runners. And it makes
it an easy run when you've got a lot entertainment."
At the finish line, everyone can relax with food, drinks and live music from
The Atudes, which will perform original songs as well as some '70s classics
in honor of the tye-dye T-shirt theme this year. CV
Caption: Eight-thousand runners participate in the Dam To Dam race every year, 20 kilometers from Saylorville Dam to Nollen Plaza.
