THE WEEK/CITY PICK

Nov. 24 through Nov. 30

All entries must be submitted by noon Friday. Fax 953-1394 or e-mail calendar@dmcityview.com.

thursday24
"CATS"
7:30 p.m.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
A winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, "CATS" comes to the Civic Center Stage on Tuesday as part of the Civic Center's Betts Broadway Series. This Andrew Lloyd Webber-penned play, featuring 20 melodies including the hit song "Memory," has become the longest-running show in Broadway history. "CATS" tells the story of the one special night of the year when a tribe of Jellicle CATS unite to celebrate who they are, emerging from the darkness into a junkyard where they sing about what makes them special, with Jennyanydots, Rum Tum Tugger, Grizabella and more telling of their special talents since the play opened in London in 1981. Tickets range from $15-$37.50, and are available through the Civic Center Box Office.

friday25
"Judy's Scary Little Christmas"
8 p.m.
Civic Center's Stoner Studio Theater
It's 1959 and Judy Garland is planning a comeback special via a Christmas Eve TV spectacular. And on the guest list are some familiar names: Joan Crawford, Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, Liberace, Lillian Hellman and Richard Nixon. But when a mysterious stranger crashes the party, the comeback special enters the twilight zone in this funny, sentimental and off-the-wall musical spoof. Performances of this StageWest-produced play start Thursday and run through Dec. 11, with performances Wednesdays through Sundays. Tickets are $11 for Wednesdays, $20 for Thursday and Sunday performances and $22 for Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets may be purchased at the Civic Center ticket office or through Ticketmaster.

saturday26
"Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices"
2 p.m.
Vaudeville Mews
For some, Wal-Mart is a one-stop shop for haircuts and groceries and photographs and home decorations and clothing and eyeglasses and on and on and on. But in Wal-Mart's wake in trying to take over the consumer world is a slew of independent businesses put out of business by the big-box giant's promise of low prices. "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" is a feature-length documentary that uncovers the retail giant's assault on families and American values, delving into personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities attempting to fight the behemoth. For more information on the film, visit www.walmartmovie.com. The Vaudeville Mews will screen the film on Friday at 7 p.m. and this afternoon at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

sunday27
Freakwater
9 p.m.
Vaudeville Mews
The cover of Freakwater's latest album, "Thinking of You," is a warped image of a burning bouquet. This, in a way, represents the band's warped take on honky-tonk, bluegrass and country in that it's a strange blend of beauty, horror and inexplicable optimism. Lyrically, Freakwater writes about heartache and sadness, dabbling in classic country's traditional themes - but with a hint of sarcasm. Six years passed between "Thinking of You" and Freakwater's previous release, and despite that gap, the band managed to make a complex and surprisingly fluid album. Hear for yourself tonight as the band plays the Vaudeville Mews with openers The Zincs. Tickets are $8 in advance through IowaTix or $10 day of show.

monday28
Fenix TX
6 p.m.
The House of Bricks
Fenix TX left its fans wanting more when the band abruptly announced its breakup onstage in 2002 during its tour in support of "Lechuza" - and right in the middle of pre-production for its next release - the pop-punk band's second release. The "encore" pleas have been heard ever since. And now the pleas for a reunion are finally being heard as the band's reunited for a tour and for the release of "Purple Reign in Blood - Live," an album recorded at Fenix TX's first show together in three years. The record includes Fenix TX popular staples like "All My Fault" and "Phoebe Cates" and covers by Peter Schilling and Credence Clearwater Revival. Don't miss the opportunity to see this reunited band tonight at The House of Bricks with openers Allister, Houston Calls and A Day at the Fair. Tickets are $10 in advance through IowaTix or $12 day of show.

tuesday29
Heiruspecs
9 p.m.
People's Bar and Grill
There aren't many bands like Heiruspecs, as live hip-hop music has become a thing of the past. Samples have taken over the rap and hip-hop worlds. But Heiruspecs delivers it all live, all original, combining funk, soul and hard-hitting beats with such impressive ferocity that it's led to a steady touring schedule that keeps them pounding the pavement 150 days a year. Encompassing everything from The Roots to DJ Shadow to Run D.M.C. to Digable Planets, Twin Cities-based Heiruspecs has earned critical praise in national and regional outlets for releases like "A Tiger Dancing," and has been tapped to perform as the backing band for Atmosphere, Oddjobs, Aesop Rock, Sage Francis and more. Don't miss the opportunity to see one of the nation's premiere live hip-hop bands as it stops in Ames as part of the "Slimkids Liberation Tour." Tickets are $10 in advance through IowaTix or $12 day of show.

wednesday30
The Lovemakers
8 p.m.
Maintenance Shop
Electronic/rock dance music with a sexually charged edge is in right now (see: The Killers, Franz Ferdinand), which is why you should give The Lovemakers a chance. The band describes its music as "rich in melody and drama with an underlying commitment to pop hooks," and was recently described by a fan as "a pink Ferrari driving through a mountain of coke." Though the fan himself may have been high at the time that was said, The Lovemakers' live show is a product of three years of intense performances in unheated warehouses plagued by police to rock and dance clubs across the United States and Australia. Attend this sexually charged dance party tonight at the Maintenance Shop in Ames with openers She Wants and Rock Kills Dad. Tickets are $8 in advance for students and $10 for the public. Prices increase $1 day of show. CV

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