THE WEEK/CITY PICK

Jan.5 through Jan. 11

Quick Jump to the 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

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

thursday05
Say What! Poetry Jam and Open Mic
9 p.m.
House of Bricks
Speak your own words in the style of "Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam" tonight at the House of Bricks, when Des Moines residents are given a microphone and an audience at the Say What! Poetry Jam and Open Mic event. The best part is, you don't even have to be good. You just have to have a poem, slam, haiku or spoken word piece to perform - or improv. The action starts tonight at 9 p.m. for a mere $5 cover.

friday06
Spoken
5 p.m.
House of Bricks
Though Spoken was born in Arkansas, the hard-rock Christian band has Iowa ties. Guitarist Aaron Wiese is a native and resident of Des Moines despite his involvement with the national touring band. Tonight, Spoken will bring its aggressive pop sound - not unlike that of The Used or Finch - to the House of Bricks, having moved away from its earlier hardcore dabblings that led to the band's touring with ZAO and Living Sacrifice. Careful to avoid the clichès of its genre, Spoken covers topics as far-reaching as being homesick, falling in love and questioning one's purpose in life. See Spoken tonight with openers The Fold, Stuck With Arthur and Red. The cost for this all-ages show is $7 at the door.

saturday07

"Number the Stars"
2 p.m.
Des Moines Playhouse
Drama, adventure, terror and humor all find a home in "Number the Stars," national bestseller and winner of the Newberry Award, a Kate Goldman Children's Theatre production now at the Des Moines Playhouse. During the occupation of Denmark in World War II, young Annemarie and Kirsti Johansen try to help their friend, Ellen Rosen, escape across the ocean to Sweden. As Danish freedom fighters risk everything to rescue the country's Jewish population, these young girls face soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs, personal danger and their own fears. "Number the Stars" will be at the Playhouse through Jan. 22 with performances Fridays through Sundays. Tickets are $16 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for students. Call 277-6261.

sunday08
Names Without Numbers
9:15 p.m.
Vaudeville Mews
This four-piece rock band from the Council Bluffs-Omaha area blends indie rock with the energy of pop punk, comparable to bands like Jimmy Eat World, Weezer and Thursday. Names Without Numbers claims that through its "universal tales of love, love lost, friendship and personal conflict" that it "exposes what we believe to be deeper, underlying spiritual truths." See exactly what that means when the band plays the Vaudeville Mews tonight with openers Boo and Boo Too and Haven21. The cost is $5 at the door.

monday09
Iowa General Assembly Opening Night Reception
5 - 7 p.m.
Hy-Vee Hall
Tonight offers Des Moines residents a chance to mingle with the Iowa legislators, tour the Iowa Hall of Pride and learn more about the Iowa Events Center, all while snacking on hors d'oevres provided by restaurants and vendors from the affiliate communities. To attend the opening night reception for the Iowa General Assembly, RSVP to Meg Fitz at (515) 286-4934 or register online at www.desmoinesmetro.com/events. Cost is $155 per person for members of the Partnership, DCA and Affiliate Chambers or $20 per person for nonmembers. Parking is available in the Iowa Events Center lot off Crocker Street between Third and Fifth streets.

tuesday10
Jim Short
8 p.m.
Funny Bone
Comedian Jim Short's act includes a mix of personal observations and pop and science cultures, world media and history, and television and music references. This comedian was born in Australia before moving to the United States in 1979, beginning his career in Dallas, Texas, and now residing in San Francisco. He was deemed one of the "Talk of the Fest" performers at 2004's Montreal International Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, has appeared on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and was recently the winner of the 29th Annual San Francisco International Comedy Festival. See why as he takes the stage tonight at the Funny Bone. Call 270-2100 for more information.

wednesday11
The Stock Market Crash
9 p.m.
Vaudeville Mews
The makings of Stock Market Crash began when a shared passion for trading baseball cards morphed into a shared passion for creating music. In elementary school, frontman Matt Bacon met a quirky fifth-grader named Derek Knowlton, and 17 years later, the two joined musical forces, trying to make it big in California before moving back home to Oklahoma City. After rounding out their lineup with drummer John Curtis and bass player Jonathan Martin, The Stock Market Crash was finally prepared to tackle their modern take on the glam rock of the '70s and '80s. Addressing issues like drug addiction, lost love and emotional turmoil, The Stock Market Crash will headline a show tonight at the Vaudeville Mews with local openers Mondo Cane and The Horseshoe Spatulas. Cost is $5 at the door. CV

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