By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

After 30 years of performing in rock bands and as a solo artist, Johnston singer-songwriter John Burns has seen just about everything and played nearly every joint in town.

On Saturday, Burns can add another venue to the long list of places he's played when he helps usher in the grand opening of Cafè Diem, located at 2005 S. Ankeny Blvd. in Ankeny, with a free performance at 7:30 p.m. The show not only celebrates the opening of a new live music venue in Central Iowa (replacing the former New Day Coffeehouse at the same location), but it also marks the 30th anniversary of Burns' professional debut, a gig he played in 1976 with his former band, Now and Then.

"I've traveled to a lot of places since then and written about 5,000 songs," he says.
In 1975, Burns headed to Nashville to pitch songs to Music Row. Magnum Gold Publishing Co., owned by Elvis Presley drummer DJ Fontana, offered to publish one of his tunes for a fee, but Burns declined. One week later, the Iowa musician was in New York City with an appointment to audition with none other than John Lennon, but the audition with the ex-Beatle didn't happen because Lennon took his wife Yoko to the hospital that day to give birth to their son, Sean.

Still determined to make a living playing music, Burns returned home. In 1976, he joined Now and Then, the house band at Payton Place Lounge, on Des Moines' North Side. Burns' tenure with the group, however, was short-lived. A few months after joining them, he was recruited by another band, Baby Lester and the Buggybumpers, a popular Omaha rock group. Burns would spend the next year touring the country with them.

After three years of touring, Burns stopped playing music in 1979, though he continued to write songs. A 1989 performance at Jazz in July marked his return to the local music scene, where he has continued to perform original material as a solo artist and with a number of rock bands including Goodnight Dallas and The Shirts.

Scene notes

The Ritual Cafè has a mix of entertainment options lined up this weekend. On Friday, it will host "What the Bleep Do We Know" Happy Hour, exploring science and spirituality, followed by an 8 p.m. performance by Chicago singer-songwriter Martha Berner. On Saturday, the venue will host an opening reception for artist Carrie Latovic, whose handmade books and paintings will be on display through Feb. 5. And on Sunday, a "mostly unplugged" open jam will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. All events are free of charge... The Blue Band will host its 27th annual 28th birthday party for its longtime leader Bob Dorr with a free show Jan. 14 at Mickey's Irish Pub in Waukee. Free food will be served, too. The R&B group also celebrates its 25th anniversary this year... Non-profit or tax-exempt organizations that promote and develop the arts, history or historic preservation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Community Cultural Grants through the Iowa Arts Council. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1 and may be sent to the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St. Des Moines, 50319. Cash-match awards range from $1,000 to $25,000. Call Riki Saltzman at 242-6195 or e-mail Riki.Saltzman@iowa.gov for more information... In other government-and-the-arts news, Cultural Advocacy Day, a two-day celebration and symposium of arts, culture and historic preservation, will be held Jan. 23-24 at the State Historical Building of Iowa in the East Village. Workshops, presentations and guest speakers like Gov. Vilsack will be included in the festivities. CV

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