THE WEEK/CITY PICK

Jan. 19 through Jan. 25

Quick Jump to the 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th

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

thursday19

Dressy Bessy
9 p.m.
Vaudeville Mews

When indie band Dressy Bessy joined Denver's musical ranks, they were creating the aural equivalent of Bubble Yum. Bubbly, cute and full of innocence, Dressy Bessy created songs that sounded like they were vintage '60s AM radio singles. But over the past two albums, "Dressy Bessy" and "Electrified," the band has grown away from its childlike ideals, shifting from its cheery paradigm toward a darker, more adult manifestation punctuated with tougher vocals, beefier guitars, higher-quality productions values and more aggressive lyrics. See the band tonight as it headlines a show at the Vaudeville Mews with openers Poison Control Center and Indie Pop! DJ. Cost is $7 day of show.

friday20

Josh Turner
8 p.m.
Val Air Ballroom

Country artist Josh Turner received a standing ovation the night of Dec. 21, 2001, before his song was even over. But the real treat in that, is that he was standing in the same spot where Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Patsy Cline had stood before him: the Grand Ole Opry. During his debut performance there, the then-unknown performer sang a song he wrote called "Long Black Train." People stood up and started cheering, though Turner still had two more verses and a chorus to go. By the end, everyone was on his or her feet. See what all the fuss is about when this up-and-comer headlines a show tonight at the Val Air Ballroom. Tickets are $10 in advance through Ticketmaster or $15 at the door.

saturday21

Iowa Cubs FanFest
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Drake Knapp Center

Area residents will have the opportunity to get autographs from four hall-of-famers at the seventh annual Iowa Cubs FanFest on Friday at 7 Flags Event Center and Saturday at the Drake Knapp Center. The FanFest First Pitch Luncheon will take place on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 7 Flags Event Center with headline speaker Tony LaRussa. Then head to the Drake Knapp Center to receive a $75 autograph by Reggie Jackson from 4 to 7 p.m. (no bats or jerseys). Today at the Drake Knapp Center Tom Seaver will sign for $35 from 9 a.m. - noon, Luis Aparicio will sign for $25 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., and Rod Carew will sign for $30 from noon - 3 p.m. For more details and to order tickets, call the Iowa Cubs box office at 243-6111.

sunday22

"The Zoo Story"
3 p.m.
Vaudeville Mews

"The Zoo Story," a Frank Burnette production, combines elements of realism and absurdism in this play about human isolation, loneliness, class differences, the dangers of inaction and the failings of American society. As Jerry says in the play, "Sometimes it's necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly." The short play is preceded by performances from poets from the Des Moines Poetry Slam, who will read and interpret poems from the 1950s "Beat" era, culminating with Allen Ginsberg's "HOWL" at curtain call. Tickets are $12 in advance through IowaTix, $15 day of show and $10 for students. The show runs Jan. 20 through Feb. 5, with 7 p.m. performances on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays.

monday23

Cultural Advocacy Day
2 p.m.
Various locations

The Iowa Cultural Coalition's Cultural Advocacy Day is two days worth of events related to the celebration and symposium of arts, culture and historic preservation. It starts today at the State Historical Building with afternoon conferences starting at 2 p.m. and running until 5 p.m., when the Legislative Reception starts, giving cultural advocates, legislators and Capitol staff the chance to enjoy food and beverages before heading to the after hours party at The Continental beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday morning groups will gather for a legislative breakfast and traditional march to the Capitol to meet with legislators. Cultural Advocacy Day events are free, but RSVP by e-mailing Jill.Hermann@iowa.gov.

tuesday24

"42nd Street"
7:30 p.m.
Stephens Auditorium

The original Broadway production of "42nd Street" ran for more than eight years and was one of the 10 longest-running shows in Broadway history. This razzle-dazzle musical comedy features the star-is-born story of an inspiring young ingŽnue who rises from the chorus to become a Broadway star. And, of course, it features such standard Broadways songs as "We're in the Money" and "I Only Have Eyes For You." Tickets are $38-$42, and $19-$21 for ISU students and those 18 and under, and are available through Ticketmaster and the Stephens Auditorium box office.

wednesday25

The Life and Times
8 p.m.
Maintenance Shop

The Life and Times formed out of the ashes of guitarist-frontman Allen Epley's much-beloved math rock outfit Shiner. Joined by Eric Abert (bass/moog) and Chris Metcalf (drums), Epley and co. create a post-rock sound that ranges from Sunny Day Real Estate to Jawbox to R.E.M. Listen to the band's self-proclaimed blend of "scratching, ragged, ragged bass lines, mellotron chording, fat multi-layered guitars and moog notes" tonight as the band plays the Maintenance Shop in the ISU Memorial Union. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for the public. Prices increase $1 day of show.

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