By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

If live music, motorcycles, beer and free wings make you go hog wild, you might want to check out Zoo Brew this Thursday (June 15) at Blank Park Zoo.

Held the third Thursday of each month and open to those 21 and over, Zoo Brew is a way for adults to enjoy Blank Park Zoo without all that monkeying around with the kids. And judging by the activities planned for this month's event, it seems there's something for everyone, no matter what color your stripes may be.

A ZooTunes concert by Bob Dorr and The Blue Band, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, will headline the event from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. In addition to that, patrons can throw back some suds, eat free chicken wings from the Wing Zone, check out the customized bikes from area motorcycle shops and partake in a contest to name the zoo's newest baby pigs. Also, all animal exhibits will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $10, or $5 for zoo members. Free zoo koozies will be given away to the first 500 people through the gate.

Upcoming Zoo Brew events include "Taste of Des Moines Beers" on July 20 with music by Monkey, Monkey, Monkey, and "Ladies Gone Wild" on Aug. 24 with tunes by the Swing Crew.

Slipknot members lend a hand

Hip-hop's The Unidentified Suspects, which opens for Tech N9ne on Wednesday, June 21, at the Val Air Ballroom, is putting the finishing touches on its sophomore album and has recruited Des Moines area native and Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison to help co-produce and play on the record. Tickets to their Val Air show are $15.

In other Slipknot news, frontman Corey Taylor and local rockers Facecage have joined forces to launch their own grassroots, high-tech record company, Great Big Mouth Records. The label has released just two tracks from Facecage's forthcoming CD due in stores July 15, "Facecage III," but plans to focus on Midwestern acts and artist development. Taylor has been a longtime fan of Facecage and will produce their new album.

'The Bus' cruises to 100.3 FM

If you heard the same songs on your car radio's presets in the last week while switching between 100.3 FM and 106.3 FM, that's because KDRB "The Bus" has moved to 100.3, a more powerful signal. The Clear Channel station swapped signals with KPTL 100.3 FM, which is now "Capital 106.3." Clear Channel officials say the move won't affect programming and that "The Bus" will maintain its eclectic playlist.

Blues for the wetlands

Blues guitarist Tab Benoit headlines a three-day event that includes golf, live music and barbecue in Marshalltown June 22-24 to benefit Voices of the Wetlands, a non-profit Louisiana group dedicated to preserving the bayou.

Benoit plays the first of three shows June 22 at the American Legion, 1301 S. 6th St., in Marshalltown, at 8:30 p.m. Fellow national touring blues axe men Ross Perry and Anthony Gomes open the show at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door, and a chance to play golf at The Harvester Golf Course with Benoit the following day will be raffled.

Benoit will perform two additional shows that week: June 23 at 8:30 p.m. at the American Legion ($10) and June 24 at Riverview Park for the BBQ, Buggies and Tunes Festival. Gomes will play June 24 at the American Legion at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10.
For more information, visit www.gypsieblues.com or call (641) 752-3612.

DMMO names new director

Thomas Smith, director of finance for the Cincinnati Opera, has been named executive director of the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera. The announcement came last week after DMMO officials completed their national search to find someone to replace Jerilee M. Mace, who is retiring. Smith's background includes eight years with the Cincinnati Opera, where he managed a budget of more than $6.5 million, and four years at the Baltimore Opera Company. The company's 34th Summer Festival of Opera opens June 23 with a production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute."

Dixie Chicks play Wells Fargo

The Dixie Chicks, the biggest-selling female group in history, will bring their 2006 "The Accidents & Accusations Tour" to Wells Fargo Arena for a performance on Aug. 24. Tickets are on sale now through the Wells Fargo Arena Box Office, at Des Moines area Dahl's Foods stores, by calling 1-866-55-DAHLS or online at www.dahlstickets.com.

Scene notes

Recently, we told you that local hard rockers Angry Gods of Radio were in search of a new guitarist, but last week they informed Cityview they are calling off their search and have decided to carry on as a quartet. "After trying out a couple of very talented guitarists we realized we were meant to be a four-piece all along," says guitarist Shane Siegle. "We have played three shows as a four-piece, and they have easily been the best we have ever played." The group will head to Sound Farm Studios (On A Pale Horse, Odium) in October to record its first full-length album... Josh Doran, drummer for the now-defunct classic rock band Sleeker, is hosting his second annual 29th Birthday Party and Jam this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Ankeny VFW #9662, 1309 N.E. 66th Ave. Musicians are invited to bring their instruments to sit in and play, and food will be available... The Iowa Arts Council will host a free workshop June 30 for artists interested in learning marketing strategies and techniques for selling their work to new audiences. The workshop will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the State of Iowa Historical Building in the East Village. Presenters include John Jannenga, Chris Osgood and Karin Stein. To register, call 281-4567 or visit www.iowaartscouncil.org... Jack's Mannequin plays the Val Air Ballroom July 8 at 7 p.m. This is Me Smiling and The Lifestyle open. Tickets are $18... Hoyt Sherman Place announced last week it has dropped Des Moines-based IowaTix.com as its ticket distributor and has replaced it with corporate giant Ticketmaster. The move was the decision of the theater's new Ames-based management group, Compass Facilities Management, which also manages 24 theaters in a dozen cities. Hoyt was also the home base of operations for IowaTix, which will move its offices to The Des Moines Playhouse. Compass is searching for an executive director to manage Hoyt. Fans who wish to purchase tickets for shows at Hoyt, including John Prine's Aug. 26 show at Hoyt, will have to do so through Ticketmaster. CV

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