By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Alot of the steps, tricks and sounds many rockers employ today were born out of the late 19th and early 20th century traveling tent revivals that often included burlesque shows. But one group is bringing the time-honored classic imagery and feel of burlesque with a modern twist to a Des Moines rock stage this weekend.

Burlesque-A-Pades, created by The World Famous Pontani Sisters - who are known as "trailblazers of the burlesque revival" and producers of The New York Burlesque Festival - is part stage show, part rock concert, part exotica, part comedy and part circus, and it plays Friday at 10 p.m. at the House of Bricks.

Tyler Fyre, Coney Island's very own fire-eating escape artist, serves as master of ceremonies and leads a cast of sideshow freaks including the acrobatic Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey, the hula-hoop sensation Miss Saturn, Miss Exotic World 2002 and Los Angeles' "Queen of Quake" Kitten de Ville, accordion rocker Corn Mo, backing band The Fisherman Xylophonic Orchestra, and of course, the high-stepping Pontani Sisters. Advance tickets are $15 through IowaTix.com and $18 at the door.

Also that night at the House of Bricks, Johnny Reeferseed's Juke Joint Jam will kick off the evening with an acoustic show at 6 p.m. Admission is $4.

Palette of bands included in Des Moines Arts Festival mix

Though the 150 art vendors are the main attraction at the Des Moines Arts Festival, the annual event provides additional incentives for those who enjoy art and/or live music by hosting a variety of bands. From the bluegrass stylings of Mike and Amy Finders and the gypsy jazz of Hot Club of Des Moines, to roots rockers Brother Trucker and the plethora of familiar R&B covers by One Nite Stand, there are plenty of free homegrown tunes to take in this weekend.

This year's event has been moved to downtown Des Moines' Western Gateway Park. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. The following is a listing of bands scheduled to play.

Friday
Allied Insurance Stage: 4 p.m. Little Mojo, 6 p.m. Faculty Lounge, 8 p.m. Brother Trucker
Prairie Meadows Stage: 4:30 p.m. One Nite Stand, 7:30 p.m. Dr. Feelgood
Bank of America Stage: 5 p.m. Kurt Bowermaster, 7:30 p.m. Hot Club of Des Moines

Saturday
Allied Insurance Stage: 10 a.m. Brian Joens, 12:30 p.m. Isiserettes, 2 p.m. Little Mojo, 4:30 p.m. Kevin Burt and The Instigators, 7:30 p.m. The Jensen Connection
Prairie Meadows Stage: 10 a.m. The Sonny Humbucker Band, 12 p.m. The Mad River Band, 2:30 p.m. The Bob Pace Band, 5 p.m. Chris Ranallo, 7:30 p.m. Dr. Feelgood
Bank of America Stage: 10 a.m. Las Guitarras de Mexico, 12:30 p.m. Sumpin' Doo, 4:30 p.m. Party Guise, 7 p.m. Blue Island Tribe

Sunday
Allied Insurance Stage: 11 a.m. Mike and Amy Finders, 1 p.m. Iowa Dance/Tap, 2:30 p.m. Stable Daze
Prairie Meadows Stage: 11 a.m. The Box Brothers, 2 p.m. Highway Home

Jazz bassist returns with UBUNTU!

New York-based jazz bassist, composer and bandleader Jay Foote, former member of the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One and Des Moines Big Band, returns to Central Iowa fronting his own jazz combo, UBUNTU!, for two shows this week.

Since leaving Iowa for New York three years ago, Foote has collaborated with such diverse jazz musicians as Clark Terry, David Binney, Walter Thompson and Angelica Sanchez. UBUNTU! includes brother Alex Foote (guitar), Rick Stone (saxophones), Evan Mazunki (piano) and Jason Nazary (drums).

The group plays Sunday at 7 p.m. at La Vida Loca Winery in Indianola and Monday at 8 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews with guest pianist Jason Danielson.

Scene notes

Comedian Charlie Murphy has cancelled his performances at the Funny Bone, June 27-29, due to a scheduling conflict. Club officials say they will reschedule Murphy, though a date has not been announced... The list of acts to play the Iowa Speedway in Newton continues to grow. In addition to Neal McCoy (Sept. 15) and Josh Turner (Sept. 17), Pollstar recently posted that .38 Special will play there Oct. 1, as will Trick Pony Oct. 15. Ticket info TBA... Also newly announced, the Blue Man Group performs Nov. 14 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames... Todd Snider fans might want to check out the new video posted on EighteenMinutes.com, Snider's unofficial fan Web site, which includes a performance of "Late Last Night" with former bandmate David Zollo filmed at People's Bar and Grill in Ames in April of 1996. Also on the Web site is a video of Snider's 1995 performance at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Log on to www.eighteenminutes.com... CD Baby, an online seller of independent music, announced a new distribution deal with Super D, one of the world's largest music wholesalers, that will allow independent artists to sell their CDs in more than 2,400 traditional music retail stores like Best Buy and Borders Books across America. The deal also makes it easier for independent record stores to order titles, which might restore synergy between locally owned record shops and DIY artists. Because CD Baby works directly with musicians, not record companies, most of their 100,000 artists were previously unable to sell their music in stores until the deal was recently inked... United States concert revenues are up during the first quarter of 2006 after a two-year slump. According to Celebrity Access/Billboard box scores, more than seven million people attended concerts that grossed nearly $375 million during the first quarter. Average attendance is up 16 percent from a year ago, though the number of shows increased by only 70 from the 2,525 reported during the first quarter in 2005. CV

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.

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