MUSIC

By Michael Swanger

Back to school means back to the bars, ballrooms, breweries, cafes and coffeeshops for many live music fans after spending the summer listening to live music outdoors. And, as usual during this time of year, it looks like the local brick-and-mortar live music venues are gearing up for another busy fall season, as evidenced by the number of intriguing shows compiled by Cityview.

For the most part, the aforementioned folks who own and operate these places are the risk-takers, the local independent-minded business people who believe that by adding their own touch they embolden the local live music scene. And they're right. They are the bread and butter of the music scene. They're the ones who invest their hard-earned money to make our area a more vibrant and culturally attractive place.

From one independent to another - we understand - and we encourage music fans to support live music venues. With that said, if you're compelled to get off the couch, turn off the television and venture outside, you might enjoy perusing the following list of shows organized by venue or event, found throughout the state from Labor Day weekend to the end of the year. It is, by no means, an inclusive list, as many shows have yet to be announced. Be sure to pick up Cityview or log on to www.dmcityview.com each week for the most comprehensive music calendar in Central Iowa, new show announcements, features on local and national bands, and concert news.

Checking in on the music scene

In lieu of Scene Scribe this week, here are this week's notes from the local music scene: Based on a recommendation by the City of Des Moines Music Commission, the Des Moines City Council voted unanimously last week to approve a three-month exception to a municipal code to authorize street performances without Entertainment District licenses. What does that mean? Buskers will be allowed to perform in certain areas of downtown Des Moines, including the East Village and Court Avenue districts, during a three-month trial run. The idea has met opposition from some downtown merchants, but the music advisory group is working with business owners and police to find an agreeable solution. A public forum will be held Sept. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the city council chambers to discuss the plan. ... In other commission news, the group is seeking replacements for Fritz JŸnker and Clarence Key Jr., both of whom have resigned. ... Though nobody knows who will front the new rock group Supernova (based on the reality television show), founding members Motley CrŸe drummer Tommy Lee, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke will play Wells Fargo Arena Feb. 7. Tickets go on sale Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. through Dahl's Foods and the arena's box office. ... Local hip-hop group Rebels Advocate recently advanced to the final round of the Independent Music World Series Midwest Showcase held in Chicago, but fell just short of taking home the top prize. They were among six finalists in a field narrowed from 1,300 entries. ... Wreckage of the Modern City recently released "Restless" as the latest single from their new album, "Singularity," to both Alternative and Active Rock radio formats throughout the country. ... Rieman Music Xpress, formerly known as MusicWorks, has opened at 1905 E.P. True Parkway, suite 205, in West Des Moines. Call 225-8755. ... Irish duo Switchback plays Friday at the Arts After Hours event at the Des Moines Art Center from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5. ... Country singer Jason Brown plays a free show Monday at Prairie Meadows at 6 p.m. for Fan Appreciation Day. ... Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker plays a free show Oct. 6 at Prairie Meadows. ... Hippie-bluegrass jam band Yonder Mountain String Band plays the Val Air Ballroom Oct. 22. Tickets, $18, go on sale Saturday through Ticketmaster and the ballroom. ... Retro rocker Deke Dickerson plays Hairy Mary's on Thanksgiving.

Court Avenue gets the blues - Chicago style

This Sunday's Court Avenue Blues Festival has a distinct Windy City flavor, judging by the headliners scheduled to perform on the main stage, though there appears to be something for every blues lover, including the finals of a solo/duo competition and a pub crawl featuring a variety of blues styles.

Legendary blues guitarist and singer Lonnie Brooks headlines the main stage at 8 p.m. John Primer, who played with Muddy Waters and Magic Slim, opens at 4 p.m. and is followed by blues-rocker Joanna Connor, who cut her teeth with Dion Payton, at 6 p.m. The main stage is located between Fourth and Fifth streets, south of Court Avenue. Fans can bring lawn chairs. Food and beverages will be provided by the Hessen Haus.

The pub crawl, to be held at several downtown venues, includes: Scotty & The Wingtips at Buzzard Billy's patio (8:30 p.m.), the Raccoon River Blues Boys at Java Joes (8:30 p.m.), Voodoo 3 at the Royal Mile (9:30 p.m.), the Soul Searchers at Court Avenue Brewing Co. (9:30 p.m.), The Bob Pace Band featuring Steve George at Johnny's Hall of Fame (9:30 p.m.), Big Mike & Holdin' On Tight at the Hessen Haus (9:30 p.m.), The Weight at The Lift (9:30 p.m.), Yetti Bluz Band at the High Life Lounge (9:30 p.m.) and Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts at the Vaudeville Mews (9:30 p.m.).

The finals to the 2006 Iowa Blues Challenge Solo/Duo competition will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Vaudevile Mews. Participants include Burnside & Reed, Bad Luck City and Ben Green.

Tickets to the fest are $13 in advance and $15 day of show. Kids 12 and under are admitted free with a parent. Advance tickets are available at Blues on Grand. Visit www.cibs.org for details.

Fall calendar

AK O'Connors
4050 Urbandale Ave.
277-2227
www.peoplesrocks.com
Sept. 2 - Nice Peter
Sept. 6 - Pianopalooza
Sept. 9 - Damon Dotson
Sept. 16 - Brad Seidenfeld
Sept. 22 - Jem State
Sept. 23 - Chris Ranallo & Scott Kacher
Sept. 29 - Marcus Kjedlson
Oct. 13 - Floodplane, Gwen Project
Oct. 14 - Brad & Jeremy
Oct. 16 - Kentucky Fried Mullet
Oct. 21 - Bound 2 Be
Oct. 27 - Marcus Kjeldson
Oct. 28 - The Jesters
Nov. 3 - Chris Ranallo & Scott Kacher
Nov. 17 - Tony Bohnenkamp
Nov. 18 - Tim Mahoney
Nov. 25 - Bound 2 Be
Dec. 2 - The Jesters
Dec. 31 - Tony Bohnenkamp

Blues On Grand
1501 Grand Ave.
244-3092
www.bluesongrand.com
Sept. 1 - Paul Mayasich & the Benderheads
Sept. 2 - Duke Tomatoe
Sept. 8 - Bo Ramsey and Stranger Blues
Sept. 9 - Chico Banks
Sept. 13 - Little Charlie & the Nightcats
Sept. 15 - Janiva Magness
Sept. 16 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Sept. 20 - Lil' Brian & the Zydeco Travelers
Sept. 22 - Albert Cummings
Sept. 23 - Hamilton Loomis
Sept. 29 - Chris Cain
Sept. 30 - Mercury Brothers
Oct. 4 - Eric Sardinas
Oct. 6 - Andrew Jr. Boy Jones
Oct. 13 - Hot Rod & the Devilles
Oct. 20 - Chubby Carrier
Oct. 21 - RJ Mischo
Oct. 27 - The Bel Airs
Oct. 28 - Zac Harman
Nov. 3 - Rev. Raven & the Chain-Smokin' Altar Boys
Nov. 10 - Tommy Castro
Nov. 11 - Debbie Davies
Nov. 15 - Bruce Katz
Nov. 17 - Bryan Lee
Nov. 18 - Jimbo Mathus
Dec. 1 - Jason Ricci
Dec. 2 - Nick Moss & the Fliptops
Dec. 16 - Johnny Rawls
Dec. 30 - Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials

Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut St.
246-2300
www.civiccenter.org
Sept. 23 - Eddie Miles
Sept. 28 - Des Moines Symphony
Oct. 21-22 - Des Moines Symphony
Nov. 18-19 - Des Moines Symphony
Nov. 28 - Oak Ridge Boys' Christmas Cookies Tour
Dec. 22 - Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra
Dec. 31 - Des Moines Symphony's New Year's Eve Pops

Civic Music Association
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University
280-4020
www.civicmusic.org
Sept. 29 - Chanticleer
Oct. 7 - Hot Club of San Francisco
Nov. 11 - Baltimore Consort
Dec. 2 - Kenny Barron

Court Avenue Blues Festival
Downtown Des Moines
www.cibs.org
Sept. 3 - Lonnie Brooks, Joanna Connor, John Primer, Iowa Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Finals, Scotty & the Wingtips, Raccoon River Blues Boys, Voodoo 3, Soul Searchers, Bob Pace Band, Big Mike and Holdin' On Tight, The Weight, Yetti Bluz Band, Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts

Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewery
309 Court Ave.
282-2739
www.courtavebrew.com
All shows 10 p.m. Free.
Sept. 8 - Remedy
Sept. 22 - Electric Junction
Oct. 13 - Ranallo & Kacher
Oct. 27 - Tony Bohnenkamp
Nov. 10 - Remedy
Dec. 22 - Tony Bohnenkamp

Cycle's Walnut Tap
2401 E. Walnut St.
262-1218
Sept. 1 - Melody Proffitt
Sept. 8-9 - Bob Pace Band
Sept. 15 - Jonny & the Rectifiers
Sept. 16 - Axis
Sept. 22 - Backstage Boogie Band
Sept. 29 - 3 AM Band
Oct. 6 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Oct. 13 - Hot Tamale & The Red Hots
Oct. 20 - Backstage Boogie Band
Oct. 27 - Melody Proffitt
Nov. 3 - 3 AM Band
Nov. 10 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Nov. 17-18 - Bob Pace Band
Nov. 24 - Melody Proffitt
Dec. 1 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Dec. 8 - Roze Band
Dec. 15 - AM Radio
Dec. 22 - Melody Proffitt
Dec. 29 - Scarlet Runner

Drake University
2507 University Ave.
271-2011
www.drakeedu.com
Faculty recitals - Sept. 12, 22, 24, 30, Oct. 1, 20, 21, 24, Nov. 5, 13, 27
Duo piano recital - Sept. 17
Drake Jazz Ensembles - Sept. 29, Nov. 17, 28
Drake Choir & Chorale - Oct. 8, Dec. 10
Drake Symphony - Oct. 28, Dec. 1, 12

Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
(877) 549-SHOW
www.uni.edu/gbpac
Oct. 21 - The Wailin' Jennys
Nov. 9 - Moscow State Symphony Orchestra
Nov. 10 - Joan Baez
Dec. 15-16 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party
Grinnell College
(641) 269-4000
www.grinnell.edu
Sept. 15 - The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
Oct. 26 - The Florestan Trio
Nov. 6 - Joan Baez

Hairy Mary's
2307 University Ave.
255-2456
www.hairymarys.com
Sept. 1 - Gas Cap Bandits, First Time in Print
Sept. 2 - Action Figure, North of Grand, Squidboy
Sept. 4 - Build or Burn, Dog Fashion Disco
Sept. 6 - The Queers, Hard-Ons, Up Scumbag
Sept. 7 - 4 Fodder
Sept. 18 - The Von Ehrics
Sept. 25 - Geisha Girls
Oct. 6 - Bearclaw
Oct. 9 - Actors and Actresses, Caspin
Oct. 14 - Conflict, Toxic Narcotic, Naked Agression, the Blackouts, the Streetbrats, Black Market Fetus
Oct. 16 - Kalas, Hunger Pains
Oct. 26 - Dark Devil Tour, Recourse, Blade the Ripper
Oct. 30 - Deicide, Desolation
Oct. 30 - Broken Teeth
Oct. 31 - The Briggs, Time Again, Blood or Whiskey
Nov. 9 - Wayne Hancock
Nov. 11 - Form of Rocket
Nov. 17 - Totimoshi, Year Long Disaster
Nov. 23 - Deke Dickerson
Dec. 12 - Vital Remains

Hancher Auditorium
University of Iowa, Iowa City
(800) HANCHER
www.hancher.uiowa.edu
Sept. 28 - Chanticleer
Sept. 29 - Los Hombres Calientes
Oct. 6 - Marvin Hamlisch
Nov. 1 - Musicians from Marlboro
Nov. 15 - Classical Savion
Dec. 1 - Paquito D'Rivera
Dec. 10 - Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano

Harrah's Stir Grove
One Harrah's Blvd., Council Bluffs
(712) 329-6000
Sept. 2 - Dwight Yoakam
Sept. 15 - James Brown
Sept. 22 - Violent Femmes
Sept. 28 - The Black Crowes

Hessen Haus
101 Fourth St.
288-2520
www.hessenhaus.com
Sept. 8 - Soul Searchers
Sept. 9 - Barefoot Becky
Oct. 21 - Malek's Fishermen
Nov. 17 - Soul Searchers
Nov. 25 - Barefoot Becky
Dec. 9 - Barefoot Becky
Dec. 16 - Malek's Fishermen

Hilton Coliseum
Iowa State University, Ames
(877) 843-2368
www.center.iastate.edu
Sept. 7 - Def Leppard, Journey
Nov. 14 - Blue Man Group

House of Bricks
525 East Grand Ave.
727-4370
www.thehouseofbricks.com
Sept. 1 - Reality's Flaw, As Blood Runs Black, Infadous, Bartyr in Blood
Sept. 1 - And God Blessed Ignorance, Fancy Pants, Lifeblood
Sept. 2 - Full Throttle
Sept. 3 - June, Dave Melilo, The Classic Crime
Sept. 8 - Dead to Fall, Arsis, ed Gein, Misery Signals
Sept. 8 - Calous, Cruciful, Narcotic Self
Sept. 9 - The Tyler Thompson Band, The Soapbox Prophets
Sept. 10 - Silverstein, Moneen, Sherwood
Sept. 11 - The Bleeding Arm, Minutes Too Far
Sept. 15 - War of Ages, Demise of Eros, Burning the Broken
Sept. 15 - Ritual Fixx, World Under, Dying Eyes, A Gun Named Hope
Sept. 16 - Shrill, Hercules, Creapy Kids
Sept. 16 - Fate of Ashes, Palmyra, Salvaged
Sept. 17 - Supernauts
Sept. 19 - Caliban, Acacia Stain, Bloodlined Calligraphy, Too Pure to Die
Sept. 21 - The Wedding, Pilot for Kite, The Broken
Sept. 22 - Foregone, Deified
Sept. 22 - On A Pale Horse, Salt of Society, Burnout
Sept. 23 - The Melvins, Big Business
Sept. 23 - Monkey Finger
Sept. 26 - Waking Ashland, Ellison
Sept. 29 - All But Screaming
Sept. 30 - Coldfiltered
Oct. 6 - Beside Nothing, 1981
Oct. 6 - Dying Eyes, Against the Grain
Oct. 7 - Chicken Poodle Soup, The Rusted Roofies
Oct. 7 - Vice Grip Throttle
Oct. 9 - Lookout Loretta, Juicehead
Oct. 10 - Fate of Ashes, Abdicate
Oct. 13 - Blankfest
Oct. 14 - Reality's Flaw
Oct. 15 - The Alumni Club
Oct. 24 - An Airbag Saved My Life
Oct. 27 - Breastival
Oct. 28 - The Cassandra Disease
Nov. 11 - Facecage
Nov. 14 - Say Anything, Mewithoutyou, Piebald
Nov. 25 - The Hidden Hand, On A Pale Horse, Pearls & Brass

Hoyt Sherman Place Theater
1501 Woodland Ave.
244-0199
www.hoytsherman.org
Oct. 7 - He Wears Black (Johnny Cash tribute)
Dec. 1 - The Nadas: Silent Night
Dec. 12 - Tonic Sol-Fa
Dec. 16 - Mulberry Lane Christmas Show

Iowa Memorial Union/SCOPE
University of Iowa, Iowa City
(319) 335-3395
www.uiowa.edu
Sept. 7 - Nashville Star
Oct. 6 - Kansas, Guster
Oct. 13 - The Secret Machines
Oct. 24 - O.A.R., Army of Me (Fieldhouse)
Oct. 26 - Michael Franti & Spearhead
Nov. 8 - The Dog and Everything, Epic Hero
Nov. 11 - Bettye Lavette (Englert Theater)

Java Joes Coffeehouse
214 Fourth St.
288-5282
www.javajoescoffeehouse.com
Sept. 2 - Jeff Ray
Sept. 3 - CJC Jazz Jam
Sept. 9 - Jade Lea
Sept. 12 - Irish Jam
Sept. 16 - Beki and Dani
Sept. 17 - CJC Big Band
Sept. 21 - Joel Mercado
Sept. 23 - Paul Storm
Sept. 24 - Johnston Station Jazz Band
Sept. 30 - Bottoms Up Blues Band
Oct. 1 - CJC Jazz Jam
Oct. 7 - The Omaha Project
Oct. 10 - Irish Jam
Oct. 14 - Greg Winkler
Oct. 15 - CJC Big Band
Oct. 21 - Selling September
Oct. 22 - Johnston Station Jazz Band
Oct. 28 - Milkwar
Nov. 4 - Dan Vaillancourt
Nov. 5 - CJC Jazz Jam
Nov. 11 - The Omaha Project
Nov. 14 - Irish Jam
Nov. 18 - Jade Lea
Nov. 19 - CJC Big Band
Nov. 25 - Little Mojo
Nov. 26 - Johnston Station Jazz Band
Dec. 3 - CJC Jazz Jam
Dec. 8 - The Omaha Project
Dec. 10 - Johnston Station Jazz Band
Dec. 12 - Irish Jam
Dec. 17 - CJC Big Band
Dec. 30 - Little Mojo

Lighthouse Coffeehouse
4501 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
www.lighthousecoffeehouse.com
Sept. 15 - Christine Kane
Oct. 15 - The House Band
Nov. 3 - Michael Smith
Nov. 17 - Guy Davis
Dec. 17 - Lighthouse Christmas Show

The Longest Yard
122 5th St., West Des Moines
274-1710
Sept. 9 - The Melody Makers
Sept. 29 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Oct. 7 - Jonny & the Rectifiers
Oct. 14 - The Melody Makers
Oct. 23 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Nov. 11 - The Melody Makers
Nov. 18 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Dec. 9 - The Melody Makers
Dec. 16 - Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts

The Maintenance Shop
Iowa State University Memorial Union
2229 Lincoln Way, Ames
(515) 294-2969
www.m-shop.com
Sept. 6 - Rogue Wave
Sept. 7 - Ohmega Watts and Diverse
Sept. 13 - Maritime
Sept. 14 - Matt Costa
Sept. 15 - Mountain Goats
Sept. 16 - PM Dawn
Sept. 19 - Mates of State
Sept. 20 - Murder by Death and Appleseed Cast
Sept. 21 - Judah Johnson
Sept. 22 - The Greencards
Sept. 23 - Hockey Night
Sept. 24 - Teitur
Sept. 28 - Lucero
Sept. 30 - The Big Wu
Oct. 2 - The Velvet Teen
Oct. 5 - Okkervil River
Oct. 6 - Limbeck
Oct. 10 - Kaki King
Oct. 12 - Griffin House
Oct. 14 - The Envy Corps
Oct. 15 - Scott Lucas from Local H and Josh Caterer from The Smoking Popes
Oct. 20 - Charlotte Martin
Oct. 21 - Viva Voce
Oct. 25 - Stephen Kellogg and Tyler Hilton
Oct. 31 - Anathallo
Nov. 8 - Will Hoge
Nov. 11 - Oh My God
Dec. 13 - Robin and Linda Williams

Mars Cafè
2318 University Ave.
369-6277
www.myspace.com/marscafe
Sept. 1 - Conspicuous Consumption
Sept. 7 - Duo at 10 Paces
Sept. 8 - Ryan Auffenburg and Keith Varon
Sept. 9 - The High Crest
Sept. 14 - Duo at 10 Paces
Sept. 15 - Donner Thompson
Sept. 16 - Doobiekind and Koles Whalen
Sept. 21 - Duo at 10 Paces
Sept. 22 - Milkwar
Sept. 23 - Gillian
Sept. 28 - Duo at 10 Paces
Sept. 29 - Stephenites
Sept. 30 - Dogtown Fest

The Mill Restaurant
120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City
(319) 351-9529
www.icmill.com
Sept. 1 - Stuart Davis
Sept. 2 - The Ants, Miracles of God
Sept. 5 - Slats, the Tanks, Wax Cannon
Sept. 7 - Oteil and The Peacemakers
Sept. 9 - Indie Rock Showcase
Sept. 10 - Mayflies
Sept. 12 - That One Guy
Sept. 13 - Burlington St. Bluegrass Band
Sept. 16 - Damon Dotson Band
Sept. 18 - Bob Schneider
Sept. 21 - Decibully, Headlights
Sept. 22 - Down the Line
Sept. 23 - Joe and Vicki Price
Sept. 29 - Dan Colehour
Oct. 5 - Mandarin Dynasty
Oct. 6 - Bo Ramsey and Stranger Blues

Music on Stage at the Art Center
Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave.
277-4405
www.desmoinesartcenter.org
Sept. 30 - Mozaiques Chamber Ensemble
Oct. 20 - Czech Nonet
Nov. 10 - Prazak Quartet

Oktoberfest
Downtown Des Moines
Sept. 22-23 - Hank Thunander Band, Golden Keg, Stratford Rhythm Ramblers, Bill Koncar Band, Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchman (Hessen Haus); Hank Thunander (Royal Mile); Bill Koncar (High Life Lounge)

Pella Opera House
(800) 720-6327
www.pellaoperahouse.org
Sept. 29 - Bjourn Again: The ABBA Experience
Oct. 7 - Iowa Guitar Summit featuring Catfish Keith
Nov. 5 - Marcy Stavers
Nov. 11 - Gaelic Storm
Dec. 3 - Davis Folkerts & A Barton Organ Christmas

Peoples Bar & Grill
2430 Lincoln Way, Ames
(515) 292-4501
www.peoplesrocks.com
Sept. 1 - Nice Peter
Sept. 1 - Kentucky Fried Mullet
Sept. 2 - Kentucky Fried Mullet
Sept. 6 - Brad & Jeremy
Sept. 7 - Kountertop
Sept. 8 - Tony Bohnenkamp
Sept. 8 - The Nadas
Sept. 14 - Jem State
Sept. 21 - Kountertop
Sept. 28 - Jem State
Oct. 5 - Kountertop
Oct. 12 - Jem State
Oct. 19 - Kountertop
Oct. 26 - Jem State
Nov. 2 - Kountertop
Nov. 9 - Kem State
Nov. 16 - Kountertop
Nov. 30 - Kountertop
Dec. 7 - Jem State
Dec. 14 - Kountertop
Dec. 15 - Pomeroy
Dec. 16 - The Nadas

Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
Altoona. Free.
(800) 325-9015
www.prairiemeadows.com
Sept. 9 - Fourth Annual Tribute to Johnny Cash with The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Randy Burk and The Prisoners, Brother Trucker
Oct. 6 - Lee Rocker

Raccoon River Brewing Company
200 10th St.
362-5222
www.raccoonbrew.com
Sept. 1 - The KB
Sept. 2 - Can of Worms
Sept. 8 - Dave Zollo
Sept. 15 - Red Funnel
Sept. 16 - Brian Congdon and Curtis James
Sept. 22 - Tony Bohnenkamp
Sept. 29 - James Biehn
Sept. 30 - Blue Island Tribe
Oct. 6 - Bernice Lewis
Oct. 7 - Big Muddy Duo
Oct. 13 - Micha Walk Band
Oct. 14 - The Soapbox Prophets
Oct. 20 - Blue Island Tribe
Oct. 21 - Brian Congdon and Curtis James
Oct. 27 - Public Property
Nov. 3 - Jensen Connection
Nov. 4 - Homemade Headtrip
Nov. 9 - Grand River Crossing
Nov. 11 - T. Albert Lloyd & The Kingpins
Nov. 17 - New Beat Society
Nov. 18 - Euforquestra
Dec. 2 - Brian Congdon and Curtis James
Dec. 15 - Homemade Headtrip

Ritual Cafè
13th Street between Grand and Locust
288-4872
www.ritualcafe.com
Sept. 1 - Matt Maybanks
Sept. 2 - Soapbox Prophets
Sept. 5 - Ariel Silver
Sept. 6 - Amelia White
Sept. 8 - Martine Locke, Trina Hamlin
Sept. 11 - Kate Peterson, Sarah Cleaver
Sept. 15 - Coles Whalen
Sept. 16 - Emily White
Sept. 22 - Lojo Russo
Sept. 23 - BeJae Fleming
Sept. 29 - Little Mojo
Sept. 30 - 2nd Avenue Jazz Band
Oct. 1 - Alex Sweeton
Oct. 6 - Chicks with Picks
Oct. 7 - Nic Arp
Oct. 18 - Edie Carey
Nov. 14 - Sonia and Disappear Fear
Nov. 29 - Jon Roniger

Stephens Auditorium
Iowa State Center, Ames
(877) 843-2368
www.center.iastate.edu
Sept. 14 - Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
Oct. 24 - Widespread Panic
Oct. 29 - San Jose Taiko's Rhythm Spirit
Nov. 5 - The King's Singers
Nov. 12 - Moscow State Symphony
Nov. 19 - Lorie Line and Her Pop Chamber Orchestra

Summerset Winery & Inn
15101 Fairfax, Indianola
961-3545
www.summersetwine.com
Sept. 3 - Ashanti
Sept. 10 - Freestyle
Sept. 17 - Tony Valdez & the Retro Rockets
Sept. 24 - Bob Pace Band
Oct. 1 - Soul Searchers
Oct. 8 - Fat Tuesday & The Greasefire Horns
Oct. 15 - After Hours Band
Oct. 22 - Tony Valdez
Oct. 29 - Freestyle
Nov. 5 - Rod Chaffee Band
Nov. 12 - Soul Searchers
Nov. 19 - Tony Valdez
Nov. 26 - Ashanti
Dec. 3 - Scott Davis
Dec. 10 - Freestyle
Dec. 17 - Tony Valdez
Dec. 31 - Soul Searchers

Sugar Grove Winery
6602 Ginger Ave., Newton
(641) 787-9463
www.sugargrove.com
Sept. 2 - Ashanti
Sept. 9 - Soul Searchers
Sept. 16 - Janey Hooper Trio
Sept. 23 - Mike and Amy Finders
Sept. 30 - Eight Track Band
Oct. 7 - Ashanti

Surf Ballroom
460 North Shore Dr., Clear Lake
(641) 357-6151
www.surfballroom.com
Sept. 1 - The Nadas
Sept. 9 - Bernard Allison
Oct. 14 - Think Floyd
Oct. 28 - Boogie & The Yo-Yo'z
Nov. 3 - ZOSO
Nov. 18 - Shooter Jennings
Nov. 19 - Joe Bonamassa
Nov. 24 - New Cars
Dec. 31 - Vic Ferrari Band

Terrible's Lakeside Casino Resort
777 Casino Dr., Osceola
(877) 477-5253
Sept. 22-23 - The Smothers Brothers
Oct. 13-14 - 5th Dimension

U.S. Cellular Center
370 First Avenue N.E., Cedar Rapids
(319) 398-5211
www.uscellularcenter.com
Oct. 20 - Trace Adkins, Billy Currington
Dec. 9 - Martina McBride

Val Air Ballroom
301 Ashworth Rd., West Des Moines
223-6152
www.valairballroom.com
Sept. 9 - Think Floyd
Sept. 15 - Avenged Sevenfold, Protest the Hero
Sept. 19 - Buckcherry
Sept. 29 - Sugarland, Rocky Lynn
Oct. 11 - Little River Band
Oct. 22 - Yonder Mountain String Band
Oct. 26 - H.I.M., Papa Roach, Lost Prophets
Nov. 1 - She Wants Revenge
Nov. 7 - Zakk Wylde Black Label Society
Nov. 9 - Hawthorne Heights, Reliant K, Plain White T's, Emery, The Sleeping

Vaudeville Mews
212 Fourth St.
243-3270
www.vaudevillemews.com
Sept. 1 - The Ants
Sept. 2 - The Like Young
Sept. 3 - Iowa Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Finals, Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
Sept. 4 - The Prids
Sept. 5- Blair Combest
Sept. 6 - The Show Is The Rainbow
Sept. 7- Theodore
Sept. 8- Mr. Baber's Neighbors and Tyler Thompson Band
Sept. 9 - Joe Terry
Sept. 10 - Casper and The Cookies
Sept. 11 - 56 Hope Road
Sept. 13 - Blackfire Revelation
Sept. 14 - Nina Nastasia
Sept. 15 - Why Make Clocks & Left Is West CD Release Party
Sept. 16 - Bad Actor Typecast
Sept. 17 - Elf Power
Sept. 18 - Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
Sept. 19 - The Bowmans
Sept. 20 - Green Lemon
Sept. 21 - Mark Mallman
Sept. 22 - Submerge 101
Sept. 23 - Martin Sexton
Sept. 24 - Man Man
Sept. 25 - American Princes
Sept. 26 - Kayo Dot
Sept. 27 - Ostinato
Sept. 28 - Pseudo Slang
Sept. 29 - (early) Brief Candles
(late) Pigeon John
Sept. 30 - The Legendary Shack Shakers
Oct.1 - The Muggs
Oct. 2 - Small Sails
Oct. 4 - Headlights
Oct. 5 - Miller Howell
Oct. 6 - TGI Funky
Oct. 7 - (early) System and Station
(late) Ghosty
Oct. 12 - Why Make Clocks
Oct. 16 - Hudson Bell
Oct. 18 - Skerik's Septet
Oct. 19 - Panda and Angel
Oct. 20 - Simon Joyner
Oct. 21 - Euforquestra
Oct. 22 - Vigilantes
Oct. 27 - Jolie Holland
Oct. 31 - Schaffer The Dark Lord
Nov.2 - The Rosebuds
Nov. 3 - Deconstructing Jim/Left Is West
Nov. 9 - Tom Feldmann
Nov. 15 - Elanors
Nov. 16 - Instrumental Quarter/TAP
Nov. 21 - Wolf Eyes
Dec. 10 - The Hidden Cameras

Wells Fargo Arena
730 Third St.
564-8000
www.iowaeventscenter.com
Sept. 26 - The Who

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THEATER

By Andrew Brink

Spring and summer are better suited for metaphors of growth and awakening, but when it comes to theater in greater Des Moines, autumn is a season in full bloom. And this fall, the theater scene is budding with Hitler-era transvestites, handsome Florentines, the Ratpack, tributes to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and swing, and citizens fighting for the privilege to pee (and, yes, even singing about it).

Beyond producing a new season, local theaters have also been strengthening their roots and growing new branches. The Central Iowa Repertory Theatre, which launches its third season on Sept. 28 with Samuel Beckett's "Endgame," has officially changed its name to the Repertory Theater of Iowa. Theater . . . for a change, which opens its season Sept. 7 with the Tony Award-winning play "I Am My Own Wife," recently announced the approval of its nonprofit status. "We are very happy to have made this step forward . . . this will allow us to apply for grants and accept contributions so that we are able to continue offering quality live productions and still maintain our low ticket prices," theater leaders said in a statement.

And the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is balancing the known -- "Annie," playing Nov. 7 - 12, and "The Phantom of the Opera, " playing Jan. 31 - Feb. 4 - with the new. "We're especially thrilled to present three brand new shows in their first year of their national tour," says Dale Stark, public relations manager for the Civic Center. These include: "Doubt" (winner of the 2005 Best Play Tony Award), playing Dec. 13 - 17; "The Light in the Piazza" (winner of the 2005 Best Original Score Tony Award), playing Jan. 9 - 14 and "Monty Python's Spamalot" (winner of the 2005 Best Musical Tony Award), playing July 17 - 22. "An exceptionally impressive element in the series is that Broadway star Cherry Jones, who took home the 2005 Best Actress Tony Award for 'Doubt,' will appear in the Des Moines production," says Stark.

Chekhov once wrote, "People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy." Or, when they are sitting in a theater, tapping their feet along with their favorite red-haired orphan or being introduced to the new and unexpected.

The Light in the Piazza

When I saw "The Light in the Piazza" at Seattle's Intiman Theatre in 2004, I was struck by its beautiful score, the enchanting innocence of its central character Clara and its lush Tuscan scenery. I also couldn't shake a sense that the whole production seemed unfinished: more Fazoli's than full-bodied Florence. But I hadn't paid for my ticket, so who was I to complain? When the musical lit up Broadway and won six Tony Awards, I was surprised at all the fuss. It turns out that the run in Seattle was meant to be a bit rough. The show's creators used Seattle to see what was and wasn't working. "Piazza" went on to be mounted at Chicago's Goodman Theatre and worked out its kinks before hitting New York.

And now Des Moines audiences have a chance to fall in love with what the New York Times describes as "the most romantic score of any Broadway musical since "West Side Story." "Piazza" runs Jan. 9-14 at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines.

Adapted from Elizabeth Spencer's novella, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, the musical dwells on a subject best expressed in song: love. More specifically, falling in love in Italy, which, for a musical, is like adding a six-layer chocolate cake to a pan of brownies. Margaret Johnson is a well-heeled mother traveling with her teenage daughter, Clara, who is ensnared by the romance of being abroad and begins romancing a local named Fabrizio. Margaret does not approve of their passion, primarily because Clara is not what she seems. The ensuing tale is definitely worth singing about.

I Am My Own Wife

It has been a long and winding road from London's West End to San Francisco, but the darling of the Obie has finally landed in Central Iowa. The Central Iowa premiere of "I Am My Own Wife" comes to Theatre . . . For a change this fall and plays Sept. 7-17. Written by 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright, the play tells the story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a transvestite who survived the reign of Hitler's Gestapo and the East German secret police. Wright interviewed Charlotte over a two-year period, producing 500 pages of transcripts that were used as the basis for the script.

Wright notes in his introduction to the play that "in an age where politicians still routinely decry homosexuality on the evening news and 'fag' remains the most stinging of all playground epithets, Charlotte's dogged insistence on her own sexuality could prove downright curative."

Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun Times describes the play as, "a morally complex tale about what it can take to be a survivor."

Theatre . . . for a change's production stars Dean R. Krouch, a graduate of University of Iowa's theater department, who has recently been seen in StageWest's "Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches" (Prior Walter) and Tallgrass Theatre Company's "Rounding Third" (Michael). The play is directed by Ron Ziegler, a freelance director based in Des Moines, who founded and managed the Iowa Fringe Festival and has served on the staff of The Des Moines Playhouse and StageWest.

Theater and Dance calendar

Actors, Inc.
120 Abraham Drive
Ames, Iowa
(515) 292-2073
www.actorsinc.org
Sept. 22 - 24 - "Charlie's Aunt"
Oct. 20 - Nov. 5 - "Crimes of the Heart"
Dec. 1 - 17 - "The Bench"

Ballet Des Moines
502 East Locust Street, Suite 200_
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 440-1177
www.balletdesmoines.org
Dec. 8 - 10 - "The Nutcracker" (at Hoyt Sherman Place)

Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
221 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-2300
www.civiccenter.org
Oct. 10 - 15 - "The Ratpack Live at The Sands"
Oct. 27 - Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Nov. 7 - 12 - "Annie"
Dec. 13 - 17 - "Doubt"

Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50312_
(515) 277-6261
www.dmplayhouse.com
Sept. 8 - Oct. 1 - "Swing!"
Sept. 29 - Oct. 15 - "The Stinky Cheese Man"
Oct. 20 - Nov. 5 - "The Graduate"
Nov. 10 - 26 - "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
Dec. 8 - 23 - "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

Drake University
(515) 271-3841
www.drake.edu/artsci/theatre/
seasoninfo2.html
Sept. 9-9 - "The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)"
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 - "Nickel and Dimed"
Nov. 16 - 19 - "The Boyfriend"
Dec. 7 - 10 - "Sunday on the Rocks"
*Watch for new Student Theatre Productions throughout the year

Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
(319) 273-7469
www.gbpac.com
Sept. 21 - George Carlin
Sept. 25 - 26 - "Hairspray"
Oct. 28 - Miami City Ballet
Nov. 5 - "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
Nov. 14 - Savion Glover
Dec. 3 - "A Christmas Carol" by Nebraska Theatre Caravan

Grinnell College
Department of Theatre
www.grinnell.edu/academic/theatre/events
Oct. 6 - 8 - "Master and Margarita"
Nov. 16 - 19 - "Red Devils"
Dec. 1 - 3 - "Fall Forward: New Student-Directed Dance Works"

Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-0507
www.hoytsherman.org
Oct. 7 - "He Wears Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash"

Iowa State Center
Season at Stephens Auditorium
(515) 294-3347
www.center.iastate.edu
Sept. 22 - 23 - "Aida"
Oct. 20 - "Rent"
Oct. 29 - San Jose Taiko
Nov. 3 - "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

Iowa State University
Theatre Department
www.theatre.iastate.edu
Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, Oct. 6 - 7 - "Our Town"
Nov. 2 - 5 - "The Marriage of Figaro"
Dec. 1 - 3, Dec. 8 - 10 - "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Repertory Theater of Iowa
www.dmcirtc.org
Sept. 28 - Oct. 15 - "Endgame" (location TBA)
Oct. 19 - Nov. 5 - "Crowns" (at the Iowa Public Theatre)
Nov. 30 - Dec. 17 - "A Tuna Christmas" (at the Iowa Public Theatre)

Tallgrass Theatre
www.tallgrasstheatre.org
Oct. 20 - 21, 27 - 28, Nov. 3 - 4 - "Wiley and the Hairy Man"

Simpson College
Theatre Simpson
www.simpson.edu/artsforum/theatre
Oct. 6 - 8 - "One Flea Spare"
Nov. 29 - Dec. 3 - "Standing On My Knees"

Stage West
At the Civic Center's Stoner Theater
(515) 309-0251
www.stagewestiowa.com
Sept. 22 - 24, 27, Oct 1, October 4-8 - "Urinetown"
Nov. 10 - 12, 15 - 19 - "The Women of Lockerbie"

Temple for Performing Arts
1011 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 280-3313
www.templeforperformingarts.com
Nov. 1 - Dec. 31 - "Triple Espresso" (presented by Civic Center of Greater Des Moines)

Theater . . . for a change
At the Viking Theatre
Grand View College
2811 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
www.thatcherwilliams.com/theater
Sept. 7 - 17 - "I Am My Own Wife"
Dec. 7 - 17 - "Laughter on the 23rd Floor"

ART

By Jim Duncan

A Time To Come, a Time To Go

This fall is a season for comings and goings. Big art events, like the spectacular Cecily Brown show at the Des Moines Art Center, are bringing visitors to Des Moines, while the combination of the leaf-turning season and art events elsewhere in the state have local art fans hitting the road, too. DMAC's "Cecily Brown" is a bona fide tourist event, with painters and fans of the romantic revivalist coming from long distances. The first ever museum retrospective of the hot English painter is also the first show in a while to match DMAC curators' enthusiasm with the local reception. Everybody loves it! And that's a rare thing with contemporary painting.

For the DMAC, life after Cecily is going to be like winter after summer, as far as subject matter goes. Her lush, sexy landscapes will give way to the Bosnian artist Endi Poskovic. He is known for his apocalyptic visions of a world of refugees and wars. Welcome to the post-modern world. Downtown, the DMAC follows up this year's Iowa artist show with "Group Dynamics," a collection of prints, photography and sculpture by Matisse, Robert Cottingham, Marcel Duchamp, Anna Gaskell, Glenn Ligon, Robert Longo, Cindy Sherman, Alec Soth, Cy Twombly, Andy Warhol and Carrie Mae Weems. We could go on, but you get the idea. It's a jazz-like improvisational ensemble that should inspire every taste.

Ames' Brunnier has a spectacular show on the one subject that everybody talks about, and nobody does anything about. "Obsessed: Images of Weather" deals with artists' obsessions of the indomitable environment, from Biblical calamities to Ed Wilson's 10 p.m. news. Less ambitious than the museum's Loess Hills show a few years back, this show follows the same path, with Iowa artists like Ellen Wagoner, Bill Barnes and John Preston commissioned to present new work.

The Faulconer is even more laid back this fall, with a quilt show and three light photography exhibitions in a season during which the museum has presented some serious blockbusters in the past.

The gallery scene is more upbeat this year. Karolyn Sherwood Gallery presents its edgiest show of the year this fall. New New III (Guy Loraine, Sebastian Kim and Maryellen Latas) has photographers of the extraordinary starring. The gallery will then segue into the lush portraits of Larissa Kabel and the New Regionalism of Iowa's icon earth artists Bill Luchsinger and Karen Strohbeen.

Olson-Larsen has three strong Iowa shows this fall, with the gallery's most visionary artists - Michael Brangoccio, Mary Koenen Clausen and Wendy Rolfe - combined together in a holiday show, plus less fantastical painters featured earlier in the year.

Moberg Gallery presents the latest new works of Frank Hansen, an artist who combines folk art and expressionism in his own damned rite. Hansen exhibitions become events, with the humorist drawing an eclectic array of artists from many disciplines. Another Des Moines artist with a growing following, John Philip Davis, follows in October.

Both of these artists are featured in the new wing of Mercy Hospital, which has become an Iowa artists' gallery itself. Try visiting the hospital when you don't have to go and see what we mean. Two Rivers Art Expo is back downtown at the Events Center, with a weekend of art, music and children's workshops that brings shoppers and art lovers to town for the city's fall version of Art Fest.

Statewide, the big events are tailored to Fall's glory: gallery walks in Iowa City and Fairfield; the annual studio tour weekend in Decorah; a combination of arts festivals in the bucolic Villages of Van Buren County, Iowa's only county without a stop light; and the Ames Octagon Art Festival.

Frank Hansen: King of the Road

Visual arts are supposed to stand on their own two dimensions. But sometimes a little background music gets them airborn. Without Richard Strauss, "2001: A Space Odyssey" would never have found an audience beyond science fiction fanatics. Similarly Roger Miller songs, chosen by the artist, helped clarify Frank Hansen's big shows at Moberg Gallery.

Like baseball and opera, Hansen's art is best appreciated in person, and with complete acquiescence to the implausible. Hansen's work always has reminded us of Southern folk artists, because every painting seems to have a confounding, personal story. Other artists compare Hansen to Basquiat, and Frank admits that Goya's grotesque period might have been an influence. But he says he isn't arrogant enough to go there.
"What do I know about Europe 200 years ago?," he asked, adding that he prefers to call his art "Emotionalism," which just means that it expresses his personal emotions.
"Art doesn't have to be pretty; the best art usually isn't," he said.

Yet, some of these paintings are lovely, in spite of themselves. For the most part, the paintings in this show seem stuck in the Roger Miller repertoire of sad songs, childhood memories and hitch-hiking discoveries. Some of Hansen's titles sound like Miller songs: "Fish Outside the Box," "Human Succotash," "Dirty Birds Lay Bad Eggs," "Sad Betty and Her Bobcat," etc.

This is blasphemy to purists, but Hansen deserves to be considered among the landscape artists in Iowa. His rural visions are comical and have more narrative than a field trip to the farm. His urban skylines find every lock that ain't locked, when no one's around. So, chug a lug down Ingersoll on Sept. 8. Hansen and Miller will be telling stories at Moberg this fall, to complement his paintings.

Luchsinger-Strohbeen: The New Regionalism

Bill Luchsinger and Karen Strohbeen's annual Holiday Show at Karolyn Sherwood Gallery will be bigger than ever this year. The Macksburg pair are Iowa's most popular artists, also celebrated through their international television series "The Perennial Gardener with Karen Strohbeen." True to their guru/earth mother personas, they pioneered art for the people, in forms as accessible as kitchen tiles. Because of that, their art is appreciated on many levels. People who have never set foot in a museum gleefully decorate their house with it, and the most dead serious collectors also buy it.

Aware of this versatile following, the artists have traditionally hidden pregnant stories in loose clothing. Ironies and unique styles have barely been noticed under the popular guises of Luchsinger's minimalist still lifes and Strohbeen's archetypal single line drawings. Less obvious - invisible, actually - is the layering in their new work on plants and flowers. A little background: Luchsinger and Strohbeen were digital pioneers, among the originators of the art form, years before David Hockney and the national media discovered it. They have pushed the limits of the genre ever since.

Lately, the artists have painstakingly photographed the same series of, say, lima beans, from as many as eight points of view (plants they usually grow from seed) to concentrate their focus. These multiple photographs are laid together seamlessly, creating an intensity so detailed it affects Buddhist-like (universe-in-the-lotus) surrealism. In fact, it redefines surreal experience - you must be dreaming, because such sharp vision is not possible to wakeful sensibilities.

These artists are redefining "regionalism" in the third millennium. Ever since Grant Wood's "Revolt Against the City" was published in Iowa in 1935, "regionalism" in art has been defined statically, with Great Depression rural clichès, including the one that "back to the earth" means forsaking modern technology. These Iowa artists are doing to that what Ferran Adria has done to haute cuisine - using the latest technology not to simulate, but to extract the purity of basic root stocks. Through context, they have produced a new appreciation of the humble essences of the earth.

Museums

Des Moines Art Center Downtown,
9th & Walnut Streets

"Group Dynamic: Portfolios, Series, and Sets"
Sept. 15 - Dec. 29 with an opening reception Sept. 15, 5 - 7 p.m.; $5; free for members. Music by Kevin "BF" Burt.

Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Avenue

"Cecily Brown"
Through Oct. 1
See why people are driving a thousand miles to Des Moines to see the English romantic revivalist's first-ever museum retrospective in America.

"Endi Poskovic: Large Color Woodcuts"
Sept. 22 - Feb. 4
The Bosnian Diaspora's greatest artist.

Aisle
Oct. 27 - Jan. 14
Participating artists, including Tara Donovan, Tony Feher, Tom