THE WEEK/CITY PICK

August 25 through August 31

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

thursday25

* Ralphie May
* 8 p.m.
* Funny Bone
There's a whole lot to love about Ralphie May. Literally. The oversized (we're talking 300 pounds of loveable flub) comedian was the winner of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and a recent contestant on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club." He's also an actor, writer and associate producer on ESPN's "Mohr Sports" starring Jay Mohr. Hailing from the sea of trailers that is the state of Arkansas, May entered a talent show at the age of 17, winning the contest and a spot to open for Sam Kinison. Though one might assume that May is quick with the fat jokes, he actually doesn't touch the subject, instead injecting ebonics and quick wit into his stand-up routines. He's opened for such acts as B.B. King, Jeff Foxworthy, Thea Vidale and Mohr. And though a very white, very big boy, May puts hip-hop into his act. See how this all comes together tonight at the Funny Bone, where May is doing a special engagement through Saturday night.

friday26
* "Red Trailer Motel"
* 5 to 7 p.m.
* Des Moines art Center Downtown
Be transported to an abandoned roadside motel miles from nowhere as Michael C. McMillen's large-scale installation of "Red Trailer Motel" gets a proper welcoming tonight at the Des Moines Art Center Downtown. The life-size installation will provide a full range of sensory experiences, from a rickety screen door to a gravel yard that will crunch underneath your feet. Visitors can peer into peepholes on the three locked motel room doors, as the House of Water, the Hall of Mystery and Mike's Pool Hall all come alive in peculiar active worlds. Sound too good to be true? See it for yourself tonight during the special exhibition opening, with hors d'oevres, drinks and live music provided by Mr. Baber's Neighbors. Admission is free for Art Center members and $5 for nonmembers.

saturday27

* Plastic Constellations
* 9 p.m.
* Vaudeville Mews
The Plastic Constellations has received critical acclaim from all the right places for its most recent full-length release, "Mazatlan." The Minneapolis-based band's hype reached fervor over the past year for their quirky brand of indie rock and their reputation as one of the most exciting live bands in the Twin Cities. Culling influences from such seminal bands as Pavement and such rhythm-heavy bands as the Dismemberment Plan, The Plastic Constellations will make the drive south to support Indieworkshop.com, an online zine dedicated to coverage of lesser-known, but not lesser-deserving, musicians, authors, films and more. Openers include locals Sword of Exactly and STNNING! Cost is $6 day of show.



sunday28
* Hawgstock Motorcycle Rally
* All day
* Winterset
There's nothing like legions of leather-clad bikers roaming rural Iowa in late August. Just don't bring your attitude. This is one of the rules of Hawgstock, a weekend-long motorcycle rally (though everyone is welcome) in Winterset that includes on-site camping, bands, entertainment, and yes, even hot showers. Sunday is the final day of the rally, which over the course of the weekend includes bands, poker runs, food and merchandise vendors and more. The cost is admission is $30 per person, which is for the entire weekend, and the event is open to those 21 and over. IDs are required at all times. Beer and ice will be sold on the premises. For more information, visit hawgstock.com.

monday29
* Comedian Kyle Cease
* 10 p.m.
* Simpson College's Pote Theater
Known for his facial expressions, quick wit and clean style, Kyle Cease became the youngest headlining comedian in the Pacific Northwest, performing at colleges, clubs and corporate events. By the age of 21, he was on the national touring circuit. His first movie role came in 1998's "10 Things I Hate About You," in which he played a small part as the nerdy future MBA Bogie Lowenstein. Having reached this step, Cease moved to Hollywood, where he became a regular at numerous comedy clubs, and was featured on "The Martin Short Show" before being cast in 2001's "Not Another Teen Movie," a flick that, coincidentally enough, features a parody of his character in "10 Things." Cease recently completed filming for "The Hand Job," a film featuring Gary Busey. See this up-and-coming comedian tonight at Simpson College's Pote Theater.

tuesday30
* Scriptease: "The Women of Lockerbie"
* 7 p.m.
* Noodle Zoo, East Village
StageWest's Scriptease series continues with a reading of Deborah Breevort's "The Women of Lockerbie," a story in which a mother from New Jersey travels to Scotland in search of the remains of her son lost in the crash of Pan Am Flight 103. There, she meets the women of Lockerbie, who are fighting the U.S. government in an attempt to gather the clothing of the victims so they can wash them and return them to the victim's families. Although loosely inspired by a true story, the characters and situations in the play are fictional. "The Women of Lockerbie" is the winner of a silver medal in the Onassis International Playwrighting Competition and the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays award. The free reading begins at 7 p.m., but Noodle Zoo will open at 6 p.m. for food and beverage service. For more information on the StageWest theater company, visit www.stagewestiowa.com.

wednesday31
* The Dwayne, Ed & Shawn Show
* 8 p.m.
* Funny Bone
The Funny Bone knows that three is better than one. That's why the comedy club is featuring three comedians who have teamed up for one week only. Dwayne, Ed and Shawn, lifelong friends, will treat Funny Bone patrons to some good old-fashioned, down-home humor about Iowa farm country with hilarious takes on modern life. There will also be a heapin' helpin' of comedy magic, so be prepared to volunteer to help out, or to just sit back and let the laughs come back at you. For more information, visit www.funnybonedm.com, and for ticket information call 270-2100.

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