By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

ZooTunes, a series of concerts hosted by the Blank Park Zoo, kicks off Sunday at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Classic Rock All-Stars. The series, billed as "Picnic in the Park," will be held each Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

Organizers say the series is aimed at families, couples and young adults, and patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, food and drink (no glass or alcohol), though food, beer and wine will be available. Tickets may be purchased at the Zoo or at www.iowatix.com. Discounted tickets for Zoo members are also available. Concert tickets include admission to the Zoo.

The following is a schedule of performances:
- Sunday - Classic Rock All-Stars, including alumni of Iron Butterfly, Rare Earth, Sugarloaf and Cannibal and The Headhunters. Tickets are $15 for the public and $8 for Zoo members.
- June 5 - Kratt Brothers, stars of PBS' "Zoboomafoo." Showtimes are noon and 2:30 p.m. Public $10, members $5.
- June 12 - Dick Prall Band. Chicago roots-rock band. Public $10, members $5.
- June 19 - Justin Roberts. Children's music singer. Public $10, members $5.
- June 26 - The Barrelhouse Rockets. Local rockabilly group. Public $10, members $5.
- July 3 - Todd Snider. Nationally renowned singer-songwriter. Public $15, members $10.

Belin String Quartet returns to Nollen Plaza
The return of the Belin String Quartet to downtown Des Moines this Friday for a series of free summer concerts is sure to be sweet music to the ears of fans of classical and jazz music.

For the sixth consecutive year, the quartet will host shows each Friday at 12:15 p.m. at Nollen Plaza (corner of Third and Locust streets). Sponsored by the Civic Music Association, the series runs through July 29 and includes a jazz concert on July 8 and a children's concert July 29, which also features magician Keith West. The event's rain site will be Capital Square, 400 Locust St. For more information, call 280-4020 or visit www.civicmusic.org.

Amana Colonies to host Taste Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco
The annual Taste Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco Fest, which includes a Mardi Gras-like parade, music, food, workshops, swamp art and children's activities, returns to the Amana Colonies Convention Facility this weekend. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Three stages will host Cajun and zydeco music by artists like Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Belton Richard and the Musical Aces, Waylon Thibodeaux, Sean Vidrine and Swampfyre and The New Riverside Ramblers, all of whom who are scheduled to play each day. Admission is $8 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 through 12. Three-day passes sell for $16. For more information and a complete lineup of events, call (888) 594-3903 or visit www.cajunfest.net.

Blues Summit plays Val Air
Des Moines Blues Summit 2005, which includes performances by Tinsley Ellis, Wayne Baker Brooks, Corby Yates and Richard Johnston, will be held July 17 at the Val Air Ballroom. Tickets, $20, are on sale now through Ticketmaster and sell for $25 the day of show at the door. Front row table seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event will include food by Phat Boyz BBQ and a raffle for an autographed guitar and other prizes. Visit www.dsmbluessummit.com for more information.

IowaRock.com announces shows
The folks at IowaRock.com have booked a handful of shows to hit Central Iowa in the next few weeks. They include the following shows at the House of Bricks: House of Heroes, Valet, The Envy Corps, Offering (Sunday, $5); Rosefield Rivals, Stuck with Arthur, Jessica Wyoming, Slaughterhouse 6 (June 5, $5); 38th Parallel, The Western Front, Among the Living (June 6, $5); and mewithoutYou, Make Believe, Veda (June 11, $10), a show co-produced with First Fleet Concerts. Another concert, featuring As Cities Burn, Lorene Drive and Broken, will be held June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Blinks in Ames. Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.IowaRock.com.

Scene notes
The Des Moines Art Center last week received an Excellence Award and a $1 million endowment gift from The Wallace Foundation for its efforts to improve audience participation and its work with more than 60 community groups. The Art Center is required to match the grant on at least a one-to-one basis and establish permanent endowments to continue its community work... The Mercury Brothers from the Quad Cities defeated Des Moines-based groups The Bob Pace Band featuring Effie Burt and The Soul Searchers for the 2005 Iowa Blues Challenge title last Friday... Local rock musicians Brad Roth, Lonnie Urich, Greg Owen and Mark Penner will share the stage for the first time in 22 years when ATOY reunites for a show Saturday at the Vaudeville Mews. Fans can also purchase a copy of ATOY's 1983 farewell performance... The 30th annual Clive Festival, to be held June 9-11, will include free performances by a number of local and national bands: Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz (June 9); Jesters, Standing Hampton and Coldfiltered (June 10); and the Blue Band and Roomful of Blues (June 11). For more information, visit www.clivefestival.com... Johnston will host its annual Green Days celebration June 16-19. The community festival will include a street dance, parade, carnival, car show and basketball tournament. For more information, visit www.growjohnston.com... The Dixie Slicks play a free show June 17 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Borders Books in Ames... Foreigner joins the Waterstock lineup at Waterworks Park on June 18, which already includes Slaughter, Skid Row and Paisty Jenny... Singer-songwriter Christopher Williams plays The Lighthouse in West Des Moines on June 26... Heavy metal rockers God Forbid are slated to play Sleep Hollow Sports Park on July 4... The Briggs play the House of Bricks on July 5... If you wind up liking Canadian Jack Semple's opening set for Marcia Ball on June 30 at Nitefall on the River, you'll want to catch him for a full evening of rocking blues on July 6 at Blues on Grand... Hardcore country music troubadour Wayne "The Train" Hancock makes a rare Des Moines appearance when he plays The Walnut Tap July 6... Minneapolis rockers Motion City Soundtrack recently completed recording their second album with Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 and will headline a show July 14 at the House of Bricks. Tickets are $12 in advance through IowaTix... Modern rockabilly legends The Reverend Horton Heat play the Vaudeville Mews on Aug. 9 at 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through IowaTix and sell for $15 in advance and $20 day of show. CV

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