Sound Notes Pick o’ The Week

The Des Moines Symphony has received $1.5 million in corporate pledges to its 75th anniversary campaign. The corporate support, which comes in from businesses including Principal Financial, Meredith Corp., Aviva, The Iowa Clinic and Kemin Industries, will go toward funding the Symphony, covering the expenses of outreach programs and site improvements like a new orchestra shell for improved acoustics.             

On Thursday, Jan. 10, Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar has Matt Nichols, Todd Cutshaw and Wiz, starting at 8 p.m. No cover.             

Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week: House of Bricks is hosting its annual fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa this week. On Friday, Jan. 11, the list of bands which have donated their time include Pie in the Sky, 2AM, Blue Haven, Aaron Sinwell and 4010, The Big Tuxedos, Matt Bigger and Jason Sturgus. The event runs from 6 p.m. to close, with the first three hours being all-ages. Five bucks gets you in to with money going to support the ARL.                

Also on Jan. 11, It’s Complicated performs at The Standard, starting at 9 p.m.                

Get all the “wub wub wub” you can handle at Wooly’s on Saturday, Jan. 12, as the venue hosts Des Moines Dubstep Invasion II. Starting at 9 p.m., the all-ages event features Spankalicious, Defender vs DarkGrey and KiNFoLK. Tickets to the event are $15 in advance, available through www.ticketfly.com or $20 the day of the show.               

Also on Jan. 12, Gas Lamp has The Gratest Story Ever Told: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead. That show kicks off at 9 p.m. as well and is $5 at the door.                

On Sunday, Jan. 13, The GrapeVine plays host to a CD-release event for The High Crest. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is closed to the public. There are a very limited number of seats available at $10 each. So you should RSVP by contacting afinetime4wine@aol.com.                

Then, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Vaudeville Mews has a couple of shows to pick from. For the early show, you can get your hardcore groove on with Rockford, Ill., act, The Color Morale. The show is all-ages and runs $15 at the door. Our Last Night, Ice Nine Kills, For All I Am, The Life I Breathe and Impact of Reason also perform.                

Then in the late show, things get a little jammey, courtesy of Spongecake and The Fluff Ramblers performing along with Mighty Shady and Franklin’s Basement. That show kicks off at 10 p.m. and is $5 at the door.               

Also on Jan. 15, Mars Café has The Talbott Brothers performing a free show from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.                

El Bait Shop has two excellent shows this week for your beer-fueled entertainment, starting with Andy Fleming on Tuesday, Jan. 15, and moving on to North of Grand on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Both shows kick off at 8 p.m., and there’s no cover for either.                

Also on Jan. 16, Gas Lamp has The Crooked Mile starting at 9 p.m. for only $3. Mahalo. CV