Posted June 05, 2013in Food Dude
Mother’s Day and Memorial Day left me scrambling for places to eat. On both occasions, I met friends at a pre-arranged spot after confirming that they would be open. They weren’t, though their websites, front doors and Facebook pages all indicated they were. It must be really difficult to post
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Posted June 05, 2013in Center Stage
The audience will ultimately feel uncomfortable as the curtain figuratively comes to a close. But that is playwright Neil Labute’s goal in “Bash: Latterday Plays,” which will be performed by the Des Moines Social Club (DMSC) Theater Co. in mid-June. “Bash” is one play consisting of three separate acts. The
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Posted June 05, 2013in Cover Story
It’s no secret that the Greater Des Moines area has seen significant growth in recent years — dare we say, it’s even become cool. Forbes Magazine voted it the No. 1 city in America for young professionals in 2011, and we haven’t stopped gloating since in that ever-so-humble way that
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Posted June 05, 2013in Film Review
“The Kings of Summer” 2 stars Rated R 93 minutes Comedy Starring: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias Coming on the heels of Jeff Nichols’ superior Huckleberry Finn-styled boys’ coming-of-age movie “Mud,” “The Kings of Summer” reaches farther into the realm of fantasy, but comes up short. Hipster director Jordan
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Posted June 05, 2013in Political Mercury
When Charles Grassley turned 65 — 14 years ago — the veteran U.S. senator started taking notice of the surroundings in nursing homes, watching the residents for more than just their reactions to his campaign and policy points. He really studied them, because, well, he was, using Medicare and the
Read More →‘In the Flesh’ extends sympathy toward the undead The British miniseries “In the Flesh” (Thursday-Saturday, 9 p.m., BBC America) takes its place with the greatest zombie movies of all time. Like 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead,” the granddaddy of the genre, it’s both a gross-out horror story and a
Read More →One thing Gas Lamp co-owner Frankie Farrell prides himself on is establishing the venue as your go-to place for punk rock in the capital city. Whether it is quality regional acts like Iowa City’s Lipstick Homicide or genre legends like The Queers, if it’s loud and trashy, chances are Gas
Read More →As summer festival fans are already aware, Kanrocksas — the financially troubled Kansas City, Kan., music festival — has canceled its 2013 show due to low ticket sales. Anyone who had previously purchased a Kanrocksas festival ticket can receive $10 off the purchase of 80-35 Music Festival two-day passes. Just
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Posted June 05, 2013in Locker Room
As the saying goes, it’s like riding a bike. And once you learn to ride, you’ll never forget how. This weekend marks a few different opportunities to recapture those magical memories of childhood on two wheels. Here are a few to consider: Tour the Raccoon: This two-day tour is designed
Read More →The Lighthouse Band ‘Sweetness and Sorrow’ Independent “Sweetness and Sorrow” is an uneven collection of work. The album has a couple of things working in its favor, most notably being the harmonies between front man Chris Trampel and vocalist Jenny Wood. Trampel’s guitar work is also, at times, a very
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