Greetings, Cultural Adventurers:

10/22/2024

From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, Mainframe Studios at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning independent radio station, KFMG-LP 98.9 FM (streaming simultaneously at www.kfmg.org), bringing you music, literature & cultural content. — John Busbee for The Culture Buzz

• The Culture Buzz Archive Library – https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz
• 2014 Iowa Governor’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts
• 2015 Iowa History Award for Iowa History Journal magazine story, “Last Full Measure of Devotion”
• 2018 – voted Best Local Talk Radio Show
• Cityview Magazine “Center Stage” columnist
• Little Village Magazine “Contact Buzz” columnist   www.TheCultureBuzz.com 

 

Quote of the Week – 

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.”  — William Cuthbert Faulkner (1897-1962), an American writer. He is best known for his novels and short stories set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, a stand-in for Lafayette County where he spent most of his life.

 

Newsletter content:

1. Iowa Flash Buzz – news of the week
2. Guests on this week’s show;
3. Performance Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
4. Visual Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
5. Auditions and other Opportunities (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
6. Planning ahead;
7. Author events (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
8. Best-sellers, life resource books, Greater Des Moines performing arts organizations, Central Iowa indie book stores, cultural exploration resources, health & welfare resources

Iowa Flash Buzz –

 

• A most immersive, unforgettable musical and cultural experience: Four Shillings Short
• Returning to Iowa for another series of eclectic concerts, events and even leading a church service, the incomparable duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama and Christy Martin, known collectively as Four Shillings Short and masters of Celtic, folk, and world music, return to the Midwest with five performances in Iowa from Oct 24-Nov 3. Many of these are free concerts, and a great family experience. Oct 25 – Williamsburg; Oct 26 – UU Fellowship of Ames; Oct 27 – UU Fellowship as part of their service; Nov 1 – Indianola; Nov 3 – Ames Public Library. Loo for details on their website:   https://4shillingsshort.com/home
• A most worthy road trip – NCSML to Host Czech-Slovak Cultural Festival Featuring Multi-Genre Performances and Workshops Week of October 28
• Classical Music Concerts, including concert version of Rusalka

New Exhibits:

• Fashion Show by Beata Rajská
• Baking Workshops led by Petra Burianová
• Painting and Illustration Workshop with Czech Illustrator Markéta Vydrová
• Due to the generous support of the Czech and Slovak Governments and other donors, FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS (Freewill donations suggested)
• From October 25 to November 4, 2024, a cultural festival titled Czech and Slovak Echoes in the USA will take place in Chicago, Cedar Rapids, and Spillville. The event is part of the museum’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration. The main portion of the festival will be held at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids from October 28 to November 3, 2024. The program, curated by the Czech arts organization Sagittario, will oNer a wide range of cultural events including classical music concerts, an exhibition, a fashion show, workshops, documentary film screenings, and a concert version of the opera Rusalka. www.ncsml.org

This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –

 

• 11:00 AM – Enticing her fans into a fantasy adventure, Katie Keridan delivers Book Three of the Felserpent Chronicles, Realm United. This YA fantasy is filled with enemies-to-lovers, coming-of-age, and plenty of assassins, necromancers, and dragons. Listen as she shares the creation of her special world, and drops hints of this rewarding conclusive novel of the trilogy.   “A fast-paced epic fantasy adventure with plenty of thrills and charms. Keridan’s writing sparkles and provides the perfect blend of suspense, adventure, and romance that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.” – Lenore Borja, author of The Last Hunters   https://www.katiekeridan.com/
• 11:16 AM – Filmmaker, writer and media specialist Kristian Day chats about his fascinating program that he hosts, “Iowa Basement Tapes,” 9:00-10:00 PM Thursdays on KFMG.   www.kfmg.org
• 11:22 AM – Susan Werner tickles the ivories and tickles your funny bone with “Florida La La La,” from her EP, THE BIRDS OF FLORIDA.   “This woman is great. period.” — Music Row (Nashville)   https://susanwerner.com/music/
• 11:28 AM – In The Mystics Would Like a Word: Six Women Who Met God and Found a Spirituality for Today, Shannon K. Evans takes a fascinating exploration into the lives of six exceptional women in a thought-provoking quest for spirituality.   “The feminist reading of women mystics I’ve wanted for ages . . . invites us into the hopeful possibility for communal healing that we desperately need right now.” —Sarah Bessey, bestselling author of Field Notes for the Wilderness and Jesus Feminist   https://www.shannonkevans.com/
• 11:44 AM – Returning to Iowa Oct 24-Nov 3. The incomparable duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama and Christy Martin, known collectively as Four Shillings Short and masters of Celtic, folk, and world music, return to the Midwest with five performances in Iowa Oct 24-Nov 3. Listen as these two, with equal parts irresistibility, experience, talent and charm, share an update about their world travels, their eagerly anticipated return to Iowa, and the bounty of friends they’ve made here over the years.   https://4shillingsshort.com/home
• 12:00 PM – Opening this Friday. CAP (Class Act Productions) Theatre opens its next production, Anastasia: The Musical (Youth Edition) Oct 25-Nov 10. Listen as Director Julie Rodish-Reed is joined by as cast members Noah Sinclair (as Dmitri) , Lucy Mitchell (as Anya) and Jude Mangum (as Vlad) lead a lively and insightful chat about this excellent family theatre opportunity.   https://www.captheatre.org/
• 12:15 PM – Professor Jason Springs does the deep research, distilling his discoveries into a timely, eye-opening understanding of his subject in Restorative Justice and Lived Religion: Transforming Mass Incarceration in Chicago. Jason reveals positive outcomes for addressing this issue, and the benefits for all of society.   “Illustrates a holistic approach to embodying the principles of restorative justice, utilizing empathy, compassion, accountability, spirituality, and cultural customs to heal our society, including both the people who cause harm and those having been harmed.” ~Teiahsha Bankhead, Executive Director, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth   https://nyupress.org/9781479823789/restorative-justice-and-lived-religion/
• 12:34 PM – Available Oct 29. The Paris Escape is a masterful storyteller, blending a richly textured historical perspective with a captivating tale blending the compelling ingredients of thriller, romance, and the frailty of pre-WW II Paris.   “An enthralling read, blending the pace of a thriller with a romance that is heightened by the urgency of impending war.” —Camille Di Maio, Bestselling author of The Memory of Us   https://jamestuckeronline.com/
• 12:46 PM – Opening this Friday. Peter and the Star Catcher is the next show produced by Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre (DMYAT). This irresistible tale is an origins story of J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan story, providing thought-provoking action about how Barrie’s characters became who they were. Listen as Dakota Skinner (as Smee) and Berry Stevens (as Molly Aster) lead a marvelous conversation about the magic that awaits young and old alike.   https://www.dmyat.org/peterandthestarcatcher

 

Performance Arts

• Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. Peter and the Star Catcher. Oct 25-Nov 3. https://www.dmyat.org/
• CAP (Class Act Productions) Theatre. Anastasia – Youth Edition. Oct 25-Nov 10. https://www.captheatre.org/
• Des Moines Symphony – second concert in its Masterworks Series. Lewis Plays Brahms, at 7:30 PM Sat Oct 26, 2:30 PM Sun Oct 27, 2024, at the Des Moines Civic Center (221 Walnut Street, Des Moines). Geneva Lewis makes her Des Moines debut playing Brahms’ virtuosic and emotionally profound Violin Concerto. Still’s Serenade, with lush harmonies that weave American jazz and blues with classical traditions, opens the concert. The Orchestra shines during Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5. https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/lewis-plays-brahms/
• Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Comedy Series. Second City’s 65th Anniversary Tour. Oct 29-Nov 3. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/second-city-2024/
• Des Moines Playhouse – Final Act Ensemble. Halloween Show. Oct 29, 7:30 PM. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/
• Comedy Xperiment at Tallgrass Theatre Company. Comedy Xperiment – Iowa’s longest continuous improv comedy troupe. Nov 1. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/
• Tallgrass Theatre Company. Charlotte’s Web. Nov 8-24. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/
• Des Moines Playhouse – Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre. Last Stop on Market Street. Nv 8-24. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/last-stop-on-market-street/
• Tallgrass Theatre Company – Broadway Karaoke. Nov 17. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/

 

Visual Arts – Exhibitions

• Moberg Gallery. Debuts “Between Earth and Sky.” Larassa Kabel is curator and participates with new-to-the- gallery artists she connected with online, from Montana, Las Vegas and Santa Fe. Kabel determined to exhibit them together as they all use horses as motifs — “to represent passion.” https://moberggallery.com/
• Olson-Larsen Galleries. “<Artist/Couple>” also debuts on Oct. 11, at Olson Larsen Gallery, and will feature an eclectic mix of gallery and invited artists who also happen to be life partners. an eclectic mix of represented and invited artists who also happen to be life partners: Jen P. Harris & R. Kauff, Olivia Valentine & Firat Erdim, Randy Richmond & Audrey Brown, Michael Banning & Melanie Pankau, George Porteus & Holly Murkerson. https://olsonlarsen.com/
• Polk County Heritage Gallery. Seed Scoops in My Drive. Thru Nov 28. This a series of experimental, collaborative drawings created by members of See Saw Draw through online file sharing. Each piece starts as a SEED: a bundle of images, sounds, or words that serve as a responsive prompt. Artists directly add on, change, or remix existing steps and pieces, creating a connective, branching timeline. Each member recorded their thoughts through a log accompanying each SEED for viewers to read. Participating artists: Ethan Edvenson, Ash Gravity, Rachel Buse, Sundance Moonhound, Cody Schell, Cat Rocketship, Sam McCauley, Paige Knotts. https://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/now-showing#seed-scoups-on-my-drive

 

Visual Arts – Galleries & Found Space Exhibition Sites

• Des Moines Art Center. 2 Re-connect with old favorites on exhibit from their permanent collection. Explore the constantly changing exhibits, from staff-curated to international, always ready to stimulate the imagination and senses. Always open (except holidays), always free. https://desmoinesartcenter.org/
• Brunnier Art Museum. Ames. 2 This is the flagship for the University Museums, a treasure trove of visual arts immersion on the Iowa State University campus, which includes the Christian Petersen Art Museum, The Farm House Museum, the Anderson Sculpture Garden and the Art on Campus Collection. https://www.museums.iastate.edu/visit/brunnier-art-museum
• The Grinnell College Museum of Art. Grinnell. 2 https://www.grinnell.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/museum
• 2AU. West Des Moines. 1,2 http://www.2aulimited.com/
• Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Des Moines 2 I added this destination for its unique value as a “living gallery,” where the constantly changing floral exhibitions entice and delight. https://www.dmbotanicalgarden.com/
• Heritage Art Gallery. 2 Des Moines. http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
• Hoyt Sherman Place Art Gallery. 2 Des Moines. https://hoytsherman.org/gallery/
• IN Tandem Arts & Authors. 1,2 Des Moines. https://www.facebook.com/INTandemArtsAndAuthors/
• Kavanaugh Art Gallery. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://kavanaughgallery.com/
• Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. 1,2 kunzlerstudios.com
• Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines. https://www.lizlidgett.com/
• Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2 https://moberggallery.com/
• Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2 https://olsonlarsen.com/
• Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines. 2 http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
• Ritual Café. Des Moines. 2 https://www.facebook.com/ritualcafedesmoines/
• Slow Down Coffee Shop. Des Moines. 2 https://www.theslowdowndsm.com/
• Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure. Des Moines. 2 https://www.facebook.com/ZanzibarsCoffeeAdventure/

1Visit these galleries open during semi-annual Historic Valley Junction Gallery Nights.

2Check website for current exhibitions. 

 

Auditions, Volunteer, and other Enhancement Opportunities –   “The Arts is a Contact Sport” (A Culture Buzz creed)

• Auditions – Iowa Stage Theatre Company A Christmas Carol. Fri Oct 25, 6-9 PM. Full details: https://www.iowastage.org/audition
• Polk County Heritage Gallery – Greater Des Moines Exhibited Call for Artists. Submissions go live next Friday, November 1! A link to submit will be available starting that day until Friday, November 8. https://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/up-next#gdm-exhibited-2024
• Des Moines Playhouse. Men on Boats. Mon Nov 4. (Author’s note on characters for this play: “The characters in Men On Boats were historically cisgender white males. The cast should be made up entirely of people who are not. I’m talking about racially diverse actors who are female-identifying, trans-identifying, gender-fluid, and/or non-gender-conforming.” – Jaclyn Backhaus, playwright.)   https://www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions/men-on-boats/
• Additional volunteer opportunities abound – with the seasons ramping up, now is a great time to explore how to find other ways to engage with Central Iowa theatre companies. Assistance is always welcome, from costume and set building, to ushering, to back stage crew, find a short-term commitment that will be immensely gratifying.

Check the websites of the theatre companies listed below to consider a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

• Ankeny Community Theatre. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/audition.html
• Carousel Theatre of Indianola. https://carouseltheatre.org/?page_id=344
• Class Act Productions (CAP). http://www.captheatre.org/main/expect/
• Des Moines Community Playhouse. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/audition-2/
• Des Moines Performing Arts. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/
• Des Moines Young Artists Theatre. https://www.dmyat.org/
• Iowa Shakespeare Experience. https://www.iowashakespeare.org/
• Iowa Stage Theatre Company. https://www.iowastage.org/audition
• Once in a While Productions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6717224708342610/
• Pyramid Theatre Company. http://pyramidtheatre.org/
• Tallgrass Theatre Company. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
• Urbandale Community Theatre. https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/

Planning ahead

Central Iowa Blues Society

CIBS will feature live Iowa Blues on each floor of Mainframe Studios at the November 1st “First Friday” event as we celebrate the official unveiling of the new home of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame exhibit!

Cruise the open studios of the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation.

• 5-5:20 / 6:30-6:50 – 2nd Floor – Heath Alan
• 5:30 – 5:50 / 7-7:20 – 3rd Floor – Rob Lumbard
• 6-6:20 / 7:30-7:50 – 4th Floor – Scott Eggleston Music
• 8-9pm – 1st Floor in the Big Room – Blues Hall of Fame All-Star Band featuring JC Anderson, Greg Sutherland, and Dwight Dario

Mainframe Studios – 900 Keo Way, Des Moines, IA   https://cibs.org/

 

Terrace Hill’s annual Holiday Teas!
During this treasured, annual event, guests will enjoy tea service and hors d’oeuvres in the historic rooms of Terrace Hill while adorned for the holiday season.

The Holiday Teas will take place on Mon Dec 9 with a morning tea at 10:30 am and an afternoon tea at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $50 per individual + processing fees, with pre-registration required.

To purchase tickets to the 10:30 am tea, visit the following link:   https://terracehillholidaytea1030.eventbrite.com

To purchase tickets to the 2:30 pm tea, visit the following link: https://terracehillholidaytea230.eventbrite.com

 

DMPA programming has much more than Broadway shows

• All DMPS single tickets on sale now.
• Dance Series:
• Hip Hop Nutcracker | November 26, 2024
• Momix: Alice | February 12, 2025
• The Remember Balloons | March 29, 2025
• Chicago Tap Theatre | April 17, 2025
• Explorer Series:
• Pink Boots and a Machete | January 21, 2025
• East Meets West: In the Footsteps of Marco Polo | March 11, 2025
• The Blue Zones: Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity | May 1, 2025
• Family Series:
• Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster | November 2, 2024
• Fiesta Con Sonia De Los Santos | February 22, 2025
• The Remember Balloons | March 29, 2025
• Underneath a Magical Moon | April 19, 2025
• 360 All-Stars | April 27, 2025

RHPS returns to Varsity Cinema Oct 31

The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns to Varsity Cinema for a very special HALLOWEEN performance on Thursday, October 31 at 10 pm! The film will be accompanied by Des Moines’s only local, live Shadow Cast performance, lip-syncing and dancing along. Prop bags will be available for purchase in-person before the show.   https://varsitydesmoines.com/showtimes/the-rocky-horror-picture-show-with-live-shadow-cast-10-31-24-1000-pm/

 

Grant Wood legacy shared

Terrace Hill, Iowa Governor’s Residence and National Historic Landmark, has received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit organization to host a free, educational presentation entitled Grant Wood: Artistic Rags to Riches presented by Randy Lengeling, on Thursday, November 7 at 5:00 pm in the Terrace Hill Drawing Room.

This is a free program, but advance registration is required as space is limited. 

Register online at https://terracehillgrantwood.eventbrite.com or contact Allison Wergeland at allison.wergeland@governor.iowa.gov or 515-281-7205.

 

Michael Perry, Wisconsin-based humorist and author, coming to Iowa.

Listen to previous TCB interviews at The Culture Buzz Podcast Library.

2024 Nov 20 – Knoxville Public Library – (6pm CT)

2024 Nov 21 – Marshalltown Public Library – (6pm CT)

 

Between the covers – author/book events worth noting:

• Knoxville Public Library. Chris Jones. The Swine Republic Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality. Thu Oct 24, 6:30 PM.
• Beaverdale Books. Joyce Rupp. Vessels of Love: Poems and Prayers for the Later Years of Life. Sun Nov 3, 2:30 PM.
• Beaverdale Books. R. E. Bellesmith. The Wilderlands. Mon Nov 4, 6:30 PM.
• Beaverdale Books. Forrest Lonefight. Life Belongs to the Loud. Thu Nov 7, 6:30 PM.
• Beaverdale Books. Mary Freeman Boardman. Heart Smiles. Fri Nov 8, 6:30 PM. https://www.dmpl.org/dmpl-fall-author-series *Highlighted author names indicate interviews are in The Culture Buzz Archive Library. 

Please visit: https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz 

Recurring bookstore events –

• Beaverdale Books – Hunter’s Classics Book Club (2nd Tue, 7:00 PM); Beaverdale Book Browsers Club (2nd Thu, 6:30 PM); Urbandale UCC Book Club (3rd Thu); Books and Bonbons (3rd Thu, 7:00 PM); Environmental Book Club (3rd Sat); Mystery Book Club (4th Tue, 7:00 PM)
• Storyhouse Bookpub – Storytimes (Saturdays 11:00 AM)
• Dogeared Books – Dog-Eared official book club (one Thu/month, 10-11 AM); Between the Covers (one Sat/month, 7-8 PM); Women from Other Words book club (one Mon/month 5-6 PM); Translation book club (one Fri/month, 7-8 PM); Books & Beverages – the book club experience without the commitment (one Thu/month, 6-7 PM)
• Capital City Pride – Book club meets every other month, rotating to different independent book stores. For titles being read and dates, locations, visit: https://www.capitalcitypride.org/pride-book-club

VII.       Beaverdale Books provides Bestseller Lists on their website, including a parade of Iowa-authored books to consider. Many Iowa authors also have recordings archived in The Culture Buzz Podcast Library (https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz).   https://beaverdalebooks.com/news/

March bestsellers are:

1. By Any Other Name, Jodi Picoult
2. Replacement Parts, Marc Dickinson*
3. Antiracism as Daily Practice: Refuse Shame, Change White Communities, and Help Create a Just World, Jennifer Harvey*
4. Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout
5. Spiritual Journey to Anti-Racism, Daniel Henderson*
6. Somewhere Beyond the Sea, TJ Klune
7. Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love, Scott Dominic Carpenter
8. Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines: A History, Mary Christopher* and Mike Rowley*
9. The Life Impossible, Matt Haig
10.  Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of the American Food Industry, Austin Frerick*

*Iowa Author!

*Highlighted author names indicate interviews are in The Culture Buzz Archive Library. 

Please visit: https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz 

 

Here are some great Iowa author titles to consider adding to your library:

• The Long Way Back, Nicole Baart*
• The Lincoln Highway in Iowa: A History, Darcy Daugherty Maulsby*
• Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes from the Iowa State Fair Competitions, Kay Fenton Smith* and Carol McGarvey*
• Omari’s Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe, Abena Sankofa Imhotep*
• The Leora’s Letters Dexter Trilogy, plus What Leora Never Knew Joy Neal Kidney* (4 books, each sold separately)

*Highlighted author names indicate interviews are in The Culture Buzz Archive Library. 

Please visit: https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz 

 

Life Resource books worth your consideration –

• Our New World of Adult Bullies: How to Spot Them, How to Stop Them. Bill Eddy. This is Bill Eddy’s insightful and informative guide to meet the challenges that this growing social trend has created.   “Our New World of Adult Bullies is timely! Anyone can be bullied. Bill Eddy explains not only the damaging toxicity and effects of bullying but the psychological understanding of how to stop it. Poignant examples, from history and everyday life, bring it home. This book empowers and offers solutions instead of reactions. Much needed in a time of great divide and polarization.” —Karyl Mcbride, Ph.D., author of Will the Drama Ever End? Untangling and Healing from the Harmful Effects of Parental Narcissism   https://highconflictinstitute.com/   https://www.unhookedmedia.com/stock/p/our-new-world-of-adult-bullies
• Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: A Food-First Plan to Optimize Your Mental Health. Dr. Georgia Ede. Combine the surprising truth about brain food with the cutting edge of brain metabolism to achieve extraordinary emotional, cognitive, and physical health. “This book is an invaluable resource and guide for anyone looking to enhance their health and life through the thoughtful integration of nutrition.” – David Perlmutter, MD
• Happy AF: Simple Strategies to Get Unstuck, Bounce Back, and Live Your Best Life. Beth Romero. Fresh, insightful, and grounded academic research, this cheeky, no-nonsense manifesto offers practical strategies and easy-to-follow exercises for flexing your happiness muscle and maximizing your potential — essentially laying out the blueprint for how to be happy AF and live your best life. “A sharp, sometimes witty, often helpful map for pointing your life in the direction of happiness.” – Kirkus Reviews
• The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable about Preparing for Your Future. Ed Hajim. Ed shares his wealth of experience, challenges and success, distilling it with a clarity and appeal that will benefit everyone desiring great advice through this allegorical telling in planning their future. “This wonderful fable draws on the hard-won life lessons of fabled financier Ed Hajim. … For those on a similar quest, let Ed be your guide through reading this allegorical tale. It informs and inspires.” —Mark Zupan, President, Alfred University

Check out insightful interviews in The Culture Buzz Podcast Library at https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz

 

Performing Arts & Cultural Organizations

Please check in advance regarding any scheduled performances, exhibitions, museum visits, etc.

• Ankeny Community Theatre –   www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com; Facebook: Ankeny Community Theatre
• Ballet Des Moines – https://www.balletdesmoines.org/
• Carousel Theatre of Indianola – www.carouseltheatre.org; Facebook: Carousel Theatre Indianola
• Central Iowa Wind Ensemble – https://www.facebook.com/CentralIowaWindEnsemble/
• Civic Music Association – https://civicmusic.org/
• Class Act Productions –   www.captheatre.org; Facebook: CAP Theatre
• Des Moines Community Playhouse/Kate Goldman Theatre –   www.dmplayhouse.com; Facebook: DMPlayhouse
• Des Moines Metro Opera – https://desmoinesmetroopera.org/
• Des Moines Performing Arts/Temple Theater/Stoner Studio Theater –
• featuring an eclectic mix of Broadway national tours, symphony, music and more   www.desmoinesperformingarts.org; Facebook: Des Moines Performing Arts
• Des Moines Symphony – https://www.dmsymphony.org/
• Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre –   www.dmyat.org; Facebook: DM Young Artists Theatre
• Hoyt Sherman Place Theatre – featuring an eclectic mix of music, comedy, dance and more. https://hoytsherman.org/calendar/events/#all
• Iowa Shakespeare Experience –   www.iowashakespeare.org; Facebook: Iowa Shakespeare Experience
• Iowa Stage Theatre Company –   www.iowastage.org; Facebook: Iowa Stage Theatre Company
• Pyramid Theatre Company –   www.pyramidtheatre.org; Facebook: Pyramid Theatre Company
• Science Center of Iowa – https://www.sciowa.org/; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sciowa
• Tallgrass Theatre Company –   www.tallgrasstheatre.org; Facebook: Tallgrass Theatre Company
• Urbandale Community Theatre –   www.urbandaletheatre.com; Facebook: Urbandale Community Theatre

Greater Des Moines/Central Iowa Independent Book Stores:

The Culture Buzz encourages you to visit your local independent book store regularly. Check these sites, as their calendars are always filled with enticing activities and news.

• Beaverdale Books, Des Moines. http://www.beaverdalebooks.com/
• Storyhouse Bookpub, Des Moines Historic East Village. https://storyhousebookpub.com/
• Reading in Public Bookstore + Café, Historic Valley Junction. https://readinginpublic.com/
• Indie Authors Book Expo, Valley West Mall. https://iabe515.wordpress.com/
• Pageturners Bookstore, Indianola. http://www.pageturnersbookstore.com/
• Dog-eared Books, Ames. https://dogearedbooksames.com/
• Read a Book Nook, Marshalltown. https://read-a-book-nook.business.site/
• Book Vault, Oskaloosa. https://bookvault.indielite.org/
• Pella Books, Pella. https://pellabooks.com/
• Prairie Lights Books & Cafe, Iowa City. https://www.prairielights.com/           

Cultural Exploration Resources:

The Culture Buzz will begin including carefully vetted but comprehensive listings where you can do some advance online exploration before scheduling destinations in the region. These are two great websites to know about:

• The Culture Buzz – John Busbee and associates encourage cultural adventurers through the comprehensive overview of what The Culture Buzz delivers. An archive library of favorite interviews is on the website, and all recent interviews can be found at The Culture Buzz Podcast Library – https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz. Website – http://www.TheCultureBuzz.com/
• Gentle Guide to Theater – Timothy Rose renews his insights and information about the Central Iowa theatre scene with his new website. This site is anchored by the most navigable, informative calendar of upcoming things theatrical in this region. www.gentleguidetheatre.com
• Center Stage – This Cityview monthly column covers feature stories about Central Iowa’s theatre scene. Distributed throughout the region and available online. Current column: https://www.dmcityview.com/center-stage
• Cityview – Central Iowa’s monthly printed and continually updated online resource to all things happening in your community, from arts & culture, to music, to civic and political discourse, to fascinating columnists and stories. Cityview is the reliable source for keeping you informed and engaged in the Greater Des Moines community and beyond. https://www.dmcityview.com/
• Des Moines Arts Festival (https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/) and Bravo Greater Des Moines (https://bravogreaterdesmoines.org/) – have joined forces to provide resources, support and networking for individual artists (DMAF) and cultural organizations (Bravo). For artists and organizations seeking to gain the training, information and resources for success, check out www.artswork.art, https://iowaartistdirectory.org/home/, https://www.artswork.art/cbc
• Axios – Des Moines – this free, weekday newsletter is a quick-read, reliable Greater Des Moines news resource by two veteran news journalists, Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta. https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines
• Art Week Des Moines – this annual, community/neighborhood celebration of the arts happens in several Greater Des Moines communities during the week leading up to the Des Moines Arts Festival. Planning, engagement and more happen throughout the year, and a diversity of input is welcomed and embraced by this initiative. https://artweekdesmoines.com/
• dsm Magazine – Central Iowa’s gateway to arts, culture and more in a stunning, visual format. https://dsmmagazine.com/ dsm’s CultureCast podcast features interviews with cultural leaders, artists and musicians.
• ia Magazine – Built upon the success of its Central Iowa counterpart, this annual gem brings enticing cultural news from across the state. https://iapublication.com/
• Contact Buzz – This column covers crossroads between creativity and culture, and is offered in the new Des Moines edition of Little Village magazine. https://littlevillagemag.com/desmoines/
• Little Village magazine. This Des Moines edition of the iconic Iowa City monthly brings a progressive voice to Central Iowa readers. https://littlevillagemag.com/desmoines/
• 900Views Podcast. An exploration of arts and community with Host Pat Boddy. Based out of Mainframe Studios in downtown Des Moines, 900Views provides a platform for glimpsing the creative work and lives of the Midwest’s cultural producers and influencers. https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/900views-pat-boddy-RCELj1xc7Wh/
• Greater Des Moines Community Jazz Center is this region’s source for a decades-established advocacy group for jazz, and established jazz professionals guiding and nurturing next generations of jazz musicians and fans. http://dmcommunityjazzcenter.org/
• Central Iowa Blues Society is the area’s connecting point for performance, presentations and education in the world of blues. www.cibs.org
• Bryan Farland, for many years, single handedly puts together the most comprehensive list of live and streaming music in Iowa. Bryan reaches out two ways, https://www.facebook.com/TheListDSM and farlanbr@dsmlivemusic.com

Resources to help, support and guide during any challenges you or someone you care about may be experiencing:

• COVID Iowa Recovery: 800-775-9276 https://covidrecoveryiowa.org/
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: 988 or info@nami.org
• United Way 211: Dial 211, text ZIP code to 898211 or visit 211iowa.org
• CICIL: #CICILServes COVID-19 Hotline: (866) 44-CICIL
• Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
• LGBT National Youth Talkline: (800) 246-7743
• LGBT National Talkline: (888) 843-4564
• Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center: dmpcc.org
• Broadlawns 24/7 Crisis Team: (515) 282-5752
• Your Life Iowa Help Line: (855) 581-8111
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to be connected to crisis counseling
• Online Mental Health Crisis Chat: iowacrisischat.org
• MercyOne Des Moines Behavioral Health Clinic: 515-643-9030.
• Prelude Behavioral Services (substance treatment): 515-262-0349
• *Domestic Violence: 515.286.3600 (Polk County Crisis & Advocacy)
• *Poison Control: 800.222.1222
• *Mental Health Crisis: 515.282.5752 (Broadlawns Crisis Team)
• *LGBTQ+ Abuse: 866.488.7386
• *Sexual Assault: 515.243.7386 (Children & Families of Iowa)
• *Veteran Crisis: 800.273.8255 press1 (Veterans & Their Families Health Crisis Line
• *Child Abuse/Neglect: 800.422.4453 (National US Child Abuse Hotline)
• Animal Abuse/Neglect: 515.284.6905 (Des Moines Animal Control)

*open 24/7

 

As always, I appreciate news and information from you out there in the cultural trenches and am ready and willing to pursue a story or interview to share with my audiences.

 

Creatively yours, John Busbee