Greetings, Cultural Adventurers:
2/3/2026
From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, Mainframe Studios at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, Iowa comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning indie radio station, KFMG-LP 98.9 FM (streaming simultaneously at www.kfmg.org), bringing you music, literature & cultural content.
Quote of the Week –
“A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.” – James Joyce (1882-1941), from Ulysses. James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist, poet, and literary critic who contributed to the modernist movement. He’s known for his experimental use of language and exploration of new literary techniques, particularly the stream of consciousness style. His major works include A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916), Ulysses (1922), and Finnegans Wake (1939).
Newsletter content:
I. Iowa Flash Buzz – Iowa/Greater Des Moines cultural news of the week;
II. Guests on this week’s show;
III. Performance Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
IV. Visual Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
V. Auditions and other engagement opportunities (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
VI. Planning ahead;
VII. Author events (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
I. Iowa Flash Buzz –
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap
The Des Moines Playhouse brings this captivating who-done-it, to vibrant life (and, death) on stage Feb 6-Mar 1. Interview with two cast members in this week’s show.
 |
https://dmplayhouse.com/events/agatha-christies-the-mousetrap/
Kimberly Akimbo National Tour comes to Des Moines
Des Moines Performing Arts welcomes this five-times Tony Awards winning show, including Best Musical, which runs Feb 3-8. Lead Ann Morrison interview in today’s show.
“A HOWLINGLY FUNNY HEARTBREAKER OF A SHOW.” – The New Yorker
 |
https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/broadway/kimberly-akimbo
The Terrace Hill Partnership will host its first Valentine’s Day Tea
Sat Feb 14 from 2 – 3:30 pm enjoy sweet and savory bites, Terrace Hill’s special blend tea, and sparkling wine (non-alcoholic option available for guests under 21) while enjoying the beauty of the 1869 residence. Reservations are $50 per guest and must be made in advance. Purchase tickets online through Eventbrite, or call the Terrace Hill office at 515-281-7205.
 |
The Terrace Hill Partnership presents first 2026 Tea & Talk Series
Tea & Talk series at 2:00 pm on the following Saturdays, Feb 7, 21, 28, and Mar 7. Guests will hear from local speakers, who will cover topics centered around arts and culture, conservation and gardening, historic architecture, and book publishing and illustration. Speakers will give short presentations in Terrace Hill’s Drawing Room. Tickets are $10 per program or $35 for a season pass. The speakers are donating their time, and all proceeds will benefit the gardens of Terrace Hill. Tickets are available on Eventbrite at
https://thteatalkseries2026.eventbrite.com
or by calling the Terrace Hill office at 515.281.7205.
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Feb 7 – Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO, Des Moines Art Center
Thriving: A New Era for the Des Moines Art Center
Feb 21 – Aaron Harpold, Director of Horticulture, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Feb 28 – Scott Allen, Historic Practice Leader, OPN Architects
Terrace Hill – B.F. Allen Greenhouse Reconstruction
Mar 7 – Susan Schmid and Tara Gartin, Author & Illustrator of No Company for Christmas
Turning Terrace Hill into a Book
Polk County Heritage Gallery
Greater Des Moines Exhibited 2025(ish), thru Feb 12, 2026.
 |
https://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/now-showing#gdm-exhibited-2025ish-selected-artists
II. This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –
11:00 AM – Appearing at Franklin Event Center Wed Feb 11. Multimillion selling UK author Adele Parks embarks on her first American book tour, including a stop in Des Moines. Listen as the vivacious Adele provides tantalizing glimpses into her latest offering, Our Beautiful Mess. Her Des Moines appearance will be facilitated by celebrated Iowa thriller author, Heather Gudenkauf.
“This book has it all: an engrossing and emotional plot and characters you truly believe exist beyond its pages. Unforgettable.”
—Gillian McAllister, New York Times bestselling author Wrong Place Wrong Time
 |
11:19 AM – Opening soon. Ankeny Community Theatre brings a fresh take on the timelessness of Jane Austen’s work in Pride@Prejudice. Running Feb 13-22, this show appeals to Austen fans and those unfamiliar with her works but love a great story. Director Julia Spera, Lisa Day (Actress C), and Benjamin Roach (Actor A) lead a lively chat about this show.
 |
https://ankenycommunitytheatre.com/
11:29 AM – Perfect Valentine’s Day afternoon escape. Judy Conlin has been an active participant and advocate for Iowa’s strong poetry scene. She brings her eloquent insights in sharing this year’s My Favorite Poem event, a celebration of the love of poetry on Valentine’s Day, 2-4 PM. Free, fun, with chocolate and sparkling wine, there is no better setting for poetic interplay.
 |
11:40 AM – A Tiny White Light: A Memoir of a Mind in Crisis is a brilliantly told story, deeply personal, exceptionally forthright, by its author and subject, Linda Bass. From an author with a psychology background, a candid memoir about the interior of her own psychotic episode and its origins in guilt, lost purpose, conflict between mothering and career, and the ambiguity in her relationship with her therapist.
“Through poetic and thought-provoking prose, [Bass] examines the human need for companionship and connection with refreshing candor, not shying away from describing the darker aspects of her own impulses and behavior . . . the work’s exceptional prose and unflinching honesty make for an engaging read . . . A skillfully written personal exploration.”
—Kirkus Reviews
 |
12:00 PM – Opening Fri Feb 6. The Des Moines Playhouse brings Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, the captivating who-done-it, to vibrant life (and, death) on stage Feb 6-Mar 1. Listen as Sara Collins as Miss Casewell and Nathan Jorgenson as Christopher Wren (pictured) liven up the conversation with insights into this classic fast-paced murder mystery.
 |
 |
https://dmplayhouse.com/events/agatha-christies-the-mousetrap/
12:13 PM – Appearing at Beaverdale Books Thu Feb 5. Ellie Roscher, writer and teacher, is a passionate advocate for equity. She/they is articulate, well-researched, and convincingly gifted in bringing much needed attention to the issues broached in her new book, Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports. Listen to the compelling glimpses that Ellie brings to the conversation.
“Fair Game is a bold and necessary call to action—because trans athletes aren’t a threat to sports, they’re a threat to the systems that try to exclude them. If you care about fairness, equity, and human rights, you need to read this.”
—Megan Rapinoe, World Cup champion, New York Times bestselling author, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
 |
12:30 PM – Des Moines Performing Arts welcomes the national tour of Kimberly Akimbo, the hit Broadway musical that won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, runs Feb 3-8. Listen as headliner Ann Morrison shares insights into this heart-touching show.
“A HOWLINGLY FUNNY HEARTBREAKER OF A SHOW.” – The New Yorker
 |
 |
https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/broadway/kimberly-akimbo
12:45 PM – Celebrated board book Sandra Magsamen returns to the show with an exceptional book geared for toddlers, and powered by the adults that encourage its message. 100 Ways to Say I Love You is a truly engaging, colorfully illustrated adventure for growing young minds and souls. Listen as Sandra exudes the inspirational force that leads her to create such masterful works for our next generations.
“Brilliant in its directness and simplicity, giving young minds plenty of engaging opportunities to embrace the messages infusing this gem, Sandra Magsamen’s 100 Words to Say I Love You is an essential gift to any young one in their quest to becoming a better human being.” – The Culture Buzz
 |
https://www.sandramagsamen.com/
III. Performance Arts
1. Des Moines Performing Arts. Kimberly Akimbo. National Tour. Feb 3-8. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/broadway/kimberly-akimbo
2. Des Moines Playhouse. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Feb 6-Mar 1. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/agatha-christies-the-mousetrap/
3. Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Comedy Series. The Naked Magicians. Feb 12-14, five shows. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/temple-comedy/the-naked-magicians
4. Ankeny Community Theatre. Pride@Prejudice. Feb 13-22. https://ankenycommunitytheatre.com/
5. Tallgrass Theatre Company. Disenchanted! Feb 13-Mar 1. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/tickets/
6. AUDITIONS: Des Moines Playhouse-Kate Goldman Family Series. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical. Feb 16. https://dmplayhouse.com/auditions/polkadots-the-cool-kids-musical-2/
7. Des Moines Performing Arts – National Geographic Series. Life on the Move. Feb 16. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/national-geographic-live/life-on-the-move
8. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. Winnie the Pooh. Feb 20-Mar 1. https://www.dmyat.org/winnie-the-pooh
9. CAP (Class Act Productions) Theatre. Oliver, Jr. Feb 20-Mar 8. https://www.captheatre.org/
10. AUDITIONS: Tallgrass Theatre Company – Sarah Frank & Jack Balcombe Dream Project. For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday. Director – Tom Perrine. Sun Feb 22, 6 PM, Mon Feb 23 7 PM.
11. AUDITIONS: Ankeny Community Theatre. Enemy of the People by Arthur Miller. Director – Dan Chase. Sun Feb 22, and Mon Feb 23 at 6:30 PM.
12. Des Moines Performing Arts. The Outsiders. National Tour. Feb 24-Mar 1. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2025-26/broadway/the-outsiders
IV. Visual Arts – Exhibitions
Exhibitions –
· New works of art will soon light up the night along Ingersoll Avenue this winter and spring. The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is thrilled to announce the artist selections and schedule for their upcoming Projector Showcase.
The east facade of 2925 Ingersoll Avenue, traditionally the site of “So Much Water So Close to Home” by Iowa artist Matthew Kluber, will temporarily be used as a canvas for three new works of art over the next several months made possible by a rooftop public art projector.
A projector has been showcasing Kluber’s work since 2015, this is the first year that The Avenues has hosted a projector showcase. “So Much Water So Close To Home” will return to the site following the showcase schedule.
Following a public Call for Artists, The Avenues’ Arts & Culture committee reviewed submissions and ultimately selected three pieces:January 22 – February 18: “A Feast For Your Eyes” by Alyson O’Hara and Genevieve Lavalle, of Des Moines; February 19 – March 18: “Grasp” by Jennifer Leatherby, of Des Moines; March 19 – April 16: “Polychromatic Rabbit” by Heather Vail, of Corydon. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design, 2711 Ingersoll, sponsored an honorarium for each selected artwork, as artists deserve to be compensated for their work.
“This showcase is an opportunity for The Avenues to use our unique public art projector platform to highlight the work of emerging artists from Iowa,” said Lauren Kollauf, executive director of The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand. “We hope the public will be intrigued by the new works and visit our district to see them on display.”
· Des Moines Art Center. Camille Henrot. Thru Mar 29.
· Des Moines Art Center. Bill Owens. “Work and Leisure,” thru Apr 19.
· Moberg Gallery. Jeff Fleming. “The Milky Way,” thru Feb 6.
1. 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/
2. 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
3. The Grinnell College Museum of Art. Grinnell. 2https://www.grinnell.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/museum
4. 2AU. West Des Moines. 1,2
5. 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/
6. Heritage Art Gallery. 2 Des Moines. http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
7. Hoyt Sherman Place Art Gallery. 2 Des Moines. https://hoytsherman.org/gallery/
8. IN Tandem Arts & Authors. 1,2 Des Moines. https://www.facebook.com/INTandemArtsAndAuthors/
9. Kavanaugh Art Gallery. West Des Moines. 1,2
10. Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. 1,2 kunzlerstudios.com
11. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines.
12. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2
13. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2
14. Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines. 2
http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
15. Slow Down Coffee Shop. Des Moines. 2
https://www.theslowdowndsm.com/
16. 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.
V. Auditions, Volunteer, and other Enhancement Opportunities –
“The Arts is a Contact Sport” (A Culture Buzz creed)
· AUDITIONS: Des Moines Playhouse-Kate Goldman Family Series. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical. Feb 16.
· AUDITIONS: Tallgrass Theatre Company. For Peter Pan on her 70thBirthday. Feb 23.
· AUDITIONS: Des Moines Playhouse. Noises Off! Mar 23.
· Additional volunteer opportunities abound – 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 out these theatre companies to consider a wide range of engagement opportunities.
1. About Time Theatre Company. https://abouttimetheatre.com/shows/
2. Ankeny Community Theatre. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/audition.html
3. Carousel Theatre of Indianola. https://carouseltheatre.org/?page_id=344
4. Class Act Productions (CAP). http://www.captheatre.org/main/expect/
5. Des Moines Community Playhouse. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/audition-2/
6. Des Moines Performing Arts. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/
7. Des Moines Young Artists Theatre.
8. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. https://www.iowastage.org/audition
9. Once in a While Productions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6717224708342610/
10. Pyramid Theatre Company. http://pyramidtheatre.org/
11. Tallgrass Theatre Company. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
12. Theatre Midwest. https://www.theatremidwest.org/
13. Urbandale Community Theatre. https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/
VI. Planning ahead
Feb 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
RDG Planning & Design (Grand Ave), 301 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
You’re invited to our 2026 Favorite (love) Poem Project event on Valentine’s Day at RDG Planning & Design in Des Moines! A dozen local community leaders will read their favorite love poems alongside chocolates and bubbly for all to enjoy.
https://www.poetryamp.org/events
Today marks the opening of “America 250: Prairie, Plows, and the People’s College“ at Farm House Museum, commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary through more than 250 historical objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State, Early Iowa, Immigration, National Imagery, Native Stories, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts, textiles, furniture, and documents that trace Iowa State’s land-grant heritage. Visitors can see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook, a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852, the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s, and other objects that reveal how Farm House residents and early Iowa State students lived and learned. The exhibition runs through October 2026 and is free and open to the public. Visit museums.iastate.edu for hours and more information.
Howie’s Cabaret – Rarey Sung Broadway Treasures
Sun Mar 8, 5-8 PM at St. James Celebrations 9774 G24 HWY, Indianola, IA 50125
Free and open to the public. Produced by Michael Howland, Des Moines Theatre veterans are assigned both a solo and duet – each song is on the top of Howie’s list of Broadway musical numbers that are often overshadowed… powerful vocals, show stopping numbers, and amazing talent! Beverages available for purchase. You may bring your own food. Please invite your friends and family to attend!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1215899620012161
 |
VII. Between the covers – author/book events worth noting:
1. Beaverdale Books. Ellie Roscher. Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports. Thu Feb 5, 6:30 PM.
2. Beaverdale Books. Jarrett Dapier. Wake now in the Fire. Fri Feb 6, 6:30 PM.
3. Beaverdale Books at the Franklin Event Center. Adele Parks. Our Beautiful Mess. Wed Feb 11, 6:30 PM.
4. Beaverdale Books. Daniel Henderson. Rhythm & Pep. Tue Feb 17, 6:30 PM.
5. Beaverdale Books. Jenna Blum. Murder Your Darlings. Fri Feb 13, 6:30 PM.
6. Beaverdale Books. Kali White VanBaale. Release of Information and Other Linked Stories. Fri Feb 20, 6:30 PM.
*Highlighted author names indicate interviews are in The Culture Buzz Archive Library.
Please visit: https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz
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.
1. Beaverdale Books, Des Moines.
http://www.beaverdalebooks.com/
2. Storyhouse Bookpub, Des Moines Historic East Village.
https://storyhousebookpub.com/
3. The Little Book, Des Moines (Highland Park District).
https://www.thelittlebookdsm.com/
4. Shelf Love DSM, Des Moines (Drake Neighborhood).
5. Nos Books, Des Moines (Drake Neighborhood). https://www.nosbookstore.com/
6. Reading in Public Bookstore + Café, Historic Valley Junction.
7. Indie Authors Book Expo, Valley West Mall. https://iabe515.wordpress.com/
8. Pageturners Bookstore, Indianola.
http://www.pageturnersbookstore.com/
9. Dog-eared Books, Ames.
https://dogearedbooksames.com/
10. Read a Book Nook, Marshalltown.
https://read-a-book-nook.business.site/
11. Book Vault, Oskaloosa.
https://bookvault.indielite.org/
12. Pella Books, Pella.
13. Prairie Lights Books & Cafe, Iowa City.
https://www.prairielights.com/
Thank you for your cultural adventurism,
John Busbee for The Culture Buzz
