Greetings, Cultural Adventurers:
9/22/2026
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 –
“The first step toward tolerance is respect and the first step toward respect is knowledge.”
– Henry Louis Gates Jr., an American literary critic, professor, historian, and filmmaker who serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and the director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.
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 –
Des Moines Symphony. “Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story.” Sep 26-27. Des Moines Symphony’s Season Debut: Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story, coming up September 26 & 27. There are a few especially unique elements to this concert that we thought might be of interest to your audience: Harry Smith returns to Des Moines to narrate Peter Boyer’s American Mosaic, and both Boyer and the work’s visual artist, Joe Sohm, will be here for the performances. Iowa composer Linda Robbins Coleman will also be in attendance as the program features her work, In Good King Charles’s Golden Days. https://dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/season-debut-unity-american-mosaic-west-side-story/
The Sherman Hill Historic Home Tour returns Sept. 26 and 27 for its 50th celebration.
Iowa Storytellers Project
Presented by Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation in partnership with Des Moines Register – “Voyages” – Tue Sep 29 – 7 PM. hoytsherman.org.
Iowa Stage Theatre Company. Reefer Madness. Oct 2-11. https://www.iowastage.org/
CAP Theatre. CAP Radio Hour: Live! Poe’s Dark Tales. Oct 2-4. https://www.captheatre.org/the-cap-radio-hour-live-3/
Des Moines Performing Arts – Live at the Temple Series. Alysha Brilla. Oct 2. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/latt/alysha-brilla
About Time Theatre. Building the Wall. Oct 2-11. https://abouttimetheatre.com/
Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Theatre. Bluebird Improv. Oct 3. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/bluebird-improv
Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Comedy Series. Hold on to Your Butts. Oct 4-11. https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/temple-comedy/hold-on-to-your-butts
Tallgrass Theatre Company. She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition. Thru Sep 27. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/
Des Moines Playhouse. Come from Away. Thru Oct 4.
https://dmplayhouse.com/events/come-from-away/
II. This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –
11:00 AM – The new issue of Iowa History Journal brings another delightful and informative dive into Iowa’s diverse history through its award-winning storytelling. Cover story author, Linda Betsinger McCann, shares glimpses into the powerful force that helped America win WW II – Rosie the Riveter.
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https://iowahistoryjournal.com/
11:14 AM – Opens Oct 2. CAP Radio Theatre debuts with Poe’s Darkest Tales Oct 2-4. This progressive youth company, ages 7-17, works in concert with parents and board members to create innovative, appealing programming. Its Radio Theatre is the latest opportunity for young performers and production people to express their creativity. Listen as Kathy Pearson (Director) and her son, Dez (Asst. Director, Narrator) share insights into this delightful romp into the Golden Age of radio.
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https://www.captheatre.org/the-cap-radio-hour-live-3/
11:27 AM – One performance only – Sat Oct 3. Des Moines Performing Arts presents the nationally acclaimed comedy group, Bluebird Improv, for one night in its national tour. Listen as company member Brad Morris shares terrific commentary about this group of improv all-stars and their unique brand of improv.
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https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/bluebird-improv
11:45 AM – In Catherine Over Water, Nancy Schoellkopf takes readers on a unique adventure as a kidnapped girl and a chatty young crow bond. Listen as Nancy shares glimpses into this captivating tale.
“Intimate voices sharing humor, healing and freedom—a down-to-earth fable for our time.”—June Gillam, author of the Hillary Broome Novels
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12:00 PM – Opening this Friday. Ankeny Community Theatre brings one of America’s favorite board games to delightful life as they present Clue. Listen as Director Katie Wollan, Katie Saldanha (as Yvette), and Alysa Goethe (as Miss Scarlet) lead a rousing conversation about their production.
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https://ankenycommunitytheatre.com/
12:12 PM – Opens soon. The cutting-edge company, About Time Theatre, prepares its next immersive performing arts experience when Building the Wall run Oct 2-11. Listen as cast member Eric Olson shares insights about this powerful show.
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12:27 PM – Opening soon. Reefer Madnesshas achieved a cult-like status akin to Ricky Horror, and Iowa Stage Theatre Company brings this seductive, addictive show to Central Iowa audiences Oct 2-11. Director Michael Tomlinson and cast member Amy Burgmeier (as Sally DeBains) lead a lively discussion about the unique artistic choices made to take this show to a new high.
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https://www.iowastage.org/reefer-madness
12:44 PM – The Gates of Midnight is the much-anticipated conclusion to Helene Wecker’s The Golem and the Jinni trilogy. Listen as Helens leads us into this richly satisfying novel.
“Wecker wraps up her popular Golem and Jinni trilogy with lashings of magic and mayhem. . . . A well-spun, fan-pleasing story that ends happily ever after—which, for the two principals, means eternity.”
– Kirkus Reviews
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III. Performance Arts
1. Des Moines Symphony. “Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story.” Sep 26-27. Des Moines Symphony’s Season Debut: Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story, coming up September 26 & 27. There are a few especially unique elements to this concert that we thought might be of interest to your audience: Harry Smith returns to Des Moines to narrate Peter Boyer’s American Mosaic, and both Boyer and the work’s visual artist, Joe Sohm, will be here for the performances. Iowa composer Linda Robbins Coleman will also be in attendance as the program features her work, In Good King Charles’s Golden Days.
2. Iowa Storytellers Project
Presented by Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation in partnership with Des Moines Register – “Voyages” – Tue Sep 29 – 7 PM. hoytsherman.org.
3. Tallgrass Theatre Company. She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition. Thru Sep 27.
4. Des Moines Playhouse. Come from Away. Thru Oct 4.
5. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. Reefer Madness. Oct 2-11
6. Des Moines Performing Arts – Live at the Temple Series. Alysha Brilla. Oct 2.
7. About Time Theatre. Building the Wall. Oct 2-11.
8. Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Theatre. Bluebird Improv. Oct 3.
9. CAP Theatre. CAP Radio Hour: Live! Poe’s Dark Tales. Oct 2-4.
10. Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Comedy Series. Hold on to Your Butts. Oct 4-11.
11. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre (DMYAT). The Addams Family School Edition. Oct 23-Nov 1.
12. Des Moines Playhouse – Kate Goldman Family Series. Junie B. Jones in Boo…and I Mean It. Oct 16-Nov 1.
13. Comedy Xperiment. Oct 16-17. https://tallgrasstheatre.thundertix.com/events/236874
14. Ballet Des Moines. GHOST STORIES Oct 23-24, 7 PM.
HOYT SHERMAN PLACE. Featuring the world premiere Nevermore inspired by Edgar Allan Poe from BDM Resident Choreographer Tom Mattingly, Ghost Ballads by Adriana Pierce, eerie excerpts from Giselle, plus a Thriller of an appearance.
https://www.balletdesmoines.org/ghost-stories
15. Des Moines Playhouse – Final Act Ensemble. Halloween Show. Oct 27.
IV. Visual Arts – Exhibitions
Exhibitions –
· Polk County Heritage Gallery. The Friday Group – Ron Dinsdale, Elizabeth Engler, Jim Engler, Tom Murphy, Nancy Prizant, Jeff Rider, Denise Wicker. Thru Sep 24. https://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/up-next#new-page
· 12th Annual Art Harvest Tour. Sep 26-27, 10Am-5PM. This scenic opportunity to visit artist galleries and explore a diverse array of regional artists in the Des Moines River Valley area is enticing. https://www.facebook.com/artharvesttour/
· 55th Octagon Art Festival
Sun Sep 27, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm, Main Street, downtown Ames
The Octagon Center for the Arts is proud to present the 55th Annual Octagon Art Festival. 90 artists from 7 states and all over the Midwest will fill Main Street in downtown Ames with artistic creations. www.octagonarts.org
· Friday, October 9th from 5pm – 8pm for the opening reception of Human Experience during Valley Junction Gallery Night.
Featuring six Midwestern artists whose works express different facets of being human. While some of the artists use their own body as a stand-in for broader metaphors, you’ll see others tap into the tradition of art historical tableau paintings contrasted with nostalgic + contemporary scenes of everyday life. https://olsonlarsen.com/
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. Mainframe Studios. https://www.mainframestudios.org/events
13. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2
14. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2 Presents six exhibitions each year.
15. Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines. 2
http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
16. Slow Down Coffee Shop. Des Moines. 2
https://www.theslowdowndsm.com/
17. 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. Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress. Kate Goldman Family Series. Mon Oct 19, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions. 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.
· AUDITIONS. Les Misérables. Sun Nov 1, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions.
· AUDITIONS. The Lifespan of a Fact. Mon Nov 9, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions.
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. The Ingersoll. https://www.theingersoll.com/
13. Theatre Midwest. https://www.theatremidwest.org/
14. Urbandale Community Theatre. https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/
VI. Planning ahead
The Science Center of Iowa (SCI)
SCI will celebrate Latino Heritage Month with ¡Ciencia para todos!, a free community event bringing science, culture and families together on Sat Oct 3, from 5-8 p.m.
https://www.sciowa.org/programs-and-events/special-events/ciencia-para-todos/
Cemetery Tours
https://www.dsm.city/news_detail_T21_R216.php
Glendale Cemetery Historical Tour by Ganesh Ganpat
Glendale Cemetery – 4909 University Ave.
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00-12:00 PM
- Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10:00-12:00 PM
Woodland Cemetery Historical Tour by Archie Cook
Woodland Cemetery – 2019 Woodland Ave.
- Saturday, October 10, 2026, 1:00-3:30 PM
2026 Jordan House Heritage Jubilee
The Jordan House is the destination for the West Des Moines Historical Society’s 2026 Jordan House Heritage Jubilee, Sat Oct 3. From 1-4 PM.
https://www.wdmhs.org/heritagejubilee/
Beyond the Mic: Des Moines Conference Gives Iowa Youth a Voice and a Future:
Award-winning voiceover artist Jessica Trinidad and Zuli Garcia of Knock and Drop Iowa will host BEYOND THE MIC, Iowa’s first voiceover conference on October 10 in Des Moines, offering Iowa’s youth free access to professional coaching, career guidance, and hands-on voiceover experience. EVENT DETAILS: Beyond the Mic: Voiceover and Creative Careers Conference. Sat Oct 10, 1 to 3 PM at Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, Iowa.
About Beyond the Mic Voiceover Conference
The Beyond the Mic Voiceover conference was created to support, uplift, empower, and inspire the next generation of artists to build a career through voiceover, acting, public speaking, writing, and storytelling. It will provide emerging and underserved artists with access to professionals who have built successful careers in the creative industry.
christina@ptmediagroupdsm.com.com, (515) 303-0093.
GHOST STORIES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 7:00PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 7:00PM
HOYT SHERMAN PLACE
Featuring the world premiere Nevermore inspired by Edgar Allan Poe from BDM Resident Choreographer Tom Mattingly, Ghost Ballads by Adriana Pierce, eerie excerpts from Giselle, plus a Thriller of an appearance.
https://www.balletdesmoines.org/ghost-stories
Broadway Cabaret – Sondheim Tricks andTreats.
Announcing my amazing cast for Sondheim Tricks and Treats! Don’t miss this wonderful tribute to composer Stephen Sondheim! 12 amazing guest artists! Oct 25, 5-8pm
https://www.facebook.com/share/1GLzEuJBwp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Musical Feast II – a pre-Thanksgiving Show
A Sunday funday to support KFMG Community Radio. Sun Nov 15, 3-7 PM at xBk, 1159 – 24th Street, Des Moines. Hosted by Chip Albright and Ron Sorenson. Dartanyan Brown, Joe Knser, Brian Joens, Kat Darling, Get Off My Lawn.
https://wl.eventim.us/event/musical-feast-2-a-pre-thanksgiving-show-free/705014?afflky=xBkLive
VII. Between the covers – author/book events worth noting:
1. Beaverdale Books at the Franklin Event Center. Jodi Picoult. Hollow Bones. Wed Sep 23, 6:30 PM. Ticketed event.
2. Beaverdale Books. Jaime Zollars. Maybe Monsters. Thu Sep 24, 4:30 PM.
3. Beaverdale Books. John Henkels. The Alabama Prophet. Fri Sep 25, 6:30 PM.
4. Beaverdale Books. Warren Haddock. Least of These, Virtually Any Man. Thu Oct 1, 6:30 PM.
5. Des Moines Central Library. Fall Author Series. William Kent Krueger. Fri Oct 2, 6:30 PM.
6. Beaverdale Books. Keri Mangis. The Essential Ingredient: Remaking Ourselves in Times of Crisis. Sun Oct 4, 2 PM.
7. Beaverdale Books. Deborah Svec-Carstens. Toward the Light: A Year in Paris. Mon Oct 5, 6:30 PM.
8. Beaverdale Books. Open Mic Poetry Night – Kelsey Bigelow Emcee. 7 PM.
9. Beaverdale Books. Hannah Soyer. Dreams in Which I’m Almost Human: A Memoir. Mon Oct 12, 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, Historic Valley Junction. 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
