Tuesday, October 7, 2025

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The Culture Buzz

Greetings, Cultural Catalysts:

By John Busbee

8/30/2022

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Central Time.
Broadcast regionally on KFMG 98.9 FM; Simultaneously streaming globally through www.kfmg.org

From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, MainFrame Studios Building at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning independent radio station KFMG-LP 98.9 FM, bringing you music, literature & cultural news. — John Busbee for The Culture Buzz

The Culture Buzz Podcast Library – https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz
2014 Iowa Governor’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts
2018 – voted Best Local Talk Radio Show
www.TheCultureBuzz.com 

Quote of the Week

“If life were fair, Elvis would still be alive today and all the impersonators would be dead.” – Johnny Carson (1925-2005), born in Corning, Iowa, he was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer.

CNA - Stop HIV (October 2025)CNA - Alcohol/Cancer (October 2025)

Curious about my primary source for reliable quotes, often with back stories included? Just visit Mardy Grothe’s exceptional, free source, Dr. Mardy’s Dictionary of Metaphorical Quotations – https://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/

Newsletter content:

  1. Guests on this week’s show
  2. Performance Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa)
  3. Culinary Arts
  4. Visual Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa)
  5. Auditions and other Individual Enhancement Opportunities
  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

Special Cultural Headline News:

Terrace Hill ‘tour’ now available to anyone, anywhere
AEA Learning Online, an initiative of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, provides quality online learning opportunities for Iowa’s teachers and students. This resource is available to the general public as well. The Terrace Hill 3D tour and interactive lesson are available on the Terrace Hill website (https://terracehill.iowa.gov/3d-tour).

This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –

  • 11:00 AM – Angela Tedesco’s Finding Turtle Farm: My Twenty-Acre Adventure in Community-Based Farming takes readers into a deeper understanding of what Angela experienced as a pioneer and one of the first to establish organic farming in Iowa. “In this era of weather whiplash called climate change, Angela Tedesco provides us a clear path forward. Through vivid storytelling and keen observation, she details the joys and the challenges of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmer, who harvests an amazing bounty of food from tiny seeds. After reading this book, you’ll want to strengthen your commitment to those who grow healthy food, build the soil, and care for creation.” — Teresa Opheim, director, Climate Land Leaders, and initial Turtle Farm CSA subscriber https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/finding-turtle-farm
  • 11:17 AM – Recently, an inspirational force has been writing, sharing and encouraging others to capture their stories. Joy Neal Kidney returns to the show to provide an update and some more glimpses into her family’s rich and telling history, while giving others the loving nudge needed to begin their own memoir and historical journeys. Her two books, “Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II” and “Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression,” are compelling reading for anyone. “The writers of ancestral letters and journals usually were capturing their expressions and events of their day. They weren’t thinking of creating an historical archive. Joy Neal Kidney helps transport her grandmother’s writings – Leora’s Letters – into a captivating bounty of love, challenges and memories that Leora planted decades ago.” – The Culture Buzz https://joynealkidney.com/
  • 11:29 AM – Tallgrass Theatre Company’s Marketing Director, Lisa Richards, shares glimpses into a very appealing 2022-2023 Season of shows. Tallgrass has developed a stellar reputation for its show selection, production values and audience experience, and Lisa chats about these traits and more in this enlightening invitation to become a regular attendee at Tallgrass in their new location. “Tallgrass Theatre Company has blazed its own unique trail in Iowa’s theatre landscape, bringing high-caliber stage shows other companies don’t produce. The intimacy of its new theatre space and its attention to high production values create its signature ‘Tallgrass Experience’ for patrons.” – The Culture Buzz https://tallgrasstheatre.org/
  • 11:45 AM – Versatile writer G. Wayne Miller returns with his newest book, a captivating thriller, “Blue Hill.” Wayne shares insights into this novel’s making as he masterfully entwines threads of history from the dawn of the explosive beginnings of the personal computer age. “Blue Hill” is a story of seduction by a time and a technology, a painful story of narcissism, compromise, and redemption. G. Wayne Miller helps us to see ourselves as we are, not as who we want to be, and to see a time (1997) and a culture for what it was.  In this hard to put down novel, G. Wayne Miller helps us understand who we become, and even better, who we might be if we take the time to think, look at ourselves in the mirror, and remember what matters. – Michael Fine, author of “Health Care Revolt,” “Abundance” and “The Bull and Other Stories.” http://www.gwaynemiller.com/
  • 12:00 PM – With a special snark beckoning us in America’s northern climes to head southeast, Susan Werner’s new EP, THE BIRDS OF FLORIDA reminds us that there are some places in this country with a different climate. Always bringing a delightful energy to every conversation, Susan shares the inspiration behind this irresistible gem. “This woman is great period.” – Music Row (Nashville) https://susanwerner.com/
  • 12:14 PM – While the actuality of growing up with dirt under his nails is long past, that metaphorical connection with land remains a cornerstone of Neil D. Hamilton’s. He eloquently and with firm grounding in facts and research presents this passion in The Land Remains: A Midwestern Perspective On Our Past and Future. Listen as Neil expresses some glimpses into why our contact with the land is an essential part of our best future. “Of all the agrarian scholar-activists in America, Neil Hamilton has played the most pivotal role in pioneering good policy and stewardship practices than any other individual. He is beloved by farmers, seed savers, agricultural land trusts, and the thousands of students whom he has influenced with his brilliant lectures and compassionate mentoring.” – Gary Paul Habhan, author of Coming Home to Eat, Renewing America’s Food Traditions Food from the Radical Center, and Jesus for Farmers and Fishers https://icecubepress.com/2022/02/18/the-land-remains-2/
  • 12:25 PM – Authors Kay Fenton Smith and Carol McGarvey take a deliciously deep dive into the baking and history at the Iowa State Fair, a pinnacle of perfection for bakers and other food preparers across Iowa. This gem of a book is richly illustrated with recipes, photographs and history, and is a masterful immersion into a legacy subject that has previously not been covered like this. This book is available through the Blue Ribbon Foundation website link (below) or at Beaverdale Books. “Filled with images and history that will sate the most ferocious appetite, Kay Fenton Smith and Carol McGarvey have blended a tantalizing mix of ingredients into one of the most comprehensive and satisfying dives into the history of Iowa State Fair Food Department. Filled with recipes, this truly is a blue ribbon immersion into the culture of Iowa’s grandest annual events.” – The Culture Buzz https://secure2.convio.net/bluerf/site/Ecommerce/1869764355?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=1421&store_id=1241
  • 12:42 PM – Illustrator/writer/historian Gary Kelley releases his newest multifaceted gem Bach and the Blues: Pablo Casals and Robert Johnson. Through exquisite boldness in his illustrations, he conjoins a special time in history in the 1930s when these two artists separately released what would become seminal albums. “When Gary Kelley releases his passionate curiosity about a subject, capturing it in the beauty of his artwork and storytelling, cultural consumers will benefit from a rare feast. ‘Bach and the Blue: Pablo Casals and Robert Johnson is such a stellar work – indulge your senses, immerse yourself.” – The Culture Buzz https://icecubepress.com/2021/12/06/bach-and-the-blues-2/

Performance Arts

  1. Tallgrass Theatre Company. The Sweet Delilah Swim Club. Sep 2-18. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/tickets
  2. Des Moines Community Playhouse. Guys & Dolls. Sep 9-25. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/guys-and-dolls/

Visual Arts — Galleries

  1. Polk County Heritage Gallery. The juried art show Iowa Exhibited XXXVII includes an Aug 18 awards ceremony and open house beginning at 6:30 PM. 49 Iowa artists were selected to exhibit in the show. http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/iowa-exhibited-xxxvii
  2. Artisan Gallery 218. Fields and Flowers. An exhibition by Gallery artists. Thru Sept 30. https://www.artisangallery218.com/
  3. 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/
  4. 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
  5. The Grinnell College Museum of Art. Grinnell. 2 https://www.grinnell.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/museum
  6. 2AU. West Des Moines. 1,2 http://www.2aulimited.com/
  7. Artisan Gallery 218. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://www.artisangallery218.com/
  8. 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/
  9. Hoyt Sherman Place Art Gallery. Des Moines. https://hoytsherman.org/gallery/
  10. Kavanaugh Art Gallery. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://kavanaughgallery.com/
  11. Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. 1,2 kunzlerstudios.com
  12. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines. https://www.lizlidgett.com/
  13. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2 https://moberggallery.com/
  14. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2 https://olsonlarsen.com/
  15. Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines 2 http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/

1Check these galleries open during semi-annual Historic Valley Junction Gallery Nights.
2Check website for current exhibitions.

Culinary Arts – This new addition will feature regional culinary events and celebrations.

  1.  Area Farmers Markets. Take advantage of the bounty of fresh produce and more at any of the areas farmers markets, beginning with one of America’s best, the Downtown Farmers’ Market (Saturdays). Also, Waukee (Wednesdays), West Des Moines (Thursdays), Norwalk (Fridays), Global Greens Farmers Market (Saturdays, 3200 University, behind Lutheran Social Services), Ankeny (Saturdays).

Auditions, Volunteer, and other Individual Enhancement Opportunities

  1. Tallgrass Theatre Company. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly, Tue Sep 13, 7:00 PM. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
  2. Ankeny Community Theatre. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/audition.html
  3. Class Act Productions (CAP). http://www.captheatre.org/main/expect/
  4. Des Moines Community Playhouse. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/audition-2/
  5. Des Moines Performing Arts. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/
  6. Des Moines Young Artists Theatre. https://www.dmyat.org/
  7. Iowa Shakespeare Experience. https://www.iowashakespeare.org/
  8. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. https://www.iowastage.org/audition
  9. Pyramid Theatre Company. http://pyramidtheatre.org/
  10. Tallgrass Theatre Company. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
  11. Urbandale Community Theatre. https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/

Planning ahead

  1.  Okoboji Writers’ Retreat – Sep 19-21, 2022. This has become the must-attend event for writers to learn and network. https://beaverdalebooks.com/event/the-okoboji-writers-retreat/

Between the covers — author events worth noting:

  1. Beaverdale Books – Sep 1, 6:30-8:00 PM. Jennifer Ohman-Rodriquez. A Time to Mourn & A Time to Dance.
  2. Beaverdale Books – Sep 7, 6:30-8:00 PM. Eric Saylor. Vaughan Williams.
  3. Beaverdale Books – Sep 9, 6:30 PM. Leah Angstman. Out Front the Following Sea.

Beaverdale Books provides their Top Ten sellers list, updated each month. Updated hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sun 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. 515-279-5400.

Top Ten sellers in our store last month — see what everyone’s reading!

  1. Horse, Geraldine Brooks
  2. Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens
  3. Principal Park: A Diamond in the Rough, Steve Dunn*
  4. Then and Now: Cancer Journals, Alicia Elifritz*
  5. Book Lovers, Emily Henry
  6. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley*
  7. Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America, Beth Hoffman*
  8. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, Michelle Zauner
  9. 6:20 Man: A Thriller, David Balducci
  10. The Land Remains: A Midwestern Perspective on Our Past and Future, Neil D. Hamilton

* Iowa author
Highlighted author names’ indicate interviews are in The Culture Buzz Podcast Library.
Please visit: https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz 

Life Resource books worth your consideration:

  1. (P)luck: Lessons We Learned for Improving Healthcare and the World. Blair Sadler and twin brother, Alfred, the dynamic medical doctor-lawyer team, infuse their invaluable resource with vital information that is applicable even beyond the world of just healthcare. https://www.pluckthebook.com/
  2. Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self Mastery from Music to Life is the masterful follow-up to Kenny Werner’s seminal Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within. The wisdom packed between the covers of this gem will enlighten each and every time you delve into it. https://kennywerner.com/
  3. The Exceptional Professional: What You Need to Know to Grow Your Career is an info-packed gem from Callista Gould. https://cultureandmanners.com/ 

Check out The Culture Buzz’s insightful interviews for these and other authors’ interviews at https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz

Performing Arts Organizations:
Please check in advance regarding any scheduled performances, exhibitions, museum visits, etc.

Greater Des Moines Independent Book Store Happenings:
The Culture Buzz shares many authors and their books with its audiences. We encourage you to visit your local independent book store regularly. The folks at these destination locations know books, and welcome the chance to help anyone connect with titles and subjects they seek. Check these sites, as their calendars are always filled with enticing activities and news.

  1. Beaverdale Books, Des Moines. http://www.beaverdalebooks.com/
  2. Pageturners Bookstore, Indianola. http://www.pageturnersbookstore.com/
  3. Dog-eared Books, Ames. https://dogearedbooksames.com/
  4. Artisan Gallery 218, 218-5th Street, Historic Valley Junction, West Des Moines (select author events), http://www.artisangallery218.com/
  5. Read a Book Nook, Marshalltown. https://read-a-book-nook.business.site/
  6. Book Vault, Oskaloosa. https://bookvault.indielite.org/
  7. Pella Books, Pella. https://pellabooks.com/
  8. Prairie Lights Books & Cafe, Iowa City. https://www.prairielights.com/
  9. Storyhouse Bookpub, Des Moines Historic East Village. https://storyhousebookpub.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:

  1. The Culture Buzz – John Busbee and associates encourage cultural adventures with a 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 https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz. http://www.TheCultureBuzz.com/
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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/
  5. 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/
  6. 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. https://dsmmagazine.com/culturecast/
  7. 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/
  8. Contact Buzz – This new column covers crossroads between creativity and culture, and is offered in the new Des Moines edition of Little Village magazine. https://littlevillagemag.com/desmoines/
  9. 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/
  10. 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/
  11. 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/
  12. Central Iowa Blues Society is the area’s connecting point for performance, presentations and education in the world of blues. www.cibs.org
  13. 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: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) 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
  • Instead of 911 – Des Moines area
    * 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. ♦

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