‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Powerful acting is the engine to “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — a movie about, among other things, the struggle to achieve and maintain control. With a soundtrack that provides an [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
New frontiers for tamales and pho
Tamales are corn’s most divine application. They are to tortillas as fentanyl is to street heroin— 60 times more potent, flavor wise, and relieving. One hundred years ago, the tamale [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Des Moines Forgotten
The Doors’ first, and only, show in Des Moines
Do you remember when The Doors played Des Moines? No? Well, they did, and it went down in history as the worst show in their entire history of performing. Ouch! [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Joe's Neighborhood
Old men — part 1
The boxwood stump, buried by leaves, snagged my dragging foot and landed me face-first in the soft ground. Ker-plop. No fanfare. No discussion. And certainly no dissent on the part [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Center Stage
Short-, mid- and long-term performing arts strategies
One thing that we’ve learned about a pandemic such as this is that this virus has no concept of calendars, seasons, economics or aesthetics. This relentless Covid-19 invasion doesn’t care [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Lunch With...
Fabiola Schirrmeister at El Fogon
Fabiola Shirrmeister is a Sonoran-born-and-raised media producer/host who came to Des Moines six years ago after working for Spanish language media mega nova Telemundo in Puerto Rico and for Azteca [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Sound Notes
Sound Advice
Wine and music go together, right? That’s what Brandie Ubben thought as she created her own rockin’ bottles of wine, called “Vine’yl Anthems.” Each bottle takes a spin on a [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Collections & Hobbies
The thrill of the hunt
“I buy and sell comics and have a pretty large collection,” says Jeremy Downs. The 34-year-old Des Moines-area resident might be understating reality a bit. “I’d have to get back [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Cars in the City
Toyota Venza
This month’s car feature is the 2021 Toyota Venza. If you think the model name sounds familiar, you’re right. The previous Venza sold from 2009-2015. For 2021, the Venza is [...]
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January 06, 2021 by Brent Antisdel
in Art News
The inauguration of Moberg’s new building
Moberg Gallery stayed busy during the pandemic by moving into its own building behind Noah’s on Grand Avenue. To open, they are showing off the new space and its tall [...]
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