August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
James Gunn’s “Superman” is a fantastical reimagining of the iconic hero, delivering a film that is at once emotional, comical, campy and visually dazzling. While not without its flaws — chiefly an overstuffed plot and a few too many characters — the movie succeeds in re-establishing Superman as a symbol
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
The local food scene is rifting. Two different sports bars, Blue Shark and Perfect Ten, both failed in just a few months at the same address on Ingersoll. Two Mexican restaurants, Blue Agave and Mojito’s, both closed within weeks of each other half a block apart in Windsor Heights. All
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Des Moines Forgotten
When I was a kid, my mother took me to one of those throwback diners where the schtick was to be rude to the customers and make a scene. She had this habit of NOT ordering desert and instead would have me order the largest milkshake that was available. Then,
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Joe's Neighborhood
With an anxious stomach, I stand behind the long black curtains and watch off stage as the teenage girls tap dance before the large audience in Boone. It’s the Betty Mae Harris dance recital. I want to throw up. But, still, I watch the teenagers who are clever and quick
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Center Stage
From the Des Moines Community Playhouse, continually producing work since 1919, to the About Time Theatre Company, just launched this year, participating theatre companies in the Bravo Greater Des Moines footprint gather for a shared celebration of their previous year’s work. The Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Arts Awards reaches
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Your Neighbors
Iowa Juneteenth hosted Neighbor’s Day, a celebration of Juneteenth, in Western Gateway Park in June. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863, it was not until June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston,
Read More →‘Lessons in Magic and Disaster’ This may be marketed as a fantasy book, but just like real people, there is far more to this sparkling gem than meets the eye. Defying genres like a teenager defies logic, this book is a witch’s coming-of-age story wrapped in a historical mystery in
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Art News
Des Moines supported the arts in record numbers this July, and not just for free stuff like Fourth of July Pops and various street festivals. We came about a new civic pride watching Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) and Des Moines Community Playhouse (DMCP) productions in completely full houses the
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in People & Pets
For 100 years, the Des Moines Kennel Club has hosted dog shows in the Des Mones metro. This year’s event features a celebrity dog, Bing, along with approximately 1,000 other dogs representing 150 breeds. The DMKC show is open to the public and free to attend. The show takes place
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August 06, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Collections & Hobbies
What do most people do with old wood? Toss it into the wood chipper? Take it to the dump? Burn it? Or leave it in a pile for someone else to deal with? When Ryan François encounters scrap wood, particularly old-growth wood, he sees an opportunity. François grew up on
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