Wednesday, April 24, 2024

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The Culture Buzz

Greetings, Cultural Catalysts:

By John Busbee

3/29/2022

From the dynamic MainFrame Studios Building at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, Iowa comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning independent radio station KFMG-LP 98.9 FM, bringing you music, literature & cultural news from the American Heartland and beyond.
― John Busbee for The Culture Buzz
2014 Iowa Governor’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts
Podcasts of past interviews may be found at www.TheCultureBuzz.com and https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz 

Quote of the Week

“That is the stimulus of nature; it is never, never old, and always developing. Even the scarred, wrinkled earth herself is a mere infant among the old ladies and gentlemen that tread foot-paths in the sky.”  — Mable Osgood Wright (1859-1934) an American author and an early leader in the Audubon movement who wrote extensively about nature and birds., in The Garden of a Commuter’s Wife (1905)

Newsletter content:

  1. Guests on this week’s show
  2. Performance Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa)
  3. Visual Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa)
  4. Auditions and other Individual Enhancement Opportunities
  5. Planning ahead
  6. Author events (Greater Des Moines/Iowa)
  7. 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:

CNA - Stop HIV Iowa
  • Art Week seeking artists – application deadline looms
    Since 2014, Art Week Des Moines has been dedicated to broader participation and support for our local art scene. New this year, the program focuses on neighborhood activations. 
    Concentrating on one neighborhood each day brings art to new and unexpected places with concentrated activity and attention for our artist neighbors. For those interested in exhibiting, organizing, hosting, or making something during art week, share what’s on your mind in your application.
    Note: You can certainly activate near or far from these areas; Art Week Des Moines is still here to lift you up during Art Week.
    Note also: Your entry can be aspirational. Tell us where you think you want to be, and Group will work to connect you with potential venues.
    https://artweekdesmoines.com/submit/
  • Olmsted 200 Week: Celebrating Parks for All People
    The Des Moines Founders Garden Club is the catalyst for a collaboration with Des Moines Parks & Recreation, Des Moines Waterworks, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Des Moines Public Library in presenting a wonderful array of immersive programming through April 1. Join the nation in honoring the legacy of Fredrick Law Olmsted on the 200th anniversary of his birth. All activities are free and open to the public. 
    https://www.dmfoundersgc.org/olmsted-200-week/
    Here is what’s waiting for you to experience:
    · Tue Mar 29 – Justin Martin, “Genius of Place, The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted.” Discover why Olmsted may well be the most important American historical figure that the average person knows least about. Waveland Golf Course Lodge.
    · Wed Mar 30 – “Olmsted and America’s Urban Parks” film and presentation on Des Moines’ park history. Forest Avenue Library.
    ·  Thu Mar 31 – “Frederick Law Olmsted: 200 Years of Growing America” with actor Kirk Brown portraying Olmsted. World Food Prize Headquarters.
    · Fri Apr 1 – Join the Olmsted 200th Birthday Celebration with Olmsted 200 Week Partners and Supporters. Waterworks Park.

This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –

  • 11:00 AM – Happening this week. One of our area’s most knowledgeable historians about Des Moines parks history, Steve Nelson-Vaux takes time to connect some fascinating dots in our landscape in honor of this week’s Des Moines Founders Garden Club’s Olmsted 200 Week programming. https://www.dmfoundersgc.org/olmsted-200-week/
  • 11:18 AM – Writer and poet Dennis Maulsby reads “The Case of the Sour Wine” from his recent book, Winterset. https://www.dennismaulsby.com/
  • 11:21 AM – Poet Jihyun Yun reads “All Female” from her masterful collection Some Are Always Hungry. https://www.jihyunyun.com/
  • 11:23 AM – Appearing this week. One of the national celebrities presenting during the Des Moines Founders Garden Club’s “Olmsted 200 Week” is celebrated performer and historian, Kirk Brown, whose portrayal of Frederick Law Olmsted at the World Food Prize Headquarters Thu Mar 31. https://www.dmfoundersgc.org/olmsted-200-week/
  • 11:40 AM – Poet Freddy Niagara Fonseca reads “The Language of Trees” from his new collection, The Bomb that Blew Up God. https://fonseca-poems.org/
  • 11:43 AM – In advance of next week’s National Wildlife Week, Peter Gros (Co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom”) and David Mizejewski (Naturalist for the National Wildlife Federation) talk about the vital importance of humanity’s relationships with its natural counterparts. https://nationalwildlifeweek.nwf.org/
  • 12:00 PM – Opening this week Ankeny Community Theatre prepares to open its next show, Aura, this Fri Apr 1. Listen as Assistant Director Brad Church and cast member Al Price shares some insights into this powerful show. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/aura.html
  • 12:11 PM – Appearing this week Iowa writer Mike Meginnis prepares for his presentation at the iconic Prairie Lights Book Store in Iowa City this Fri Apr 1 about his critically hailed novel, Drowning Practice. Listen as Mike provides some back story about this novel and its evolution.
    “Drowning Practice is the best new novel I’ve read in ages. Its heroines Mott and Lyd are surprising and compelling, a daughter and mother not merely surviving the end of their world but determined to make something new before it comes. So many apocalypses diminish the world, robbing it of its glories: here Mike Meginnis sets out to restore its wonder. In doing so, he’s gifted us a novel of haunting grace and deep, difficult love, a story I don’t believe I’ll ever forget.” – Matt Bell, author of Appleseed https://www.mikemeginnis.com/
  • 12:36 PM – Susan P. Lax allows her heart and spirit to expand to exceptionally engaging limits in her new offering, A Heart’s Landscape: An Invitation to the Garden of Moments. What started as a message of joy to a dear friend grew into an immersive message of love for her and many, many others. “A unique, unusual, insightful, thought-provoking, and ultimately inspiring read that will be of special and particular interest to those with an interest in the subjects of energy healing, love and loss, death and grieving. A Heart’s Landscape: An Invitation to the Garden of Moments is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, college, and university library self-help/self-improvement collections.” ― Midwest Book Review https://susanplax.com/
  • 12:56 PM – Giving this week’s show a properly pugnacious punctuation is this ditty ‘tween country and city kids, as is cleverly crafted by the incomparable Susan Werner. Enjoy “City Kids” from her masterful album, HAYSEED. “This woman is great. period.” — Music Row (Nashville) https://susanwerner.com/

Performance Arts

  1. Ankeny Community Theatre. The powerful show, Aura, runs Apr 1-10. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/aura.html
  2. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Eugene O’Neill play Long Day’s Journey Into Night, runs thru Apr 3 at the Stoner Theater. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/ISTC-long-days-journey-into-night/
  3. Des Moines Performing Arts. Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles, Apr 2, presents The Best of Abbey Road Live! https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/2021Rain/
  4. Des Moines Community Playhouse. Singin’ in the Rain continues thru Apr 10. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/singin-in-the-rain-2/
  5. Des Moines Performing Arts. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: THE COSMIC PERSPECTIVE. One night only, Apr 5. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/neil-degrasse-tyson/

Visual Arts

  1. Anderson Gallery. Drake University, Des Moines. 2 51st Annual Juried Student Exhibition, juried by Mitchell Squire. Mar 27-Apr 15; oening reception & Awards Sun Mar 27, 1-3 PM. https://theandersongallery.wordpress.com/
  2. 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/
  3. Brunnier Art Museum. Ames. 2 This is the flagship for the University Museums, a treasure trove of many days of visual arts immersion at 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
  4. The Grinnell College Museum of Art. Grinnell. 2 https://www.grinnell.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/museum
  5. 2AU. West Des Moines. 1,2 http://www.2aulimited.com/
  6. Artisan Gallery 218. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://www.artisangallery218.com/
  7. Kavanaugh Art Gallery. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://kavanaughgallery.com/
  8. Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. 1,2 kunzlerstudios.com
  9. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2 https://olsonlarsen.com/
  10. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2 https://moberggallery.com/
  11. Hoyt Sherman Place Art Gallery. Des Moines. https://hoytsherman.org/gallery/
  12. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines. https://www.lizlidgett.com/
  13. 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.

Auditions, Volunteer, and other Individual Enhancement Opportunities

  1. Des Moines Community Playhouse. Auditions for Calendar Girls Sat Apr 2 1:00 PM. Performance Dates: Jun. 03-Jun. 19, 2022. Cast needs on link. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions/calendar-girls/
  2. AgArt. Call for Art: Foodways and Social Justice: an anthology of art, poetry and information about socially-just food production, is seeking B&W art related to food and agriculture, especially from rural and BIPOC artists involved in foodways and social justice. Stipend for each work selected: $50, plus unlimited access to books at wholesale price. Submit: * Black & white photo of art (600 ppi for 1-bit B&W line art; 300 ppi for 8-bit grayscale continuous tone image). Prefer portrait-oriented art. * Bio of artist, 40 words or less, third person, one media link. * Optional description of art, 150 words or less.
    Submission deadline: May 1, 2022. Notification: May 31, 2022
    Email image, bio and description of art to janinecalsbeek@gmail.com
    https://www.nature-culture.net/calls-for-submissions
  3. Ankeny Community Theatre. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/audition.html
  4. Des Moines Community Playhouse. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/audition-2/
  5. Des Moines Young Artists Theatre. https://www.dmyat.org/
  6. Class Act Productions (CAP). http://www.captheatre.org/main/expect/
  7. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. https://www.iowastage.org/audition
  8. Tallgrass Theatre Company. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
  9. Theatre Midwest. https://www.theatremidwest.org/auditions.html
  10. Urbandale Community Theatre. (Summer 2022 – Bye Bye Birdie) https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/

Planning ahead

  1. Des Moines Performing Arts. HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre. May 17 – Jun 5. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/2020-hamilton/
  2. The 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/
  3. Now available, Susan Werner is offering her full catalog of albums, plus bonus tracks (demos and unreleased songs), and live concert video footage. A perfect gift for yourself, for Susan Werner fans, and anyone who simply savors the magic of one of America’s musical gems. https://susanwerner.com/music/

Between the covers — author events worth noting:

  1. Waveland Golf Course Lodge – Mar 29, 7:00 PM. Justin Martin, Genius of Place, The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted. Part of the Des Moines Founders Garden Club Olmsted 200 Week events. Interview link: https://archive.org/details/justin-martin-aut.-jan-2022-genius-of-place-the-life-of-frederick-law-olmsted
  2. Storyhouse Bookpub – Apr 2, 7:00 PM. Melissa Febos, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative
  3. Beaverdale Books – Apr 6, 6:30 PM. Sarah Noll Wilson, Don’t Feed the Elephants! Overcoming the Art of Avoidance to Build Powerful Partnerships. Interview link: https://archive.org/details/sarah-noll-wilson-aut.-mar-2022-dont-feed-the-elephants-overcoming-the-art-of-av
  4. Beaverdale Books – Apr 7, 6:30 PM. Daniel Kalastchi & Marc Rahe | American Parables & Gravity Well
  5. Storyhouse Bookpub – New each Saturday beginning in April: storybook time at 11:00 AM.
  6. Storyhouse Bookpub at Raygun in Des Moines’ East Village – The Author Afterparty, Sat Apr 22, 7:00 PM. Liz Lenz, Belabored: A Vindication of the Rights of Pregnant Women

Beaverdale Books provides their Top Ten sellers list, updated each month. Updated hours: Sun/Mon: CLOSED; Tue — Fri: 10:00 — 5:30; Sat: 10:00 – 5:00, http://beaverdalebooks.com/ 515-279-5400.
Top Ten sellers in our store last month — see what everyone’s reading!

  1. The Overnight Guest, Heather Gudenkauf*
  2. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brené Brown
  3. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, Nikole Hannah-Jones*
  4. Maus, Art Spiegelman
  5. The Lincoln Highway, Amor Towles
  6. Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America, Beth Hoffman*
  7. It Ends with Us, Colleen Hoover
  8. Firekeeper’s Daughter, Angeline Boulley
  9. Love You, Hug You, Read to You!, Tish Rabe
  10. I Must Betray You, Ruta Sepetys

* Iowa author

Life Resource books worth your consideration:

  1. Don’t Feed the Elephant! Overcoming the Art of Avoidance to Build Powerful Relationships is a fully digestible and sage guide in how to eat that elephant – one bite at a time. By Sarah Noll Wilson of SNoW Co. https://sarahnollwilson.com/elephants/
  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/ 
  4. How to F*ck Up Your Startup: The Science Behind Why 90% of Companies Fail – and How You Can Avoid It. Kim Vhidkjaer captures his mistakes and successes in a compelling handbook for startup success. https://kimhvidkjaer.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. Prairie Lights Books & Cafe, Iowa City. https://www.prairielights.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. Included is an archive library of favorite interviews. http://www.TheCultureBuzz.com/
  2. Center Stage – This Cityview monthly column provides insights into Central Iowa’s theatre. Distributed throughout the region and available online. Current column: https://www.dmcityview.com/center-stage
  3. 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/
  4. 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/
  5. 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/
  6. Art Beacon Des Moines is Central Iowa’s home for promoting the visual arts. Our calendar of events highlights exhibitions, art talks and calls for art. Subscribe to the Art Beacon Weekly, our online newsletter filled with links to the latest art happenings. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. http://artbeacondesmoines.com/
  7. 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/
  8. 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/
  9. Central Iowa Blues Society is the area’s connecting point for performance, presentations and education in the world of blues. www.cibs.org
  10. 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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