Sunday, April 28, 2024

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The Culture Buzz

Greetings, Cultural catalysts

By John Busbee

8/23/2022

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

“My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.” – Martin Luther (1483-1546), a German priest, theologian, author and hymnwriter.

CNA - Stop HIV Iowa

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:

The Cloris Awards
And the winner is … local theater in greater Des Moines for returning to the stage after the pandemic finally moved out of the spotlight.
The Greater Des Moines Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Arts will be presented Sun Aug 28 at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines. 7:00 Reception, 8:00 PM Awards Presentations.

After skipping a year, the seventh (almost) annual Cloris Awards will honor eight local theater companies that produced 33 shows during the 2021-2022 season. The outdoor ceremony is set for 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 (or Aug. 29 in case of rain), at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, 4100 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines. A reception will begin at 7 p.m., and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic items. Admission is free.  http://clorisawards.org/

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).

Worth the drive – Oskaloosa this Sun Aug 28
The Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum and Uniting Through History will hold a special “Celebrating Buxton” event Sun Aug 28, 12:00-4:00 PM at the Nelson Pioneer Farm, 2211 Nelson Lane, Oskaloosa. This fundraiser to support preservation of one of Iowa’s greatest national historical treasures, the Buxton legacy, features the “Remembering Buxton” puppet show by Iowa’s famous Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, live music, soul food, and more. For tickets, go to https://nelsonpioneer.org/np_events/celebrating_buxton/

This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –

  • 11:00 AM – Paula Hines brings a wealth of experience and guidance in her new book, Rest + Calm: Gentle Yoga and Mindful Practices to Nurture and Restore Yourself. Paula fills this conversation with her energy, plus provides several tips for listeners to help them, and serving as a wonderful invitation to get this special life resource book. “This gem of a book is a guide to powerful practices for rest, reflection, self-care and the tending of community. The insight it contains is not a luxury, but a physical, emotional and spiritual imperative.” ― Bo Forbes, Psy.D., psychologist, somatic educator, and author of Yoga for Emotional Balance https://www.ucanyoga.co.uk/
  • 11:17 AM – A favorite guest of the show, Allan Topol wields a productive pen, coupled with a masterful penchant for writing political thrillers. This time, Allan leads a lively conversation into the process that propels his storytelling into often prescient peeks into future global happenings, as each story usually begins two years or more before publication. His thought-provoking talents carry readers far beyond each final, satisfying last page of his books. “Topol is up there with such masters of the labyrinth as Robert Ludlum and Tom Clancy.” —The Washington Post http://www.allantopol.com/
  • 11:29 AM – Arlene Mark has a gift for storytelling anchored for middle-grade and YA audiences, yet wonderfully appealing as a bridge between generations so that parents and grandparents can share a reading experience for its primary audience, and have meaningful dialogues. The Year without a Summer is a gem, filled with interpersonal relationships that are identifiable, yet appealingly complex. “Mark’s novel will appeal to both a middle-grade and YA audience, as it discusses its heavy topics with finesse and warmth. It’s a compelling blend of a teenage romance and a tale of attempting to make a difference in at the world at large… A well-balanced and wide ranging story for young readers.” – Kirkus Review https://www.arlenemark.com/
  • 11:45 AM – Jonathan R. Scott shares glimpses into his book, co-authored with Rob Welsh, The Winning Playbook: Strategies for Life On and Off the Field. This life resource gem is filled with practical and insightful wisdom from the unlikely source of Jonathan’s life as a professional football player – and, will fill the reader with many ‘aha’ moments. “Jonathan Scott [and Rob Welsh] has a fantastic book that transcends the understanding of wealth. It’s about so much more than money – it’s about personal growth, faith, and attitude. It is a monumental book told through monumental stories!” – BOB BEAUDINE, President/CEO of Eastman & Beaudine, Best Selling Author of The Power of WHO! and 2 Chairs https://www.yourwinningplaybook.com/
  • 12:00 PM – Susan Watts, owner of Olson-Larsen Galleries, and Gale Brubaker, Executive Director of the West Des Moines Historical Society, share wonderful insights into their popup exhibit collaboration, Timeless. This popup exhibit and collaboration between Olson-Larsen Galleries and the West Des Moines Historical Society will be presented in the Jordan House Museum. This exhibit opens Aug 26 with a reception and runs through Sep 30. “When two dynamic aesthetic forces in our community join forces, the cultural cross-pollination results can be stunning and thought-provoking. Olson-Larsen Galleries and the West Des Moines Historical Society anchor their efforts in the legacy Jordan House Museum. This effort will hopefully signal the beginning of a series of such productive exhibits.” – The Culture Buzz https://olsonlarsen.com/
  • 12:14 PM – Zack Jones, creator of the Art Church in Malvern, Iowa, talks about how his community and region have used his cultural center as a hub for developing cultural tourism and activity. “While Zack Jones is the catalyst, he proudly shares how many others in the SW Iowa community of Malvern have contributed to a successful nurturing as a destination with its own unique allure.” – The Culture Buzz https://www.facebook.com/artchurchia/
  • 12:25 PM – Creative DK Kelly Imamu Akachi shares insights into his work as an artist, mentor and creative catalyst as he encourages positive choices for next-generation community leaders. Get a better understanding of his mission – “Strengthening communities by strengthening individuals.” https://www.gobeyondwalls.com/
  • 12:42 PM – InCredible Communication: Uncover the Invaluable Art of Selling Yourself is a masterful distillation of its authors, Steven Lewis and Rebecca Weintraub, whose combined legacy of research, application and understanding create this powerful life resource sure to benefit all wise enough to get it. Steven and Rebecca share glimpses into the writing and content of this exceptional book. “InCredible Communication is the book I’ve been waiting for.  Lewis and Weintraub have cracked the Rosetta stone for building the ‘reputation capital’ necessary for career and professional success in a modern world.  This take-action book is filled with hands-on, practical communication tools to manage your reputation, your context and the story you want to tell about yourself.” —Ron Ricci, Founder and CEO, The Transparency Imperative https://incrediblecomm.com/

Performance Arts

  1. Des Moines Performing Arts. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Aug 23-28. https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/to-kill-a-mockingbird/
  2. 48 Hour Film Project. Aug 25 for Best of screenings. This is the 18th edition of this highly charged filmmaking event. www.facebook.com/desmoines48 or tickets at www.midwestix.com
  3. TeeHee’s Comedy Club. “Live from Des Moines, it’s FRIDAY NIGHT!” After four long years, live and local sketch comedy is back in Des Moines. TeeHee’s Comedy Club on Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines announced two shows on Fri Aug 26 for the Des Moines Sketch Pad – the newest local sketch comedy troupe. Shows are at 7:00 and 9:30 PM with tickets available now from TeeHee’s website. Des Moines Sketch Pad, led by Tim Overton, but filled with seasoned improv and standup talent from the Des Moines area, will be presenting their newly written show, “Iowa Nice.” https://www.teeheescomedy.com/iowa-nice
  4. Greater Des Moines Cloris Awards for Excellence in Theater Arts. Sun Aug 28, 7:00 reception, 8:00 PM awards ceremony. Jamie Hurd Amphitheatre, West Des Moines City Campus. http://clorisawards.org/
  5. Tallgrass Theatre Company. The Sweet Delilah Swim Club. Sep 2-18. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/tickets/
  6. 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. West Des Moines Historical Society – Jordan House Museum. Timeless. Opening reception: Friday, August 26, 5 – 7 pm. The Jordan House Museum, 2001 Fuller Road, West Des Moines, IA 50265. Timeless is a collaborative pop-up exhibition featuring objects in the West Des Moines Historical Society collection in conversation with contemporary artwork by Olson-Larsen Galleries represented artists whose subject matter or techniques were prevalent during the time period in which The Jordan House was built. Olson-Larsen Galleries will be donating 10% of sales to the West Des Moines Historical Society. Thru Sep 30.
  3. Artisan Gallery 218. Fields and Flowers. An exhibition by Gallery artists. Thru Sept 30. https://www.artisangallery218.com/
  4. 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/
  5. 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
  6. The Grinnell College Museum of Art. Grinnell. 2 https://www.grinnell.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/museum
  7. 2AU. West Des Moines. 1,2 http://www.2aulimited.com/
  8. Artisan Gallery 218. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://www.artisangallery218.com/
  9. 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/
  10. Hoyt Sherman Place Art Gallery. Des Moines. https://hoytsherman.org/gallery/
  11. Kavanaugh Art Gallery. West Des Moines. 1,2 https://kavanaughgallery.com/
  12. Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. 1,2 kunzlerstudios.com
  13. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines. https://www.lizlidgett.com/
  14. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2 https://moberggallery.com/
  15. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2 https://olsonlarsen.com/
  16. 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. Class Act Productions (CAP). Auditions are Sat Aug 27 for our next Mainstage Production, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. https://www.captheatre.org/main/expect/
  2. Des Moines Community Playhouse. Harriet the Spy. Auditions Mon Aug 29. https://www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions/harriet-the-spy/
  3. Ankeny Community Theatre. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/audition.html
  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. https://www.dmyat.org/
  8. Iowa Shakespeare Experience. https://www.iowashakespeare.org/
  9. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. https://www.iowastage.org/audition
  10. Pyramid Theatre Company. http://pyramidtheatre.org/
  11. Tallgrass Theatre Company. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
  12. Urbandale Community Theatre. https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/

Planning ahead

  1.  Uniting Through History – Celebrating Buxton. Aug 28, 12:00-4:00 PM at the Nelson Pioneer Farm, 2211 Nelson Lane, Oskaloosa IA. Fundraiser to help preserve Buxton history. https://nelsonpioneer.org/np_events/celebrating_buxton/
  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/

Between the covers — author events worth noting:

  1. Beaverdale Books – Aug 25, 6:30-8:00 PM. Dennis Maulsby, Heart Songs
  2. Storyhouse Bookpub – Aug 27, 11:00 AM. Bedtime + Bathtime Storytime with Eden.
  3. Beaverdale Books – Aug 30, 6:30-8:00 PM. Carol McGarvey. Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes from the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions.
  4. Beaverdale Books – Sep 1, 6:30-8:00 PM. Jennifer Ohman-Rodriquez. A Time to Mourn & A Time to Dance.
  5. Beaverdale Books – Sep 7, 6:30-8:00 PM. Eric Saylor. Vaughan Williams.
  6. 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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