Greetings, Cultural Adventurers:
10/27/2026
From Iowa’s cultural epicenter, Mainframe Studios at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, Iowa comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning indie radio station,
KFMG-LP 98.9 FM (streaming simultaneously at www.kfmg.org), bringing you music, literature & cultural content.
Quote of the Week –
“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.”
– Elizabeth Gilbert, an American journalist and author. Her 2006 memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, has sold over 12 million copies and has been translated into over 30 languages. The book was also made into a film of the same name in 2010.
Newsletter content:
I. Iowa Flash Buzz – Iowa/Greater Des Moines cultural news of the week;
II. Guests on this week’s show;
III. Performance Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
IV. Visual Arts (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
V. Auditions and other engagement opportunities (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
VI. Planning ahead;
VII. Author events (Greater Des Moines/Iowa);
I. Iowa Flash Buzz –
Beaverdale “Boo”ks – Author event. Wed Oct 28, 6:30 PM. A panel of “Weird” writers convenes to discuss their contributions to Hayseed Press’ Iowa Weird Vol. 2. Darcy Maulsby, Aaron Narigon, Lauren Riensche, and Marcea Seible will discuss the ghoulish inspirations behind their stories, including historical events that rocked small-town Iowa communities.
https://beaverdalebooks.com/event/10-28-meet-the-authors-weird-writers/
Des Moines Playhouse – Final Act Ensemble. Halloween Show. Oct 27. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/final-act-ensemble-halloween-show/
Des Moines Symphony. Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique. Oct 31-Nov 1. Halloween costumes are highly encouraged! Dress up and join us for a night of music, monsters, and Halloween fun! https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/beautiful-monsters-john-williams-symphonie-fantastique/
AUDITIONS. Les Misérables. Des Moines Playhouse. Sun Nov 1, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions.
Des Moines Playhouse – Kate Goldman Family Series. Junie B. Jones in Boo…and I Mean It. Thru Nov 1. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/junie-b-jones-in-boo-and-i-mean-it/
Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre (DMYAT). The Addams Family School Edition. Oct 23-Nov 1. https://www.dmyat.org/
“FINDING AMERICA’S DARLING” – Special Premiere. Wed Nov 4. Matinee Showing: 3 – 5 PM (Doors open at 2:30 PM); Evening Showing: 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM). Trinity Las Américas United Methodist Church, 1548 8th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314
RSVP – Seating is strictly limited. Please RSVP and specify your preferred showtime by Friday, Oct 30 by emailing carlwied@gmail.com by October 30, 2026.
The film celebrates Darling’s visionary leadership, international footprint, and enduring impact on conservation, art, and civic life. Driven by the subject’s own dynamic history, the narrative reveals the magic and profound interconnectivity of a remarkable legacy—immortalizing “the man who never forgot he once was a boy.”
Join us for a captivating cinematic celebration honoring the 150th Birthday Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling. “Finding America’s Darling” offers a vivid, contemporary look at the extraordinary Darling. Timed with his 150th birthday, this documentary 16 years dedicated research and advocacy by Executive Producer Samuel Koltinsky, his creative teams, and collaborative partners.
Mainframe Studios offers holiday arts interactions
- We Answer to Each Other // First Friday // Nov. 6 from 5-8PM
- Holiday Art Market Small Business Saturday Holiday Art Market // Nov. 28 from 11AM-3PM
- Clay Connection // First Friday // Dec. 4 from 5-8PM
- Last Call Holiday Art Market // Saturday, Dec 12 from 11AM-3PM
II. This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –
11:00 AM – Director of Community Relations Colleen Murphy shares glimpses into the inaugural Invitational Art Fair at the Val Air Ballroom November 6-7. This is an exceptional opportunity to immerse into an eclectic world of the best Iowa artists.
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https://www.artswork.art/the-invitational
11:13 AM – Amy Sarig King shares her new YA/middle grade thriller, It Came from the Creek and takes time to provides some glimpses into her captivating story.
“Poignant, humorous, and bright… a beacon of hope.”
— Booklist, starred review
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11:31 AM – The Last Candlemaker: A Flicker of Hope in the Age of Illumination is A. R. Weston’s vividly captivating tale set in 1884. The city of Hanover still burns by candlelight. For Chandler Bliss, a fourth-generation candlemaker, flame is more than a livelihood. It is tradition, identity, and the quiet warmth that has guided humanity for centuries. But when a revolutionary new invention known as Artificial Illumination is unveiled at City Hall, Hanover is transformed almost overnight.
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11:46 AM – In The Night Pool, debut author Lauren Lee Smith delivers an alluring femgore tale that will stimulate the imagination. Listen as Lauren shares peeks into how her story came into being.
“The Night Pool is a fever dream of gold and blood, where the land itself remembers what was taken. Here, women confront the brutality of the frontier and the haunting darkness that stalks the ravaged banks of Gold Rush–era Coloma. Lauren Lee Smith writes with a visceral beauty that braids history and horror into powerful prose that is as lyrical as it is merciless.”
–Cynthia Pelayo, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of Children of Chicago
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12:00 PM – Power and Peril: Writings about the Fate of the American Republic by John L. Barry Maj Gen USAF ret) is a powerful and thought-provoking dive into understanding today’s issues and how to move forward and recapture the strength that built America.
“In Power & Peril, John Barry provides readers with a compelling explanation of the most important issues facing our nation today. He provides historical context to show that the American people can drive meaningful reforms that strengthen our nation. What gives this book its special value is Barry’s emphasis on revealing how to think about the choices Americans face rather than telling readers what to think.”
– Lt. General H. R. McMaster, former U.S. National Security Advisor and author of Dereliction of Duty, Battlegrounds, and At War with Ourselves
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12:18 PM – Blackout is a compelling tale by J. Luke Bennecke that drops us into a fast-paced Jake Bendel thriller that walks the line between fiction and possibilities. Listen as Luke provides insights into this powerful story.
“An adrenaline-fueled joyride! BLACKOUT is a relentless techno-thriller ripped from the headlines where the nation’s vulnerabilities are exposed. Deviously plotted with a breakneck pace, Bennecke delivers the goods in a series that should serve as a warning beacon for all of us.”
—James L’Etoile, award-winning author of Illusion of Truth and the Detective Nathan Parker series
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12:33 PM – The inimitable musical Susan Werner playfully disses in “What Did You Do to Your Face.”
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12:36 PM – Poet Suzanna de Baca reads “Why Build a Farm Pond” from her debut collection, You Were Never Lost: Poems from the Tallgrass Prairie.
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https://substack.com/@suzannadebacapoetry
12:41 PM – The multi-talented Tim Mulligan pulls from his diverse creative background in creating his irresistible World of Witchland series of graphic novels. Volume 4, Ditchland, keeps the theme going at a riveting pace. Listen as Tim shares insights into the origin of the series and what this newest addition to the series offers.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the strange, hidden stories lurking beneath ordinary places. That fascination led me back to Richland, Washington, and the Hanford nuclear site—the setting that inspired my World of Witchland series.”
– Tim Mulligan
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12:55 PM – A double dose of the incomparable Susan Werner is always good. Here she shares one of her best – “Egg Money” – from her seminal album, HAYSEED.
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III. Performance Arts
1. Des Moines Playhouse – Final Act Ensemble. Halloween Show. Oct 27. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/final-act-ensemble-halloween-show/
2. Des Moines Symphony. Beautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie Fantastique. Oct 31-Nov 1. Halloween costumes are highly encouraged! Dress up and join us for a night of music, monsters, and Halloween fun! https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/beautiful-monsters-john-williams-symphonie-fantastique/
3. AUDITIONS. Les Misérables. Des Moines Playhouse. Sun Nov 1, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions.
4. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre (DMYAT). The Addams Family School Edition. Thru Nov 1. https://www.dmyat.org/
5. Des Moines Playhouse – Kate Goldman Family Series. Junie B. Jones in Boo…and I Mean It. Thru Nov 1. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/junie-b-jones-in-boo-and-i-mean-it/
6. AUDITIONS. Harriet the Spy. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. Nov 14.
https://www.dmyat.org/harrietthespy
7. Des Moines Symphony will perform Nov. 21-22 at the Des Moines Civic Center. When conductor Joseph Giunta was studying the score, he thought it called for dancers — and so he called them. Ballet Des Moines will perform with the orchestra, with new choreography by artistic director Eric Trope. The full program, called “Renewal: Four Seasons & Bolero,” also includes Vivaldi’s year-round classic and Ravel’s propulsive “Bolero.”
IV. Visual Arts – Exhibitions
Exhibitions –
· “By the Blade: Defining Collage,” through Nov. 4, Polk County Heritage Gallery. Nearly 50 local and guest artists reveal the medium’s range of subjects and materials.
· “Luis Jiménez: The Mythic Southwest,” through Dec. 18, Iowa State’s Christian Petersen Art Museum, Ames. See a collection of drawings and prints from the sculptor (1940-2006) whose larger-than-life works include the famous “Blue Mustang” at the Denver airport.
· “Artists on Fire,” through Jan. 10, Des Moines Art Center. The print gallery is a hot spot for prints, drawings and photos that explore fire literally and conceptually through flame, smoke, Greek gods and depictions of hell.
1. 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/
2. 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
3. The Grinnell College Museum of Art. Grinnell. 2https://www.grinnell.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/museum
4. 2AU. West Des Moines. 1,2
5. 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/
6. Heritage Art Gallery. 2 Des Moines. http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
7. Hoyt Sherman Place Art Gallery. 2 Des Moines. https://hoytsherman.org/gallery/
8. IN Tandem Arts & Authors. 1,2 Des Moines. https://www.facebook.com/INTandemArtsAndAuthors/
9. Kavanaugh Art Gallery. West Des Moines. 1,2
10. Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. 1,2 kunzlerstudios.com
11. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines.
12. Mainframe Studios. https://www.mainframestudios.org/events
13. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines. 2
14. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.1,2 Presents six exhibitions each year.
15. Polk County Heritage Gallery. Des Moines. 2
http://www.polkcountyheritagegallery.org/
16. Slow Down Coffee Shop. Des Moines. 2
https://www.theslowdowndsm.com/
17. Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure. Des Moines. 2 https://www.facebook.com/ZanzibarsCoffeeAdventure/
1Visit these galleries open during semi-annual Historic Valley Junction Gallery Nights.
2Check website for current exhibitions.
V. Auditions, Volunteer, and other Enhancement Opportunities –
“The Arts is a Contact Sport” (A Culture Buzz creed)
· AUDITIONS. Les Misérables. Des Moines Playhouse. Sun Nov 1, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions.
· AUDITIONS. The Lifespan of a Fact. Des Moines Playhouse. Mon Nov 9, 6 PM. www.dmplayhouse.com/auditions.
· AUDITIONS. Harriet the Spy. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. Nov 14.
https://www.dmyat.org/harrietthespy
Check out these theatre companies to consider a wide range of engagement opportunities.
1. About Time Theatre Company. https://abouttimetheatre.com/shows/
2. Ankeny Community Theatre. https://www.ankenycommunitytheatre.com/audition.html
3. Carousel Theatre of Indianola. https://carouseltheatre.org/?page_id=344
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.
8. Iowa Stage Theatre Company. https://www.iowastage.org/audition
9. Once in a While Productions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6717224708342610/
10. Pyramid Theatre Company. http://pyramidtheatre.org/
11. Tallgrass Theatre Company. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/audition/
12. The Ingersoll. https://www.theingersoll.com/
13. Theatre Midwest. https://www.theatremidwest.org/
14. Urbandale Community Theatre. https://urbandaletheatre.com/get-involved/
VI. Planning ahead
Terrace Hill Holiday Teas
Experience the time-honored Central Iowa tradition of the Holiday Teas at Terrace Hill, the Iowa Governor’s Residence and National Historic Landmark. Guests will enjoy tea and elegant savory and sweet treats in the historic rooms of Terrace Hill adorned for the holidays.
This year’s tea will be held on Monday, December 7, 2026, with two times available: a morning tea from 10:30 am-12:00 pm and an afternoon tea from 2:00-3:30 pm. Advance registration is required, and registrations will close once capacity is reached.
Reservations are $50 per guest + processing fee charges.
10:30 am seating:
https://thholidayteamorning.eventbrite.com
2:00 pm seating:
https://thholidayteaafternoon.eventbrite.com
Proceeds from this event benefit the Terrace Hill Partnership, the sole non-profit organization that supports necessary conservation and restoration projects at Terrace Hill. Contact: Alex Lindsley, Terrace Hill Communications & Event Coordinator Alex.lindsley@governor.iowa.gov | 515-281-7205
The Invitational Art Fair, taking place November 6-7, 2026, at the historic Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, Iowa.
The event will be open to the public on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $5 and may be purchased online. Tickets will be $8 at the door. Tickets are available now at www.theinvitational.org.
An online artist gallery featuring participating artists is currently available at www.theinvitational.org.
Musical Feast II – a pre-Thanksgiving Show
A Sunday funday to support KFMG Community Radio. Sun Nov 15, 3-7 PM at xBk, 1159 – 24th Street, Des Moines. Hosted by Chip Albright and Ron Sorenson. Dartanyan Brown, Joe Knser, Brian Joens, Kat Darling, Get Off My Lawn.
https://wl.eventim.us/event/musical-feast-2-a-pre-thanksgiving-show-free/705014?afflky=xBkLive
STAYIN’ ALIVE: One Night of the Bee Gees, the ultimate tribute to the brothers Gibb, is coming to The Hoyt Sherman Place on Friday, November 20th @ 7:30PM – See press release below and for show information and tickets, info visit: https://www.ticketmaster.com/stayin-alive-one-night-of-the-bee-gees-des-moines-11-20-2026/event/06006382BDD4C36E
VII. Between the covers – author/book events worth noting:
1. Beaverdale Books. A Panel of Weird Writers. Iowa Weird, Volume 2. Wed Oct 28, 6:30 PM.
2. Beaverdale Books. Mike Pace. Pace on Poetry: A Preview of Poetry Palooza. Thu Oct 29, 6:30 PM.
3. Beaverdale Books. Ryan T. Pozzi. The Mess that Made Them: How History’s Greatest Artists Failed, Floundered, and Made Something Brilliant Anyway. Sun Nov 1, 2:30 PM.
4. Beaverdale Books. Nancy Post. Reframe: From Automatic Reactions to Intentional Living. Mon Nov 2, 6:30 PM.
5. Beaverdale Books. Heather Mylan-Mains. Unwrapping Forgiveness. Tue Nov 3, 6:30 PM.
*Highlighted author names indicate interviews are in The Culture Buzz Archive Library.
Please visit: https://archive.org/details/@the_culture_buzz
Greater Des Moines/Central Iowa Independent Book Stores:
The Culture Buzz encourages you to visit your local independent book store regularly. Check these sites, as their calendars are always filled with enticing activities and news.
1. Beaverdale Books, Des Moines.
http://www.beaverdalebooks.com/
2. Storyhouse Bookpub, Des Moines Historic East Village.
https://storyhousebookpub.com/
3. The Little Book, Des Moines (Highland Park District).
https://www.thelittlebookdsm.com/
4. Shelf Love DSM, Des Moines (Drake Neighborhood).
5. Nos Books, Des Moines (Drake Neighborhood). https://www.nosbookstore.com/
6. Reading in Public Bookstore + Café, Historic Valley Junction.
7. Indie Authors Book Expo, Historic Valley Junction. https://iabe515.wordpress.com/
8. Pageturners Bookstore, Indianola.
http://www.pageturnersbookstore.com/
9. Dog-eared Books, Ames.
https://dogearedbooksames.com/
10. Read a Book Nook, Marshalltown.
https://read-a-book-nook.business.site/
11. Book Vault, Oskaloosa.
https://bookvault.indielite.org/
12. Pella Books, Pella.
13. Prairie Lights Books & Cafe, Iowa City.
https://www.prairielights.com/
Thank you for your cultural adventurism,
John Busbee for The Culture Buzz
