The Culture Buzz

Greetings, Cultural Adventurers:

By John Busbee

11/3/2026

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 –

“Democracy arises out of the notion that those who are equal in any respect are equal in all respects; because men are equally free, they claim to be absolutely equal.”

— Aristotle (384-322 BC) an ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings span the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts.

CNA - Quitline Iowa [Tobacco] (Nov. 2026)

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 –

Opening this Friday. Tallgrass Theatre Company. POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Nov 6-22. https://tallgrasstheatre.org/

Opening this Friday. CAP Theatre. Something Rotten Jr. Nov 6-22. https://www.captheatre.org/something-rotten-jr/

AUDITIONS – Des Moines Playhouse. The Lifespan of a Fact. Mon Nov 9, 6 PM. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/auditions-the-lifespan-of-a-fact/

CALL FOR ENTRIES – Polk County Heritage Gallery. Greater Des Moines Exhibited 2027. Thru Fri Nov 20. Application – https://pci.jotform.com/form/262864204609157

Des Moines Performing Arts – Wellmark Family Series

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live. Fri Nov 6.

https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/wellmark-family-series/fraggle-rock-back-to-the-rock-live

Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Theatre. Made in the Midwest

Nola Jazz Band Quartet. Sat Nov 7

https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/made-in-the-midwest/nola-jazz-band-quartet

Des Moines Performing Arts – Free concert

Iowa Military Veterans Band’s Star Spangled Salute to Veterans. Sun Nov 8

https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/star-spangled-salute-to-veterans

“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 – First Friday and more

First Friday // Nov. 6 from 5-8PM

Small Business Saturday Holiday Art Market // Nov. 28 from 11AM-3PM

https://www.mainframestudios.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 – 24^th 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

II. This week’s guests on The Culture Buzz –

11:00 AM – Des Moines based celebrity pastry chef Andrew Fuller enthusiastically shares the wonders of his delectable world. With appearances on many top food network shows, Andrew is preparing for more appearances on the Food Nework.

Andrew Fuller (@sugarfreakshow) | TikTok

https://www.instagram.com/sugarfreakshow/?hl=en

11:16 AM – In Solar Coaster: The Untold Story of the Solar Industry and One Man’s Journey into Leading with Soul, Jared Schoch’s exceptional business memoir delivers an insider’s view of the solar industry with all of its challenges, successes, and future.

“Jared Schoch didn’t set out to write a business book. He set out to tell the truth about an industry that has been running on hype, hope, political weather, and sheer stubborn belief for two decades, and to make sense of what it cost him personally to stay in it through all of that. SOLAR COASTER is the result, and it is one of the most honest and necessary books about clean energy leadership you are likely to read.”

— Sonia Thomas, The Book Revue

https://solarcoasterproject.com/

11:31 AM – Opens this Friday. CAP Theatre in Altoona, one of Iowa’s preeminent theatre programs for young people presents Something Rotten JrNov 6-22. Listen as Director Erin Murphy is joined by cast members Charlotte Alford (as Bea Bottom) and Arthur Caffrey (as Nick Bottom) in an engaging discussion about their show.

https://www.captheatre.org/something-rotten-jr/

11:46 AM – The Nov-Dec 2026 issue of Iowa History Journal is available, and Jeffrey Stein joins the conversation to provide glimpses into his marvelously celebratory cover story about Iowa’s 180^th birthday.

https://iowahistoryjournal.com/

12:00 PM – Opens this Friday. The creative forces at Tallgrass Theatre Company converge to present the dynamic and clever comedy POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Nov 6-22. Listen as Director Bridget Grace Sheaff shares insider’s perspectives of this Dream Project and exceptional show.

https://tallgrasstheatre.org/

12:16 PM – 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.

https://www.artswork.art/the-invitational

12:28 PM – Brian Boone returns to the show to chat about one of the great traditional annual books that has become a staple of holiday gift giving: Uncle John’s All-Knowing Bathroom Reader. Delight in the bounty of new inclusions in this truly engaging tome.

https://bathroomreader.com/

12:44 PM – In Crossing Division Street, Rebecca Chamian Ribaudo makes a most noteworthy debut with this powerful story about Chicago’s infamous Cabrini-Green neighborhood. Listen as Rebecca shares peeks into the riveting tale she created.

“For everyone who is committed to America’s founding ideals of ‘liberty and justice for all,’ and who also enjoys an engrossing ‘good story’—replete with intriguing characters, a suspenseful plot, complex personal and community relations, and challenging ethical dilemmas—this sweeping tour de force is a double treasure. Ribaudo explores our national triumphs, tragedies, and ongoing struggles through the dramatic interactions among individuals and families in a storied Chicago neighborhood, across the course of a tumultuous century.”

—NADINE STROSSEN, former president of the ACLU and co-author of The War On Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech—And Why They Fail

https://www.crossingdivisionstreet.com/

III. Performance Arts

1. Opening this Friday. Tallgrass Theatre Company. POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Nov 6-22.

https://tallgrasstheatre.org/

2. Opening this Friday. CAP Theatre. Something Rotten Jr. Nov 6-22. https://www.captheatre.org/something-rotten-jr/

3. AUDITIONS – Des Moines Playhouse. The Lifespan of a Fact. Mon Nov 9, 6 PM. https://dmplayhouse.com/events/auditions-the-lifespan-of-a-fact/

4. Des Moines Performing Arts – Wellmark Family Series

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live. Fri Nov 6.

https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/wellmark-family-series/fraggle-rock-back-to-the-rock-live

5. Des Moines Performing Arts – Temple Theatre. Made in the Midwest

Nola Jazz Band Quartet. Sat Nov 7

https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/made-in-the-midwest/nola-jazz-band-quartet

6. Des Moines Performing Arts – Free concert

Iowa Military Veterans Band’s Star Spangled Salute to Veterans. Sun Nov 8

https://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/whats-on/events/2026-27/star-spangled-salute-to-veterans

7. AUDITIONS. Harriet the Spy. Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre. Nov 14.

https://www.dmyat.org/harrietthespy

8. 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 –

· CALL FOR ENTRIES – Polk County Heritage Gallery. Greater Des Moines Exhibited 2027. Thru Fri Nov 20. Application – https://pci.jotform.com/form/262864204609157

· “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

http://www.2aulimited.com/

5. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Des Moines²I 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

https://kavanaughgallery.com/

10. Kunzler Studios. West Des Moines. ^1,2 kunzlerstudios.com

11. Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. Des Moines.

https://www.lizlidgett.com/

12. Mainframe Studios. https://www.mainframestudios.org/events

13. Moberg Gallery. Des Moines.²

https://moberggallery.com/

14. Olson-Larsen Galleries. West Des Moines.^1,2 Presents six exhibitions each year.

https://olsonlarsen.com/

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. ²https://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. 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.

https://www.dmyat.org/

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

Musical Feast II – a pre-Thanksgiving Show

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 20^th @ 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. Pat Harris. A Season on the Drink. Wed Nov 4, 6:30 PM.

2. Beaverdale Books. Christopher Vondracek. Redlin or Rodin: Essays on Midwestern Scenery. Thu Nov 5, 6:30 PM.

3. Beaverdale Books. Keith Pilapil Lesmeister. Ask Me About the Money. Fri Nov 6, 6:30 PM.

4. Beaverdale Books. Christina Edgar Olds. Santa ad the Single Mom. Sun Nov 8, 2 PM.

5. Beaverdale Books. Stephanie R. Caffrey. Love’s Deadly Game: Profiling the Heart 3. Mon Nov 9, 6:30 PM.

6. Beaverdale Books. Lori Erickson. Travels with the Muse: A Creative Pilgrimage. Wed Nov 11, 6:30 PM.

7. Beaverdale Books. A. Rose. Nothing but a Speck of Light Left in the Dark. Fri Nov 13, 6:30 PM.

8. Perry Public Library. Poetry on the Prairie. Perry, Iowa as part of Art on the Priarie. Sat Nov 14, 10 AM – 5 PM and Sun Nov 15, 10:30 AM – 4 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).

https://shelflovedsm.com/

5. Nos Books, Des Moines (Drake Neighborhood). https://www.nosbookstore.com/

6. Reading in Public Bookstore + Café, Historic Valley Junction.

https://readinginpublic.com/

7. Indie Authors Book Expo, Historic Valley Junction. https://iabe515.wordpress.com/