“August: Osage County” scooped up both the 2008 Pulitzer Prize & the 2008 Best Play Tony Award and comes to Des Moines during the first year of its national tour. So what’s it all about? Charles Isherwood of the New York Times may have described it best: “A fraught, densely plotted saga of an Oklahoma clan in a state of near-apocalyptic meltdown . . . probably the most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years. Oh, forget probably: It is, flat-out, no asterisks & without qualifications, the most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years.” For further information: www.civiccenter.org.

The third in a series of free, public presentations that Drake University's Choral program has organized will take place onFeb. 23, “The Refugee Experience,” by Sol Varisco, program director of outreach services at Catholic Charities in Des Moines.

The last scheduled presentation will be held on March 2, volunteer fair featuring 15 local agencies that provide help for immigrants, refugees & individuals dealing with housing issues.

Get your geek on at Blue Moon during Pub Trivia! Gather your friends and enjoy 7 rounds of trivia, great prizes and awesome drink specials from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. every Tuesday night. Can DJ Cubbie and the geeks at Select Entertainment stump you? All night enjoy $2.50 draws, $3 bottles, $4 bombs and $3 Captains. And if you work up an appetite, we're offering hot gooey, 12-inch pizzas for only 6 bucks!

Velkommen! Explore your Norwegian ancestry with others who share your heritage. The Norwegian Interest Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. It is open to anyone who is interested in researching their Norwegian ancestry. Members range from beginners to experienced researchers. Discover and share research techniques and resources with this dedicated group of Norwegian enthusiasts. Newcomers welcome!

Learn the tips and skills used by professionals to create your own one-of-a-kind floral design. Those who complete all nine classes will receive a floral design certificate from Reiman Gardens.

Join us for the February Sip & Socialize networking event! Hosted by America's Incredible Pizza Company Tuesday, February 23, 2010 5-6:30 p.m. Mix and mingle with other GDMCVB Marketing Partners and explore this great new attraction in Greater Des Moines. Free food and soft drinks provided. RSVP to Jan Meyers at jmeyers@desmoinescvb.com by Friday, February 19. This is the first Sip & Socialize event of 2010. Events will be held frequently throughout the year.

 

indie/pop/rock Following the demise of the acclaimed pop band Absinthe Blind (Parasol Records), Erin Fein and Brett Sanderson formed the short-lived guitarless band Orphans, which provided Fein a developmental first outlet as principle songwriter. Soon, Tristan Wraight returned to Champaign, Illinois from a stint on the road as touring guitarist for Maserati and joined the band, invoking a startling change as he and Fein began a prolific period of songwriting together. The band changed completely, and in the thaw of the Illinois spring of 2004, Headlights was born in a farmhouse just north of Champaign. The band quickly put together a set of songs and The Enemies EP was recorded at the band's farmhouse studio in a flourish. The EP was released to critical acclaim as a limited edition mail-order and tour-only EP. The first pressing sold out in a matter of a few short months. Headlights went on to share the stage with The Delgados, Mates of State, Magnolia Electric Co., The Appleseed Cast, Headphones, Mono, Earlimart, to name a few. With:Canby Hanwell

First Steps Dance classes are designed to introduce children to the fundamental skills of dance at a cost and time commitment that is minimal to parents. All classes are led by Jennifer McCullough, an instructor who has taught dance for over 12 years. Let your child learn basic dance movements in a non-threatening, recreational environment! Beginning Tap Class NEW! Bring in the Noise!!! Students are introduced to the fundamentals of tap and the foundation of rhythm. The focus is on basic technique and terminology. Students develop body awareness and the ability to express themselves through movement. The program fee covers all 6 weeks of instruction and a long-sleeve t-shirt. Basic children’s tap shoes are available for purchase at The Theatrical Shop in Valley Junction, Mark’s Dancewear in Johnston, or on-line through many retailers. Date(s): Mondays, February 22-April 5 (no class on March 15) Time(s): 6-6:30pm Program #: 10761 Time(s): 6:45-7:15pm Program #: 10762 Location: Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge Ages: 4-6 Fee: $30 PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

Bacon Festival expands to a week this year! The schedule includes:

Monday (2/22): Bacon specials will be served at Baby Boomers Cafe (think Obama girl cookies) in Des Moines’ East Village. 

Tuesday (2/23): Homeless shelter dinner at United Shelter & Services for 120 people. 

Wednesday (2/24): Bacon Elegance Dinner at Cafe di Scala. This annual dinner is a 6 course dinner created by chef and owner Tony Lemmo and Phil Shires. 

Thursday (2/25): Bacon specials at the El Bait Shop’s Jimmy Carter Happy Hour featuring the Iowa Homebrewers Union. 

Friday (2/26): Enjoy time with your family and friends as you mentally prepare for Saturday’s premiere bacon festival! 

Saturday (2/27): Be at the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 519 Park Street, Des Moines, IA when the doors open at 10am to enjoy the day’s festivities! 

Tickets available beginning Feb. 4th at www.blueribbonbaconfestival.com.

Olson-Larsen Galleries will host an opening reception for a group show of artwork by Blair Benz, Karen Chesterman, Mary Koenen Clausen, Peter Feldstein, and Jeanine Coupe Ryding. This event is free and open to the public. The exhibition will be on display through April 3. Butterflies, moths and flowers populate the intricate charcoals of Blair Benz. Benz achieves impossible depth and richness in his small still lifes, which sometimes include landscape elements. His work has been shown in the Gallery of Art in Eugene, Oregon, the Iowa Artists Exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center, and the Midlands Invitational 2000 at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. Karen Chesterman’s recent oil paintings feature hints of unreadable script, Asian symbols and geometric elements. These components both contrast with and complement their backgrounds—the rich, vibrant color fields Karen creates using layers of thin oil paint. Karen’s works hang in Midwestern galleries, private collections, and institutional collections in banks, hospitals, and corporate offices, including those of American Republic Insurance and Kirke Financial Services in Des Moines. Mary Koenen Clausen’s collages are complex and contemplative. Figures composed of mismatched heads and bodies float among animals, icons, musical notes, and foreign texts on backgrounds of thickly layered paint. She was part of the Iowa Artists show at the Des Moines Art Center in 1991 and has been in group shows in Kansas City, Boston, and New York as well as at the Davenport Art Museum and Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. The most recent series of Peter Feldstein’s inkjet prints feature layers of abstract shapes that appear to be moving and morphing into new configurations. Peter writes that his images “provide an anchor for reflection upon, and hopefully understanding of, my place in my macro community.” Peter’s work has been exhibited at The Center for Creative Photography in Tuscon, the Walker Art Center and the Rhode Island School of Design. In Jeanine Coupe Ryding’s woodcuts, layers of colors, patterns, and shapes are arranged into rhythmic compositions. Her most recent series emphasizes natural imagery such as vines, flower blossoms and leaves. Her prints are in the collections of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Des Moines Art Center, New York Public Library, Amoco Corporation, Marshall Fields Company, and Hallmark, Inc. All exhibition works can be viewed at www.olsonlarsen.com on the EXHIBITS page.

A romantic comedy, reminiscent of the TV series “Northern Exposure” – known for its quirky, off-beat and original sense of humor. On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves magically falling In and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend – almost – in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. Please note: only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater for this production.

The Iowa Machine Shed restaurant has added pheasant to its menu during the National Pheasant Fest at the Iowa Events Center. One-quarter pheasant will be pan-roasted & served in country gravy.

Center’s Dome will be filled with brightly colored bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, alliums, hyacinths and a variety of unusual bulbs, February 15-March 31. The garden design is inspired by There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe and will include a giant shoe, porch swing and children’s toys. Easter lilies will be incorporated for the holiday and children can visit with the Easter Bunny and live animals including bunnies, chicks and ducklings on March 20. Visitors to the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center in 2010 will be welcomed with a new horticultural and educational experience as the gardens transform throughout the year, all inspired by popular children’s stories, including Dr. Seuss, Charlie Brown and Eric Carle books. “Story Time in the Gardens” includes seven plant bed changes in the Dome – many bringing the stories alive with life-size props – educational activities, theme-related gift shop items, Riverwalk Café menu choices and special events, all inspired by children’s books. The theme continues into the Show House, with four unique, seasonal designs, and outside to the Herb Garden which is open May through September. Please visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center throughout the year to see each new garden. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is a family-friendly environment with plenty of free parking and wheel chair accessible. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Iowa, providing educational, recreational, and community resources to thousands. More than 150,000 visitors visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center to see over 200 different kinds of tropical and household plants in the Dome. The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center is operated by Des Moines Water Works.

Running out of ideas for winter entertainment for the kids? Your Altoona Hy-Vee has the perfect solution. Every Monday from February 15 until March 15, we will be holding Fun-Day Mondays upstairs in the Club Room from 5-6:30 pm. There will five, themed sessions that will include fun activities, crafts, snacks and games. Your kids will also come home with instructions on how to make the crafts/snacks on their own for a later date! Feb 15- Winter Olympics Feb 22- Oscar Night March 1- PJ Party March 8- Spring Fling March 15- St. Patty's Day Party Please call 967-7676, or stop by Customer Service to register. Please register by 5 p.m. the Saturday before the session you wish to sign up for to ensure we have plenty of supplies and food. Payment is due at time of registration.Classes will be held on the second level of the store in the Club Room. Please drop off your child five minutes early, and pick-up no later than 6:45 p.m. at the Club Room.

Schedule too busy for a 13 week course? Come try our new and exciting mini courses. A wide variety of materials are used in each course to create one complete work of art. The possibilities are endless! Each course meets for TWO Saturday sessions. Ages 6-8 and 9-12 African Masks - February 13 and 20 Gnome Homes and Fairy Houses - February 27 and March 6 Papier Mache Animals - March 27 and April 3 Impressionistic Landscapes - April 10 and 17 Puppet-Making - April 24 and May 1

Artists of the Saturday afternoon Sketch Club.
RECEPTION: Sunday, Feb. 28, 1 - 3 p.m.

“The Dolls of Japan: Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love is sponsored by The Japan Foundation. Japanese dolls reflect the customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess distinctive regional attributes, and over the centuries have developed in many diverse forms. Dolls also provide a showcase for traditional Japanese craft products, such as textiles. In “The Dolls of Japan,” dolls are grouped according to particular events in the Japanese calendar, their method of manufacture, their design and regional characteristics. Included are Japan’s representative dolls, including Hina ningyo (Girls’ Festival dolls) and Gogatsu ningyo (Boys’ Day dolls), which have their origins in ancient customs; dolls connected to traditional performing arts like noh, bunraku and kabuki; regional dolls from throughout the country; and “creative dolls” produced by contemporary craftspeople.

The exhibit traces the history of ACT, Inc. – originally known as American College Testing Program – to a meeting of co-founders E.F. Lindquist, a University of Iowa professor and national expert in educational measurement; Ted McCarrel, UI Director of Admissions and Registrar; and 16 state representatives who met in Iowa’s Old Capitol on the University of Iowa campus on Aug. 21, 1959. That event founded the American College Testing Program, now known as ACT, Inc. The display includes a timeline of major events in ACT history and artifacts from ACT’s past including test documents and components from early test scoring machines. Visitors can also view an audio-video display with recordings from early leaders describing how the organization evolved.

The only Christian Fitness and Meditation classes in the Des Moines Area. Zoe classes are a fusion of Yoga and Pilates. You will leave feeling recharged and refreshed. The long term result is a healthier body, mind and spirit.