Finding themselves suddenly orphaned, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden band together and make a home for themselves in an abandoned railroad car. Based on the book by Gertrude Chandler Warner.

Mother Davis Project, written by DMSC's locals, directed by Matt McIver and produced by Subjective Theater Company, Des Moines Mother Davis Project The Mother Davis Project explores the life and legacy of Evelyn Davis. A longtime social activist and advocate for the children of the inner city, "Mother" Davis was tireless in her efforts to care for the children and mothers who were struggling to make their way in the world.

Join Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant for drinks, excitement and musical entertainment Jacob Wolfson, Don Peters and Brad Heron. These performers will keep you captivated and on your feet all night long! Enjoy $5 martinis, $5 glasses of wine, $3 micro draws and $2 domestic draws from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

REAL MEN will feature presentations about topics important to men; topics that will include sexual purity, marriage and what it takes to be a Christian man. Steve Deace of WHO-RADIO's "Deace In The Afternoon" show is the featured speaker. Please join us for an evening of Christian discipleship, worship and fellowship. There is no cost to attend this conference but registration is required.

Spring Awakening - By Frank Wedekind, in a version by Ted Hughes

Directed by Ann Woldt.

Performances—March 26-27 at 7:30 p.m. and March 28 at 1:00 p.m.

For further information:  www.simpson.edu/finearts

Lubriphonic greases your ears, moves your hips & leaves you reeling in sweaty bliss. Simmering & intense, with chops to spare, Lubriphonic's ive performances create a spicy dish that is guaranteed to cure what ails you. The members of Lubriphonic have individually toured with artists as diverse as Koko Taylor, Buddy Miles, Otis Rush & Lenny Kravitz. They have fused their talents as side-men in order to create an orignal project that is soulful & unique. Their new release, "Soul Solution," exemplifies this. The 13 studio tracks (as well as two bonus live tracks) capture the band at it's best-- confident, daring, and very, very, funky.

Swim Spa, Hot Tub & Spa blowout! Savings up to 60% off this weekend...come check it out!

Calliope Concert Series - a celebration of women and music

Robyn O'Neil: The World Has Won. A Final Bow Was Taken is a survey exhibition devoted to the Omaha-born, Houston-based artist's work.

A Charity Scrapbook Crop Benefiting Easter Seals Iowa and Camp Sunnyside Preserving memories while creating opportunities to live, learn, work and play. We've had so much fun the last two years, we have expanded Crop for Camp into three days of cropping - 32 hours of good friends, good food, lots of vendors and prizes. Registration fee includes shared scrapbook table, beverage tickets, snacks, breakfast, lunch AND dinner, one free door prize ticket per day, and a goodie bag. You won't want to miss this. All the time you are cropping, you will be helping disabled children and adults, making a difference in their lives.

The Poulenc Trio brings together three uniquely gifted virtuosos, oboist Vladimir Lande, bassoonist Bryan Young, and pianist Irina Lande. Combining brilliant 21st-century vibrancy with the best of European instrumental tradition, the trio's performances leap beyond the ordinary concert experience, transporting audiences into a world of beautiful sonorities, playful rhythms and dramatic excitement.

Pheasants Forever has always billed its largest event, National Pheasant Fest, as more than an outdoor tradeshow. The show is really about your favorite hunting field or a nearby wildlife area. It's about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's mission. It's about wildlife habitat. National Pheasant Fest is returning to the Iowa Events Center to rejuvenate interest in restoring and creating upland habitat in Iowa and beyond; to galvanize hunters to be strong stewards of the land; to give youth the sense that the outdoors and conservation can be fun and rewarding. So bring the family, especially the kids. Come admire and inquire about the bird dogs. Seek out advice from wildlife habitat professionals. And of course, check out the great outdoor gear that will be available from all our sponsors and exhibitors. But most importantly, come ready to leave a legacy!

This is the largest craft show in the state of Iowa with over 300 talented exhibitors presenting & selling the Midwest’s finest handcrafts. There will be something for every style, taste, and budget with products such as leather goods, oak furniture, paintings, jewelry, candles, clothing, floral wreaths, yard art, and many more original products. All products sold are handmade by the actual exhibitor present at the show. Exhibitors will also be selling food items such as homemade salsa, barbecue sauce, dips, jams, dried food and soup mixes, gourmet bread mixes, honey, and wine.

Brian Klemmer is an international consultant/speaker whose seminars have been attended by tens of thousands of participants. He is truly an entertaining & effective speaker, facilitator & master of group dynamics. He is a West Point graduate & a member of the National Speakers Association. Brian is committed to corporations' increased success through the empowerment of their people in a win-win environment. Brian is founder of Klemmer & Associates which has produced results in companies such as ITT Sheraton, Hewlett Packard, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, as well as direct sales companies. He the author of the best-selling book "If How To's were Enough, We'd all be Skinny, Rich and Happy", which discusses many of the key principles & concepts that are the core of his company & his phenomenal, results-producing seminar series. Brian is more than just a motivational speaker who gets an audience on a temporary high. The key to his effectiveness is the interactive nature of his presentation. His long standing results are the product of the unforgettable new ways people get to see themselves, their business & life itself. EVENT SCHEDULE: Thursday, Feb 25: 4-5:30pm: Networking with Brian Klemmer. Cost is $25 (RSVP by February 23 at 5pm). This is a great opportunity to meet Brian & network with other professionals in Des Moines. Thursday, Feb 25: 6:30pm: Champions Workshop. Cost is $20 in advance or $59 at door. This will help you connect with your significant other, earn more money, contribute more to your community by discovering one of the top four beliefs that are holding you back in your life. Friday, Feb 26: 11:30am - 2pm: Corporate Test drive - preview what his corporate training can do to empower your employees & explode your bottom line in a short period of time. Lunch is $10 (RSVP by February 23). For further information: www.klemmer.com or contact Tami Bixby at (515) 490-0251.

Energetic…Funny…Familiar “Collin’s show is a steady flow of sharp and relevant humor driven by loose and fun likeability” Collin brings a fast paced and highly engaging mix of clever stand-up and gut busting physical comedy that appeals to people from Earth. He draws on life experiences, current events, and incisive personal observations to create a comedy ride that is hilarious, and memorable. This is the guy you’ve been waiting for.

“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.

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.

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!

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.