Following a regional tour, the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble and Dr. Timothy A. McMillin are thrilled to “come home” to present a concert in the striking sanctuary of Grace United Methodist Church, host to the Ensemble’s rehearsals. This concert is presented as part of the inaugural season of the Choral Arts Series, established at Grace to celebrate the church’s 125th anniversary, and will feature an exciting array of music focused on the themes of travel and home culminating in the world premiere performance of Des Moines composer, Ben Allaway’s, “Agnus Dei,” a movement from A Celtic Mass that VAE commissioned this year. Won’t you please join the choir in this celebration of the Grace Choral Arts Series and Ben Allaway’s stirring work! Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and $6 for students and are available for reservation or purchase at www.dmvae.org.

Grasp the rhythm and evocative powers of language used in verbal performance, especially storytelling, with Iowa's Poet Laureate Mary Swander who also draws upon her experience as a playwrite, literature professor, and master gardener for this Two Rivers Story Spinners workshop on Sunday, Feb. 28, 4 - 6 pm. Cost $5. Questions, reservations by Feb. 24, Susan @ 515.306.9313

Even if you don’t know Sydney, Australia modern rock trio Sick Puppies, you’ve probably seen their groundbreaking “Free Hugs,” video, which has garnered almost 30 million views on YouTube.com since it started streaming on the site last year. The heartwarming clip chronicles the true life adventures of a man who walks around holding a billboard that reads “Free Hugs," the police who ban his humanitarian crusade, and the petition that earned him back the right to provide hugs to citizens in need.

The Des Moines Community Orchestra presents its Winter Concert, featuring music by Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, Edward Elgar, Frederick Delius, William Schuman, and Meredith Willson. The perfomance will also include the world premiere of a commissioned work, Elegy for the Grestest Generation, by Des Moines native Linda Robbins Coleman.

Charlie Hunter's latest recording effort features the jaw-dropping guitarist alongside drummer Eric Kalb (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, John Scofield) plus a new horn section including trombonist Curtis Fowlkes (Jazz Passengers, Lounge Lizards, Bill Frisell), trombonist Alan Ferber (Don Byron, Kenny Wheeler) & trumpeter Eric Biondo (Antibalas, TV On The Radio). This is Hunter's second full-length release on his independent label Spire Artist Media & will be available physically in retail outlets nationwide & online at www.charliehunter.com and digitally everywhere through reapandsow music. Hunter follows up his latest trio album, Baboon Strength, with an ambitious effort recorded live direct to two-inch analog tape. No mixing, no overdubs, just straight-ahead powerhouse playing captured by the finest recording equipment dating back to the '50s.

SUNDAYS ONLY - Join local musicians as they escape from the cold, dry winter to the warm tropical environment of the Botanical Center. Every Sunday in January & February a different artist will be performing in the Dome from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Admission $5 per person. Come down & join us for food, fun, and entertainment!

Participants, individuals or teams (family or corporate), climb 1,100 stairs to fight lung disease. The average climb is under 15 minutes and all ages and abilities are welcome, using state of the art timing technology. There are 4 additional categories including a Kid's Climb (ages 5-11), Ultimate Climb (climb the tower as many times in 50 minutes), Fire Departments (in full gear) and Law Enforcement challenges. This annual fundraiser is held the last Sunday in February. The early bird registration is now until January 6, 2010 for $15 and $25 after that. Each participant must raise an additional $100 to particpate. Please visit our website for more information at www.lungia.org or call 515-309-9507.

Join us for a night of music as the Des Moines Diversity Chorus performs classic American favorites and music that inspired the Civil Rights Movement. This will be held in the historic Fort Chapel.

The Jordan House, a stately Victorian home of Italianate Gothic design, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places & is a member of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. It is one of the oldest structures in Polk Country & the oldest in West Des Moines. Built by one of West Des Moines’ first settlers, James C. Jordan, the house serves both as a museum & as the office of West Des Moines Historical Society. The sixteen period rooms serve as a fitting backdrop of displaying the many antique treasures gathered from the rich heritage of West Des Moines. Visitors will also be interested in both the Underground Railroad Exhibit & the many artifacts from the regular railroad which played an important role in the early years of West Des Moines.

Des Moines Women's Club presents the 102nd Annual Art Exhibition! Mark your calendars for these exhibition events, throughout the week. Feb. 25-28: Entries accepted, judged, installed & prizes awarded. Feb. 28-March 7: Exhibition opens to public - FREE! March 5: Gallery Night from 5-8pm. Bring your friends! Enjoy complimentary wine & cheese & great art! For further information: www.hoytshermanplace.org.

Buy, sell and trade new and used fishing products and boats. There will also be fishing resorts at the show, lure making seminars and fishing seminars.

DMSC's Classic Variety Show LINEUP 9pm Bryan Baker 10pm St. Vitus and the Taxi Dancers 10:30pm Brent Houzenga More acts to be announced..

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.