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!

GDT plans to hold an International Dinner to increase awareness about the organization and its services. The menu will consist of an eclectic mix of dishes from cultures indicative of the growing diversity in Iowa. Expect the mood to be intimate and festive, and the conversation to be lively, amid the music of Witness Matlou’s South African Jazz piano. Tickets can be purchased at: Zumi, 515-277-4629, 1141 42nd Street, Des Moines Zanzibars Coffee Adventure, 515-244-7694, 2723 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines India Star, 515-279-2118, 5514 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines Gateway Dance Theatre, 515-283-8383, 315 E. 5th St., Suite 12, Des Moines

The Women’s Collegiate Choir features over 100 singers from Central College, Drake University, Simpson College, and the Heartland Youth Chorus. Led by guest director, Rebecca Gruber, the concert will feature a variety of repertoire from the mass choir and from individual choirs. For more information on this event, contact Mark Babcock at mark@stmarkwdm.org.

Have you ever strapped on a pair of snowshoes? If not, make plans now to try a new, easy, and fun skill this winter. Come hike with a Polk County Conservation naturalist! Snowshoes will be provided for a $5 fee and pre-registration is required. Participants must be 8 years of age or older and wear warm boots that can get wet. Class will be canceled without snow. To register, go online to www.mycountyparks.com. For more information, contact Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300.

For more information: Dave Sigmund at 210-5224.

You will find a great selection of high quality hand made arts and crafts for sale throughout the mall.

www,dmwintergames.com Find all things DMWG, including schedules, registration, rules, sponsor information, and more. This is the third year for the DMWG, and if last year's growth is any indication, we are in for another amazing event. All of our returning events last year showed increased participation, often double, tripling, and in some cases quadrupeling attendance.This year we have added two new sponsors and two new events. We want to say thank you to Monster Energy Drink and the Court Avenue District for becoming a part of the 2010 Winter Games. Their support is greatly appreciated. Check out their websites under the Sponsors tab. We are very proud and excited to introduce our two new events this year, Pond Hockey and the World Series Zipfy Races. The Pond Hockey will take place at Birdland Lagoon, and we expect almost 40 teams. The World Series Zipfy Race is will be held at Sleepy Hollow. This event will bring competitors from all over the world as they pit their skills against each other in a quest for victory. Sleepy Hollow is the first place in America to hold a Zipfy World Series race. For more information on Zipfy sleds and the World Series, click our links tab. Check back frequently for more updates. See you this year at the Des Moines Winter Games!

SCHEDULE: Feb. 4: Say What! Poetry and open mic, 9pm ($5) - poetry/acoustic Feb. 5: FOUR YEAR STRONG, STRIKE ANYWHERE, TITLE FIGHT, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, 5pm ( All Ages - $14) Rock - $14 advance tickets at www.iowatix.com. Feb. 5: TRASH PLATINUM, SUICIDE BLONDES, TEN TON HALO, ABSOLUTE POWER, 9:30pm - Rock Feb. 6: THE SOAPBOX PROPHETS, HOLLYWOOD BURNOUT, CAT MILK, 5pm (All Ages) - Rock Feb. 6: GIMIKK, 9:30pm - Rock Feb. 7: FOUR LETTER LIE, LOVE HATE HERO, CLASSIC IN THE MAKING, OF MACHINES, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS, 5pm (All Ages) $10 - Rock. Advance tickets available at www.iowatix.com Feb. 10: KEY PARTY, POGO FORCE 5, ERIC LANGKAMP, 5pm (All Ages) $5 - Rock

“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 setting is April 23, 1961, when a 38-year old Judy Garland performed at Carnegie Hall in what the New York Times called "the concert of the century". Woven into her concert performance are memories from her past. Her family, husbands, friends, costars & critics appear in flashbacks, bringing the star's story to vivid life. Each of the show's 25 songs map Judy's journey from poverty in Minnesota to Hollywood stardom.

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.

Do you have an active toddler & looking for an outlet for them to burn off some energy? Do you want your child to learn the essential components of life-long fitness at an early age? Fitness Fun for Me! is a NEW program designed to introduce your child to the benefits of learning motor skills; gaining muscular & cardiovascular endurance; and increasing flexibility, strength, coordination & balance. Not only will your child learn aspects of fitness that will help them later in sports, but they will also learn social skills! Date(s): Wednesdays, January 13-February 17 Time(s): 10:30-11:30am Location: WDM Community Center Ballroom Ages: 2-4 with at least one adult Fee: $40 Program #: 10681 PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

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.