Please join us for a memorable musical puppet production by an award winning puppet troupe. This troupe has 50+ members ranging in age from 12 - 50+.

There are some ladies we love in our fair city, and there are some places we love, too. Snuggle up in the black box theatre (and the adjacent bar!) of Des Moines’ hottest spot for a cabaret show where the men shine alongside jazz artist Amber Duimstra, sweet soprano Emily Chafa, and musical theatre diva, Gina Gedler. Gilbert & Sullivan, Stephen Sondheim, and Rodgers & Hammerstein mix with Carole King and Shakespeare (yes!) in a tasty blend served up by the DMGMC.

Salut!, a wine and food event to benefit the Arthritis Foundation Iowa Chapter, will be held from 6 - 9 p.m. at Joseph's West Glen. The event features hors d'oevres, wines & beers from local chefs & brewers while bidding in a silent auction & entering raffles to win a fully stocked wine cellar & more! Reservations are suggested - call 44-2991 for more information.

Jeremy Gabel, Bart McCann, Jose Colon, Zakk "The Attack" Smith, Ryan Vandermark! Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.

A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays. That’s the theme of the American Cancer Society’s 2010 Relay for Life. Relay is a 12-hour walk to raise cancer awareness. It will be held in the Fieldhouse from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. A team for Relay consists of eight - 15 people & registration is quick & simple. To register a team, go to relayforlife.org/drakeuniversity. Registration is open up until the event and the fee is $150 per team.

Italian Dinner Featuring Visiting Veneto Chef, Diego Critelli - Saturday, March 26th at

The Temple for Performing Arts.  The food will be served from stations & there will be a hosted wine bar. For more information:  www.iowasisterstates.org.

The Prairie Tractor Pulling Association is hosting their 6th annual Spring Shoot out bringing in pullers from 10 different states. Some classes available are stock garden tractors, motorcycle, snowmobile & 4 cylinder car engine minirods. Shirts, caps & videos will be for sale both days. Contact Info: Ken Long at (319) 454-6397 or nightmarepulling@hotmail.com.

The State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Historical Records Advisory Board are offering a presentation this week for Iowans interested in learning more about digitizing historical documentary collections. “Considerations for HRDP Digitization Proposals” will be offered at 12:30 p.m., Friday, March 26, 2010, at six Iowa ICN locations in Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Grinnell, Iowa City and Mason City. Presenters include Nancy Kraft of the University of Iowa Libraries and Amy Groskopf of the Davenport Public Library. The presentation is recommended primarily for individuals and organizations applying, or considering application, for Historical Resource Development Programs grants in the documentary category. Contact Jeffrey Dawson at jeffrey.dawson@iowa.gov or 515-281-7801 for more information. Below is the list of ICN locations where individuals can participate in Friday’s program:

Local blues band, Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts, play a CD-release show for the band's self-titled 3rd album at 9:30 p.m. at Blues on Grand. The band has won multiple Iowa Blues Challenges & is a fixture at Iowa blues festivals. For more information: www.bluesongrand.com.

Independent Films for Independent Minds. Each day features 10 unique short films. All films were selected with an adult audience in mind. For a list of cities/films plus further information, please go to www.blackmariafilmfestival.org.

Local rockers, KTop, play a CD release show for the new five song EP "Freakshow Maggie" at 9 p.m. 3 Pill Morning & Red Lining Aspects open the show. Admission: $5 & the first 100 people through the door get a free CD.

• Thomas McCargar" performs "An Evening in Vienna"
  
  
  
  • Thomas McCargar - baritone
  
  
  • Michelle Havlik-Jurgens - piano
  
  
  • Description: "Thomas McCargar, baritone, and Michelle Havlik-Jurgens, piano, perform composer Franz Schubert's great cycle Die Schone Mullerein.
  
  
  • $25 per person
  
  
  
  

DETAILS: Concert begins at 8pm & doors open at 7:30pm. Complimentary wine/beverages will be served from 7:30 - 8pm. In the Salisbury House & Gardens tradition, the evening concludes with dessert & coffee following the concert. 

RESERVATIONS: No tickets will be issued. Names of concert attendees are checked at the door the night of the concert. Programs/artists are subject to change without notice. Order your tickets through the Salisbury House Foundation office by phone, mail or in person.  Sorry, no refunds or exchanges are granted. If you are unable to attend a performance you may return your tickets to the Salisbury House for re-sale up to 48 hours prior to performance. 

Tomboy Tools will be one of the many vendors at the Hy-Vee Ladies night that Benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation! Grab some friends and come out to enjoy music, wine tastings, a fashion show and more! Do you wish everything you wanted from food to pampering was at one location so you and your friends could have a relaxing night away from home? It can be yours! Hy-Vee is hosting its annual “Ladies Night” to benefit JDRF. One night, tons of exhibitors. You can purchase tickets online. Tickets also available at all Des Moines area Hy-Vee stores.

 

Join Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant for drinks, excitement and musical entertainment by Wiz, Brad Heron and Jeremie Malotke. These performers will keep you captivated and on your feet all night long! Enjoy $5 martinis, $5 glasses of wine, $5 Crown drinks, $3 Captain drinks and NO COVER!

Performing at The House of Bricks: Thurs. Mar. 25: KYSER (CD Release Event), GUERILLA HUSTLE, RJ COLLIER, HOOD FAM ENT - 7pm - Ages 21+ - $5 - Hip Hop/Rap Fri. Mar. 26: THE CHATTY CATHYS, THE SEED OF SOMETHING, LESBIAN POETRY, TBA - 5pm- All Ages - $5 - Rock Fri. Mar. 26: KYSER, REXX, GUERILLA HUSTLE - 9:30pm - $5 - Rock Sat. Mar. 27: INDEX CASE, MINDRITE, SILENCE IS BROKEN - 5pm - All Ages - $10 - Rock; Advance tickets at www.iowatix.com Sat. Mar. 27: DEAD LARRY, CIRRUS MINOR, ELF LETTUCE - 9:30pm - Jam/Rock Sun. Mar. 28: JOAN RED, ECHOVALVE, THE KNOBS, STILLCHYLD - 5pm - All Ages - $7 - Rock

Basil Prosperi Restaurant in the skywalk at 801 Grand will provide the setting for 8 different Italian cooking classes conducted by Alessandra Meschini, a native of Italy who now lives in the metro area. The classes are: March 25: Ravioli April 8: Pasta sauces (carbonara, primavera & three-cheese) April 15: Calzoni April 22: Eggplant Parmigiana April 29: Green lasagna May 6: Three sweet tiramisus May 13: Fettuccini with a rib ragu May 20: Antipasti All classes begin at 6:30pm & are limited to 20 participants. Class cost $30 per person. For more information: 401-7005 or www.cookingwithalessandra.com.

The book sale, run by nearly 600 volunteers, is known to be one of the largest charity book sales in the nation. Held semi-annually in the 4-H Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the sale attracts thousands of book lovers/bargain hunters from around the state, across the U.S. & even around the world. For further information:  www.ppheartland.org.

Dance competition hosted by a friendly & professional staff - no one goes home empty-handed, regardless of age or ability.

For more information:  www.talentonparade.com.

Thousands of used books, home school material, DVDs, CDs, Videos, Craft/Cooking magazines/games and puzzles and much much more! Recession friendly prices.

The Easter Bunny will be at Merle Hay Mall to visit with boys & girls.

Come visit the Easter Bunny and get your photo's taken at Southridge Mall.

Get your geek on at Blue Moon during Pub Trivia! Gather your friends & enjoy 7 rounds of trivia, great prizes & awesome drink specials from 8 -10 p.m. every Tuesday through April 27th! Can DJ Cubbie & the geeks at Select Entertainment stump you? All night enjoy $2.50 draws, $3 bottles, $4 bombs and $3 Captains - but please, save some brain cells for the trivia! And if you work up an appetite, we're offering hot gooey, 12-inch pizzas for only 6 bucks!

Challenge your intellect...
Challenge your friends...
Expand your mind! It's all about the team!
With $5 pitchers and mixed drink specials all night! For further information: www.desmoinessocialclub.org.

The Easter Bunny will be in Center Court to visit with boys & girls. Ride the Bunnyland Express train for only $1! Bunny’s hours are Monday-Saturday 10am - 8pm & Sunday 11am - 6pm. Valley West Mall will be closed Easter Sunday.

Cheer on Iowa's Best Singers! Vocal Hero is a $10,000 singing competition with a $5,000 grand prize. Tuesdays through April 20, Finish Line Show Lounge @ Prairie Meadows. All contestants must have previously qualified to participate. For more information: www.prairiemeadows.com.

Featuring a variety of works created by 15 students in Drake's Art and Design Department, the exhibit will run through Sunday, March 28. This year, 79 works were submitted for consideration. Jill Featherstone, museum education director of the Des Moines Art Center, selected 23 for the exhibition. Matt Selsor, exhibit curator and director of the Anderson Gallery, and the Art and Design Department faculty selected a final work for inclusion as the winner of the Provost's Purchase Prize. "I looked for works that demonstrated a competency in execution while retaining an emotional impact," Featherstone said. "I also wanted to recognize works in every program represented by Drake's Department of Art and Design." The exhibit will showcase art by the following students: •Hannah Boom, a senior graphic design, magazines and art history major from Manchester, Iowa •John Cannon, a senior graphic design major from Eldridge, Iowa •Jennifer Cerna, a sophomore psychology major from Milford, Kan. •Andrew De Broux, a senior graphic design major from Windsor Heights, Iowa •Amanda Rae Bruns, a senior drawing major from Newton, Iowa •Alexandra Doffing, a senior advertising and graphic design major from Hastings, Minn. •Meredith Gallivan, a senior graphic design major from Byfield, Mass. •Hannah Hoffman, a junior graphic design and international business major from Whitefish Bay, Wis. •Tatiana Klusak, a junior advertising and graphic design major from Tiverton, R.I. •Olivia Lansing, a senior graphic design major from Delwood, Minn. •Trisha Lightfoot, a senior advertising and graphic design major from Shenandoah, Iowa •Ashley Machacek, a senior painting major from Arvada, Colo. •Ashley Pettit, a senior drawing and graphic design major from Fort Benton, Mont. •Haley Tatom, a sophomore painting and psychology major from Anchorage, Ala. •Sandra Tomer, a senior graphic design major from Ames, Iowa The Anderson Gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information about the exhibit, contact Matt Selsor at 515-271-1994 or matt.selsor@drake.edu. Search Archive Title and ContentTitleContent Go Go to ArchiveLatest News 03/09/2010 Education dinner to honor five outstanding educators 03/04/2010 Drake series to feature leterpress demonstration 03/03/2010 Drake signs exclusive agreement with Licensing Resource Group 03/03/2010 Greater Des Moines recognized as Track Central USA 03/02/2010 Drake pharmacy professor presented with leadership award 03/02/2010 Grad students help launch literacy program at Polk County Jail 03/02/2010 Student-athletes named to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll 03/02/2010 Professor LouAnn Simpson named university marshal 03/01/2010 Drake Students in Free Enterprise to host 'Brand Yourself' workshop 03/01/2010 Human-rights advocate to give Drake lecture on Survivorship Stories of War

The Great Frame Up is hosting a special fundraising exhibit for HOPE International thru March 31st to help rebuild Haiti after the devastating earthquake. Talented local artists have joined with The Great Frame Up to create a special art exhibit to benefit Haiti. Proceeds from the sale of the originals in the collection will go directly to HOPE International for Haiti and a local charity. This is a wonderful art exhibit with proceeds benefiting Haiti. Local artists featured who have donated their artwork for the event include Jill Wells of Indianola, Bill Gordon of Clive, Jane Robinette of Urbandale and many others.

The Gallery Show of Timothy Florer will be on display during the month of March at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1115 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines, Room 113 in the east lobby, as part of its Fine Arts Program. The display is open to the public during office hours and during worship services, Saturdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – noon. His medium is black and white photography; on display will be works from his first two books: Rural Iowa Ruins and Against The Current. Tim began a serious endeavor into fine art black-and-white photography in 2000. Since 1974, Tim sold life insurance and annuities in rural Iowa and in his travels, he witnessed the decline of rural structures and small towns. He felt the need to capture images of these structures before they became extinct. This mission evolved in 2002 into Tim’s first book, Rural Iowa Ruins. Using the same format, Tim’s second book, Against the Current, was published in 2003; a photographic study of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Tim has had solo shows on the west coast and Midwest, and his works are on display at major corporations and museums. He has been the featured photographer in The Iowa magazine 2005 calendar. He is also the co-founder and director of the 4-H Camera Corps.

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.

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.

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.

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.