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March
March 3 The Des Moines Public Library’s Smart Talk Series 2010 continues with Alison Levine at 7:30 p.m. the Civic Center. Levine’s discussion, “Oxygen Not Included,” will highlight her experiences as the captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, on which she survived subzero temperatures and sudden avalanches. Details: civiccenter.org.
March 4 Join Seattle Art Museum curator of American Art Patricia Junker for a discussion of Tables for Ladies: Edward Hopper and the Modern Woman at the Art Center’s Levitt Auditorium from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Junker’s talk will show how provocative Hopper’s Automat and Chop Suey paintings were in the late 1920s and why they occupy such a pivotal place in the artist’s career. The lecture is free, but reservations are required. Details: desmoinesartcenter.org.
The Iowa Deer Classic brings a full day’s worth of trophy whitetails, world-class seminars, and numerous exhibitors to Hy-Vee Hall. Come see the latest in gear and learn new skills for the next hunting season. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 7–15. Kids under 7 are free. The show runs Friday to Sunday. Details: iowaeventscenter.com. Minneapolis native Tina Schlieske performs at People’s Court at 8:00 p.m. Compared to alt-rock divas Jewel and Ani DiFranco, Schlieske has been performing her signature blend of rock/blues/soul since her teens. She has been described as a white soul singer with the gut-busting energy of Janis Joplin. Tickets are available through iowatix.com for $10–$20. Don’t miss this chance to hear one of the Midwest’s greatest musicians. Details: iowatix.com Wine & Food Showcase 2010 will be held at the Downtown Marriot from 5:30–8:30 p.m. A fund-raiser for the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Wine & Food Showcase highlights the area’s finest restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distributors and their most delectable offerings. Tickets are $50 per person or $35 per person for groups of 8 or more. Details: desmoinesmetroopera.org. Touring for his first new studio album in four years, legendary singer Delbert McClinton brings his country-soul-blues blend of music to the Val Air Ballroom for one show. The concert will include ballads, jazzy tunes, and numbers from his four-decade career. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 7:00 for the 8:00 p.m. show. Details: valairballroom.com. Kidsfest, Children & Families of Iowa’s (CFI) annual kid-centered festival, runs all weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Varied Industries Building. Providing fun for the entire family, Kidsfest raises money to support at-risk children and families throughout Iowa. One-hundred percent of the ticket price goes to CFI. Details: cfiowa.org/Events/Kidsfest.
March 6 The Des Moines Symphony Orchestra presents Judy Garland in Concert at the Civic Center. Hear her incredible vocals, including “The Trolley Song,” “The Man That Got Away,” and her signature song, “Over the Rainbow,” and watch her performances on three giant screens, accompanied in perfect synchronization by the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. You won’t want to miss this special event. Tickets range from $30 to $70 for the 7:30 p.m. show. Details: dmsymphony.org. The 2010 Variety Club Telethon kicks off its 23-hour run on Saturday at the Polk County Convention Complex. This locally produced program raises money for Iowa’s children and gives the Variety Club the opportunity to highlight some of the kids and organizations that benefit from the dollars raised. Admission is free. Details: varietyiowa.org. March 9 Singer-songwriter Norah Jones comes to the Civic Center to present songs from her newest album, The Fall, which was released in November. Her jazzy vocals and piano styling have produced a number of popular songs from her previous albums, including “Come Away with Me” and “Don’t Know Why,” as well as lyrical renditions of jazz standards such as “The Nearness of You.” Details: civiccenter.org.
March 10 A salute to the baby boomer generation, The Wonder Bread Years is a fast-paced, hilarious cross between stand-up and theater. The show, which runs the 10th to the 21st, has left audiences across the country laughing and savoring the past. Show times vary at the Civic Center’s Temple Theater. Tickets are $32.50–$36.50. Details: civiccenter.org.
March 12 The Women of Faith: Over the Top conference comes to Des Moines this weekend. Come hear some inspirational women tell about their journeys of faith and see your own spiritual life rejuvenated. Details: iowaeventscenter.com.
Miss Spenser’s Special-Teas will be graced by a spunky 19th-century Irish lass named Miss Mary McGrady at 11:00 a.m. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fine cup of Irish “tay,” along with some Irish lore and stories. Miss Spenser will also play some Celtic music on her harp. Tickets for this delightful four-course tea are $24 per person. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. Call 641-342-1547 to reserve your seat now. Details: MissSpencersSpecialTeas.com.
The House of Bricks will be the scene for an all-out concert featuring The Black Dahlia Murder. The headline band will be joined by Obscura, Augury, and Hatesphere. This concert for all ages starts at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door. Details: iowatix.com. The Iowa Dance Theater will present Confetti: A Pink Carpet Affair, featuring Iowa Dance Theater alumni from companies and university programs across the country. Starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Temple for Performing Arts, the event also includes a silent auction, tasty treats, and a cash bar. Tickets are $25. Details: iowatix.com.
March 19 Local gardening expert Jerry Kluver is just one of the highlights at this year’s Iowa Flower, Lawn & Garden Show at the Varied Industries Building at the Fairgrounds from the 19th to 21st. Over 300 booths will display the latest ideas for your lawn, garden, and outdoor living, as well as 10 beautifully landscaped displays. Tickets are $6.95 for adults, $5.95 for seniors. Children 12 and under are free. Details: iowaflowershow.com.
March 25 The Black-Eyed Peas bring their Grammy-winning sound to Wells Fargo Arena at 7:30 p.m. This marks the first time the group has united for a North American tour since 2006. Tickets are $39.50 to $80.50 from dahlstickets.com. Details: iowaeventscenter.com.
March 27 Join in the learning and the fun at Iowa's Fifth Annual Natural Living Expo at the Polk County Convention Complex, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. This event is the first Iowa expo to showcase natural, healthy and green living. James Biehn and friends will be back on the Creative Living Stage, along with other bands. Another highlight is the community expert panels on topics such as healthy food solutions, sustainable living options, and wellness benefits. A media room will include a day long series of short films on relevant topics, and the Center on Sustainable Communities will present a green building series. The Natural Kids Zone will feature hula hoop classes, kids yoga, and creative arts. Find more information, including admission prices, on their Web site. Details: NaturalLivingExpo.org.
The Civic Center is the setting for The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favoritesas these children’s classics come to life on the stage. Using blacklight and larger-than-life puppets, these unique adaptations are portrayed by one of North America’s most respected theater companies, Canada’s Mermaid Theatre. Tickets are just $10 for the 11:00 a.m. show. Details: civiccenter.org. Christopher O’Riley returns to the Des Moines Symphony to perform two groundbreaking works in Rhapsody and Firebird at 7:30 p.m. Host of NPR’s From the Top and a world-renowned pianist, O’Riley will join the Symphony on “Rhapsody in Blue” and Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” among other pieces. Tickets are $15 to $54. Details: dmsymphony.org. With their signature blend of basketball skill and hi-jinks, the Harlem Globetrotters bounce into Wells Fargo Arena. Details: iowaeventscenter.com. Start your outdoor planning early this year by attending the Rain Barrel Workshop at Easter Lake Park. Running from 10 a.m. to noon, this Polk County Conservation Board event will teach you the benefits of rain barrels in preventing runoff and pollution. Participants also get to construct their own rain barrel with materials and tools provided (be sure you have room to transport your 55-gallon barrel home!). Preregistration is required by March 19. Cost is $45, including materials. Visit mycountyparks.com to register. April
Girls Night: The Musical is a touching and hilarious look at the lives of a group of female friends. Packed with energy and music that will have you laughing, crying, and dancing in the aisles, this show tells it like it is—but does so with a smile. Show runs at the Temple Theater through the 18th. Ticket prices and show times vary. Details: civiccenter.org. The Iowa Cubs throw out the first pitch of the season in an exhibition game at Principal Park. Come root for your favorite team when the Iowa Cubs play the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at 6:35 p.m. in a seven-inning contest before the season opener against the Nashville Sounds. Admission prices vary. Details: iowacubs.com. The 2010 Smart Talk Series at the Civic Center continues with Rita Moreno, winner of all four entertainment awards (Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy). Moreno’s “Still Going Strong” lecture includes highlights of the Puerto Rican-born actress’ long career as well as cabaret songs from her stage shows. Lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Details: dmpl.org or civiccenter.org.
April 9 Valley Junction’s popular Spring Gallery Night is one of the largest merchant events for the historic neighborhood. In the past 15 years, it has grown to include the galleries of the Junction as well as other locally owned businesses. You’ll see original artwork, custom jewelry, ceramics, glass, furniture, folk art, and fine reproductions, as well as one-of-a-kind objects. Admission is free. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. throughout the Valley Junction area. Details: valleyjuntion.com. The 4th Annual Iowa RV & Travel Show opens today and continues through Sunday at Hy-Vee Hall. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned RVer, this is the best place to get ready for the camping season. Exhibitors offering everything from accessories to insurance and financing will be on hand. Ticket prices vary. Details: agievents.com/shows. Set backstage at the Boston tryout of a new Broadway-bound musical, Curtains is a musical mystery appropriate for ages 13 and up. When the talentless leading lady drops dead, egos and eccentricities take center stage. The show runs through May 2 at the Des Moines Playhouse. Tickets range from $20 to $35. Details: dmplayhouse.com.
Join the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and the incredible Magic Circle Mime Co. for Lollipops: Peter and the Wolf as the Civic Center theater brings Prokofiev’s exciting musical story to life. Tickets are $15 each or $40 for a family four-pack. Show begins at 11:00 a.m. Details: dmsymphony.org George Strait and Reba McEntire, two legends of country music, performed together for the first time in years recently to a sold-out crowd in Texas. They come to Wells Fargo Arena this month for what promises to be an extravaganza like the one in Dallas. Winners of countless CMA awards, the pair will perform solo as well as together. Details: iowaeventscenter.com.
Seattle-based musician Ian McFeron takes the stage at the Mars Café on Sunday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m., joined by long time musical partner Alisa Milner, a Texas-style fiddler, cellist and harmony vocalist. Details: MarsCafe.net and IanMcFeron.com.
Recognized with the Laurence Olivier Award in 1992 for Best New Play, Death and the Maiden is the dramatic story of a married couple, Gerardo and Paulina, and an unexpected visitor who may or may not be connected to traumatic events in Paulina’s past as a prisoner of her country’s former government. A Tallgrass Theatre Company production, the play will be performed at the Rex Mathes Auditorium in West Des Moines on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $12. Details: iowatix.com. Cross Canadian Ragweed, who had to cancel a December concert due to bad weather, will be in Des Moines for a concert at the Val Air Ballroom. Original tickets will be honored, with prices remaining $17.50 for new customers. Details: valairballroom.com.
April 17 Folk singer Ani DiFranco returns to Des Moines to perform at Hoyt Sherman Place at 8:00 p.m. Grammy-winning songwriter and feminist icon DiFranco has released more than 20 albums. Tickets are $38. Details: hoytsherman.org. Professional actors from the renowned Guthrie Theatre will join the Des Moines Symphony to honor the Bard in Romeo & Juliet: A Love Story, inspired by Shakespeare’s quintessential romance. With some of the most evocative music ever composed, love is celebrated in words and music. Performance begins at 7:30 at the Civic Center. Tickets are $15 to $54. Details: dmsymphony.org. Jazz vocalist Jackie Ryan has performed at sold-out shows from London to Amsterdam and from New York to Los Angeles. She brings her artistry to Drake’s Sheslow Auditorium to join local jazz favorites Steve Charleson and Jim Eklof. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $35. Details: iowatix.com.
Celebrate Earth Day in the Junction at the metro area’s largest Earth Day celebration. Featuring a diverse group of exhibitors, activities, demonstrations, live music, and delicious food, the day also includes a 5K run/walk. Free. Details: earthdayinthejunction.com. April 19 1950s-Style Coffee. Find a vintage hat from the era of I Love Lucy and wear it to coffee at Terrace Hill, or come without at 10:30 a.m. This “twist” on the Teas will recall the get-togethers of post World War II. Coffee and desserts will be served up with hospitality and 1950s trivia. A mini-style show of vintage clothing will recall another era at Terrace Hill. Even if it was before your time, it’s an event to be experienced at Terrace Hill. Reservations required. Cost: $35 per person. Reserve your spot by calling Jaqueline at 515-280-3980.
The Drake Relays begin today, with events taking place throughout the weekend. The country’s best amateur and collegiate track and field athletes compete in this nationally recognized event. Details: drakerelays.org.
April 24 Iowa’s own Simon Estes, internationally renowned bass baritone, joins the Des Moines Choral Society for its final concert of the season, Songs of the Spirit: Celebrating 30 Years of Singing. Held at St. Ambrose Cathedral, the concert celebrates songs that honor community and heritage. A 30th Anniversary Reception will follow the 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are $15 to $25 ($7 for students and children). Details: dmchoral.org. April 30 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) makes a Midwest stop at Wells Fargo Arena on the elite 2010 Built Ford Tough Series Tour. This top-tier event takes place Friday and Saturday, with the world’s top bull riders going head to head against the toughest bulls the PBR has to offer. Details: iowaeventscenter.com
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