Now that the holidays are over and spring break still seems a long way off, what are we going to do? How will we get through another February? Here’s my advice, in two easy steps:
1. Skim through the list of events below and circle a few on your calendar. Our team assembled dozens of good reasons to say “yes” to a night out. 2. If your phone has a weather app that tracks current conditions in various cities, add Tiksi, Siberia, to the list. No matter how cold it gets here, trust me: Tiksi is worse.
See? Things are looking brighter already. Michael Morain
Editor |
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Detail from Henry Payer's "Winnebago Camp," a multimedia painting from 2019. (Courtesy of the artist) |
Ho-Chunk artist blurs boundaries at the Art Center |
Since 1950, the Des Moines Art Center’s annual Iowa Artist series has showcased talent from this land between two rivers. This year, Sioux City-born artist Henry Payer invites viewers to look beyond those familiar borders in a solo exhibition called “Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other.” A member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, whose ancestral territory spans the Upper Midwest, Payer borrows his show’s title from a Ho-Chunk phrase describing neighbors across a river, a metaphor for shared space and exchanged perspectives.
The show opens with a reception 5-7 p.m. Friday and features collages that blend personal and historical materials, plus a new sculpture inspired by a canoe, a symbol of the Ho-Chunk’s ongoing search for a homeland just beyond the next bend. |
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More in Museums & Galleries |
“The Animal Show,” through Jan. 31, Olsen-Larsen Galleries. A herd of creatures from land, sea and sky stampedes through the Valley Junction gallery.
“Greater Des Moines Exhibited,” through Feb. 12, Polk County Heritage Gallery. Nearly 50 area artists exhibit work in this year’s juried show, a long-standing tradition in the grand old gallery that once housed a post office on the north side of the county administration building.
“Bill Owens: Work and Leisure” guided tour, Saturday, Des Moines Art Center. Enjoy a free tour through the print gallery, where Owens’ photos capture everyday moments from suburban life in the 1970s.
First Friday: “Embodied,” Feb. 6, Mainframe Studios. This month’s theme for the studio’s free open gallery night features artists “who use the body as their primary language.”
Edgard Camacho, opening Feb. 6, Moberg Gallery. The month-long show curated by Steven Vail showcases the work by the local artist who was born in France and grew up in Venezuela.
“Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model,” Feb. 14-May 17, Des Moines Art Center. The immersive exhibition features Austrian artist Maria Lassnig’s hand-drawn animated films from the 1970s on a series of suspended screens.
First Friday: Des Moines Public Schools, March 6, Mainframe Studios. See work from DMPS students exhibited on all five floors during the free open studio night. |
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Cyrille Aimée comes to town on March 18. (Photo: Fasching) |
Ready for some djazz at Noce? |
Sure, jazz is an American invention, but the French gave it a certain “je ne sais quoi” in the 1930s. In smoky Parisian clubs, the French violinist Stéphane Grappelli and Belgian-born guitarist Django Reinhardt popularized an uptempo style propelled by strings rather than drums that mixed nimble melodies with toe-tapping beats. It came to be called “gypsy jazz” in a nod to Reinhardt’s Romani roots, but these days, those in the know call it Manouche (muh-NOOSH) jazz, borrowing the term for the Romani subgroup to which Reinhardt belonged.
Whatever you call it, it’s irresistible — and two of its leading stars are coming to Noce (a block away from Django, the French restaurant that bears Reinhardt’s name). The French-Dominican singer Cyrille Aimée makes her Noce debut on March 18 with a mix of the French-style jazz, Latin swing and contemporary tunes that have made her a darling of the international festival circuit and one of Stephen Sondheim’s favorites.
Soon after, the French guitarist Stéphane Wrembel visits on March 27 to heat up the club with Reinardt classics and a few of his own. Grab your tickets now before they’re très, très gone. |
Botanical Blues, Sundays through March 29, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. The Matt Terronez Band are up next in the weekly concert series at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center, where you can simultaneously listen to and shake off the blues.
Duke Tumatoe, Jan. 30, Temple Theater. The prolific blues singer, guitarist and songwriter has performed with Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, B.B. King and many others during his noteworthy career.
Flamy Grant, Feb. 7, First Unitarian Church. The singers, songwriter and “shame-slaying drag queen” takes a turn in the church's Progressive Voices concert series.
Winter Blues Fest, Feb. 13-14, downtown Marriott. The Central Iowa Blues Society heats up the weekend with acts from around town and around the country.
Des Moines Symphony, Feb. 14-15, Des Moines Civic Center. On Valentine’s weekend, guest conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya and pianist Anna Geniushene join the orchestra for a romantic program of Ravel, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.
Emanuel Ax, Feb. 20, Sheslow Auditorium. The world-renowned pianist and eight-time Grammy winner returns to town for a concert in the Lauridsen Great Pianists Series, part of the Civic Music Association’s centennial season.
Brass & Boujee, Feb. 20, The Ingersoll. Trombonist and arranger Marcus Lewis and emcees Kemet the Phantom and Kadesh Flow mix hip-hop and big band sounds into a thoroughly modern mashup.
“Harry Potter” in concert, Feb. 20-21, Des Moines Civic Center. With just a flick of maestro Joseph Giunta’s magic wand, the Des Moines Symphony accompanies a screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
John Lloyd Young, Feb. 21, The Ingersoll. The Tony- and Grammy-winning star of Broadway’s original “Jersey Boys” and Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation takes the stage to sing jazz, R&B and showtunes.
“Yesterday’s Songs,” Feb. 26-27, The Ingersoll. Steve Berry performs a heartfelt tribute to iconic musical artist Neil Diamond.
An Evening with Toto, March 11, Hoyt Sherman Place. The yacht rock band known for its songs “Africa” and “Hold the Line” returns to Des Moines for a night of easy listening.
Des Moines Symphony, March 14-15, Des Moines Civic Center. Stella Chen debuts with the Des Moines Symphony for Beethoven’s lyrical violin concerto in a program that sweeps across Prague, Germany and the Czech countryside. |
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DaYoung Jung's recent work "It's Deep, It's Dark" hints at her plans for Ballet Des Moines. (Photo: PointeWorks) |
Ballet Des Moines can't stop, won't stop |
Ballet Des Moines is on the move, in more ways than one. In its aptly titled triple bill, “Nothing Holds Still,” Feb. 27-28 at Hoyt Sherman Place, artistic director Eric Trope premieres a new work accompanied by the Belin Quartet and staged with a set by the company’s artist-in-residence, Olivia Valentine, an Iowa State University associate professor whose creative output combines textiles, sculpture, architecture and sound.
The program also includes a piece by DaYoung Jung, the Korean-born, Bolshoi-trained choreographer with the Oklahoma City Ballet, plus a new work from one of Ballet Des Moines’ own dancers. The company describes the program as “a meditation on change, time and the fleeting nature of stillness.” |
More Theater, Comedy & Dance |
“SIX,” Tuesday through Sunday Des Moines Civic Center. The pop princesses make their encore appearance in Des Moines, delivering a history lesson disguised in girl power anthems.
“Kimberly Akimbo,” Feb. 3-8, Des Moines Civic Center. The darkly funny musical about a teenage girl with a rare aging disorder won five 2023 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“Mrs. Doubtfire,” Feb. 4, Stephens Auditorium in Ames. “Hellooooooo!” The nationally touring musical about a Scottish nanny pops in for a night at Iowa State University.
“The Mousetrap,” Feb. 6-March 1, Des Moines Playhouse. What happens when a snowstorm traps seven strangers in a remote English guesthouse and one of them is a murderer? Find out in Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit.
“Disenchanted!” Feb. 13-March 1, Tallgrass Theatre Co. A handful of fairy-tale characters hit the stage in a musical mashup in West Des Moines.
“Love Letters,” Feb. 14, The Ingersoll. Starring Kevin and Mollie Cooney, this beloved American classic by A.R. Gurney traces a lifelong relationship through heartfelt letters which reveal humor, heartbreak and love.
George Lopez, Feb. 20, Hoyt Sherman Place. The well-known stand-up comedian and sitcom star comes to town for one night only, postponed from this past June. (Original tickets will be honored.)
“The Outsiders,” Feb. 24- March 1, Des Moines Civic Center. Adapted from the famous novel and movie, the new musical tells the coming-of-age tale about a clash between two teen gangs in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jerry Seinfeld, March 7, Des Moines Civic Center. What’s the deal with airline food? Maybe we’ll finally find the answer with one of the greatest comedians of all time.
“The Seagull,” March 13-22, Stoner Theater. The Iowa Stage Theatre Company reimagines the story of a playwright and his descent into a sea of heartbreak.
“The Twilight Zone Unscripted,” March 17-22, Temple Theater. Impro Theatre takes the bizarre TV series and transforms it into a live, improvised comedy.
“The Music Man,” March 20-22, Des Moines Civic Center. A con man decides to scam the people of River City into creating a youth band. But when he falls in love, he has to actually follow through with his plan.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, March 25, Des Moines Civic Center. This iconic dance company combines ballet technique with the dynamics of contemporary dance.
“The Wizard of Oz” in Concert, March 28, Des Moines Civic Center. The world of Oz gets even more wonderful with a live soundtrack from the Des Moines Symphony. |
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Dome After Dark, Fridays through March 27, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Breathe in all that lovely, humid oxygenated air before spring returns to the non-tropics outside.
Discover the Wild Days: Coral, Sunday, Blank Park Zoo. A coral reef is made up of hundreds of tiny animals called polyps. Learn how they influence entire ecosystems during the zoo’s conservation spotlight days.
“Met Opera: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” Jan. 24, Varsity Cinema. Des Moines Metro Opera and the neighborhood movie theater team up to present a broadcast of Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer-winning novel.
Iowa Bike Expo & Banquet, Jan. 24, EMC Expo Center. Pedal pushers gather for the annual extravaganza of bike gear, bike apparel, bike nonprofits and all the other bike stuff.
Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, Feb. 12, Casey’s Center. The famous ballers show off their skills in a game against their rivals, the Washington Generals, as part of their centennial tour.
Des Moines Home & Garden Show, Feb. 12-15, Iowa Events Center. Hundreds of landscapers, gardeners, interior designers and other domestic experts offer demonstrations, pop-up indoor gardens and more to signal that spring is just around the corner.
Discover the Wild Days: Big Cats, Feb. 14, Blank Park Zoo. Learn how the zoo cares for lions, tigers and snow leopards. (Oh my!)
Iowa Home Expo, March 13-14, Iowa State Fairgrounds. See what’s trending in home renovation and design, meet with local and national vendors, and pick up a few tips for all your home projects.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17, downtown. Pick out your spot along Grand Avenue and watch the green wave roll by. |
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