Category Archives: THE ARTS

August 6, 2013 · 7:37 pm

RAGBRAI discovery: b. organic eXchange in Van Meter

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the b. organic eXchange

One of the cool things about RAGBRAI is discovering new things in old places – so when I rode last month through Van Meter, a small town outside Des Moines, with thousands of other riders, I wandered into a little shop –  “the b. organic eXchange.” the exchange’s blog It sells some handmade crafts and food but also offers “naturally artful birthday parties” – presumably for kids – that includes studio space, an instructor and materials to complete a variety of projects. (You can pick from project themes such as “Flower Power” or “Nature Lover” or “Pop Art Portraits.”) Reminds me a bit of the paint-your-own-pottery parties I had for my kids – or worse, the make-your-own-gingerbread-house or paint-your-own-ball cap activities I used to try to organize on my own at home for my kids’ parties.

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July 31, 2013 · 10:25 pm

Cool Concert tonight in DSM – Dwight Yoakam

Dwight Yoakam  San Diego County Fair 2008 in Del Mar.

Looks like it will be a perfect night on the Des Moines Riverfront to hear Dwight Yoakam in concert tonight! 7 p.m. Simon Estes Riverfront stage. Concert Details here

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June 26, 2013 · 12:41 am

South Bank, Covent Garden, Soho, Mortlaker…London!

Wow, London is hopping. As I walked along the South Bank of the Thames on a sunny but not too hot June week day, I was amazed at how many tourists there were, throngs of strollers, large groups,of school kids in matching uniforms, lots of people speaking German or “American,” buskers and street people, cafes and pubs packed with seemingly carefree people like me (if only).

In the four years since I was here last, there are even more cool high design bridges across the Thames, beyond the now sturdy once-wobbly bridge and more to possibly come, according to a story in the Evening Standard, I think, about a newly designed bridge inspired by The High Line in NY that would be heavily landscaped (how cool is that?) The Tate Modern is under construction and It appears, expansion so the enormous turbine hall was cordoned off. Interesting modern high rises have popped up all around it. So much so that I can hardly find once prominent
Landmarks like Southwark Cathedral. I did find the Borough Market which was near London bridge, not Blackfrairs as I remembered and I had some Indian street food.

Walking about 15 minutes to Covent Garden, I found even a denser concentration of tourists clogging the streets, watching the street performers, eating at the restaurants, crowding into the shops. My favorite scene was a group of about eight women in black full length robes, their faces almost completely veiled, eating macaroons at an outlet of Laduree, the famous Paris bakery that I fear is turning into a chain. (There is also one on Madison Avenue in NYC). in Neal’s Yard I was glad to see that the famous cheese shop of the same name is alive and well. the small place was packed with gorgeous cheeses and customers. Alas the hippie dippie bakery in the yard is long gone.

In Soho, on Greek Street, I found one of my favorite French cafes, Maison Bertaux which was larger and more elegant than when i visited last but just as as charming and with really delicious pastries and excellent cappuchino. I had a tart of fresh raspberries and clotted cream piled high.,The only glitch was paying. i asked and was told in advance that I could use a credit card but lo and behold the credit card machine wasn’t working. shades of Peru where there were allegedly broken credit card machines all over. I then had to pay with a twenty pound note I had saved from my last trip but the proprietor was not happy. Apparently the bill was “out of circulation” I.e. old. Who knew? But he finally took it, with a pained expression.

I met an old friend at her publishing office on The Strand and we tried to go to another old favoritE, Gordon’s Wine Bar but it too was packed so we ended up a nearby pizzeria apparently owned by Gordon’s that was quite good called Fratelli la Bufala, although not one but two appetizers we ordered included huge portions of, you guessed it, Buffalo mozzarella. Interestingly, the only meat served was buffalo. On the train back to Mortlake in southwest London, I bumped into my friend F. who am staying with, which was lucky. she was going to meet our other friend U. for dinner so we all ended up at a Swedish restaurant called Stockholm where they ate herring and reindeer burgers and I drank water. Ahhh London!

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June 14, 2013 · 2:18 pm

Hubbard Street Dance at CHicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art

MCA Chicago 060930.jpgA treat to attend a performance of Hubbard Street Dance and in a new venue for me – the theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art (the MCA Stage, see photo), which is much smaller than the Harris Theater further south in Millennium Park. The production continues through June 16.

The price was very reasonable ($35) and the outing had a more casual feel. The dancing was superb, as always – I am amazed by the athleticism and grace of Hubbard’s young dancers. The choreography was more of a mixed bag and I guess that’s the point of the “danc(e)volve: New Works Festival.” The first half before the intermission was my favorite! Some of the new works were a little too odd and avant-garde for me – I especially prefer when dancers do NOT talk and when they dance to music that is NOT primarily noise, which a few selections were (in one case, the discordant sound was so loud I discretely plugged one of my ears, like New Yorkers do in the subway when a train is screeching by). It was fun though to watch a film by Hubbard Street dancers that shared highlights from their US State Department sponsored trip as cultural ambassadors to Morocco, Spain and Algeria.

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June 7, 2013 · 11:02 pm

More excitement for the real Madison County (Iowa) – book, film, now Broadway musical!

Outside the revamped Northside Cafe in Winterset, Iowa

Outside the revamped Northside Cafe in Winterset, Iowa

Madison County Iowa and it’s famous covered bridges may soon see a resurgence of tourists thanks to the soon to be Broadway Musical based on Robert James Waller’s “Bridges of Madison County” novel.  The musical is debuting this summer at the famous theater festival in beautiful Williamstown, Massachusetts.

After the novel and then the movie came out in 1995 – which was filmed on location in Iowa with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, no less – people flocked to the area to visit the bridges. I took at least one English friend besotted with the novel to tour the area back in the mid 1990’s. If and when visitors return, they’ll find some added attractions and improvements in the county seat of Winterset – including the Northside Cafe, the old small town cafe that was used as a film location for the movie and is under new ownership with the same charm but much better food! There’s also some nice shops around the square and an English-style maze in the local park. And there’s a big move afoot to revamp the John Wayne Birthplace/museum  – a humble little white house (see photo below)- into a mega-John Wayne Museum.NYTimes story on Bridges of Madison County on Broadway!

Image

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June 5, 2013 · 4:33 pm

Earth-shaking art with Artquake at the Firehouse, courtesy of the DSM Social Club

We will be out of town for this event but it sounds like fun – and a good way to get a look at the new headquarters of the Des Moines Social club in the way cool old Art Deco firehouse downtown. Artquake is June 27 “featuring an explosion of local art and music.” Better than an earthquake! More details below and on the…Des Moines Social Club website

Des Moines Social Club announces Artquake, June 27 at the Firehouse

DES MOINES (June 4, 2013) – Art. Music. Illumination. Party. The Des Moines Social Club (DMSC) is proud to present Artquake, a party featuring an explosion of local art and music at the Firehouse, on Thursday, June 27 from 6-10pm. For one night, DMSC will transform the courtyard of their new home at the Firehouse into an interactive gallery to illuminate the artists and musicians creating right here in Des Moines.

Artquake will feature performances by Satellite State, D*ckweed and Tires, plus installations and live art by Van Holmgren, Asphate Woodhavet (Maxilla Blue), Body by Svec, Rachel Buse, Joe Crimmings, Lucas Moser, and Mickey Davis. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact and participate in light painting, screen printing, stenciling and painting a collaborative mural. An extravagant illuminated light art show will accompany the music performances, setting the stage of a truly unique experience.

About the Music

Tires will headline Artquake with their energetic, danceable electronic/instrumental rock. The band has consisted of Phillip Young on guitar and electronic sound manipulations and Jordan Mayland on drums and synthesizers since its formation in 2011. Chris Marshall joined the fray as a full time member in 2012, freeing the band to round out Tires’ massive wall of sound with more deliberate focus.

D*ckweed, a new Des Moines alt-country band, will make their debut performance at Artquake. This “supergroup” features a strong lineup of Des Moines talent including Bob Nastonavich, (Pavement), Patrick Tape Fleming (Poison Control Center, Gloom Balloon), Eric Moffitt (Wolves in the Attic, Mantis Pincers), and Trent Derby (Wolves in the Attic, Volcano Boys).

Satellite State, a rock group featuring local high school students that are most well known for playing in Poison Control Center, will round out the Artquake music lineup. With influences of Wavves, Quasi, and WAXEATER, Satellite State make a rock band what it is: distorted guitar and bass, lyrics about girl(s), dorky drunk fills, and hot men!

About the Art

Local artists will showcase the process of creation to Artquake featuring:

– Van Holmgren – live painting of 3D wood piece

– Asphate Woodhavet (Maxilla Blue) – live graffiti

– Joe Crimmings and Lucas Moser – interactive light painting installation

– Mickey Davis – interactive video installaion

– Emily Svec – live Body By Svec body painting

– More to be announced

Artquake

Thursday, June 27

Doors: 6:00pm, Show: 7:00pm-10:00pm

6-10pm

$5 at the door

All Ages

http://desmoinessocialclub.org/artquake
About the Des Moines Social Club

The Des Moines Social Club is a non-profit organization that provides thought-provoking theater, classes for people of all ages, promotion for local artists, and a recruiting tool for the many businesses in Downtown Des Moines. The organization’s vision is to build premier arts institutions that foster social change and revitalize cities. The Des Moines Social Club formed in 2007 and is currently located at 400 Walnut Street. Learn more athttp://desmoinessocialclub.org.

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April 25, 2013 · 7:34 pm

Fun Summer Flicks (free on the lawn) of the Des Moines Art Center

Des Moines Art Center.jpg
Established 1948

Feels like spring for a change today in Des Moines. Keep It Coming! With warmer weather approaching, here’s an update on the Des Moines Art Center’s “Summer on the Hill” free film series, which has some good flicks the first Thursdays from June through September (except in July when they’re a week later due to the July 4th holiday):

My Dog Skip – June 6

The Philadelphia Story – July 11

Breakfast at Tiffany’s – August 1

Vertigo – September 5.

Also up this summer are First Friday gatherings – with live music, light bites, cast bar, form 5-8 p.m. in the Art Center’s lovely courtyard from 5-8 p.m. (only exception is July – which will be held on July 12, aka the second Friday.)

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April 18, 2013 · 2:39 pm

Dance(e)volve: new works festival – a Hubbard Street Dance offshoot?

Looks like I’ll be in Chicago in early June so searching around, as usual, to see if there’s any dance performances and I’ve found one possibility – Hubbard Street Dance’s New Works program at the contemporary art museum. It’s not part of the official Hubbard season but could be interesting! From what I can gather, the show features new choreography largely by unknown choreographers, aka Hubbard Street dancers and staff.

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Jun 6–Jun 9 2013 (and also June 13-16)

Hubbard hoping to strike some gold with ‘danc(e)volve’

January 17, 2012|By Sid Smith, Special to the Tribune

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is about to unveil a new venture in original choreography, two separate programs of premieres, most of them created by its own dancers and staff.

The “danc(e)volve: New Works Festival,” playing Thursday through Jan. 29, alters the troupe’s typical winter engagement in several ways. The choreographers are largely local and unknown, while the venue, the Museum of Contemporary Art, is a departure from the company’s usual home at the Harris Theater.

danc(e)volve: New Works Festival

The eclectic contemporary program danc(e)volve returns to the intimate Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago where every seat is close to the stage.  You’ll witness never-before-seen works by and for dancers.

PROGRAM

danc(e)volve: New Works Festival by Hubbard Street Dancers and Artistic Staff

This intimate look inside the company features the creative, raw energy of Hubbard Street, with an evening of World Premieres in the intimate space of the Edlis Neeson Theater.

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April 16, 2013 · 3:06 pm

Solid Sound Festival – in June in the Berkshires

MASS MoCA 1.jpg
Established 1999

Below is the post I was blogging yesterday when the bombs started going off in Boston, completely diverting my attention – and everyone else’s, as the bomber(s) no doubt intended. I am hugely relieved that my friends and family in Boston (including my niece, mentioned below, whose wedding we’re going to in Boston next fall) are now accounted for and are okay. But of course that’s not the case for many other people. And I can’t say that life feels like it has returned to normal. The blast in Boston has reverberated far beyond and we all feel shaken (and sad and angry and puzzled). But we have to carry on, right? So  with that in mind, I blog on…

Unfortunately we won’t be anywhere near the Berkshires until next fall when we go to Boston for a family wedding. But if I could I surely would get there in June for a music festival “curated”  by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy at one of the cooler contemporary art museums I’ve visited in recent years, MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in the faded factory town of North Adams, Mass. Wilco, Neko Case and Yo La Tengo will be performing, among others, during the three-day Solid Sound Festival from June 21 to 23. And you can even camp downtown. If you don’t want to camp, there are some interesting lodging options including Porches, a series of renovated rowhouses across from the museum, which is located in a huge sprawling 19th century factory. Or in nearby Williamstown, try the remarkable River Bend Farm B&B, a  meticulously restored 18th century house.

Bostonmarathonlogo.jpg
The Boston Marathon logo
Date the third Monday of April

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April 11, 2013 · 7:50 pm

Villages (of Van Buren County) Folk School – places to go summer of 2013

It’s been awhile since I last visited the charming Villages of Van Buren County in southeast Iowa but this month’s issue of Iowa Farm Bureau’s Family Living (which my husband edits) had some good suggestions of places new and old to visit there:

– Villages Folk School – Opened in 2009, this place  (which appears to be on 1st Street in the village of Bonaparte) offers weekend classes in “traditional arts and crafts” from rug weaving and blacksmithing to artisan bread baking. There are some weekend classes in pastel painting and out-of-town students can stay at the pretty Mason House Inn in Keosauqua. Another option is the Bonaparte Inn, an 1890’s building in Bonaparte.

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