dsmWeekly: January 4, 2022

Akwi Nji will be one of the featured performance artists during Poetry Palooza. In her work, she focuses on personal narrative storytelling through words, voice and visual art.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
New Interactive Festival to Celebrate Poetry

If you’ve never been a fan of poetry, we promise you’ll become one when you experience the city’s first Poetry Palooza April 6-8. The event will be highlighted by an all-star cast of four state poets laureate—Debra Marquart of Iowa, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg of Kansas, Christine Stewart-Nunez of South Dakota and Matt Mason of Nebraska.

The fest will kick off April 6 at Franklin Jr. High Event Center with a reception at 5 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the Iowa Poetry Association’s poetry slam finals featuring Cedar Rapids-based performance artist Akwi Nji. Then on April 7, from 4 to 9 p.m., Mainframe Studios will host interactive activities, readings and performances by the poets laureate as well by Iowa poets, including Iowa City-based Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey, a producer, performer and author of the award-winning book “Look, Black Boy.”

On April 8 starting at 8:30 a.m., you can channel your own Mary Oliver or Clint Smith by attending workshops at Mainframe Studios. You’ll learn about metaphor and simile, performance art, ekphrastic poetry, the art of revision, lyrical essays and more. At noon, Marquart will lead a panel on how to deepen Iowa’s poetry community.

All events are free. The fest was spearheaded by Poetry&, a local nonprofit group made up of poetry enthusiasts who hope the event will inspire people to embrace the ancient yet dynamic art form. We hope so, too.

Find more details at poetryamp.org.

"The Astrologer" by surrealist artist Anna Marie Harrington will be featured at this year's "Enchanted Illusion" exhibition raising awareness of mental health challenges.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
‘Enchanted Illusion’: Art Exhibit for Mental Wellness

A new art exhibition, “Enchanted Illusion,” is now on display at the Polk County Heritage Gallery. Featuring work from 11 local artists, the juried exhibit explores themes of fantasy, illusion and art as a tool to deal with mental health challenges. The nonprofit group Sunny Porch will also honor the featured artists during an awards reception on Jan. 8 from noon to 2 p.m. RSVP to attend the reception here.

“Enchanted Illusion” is the second annual exhibit hosted by Sunny Porch, whose focus is on increasing mental health awareness through art in memory of late local artist Anna Marie Harrington, whose work will also be displayed at the exhibit.

The show will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Feb. 3.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

First Friday at Mainframe (Friday, 5 p.m.): Time to chill out for the first Friday of 2023. In fact, that’s the theme for Mainframe Studio’s First Friday “Keep It Mellow” event. Enjoy open studios, food, drinks, a film preview and exhibits throughout the facility.

Ice Skating at Brenton Plaza (all weekend, times vary): With temps back within reasonable range, spend the day ice skating. Skating sessions are broken up into one-hour and 45-minute blocks, and it’s recommended to reserve a space in advance. Brenton also offers skate rentals and shoe check during sessions. Head to their website to see available skate times and purchase tickets.

Des Moines Wedding Show (Sunday, 11 a.m.): Did you or someone you know get engaged over the holidays? Head to the Scottish Rite Consistory downtown (519 Park St.) on Sunday to browse goods from a variety of vendors at the Des Moines Wedding Show. General admission is free from noon to 2 p.m. Register for tickets on their website, then check out these stories from dsm on current wedding trends and local businesses ready to help elevate your event.

IOWA STOPS HUNGER
Nonprofits at work: Oakridge Neighborhood has launched several new initiatives to alleviate children’s food insecurity. Last summer, Oakridge started the Center Street Farmers Market and two community gardens that will provide fresh herbs and vegetables. Oakridge is also building an enclosure for a community refrigerator that will stock fresh foods. Read more on ways local nonprofits are working to stop hunger in their communities. Iowa Stops Hunger is an ongoing Business Publications Corp. initiative to raise awareness of food insecurity in Iowa and inspire action to combat it.

Lose the soda water and lime. Several area bars and restaurants are coming up with mocktails so fancy you'll forget they don't have any alcohol in them. Photo: Taylor Simpson.

FOOD AND DINING

3 Places to Find Clever Nonalcoholic Cocktails

Writer: Hailey Allen

As we all come down from our recent holiday highs, January is the perfect time for a restorative restart. If you’re setting off on a Dry January adventure, or simply looking for less booze this year, you’re in luck. Several local bars offer creative (and tasty!) nonalcoholic options. Here are a few places to get you started.

Clyde’s Fine Diner: Under their zero proof menu, find several options at this East Village spot. Toss the gin and tonic and reach for the “Love Is the Groove,” made with elderflower, bitters, sparkling water and lemon. Or, if you’re craving an espresso martini, get your caffeine kick with the “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” It starts with cold brew espresso, then adds coconut water, grapefruit, peach bitters and cinnamon into the mix.

Django: This downtown restaurant is featuring new creations weekly on a rotating basis. Right now, you’ll find the “Utah 75,” a take on a French 75 featuring Seedlip 42 and Fever Tree Sicilian sparkling lemonade. Then on Friday it's gone for good, to be replaced by “Directing Traffic,” made with house-made nonalcoholic rum, lime juice and simple syrup. Check their menu next week to see what new mocktails are in store for later this month.

503 Cocktail Lab + Tasting Room: New as of last year, this East Village venue offers a variety of alcohol-free options. Sip on a chocolate old fashioned featuring zero-proof whiskey and chocolate bitters, or if you prefer bubbles, try the “Orange and Cardamom Spritz.”