dsmWeekly: October 2, 2018

Iowans get their just desserts in the new issue of our statewide magazine, ia, which makes its debut with a public party later today. Pictured: Coconut cake with berries from Rapid Creek Cidery in Iowa City. You'll learn about the restaurant in this year's ia.

PUBLIC PARTY TODAY CELEBRATES NEW MAGAZINE

At long last, today is the day we hope you'll join us to celebrate our annual publication—dsm’s statewide sister, ia magazine. Once again, it has all the qualities you like about dsm, but it brings you stories from across the state.

Please consider coming anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 2) for our reception/party at the headquarters of Holmes Murphy, 2727 Grand Prairie Parkway, on the southeast corner of Waukee. A short program at 6 p.m. will precede distribution of free copies to everyone there. We and our hosts will greet you with drinks, hors d'oevres and a friendly crowd. Bring a friend; it's fun!

Chef Tag Grandgeorge has been tapped to lead the culinary team at the new Teddy Maroons bar and grill, opening in December.

GRANDGEORGE TO HEAD TEDDY MAROONS KITCHEN
By Wini Moranville

Chris Diebel has announced that Tag Grandgeorge will be the executive chef for the upcoming bar-grill Teddy Maroons, scheduled to open at 2301 Ingersoll Ave. in December.

“It’s a homecoming to Ingersoll for both of us,” says Diebel, managing partner for the new venue. Diebel and Grandgeorge first met when they worked together at ArtHouse, a refined cafe/gallery that opened in 2001 at 2811 Ingersoll Ave., where Star Bar now resides. Grandgeorge was executive chef, while Diebel worked the front-of-house.

Diebel is also the managing partner of Bubba–Southern Comforts. Most recently, Grandgeorge was chef-owner of Le Jardin, a casual-yet-refined French cafe in Beaverdale. That restaurant closed in August. Grandgeorge will be joined in the Teddy Maroon kitchen by Ashton Cross, his former sous chef at Le Jardin.

About his switch from casual-French to refined-American cuisine, Grandgeorge says, “This will be fun because American food has so many diverse regional influences. We are going to develop a unique menu inspired by familiar favorites, but filled with creative twists. Yes, we’re working on some killer burger concoctions, but this concept will be more vegetable-centric than your typical bar and grill.”

“And we won’t be sleeping on the salads," Diebel adds. "They have to be awesome.” Case in point: According to Diebel, Tag is reworking his mango chicken salad, a popular menu item at ArtHouse.

Follow @TeddyMaroons on Facebook and Instagram for project updates.

Wini Moranville writes about food, wine and dining for dsm magazine and dsmWeekly. Follow her on Facebook at All Things Food–DSM.

Tatum Lowell, Rachel Meyer and Uzay Hasanusta in a scene from "Billy Elliot The Musical." Photo: Brent Isenberger.

'BILLY ELLIOT' KICKS OFF 100th PLAYHOUSE SEASON

The Des Moines Community Playhouse opens its 100th season Friday, Oct. 5, with the Tony Award winner “Billy Elliot The Musical,” which runs through Oct. 28.

Set in an English mining town, “Billy Elliot” depicts a young boy’s struggle to make his dream come true. As his family is caught up in a 1984 miners’ strike, Billy secretly finds a passion for dance and dreams of a life with the Royal Ballet School.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Thirty minutes prior to each performance in the west lobby, a member of the artistic team will share insights into the production. Tickets, starting at $29, may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office.

Veteran rock singer Randy Jackson does tribute concerts presenting the music of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Doors.

SYMPHONY ROCKS OUT TO LED ZEPPELIN

Celebrate 50 years of Led Zeppelin’s iconic music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, with the Des Moines Symphony, assisted by rock singer Randy Jackson and guest conductor Brent Havens. Amplified by a rock band and appropriately screaming vocals, the orchestra will fill the Des Moines Civic Center with Led Zeppelin’s powerful sound, riff for riff. Rock out to all your favorite Zeppelin tunes, from “Stairway to Heaven” to “Whole Lotta Love,” “Kashmir,” “Immigrant Song” and others. Ticket prices range from $35 to $90 and can be purchased at the Civic Center or online here.

Down the hatch! You have to imagine some mixed emotions among workers assigned to dump barrels of booze into a sewer.

MUSEUM EVENTS ENHANCE PROHIBITION EXHIBIT

A pair of events this month at the State Historical Museum complement the museum's ongoing exhibit on the history of American Prohibition.

• A free screening: The film “Whiskey Cookers: The Amazing Story of the Templeton, Iowa, Bootleggers” will be followed by a Q&A with its director, Dan Mannat, and Templeton Rye distillery manager Lester Brown. The film depicts the true story of an Iowa town's high-stakes efforts to defy the law during the turbulent era of Prohibition. Thursday, Oct. 4, 5:30-8 p.m.

• History on the Rocks: Gangsters. Jazzy speakeasies. Bathtubs full of bootleg gin. The era of Prohibition has fueled countless novels and Hollywood movies. But the real story of that time, from 1920 through 1933, is even more interesting. Learn all about it during the next “History on the Rocks” event, Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Popular a capella group Tonic Sol-fa returns for holiday shows at Hoyt Sherman Place in December.

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD ...

Hoyt Sherman Place will be holiday show headquarters in December, when it welcomes Ballet Des Moines' production of "The Nutcracker" and seasonal shows by Tonic Sol-fa and Jim McDonough. For other fun opportunities, explore a pair of easy-to-use online calendars. We at dsm magazine and the Business Record maintain this calendar with handy filters so you can see just the types of events you're searching for. For even more categories, check Catch Des Moines.