A Book of Lists unveiling is always a fun event with a lively and interesting crowd.

TWO (2!) UNVEILING EVENTS COMING UP

What could be better than a dsm new-issue unveiling party? Two unveiling parties! That's what we have for you in January. Twice the fun, twice the mingling and networking—and it's always free to our good friends, the readers and advertisers who make our work so rewarding.

First up is the unveiling party for the 2020 Book of Lists, a must-have publication that defines the who's who and what's what about businesses in Greater Des Moines. Get your free copy at this event, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in the atrium of Capital Square, 400 Locust St.

Five days later, we'll celebrate the arrival of dsm's January/February issue: It's Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 5 to
7 p.m. at Warner's Stellian Appliance, a relative newcomer to the local business community, located at 370 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines. We hope you can join us.

Midsummer dinner in the barn at Lone Oaks Farm. Photo: Christopher Maharry.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW: MEMORABLE MEALS OF 2019

By Wini Moranville

Looking back over a year of enjoyable dining in Central Iowa, these highlights stand out:

Rediscovery of the Year: Last winter, I ventured into Flying Mango after a too-long absence. Not only were the barbecue and the shrimp-and-grits exemplary, it was just so refreshing to encounter Mike Wedeking, the gregarious, hands-on owner, circulating the room, making us feel like we were in expert hands at every step of our meal.

Lunches I Loved: The Des Moines Art Center’s restaurant got a major menu overhaul when Tangerine took it over in February. I will never eat here without ordering one of their thoughtful and thoroughly unique soups. I also totally dug Dirt Burger’s vegan burgers, which taste not like meat, but like the appealing plant-based products they’re made from.

Great Casual Eats: With the opening of Skol: A Pub of Pure Imagination, the Full Court Press fellas showed us once again that you can have a good time on a dime; the menu refresh at Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern proved once again that these guys—known for beer-centric restaurants—take casual food seriously.

Favorite New Restaurant: With too many new restaurants to count, this is crowded field! However, the casual-yet-inviting Lucky Lotus snags my top spot. Not only is the Southeast Asian food fresh and well-crafted, but the decor—featuring colorful and creative updates on standard Asian-restaurant touchstones—is downright happy-making.

Best Dining Experience, Period: I have always yearned for seasonally focused meals set amid the pastoral byways of Iowa, and in 2019 I got my wish. I attended two "Dinner in the Barn" events at Lone Oaks Farm, near Winterset; each featured a five-course feast of local ingredients prepared by chef Aaron Holt (formerly of RoCA). The food—infinitely refined, yet Iowa hearty—felt exactly right for the setting: Dinner was served in a beautifully restored 1850s barn amid gently sloped landscape of grasses, wildflowers and timber. In 2020, Holt plans to head up one dinner in each growing season (spring, summer and fall). To keep abreast of when tickets go on sale, follow him on Facebook at Doolittle Farm, LLC.

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

Celebrate the resilience of the human spirit in the Broadway musical "Come From Away," coming to the Civic Center.

BIG BROADWAY SHOWS BACK-TO-BACK IN JANUARY

January is a fine month for fabulous musicals, presented at the Civic Center by Des Moines Performing Arts.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" returns Jan. 14 for a six-day run. With music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, "Superstar" is set against the backdrop of the final weeks in the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the  score includes "I Don’t Know How to Love Him," "Gethsemane" and "Superstar." Click here for showtimes, ticket prices and more info.

Based on historic events of two millennia later, "Come From Away" has performances Jan. 28 through Feb. 2. When the devastating events of Sept. 11, 2001, forced a shutdown of North American air space, a small town in Newfoundland—with a big airport and a bigger heart—embraced 7,000 stranded air travelers. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Reviews and reactions have been glowing. As Newsweek cheers, "It takes you to a place you never want to leave!" You can visit that place when "Come Fly Away" lands at the Civic Center. For tickets and more info, click here. We're looking forward to this one.

Singer and impressario Max Wellman performs the music of Frank Sinatra at his club, Noce.

ECHOES OF SINATRA LEAD LINEUP AT NOCE

Backed up by the Des Moines Big Band, vocalist Max Wellman presents the music of Frank Sinatra several times this month at his jazz cabaret Noce. We've enjoyed past productions of this show, "Come Fly With Me."  Click here for available dates and ticket information. For a full listing of Noce's January shows and club information, click here. 

The "Forty Under 40" honorees of 2019. Nominations are now open for 2020 candidates.

HELP ACKNOWLEDGE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

We all know some remarkable up-and-comers, young professionals with the vision and determination to become community leaders. Honor some you know by nominating them for the Business Record's annual "Forty Under 40" roster. It's easy, all spelled out here. We'll be happy to join in celebrating them.

Bob Dorr and Jeff Petersen open this year's Botanical Blues concert series Sunday.

BOTANICAL BLUES SERIES DOWNBEAT THIS WEEKEND

Of course, we look to a garden for the first warming signs of a new year. Botanical Blues, the lively Sunday-afternoon concert series, returns January through March at the Botanical Garden's conservatory.

Musicians this month include the Blue Two (Bob Dorr and Jeff Petersen) this Sunday, Jan. 5. Bob Pace follows on Jan. 12. For the full schedule and more details, click here. Admission is free to members, $10 for other adults, with discounts for children and others.