dsmWeekly: March 26, 2019

Joseph Giunta leads the Des Moines Symphony into its 82nd season this year.

SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON

The Des Moines Symphony today announced its 82nd season, including two dates this summer—July 14 and 28—for its first concerts at the new Water Works Park Amphitheater.

Sept. 21 and 22, the Masterworks season opens with an all-Tchaikovsky program replete with scenes from Shakespearean and Russian literature.
Oct. 12 and 13, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park with a suite from Symphony in Sculpture.
Nov. 9 and 10, Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony, plus Grieg’s Piano Concerto with pianist Jon Kimura Parker.
Feb. 8 and 9, violinist Grace Park is featured in a program spotlighting Mendelssohn and Brahms.
March 14 and 15, 200 voices join the symphony in the choral masterwork "Carmina Burana," plus orchestral works by Beethoven and Wagner.
April 18 and 19, enjoy the symphony's springtime jaunt to Paris, with soloist Camille Thomas.
May 9 and 10, the orchestra plays an all-Russian program showcasing Stravinsky’s colorful "Firebird."

For more on these concerts, plus the three-concert pops series (including Broadway icon Bernadette Peters on April 4) and more, go to dmsymphony.org. Subscriptions may now be purchased from that website, by calling 515.246.2300, or at the Civic Center ticket office, Single tickets will go on sale later.

An artfully prepared lunch by Tangerine at the Art Center: a burger with a cup of soup and a crostino.

TANGERINE TAKES ON ART CENTER RESTAURANT

By Wini Moranville

Tangerine, a respected local catering company, took over operations of the Des Moines Art Center’s restaurant in February. Judging by a recent visit, they’re off and running, serving the kind of ambitious and modern, fine-tuned food that you’d hope to find in an important art museum.

Though my visit fell on yet another bleak winter day, this longing for spring made me say, "yes, please" to the cream of asparagus soup. What I loved was the way subtle-but-insistent za’atar seasoning added a toasty warmth, while still letting the produce’s bright promise of spring shine through. The woodsy cream of mushroom soup felt equally alive with seasonal spirit.

Who orders a burger at the Art Center? From now on, I’ll be eyeing it. The Dave’s Burger #1 brought an artful stack of beef, pepper-bacon, slow-roasted tomatoes, garlic-herb and cheddar cheeses and fried leeks. I can hardly wait to find out what Dave’s Burger #2 will bring. My dining buddy was almost equally pleased with her asparagus-prosciutto pasta.

Ultimately, we floated out the door on a high note thanks to both the ultra-moist almond cake with burnt orange marmalade and the chocolate marquise (an insanely decadent chocolate dessert that’s denser than mousse but more elegant than a flourless chocolate cake).

Who are these people? Tangerine owners Cherry Madole and Susan Madorsky have quite the culinary pedigree. Madole trained at New York City’s Culinary Arts Pastry and Baking Program and honed her craft in the pastry kitchen at Cafe Bouloud, among other spots. Madorsky has worked from Portland, Oregon, to Chevy Chase, Maryland, with stops in San Francisco (to train under famed pastry chef Jim Dodge at the Stanford Court) and Washington, D.C.’s Willard Hotel.

The chef is Dave Malfara, who has worked at Bistro Montage, Grand Piano Bistro, 801 Chophouse, and Baru 66. The pastry chef is Kelsey McCreight Williamson, who spent the last decade perfecting her craft in Minneapolis, including stints at Rustica Bakery, Spoon & Stable, and Bellecours.

According to Madorsky, future plans for Tangerine at the Art Center include extending the general hours later into the afternoon to allow museum patrons to pop in for dessert. Thursday evening hours—to accommodate happy hour and dinner—are also in the works. On-site catering is also a focus.

Tangerine at the Art Center is at 4700 Grand Ave., 515-277-4405; desmoinesartcenter.org/visit/restaurant

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

Susan Orlean, author of best-sellers "The Orchid Thief" and "The Library Book," is one of those appearing at the book festival.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR DES MOINES: BOOK FESTIVAL

Sure, we love the music fests and art fests and food fests that our city hosts each year, but we’ve always thought there should be a special event for book lovers, too. And voilà! Now there is one, thanks to our friends at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, sponsors of the DSM Book Festival, making its debut March 30 at Capital Square and Cowles Commons. The event features nationally acclaimed, award-winning authors, including Susan Orlean, author of the 2018 best-seller "The Library Book" as well as the 1998 nonfiction classic "The Orchid Thief," which was made into the film "Adaptation."

Other headlining authors are Nnedi Okorafor, acclaimed for her Africa-based fantasies and magical realism for adults and children; and Garth Stein, best known for "The Art of Racing in the Rain," which has sold more than
6 million copies. Additional activities include children’s programming, poetry slams, a book market, contests, live music, plus food and drink. What’s more, the fest is free, so we’re not accepting any excuses for not checking it out. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; dsmpartnership.com/dsmbookfestival.

The innovative flavors of Dumpling Darling are among the tastes to enjoy at this year's Savor Des Moines.

NETWORKING WITH TASTE: SAVOR DES MOINES

Want to help kids while enjoying fine food and drinks? Young Variety, the young professionals' arm of Variety – the Children's Charity, invites you to Savor Des Moines, a charity sampling event featuring fare from 20-30 local restaurants, bars and breweries. It starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the State Historical Museum.
In addition to tasting, you can participate in a silent auction, raffle and voting on the best food and drink.

New this year: Early Access VIP tickets provide access to network with business leaders, brewers and chefs.
Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 on Saturday. VIP tickets are $60. For tickets and information, including a list of participating restaurants, bars and breweries, click here.

Detail from Tibi Chelcea's "Circuit Floorplan #57," from a series of drawings inspired by electronic circuit boards.

INTERSECTION OF ENGINEERING AND ARTISTRY

Romanian-born Tibi Chelcea uses his training as an electronic engineer to create distinctive works of art that explore how technology interacts with our perceptions of time, space and beauty.

He and his wife, Amy Erica Smith, live in Ames, where she teaches political science at Iowa State University and where he is a software engineer at AgLeader Technologies. In the evenings, after their two children, ages 6 and 9, are tucked into bed, Chelcea turns to his art.

"His attention to detail and his work ethic are amazing," says fellow artist Robert Schulte, a framing and installation specialist at Moberg Gallery. "There’s no margin for error; he is so precise with it. You look at his pieces and wonder if they’re done with a computer." Learn more in this article from the March of dsm magazine.

Lyle Lovett is bringing a few friends for his July 18 return to Hoyt Sherman Place.

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD ...

Just announced: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band are returning to Hoyt Sherman Place July 18. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 29. Lovett has become something of a regular at Hoyt Sherman, where he has praised the theater's acoustics and character. 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.