dsmWeekly: March 30, 2021

Last year's LGBTQ Legacy Leader honorees, whom you can read about here.

NOMINATE LGBTQ LEGACY LEADERS

Nominations are open for dsm's third annual LGBTQ Legacy Leader Awards, and we want your help. Honorees for five LGBTQ Legacy Leader Awards—who will be honored at an event in October—should meet these criteria:

Demonstrate a record of public leadership in professional, civic or political roles, in addition to their dedication to LGBTQ causes.
Serve as a role model and mentor to others over the years.
Contribute to the appreciation and recognition of cultural diversity in Iowa.

Additionally, one nominee from outside the LGBTQ category will be honored with an Ally Award, for unwavering commitment to civil rights and equality for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Submit your nominees here.

Enjoy charcuterie from One Board Gal as a part of BOCS DSM's latest Date Night box, complete with food, drinks and activity ideas.

SUPPORT LOCAL WITH THESE DATE NIGHT BOXES

Writer: Karla Walsh

"Pivot" has been one of the most-used words—and actions—this past year. And event producer Amy Nebons of BOCS DSM not only pivoted her own work, but is also making it easier for other local businesses to do so as well.

“I launched BOCS DSM at the end of September in response to what I saw as a huge opportunity to satisfy a need and want: deeper connections in the ever-growing virtual age,” Nebons says.

The main service BOCS DSM provides is “personalized and thoughtful gifts for a specific audience,” Nebons explains—like for virtual events, employee or customer appreciation gifts, and beyond. But it also serves up boxes for the masses, with gifts from local businesses. That includes a Date Night box with food, drinks and activities. Other packages include candles, cookies, sunglasses and more.

Order the second-ever Date Night box before midnight Friday to get early-bird pricing ($140) or use the code "FLASH" before midnight Tuesday for 10% off ($126). The box includes:

Limoncello cocktail and a bottle of red wine from the Bartender's Handshake.
Cheese and charcuterie from One Board Gal.
Pasta and salad from Aposto.
Roasted garlic focaccia from Bread by Chelsea B.
Cheesecake from Crème.
Bonding activity from XO-LP.

For one price and one stop—pick up between 12 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, at 4944 Franklin Ave., Unit K—your date night is all set.

Learn more about BOCS DSM at bocs-dsm.com and keep up with Nebons’ work and future publicly available boxes at facebook.com/bocsdsm and on Instagram at @bocsdsm.

A preview of one of the works that will be displayed at Chris Vance's exhibition at Moberg Gallery, which opens with a reception Friday. Watch a preview video of the artwork. Photo: Moberg Gallery

MOBERG TO HOST FIRST RECEPTION OF 2021

Writer: Luke Manderfeld

It's been a little more than a year since Moberg Gallery last held an in-person event. On Friday, they'll return to some sort of normalcy and host an opening reception for "Chris Vance 2021," showcasing new works from the popular Iowa artist.

Safety protocols remain in place, including a one-way path throughout the Grand Avenue space and a limit on the number of people in the building at a time. There will also be a drink garden in the back of the building, where Vance will be on hand and people can space out and mingle. But for Ryan Mullin, manager of Moberg Gallery, having any type of event is welcome.

"It's a good feeling that some type of normalcy is coming our way. It's been a long time," Mullin says. "We're excited."

Art enthusiasts can expect a mix of both old and new from Vance, who is also known for his exterior wall murals around Greater Des Moines. Many of Vance's works will have plenty of color, vibrancy and complexity—staples of his graffiti-inspired style—but he's also produced some simpler pieces.

"It's like a greatest hits of all of his aesthetics," Mullin says.

The opening reception starts at 5 p.m. It's free to attend and pre-registration is not required, but only a few people will be allowed in at a time. Watch a sneak peek of the exhibition in this preview video.

HOME DESIGN SPOTLIGHT
DRESS UP YOUR DINING ROOM FOR EASTER

This Des Moines dining room, designed by Liz Lidgett, proves you can mix and match furniture (including thrifted items) to create a sophisticated look.

The handmade table, crafted from wood from a local walnut farm belonging to the client’s father, sets the tone. Thrifted chairs—all slightly different—were reupholstered and match the table’s wood finish. “So unique,” Lidgett says. Other thrifted elements in the room include the chandelier, which Lidgett had painted.

Sheer breezy curtains incorporate the dark tones in the room and allow maximum light to shine through.

The centerpieces are another great mix-and-match, with collected vases brimming with blooms in whites, pinks and lavenders, and chartreuse. The sweet blooms are a perfect complement to the floral curtains.

This project was an entry to dsm’s inaugural Home Design Awards, announced March 9. See the winning projects at dsmhomedesignawards.com.

Chicken-fried steak is one of the brunch items on Bubba's menu. Photo: Bubba

EASTER DAY BRUNCH SPOTS AROUND TOWN

Time is running out to grab an Easter brunch reservation. Here are three of our picks to check out.

Mulberry Street Tavern: Chef Marque Collins will offer dishes such as beignets with milk jam and dusted with powdered sugar; fried chicken and biscuits served with sausage gravy and sunny-side eggs; and the Mulberry Burger topped with pickles, caper mayo and cheese and served with fries. Reservations can be made online.

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse: The Altoona, Des Moines and West Des Moines locations will offer a limited dinner menu, including a prime rib and ham carving station, with a larger selection of brunch items for its Easter day buffet. The price is $30 for adults; $14 for children. Reserve a spot online.

Bubba: Serving up Southern comfort food, this downtown Des Moines spot is offering its regular brunch menu both Saturday and Sunday. One of the menu highlights is a skillet with hash browns, eggs, sausage, gravy, and cheese and toast. Make reservations online as soon as possible, though, as spots may be hard to come by.

Chef Joe Tripp (second from left) and team holding one of the wines featured in Winefest Des Moines' upcoming virtual event, which includes a meal from Harbinger and Capital City Fruit. Photo: Winefest

WINEFEST, HARBINGER TEAM UP FOR DINNER

Want to be wined and dined at home? Snag some new pours and a vegetarian dinner for an upcoming virtual Winefest Des Moines dinner on Thursday, April 8. The event is a partnership between Winefest, Harbinger, Vineyard Brands and Capital City Fruit.

Harbinger and Capital City Fruit's meal, prepared by chef Joe Tripp, features avocado maki (asparagus, shitake, soy caramel), sunchoke congee (sunflower seeds, black garlic, candied yuzu) and tofu marinated with yuzu kosho. There will also be a trio of snacks to munch on: potato doughnuts with a coffee glaze, goat cheese and strawberry mochi, and lemongrass caramel. The wine pairings will be a Marques de Caceres Rioja and a Chenin Blanc from MAN.

Tickets are $95 for the food and two bottles of wine. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, and pickup will be between 5 and 6 p.m. on April 8 at Harbinger. A Zoom conversation with the event partners, including Tripp, will follow at 6:30 p.m.