dsmWeekly - November 20, 2024

Triple bill: Ludwig van Beethoven, George Gershwin and Linda Robbins Coleman. (Photos: Des Moines Symphony)

ARTS & CULTURE

Des Moines Symphony to perform music by local composer
By Michael Morain

Linda Robbins Coleman has been writing orchestral music for more than 30 years, so she’s accustomed to getting a call or an email from out of the blue. Orchestras have requested the rights to perform her music in North and South America, Europe and Australia.

Last year, an email came from across town. The Des Moines Symphony wanted to program one of her works in the current season. After the usual back and forth, maestro Joseph Giunta chose “The Celebration! (A Symphonic Jubilee)” and plans to perform its first and third movements on Saturday and Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center.

“I’m just so thrilled and honored that my hometown symphony is honoring me,” Coleman said. “I can’t wait to hear what they’ll do with my dots on paper.”

She wrote those particular dots for the St. Cloud (Minnesota) Symphony's 25th anniversary in 2000. Since then, the five-movement suite has been performed many times across the country. Coleman said the first movement (“The Invitation!”) is full of anticipation, like the buzz before a glamorous Old Hollywood soiree. The third movement (“The Life of the Party”) lets loose with jazzy shenanigans that escalate into a rowdy German oom-pah band.

Coleman’s 6-minute work will open this weekend’s concerts, before the orchestra plays Gershwin’s Concerto in F, with guest pianist Jon Kimura Parker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.

Coleman, a Des Moines native and Drake University graduate, is the first Iowa woman to have her work performed by a major orchestra. She has received more than 70 commissions over the years, as well as awards and grants from notable institutions like the Kennedy Center and National Endowment for the Arts. She co-founded the Iowa Composers Forum, and her music has been performed by 17 Iowa orchestras.

But this weekend marks a first: her debut with the home team.

“The Des Moines Symphony is such a cultural treasure,” she said. “You could put them up against any orchestra in the world.”

Seasonal produce, goodies and gifts await at the Winter Market this weekend. (Photo: Greater Des Moines Partnership)

BEST BET

Do some holiday shopping at the Winter Market

This weekend you can do a bit of fun and festive shopping at the Des Moines Winter Market. The three-day market at the Iowa Events Center opens 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, with a rotation of vendors each day.

You'll find plenty of gifts for the holidays and maybe a few things for your own wish list, including seasonal produce, homemade baked goods, wreaths, candles and handcrafted jewelry from more than 100 vendors. The market also promises live music (a big step up from big-box holiday Muzak), a make-and-take holiday porch planter activity, and even a magic show.

The Week Ahead

Old Crow Medicine Show (7:30 p.m. Thursday): Catch Willie Watson in concert at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines. The founder of the Old Crow Medicine Show released his first solo record earlier this year.

Reiman Gardens Holiday Market (2-8 p.m. Friday): Shop for seasonal goods, including textiles, handmade jewelry and printed ornaments at the new event at Iowa State University's sprawling indoor-outdoor gardens.

Irish Christmas in America (2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday): Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisin Mac Diarmada, this holiday concert at the Temple Theater showcases traditional song and dance, with a backdrop of projected photos from the Old Country.

Michael W. Smith (7 p.m. Monday): The three-time Grammy winner comes to the Hoyt Sherman Place with special guest Riley Clemmons on their current "Every Christmas" concert tour.

Hip Hop Nutcracker (7 p.m. Tuesday): Hip-hop standout MC Kurtis Blow and his team offer a fresh mashup of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet, with dancers, a DJ, a violinist and, of course, a mischievous pack of enchanted rats at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Bridge opening: West Des Moines leaders plan to open the Athene Pedestrian Bridge during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The bridge is one of five signature quality-of-life initiatives identified in the city’s Five Waters Project. The bridge spans the Raccoon River and enables cyclists, walkers and runners to move from Raccoon River Park to Walnut Woods State Park, Brown’s Woods, Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area, Hidden Valley Soccer Complex and future trails.

Hit the shops: This season’s Holiday Promenade in the East Village returns at 5 p.m. Friday with holiday-themed activities, entertainment, store discounts and samples. The kickoff event features a tree lighting with special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus at Brenton Skating Plaza. Promenade programming will run each Friday evening through Dec. 20 around the East Village, where several businesses will have extended hours for the festivities. A full schedule is available through the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

ALT Design Studio dreamed up this dining room in Windsor Heights. (Photo: Golden Photos DSM)

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Go merry and bright all year round

By Hailey Evans

When homeowners in Windsor Heights wanted to turn their house into a guest rental, they hired a team from ALT Design Studio to give the place a pop of personality. The results (pictured) won a silver award for decor in the 2024 dsm Home Design Awards.

“'Whimsical, maximalist jungle' was the goal, and we wanted to leave no stone unturned,” said Jordynn Schaeffer, who designed the project with Jessica Lemmo and Katie Gassman.

In addition to refinished floors and bold, hand-painted murals by Kim Hutchinson Art, the more-is-more decor brightens up the space and allows a smooth flow between the kitchen, dining area and living room.

“A lot of thought went into picking pieces that would fit the vibe but also hold up to the general wear and tear of a rental property,” Schaeffer added.