dsmWeekly: January 3, 2024

Take a whiff of your new favorite drink, a revitalizing cup of hot ginger tea.

FOOD & DINING

Steam up Dry January with these hot drinks

If you’re skipping booze this month, good for you. And if you’d like to take Dry January to the next level, well, feel free to celebrate something we’re calling “Hot Dry January.” Here are a few hot alternatives to coffee that can perk up a chilly morning or pull you through a dreary afternoon — basically, all the times you’re not eating soup. Cheers!

Under the Weather. This concoction at Scenic Route Bakery is a good option even when you’re feeling shipshape. (Is anyone ever “above” the weather?) It’s a just-right balance of chamomile tea, apple cider, cinnamon and honey, tastier than straight-up chamomile but still not too sweet. — Michael Morain

Chagaccino Latte. Sure, the caffeine in your regular morning brew helps you wake up, but this specialty latte at Northern Vessel is made with chaga mushroom powder to help you (and your brain) function better. Chaga mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, and some studies suggest the adaptogenic plant can boost your immune system, cognition and digestion. — Hailey Allen

Detox teas and magic potions. If you stroll the aisles of any local Asian market — C Fresh Market, Double Dragon or the (old) New Oriental Food Store — you’ll see stacks of colorful boxed teas that tout all kinds of restorative powers, often with creative English. “Bye Cough!” “Kidney Strong!” “Male Vitality!” We can’t vouch for the science, but we’re almost certain you’ll enjoy any of the lemony, lemongrassy ginger options that are packaged as tea bags or packets of powder you can simply stir into hot water. It’s a bright, fragrant pick-me-up. — Michael Morain

Moberg Gallery's anniversary show features bright and bold images from various artists. Photo: Moberg Gallery

BEST BET

Moberg marks 20 years and welcomes Jeff Fleming

Moberg Gallery on Grand Avenue wraps up its 20th anniversary show with a special celebration this Friday. It’s free and open to the public, and doors open at 5 p.m.

At 6:15 p.m., the artists Tim Wilson and Aaron Dooley will discuss their work and then demonstrate their screen-printing process to put some finishing touches on a few of their pieces on display. The Hybrid Trio — New York saxophonist Adam Larson, Kansas City drummer John Kizilarmut and Chicago bassist Clark Sommers — will perform throughout the night, and Jeff Bruning from Full Court Press will curate an array of Single Speed beers and cocktails.

The anniversary exhibition will remain through Saturday, before the gallery team resets the space for “Absurdities,” a new collection of subtly layered, deliberately smudgy drawings by recently retired Des Moines Art Center director Jeff Fleming. That show opens with a reception 5-8 p.m. Jan. 12.

The Week Ahead

Yoga in the Garden (6 tonight): Ready to turn over a new leaf? Roll out your yoga mat for an all-levels yoga class at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. If you can’t make it tonight, try again on the first and third Wednesdays through March. Visit the garden’s website for details.

Fresh Start First Friday at Mainframe (5-8 p.m. Friday): It’s the first First Friday of the year! Head to Mainframe Studios for food, drinks, music, art and vintage clothing, and pop into whichever artist studios catch your eye.

"Nap Sings Nat" (7 p.m. Friday): The multitalented Napoleon Douglas, Pyramid Theatre Company’s new artistic director, takes the stage at Noce to croon some of Nat King Cole’s greatest hits. His rendition of “Unforgettable” may be the best version you’ll hear this century.

Iowa Wild vs. Grand Rapids Griffins (7 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday): Cheer on our hometown hockey guys this weekend as they face those low-down, good-for-nothing hooligans from Michigan. Both nights feature merch giveaways and drink discounts.

"OPE!" comedy show (7 p.m. Sunday): In the “Only Performed this Evening” comedy show at Teehee’s, local comics take live prompts from the audience and run with them — or trip and fall. Break a leg!

Harlem Globetrotters (3 p.m. Sunday): The team with the coolest moves faces off against the Washington Generals at the Iowa Events Center. As usual, they’ll interrupt the game with some family-friendly comedy and ball-handling wizardry.

Art classes (various times starting Sunday): Hoyt Sherman Place is offering a new series of art classes to honor the late conservator Barry Bauman, who donated more than $1 million in labor to restore paintings in Hoyt Sherman Place’s permanent collection. This month, there are five different classes in different mediums for different ages. Registration is required.

ARTS & CULTURE
New hire: Pyramid Theatre Company has named the actor, singer and entrepreneur Napoleon Douglas (pictured) as its new artistic director. The graduate of Drake University and the University of Iowa is taking over for Tiffany Johnson, who works for Bravo Greater Des Moines.

Conference: Local artist, advocate and mentor Jill Wells will share a keynote address at the Ames Community Arts Council’s Business of Art conference set for March 1-2 at Reiman Gardens in Ames. The conference is designed to help artists of all types sharpen their business skills and tap into career-building resources.

FOOD & DINING
Openings: With the new year, we’re planning to include brief updates about new restaurants around town. Look for updates right here on the first Wednesday of each month — and, by all means, let us know if you have foodie news to share.

Basic Bird opens today. Chef Joe Tripp’s Harbinger spin-off specializes in crispy Korean fried chicken in the former Rice Bowl spot at 2607 Beaver Ave.

Nadia’s French Bakery opens “this month, for sure,” owner Blandine Nadia Ahissou told us this morning. She grew up in Benin, trained in Paris and will soon serve all sorts of sweet and savory pastries at 2706 Grand Ave.

Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster will open in “late January,” according to owners Derek Eidson and Pete Faber. The new twist on a cozy old supper club and road house is at 9500 University Ave. in West Des Moines.

COMMUNITY

Crack open a book with your fellow Iowans

Back in October, the State Library of Iowa announced the books for its 2024 “All Iowa Reads” program. Now that the new year is officially here, you and your book clubs can get right to it.

The program is designed to get Iowans of all ages reading, talking and building a sense of community.
And all three titles for 2024 are at the Des Moines Public Library.

Adults: “The Seed Keeper” by Diane Wilson follows an Indigenous woman named Rosalie Iron Wing as she navigates a tumultuous life after her father’s disappearance.

Teens: “Hollow Fires” by Samira Ahmed centers on high-schooler Safiya Mirza, who dreams of becoming a journalist. Her next big story? Exposing the truth about who murdered her younger classmate.

Kids: “Tumble” by Celia C. Pérez follows 12-year-old Adela “Addie” Ramírez as she discovers a long-lost family and what it means to be part of something bigger. Special readalong kits are available to help younger readers.