dsmWeekly: June 7, 2023

Wedge issues: Tyler Coenen stars in the American Cheese Society's braggy video about Iowa.

FOOD AND DINING
Grate expectations for national cheese conference

By Michael Morain

Plans are firming up for the American Cheese Society’s 40th annual conference July 18-21 here in Des Moines. It’s the city’s second turn to host, following a successful debut in 2016.

The programs and exhibits at the Iowa Events Center are designed for cheesemakers and other dairy industry folks, but some of the sessions are so pungently intriguing that devoted cheese fans just might be willing to shell out the big bucks for a day pass ($425-$515 through June 26) or a full registration ($850 through June 26). This could also be an unusual Father’s Day gift for dear old, dairy-loving Dad.

Perhaps he’d like to attend “The Untold Stories of Brine” or a session titled “Cheese Your Own Adventure.” Or something more specific: “Two Approaches to the History of Ancient and Medieval Cheesemaking.” There are local tours, tastings, a 5K run and even a little something called “Cheese Parody Karaoke,” hosted by the Midnite Mongers.

The local host committee – Cheese Shop owner C.J. Bienert, Iowa State dairy professor Stephanie Clark and ACS-certified cheese professional Tyler Coenen with Hy-Vee – helped produce a video to encourage dairy producers from across the country to check out Iowa. In it, Coenen points out that Iowa ranks 12th in total milk production, has 24 cheese factories and is home to the world's largest ice cream manufacturing facility, up in Le Mars.

“Can your state boast that it’s had a hand-carved, life-size butter cow at the state fair for 110 years? Probably not,” Coenen says with a few ounces of swagger.

At one point, he stands in front of Anderson Erickson’s iconic cow sculptures – Annie the cow and her calf Eric – and chugs some milk straight from the jug. “Des Moines is the No. 1 milk-drinking city of its size in the U.S.,” he says. “Come at me, bro.”

Drag superstar Trixie Mattel competed in RuPaul’s "Drag Race" and co-hosts a podcast called “The Bald and the Beautiful.” She'll perform a DJ set on Friday night for PrideFest. Photo: Capital City Pride.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Fly your flag through the East Village

Celebrate Pride month this June during Capital City Pride’s annual PrideFest weekend. Back for its 44th year of education, advocacy and fun, the three-day event kicks off Friday with performances across two stages and a silent disco. See alternative dance group Haiku Hands, percussionist Shelia E. and drag queen Trixie Mattel all perform on the main stage.

There’s even more live music and dancing Saturday and Sunday, plus a 5K, a parade, a pet parade and a pageant. Check the entertainment schedule and grab your dancing shoes!

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Architecture on the Move (5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday): Take a walking tour, led by architects, to learn about the many facets of downtown architecture, from historic designs to modern buildings. There are four routes, each covering a different area of downtown: north, south, east and west. Tickets are $20 each and benefit the Iowa Architectural Foundation. And if you can’t make it this weekend, mark your calendar for other tours later this summer.

Charles Wesley Godwin (6:30 p.m. Friday): The country-folk musician perform at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park with indie songwriter J.R. Carroll and Des Moines-based folk singer Adam Bruce. Get tickets, then go early to enjoy a stein at the Des Moines Biergarten just across the lawn.

“Dear Evan Hansen” (7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday): Head to the Des Moines Civic Center this weekend for showings of this Tony Award-winning musical. Through unforgettable songs, relatable characters, and heartfelt story of a kid just trying to fit in is a performance that resonates with audiences of all ages.

“In the Upper Room” (7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday): Pyramid Theatre Company's new production at the Des Moines Civic Center's Stoner Theater is an upbeat story about a multigenerational Black family in the '70s who explore the power of family history and the dynamic of their tightknit relationships. It premiered last March at the Denver Center for Performing Arts and marks Pyramid’s third project with playwright Beaufield Berry. The show runs June 9-18.

Opera gala (8:30 p.m. Saturday): The Des Moines Metro Opera celebrates its upcoming 51st season with a gala at the swanky mid-century headquarters of the American Enterprise Group. Join the fun after dinner at the Afterglow party, with a full bar, coffee and desserts. Tickets are $50.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Star performance: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will perform Oct. 12 at Hoyt Sherman Place with special guest Jack Schneider. Skaggs’ long career has garnered 15 Grammy Awards and a Country Music Hall of Fame title. Schneider, a guitarist and singer/songwriter, graduated from NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in 2019 and has already toured with the likes of Vince Gill and produced records for emerging Nashville artists. Tickets go on sale Friday.

ARTS AND CULTURE
A series of shows: Des Moines Performing Arts announced the 2023-24 season lineups for the Prairie Meadows Temple Comedy Series and Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series. The list includes six performances in the concert series, culminating with singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega. The comedy series will bring everyone’s "favorite Tupperware Lady,” Dixie Longate, back to Des Moines, along with “The Improvised Shakespeare Company” and “Yippee Ki Yay,” spoof on the “Die Hard” films. Season tickets for both series are available now.

Find Velorosa products at Erik’s and Scheels in West Des Moines or online at velorosacycling.com.

LIFESTYLE AND TRAVEL
Get your gear: Upgrade your kit in time for RAGBRAI

With a potential record-setting RAGBRAI just on the horizon, it’s a fine time to invest in your cycling style. For some pointers, we talked to Velorosa founders Kim Hopkins and Lisa Carponelli.

Both women are avid bikers. Hopkins, a graphic designer, and Carponelli, a communications professor at Simpson College and former news anchor at WOI, started their business in 2015 and have been making jerseys and shorts in bright, bold colors and patterns ever since. You can find their products at Erik’s and Scheels in West Des Moines or online at velorosacycling.com.

We asked the duo about their business and top riding spots. Their answers here are lightly edited for clarity and space. Find the full story online.

Your business originated from the Velorosa cycling group, which now comprises about 120 female riders. How did that happen?

Hopkins: As a graphic designer, I was responsible for designing cycling kits (a jersey and shorts combo) for the team. When other women cyclists saw our members riding around Des Moines, many asked if they could purchase one.

What’s the inspiration?

Carponelli: We wanted to ride in high-performance biking shorts and jerseys that were functional and also fun to wear. One of our core beliefs at Velorosa is that women should stand out on their bikes.

Where do you like to ride?

Hopkins: I love the new Carl Voss Trail that starts near Principal Park and connects to the trail around Easter Lake.

Carponelli: I love to ride gravel outside of Des Moines. There are some beautiful country roads that I hope never get paved.