Ballet Makes Big Move

Tom Mattingly (center), Ballet Des Moines' new artistic director, leads a group of dancers at the Richmond Ballet.

dsm EXCLUSIVE
BALLET DES MOINES NAMES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Writer: Christine Riccelli

For Tom Mattingly, who will become Ballet Des Moines’ new artistic director Nov. 1, the “possibilities are endless” for how the company and its dancers can grow.

Mattingly, who’s been Ballet Madison’s ballet master since 2019, admits he knew little about Ballet Des Moines before he started talking to Executive Director Blaire Massa about the job. But “the more I learned … the more it became clear to me that this company is in a perfect position to take a giant leap forward,” he said last week in an interview from Richmond, Virginia, where he choreographed a new ballet for the Richmond Ballet that’s premiering tonight. “Ballet Des Moines is perfectly situated to build on its already strong base and move forward in an exciting new direction.”

Filling the role previously held by Ballet Des Moines founder Serkan Usta—who left the company earlier this year—Mattingly has created choreography for companies across the country, such as Ballet Arkansas, Charlottesville Ballet and the acclaimed Richmond Ballet. His wide-ranging experience also has included being a dancer with the Richmond company, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the contemporary ensemble Visceral Dance Chicago, among others. In addition, he has performed in the touring production of “An American in Paris.”

Mattingly says he's excited to present new works to the community and to further enrich audiences' understanding and appreciation of ballet: "Many people think of ballet as only ‘Swan Lake’ or ‘The Nutcracker.’ These grand classical works are fantastic, but dance is the perfect vehicle for storytelling beyond the classics. Any concept, feeling, or story can be conveyed through dance.”

That storytelling happens through both the athleticism and artistry of ballet. “I see dancers as artistic athletes,” he says. “There’s a balance between artistry and athleticism, and you can amp up one or the other, depending on the work. The more our audience has an opportunity to experience that display, the more the community will embrace the art form.”

Mattingly, a Montana native who grew up in California, also is looking forward to collaborating with other local arts organizations, including music groups, theater companies and more. “The community is more enriched when there’s collaboration across [artistic] disciplines, and I’m excited to explore that in Des Moines,” he says. "The more we work together, the more we can thrive."

Mattingly encourages everyone to see Ballet Des Moines’ performance of “kiss” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Des Moines Civic Center. Created by renowned award-winning choreographer Stephanie Martinez, the show will also feature dancers from her Chicago-based contemporary dance ensemble, Para.Mar. Tickets range from $44.50 to $81.50.

“Ballet is for everyone,” Mattingly says, noting relationships the company has started with Oakridge Neighborhood and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa. “That’s our mission—to bring ballet to Des Moines as a whole, no matter what the person’s experience or background.”

The New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar has plenty of small snacks to eat while drinking, including this platter with Iowa-made cheese and stacks of cured meats and crackers.

OLD MEETS NEW AT THIS COCKTAIL AND WINE BAR

Writer: Karla Walsh

Something old: Nods to the New Northwestern Cocktail & Wine Bar's former use as a hotel for train travelers in the early 1900s; maps line the walls, while train track designs adorn the bar and appear on the menu.

Something new: Plenty, including classic cocktails with modern twists, seasonal bar snacks and a playlist so great, I asked the staff if I could steal it. (They kindly obliged.)

Just about one month since opening day, the service at the New Northwestern is dialed in—as are the food and drink menus. Along with a lineup of gin drinks, general manager and lead mixologist Pat Hart features rum, vodka and mezcal creations. And for those feeling indecisive, you don’t even have to choose: gin and tonic flights allow you to sample three of eight gins on offer (paired with tonic and garnishes) as part of one order, and the staff will even help you build your own flight if you’re new to the spirit.

The wine and beer menus live up to that quality; local and domestic beers and a wide mix of wine varietals mean this East Village hot spot has something for everyone (over 21).

Take a seat in one of the plush jade green barstools, and you’ll feel a bit like you’re back in a fancy train car. The ceilings are tall, but the space is small—so come early or on a weekday for a better chance of securing a spot at the white marble bar or one of the window-side high-top tables.

Whenever you go, I recommend pairing your drink of choice with one of chef Brandon Persaud and team’s simple yet satisfying snacks designed for sharing. On our recent visit, my friend and I split a cheese and charcuterie board with many of our favorite Iowa-made cheeses, a luscious fruit butter and stacks of cured meats and crackers. And thanks to a generous amount of pita wedges, she and I practically wiped the mezze platter clean. Hummus, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, fresh and pickled veggies and feta cheese team up for a light yet flavorful Mediterranean sampler.

At the end of our first trip, we were already making plans to come back and traverse through more of the food and drink offerings. Next round, our ticket will definitely include at least one (OK, likely two) of the featured desserts from their local sweets partner, Tami’s Tarts.

Find The New Northwestern at 321 E. Walnut St., and preview the food and drink menu at https://thenewnorthwestern.com/. Follow @thenewnorthwestern to keep up with specials, upcoming events and more.

Lu Spaine shares some of her favorite spots around Des Moines. Photo: Duane Tinkey

GLOBAL CULTURE GOES LOCAL

This story appears in our November/December issue, which releases tonight. Keep your eye on our website and social media for when it goes live!

As owner of Zumi at 42nd Street and University Avenue in Des Moines, Lu Spaine immerses herself daily in the arts and crafts of Africa, Asia and South America as part of her fair-trade business. Spaine, who celebrates her 20th year in her current location in November, shares some of her favorite diverse spots to explore in the Drake neighborhood and beyond.

Ethnic Eats
The Asian restaurant Haiku “has great sushi and the best egg rolls in town,” Spaine says. “As a vegetarian, I really appreciate their willingness to modify some of their dishes on my request.” She also likes the vegetarian options at Gursha Ethiopian Grill, also in the Drake neighborhood.

Cultural Attractions
“Gateway Dance Theatre is near and dear to my heart,” she says of the East Village organization. “Penny Furgerson is the artistic director and creates exciting experiences in dance for young and old.” Spaine also recognizes CultureAll for their events and work in the schools.

Art and Frame Shop
For Iowa and national artwork as well as framing services, stop by the Great Frame Up in West Glen Town Center. “The owner, Angela [Jackson], is a wonderful asset to our community. ... Beyond that, she is a powerful community activist in championing minority businesses.”

See animals and drink some brews at the Blank Park Zoo's Halloween Zoo Brew event on Friday. Photo: Blank Park Zoo

CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITH THESE EVENTS

Besides trick-or-treating, here are a few Halloween happenings to check out around Des Moines.

Zoo Brew: Blank Park Zoo is hosting a special version of its popular Zoo Brew series 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, with music by the Punching Pandas, seasonal local beers, light displays, costume contests and a haunted train ride experience. Tickets are $9; free for Blank Park Zoo members. Only those 21 or older are permitted.

Halloween Beers: Uptown Garage Brewing in Ankeny will have a food truck (Taqueria El Loco), six brews from Exile Brewing Co., live music and a costume contest at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Winners of the contest will earn a gift card to Exile. Tunes will be provided by Richard Spierenburg.

Trick-or-Trees: The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden will have activities, live entertainment and a costume contest at its Trick-or-Trees event throughout this weekend. The outdoor gardens will also be dressed up, with spooky trees and botanicals. You can also enjoy a screening of "Little Shop of Horrors" at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 4-17, and free for children under 4.

Each pie from the annual Wine and Pie Drive-By event is created from scratch and brought to your car frozen and packaged. Then you can take them home and bake at your convenience.

SNAG A PIE AND WINE FOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

Load up for Thanksgiving and support a good cause at the Les Dames d'Escoffier's (LDEI) annual Wine and Pie Drive-By event, scheduled for Nov. 20 at the Meredith offices downtown. Pies are made with locally grown fruit and homemade pie dough. Each order is paired with a bottle of Honoro Vera Garnacha, a light red from Spain. The cost is $65 per order.

This year's event will support four causes: DMARC (food pantries and hunger relief), LSI Global Greens (sustainable local foodways and refugee farmers), Knock and Drop Iowa (food security and support in the Latino community), and LDEI Greater Des Moines' Give a Girl a Knife Scholarships (scholarships and professional knives for Iowa women studying for in the food, beverage or hospitality fields).

Pie options include:

Cranberry-apple almond crumb.
Apple and brown sugar with fall leaf crust.
Pear cardamom with wide lattice.
Pear and candied ginger.
Pecan streusel peach.

Orders must be placed by Nov. 19. There are 150 packages available.

"Grief Allocation" by Sam Halverson, a Minnesota-based sculptor, is on display at Olson-Larsen Galleries' new exhibition "Redefine." Photo: Olson-Larsen Galleries

NEW EXHIBITION AT OLSON-LARSEN GALLERIES

"Redefine," a new show at Olson-Larsen Galleries, showcases works curated by artist Donte Hayes and Olson-Larsen. Artists include Yun Shin from Orange City, Iowa, Debra Smith from Kansas City and Allison Svoboda from Chicago, among seven others. Organizers say that "despite the traditional ways the art world would like to categorize an exhibition, 'Redefine' highlights the concept that as human beings, we are all connected through art." It's on display through Nov. 27. Find more information here.