dsmWeekly - November 13, 2024

From left: Hunter Olshefke, Sal Defilippis, Axel Ellis, Quinn Dolan, Nick Deputy, and Phil Pistone. (Photo: Arista Records)

ARTS & CULTURE

Q&A with Ax and the Hatchetmen
The Chicago-based indie rock group Ax and the Hatchetmen is kicking off its “Way Too Late” tour with a stop at Wooly’s this weekend. Led by guitarist and singer Axel Ellis, the band also features Sal Defilippis on guitar, Hunter Olshefke on bass, Nick Deputy on drums, Phil Pistone on trumpet and Iowa State University alum Quinn Dolan on saxophone.

The sextet has performed in Des Moines four times since it formed in 2018, growing a following with each pass-through and even selling out xBk Live in March.

The current tour follows a slew of newly released singles, including “Love Songs,” “Flagstaff,” and “Sunscreen,” as well as Ellis’ return from filming “The Runarounds,” a musical teen drama series on Amazon Prime.

Defilippis, the guitarist, recently answered a few of our questions about making music, life on the road, and the group’s upcoming gig in the East Village:

What made you want to make music together?
We all played in jazz band in high school. Some of us were already friends, but we all enjoyed everyone’s company and playing music, so we did it together.

Whose music inspires you?
I’d think we fit in the alternative/indie rock categories, but we cover a lot of different genres. Our influences are all over, from The Strokes to The Backseat Lovers to Hippo Campus.

What does the band enjoy about performing in Des Moines?
The crowd is always super fun and engaging. Our sax player, Quinn Dolan, went to Iowa State and always knows how to bring out fun people.

You played 80/35 last year. What was that like?
It was a blast, from the lineup to the atmosphere. It was a fun time all around.

Is there anything you like to do when you stop in Des Moines?
We love to go downtown and always try to go to the best food spot. We also try our luck to see if any tattoo spots have walk-in appointments available.

Do you work on new music while you tour?
As much as we can. With the day-to-day playing and getting to the shows on time with a group of six boys, it can be pretty hectic.

When can fans expect a new album?
We’re ready to get right to it now that Axel’s done filming for “The Runarounds.” We’re super excited to start this tour and are stoked to be releasing more music next year.

Tickets are available online for the show at 8 p.m. Saturday at Wooly’s.

Cheers! Sip some Champagne at the botanical garden this weekend. (Photo: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden)

BEST BET

At the Botanical Garden, go for the glow

Step into a seasonal spirit during back-to-back celebrations this weekend at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Champagne and Chocolate offers sweet treats, drinks and entertainment — all to help raise funds for the garden.

Then, from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dome for the Holidays offers another good excuse to visit. Be the first to experience this year’s holiday tradition with lights, seasonal music, glass sculptures, a classic train display and more under the garden’s landmark dome. If you’re already booked this weekend, keep in mind that Dome for the Holidays occurs most Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 30. Tickets and details are available online.

The Week Ahead

Holiday Boutique (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday): Want a head start on the shopping season? At the Holiday Boutique at the Iowa Events Center, you can buy gifts ranging from jewelry to holiday decor from more than 200 vendors, mostly from Iowa.

Jim Brickman (7:30 p.m. Saturday): The popular pianist brings his new show “Comfort & Joy” to Hoyt Sherman Place. His credits include two Grammy nominations and 21 No. 1 albums.

Indigenous art (4:30-8 p.m. Saturday): Celebrate a “Gathering of Indigenous Artists” at the Cellar Winery in Madrid. The event that honors Native American Heritage Month includes a jingle-dress dance, displays of beadwork, a traditional Lakota ledger art workshop and more.

Motion comic premiere (8 p.m. Friday): Sensi’il Studios rolls out the red carpet for the premiere of “Gethsemane,” an animated motion comic about people on the moon. Before the screening at the Fleur Cinema, walk the red carpet and enter a raffle for prizes.

Puppy yoga (10 a.m. Saturday): Yoga plus dogs equal a joyful Saturday morning at Smash Park, with rescued dogs modeling their best downward dog poses. Visitors can come for the pups, stay for the yoga and adopt a dog to take home.

Artwork unveiling (starting Tuesday): Take a peek at new art installations at the Des Moines Botanical Garden. Des Moines artist Jenna Brownlee’s “Blooming” and Davenport artist Joel Ryser’s “Hot Glass” will be on display through Jan. 26 and March 30, respectively.

Creative leader: Billy Weathers has received this year's Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity and Entrepreneurship from Arts Midwest and the Iowa Arts Council for making "significant strides in supporting students, artists and underserved communities in Des Moines." The hip-hop artist, social justice advocate and founding CEO of the B.Well Foundation was one of the Business Records Forty Under 40 honorees in 2022 and recently announced plans to open the Contrary, a cocktail bar and listening lounge in the East Village, later this month.

Scholarship season: The Des Moines Women’s Club’s annual scholarship applications are now open to students for the 2025-2026 school year. More than $50,000 in scholarships are available. Eligibility includes high school seniors in the fields of instrumental music, literature, STEM, theater arts, visual arts and vocal music; college students pursuing degrees in elementary education, health sciences, music education, performing arts, visual arts and other areas; and advanced degree students who are currently enrolled in a master’s degree program in elementary education or enrolled at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Applications are due Jan. 27.

Iowa poet laureate Vince Gotera. (Photo: Sean O’Neal)

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Meet Vince Gotera, Iowa’s fifth poet laureate

By Wren Fleming

Sometimes, simple words say it best. Vince Gotera calls it a “huge honor” to serve as Iowa’s poet laureate for the next two years.

During this time, he’ll lead workshops, give readings and participate in other poetry events around the state. (He encourages the “good folks” who organize cultural events to get a hold of him.)

Gotera was born in San Francisco, spent part of his childhood in the Philippines and has lived in Iowa for almost 30 years. He recently retired from the University of Northern Iowa, where he taught for more than 25 years. These days, he often plays guitar in a band called Groovy News and bass in Deja Blue.

His published works include “Dragonfly” (1994), “Ghost Wars” (2003) and “Fighting Kite” (2007), along with a literary study titled “Radical Visions: Poetry by Vietnam Veterans” (1991). He also wrote “The Coolest Month” (2019), a culmination of poems he wrote for many years during the month of April, which is National Poetry Month. He often drew inspiration from daily prompts and then rounded up his favorites for the book.

Now, as the poet laureate, he’d like to prompt others to write, as well. He hopes to create an Iowa poetry website with activities to encourage young poets to play with language.

“Poetry is fun,” he said. “I often write light poems and feel that should be more valued. Of course, I write serious poetry as well, and I trust it’s all beautiful and also accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Gotera often posts drafts of his poetry on his blog, “The Man with the Blue Guitar.” He rewrites them until he’s satisfied they’re finished. “To me, it’s a ‘feel’ thing,” he said. “It’s when a poem just feels done, when the themes and the words and the images and the music (of the language) all mesh together in a way I can’t tweak any further.”

Read one of Gotera’s poems, republished in our annual ia magazine.