dsmWeekly: March 19, 2019

Taking off at Des Moines Community Playhouse: "Catch Me If You Can," with (front row) Victoria Heisterkamp, Molly Thompson, Connor Ripperger, Jillian Gabby, (back row) Dina Perez, Abby Suhr and Kaelyn Dawn Ennis. Photo: Steve Gibbons.

YOU MAY WANT TO CATCH THIS IF YOU CAN

A precocious teen passes himself off as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer while moonlighting as a forger. Preposterous? But it's true. The legend of young conman Frank Abagnale Jr. was the subject of a movie and Broadway musical, both titled "Catch Me If You Can." The Des Moines Community Playhouse production of the musical opens Friday, March 22 and runs through April 14.

Tickets ($46, with discounts for students and seniors) may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St.

With some seasonal weather returning, Dogpatch Urban Gardens may soon look as lush as this once again.

'FARMSTAND TO FORK' DINNERS AT DOGPATCH

By Wini Moranville

If you’ve dined at the Cheese Bar, HoQ, the Wine Experience, Table 128, Baru 66, Proof or Harbinger, you’ve likely eaten produce from Dogpatch Urban Gardens (DUG). Jenny Quiner grows greens and salad-focused seasonal vegetables from her quarter-acre north-of-Beaverdale patch, and top local chefs are among her customers.

Starting this spring, she’s inviting a number of these chefs to curate dinners that use products from her gardens and farm stand, and also call on the urban farm itself as the site of the dinners. Her "FarmStand to Fork" series will feature this lineup of chefs:

• Sean Wilson (Proof): April 28
• Joe Tripp (Harbinger): June 9
• Ken VanMilligen (St. Kilda Cafe & Bakery): Aug. 4
• Lynn Pritchard (Table 128 Bistro + Bar): Sept. 29

Ideally, the dinners will be held outdoors in DUG’s green space; however, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, the event will move inside.

What might be popping up in the gardens for the April 28 dinner? Quiner says that spinach, lettuce, micro-greens and radishes will be available from DUG, though what’s actually used is up to each chef. In addition, chefs will curate their menus using all that the DUG FarmStand has to offer, which includes products from other producers and growers, such as meats, cheeses, dairy, honey, pasta, jams and bread.

In short, these dinners are a good way for food lovers to get to know all that Dogpatch has to offer. The FarmStand opens for the season on May 11.

Dinners will be limited to 30-40 people, paying $120 each, which includes dinner, beer, wine, tax and gratuity. Tickets can be obtained via the DUG website.

Wini Moranville writes about food, wine and dining for dsm magazine and dsmWeekly. Follow her on Facebook at All Things Food–DSM.

Bassist and trio leader Joe Policastro, center, with drummer Mikel Avery, left, and guitarist Dave Miller.

Chicago Jazz Trio Performing at Noce this Friday

Chicago’s Joe Policastro Trio returns to the downtown jazz club Noce this Friday, March 22, marking the release of their fourth album, "Nothing Here Belongs." While firmly rooted in jazz, the acoustic trio draws upon a wide array of musical styles and sources. They have performed extensively throughout the United States and Canada, including playing for President Barack Obama. Friday's show runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($50 for reserved VIP seating) and can be purchased here. Click here for more info on the trio.

Confidence covered in fluff—that's Lola, who helps take care of business in an East Village salon.

DOWNTOWN'S MOST WELL-HEELED RESIDENTS

We've enjoyed the warm response to our current cover featuring Benson, a 150-pound Newfoundland, and our story about the lives of Benson and other downtown dogs. If you missed it in print, you can read it on our website here. From gentle giants to palm-size pups, our four-footed focus group will give you a new appreciation for how downtown has embraced its canine companions.

Emmet Cahill has been Ireland's "Tenor of the Year" and won multiple classical competitions throughout his homeland,

CELTIC THUNDER SOLOIST PERFORMS SATURDAY

Are your Irish eyes still smiling from the weekend's St. Patrick's Day festivities? Extend your Celtic spirit another week for acclaimed Irish tenor Emmet Cahill's return to Greater Des Moines.

Principal vocalist for the Irish music show "Celtic Thunder," Cahill will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Ave., West Des Moines. In addition to Irish selections from his albums, Cahill will sing Broadway standards, hymns, arias and a medley of other favorites by request.

"I’ve always had a wonderful time visiting Des Moines on my tours," Cahill says. "I can’t wait to come back and see everyone again. The church has stunning acoustics, and we’ll create a special atmosphere on the night. I’ll also be asking the audience to sing along with me—so have those voices ready and warmed up!"

Tickets are $30-$45 and may be purchased online here or at the door.

Boz Scaggs continues the run of music icons who have packed the Hoyt Sherman Place theater in the past year.

LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD ...

Just announced: Blues and R&B legend Boz Scaggs will perform at Hoyt Sherman Place Monday, July 8. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 22. For other fun opportunities, explore a pair of easy-to-use online calendars. We at dsm magazine and the Business Record maintain this calendar with handy filters so you can see just the types of events you're searching for. For even more categories, check Catch Des Moines.