dsmWeekly: May 15, 2018

We're as giddy as teenagers to celebrate our 15th birthday with you on May 31.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION OF OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Here at the International Headquarters of dsm magazine, we genuinely enjoy planning the parties where you help us celebrate the arrival of a new issue. We're doing it again May 31, and this time it is extra special!

First, it's a Thursday, so mark your calendar. (These parties are typically on Tuesdays.) But the important news is that this isn't an ordinary issue of dsm magazine. Nope, this is a special anniversary issue, marking our 15th birthday. This is an issue that you'll want to keep, and it's yours free at our anniversary event.

Please plan to join us between 5 and 7 p.m. May 31 at the elegant new Hilton hotel just south of the Iowa Events Center. Our Hilton hosts are eager to make a good impression, so plan on fine hors d'ourves and beverages in a grand environment. We'll have exceedingly cheerful brief comments at 6 p.m. when we distribute the anniversary issue. And we're saving a copy just for you.

Chef Ryan Baber made a splash with this winning entry in the Scrumptious Skewers Challenge. Photo: Christopher Maharry.

PORK BELLY FOR THE WIN (TIMES TWO)

By Wini Moranville

Last Thursday evening, I headed to the Meredith Test Kitchen to serve on the panel of judges for Scrumptious Skewers Challenge. The Iowa Pork Producers sponsored the event in conjunction with Winefest Des Moines. And the winner was … Ryan Baber, chef de cuisine at Splash Seafood Bar and Grill.

These scrumptious skewers speared plush squares of pork belly (milk-braised, then seared) alongside a plump dried fig stuffed with Maytag blue cheese. The kebabs were drizzled with a sweet-tart sauce (a pork gastrique, if you must know), and the plate arrived prettied up with a few petals of spring-green Dew Drop cabbage—an artisanal cabbage that’s milder and more tender than your usual variety.

Taking second place was a relative newcomer to Iowa: Nick Marino, who heads up the culinary team at the Hilton Downtown Des Moines, made a lot of people happy with his confit of pork belly served on a skewer with a delicate slice of apple wrapped in equally delicate prosciutto. Find out more about this new-to-town chef in this recent dsm story.

Although last week’s event was held for patrons and sponsors of Winefest, you can get a taste of the Ryan Baber’s winning skewer at the Iowa Pork Lawn Party on Sunday, June 3, at Jasper Winery. The event corrals Iowa food vendors, wineries and breweries, who offer samples of their food and drinks. Get tickets and learn more at WineFestDesMoines.com.

"They're both a blast to play," pianist Charlie Albright says of the pieces he'll perform with the Des Moines Symphony this weekend.

SYMPHONY UNITES U.S. AND RUSSIAN INTERESTS

By Michael Morain

"Harmony" probably isn’t the best word to describe the current state of Russian-American relations. But if the Moscow and Washington bigwigs need a lesson in getting along—and sharing the best of both worlds—they should come hear the Des Moines Symphony’s season closer this weekend at the Civic Center. The orchestra plans to team up with guest pianist Charlie Albright for Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue" and Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto in F Major.

One is a famous jazzy showstopper from 1924. The other is an underrated classical marvel, which Shostakovich wrote in 1957 as a graduation present for his son Maxim, who studied at the Moscow Conservatory.

"They’re completely different styles of music, but not too far distant in time periods," Albright said over the phone from his home in Seattle. "And they pair together surprisingly well."

The American piece helps the pianist bring "a freshness" to the Russian one, and the Russian piece helps him appreciate the American work’s classical form. Both works require a mix of structure and spontaneity—and "they’re both a blast to play," he said.

Albright last came to Des Moines in 2016 to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and he’s eager to return. "The Des Moines Symphony is phenomenal," he said. "They’re very nimble."

That’s important with concertos, he said, because playing with a group can feel like "driving a tiny sports car or a big van." An American kayak or a Russian submarine.

Albright and the orchestra will generally take turns in the Gershwin piece, but the Shostakovich requires precise teamwork. The middle movement is slower—"romantic and gorgeous, like something Chopin might have written for ‘The Notebook’ "—but the first and third movements charge through rhythmic twists and turns.

Albright laughed as he described it: "I should get paid by the note."

The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center. $15-$70, dmsymphony.org.

Now why would you sit at home tomorrow when you could be as happy as this group, whom we met at a past Taste of the South Side?

TASTE OF THE SOUTH SIDE WEDNESDAY

Get a taste of the south side tomorrow (Wednesday, May 16) at Jasper Winery, where FuseDSM (the south, east and north Chamber of Commerce) presents TOSS (Taste of the South Side). They have a host of vendors—from McDonald's and Buffalo Wild Wings to Skip's and Baratta's. Of course, that includes Tumea & Sons, Bordenaro's, Johnny's ... in total, 26 of your south-side faves. The event opens with a VIP reception from 4 to 5 p.m., then the main event from 5 to 7 p.m. Get tickets online or at any Hy-Vee store for $35 or at the door for $40. Want to be included in the VIP part? $50 from the same sources.

Ponder or purchase? It's up to you on Sunday. Photo: Historic Valley Junction.

VALLEY JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL SUNDAY

Stroll among artwork offerings and other attractions at the Historic Valley Junction Arts Festival, Sunday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to sales, this juried exhibition of fine arts and crafts offers the opportunity to meet and interact with the artists.

Musical entertainment will be part of the festivities, and children’s art activities and artists’ demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Refreshments will be available from several food vendors on the street, and many Valley Junction restaurants and retailers will be open as well. The festival will be held rain or shine. Admission is free.