dsmWeekly: May 7, 2019

Grammy and Tony awards winner Renée Elise Goldsberry will sing with the Symphony in July, officials announced Monday.

'HAMILTON' STAR OPENS SUMMER POPS CONCERTS

Just announced: Broadway star Renée Elise Goldsberry, who originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in "Hamilton," joins the Des Moines Symphony for its first free pops concert in the new Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. The evening program Sunday, July 14, stretches from show tunes to pop and soul.

A second free pops concert at the amphitheater features the symphony performing the music of celebrated movie composer John Williams on July 28. Both summer concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring picnic baskets, blankets or lawn chairs, and can purchase food from an array of vendors at the concert. You also can join the Water Works Pops VIP Club, which includes premium seating along with snacks, a drink voucher and and other bennies. Want even more? A Patron Package includes a catered dinner, early access to seating and reserved parking. For costs and more information, click here.

With the right forecast, Mother's Day brunch can be enjoyed poolside at Tangerine at the Art Center.

BRUNCH-PLUS OPTIONS FOR MOTHER'S DAY

By Wini Moranville

Mom deserves something more than just a meal out, don't you think? Here are three ways to fete your mom with a pleasant meal along with something uplifting to do before or after dining. P.S.: Reservations are essential – it's Mother's Day, after all.

• The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Featuring nearly 500 plant varieties for sale, the pop-up retail bonanza known as the Spring Garden Festival with be in full swing. Poke around – mothers get free admission to the festival – then enjoy brunch on-site at Trellis Cafe, with lovely views of downtown from across the the Des Moines River. Choose from the fresh-focused soups, salads and sandwiches on the May menu. A few brunch selections, such as seafood-oyster Florentine and an egg, spinach, and bechamel dish will also be offered. Served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations: 515-323-6288.

• Tangerine at the Art Center: Served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the $25 prix-fixe menu kicks off with house-made pastries and a small appetite-rouser of either fresh fruit or crostini (gravlax or chicken liver). Then, choose from seven entrees, including shrimp and grits, asparagus-Brie puff pastry, and waffles with roasted strawberry and rhubarb compote. Afterward, stroll through the galleries and enjoy some art, or take a walk through adjacent Greenwood Park. The pond, with its trilling red-winged blackbirds, croaking toads and sunning turtles, is especially lovely this time of year. Reservations: 515-271-0332.

• Harvey's at the Hotel Pattee: Remember when Sunday drives were a thing? Probably not. Still, you can revive this leisurely custom with a drive up to Perry, and see fields and woodlands at their spring-green best. Served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the buffet-style brunch costs $25 ($14 for ages 12 and under) and offers both breakfast and lunch items, including smoked salmon, pork roulade, egg dishes, breakfast meats, plus a salad bar, soups, desserts and a chocolate fountain. Get tickets through Eventbrite.

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

In "Disgraced," Heidi Mason and Sid Juwarker play a married couple hosting a dinner party that doesn't turn out as expected. (Photographer: Joe Crimmings)

'DISGRACED' OPENS FRIDAY: JOIN THE CONVERSATION

"It’s an exciting one!" That’s how Matt McIver, artistic director of Iowa Stage Theatre Co., starts a conversation about "Disgraced," which opens this Friday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Social Club’s Kum & Go Theater.

That excitement, he explains, stems not only from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play itself but also from how Iowa Stage hopes to engage audience members and the community around the "combustible mix" of questions and sensitive themes the show raises. "We’re having talk-backs after every show because there’s so much to process," McIver says. "Theater is a conversation, not a lecture … and we want to create the space for that conversation."

Set in 2011, the show revolves around a dinner party hosted by Amir Kapoor, a successful Pakistani-American lawyer who has cast aside his Muslim heritage, and his white wife, Emily, an artist whose work is influenced by Islamic imagery. Their guests are Amir’s African American colleague, Jory, and her husband, Isaac, who also is Emily’s Jewish art dealer. Starting off as friendly banter, the dinner conversation grows increasingly heated as it turns to religion, race and politics. Tensions explode when Isaac and Emily’s past is revealed.

The show stars Sid Juwarker as Amir. Primarily known as a comedian, Juwarker "is turning in a remarkable performance," McIver says. "Even folks who know him will see a part of him that they don’t expect." Heidi Mason portrays Emily, Jonathan deLima is Isaac, and Deshana Langford plays Jory. And dsm’s very own Vasu Nambury is making his local stage debut as Abe, Amir’s nephew.

Tickets are $20 for students and $40 for adults, available here. The show runs through May 19.

Models were chic and plentiful at last year's House of DSM Fashion Show of Support.

FASHION SHOW TO AID SEX-TRAFFIC VICTIMS

Justice is always in style, and it's the focus of a fashion show at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Forte Banquet and Conference Center, 615 Third St. Organizers of the House of DSM Fashion Show of Support seek to shed light on the recruitment of young girls into the sex trafficking industry with false promises of modeling. Proceeds from the show will benefit Dorothy's House, which provides services to victims of such abuse. The show is produced by House of DSM, a local modeling agency that seeks to stop sex trafficking through education and awareness while promoting "fashion and artistic expression with a purpose." Tickets ($25–$150) and additional information are available here.

Learn about the buildings that punctuate Des Moines' skyline on a walking tour guided by an architect.

DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTURE IS FOCUS OF TOURS

Get a fresh perspective on downtown buildings with Architecture on the Move, a series of walking tours offered by the Iowa Architectural Foundation. Tours are slated for May 10, June 7, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13.

New this year is a special Western Gateway tour on June 7. This tour will start at 5 p.m. at Krause Gateway Center, and tour participants will have the opportunity to explore the drawings and models in the lobby of this dramatic Renzo Piano building. The tour will depart at 5:30 to explore other important architecture in the Western Gateway area.

All other tours leave from the Iowa Center for Architecture on the first-floor level of Capital Square. Choose one of four routes, covering both contemporary and historic architecture. You will learn about architectural detail, style and elements, along with intriguing stories and the historical significance of the buildings that shape the downtown skyline.

Come at 5 p.m. for beverages and snacks before setting out on the tours at 5:30 p.m. A skywalk tour will be offered in case of inclement weather. Each tour is $20. Reservations are encouraged: Tickets and more information are available here. Proceeds benefit the Iowa Architectural Foundation’s educational programs.

You can browse and buy plants, garden art and other merchandise at the Botanical Garden this weekend.

SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL BLOOMS THURSDAY

This time of year, things are popping up everywhere at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, including a giant tent and the annual Spring Garden Festival, Thursday through Sunday, May 9-12.

Friday through Sunday, family activities and access to the festival's plant sale, garden art and merchandise fair are included with the regular price of admission (members free; adults $10; military and seniors $9; students 4-17 $7; children 3 and under free). Ticketed events and workshops require preregistration and an additional fee.
Moms get in free on Mother’s Day.

The festival begins Thursday evening with an opening night ticketed event from 6 to 8 p.m. It includes early access to the plant sale, hors d’oeurves and cocktails, and a butterfly release. Tickets are available at dmbotanicalgarden.com/sgf. For the full schedule of festival events, click here.

Megan Hilty and Brian Stokes Mitchell sing with the Symphony Saturday.

A SATURDAY EVENING IN SONG

Two nationally acclaimed vocalists are backed by the Des Moines Symphony in concert Saturday, May 11.
In addition to roles on television and Broadway, Megan Hilty performs in concert regularly, including a sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall. Two-time Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell has enjoyed a career spanning Broadway, television, film and concert appearances. Saturday’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Des Moines Civic Center. For tickets ($40-$135) and more information, click here.

The creative team behind Market Day Iowa: Andrew Kingsbury, Cat Rocketship, Dani Ausen and Shylah Statler.

MARKET DAY POPS UP AT CAPITAL SQUARE

The atrium of Capital Square becomes a one-day retail mecca once again Saturday, May 11, when the Market Day pop-up market returns with 70 independent artists, designers and craftspeople. Organizers expect 2,500 shoppers to attend between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

"The magic of Market Day is that for one day you can catch a bunch of really creative people who produce interesting and purpose-driven goods all in one spot," says Market Day director Dani Ausen. "It happens and then poof, it’s gone, so community members who have an appreciation for locally made, one-of-a-kind work will want this in their calendars." Learn more here.