dsm Season Preview

Every four years, when national media folks descend on Iowa for the caucuses, they crank out every word and sound bite about the campaigns they can. They predict and prognosticate. They even prophesy.

And then at some point, they just have to wait for the actual results. When that happens, when they find themselves with an extra night in Des Moines, they inevitably stumble upon a bar or restaurant that rivals their favorite watering hole in Washington or New York. (Mark my words: Some East Coast reporter will “discover” Lucca. It happens every time.)

But you, dear dsm reader, already know that our fair city has plenty of cool places to hang out and lots of entertainment even without the political circus. We’ve rounded up a few of the best bets from now through Super Tuesday and on into spring. If you're planning something of your own, just let us know.

See you around,

Michael Morain
dsm editor

Pore over "Small Pleasures" in Ames. Photo: Iowa State University Musuems

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

Sometimes small things are a big deal

In our current era of jumbo this and super-sized that, it can be instructive to focus on the teeny-tiny.

At Iowa State’s Brunnier Art Museum in Ames, curators have chosen a few little treasures for a new show called “Small Pleasures: Tiny Art from the Permanent Collection,” which opens Jan. 16 and runs through July 26. It runs the gamut, from an itty-bitty Roman bronze of Hercules (essentially, one of Ken’s ancient ancestors), to miniature Chinese ceramics and a small painting of a single cloud.

You can stroll the galleries in the Scheman Building any time 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays or 1-4 p.m. weekends, or stop by during one of the related events. Curator Adrienne Gennett leads a tour Feb. 11, and the gifted Iowa artist Tilly Woodward talks about her minutely detailed paintings on April 7. A curator from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts discusses “micromosaic jewels” on Feb. 20 via Zoom. Registration is free and encouraged.

More Exhibitions & Events

"Hybrid Practices," through Feb. 10. Fourteen Iowa-based artists combine techniques and materials – painting and ceramics, say, or metal and fabric – at Olson-Larsen Galleries.

"artist as mode, model as artist," Jan. 11-Feb. 15. For this solo exhibition at the Polk County Heritage Gallery, local photographer Brittany Brooke Crow draws inspiration from her experience modeling for drawing classes. Her recent fragmentary self-portraits explore themes of intimacy, gender and queerness.

"Absurdities," Jan. 12-Feb. 3. Former Des Moines Art Center director Jeff Fleming displays his latest collection of layered, deliberately smudgy drawings to “record the process and history of drawing” and his own memories at Moberg Galleries.

"Myths and Migrations," Jan. 25-March 31: This exhibition (pictured) at the Grinnell College Museum of Art displays more than 50 paintings, collages and velour cutouts by Rome Prize winner William Villalongo, whose work delves into “the absurdity, beauty and vulnerability” of the Black experience through history.

"Not One Without Water," Jan. 25-May 20. This show, also at the Grinnell College Museum of Art, borrows its title from W.H. Auden’s poem “First Things First” and draws from the museum’s permanent collection to explore the nature of water.

"States of Becoming," Feb. 10-May 12. The Des Moines Art Center’s wide-ranging exhibition explores relocation, resettlement and assimilation in work by 17 contemporary artists who either immigrated to the United States themselves or were born to first-generation immigrants from a dozen African countries, plus tiny Trinidad and Tobago.

The dancers of Pilobolus come a-knockin' at the Des Moines Civic Center on March 27. Photo: Pilobolus

THEATER & DANCE

Pilobolus brings back its movers and shakers

The world’s most famous dance company named after a fungus returns March 27 to the Des Moines Civic Center, where the dancers have previously wowed crowds with works inspired by love, ninjas and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” among others. In one of our favorites several years ago, they danced atop a giant wooden boat, got it rocking back and forth like the Galleon at Adventureland, and then flung themselves off it like graceful cliff divers. It was beautiful — and a little scary.

This time, in the wake of the company's 50th anniversary, the Pilobolus “Re: Creation” tour explores new territory with composer and radio producer Jad Abumrad (Radiolab, “Dolly Parton’s America”), storyteller Darlene Kascak from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and other luminaries in various fields. We're especially looking forward to "Behind the Shadows," which casts mesmerizing shadows on a screen, like the ones in this Wired video.

More Performances

Stomp, Jan. 12-14. Even after 30 years, the endlessly innovative dancing drummers (or drumming dancers?) are still figuring out new ways to tap, brush, sweep, bang and pound hubcaps, trash cans, brooms and other familiar odds and ends.

"Mamma Mia!" Jan. 23-28. The ABBA-powered musical about a young woman’s big fat Greek wedding and the three guys who might be her father returns to the Des Moines Civic Center. And my, my, how can we resist it?

"Equus," Feb. 2-18. Tallgrass Theatre Co. in West Des Moines stages the 1973 play about a psychiatrist’s efforts to treat a young man who’s obsessed with horses.

"Our Town," Feb. 2-18. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to Grover’s Corners, revisit the small town and its wise and wide-eyed residents in a new staging of the classic at the Des Moines Playhouse.

"Company," Feb. 6-11. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s 1970 music takes a 21st century turn in the new national tour, in which the original leading man, Bobby, is now a leading woman, Bobbie, who hears the tick-tock of her biological clock. All the single ladies: Head to the Des Moines Civic Center.

"Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo," Feb. 20. The self-proclaimed “world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company” (pictured) toes the line between high art and high camp with their own scenes from “Swan Lake,” “Giselle” and other classics at the Des Moines Civic Center.

"Les Miserables," Feb. 27-March 3. Can you hear the people sing? You will soon, when the national tour storms the barricade and takes the Des Moines Civic Center under siege. BYO baguette.

"Love Letters," March 8-9: Ballet Des Moines’ new triple bill at Hoyt Sherman Place features work by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon and the company’s own artistic director, Tom Mattingly, who took inspiration from stories from LGBTQ Iowans.

"The Glass Menagerie," March 1-10. The 1944 play that made Tennessee Williams famous, about a Southern family at the end of their rope, gets a new unspooling by the Iowa Stage Theatre Co. at the Des Moines Civic Center’s Stoner Theater.

"Funny Girl," March 12-17: The plucky up-and-comer Fanny Brice tells her story in the national tour of the Broadway revival at the Des Moines Civic Center. Note to clouds: Don’t rain on her parade. Seriously. Back off.

"Swan Lake," March 21: The World Ballet Series tour glides into Stephens Auditorium in Ames, with Tschaikovsky’s timeless score and Nadezhda Kalinina’s updates to the original 1895 choreography by Marius Petipa.

"The Pa’akai We Bring," March 30: This show in the Family Series at the Des Moines Civic Center uses music and hula to tell a story about a Native Hawaiian family who has farmed salt (pa’akai) for generations on the island of Kauai.

Put on your party shoes: Postmodern Jukebox comes to town on Feb. 23. Photo: Dana Lynn Pleasant

MUSIC

Fire up the musical time machine!

Beyonce’s “Halo,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” and Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” may not have a lot in common, but they’ve all been pumped through the Postmodern Jukebox. For 10 years now, the band has reimagined contemporary pop hits in the style of old-school jazz, swing, doo-wop and Motown, putting a fresh shine even on lyrics or melodies you’ve heard a zillion times.

The group has racked up more than 2 billion views on YouTube from fans worldwide, who show up to concerts in their vintage finest. See for yourself on Feb. 23 at Hoyt Sherman Place.

More Music

Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jan. 12. The Colorado rockers that broke out in the ’90s with hits like “Broken Hearted Savior” and “Resignation Superman” is still going strong with a winter tour that visits Hoyt Sherman Place.

Botanical Blues, Sundays through March 31. Major Blues and the Mugshots are up next in the weekly concert series at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center, where you can simultaneously listen to and shake off the blues.

Candlelight concerts, various dates from Jan. 19. The popular new series of candlelit chamber concerts at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates continues with Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” (Jan. 19, Feb. 15), the music of Queen (Jan. 20, Feb. 2 and 15), a tribute to Coldplay (Jan. 27) and classical romance (Feb. 14).

Tallymoore, Jan. 20. The Celtic Music Association hosts the Milwaukee-based Irish folk band for a concert at the Franklin Junior High Event Center.

Des Moines Symphony with Keith Lockhart, Feb. 3-4. The famous Boston Pops conductor leads the local orchestra through the Midwest premiere of Wang Lu’s “Surge,” Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Barber’s stirring Violin Concerto, featuring the 13-year-old prodigy Amaryn Olmeda, at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Helene Grimaud, Feb. 6. The Civic Music Association’s annual Lauridsen Great Pianists Series continues its hot streak with a visit from the internationally acclaimed French pianist (pictured) at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Nickel Creek, Feb. 9. The affable mandolin player Chris Thile, who hosted “A Prairie Home Companion” and its successor, “Live from Here,” puts a fresh spin on folk and bluegrass with fiddler Sara Watkins and her brother, the guitarist Sean Watkins, at Hoyt Sherman Place.

“Harry Potter” in concert, Feb. 23-24. With just a flick of his magic wand, Joseph Giunta coaxes the Des Moines Symphony to perform the score for two screenings of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Heron Valley, Feb. 24. The Scottish band packed their bagpipes, fiddles and banjos for a U.S. tour that includes a Celtic Music Association concert at Holy Trinity Hall in Beaverdale.

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Feb. 24. The Country Music Hall of Famer and his band are touring in support of “Altitude,” their first album in five years, with a stop at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Cat Power Sings Dylan, Feb. 29. The singer-songwriter otherwise known as Chan Marshall visits Hoyt Sherman Place to recreate one of Bob Dylan’s legendary concerts from 1966.

Blind Boys of Alabama, March 1. The group (pictured) that started in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Deaf and Blind (where the all-white faculty didn’t let them sing the Black gospel songs they heard on the radio) has evolved over time. Members have come and gone, but they’re still mostly blind and still going strong, with an upcoming Civic Music Association concert at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Des Moines Symphony: “Rhapsody in Blue,” March 9-10. Guest pianist Michelle jumps on the hot seat at the Des Moines Civic Center for Gershwin’s 100-year-old concerto in a program that includes Carlos Simon’s gospel-inspired “Amen!” and Franck’s Symphony in D Minor.

The High Kings and Gaelic Storm, March 14. Two popular Celtic bands blow in with the wind before St. Patrick’s Day at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Black Jacket Symphony plays Journey, March 16. The band returns to Hoyt Sherman Place to play Journey’s 1981 “Escape” album from start to finish, including “Open Arms,” “Who’s Crying Now” and an obscure little ditty called “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, March 22-23. The chorus sings Kelly Clarkson hits, including some brand-new arrangements, at the historic Scottish Rite Consistory.

Daimh, March 23. The five-member Celtic band (pronounced “dive”) from the Scottish Highlands and islands takes a turn in the Celtic Music Association series at Franklin Junior High Event Center.

Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular, March 24. There are cover bands. And then there are cover bands with lasers. Check this one out at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Fall Out Boy, April 3. The suburban Chicago punks who gave the world “Dance, Dance” and “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down” visit Wells Fargo Arena with Jimmy Eat World, Hot Mulligan and CARR.

Chanticleer, April 5. The award-winning “orchestra of voices” sings classical, jazz, gospel, pop and plenty more at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

John Mellencamp, April 5. More than 40 years after recording his first big hits, including “Hurts So Good” and “Jack and Diane,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s current tour visits the Des Moines Civic Center to showcase his latest album, “Orpheus Descending.”

Des Moines Symphony: dance beats, April 13-14. The BRKFST Dance Co. joins the orchestra to bust out some moves for Beethoven’s nearly 200-year-old Grand Fugue at the Des Moines Civic Center. Before and after: music from Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” and Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

AJR, April 16. Three brothers — Adam, Jack and Ryan Met — who started busking in New York’s Central Park hit the big-time in 2013 with “I’m Ready,” which sampled SpongeBob SquarePants, followed by “Weak,” “Bang!” and “World’s Smallest Violin.” Catch them at Wells Fargo Arena.

Various funny people. Hoyt Sherman Place hosts a gang of well-known comedians in the next few weeks, including Joe Gatto on Jan. 13, Demetri Martin on Jan. 27, Kathy Griffin (pictured) on Feb. 2, Matteo Lane on March 15.

Chinese New Year, Feb. 9. Ring in the Year of the Dragon with music, kung fu and dragon dances at Jester Park Nature Center in Granger.

"Paddling with Polar Bears," Jan. 30. Take a vicarious trip around the world at the Des Moines Civic Center when Mike Libecki, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, uses multimedia tools to recount his treks to all seven continents. His motto: “The time is now. Why ration passion? Dream big and climb those dreams.”

Des Moines Home and Garden Show, Feb. 22-25. More than 400 exhibitors fill the Iowa Events Center with booths, demonstrations, pop-up indoor gardens and more signals that spring is just around the corner.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 16. The annual procession starts at noon o’ the clock, downtown on Grand Avenue.

"Beyond Earth: The Quest for Life on an Icy Moon," March 21. Kobie Boykins, the NASA engineer in charge of the current mission to send a spacecraft around Jupiter and its icy moons, speaks at the Des Moines Civic Center.

James Patterson, April 10. The bestselling author (pictured) headlines the Des Moines Public Library’s annual AViD series with a visit to the Scottish Rite Consistory, where he’ll discuss one of his latest books, “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians.”