dsmWeekly - March 12, 2025

Two young aficionados examine student artwork at Mainframe's First Friday. (Photo: Jon Lemons)

DMPS student artists shine at Mainframe Studios

By Hailey Evans

Last weekend, 850 students from 60 schools and programs throughout the Des Moines Public School system showcased their artwork during Mainframe Studios’ monthly First Friday open house. While the school district has presented annual art shows in the past, this was only the third official collaboration with Mainframe, and it’s grown in size each year.

“It’s a great bridge for what’s happening in the classroom to what they can do out in the world,” said Kathleen Davenport, the visual arts curriculum coordinator for DMPS. Art is a tool to help students express themselves, she added, and the annual show with Mainframe “allows students to see themselves as real artists, in a real gallery space. That’s my favorite part.”

She said some students get nervous leading up to the event. And who wouldn't? Mainframe draws 15,000 visitors a month, including about 2,500 on First Fridays. But a gallery show can build students’ confidence and open up new opportunities.

“These could be Mainframe’s future tenants," said Julia Franklin, Mainframe's executive director. "Getting to meet and mingle with the professional artists currently in residence can show students how art can be a viable career option and show parents how much art matters.”

Franklin and the Mainframe team have been working on bringing in artists from outside the studio’s walls for other First Friday events using open-call submissions and curating shows based on common themes. “If you’re an artist, there aren’t many places to show your art locally for free. We have this space, and we’re serious about helping artists thrive, so why not? Just because it might be hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t,” said Franklin. (Her license plate reads "ART4ALL.")

Davenport agreed that the big lift of coordinating with teachers, parents and students to curate such a large show is worth it for the end result. “It's an opportunity for principals, school board members, art teachers and other staff from all over the district to have conversations and spark new ideas," she said. "News can often focus on a district’s deficits, but this is a time where we can really show off an asset."

The student art will be up all month. Visiting hours are 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends.

Leandra Ellis-Gaston and Matt Loehr star in the Tony-winning musical comedy. (Photo: Matthew Murphy)

BEST BET

'Some Like It Hot' at the Des Moines Civic Center

The world has changed since Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon disguised themselves in drag to cozy up to Marilyn Monroe in the 1959 movie “Some Like It Hot.” In the new Broadway adaptation, which opens a weeklong run at the Des Moines Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the two male leads still jump in with an all-women band to flee the Chicago mob, but one of them discovers he actually likes wearing a dress.

Plus, the characters Lemmon and Monroe played are now Black, which allows the new show to explore themes Hollywood wouldn’t have touched in the 1950s. But it’s still a comedy, after all, with Tony-winning costumes, choreography and orchestrations. As the New York Times noted, “a long and delightful tap sequence midsong lets you know [director Casey] Nicholaw is going to pummel you with pleasure before massaging you with message.”

And if you like it even hotter? “Hadestown” returns April 11-13.

The Week Ahead

“Grand Horizons,” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Des Moines Civic Center’s Stoner Theater. Iowa Stage Theater presents Bess Wohl’s Tony-nominated play about a librarian in her 80s who decides she’s ready to divorce her husband of 50 years.

Entirely Kids Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Des Moines Art Center. Let your kids tap into creativity with a magic show, an interactive optical illusion demonstration and more activities.

Countess Cabaret, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Hoyt Sherman Place. Countess Luann de Lesseps, a former “Real Housewife of New York,” gives a cabaret performance featuring her top hits.

Holi, 10 a.m. Sunday, Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Iowa in Madrid. The festival of spring and renewal erupts with a burst of color and Bhangra music for Hindu faithful and visitors alike. Check out photographer Stephen Janousek's photo essay in the new issue of dsm.

Judy Collins, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Hoyt Sherman Place. The folk singer with more than 50 years of experience performs for one night here in Des Moines.

Spring Book Trade, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Fireweed Acupuncture. Swap your novels, cookbooks, how-to books and more for new-to-you titles. Guests can bring up to 10 books to trade.

Century of music: Last night's unveiling party also featured Civic Music Association board president Eric Saylor, who announced the group's 100th season lineup. The famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma will kick things off on Nov. 1 at the Des Moines Civic Center. Read all about the Civic Music Association's first century in Kyle Munson's article in the new issue of dsm.

Live laughs: Popular comedy podcast “Kill Tony” is going on tour with a few fan-favorite performers. The standup comedy show “Killers of Kill Tony” will visit the Des Moines Civic Center on June 28. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Jes McCauley started a Memory Cafe at the Franklin Avenue Library and now helps run the monthly program. (Photo: Duane Tinkey)

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Library hosts monthly 'memory cafes' to serve older patrons and those who care for them
By Hailey Evans

Jes McCauley first learned about memory cafes a couple of years ago at an American Library Association conference in Chicago. She attended a lecture on the topic and was inspired by what she learned.

A memory cafe is a space dedicated to folks living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive impairments, and those who care for them. “It’s a space for people to feel safe, with no stigma, to just connect with others and have fun,” McCauley said.

McCauley is the adult services librarian at the Des Moines Public Library on Franklin Avenue, so she’s often on the lookout for ways the library can better serve its older patrons. As soon as she heard about memory cafes, she knew she wanted to set one up in her library. Keri Jacobson, her counterpart at the North Side Library, jumped in to help coordinate a cafe at that location, too.

Currently, a Memory Cafe pops up once a month, alternating between the Franklin Avenue and North Side libraries. The next one happens at Franklin Avenue on March 21. Sometimes there are planned social activities, like an Iowa-themed trivia game that prompted participants to gather around old local newspapers and yearbooks to reminisce. Other times, there are simple yard games or puzzles, and there are always snacks and coffee. Visitors can engage as much or as little as they like, without any pressure or expectation.

One participant and his family recently enjoyed a whole afternoon together. Others come solo or with their caregivers and chat with the librarians, who say even the smallest interactions can be empowering.

“The biggest thing is not requiring a diagnosis at the door. That’s not the point. It’s also not a support group, by any means,” McCauley said. “It’s more like a break in the day, a place to sit and chill where nobody will ask you about your illness.”

The library staff hopes to expand the program to all of the library locations as funding becomes available. They’d like to bring in presenters to talk about various topics, along with local musicians and other performers to offer entertainment.

For a schedule of upcoming cafe programs, visit dmpl.org/events. For questions about volunteering, participating or donating to the cause, email McCauley at JEMcCauley@dmpl.org.