Category Archives: Des Moines Entertainment

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in DSM with a New Irish Whiskey and the Leprechaun Chase!

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BigGinger.2GingersWhiskey

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here! And before we know it The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will hit the streets of downtown Des Moines (15th and Grand to 8th and Grand) and the Irish bars will be hopping. This year, I’d like to take a quick minute to pass along a recipe and a new Irish Whiskey that’s hitting the Des Moines market just in time for St. Paddy’s Day.

2 Gingers Irish Whiskey is an 80-proof blend, twice-distilled and aged for four years, which creates a smooth, malty and slightly sweet tasting whiskey. Ironically, my fiancé Levi is a twin…a ginger…AND a whiskey lover. So, I had to share this new-to-Iowa whiskey brand with you and a recipe to go along with it!

BIG GINGER®

  • 2 parts 2 Gingers® Whiskey
  • Ginger Ale*
  • Lemon Wedge
  • Lime Wedge

Directions: Pour the 2 Gingers® Whiskey into a pint glass with ice. Top with ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime. *If you want a “skinny” version of the recipe, replace the Ginger Ale with Diet Ginger Ale.

Lucky Runner LC10kOn a semi-related note…I came across the perfect St. Paddy’s Day run – the “Leprechaun Chase 10K“! The race is on Saturday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. and starts and finishes in downtown Des Moines.

The ladies who are running get a head start, and the men chase them. The first person to cross the finish line will earn a free beer for their gender! (Bonus: A portion of the profits raised at the run with benefit the Animal Rescue League of Iowa!)

The last day to register is TODAY (March 14), but if you don’t make the registration deadline you are more than welcome to cheer on the runners and meet them at the finish line – the Green Beer Block Party at the Royal Mile. 

Have a Happy (and safe) St. Patrick’s Day, Des Moines!

“Holidays at Hoyt” to Benefit Those in Need (Plus a FREE Ticket Giveaway!)

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As the holidays draw nearer and nearer, I’m constantly reminded of two things. One – I am soo very blessed to have wonderful friends and family in my life. Two – I am fortunate to have a comfortable lifestyle, as there are many others who are not as fortunate as I am. As I was thinking about getting a group of family and friends together to celebrate the season and give back to those in need, I came across a local holiday event – “Holidays at Hoyt” – that does both!

“Holidays at Hoyt,” features two shows – Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas, a musical comedy, on December 19-21, and Miracle on 34th Street The Musical, the beloved holiday traditional favorite, on December 22. Not only are the performances going to be highly enjoyable and Christmas-themed, but they are also supporting those in Des Moines who are less fortunate.

About the Shows

  • Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas – Take yourself back to 1959 and celebrate the holidays with some of the wittiest church ladies you’ll ever meet. They bring together old and new memories as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program. These ladies satisfy audiences with their funny antics, charm and holiday joy. Show times are: December 19 at 2:00 p.m., December 20 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and December 21 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Miracle on 34th Street The Musical on December 22 at 7:30 p.m. – Join a jolly, white-bearded man as he brings a miracle to 34th Street. This classic show is full of holiday magic and leaves audiences believing that holiday wishes, and even miracles, do come true!

All tickets are reserved seating and may be purchased in person at the Hoyt Sherman Place Box Office (1501 Woodland Avenue), at Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or at any Ticketmaster location.

Spread some Christmas Cheer by Giving Back
The “Holidays at Hoyt” productions will be working to raise donations for a local non-profit organization, Central Iowa Shelter & Services. Show attendees are encouraged to donate a personal item, such as: aspirin, razors, toothpaste, or band-aids (view a full list of accepted items here), when purchasing their tickets at the Hoyt Sherman Place Box Office. Attendees who donate a personal item will receive a $3 discount (one donation per ticket) on their ticket purchase to either Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street The Musical!

Let’s Give Away a Pair of Tickets!
One lucky winner will have the chance to win 2 tickets to Miracle on 34th Street The Musical! Here’s how to win: Tweet to @TheDishOnDM, post on “The Dish on Des Moines” Facebook page, or comment on this blog post by 11:00 a.m. on 12/19/12 with the name of your favorite Christmas carol and you will be entered to win! The winner will be announced via Twitter, Facebook and on this blog post’s comment stream the afternoon of the 19th. Good luck and as always, thanks for reading!

‘Tis the Season: Holiday Happenings in DSM

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The holiday season is in full swing in Des Moines and there are tons of joy-filled holiday activities you can experience with your friends and family. View holiday light displays, shop locally, build a gingerbread house, craft your own holiday gifts and MORE! Here are a few of my favorite upcoming holiday happenings!

Jingle in the Junction – November 29, December 6, and December 13 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Explore the charm of Valley Junction at night when the streets are lined with over 150,000 twinkling lights and local shoppers. There will be free horse drawn carriage rides and even Santa! Play Valley Junction’s Mistletoe Bingo as you shop and you might just win a prize basket.

Gingerbread Grandeur Workshops – December 1 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Frost your way into the holiday season by creating your very own gingerbread house at Salisbury House & Gardens! For only $20 you can create and keep your very own gingerbread house. Purchase tickets here.

Nada Silent Night X – December 1 at 8:00 p.m. – Enjoy the songs of the season performed by The Nadas at the historic Hoyt Sherman Place. Admission is $22.50 (in advance) or $27.50 the day of the show, plus an unwrapped toy, which will be donated to the Marie Corps Toys for Tots. Purchase tickets here.

Art Noir Holiday Art Studio – December 6 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Create your own colorful holiday wreath, paper ornament balls, transfer prints and more at the Art Noir Holiday Studio. As you’re crafting your way though the night, enjoy complimentary wine and food. RSVP by December 1 to artnoir@desmoinesartcenter.org to reserve your spot and pay your $15 material fee the night of the event.

16th Annual Holly & Ivy Tour – December 7, 8 and 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tour a few of the most exquisitely decorated places in Des Moines – Salisbury House & Gardens, Terrace Hill, and two other personal homes – during the Holly & Ivy Tour. I have gone on the Tour for the past 4 or 5 years – and it’s such a great time! Pay online or pay upon arrival at either Salisbury House or Terrace Hill.

Jolly Holiday Lights – Crank up the Christmas tunes, turn on your heated seats and kick off the holiday with Jolly Holiday Lights at Water Works Park! Enjoy 3.5 miles of holiday light displays for only $10/car. Jolly Holiday Lights is open nightly from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. through January 1.

Blow Your Own Glass Ornaments with Studio Fuzzishu – Does Pinterest have you thinking you can make all of your holiday gifts? Well look no further than Studio Fuzzishu for some DIY holiday fun! From now until the end of December, you can blow your own glass ornaments for only $14 per ornament. I made my own ornament last year with the help of Studio Fuzzishu and it was a ton of fun. Call the studio to schedule your appointment at: (515) 402-8143.

What are your favorite holiday events or traditions in Des Moines?

October 19 – 21: What’s Up This Weekend?

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From dancing to vintage art to spooky storytelling – Des Moines is packed with some great events this weekend. Here are a few of the local events that caught my eye!

October 19, 2012 – Pollock Ball at the Des Moines Art Center. Art Noir is honoring Jackson Pollock’s Mural (which visited the Des Moines Art Center from April 4 – July 15) by theming their fourth annual Artist Ball the “Pollock Ball.” The ticket price includes: sounds of the era by DJ Eight Ten, a visual journey though Pollock’s life, hors d’oeuvres and one classic American cocktail or beer. Vintage cocktail attire or attire inspired by Pollock’s work is encouraged but not required. Purchase tickets at the door for $40 ($35 for members) and a cash bar will be available.

October 20, 2012 – Mysteries of the Castle at Salisbury House & Gardens. Are your little ghouls or goblins ready for Halloween? Salisbury House will come alive this Saturday for “Mysteries of the Castle” where attendees will enjoy science experiences with Kemin and ISU, story telling by Witch Hazel from Stam’s, face painting with artists from Sticks and even The Owl Lady (along with her bats and furry critters!). Tickets are available online for only $5!

Photo source: BalletDesMoines.org.

October 19-21, 2012 – Prelude: A Triple Bill presented by Ballet Des Moines. Take time this weekend to enjoy the ballet at its finest. The ballet performances of Prelude, which feature sleek and sophisticated choreography and many professional dancers, will take place at the beautiful Hoyt Sherman Place Theater. Tickets to Prelude are $42.50 (or $27.50 for those under 18) and are available the Hoyt Sherman Place Theater box office.

October 21, 2012 – The East Village Sunday Baazar. Take a stroll through the historic East Village this Sunday to enjoy the fall weather and to check out The East Village Sunday Baazar. The Baazar will run from 12:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m. on East 5th Street between Locust and Walnut. This street event includes: live music, food vendors, vintage clothing, art, jewelry, decor, handmade goods and more.  A great way to end the weekend!

What else do you have going on this weekend? We are planning on spending some time watching a little football, heading to Simpson College for homecoming and I will be cheering on my fiancé, Levi, who is running his first marathon – the Des Moines Marathon! It sounds like it will be another busy weekend for us, so it’s a good thing I’ve already taken care of decorating my pumpkins for Halloween this year!

Competitive Eating Meets Triathlon with 2012 Devour Des Moines

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Could you eat the Mini Meatloaf Dinner from High Life Lounge and then bike 5 miles? Or maybe it’s more your style to eat a Breakfast Burrito from The Library Café and then run 3 miles. Either way, it’s time to put your competitive eating and athletic skills to the test with Devour Des Moines 2012 as you “tri to eat it all.”

Devour Des Moines will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.. The event will start and end at El Bait Shop and make its way throughout downtown Des Moines during the competition. Devour Des Moines teams, which consist of four members, will compete in a relay-style race with each team member completing an eating challenge and an athletic challenge at each race leg. At the final leg, all team members will come together to complete the final eating and athletic challenges as a team.

Which leg of the race would you take on?

Leg 1: Breakfast burrito from The Library Café and a 3 mile run
Leg 2: An ear Iowa grown Deardorff sweet corn from Buy Fresh, Buy Local, chips with a side of Juan O’Sullivan’s hot salsa and a 2 mile run/lap swim at YMCA
Leg 3: Cheese pizza from Fong’s Pizza and a 3 mile run
Leg 4: Mini meatloaf dinner from High Life Lounge and a 5 mile bike ride
Leg 5: A basket of Mo’Rub wings from El Bait Shop and a team run around the block

It’s all for a good cause!

The money raised from Devour Des Moines will benefit The Greater Des Moines Chapter of Buy Fresh, Buy Local, who is “dedicated to connecting the Greater Des Moines community to local farm-fresh food as a means to supporting a healthier population and promoting greater economic growth.”

Participation is limited to only 50 teams and the cost per team is $120. Teams have until Wednesday, August 1 to register for Devour Des Moines. To register or for more information, visit: www.DevourDesMoines.org and check out their nifty video below.

Iowa Craft Brew Festival to Feature More Than 25 Iowa Breweries

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More than 25 Iowa breweries. More than 100 craft beers alongside a few other regional and national micro-brews. What more do you need to know?

The second annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival, presented by the Iowa Brewers Guild, will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on the Locust Street bridge between 2nd Avenue and E. 1st Street in Des Moines.

“Iowa breweries are making quality, delicious craft beers,” said Jill Haverkamp, who is assisting with the marketing of the event. “The Iowa Craft Brew Festival is an excellent opportunity to see what all the Iowa breweries have to offer and learn more about the art of brewing beer. Buying and drinking local is an opportunity to support and put money back in the local economy.”

The inaugural Iowa Craft Brew Festival was a hit (the tickets sold out) and this year the Festival has been moved to the Locust Street bridge, which will give more beer-lovers the chance to attend the event and will provide more space for the Festival.

Your ticket fee gets you entrance into the Festival, unlimited beer samples, live music and food samples. Haverkamp also mentioned that attendee’s should bring a bit of extra cash to purchase food at the event and to purchase some merchandise (such as t-shirts, glasses, ect) from some of the breweries. Here are the ticket options and prices:

Ticket Options: (Purchase tickets here.)

  • General Admission Tickets – $20
  • VIP Admission tickets – $25. (Being a VIP means that you’ll have exclusive early access into the Festival from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.) SOLD OUT.
  • Day Of Admission Tickets – $30
  • Designated Driver Ticket – $5

A few others things to keep in mind:

  • The entrance of the Festival will be on the west side of the Locust Street bridge next to the YMCA.
  • The event will take place rain or shine!
  • Since the point of the Festival is to taste and enjoy multiple local beer samples, make sure you are responsible and bring a designated driver. (Obvious, I know, but I had to play mother hen there for a moment.)
  • Bring a pen and paper to write down what beers you enjoyed so you can purchase them again in the future. Or if you’re tech savy – just start a note in your phone!
  • View photos of the 2011 Iowa Craft Brew Festival by clicking here.

UnWINEd with Winefest’s “Sips in the City”

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Winefest is in full swing in Des Moines! There has been a weeks worth of events and it all culminates this weekend. One of my favorite, and most affordable, events during Winefest is “Sips in the City” (presented by Jethro’s BBQ), which will be held tonight, Friday, June 8, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Nollen Plaza and Capital Square. It’s the perfect way to wind down the week with a little (or a lot) of wine and a few hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants such as: Americana, Baratta’s, Chocolaterie Stam, South Union Bread Cafe and more.

I had the opportunity of chatting with Nikki Syverson, Winefest’s Event Director, and Kelly Sparks of Socialize Events, who is also helping with the planning and execution of Winefest, and here’s what they had to say about “Sips in the City.”

Q: Why is “Sips in the City” the perfect event to start the weekend?
A: It’s a fun, low pressure way to experience wine and kick off your weekend. If you’re interested in learning more about wine – and what wine you like – Sips is a great way to taste hundreds of good value wines and talk with distributors and vintners.

Q: Why is “Sips in the City”/Winefest a great event for Des Moines?
A: This is the tenth year for Winefest. Besides supporting the wine and culinary industry, Winefest has raised approximately $350,000 for local charities and cultural organizations. It’s even attracted top names in the culinary world and created another great experience for members of our community.

Q: What are the highlights of “Sips in the City”?
A:The wine! The food! What’s not to highlight? Be sure to hit the Jethro’s and Dahl’s Grocery booths for some great food and explore all of the wines. If you want an extra special experience, check out the Willis VIP lounge with high end wines and even better food!

Q: Is the event held both outside and inside?
A:Booths will be set-up both inside at Capital Square and outside at Nollen Plaza. In the case of bad weather, all booths will be inside Capital Square.

Q: How many different wines and foods will be available for tasting at “Sips in the City”?
A: There are hundreds of wines from all over the globe and a great variety of food selections.

Q: Can you talk a bit about Jethros BBQ pit? (Sounds awesome!)
A: As the sponsor of Sips & the City, Jethro’s is pulling out all the stops to make sure attendees have some great food to go with the wonderful wines available.

Tickets to the event and VIP upgrades are available at the door or online at winefestdesmoines.com. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door with the option of upgrading to the Willis VIP Lounge for $25.

Local Singer/Songwriter Bonne Finken to Showcase Talent at People’s Court 5/18

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It’s easy blend into the crowd when you’re a singer, even if you’re a talented singer. Many try and imitate their favorite artists or songs – but not local singer/songwriter Bonne Finken. Finken is clearly an original artist with a distinct sound. Finken’s voice is uniquely enticing because her vocals range from jazzy to funky with a twist of rock. She’s energetic, honest and confident.

“I really believe ‘Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow,’” said Finken. “I’m not afraid of trying something and failing.  I’m only afraid of not trying.  That’s a lot of why I venture into all types of music genres and enjoy different types of shows in all different types of venues with all different types of audiences.  I never want to get too comfortable.”

Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Finken’s new album “Bonne Finken: Live from the Loft.” The stripped, live music is enthusiastic and filled with passion. You won’t fall asleep listening to this ablum – it definitely keeps your attention with its contrasting rhythms and unexpected riffs. In my opinion, Finken’s voice is refreshing because of its unique character and vocal timbre.

“I wanted to capture both a stripped down version of some of these songs as well as capture some of the energy and magic that happens at live performances that can’t be captured in a studio setting,” said Finken. “You can perform as a band in a studio, but there’s a different level of energy that comes with a live performance in front of an audience.  These songs are very raw: no editing, one take taken – just had levels adjusted and they went on the album.”

You’re in luck. Bonne Finken + The Collective have a live show this Friday!

Check out Bonne Finken + The Collective at the “Live from the Loft” Release Party on Friday, May 18 at People’s Court. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.  Singer/Songwriter Chad Elliott opens the show at 8:00 p.m. followed by Bonne Finken + The Collective.

“The main feature of this show is to highlight the original music and the release of ‘Live from the Loft’,” said Finken. “But one of the very special features is the choreographed dances by Jennifer Kees and her Kees Camp Dance Crew.  It was collaborative – they took some of my music and put dances to my songs.  We took some of the songs they already have routines to, and will perform the songs live for them.”

Admission is only $10 in advance and $15 at the door. If you’re purchasing your ticket in advance via Tikly, do yourself a favor and spend $5 more and snag yourself a ticket and a signed “Live from the Loft” CD. Purchase tickets via Tikly by clicking here. 

“This is the type of show that I wanted to do back in 2008 when I first released ‘Soul on Display’,” said Finken. “It has just taken me all this time to get to a point in my career where I was able to actually pull it all off.  It took some time to get the music where I wanted it.  It took some time to establish ‘who I am’ as an artist and songwriter.  I feel like I’ve accomplished that to some degree.  So now, I’m starting to peel back some of the layers.”

Roxi Copland to Return to Des Moines

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I’ve always liked Roxi Copland. Her sultry voice, smooth style and witty commentary has always caught my eye and when she moved away from Des Moines – well, that was a sad day for our city. But, I’m happy to announce that Roxi Copland will be making her way back to Des Moines this summer!

Copland has a new solo acoustic album entitled “Pretty Lies” coming out on May 1, 2012 and she’s heading back to Des Moines as a part of a month-long tour releasing the album. The tour wraps up in Des Moines with the official “Pretty Lies” album release concert at the Temple Theatre on June 1, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

“It’s a homecoming,” said Copland. “I lived in Des Moines longer than anywhere other than where I grew up, and some of my favorite people in the world live there – friends, family and fans. I’ve got a lot of great memories from Des Moines and I plan to return as often as I can – it’ll always be a stop on my tours.”

According to Copland’s website, “Copland’s latest effort, ‘Pretty Lies,’ takes her music in a slightly new direction, peppering her jazz/pop stylings with hints of roots rock and Americana.” I had the opportunity to listen to the album this week and the album drew me in with it’s cool jazzy notes and contrasting rhythms. If you haven’t had the chance to hear Copland, join her fan list and get a free download of “Perfect for Me” – one of my favorite songs of hers!

So, what can fans expect of Copland’s upcoming show in Des Moines?

“We’re planning on playing down the new ‘Pretty Lies’ album,” said Copland. “Then for good measure we’ll throw in a few old favorites and a new tune I just put the finishing touches on in April.  For those who haven’t heard Pretty Lies’ yet, I take the music on the album in a slightly different direction, combining jazz/pop with hints of roots rock and Americana. While the album is a solo acoustic effort, I’ll be joined on stage at the Temple performance by my younger brother and bassist Ian Copland. And of course I plan to bite the head off a bat. Just kidding. I like bats.”

Tickets are currently on sale for her Des Moines concert via Ticketmaster. Prices range from $15 for general admission to $32.50 for the VIP table seats.

 

Lost Egypt’s Last Weekend in Des Moines

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Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science, a limited engagement exhibit open at the Science Center of Iowa, is wrapping up this weekend on Sunday, April 29.

Lost Egypt gives visitors the chance to transport themselves back in time to Egypt and enables them to discover the mysteries, cultures, ancient civilization and science behind Lost Egypt. The exhibit showcases authentic artifacts, real mummies and hands-on activities, which keeps both adults and children entertained.

A few weeks ago, my fiancé, his parents and I visited Lost Egypt and we really enjoyed interacting with the exhibit while learning about the ancient culture along the way. Of course, I was excited to see “Annie” (pictured above) the real mummy on display. It gave me goose bumps when I walked into the dimly lit room where her sarcophagus and body are on display – but it provided a real life example of the culture and history behind the mummification process. Based on experience, I’d recommend you get out the Science Center to experience the exhibit before it closes on Sunday!

A few tips if you’re going to visit:

  • Make sure you interact with the exhibit. Get your picture taken while riding the camel. Put together ancient pottery. View the videos and read along as you experience the exhibit.
  • Give yourself a good 60-90 minutes to take full advantage of what the exhibit has to offer.
  • Take advantage of the extended hours. The Science Center will have extended hours until 7:00 p.m. on April 27 and 28 to give visitors additional time to visit the exhibit.
  • Try out the “Artifact Spotlight Tours,” which offer visitors an in-depth look into the Lost Egypt exhibit led by a member of the SCI Programs Team. Tours are offered daily at 2:00 p.m. and at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Tickets to Lost Egypt are $16 for adults, $13 for children ages 2-12 and $14 for seniors. Only a few days are left to see the exhibit so make sure you get out to see Lost Egypt this weekend – or it will be too late!