Metro Arts Newsletter | March 2016
To purchase tickets and to learn more, click here
 
Do you have items around the house that you don't love as much as you used to, and want to find a new home for them?  Consider donating gently used accessories, decorative items, and artwork to the Dining for the Arts silent auction and give them new life!  Contact Carla at 280-3222 or carla@metroarts.org by March 31st so they may be curated for the silent auction.

This year's AWE Award winners

Metro ats is pleased to annoounce the third annual AWE(Art Within Everything) Awards. The celebration will recognize creative and artistic excellence in the arts in Iowa

AWE Artist - Dr. Janet Hart Heinicke
The AWE Artist is given to an artist who exemplifies excellence in his/her field and had made a difference in the community though their work.

AWE Champion - Dr. Bruce Hughes
The AWE Champion is given to an individual or entity providing finical support to advance artistic excellence for artist(s) or art project(s).

AWE Infusion - Turnaround Arts: Des Moines Public Schools
The AWE Infusion is given to a successful individual or entity outside of the arts sector that infuses a creative and innovative approach to their lifestyle or business. 

AWE Spark - Alessandra Leo
The AWE Spark is given to a rising star whose prodigious aptitude and distinguish body of work belie his/her recent entry to the pursuit of an artistic field. 

JAZZ IN JULY BANDS AND SITES!

 Are you as excited for the 34th season of Jazz in July as we are?  We hope you're ready for an excellent series!  New locations and new bands are a welcome addition to series favorites.

7/4 - Soya Vista Jazz Orchestra at Urbandale Lion's Park, Urbandale
7/7 - Tanner Taylor Trio at Principal Park/Iowa Cubs, Des Moines  
7/8 - The Jazz Page at the Bondurant Trailhead, Bondurant
7/9 - Jeff Miguel Quartet at Evelyn K. Davis Park, Des Moines  
7/10 -Blake Shaw Quintet at City Park, Norwalk 
7/14 - John Morgan Orchestra at Wesley Acres, Des Moines
7/15 - Parranderos Latin Combo at La Placita on East Grand and E. 15th, Des Moines
7/16-Rose Colella 'Cocktail' at Waveland Golf Course, Des Moines 
7/17 - Freddy Gazzo Band at Des Moines Public Library - Central, Des Moines  
7/21 - Christopher's Very Happy.Band. at DMACC West Campus, West Des Moines  
7/22 - Bryan Shumacker Quartet at Jester Park, Granger + new band    
7/23 - The Tighten Up at 6th Avenue and Washington, Des Moines
7/24 - Damani Phillips with Strings at Johnston Commons, Johnston  
7/28 - Tina Haase Findlay with the Alex Murphy Jazz Trio of Chicago at Copper Creek Lake Park, Pleasant Hill  
7/29 - High Society Big Band at Grand View University, Des Moines  
7/30 - Finale: Whitney Marchelle; The Nola Jazz Band at Valley Junction, West Des Moines  


EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT: GreenArts

The Metro Arts' GreenArts program connects students to nature and builds their conservation awareness through the arts.   We're proud to be a grant recipient from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, to emphasize the creativity in recycling and upcycling and caring for our natural resources!  Thank you to our Teaching Artists that provide GreenArts programs:
Judi Ann Brown                                         Barb Bailey-Mead
Bettie Jane Bibler                                     Jim Boardman
Bev Ellis
                                                       Maureen Korte
Thea Nicolas                                             Natalie Steenson
Laura Sweeney and Jason Arbogast    Carol Taylor
David Losure and Mary Schaeffer-Losure
UPCOMING EVENTS AROUND DES MOINES 
PRIME, LAND & SEA 
| MARCH SCHEDULE
March 1 John Krantz / Eric Krieger  Sea   6:30 - 9:30

March 5 John Krantz Duo, 5:30 - 8:30

March 8 John Krantz / Jim Bierma, 6:30 9:30                         
March 15  John Krantz / Eric Krieger,  6:30 - 9:30 
 
March 19 John Krantz / Eric Krieger, 5:30 - 8:30
 
March 24 John Krantz / Steve Charlson, 11:00 - 2:00
DRAKE UNIVERSITY MUSIC 
| MARCH SCHEDULE
Sat., Mar. 5, Senior Recital, Allison Buol, musical theatre , 4:30 p.m., Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center

Sat., Mar. 5, Drake Symphony Orchestra Concert, Akira Mori, conductor, Beethoven Coriolan Overture; Shostakovich Cello, Program will include solos from last year's concerto competition winners, Ricardo Rios (cello) and Steve Ramsey (bass trombone).
7:30 p.m., Sheslow Auditorium

Sun., Mar. 6,
Senior Recital, Samantha Elmer, musical theatre
1:30 p.m., Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center

Sun., Mar 6
, Senior Recital, Katja Seasholtz, musical theatre , 4:30 p.m., Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center

Sun., Mar. 6, Freshman Cabaret , 7:30 p.m., Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center

STUDENT ART EXHIBITION
| FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 25
 
45th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition at the Anderson Gallery.
Located at: 
515-271-1994
Tuesday - Sunday, noon to 4PM and late on Thursdays until 8PM.


SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL 
| FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 13
The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents "Sarah, Plain and Tall," Feb. 26-Mar. 13, 2016. Ticket prices start at $15. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St.

Performances: Feb. 26-Mar. 13, 2016 | 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM Saturday-Sunday | 7:00 PM Friday (no show Friday, Mar. 4)
JODY VALENTINE EXHIBIT
| FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 31
The Jody Valentine photographic mixed media exhibit will be open from February 15 through March 31 at The Cellar at La Poste, 1219 Warford Street, Perry, IA.

There will be an artist reception on Thursday, March 3, from 4:30 to 8:00 pm. during handlebar happy hour. Live Music by Matt Woods.  Find out more about the artist here.
COUNTDOWN TO 100
| MARCH 4-5
The Des Moines Community Playhouse is approaching its 100th anniversary, and is starting the celebration early with a special performance to be held each year leading up to the big day. On Mar. 4-5, the Playhouse will begin the trip down memory lane with "Countdown to 100: A Musical Revue of the '60s and '70s." The program celebrates Playhouse and Broadway musical theatre history.

The celebration begins at 6:00 PM on Friday, Mar. 4, with hors d'oeuvres and drinks, followed by the musical revue at 7:30 PM. The revue will be repeated at 7:30 PM on Saturday, Mar. 5. The Playhouse lobby will be transformed into a piano lounge following the performance both nights.
 
Tickets are available online and at the Playhouse ticket office, 515-277-6261. Patron and sponsor packages are available by contacting Nikki Syverson, Playhouse development director, at 515-974-5370.
THE CABIN FEVER SERIES: BEER'N'BREAD 
| MARCH 5
Come meet the people behind your favorite Iowa craft brews, and explore the art of home-brewing with local experts. Enjoy a variety of micro-brew tastings from across the state, and sample fresh artisan breads. Complimentary snacks and soft drinks are included. To assure ample opportunity for tasting, there will be two sessions, each with limited tickets sold. Vendors at the event will include AllSpice, Confluence Brewing Company, Firetrucker Brewing, Fox Brewing, Millstream, plus more to be confirmed. 

Two sessions: 3 - 4:30 pm or 5 - 6:30 pm., Individual tickets: General Admission $20, LHF members $16. Guests must be 21 or older to attend, photo ID required for admittance. Buy tickets here.
PORTRAIT OF MAQUOKETA EXHIBIT 
| MARCH 11
The works of artist Rose Frantzen, whose 180 portraits of Maquoketans capture the intimacy of small-town Iowa, go on display next month in a new exhibit at the State Historical Museum of Iowa.
"Portrait of Maquoketa: The Dimensional View" opens March 11, 2016, at the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Museum will offer complementary Spring Break programs March 14-18.
 
During Spring Break, March 14-18, Museum visitors will enjoy dynamic programs featuring hands-on art programs and Museum Vault Tours, and the Step into History photo booth will transport them to historic sites in and near Maquoketa. See the schedule and register for events on State Historical Society of Iowa.   
TREASURES TOUR
| MARCH 22
Come see the treasures from the Salisbury House collection that are seldom on public display.  Enjoy a tour led by Salisbury House's Curator & Chief Historian, Megan Stout Sibbel.  Guests will enjoy exclusive access to internationally significant artifacts, books and manuscripts from the Salisbury House archives and collections.

The evening begins at 5:30 pm with a reception followed by the tour that includes access to the Salisbury House Library. 
Admission is $30 per person and tickets may be purchased here.
FAMILY EASTER PARTY 
| MARCH 26
Fun for the entire family, including toy hunts, preschool Bunnyland, live animals, horse and wagon rides, and traditional games.  Selected townsfolk will open their doors for spring visitors in the town of Walnut Hill. Free pop and popcorn for all.

Saturday, March 26, 9 am - 12 pm   
Advanced tickets available March 1-25 :Members: $5.50/adult and $4.50/child. Non-Members: $6.50/adult and $6.00/child
Tickets at the door: Members: $6.00/adult and $5.00/child
Non-Members: $7.00/adult and $6.50/child
Buy tickets here.
BALLET DES MOINES: PETER PAN 
| MARCH 26
Ballet Des Moines will present the much beloved fairy tale, Peter Pan, for two performances at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at the Des Moines Civic Center. 

With live music by the  Des Moines Community Orchestra, Peter Pan  will feature Ballet Des Moines' professional and pre-professional dancers, in addition to more than 150 local student dancers.

Single tickets are on sale now at the Des Moines Civic Center.
THE STEVE KUHN TRIO 
| MARCH 31
Jazz at the Caspe Terrace presents the Steve Kuhn Trio. He will joined at Caspe Terrace by David Wong on bass and Billy Drummond on drums. Expect an evening of jazz classics, tunes from the Great American Songbook and some of Steve's originals.  Learn more about Steve at  http://stevekuhnmusic.com   or check out this  performance.

Advanced tickets are $30 for each concert. Tickets at the door with be $35.









UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS

Rochester Contemporary Art Center's (RoCo), international small art phenomenon returns for the 9th year! Help build an incredible exhibition of thousands of artworks made and donated by celebrities, international & local artists, designers, college students, youths, and YOU.

Each artwork must be 6x6 square inches (15cm) or mounted to a 6x6 board, signed only on the back, and exhibited anonymously and offered for sale to the public for $20 each to benefit RoCo. Artist names will be revealed to the buyer upon purchase and all artworks remain on display through July 17, 2016.

Artists may enter up to 4 artworks of any medium (2D or 3D) and there is no fee to enter. Limit 4 Artworks per elementary, middle, or highschool.

Artwork Entries due
: April 17 (postmarked by April 16)
Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604 USA
CALL FOR ARTWORK

Yo Soy...Je Suis...I Am...The World
 
Deadline to Submit:June 8 
Who may submit: Children with a disability, ages 3 to 18. The artwork may be submitted by the child's parents, guardians, or educators.
Artwork Specifications: Two-dimensional works preferred, images of three-dimensional works accepted, no larger than 18 x 24 inches
 
The Kennedy Center's Office of VSA and Accessibility proudly presents a unique opportunity for student artists with disabilities from around the world to display their artwork in an online exhibition. A selection of artwork from the online entries will be chosen for a live exhibition at the United States Department of Education in Washington, DC!

Find Out more information and apply here! 
COMMUNITY OPERA AUDITIONS

First Christian Church, 25th & University Ave. across from Drake's Old Main, is mounting the world premiere of Des Moines composer David Wilson's opera on the life of the biblical character of Job, entitled MORE THAN A MAN CAN TAKE.

The production is scheduled for this coming June 17 & 18, and will be a full production with orchestra. If you love to sing and act, you are welcome to audition! Auditions are open to the community, and will be in the church sanctuary. All you need to do is sing any solo song or aria. You may bring your own accompanist, or one will be provided.

Auditions are Saturday and Sunday March 5, 9am - Noon |March 6, 2pm - 4pm

Please call or email Ben Allaway to schedule a time, at 515-720-1038 or email him at ballaway@fccdm.org.
Our online calendar lists events in our community.    
Major Funders who support our efforts to make the arts available and accessible to everyone in the community:
 
 






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