Around Des Moines

Rodin at Meudon, 1915
Photograph by Limet

It isn’t every day that an average Joe – or Jane – can view the work of a master. But through April 29, Brunnier Art Museum at Iowa State University is presenting the work of Auguste Rodin, who was widely regarded as the greatest sculptor since Michelangelo.

“Rodin: In His Own Words” features over 30 bronzes from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation along with a number of Rodin works on paper and a selection of original letters written by the artist.

Included in the exhibition are early works, such as The Mask of the Man with the Broken Nose and Saint John the Baptist Preaching plus many independent works from The Gates of Hell include The Thinker and Ugolino and Sons.

An added highlight is the award-winning documentary “Rodin: The Gates of Hell,” slated for March 29. This film depicts the painstaking process of the lost-wax casting of The Gates of Hell at the Coubertin Foundry in France in 1981.

Feature lectures covering varying aspects of Rodin and his work are also scheduled over the course of this exposition — such as Dr. John Cunnally’s talk, “Passion Made Visible: Rodin as Rebel, Lover, and Prophet” planned for Sunday, April 1. So be sure to visit the University Museums Web site for the complete schedule.

The Brunnier Art Museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Scheman Building, Iowa State Center (map).

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Ames, Iowa State University Museums, Brunnier Art Museum, Auguste Rodin

A new museum dedicated to visual literacy and learning and campus public art will be opening its doors March 22 at Iowa State University.

The Christian Petersen Art Museum is named for the nation’s first permanent campus artist-in-residence, Christian Petersen, who sculpted at the school from 1934 to 1955. The new museum at Morrill Hall (map) is the home of the Christian Petersen Art Collection (believed to be the largest repository of Peterson’s work), several art programs and galleries. Over 3,000 objects ranging in size from large sculptures to sketches on paper will be exhibited and stored in the facility.

Opening Day Events and Exhibitions will include free open houses at each of the existing ISU museums. View newly installed exhibitions to celebrate Iowa State’s 149th birthday and the beginning of its sesquicentennial year. All open houses will be available for visitation from 11am – 4pm, and special transportation will be provided between venues.

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Ames, Iowa State University Museums, Christian Petersen Art Museum

The Civic Center’s Temple Theatre continues to bring belly laughs to Des Moines with an ongoing stream of edgy comedic acts. Newest in its string of hilarious hits is, “The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?” continuing through Sunday, April 29.

In this side-splitting one-man show, gifted actor/writer, Robert Dubac, ransacks his brain to answer the age old question, “What do women want?”

Unable to understand why his girlfriend has dumped him, the show opens with Dubac as Bobby tackling this question while recalling some not-so-wise advice he received growing up with five chauvinistic mentors. With a shrug of his shoulders, a hooding of his eyes or a crook of his neck Dubac seamlessly transfroms himself into these five alter egos; each offering their own brand of misguided advice.

“The show elicits big laughs from both sexes in waves of treble and bass” says The Los Angeles Times.

The Denver Post and Toronto Star both gave the show its highest four-star rating, raving “THE MALE INTELLECT is hilarious as it is thought-provoking…a brilliant show.”

See for yourself at The Temple for Performing Arts at 10th and Locust in Downtown Des Moines (map).

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, The Temple for Performing Arts

The State Historical Society of Iowa marks its sesquicentennial this year with a host of exciting new programs centered on the theme, “Hatching the Past.” Reaching back to the days of unrecorded history, programs at the State Historical Building travel into a time when dinosaurs ruled the prairie.

An Evening with Jack Horner
March 30, 7 p.m., $8/members, $10/nonmembers
Hear one of America’s best-known paleontologists at the Historical Museum. Jack Horner is known for his work on the cutting edge of dinosaur growth research. He helped inspire the role of Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park movies and served as the technical advisor for the films.

“Dinosaur Growth and Behavior” by Jack Horner
March 31, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., $8/Members, $10/Nonmembers
In the mid-1970s, Jack Horner and his partner Bob Makela discovered the nesting site of a new dinosaur species. It contained the first dinosaur eggs found in the Western Hemisphere. Hear Jack tell of this and other fascinating stories.Tickets may be purchased at www.iowatix.com or in the Museum Store.

Movies at the Museum: “Jurassic Park”
March 31, 4 p.m., $5 on Iowatix.com or at the door
See the film “Jurassic Park” as you never have before – with a special introduction by Jack Horner.

Each of these events can be enjoyed at the State Historical Building, 600 East Locust in Des Moines (map). Free parking is available in a parking ramp located in front of the building on Grand Avenue.

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, State Historical Society of Iowa, Jack Horner

Being an Author: Why Would Anyone Do Such a Thing?
Presented by Mary Kay Shanley Rhodes

Mary Kay Shanley will share stories on how she got started in her current career as an author and what it’s like to write books. She is the author of nine books, including the best-seller She Taught Me to Eat Artichokes. Her books range from the practical (Survival Secrets of College Students to be released by Barron’s this spring) to historical (Our State Fair: Iowa’s Blue Ribbon Story) to sentimental (when I think about My Father: Sons and Daughters Remember and The Memory Box: Gathering Keepsakes of the Heart). Mary Kay began her career as a reporter at The Des Moines Register and is a former member of AWC (when it was known as Women in Communications).

DATE: Wednesday, March 28

LOCATION: Hotel Fort Des Moines, 10th & Walnut, Des Moines (map)

TIME: 11:30 a.m.-Registration/Networking | 11:45 Lunch | 12:00 Presentation

COST: $20 for members | $25 for nonmembers | Late Registration/at the door–$30 | Students–$15

MENU SELECTION: Whitefish with tomato salsa OR Cheese quesadillas

RSVP with menu choice to: Joyce at jperkins@peodsm.org or (515) 255-3153 by 9 AM Monday, March 26.

Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel, please let us know by 9 AM Monday, March 26, to avoid being charged for the meal. Call Joyce at 255-3153.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR. The next monthly luncheon is Wednesday, April 18, at the Botanical Center. Sherry Barrett discusses The Seeds of Innovation.

AWC Des Moines

Wow - did you hear the news!

2008 NCAA First and Second Round women’s basketball tournament is coming to the Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena (map), hosted by the Iowa State Cyclones.

So mark your calendar now for next March. According to the Des Moines Register report, what we need is FANS.

Tip ‘o the hat to Josh at Downtown Des Moines for the link.

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, Women’s Basketball, NCAA

Summer isn’t the only season you’ll want to visit the Iowa State Fairgrounds! Located at East 30th Street and East University Avenue in Des Moines (map), this super-sized venue provides the setting for numerous events year round.

Check out these early entries on the spring calendar:

Greater Iowa R.V. Show, Mar 23 – 25
Head to the Varied Industries Building for a head start on the camping season. What a great opportunity to compare a wide-range of motor homes, travel trailers and fifth wheels. Truck campers and pop up trailers, too!

Prairie Tractor Pullers Spring Shoot-out, Mar 23 - 24
This event – located in Pioneer Pavilion – features side by side tracks for continuous action and includes stock garden tractors, motorcycle engines and more.

Planned Parenthood Book Sale, Mar 29 - Apr 2
Read any good books lately? Here’s your chance! This popular event in the 4-H Exhibits Building promises over 300 new, used and antique books, plus audiobooks in many formats.

You’ll find all this and more at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa State Fair, Greater Iowa RV Show,Prairie Tractor Pullers Spring Shoot-out, Planned Parenthood Book Sale

We’re at half-time in the Drake Bulldogs (#16) vs Tennessee Lady Vols (#1). It’s been an amazing road to the tournament for the Bulldogs. The first half was terrible shooting for Drake, but their defense was terrific.

Go ‘Dogs!

Uh oh, Tennessee is pulling away and Drake has yet to score any points in the second half… Some of the shots could fall for us. Tennessee is bringing in their second string. We don’t have a bench to pull from.

Well - it’s very exciting for Drake to be playing in the tournament. Think I’ll go enjoy the game. OK - the final score 76-37, but that doesn’t do justice to the spirit and will it took for the team to play this game. Once the Bulldogs knew they would not win, their new goal was to hold the Lady Vols to 75 and score some points. They did well!

Now I have to figure out what team to root for. What about you? Who is your favorite to win?

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, Drake University, Women’s Basketball

The 7th annual All-City Middle School Music and Art Festival will take place Tuesday, March 13, at 7 pm at the Drake University Knapp Center.

Sounds like fun. There will be 400 musicians from ten middle schools in concert and art works on display in the lobby.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact: Klark Jessen 515.242.7603

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, Knapp Center, Concert

The Drake Women’s basketball team pulled off a victory today at the Knapp Center in Des Moines. They managed to beat Creighton 65-64 in overtime. Both teams had to dig deep to make it this far. But one team had to win. Congratulations Drake!

The NCAA tournament bracket will be announced Monday.

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa, Des Moines, Drake University, Women’s Basketball