Weekend Pick: Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008

Numerous shows and events get started next weekend, but there aren’t many for this one, except those planned around the New Year’s holiday.  Enjoy the free time and get ready for January.  Of course, if you are volunteering on a presidential campaign, rest is the last thing you will be getting this weekend. Any left over consumables from upcoming parties can be used next weekend to celebrate the end of robot calls.

If you can’t shake that holiday spirit, the Rockettes are still performing through this weekend at Civic Center. If you are ready to take on the New Year, Caucus! The Musical, opens on Saturday, December 29, at the State Historical Building (600 East Locust). Preview dates are December 27th at 7:30 p.m. and the 28th at 8:00 p.m. The last performance is on Sunday, January 13th at 3:00 p.m. There is a wide price range available and it is listed on the web site for the musical. This is an original play with book, music, and lyrics by Robert John Ford. I heard some previews on “The Culture Buzz” on KFMG 99.1 FM and am looking forward to seeing the full show. Some performances are sold out. Check the schedule for a full list of dates and times.

Many people will head to stores to exchange Christmas gifts or to use their gift cards. Here’s a request and a suggestion. Take 10% of the money you receive by returning an item or save by using the gift card and donate it to a food bank in your community. The winter heating bills and the price of housing are going to keep squeezing several families’ food budgets. They could use your post-holiday donations.

With students out of school this week, much of the activity has been centered around entertainment for youth. The East Side Library (2559 Hubbell Avenue) will show Shrek the Third on Friday, December 28th, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. It is free, but bring your own popcorn and pillow. On that same date at the Franklin Avenue Library (5000 Franklin Avenue) at 4:00 p.m., Greyhound rescue dogs will be on hand and information on the program that finds new homes for dogs that have been rescued from places where they were not wanted will be provided.

The issue of war comes back to the front on Friday, December 28th with a prayer service for peace on the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 1001 Pleasant in downtown Des Moines. It is organized by the Des Moines Area Ecumenical Council for Peace and seeks to emphasize that children need peace to thrive.

Kwanza is being celebrated this week. Dr. Maulana Karenga founded this event in 1966. It runs from December 26th through January 1st with each day set aside to honor a different character trait. The traits are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa. She encourages organizations and performers to send news about their upcoming events to events@AroundDesMoines.com.