Weekend Pick: Ice Pick

Writing for AroundDesMoines.com has helped me realize just how many little events and activities there are scattered around the metropolitan area. Little by little I hope to make readers aware of just how difficult it is for people to access most of those options if they are not driving. The response, “You just need a car in Des Moines,” is unacceptable to me. The attitude of transportation planners that buses serve either the middle-class commuter or the downtrodden urbanite is also a self-fulfilling prophesy. Using public transportation instead of owning a car can save an individual or family thousands of dollars a year. That money could be used to buy theatre tickets, to eat at a restaurant, or to shop at a local retailer. Passable sidewalks are a major part of non-car transportation and that is where Des Moines has been particularly irresponsible this past week.

There will not be a review of the Des Moines Playhouse’s High School Reunion because of the ice. I was unable to attend last weekend and am not crawling over ice to see it this weekend. The performances are on Friday and Saturday night, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $40 and include dinner. While I cannot speak of specifics for this show, I have no doubt that the acting, directing, costumes, and scene designs will reflect well upon the Playhouse and will entertain the audience.

Similarly, buses stop only half a mile from the Botanical Center but the expectation of blocked curb exits have kept me from attending Sunday Blues performances. Matt Woods will be performing this Sunday, February 24, 2008, at 909 Robert D. Ray Drive. Cost is $4.00 for adults and show time is 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The 7th annual Thresholds Festival starts Friday, February 22nd, with an opening ceremony at 6:45 p.m. at Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University (2507 University Avenue).. A concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with performances by mezzo-soprano Ruby Hinds and Grammy-nominee Odetta. Tickets, in advance, are $34 for adults and $15 for students. Additional concerts, lectures, a worship service, and luncheons will be held on Saturday and on Sunday. The Threshold Festival is hosted by First Christian Church and by Drake University.

You can catch jazz by Taz at the Central Library (1000 Grand Avenue) on Saturday, February 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. The performance is courtesy of the Metro Arts Alliance.

The 801 Power Climb, up the 41 flights of stairs at 801 Grand Avenue, will be held on Sunday. This benefits the American Lung Association and while registration for the climb is now closed, pledges to participants and donations are still being accepted.

If tea is your idea of entertainment, Sherry Borzo and her mother, Sheryl Van Weelden, will talk about their new book, Tea Leaves: Reflections of a Mother-Daughter Journey. on Tuesday, February 26th, at the Franklin Avenue Library, at 1:00 p.m. The book also looks at tearooms in Iowa. Patricia Peterson, a local tea expert, will be in attendance to share her knowledge.

M.R. Field encourages organizations and performers to send news about their upcoming events to events@AroundDesMoines.com.