Around Des Moines

A fireplace with a large log burning, cats to warm the lap, dogs to warm the feet, good company to warm the heart, and hot cocoa with a touch of brandy to take care of everything else is my weekend pick. It’s rather a banal dream, but classic quality still has merit. Traditional Christmas performances are scheduled for this weekend, but on the political front a newer star is scheduled to appear.

Ballet Des Moines performs the Nutcracker and New York’s Rockettes do some high kicks. Read up on these events on the special Holiday Events posts on AroundDesMoines.com. For concert fans, the Des Moines Choral Society’s annual Christmas show is on Saturday, December 8th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Ambrose (607 High Street). Tickets are $15-$20 or $7 for students. For historical voyeurs, the Holly & Ivy Holiday Tour is Friday-Sunday. Admire the decorations, nip at the refreshments, and spend money in the gift shops at Terrace Hill and at Salisbury House. West Des Moines’ Jordan House is also on the list, all for $15 or $6 for children younger than 12. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on December 7th and 8th and noon to 4:00 p.m. on December 9th. Tickets may be bought at either Terrace Hill or the Salisbury House during tour hours. For more information or for group reservations, call (515) 274-1777.

If you are interested in seeing Oprah Winfrey join Michelle Obama and some guy, I think his name’s Barack, you probably should already have a ticket to join the rally at Hy-Vee Hall on Saturday. If you have no desire to be stuck in traffic and couldn’t care less about Democratic candidates, you probably want to avoid the area around 730 Third Street that afternoon. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the event is scheduled to start at 3:30. Security probably won’t let you bring in a mask, but Saturday is also designated as an International Day of Climate Action. It just seems appropriate for the ghosts of elections past, e.g., Al Gore and John Kerry, to appear.

There are activities unrelated to Christmas or to Washington happening this weekend. The Tony-winning play, Art, will be performed at Drake University’s Harmon Fine Arts Center Studio 55 (25th and Carpenter) Thursday, December 6th, through Sunday, December 9th. Hours are 8:00 p.m. each day with additional shows at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Written by Yasmina Riza, this stage performance is a translation by Christopher Hampton. It will be directed by Jasmine Teo, a senior at Drake. Tickets are free with a reservation. Call the box office at (515) 271-3841. Please note that the play includes adult language. This event venue is near the #3 and #5 bus routes.

Twin City-based Brianna Lane and Bostonian Liz Stahler will be performing at Ritual Cafe (1301 Locust Street) on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.. Lane describes her music as folk, folk rock, and acoustic. Catch Lonesome Dan Kase on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.