There are, of course, no bonsai seeds — only bonsai trees. Most tree species can be “trained” to become bonsai through a sophisticated, often obsessive process of cutting, potting, pruning, wiring and styling a plant into a miniature, meticulously sculpted version of itself. The art form is rooted in centuries of Japanese and Chinese tradition, […]
Central Iowa
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Photo Gallery: Scenes from the 80/35 Music Festival, featuring Killer Mike, OK Go and more
The 80/35 Music Festival covered Des Moines’ Water Works Park in confetti on the first of two great (and hot!) nights of performances from national, international and Iowa acts alike. The first day of the festival — Friday, July 12 — saw tDreamer Isioma, Halfloves and Jim Swim take the stage, among others. As the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The new Wilson’s Orchard and Farm is growing its own farm-to-table tradition in central Iowa
Since 1980, Wilson’s Orchard, located just north of Iowa City, has been a popular “you-pick” opportunity for area families, students and couples in the late summer and fall months. After Paul Rasch and Sara Goering took ownership in 2009, the beloved orchard, pumpkin patch and bakery grew into a cidery, restaurant, wedding and reception venue, […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Ballet and hip hop duet for Swan Prjct, a Des Moines troupe that centers marginalized dancers in cutting-edge performances
It is the end of a fruitful rehearsal for the Swan Prjct dance company. The high school contingent has just finished running through their performance to “My Queen is Harriet Tubman” by Sons of Kemet, its frenetic afrobeat stylings rattling the walls of SEEDS Studios in Des Moines’ East Village. The dancers raced into a […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Contact Buzz: Des Moines’ 48 Hour Film Project celebrates 20 years of frenetic filmmaking
An excited tension permeates the theater on this Friday in July. It is packed with filmmakers anticipating some fast, creative cinematography. The figurative starter’s gun will soon discharge, signaling that each team has two days — 48 hours — to conceive, script, shoot, edit and submit a short film to mark the successful completion of […]
Posted inCommunity/News
ARL holds a pet adoption special, asks for hot dogs, canned pumpkin, whipped cream and more as shelters remain crowded
Last week, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) asked for the public’s help because of a “severe space challenge” caused by a surge in dogs and cats arriving at its shelters. Over the weekend, it offered a special discount rate on adoptions of all dogs and cats six months or older, and 135 pets […]
Posted inCommunity/News
There’s an ‘urgent need’ for more people to adopt and foster dogs and cats as ARL faces ‘severe space challenges’
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is “facing severe space challenges” as it cares for an exceptionally large number of dogs and cats, the nonprofit animal care organization said in a news release on Thursday. The ARL, which has provided all of the City of Des Moines’ shelter services since 2005, is currently caring […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Contact Buzz: The Toon’d In pop-up art show returns to Des Moines with some nerdy new themes
Toon’d In Art Show: 50th Anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, The Fremont, Des Moines, Saturday, July 13, 6-10 p.m., Free A golden age for small indie art shows flourished from 2008 to 2021, when the now-defunct Des Moines Social Club was bursting with activity. It was an epicenter for all arts disciplines, including several small, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: NewBo’s newest Mexican restaurant, Cafe Tacuba, boasts a full breakfast menu, guac flights, decadent coffee and more
When Fong’s Pizza closed their Cedar Rapids doors in November 2022, their absence left a crab rangoon pizza-shaped hole in the New Bohemian district. The building sat empty for a short stint, until Oswaldo Aguirre and Ariel Barrios saw their opportunity to fill that hole with tacos, enchiladas and guacamole flights. Cafe Tacuba was born. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Thieves target Pride flags flying at homes in Des Moines, Project Rainbow reports
Progress Pride flags have been stolen from yards in Des Moines over the past two weeks. The flags are from Project Rainbow of Iowa, which distributes Progress Pride flags to people in Polk County and the surrounding area, so they can fly them at their homes to show support for the LGBTQ community during Pride […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Drake University expands diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programs as public universities shrink theirs
As colleges and universities across Iowa are being encouraged, or even required, to restructure or eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programs, Drake University is expanding and promoting its efforts. Drake officials say the university is continuing its decade-long work of expanding DEI efforts on campus with a new initiative to foster a greater sense […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Des Moines area food banks see a record-breaking surge in people needing assistance as June begins
Food banks always see an increase in the number of people who need help at the beginning of summer, as school vacations begin and kids no longer have easy access to the meals at school. But even with that expected increase, the surge the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network experienced this week […]
