Love ’em or hate ’em, you can’t deny these shellfish are fresh. In this issue, Little Village cracks into some of the best oysters served in Iowa restaurants. Plus: The state’s only romance-only bookstore, dorky date spots in Ames, a contagious love of poetry, a pleasure exercise and Kiki’s kinkiest question yet. Meet two local songwriters whose talented friends helped bring their visions to life; peer inside Ballet Des Moines’ new studio for a peek at their next production; and recall Amana’s meteorite fever after a delivery from the stars in 1875. Also in the issue: LV investigates a former Iowa-based cult that dazzled the public with fireworks shows while forcing its members into abusive “designated relationships” behind the scenes.
Cover photos by Zak Neumann; design by Kate Doolittle

