Events Calendar

LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/CALENDAR EVENTS: JuNE

Planning an event? Submit event info to calendar@littlevillagemag. com. Include event name, date, time, venue, street address, admission price and a brief description (no all-caps, exclamation points or advertising verbiage, please). To find more events, visit littlevillagemag.com/calendar. Please check venue listing in case details have changed.

June 9, $20 When playwright August Wilson died in 2005, he left behind more than just a powerful and unparalleled body of work examining the consciousness of Black America. Wilson, who started his writing career as a poet, also gifted the world a selection of unpublished love poems. Pieces of My Heart sets them as a choreopoem, with poems by his daughter Azula at beginning and end. Sonia Dawkins, founder and artistic director of SD/ Prism Dance Theatre and currently on the faculty of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre School, choreographed and directed the piece, which incorporates a blues and jazz score. Des Moines Performing Arts’ partnership with Dawkins includes a three-week residency for her and her dancers to complete development on this new work, which will premiere at the Stoner Theater.

Opens Friday, June 3. Calendar Girls, Des Moines Community Playhouse, $29-47

Opens Friday, June 3. Cry It Out, Ankeny Community Theatre, $12-18 Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. Mary Mack: Stand-Up Comedy, Teehee’s Comedy Club, Des Moines, $15-20

Friday-Sunday, June 10-12. Riverdance, Des Moines Civic Center, $35-105

Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Chelcie Lynn, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, $29.50-59.50

Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Locals Only, Teehee’s Comedy Club, $15-20

Monday, June 13 at 2 p.m. Gateway Dance: Water Themed Movement Workshop and Performance, Forest Avenue Library, Des Moines, Free Thursday-Saturday, June 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. Into the Woods, Tallgrass Theatre Company, Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, West Des Moines, $20 suggested donation

Saturday, June 18 at 9:30 p.m. Wisenheimer: LongForm Improv, Teehee’s Comedy Club, $15-20

Opens June 19. Buffalo Women, Des Moines Community Playhouse, $25 Friday, July 1 at 5 p.m. Modern Concepts: Modern Dance, Des Moines Art Center, Free

Opens Friday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. Porgy and Bess, DSM Opera, Blank Performing Arts Center, Indianola, $20-119

Opening Saturday, July 2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, DSM Opera, Blank Performing Arts, Indianola, $22-121

65 The Iowa Environmental Council’s largest fundraiser of the year is ready to rock! The main event will be held at the River Center in Des Moines, where tickets will be $65 ($40 for young professionals), but there are many other ways to join in the fun. Tickets to satellite locations at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City and Dickinson Co. Conservation’s Maser Monarch Lodge near Okoboji are $35-50. And you can stream the program from home or anywhere for $10-25. Susan Werner will provide the tunes, Big Grove will provide the suds and Black Cat Ice Cream created a special treat just for the celebration. Guests are encouraged to network for the first hour, leading up to an awards presentation program. Werner’s concert will begin at 8 p.m. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support the IEC’s values of clean water and land stewardship, clean energy, and a healthy climate.

Courtesy of Iowa Environmental Council Saturday, June 11 at 12 p.m. Flag Ride, Exile Brewing Co., Des Moines, Free

Trans Rights with Iowa ACLU, South Side Library, Des Moines, Free

UPCYCLE, Grays Lake Park, Des Moines, Free

Tuesday, June 21 at 5 p.m. Tee-Off Opening Ceremony, Mainframe Studios, Free

Friday, June 3 at 5 p.m. First Friday: Fresh Off The Press, Mainframe Studios, Des Moines, Free

Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. Cajun Fest Boil & Brew, JR’s Southpork Ranch, Des Moines, Free-$100 Saturday, June 4 at 1 p.m. Iowa Craft Brew Festival, Water Works Park, Des Moines, $45-60

Opening Reception: “HAHA. FUNNY.” Art Show by Dana Telsrow, the LiFT, Des Moines, Free

Opening Night: Latino Film Festival, Des Moines Art Center, Free

Capital City Classic Martial Arts Tournament, Saydell High School, Des Moines, $10-80 Friday, June 24 at 5 p.m. Images Unbound Exhibition Opening Celebration, Des Moines Art Center, Free

Friday-Sunday, June 24-26. Des Moines Arts Festival, Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, Free

Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. ArtFest Midwest, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, Free

Video still from ‘High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America’

Multicultural Family Center, Thursday, June 9 at 4:30 p.m., Dubuque, Free

emancipation Day: Juneteenth event, Living History Farms, Urbandale, Saturday, June 11 at 9 a.m., Free-$17 (cost of admission)

Juneteenth Jubilee, Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, West Des Moines, Saturday, June 11 at 5 p.m., Free

Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Franklin Junior High School, Sunday, June 12 at 6 p.m., Des Moines

Juneteenth and emancipation, Hiawatha Public Library, Tuesday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m., Free

Art Week Des Moines supports broader participation in our local art scene, celebrating local artists and our community since 2014. Art Week Des Moines continues as a genre-blending celebration of art and artists, anchored to local venues in our neighborhoods.

Presented by:

The Avenues - Fri 6/17 Oak Park/Highland Park - Sat 6/18 Drake/Dogtown - Sun 6/19 Franklin - Mon 6/20 Downtown - Tues 6/21 Columbus Park - Wed 6/22 Valley Junction - Thurs 6/23

Hosted by:

America, Virtual, City of Iowa City, Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m., Free

ny Barnett, Washington Public Library, Wednesday, June 15 at 3 p.m., Free

Drake University Olmstead Center, Des Moines, Thursday, June 16 at 5 p.m., $60

Juneteenth Black Art exhibit, Mainframe Studios, Des Moines, Friday, June 17 at 5 p.m., Free

Juneteenth Comedy Jam, Teehee’s Comedy Club, Des Moines, Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m., $15-20

Juneteenth Comedy Show, Joystick Comedy Bar & Arcade, Iowa City, Friday, June 17 at 9 p.m., $5

27th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Gates Park, Waterloo, Friday-Sunday, June 17-19

Juneteenth in our neighborhood, S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville, Saturday, June 18

Juneteenth in our neighborhood, Mercer Park, Iowa City, Saturday, June 18

Quad Cities Juneteenth Celebration, Lincoln Center, Davenport, Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m., Free

neighbors Day, Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m.

Juneteenth, NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m., Free

and Jude Balthazar, NewBo City Market, Sunday, June 19 at 2 p.m., Free

Juneteenth Celebration, Ely Public Library, Monday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m., Free

p.m., Free With an expected crowd of 100,000, the Des Moines Symphony calls their annual Yankee Doodle Pops event “the largest single-day concert event in Iowa.” This year, the event’s 28th, the whole state can get in on the fun, thanks to a broadcast partnership with Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio. The symphony will perform a variety of patriotic tunes, including standards like the 1812 Overture and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The winner of the Des Moines Symphony’s “Oh Say Can You Sing?” contest will kick off the event, performing the Star Spangled Banner with the orchestra.

and 15 Freedom Fest: Log Carving Demonstration, NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids

Balloon Glow, Jones Park, Cedar Rapids, Free-$5

Fest: Dock Dogs, Cedar Rapids, Kingston Stadium, Cedar Rapids, Free

Parade, Downtown Cedar Rapids, Free

Laser Light Show, Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, $5 or festival button

Saturday, July 2 at 8 a.m. 4thFest 5k Walk/ Run, Coralville Recreation Center, $30-40

at 7 p.m. Mayor’s Fireworks, Riverloop Amphitheatre, Waterloo, Free

6:30 p.m. 4thFest Outdoor Concert, S.T. Morrison Park, Coralville, Free

6:30 p.m. July 3rd Parade, West Des Moines, Free

a.m. 4thFest Parade, Coralville, Free

Fest: Celebration of Freedom Fireworks, Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Free w/ festival button

9:45 p.m. 4thFest Fireworks, S.T. Morrison Park, Free

p.m. 4th of July Celebration Fireworks, Urbandale, Free

Blazing Saddle, Des Moines, Wednesday, June 1 at 6 p.m., $10-$14

Pride Parade, Historic 4th St, Sioux City, Thursday, June 2 at 6 p.m.

Pride Pageant, The Garden, Des Moines, Friday, June 3 at 5 p.m.

est, Schwiebert Park, Rock Island, Friday-Saturday, June 3-4, $7-12

Drag Brunch, Surety Hotel, Des Moines, Saturday, June 4 at 9:30, 11:45, 2:30

Pride Ride, Iowa City Bike Library, Saturday, June 4 at 10 a.m., Free-$5

Pride Parade, NewBo District, Cedar Rapids, Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m.

Pride Festival, Museum Block, Sioux City, Saturday, June 4 at 12 p.m.

One Iowa Gala, Des Moines Heritage Center, Des Moines, June 4 at 6:30-10 p.m.

vice, First Unitarian Church, Sioux City, Sunday, June 5 at 11 a.m.

The Garden, Des Moines, Sunday, June 5 at 11 a.m.

en, Online, June 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Runway, DMGMC Pride Concert, Temple Theater, Des Moines, Thursday-Saturday, June 9-11. $31.5051.50

Wooly’, Saturday, June 11 at 10 p.m., $25-40

Fest, East Village, Des Moines, Friday-Sunday, June 10-12

Pride Show, Decades Event Center, West Des Moines, Sunday, June 12 at 11 a.m., $37

Central Library, Des Moines, Sunday, June 12 at 3 p.m., Free

Downtown Fort Madison, Thursday, June 16 at 3 p.m.

Downtown Iowa City, Saturday, June 18

Begin at Voodoo Lounge, Des Moines, Saturday, June 18 at 4 p.m., $10-15

Slow Down Coffee Co., Des Moines, Saturday, June 18 at 4 p.m., Free

South Side Library, Des Moines, Wednesday, June 22 at 2:30 p.m., Free

Stoner Theater, Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m., Free

Crapo Park, Burlington, Saturday, June 25 at 10 a.m.

Central Park, Ottumwa, Saturday, June 25 at 12 p.m.

Festival, Saturday, July 9

est, Friday-Saturday, Aug. 26-27

ing audiences at GDP in April, Wave Cage is ramping up a June tour around Iowa ahead of an upcoming album release later this summer. Their first stop in the central part of the state is at Noce, and they’re bringing with them composers Chris Merz (saxophone) and Mike Conrad (trombone). Wave Cage melds the best parts of jazz and electronica into a delicious amble through what is becoming a distinct Midwest jazz sound. Their shows are ambitious and welcoming, a perfect way to match the summer heat. Catch them later this month in Ames, too!

Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m. Empath, xBk Live, $10

Monday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The Strike w/ Sub-Radio, Wooly’s, $15

5:30 p.m. Belin Quartet Summer Concert Series, Salisbury House & Gardens, Des Moines, Free

Wednesday, June 8 at 8 p.m. Post Animal, xBk Live, $17-22

Thursdays in June at 6 p.m. Summer Concert Series, Jasper Winery, Des Moines, Free

Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. Bouquet, Soultru, Illegal Smile, Gaslamp, Des Moines, $10

Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. Buddy Guy, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, $59.50-99.50

Thursdays starting June 16 at 6 p.m. Music in the Garden Concert Series, Des Moines Botanical Garden, Free-$10

Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m. Cannons, Wooly’s, $18

Saturday, June 18 at 7 p.m. Steve Berry, Noce, $12-25

Wednesday, June 22 at 7 p.m. Garcia Peoples w/Pale Blue Erf, xBk Live, $10

Wednesday, June 22 at 8 p.m. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Wooly’s, $25

Thursday, June 23 at 8 p.m. Durry w/Mr. Softheart, xBk Live, $13-15

Friday, June 24 at 6 p.m. Fitz & the Tantrums, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Lauridsen Amphitheater, Des Moines, $35-150

Friday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. Spite w/Boundaries, Vatican, Bodybox, xBk Live, $20

p.m. Paul Cauthen, Wooly’s, $30

Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Girls Rock! Des Moines Summer Showcase, Wooly’s, $15

Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. The Drifters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, The Platters, Hoyt Sherman Place, $39.50-79.50

Wednesday, June 29 at 9 p.m. Hoods, Dose, Cursed Existence, Lefty’s Live Music, Des Moines, $15

Thursday, June 30 at 8 p.m. Poundgame Addison, xBk Live, $10

Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m. William J. Locker’s Brainwash Release Party & Silent Disco, xBk Live, $15-20

Friday, July 1at 8 p.m. Mt. Joy w/Madison Cunningham, Lauridsen Amphitheater, $35-175

Sunday, July 3 at 7 p.m. Arlie, xBk Live, $15

YOUR WEEKLY EDITOR-CURATED ARTS COMPENDIUM, A.K.A. stuff to do

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14 at 6 p.m., Free-$5 The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens kicks off their inaugural summer concert series this month with the Matt Woods Band. Tunes in the Trees runs the second Tuesday of each month, June through September, at Beckwith Pavilion. The concerts are free for members and all attendees 12 and under. Non-members over 12 pay $5 at the door. Food trucks will be available at each show, but guests are also welcome to bring their own snacks. Ice cream and drinks will also be available for purchase. Blankets or lawn chairs are encouraged. Matt Woods is a prolific Iowa musician with a deep love of American music in all its forms, “from traditional delta, hill country and urban electric blues,” his website says, “to gospel, country and folk music.”

Friday-Sunday, June 3-5. Art Sale, Ames Public Library, Free

Fridays, June 3, 10, 17, 24 at 5 p.m. On the Half Shell: Outdoor Concert Series, Durham Bandshell Park, Ames, $5

Opens June 9 at 7:30 p.m. Legally Blonde, Ames Community Theater, $25 Saturday, June 11 at 1 p.m. Rose Fest, Reiman Gardens, Ames, Free-$12

Saturday, June 11 at 4 p.m. Art Flea Market, Reliable Street, Ames, Free

Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Narly’s Night of Scary Good Talent, Ames City Auditorium, $15 Opens Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m. Shrek The Musical, Jr., Story Theater Company, Ames City Auditorium, $10

Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m. Wave Cage, Alluvial Brewing, Ames, $10

Monday, July 4 at 11 a.m. Fourth of July Parade, Downtown Ames, Free

June 29 at 7 p.m., Free Shown as part of FilmScene’s Community Connections series, 2021 documentary The First Step follows the efforts of political commentator Van Jones to effect bipartisan criminal justice reform in the U.S. Jones, winner of an Emmy award, multiple Webby awards and honors from The Root, Ebony and Essence magazines as well as the NAACP, partnered with Kim Kardashian to push forward the First Step Act, passed and signed in December, 2018. The legislation centered on reducing recidivism and decreasing the inmate population in federal prisons. FilmScene presents the screening in partnership with Dream Corps JUSTICE; the California-based org’s Empathy Network Leader for Iowa, LaDrina Wilson, will be present for a discussion afterward, as will the film’s producer, Lance Kramer.

Sunday, June 5 at 1 p.m. Writing the Iowa Derecho: A Creative Experience, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids, suggested donation $5-$10 per person. Opens Friday, June 10. The Color Purple, Revival Theatre Company, CSPS Hall, $40-52

Wave Cave ft. Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey and Dan Padley, PS1 Close House, Iowa City, $12

p.m. Henry V, Riverside Theatre’s Festival Stage, Lower City Park, Iowa City, Free

Sunday, June 19 at 4 p.m. Basic Training, James Theater, Iowa City, $43

Feed Me Weird Things: FUJI|||||||||||TA w/Granular Breath, Englert Theatre, $15-20

Saturday, June 25 at 2 p.m. Volta Youth Music and Art Festival, Green Square Park, Cedar Rapids, Free-$5

Iowa City Block Party, Downtown Iowa City, Free-$15

Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. AViD Author Series: Dr. Richard Deming, Neil Hamilton, Jim Autry, Central Library, Des Moines, Free

Saturday, June 11 at 2:30 p.m. Meet Children’s Author: Victor D.O. Santos, Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, Free

Saturday, June 11 at 4:30 p.m. A Language of Holes, Moberg Gallery, Des Moines, Free

Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m. Meet the Author: Adib Khorram, Beaverdale Books, Free

Monday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Meet the Author: Rob Sand, Beaverdale Books, Free

Monday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. Poetry & Coffee, Artisan Gallery 218, West Des Moines, Free

Tuesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. Meet the Author: Mindy Carlson, Beaverdale Books, Free

Thursday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. Meet the Author: Anna Lind Thomas, Beaverdale Books, Free

Saturday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Drag Queen Storytime, Storyhouse Bookpub, Des Moines, Free

Saturday, June 25 at 2 p.m. Meet the Author: Kathleen Williams Renk, Beaverdale Books, Free

Anna K. Meredith Gallery Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey Video Gallery EXHIBITION OPENING Friday, June 24 / 5–7 pm

SUPPORT FOR THIS EXHIBITION PROVIDED BY The Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Art Center Fund