Des Moines Delivers

Twenty years ago, I’d have never believed it possible. The Des Moines I knew then was hopelessly entertainment and culturally challenged. Sure, people went downtown to go to work, but on Friday afternoons downtown shut down. A few Court Avenue establishments existed; Johnny’s Hall Of Fame was there, as was Spaghetti Works. Judge Roy Bean’s was still around then. But what did people do after Happy Hour? They returned to their suburban homes until the following Monday and the start of a new work week.

I left my job at Principal in 1991 to raise my daughter and didn’t return to work downtown until 2008. For the first few weeks I had to get re-acquainted with Des Moines. What a difference a few years make. Des Moines today, is thriving, and if you still think there’s nothing to do, you’re wrong. Saturday I made the rounds to three different events, all free. One even included free beer; it’s hard to argue with that.

I started off the evening with a visit to Finder’s Creepers, a store that specializes in everything creepy. Voted Best New Store in Cityview’s 2010 Best Of Des Moines Poll, Finder’s Creeper’s satisfies the dark side of us all, with plenty of horror movie T-shirts, skulls, bones, and (!) dead animal art. Don’t miss the art gallery downstairs. There’s some fabulous stuff there by local artists like Shawn Palek. Though I missed the There Be Monsters artist reception for D. Ryan Allen (I got the time mixed up), I enjoyed my first visit and plan on attending future events.

Next, I enjoyed dinner at Open Sesame. Located in the East Village, this Lebanese cafe opened just recently. The small space was packed when I arrived (a good sign), so my companion and I sat at the bar. The bartender whips up a mean Open Sesame Martini that is so fruity and delicious (and dangerously potent) you won’t regret spending the $8.50. For dinner I had the Grilled Kafka (ground sirloin mixed with parsley, onion, tomato, and spices served on a bed of Basatmi rice with Lebanese potatoes). Lebanese comfort food, with a hint of cinnamon in each bite. Yum!

After dinner, I stopped in at Brent Houzenga’s Northland Studios for an Open House. The local arts scene in Des Moines is pretty much underground. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s kind of like knowing a secret no one else knows, or being a member of a secret club.

I finished the evening at Impromptu Studio, with John Pemble’s 101 Days Of 12-Second Videos. John’s day job is with Iowa Public Radio, but he might just have a future elsewhere. If you think it’s impossible for someone to be outrageously funny in just 12-seconds, you’re mistaken. Around 60 people showed up for John’s 30-minute screening, and I’m willing to bet no one left disappointed (and that’s not just because of the free Olde Main beer).

All of this on a Saturday night in late March would have been merely a dream twenty years ago. As the weather improves, the event opportunities can only get better. God, I love Des Moines.

http://www.finderscreepers.com/ENTER.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/Northland-Studios/248370625291#!/shawn.palek?ref=ts

http://www.myspace.com/infernalengines

http://www.dmcityview.com/2010/02/18/features/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/Open-Sesame/213922877838

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/brent.houzenga?ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Des-Moines-IA/Northland-Studios/248370625291

http://12seconds.tv/channel/johnpemble

http://www.oldemainbrewing.com/

http://impromptustudio.com/

A Sane Black Friday

I went to Black Friday at Market Day. No giant box stores. No parking in the back 40. No strollers filled with exhausted, screaming toddlers.  ”Made in China” tags nowhere in sight. You wouldn’t have found me shopping anywhere else on the biggest retail day of the year. Judging from the steady, but manageable crowd, it was a big day for the artists and vendors at Market Street Media Foundry. This was the last Market Day event until spring; the old warehouse location is charming, but minimal heating makes winter Market Days impractical.

I hadn’t attended a Market Day since August and noted a lot of changes and additions. More rooms are open and the architectural salvage collection has grown. There are old doors and windows, and a smattering of interesting pieces of furniture. There’s a curious collection of antique stoves. There’s also the new Raccoon Forks Trading Company, a store located within the building.  They are still working to meet city codes. Until then they can’t advertise, but it appears they will be handling the salvage items in addition to the used furniture, antiques, and other items in the store. The store is open daily, unlike Market Day, which is an event held on the last Saturday of each month. For November, the group decided to hold the event on Black Friday instead.

Many of the regular Market Day vendors were there along with some new ones. Continuing interior work means vendors are now located in one main area. Moonchez was outside in the chilly air making havarti pesto grilled cheese sandwiches, while vendors, some wrapped in blankets, visited with customers. Merchandise was, as always, top-notch. Original art was discounted for the holiday and sales appeared to be brisk. I found the perfect gift for a friend. Despite the chill in the building, the mood was festive.

After Market Day, I enjoyed lunch at the Jasmine Bowl. I’m no food writer, so I’ll stop right there. I will however, direct you to Jim Duncan’s great review in the current issue of Cityview.

It was a pleasure for this holiday shopping Scrooge to find Black Friday deals at such a relaxed pace. I’m already looking forward to next year.

For Jim’s review of the Jasmine Bowl, please go here:

http://www.dmcityview.com/2009/11/26/food/fooddude.html

Market Street Media Foundry; 118 SE 4th St., Des Moines; 515-771-7602

http://marketstreetmediafoundry.com/

Raccoon Forks Trading Company; 118 SE 4th St.; Des Moines; 515-288-0865

Jasmine Bowl; 2128 Indianola Ave.; Des Moines; 515-284-0077