Physical and emotional power radiate from Bodytraffic, coming to Des Moines April 21.

THE POWER OF BODIES AND IMAGINATION

From Los Angeles, the modern dance company Bodytraffic will perform

at the Des Moines Civic Center Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. In the decade since it was founded, Bodytraffic has surged to the forefront of the concert dance world, commissioning new works from world-class contemporary choreographers, including Barak Marshall, Kyle Abraham, Hofesh Shechter and Stijn Celis. Information and tickets are available from Des Moines Performing Arts.

Project in Progress: Silent Rivers New Home, Start to Finish!

It's our first new home design+build project. Follow us from the beginning of the process - with construction of this beautiful new house already underway.

Artwork plays with the restaurant's name. "Gilroy" is derived from an Irish term for "the son of a red-haired man." Managing partner Carl Wertzberger happens to have red hair.

LET'S GO TO GILROY'S

By Wini Moranville

Can the former Jimmy's American Café location finally become the hotspot that it once was? Since Jimmy's closed in 2000, a few restaurants have tried and failed; the spot seemed cursed.

If anyone can make it a success, Scott Carlson can. Not only does Carlson have proven chops in the industry (he owns Court Avenue Brewing Co. and Americana), he has done what other occupants mostly failed to do: He's entirely updated the building. With overhauled black booths, plus caption-forward artwork splashing up the otherwise subdued black-and-natural color scheme, the space is no longer stuck in the "Jimmy's warmed over" rut of the last 15-plus years. It is now Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio.

The menu opens to "bar-food plus" choices, including burgers, sandwiches, comfort-food entrées (e.g., meatloaf, pot pie, salmon fish-and-chips) and a handful of steaks and salads.

A quick recent visit netted a terrific pork tenderloin sandwich -- thick cut, with great breading, but serious meat, too. The breaded cauliflower appetizer satisfied as well. Falling short was the cauliflower salad, a boring side option to the sandwiches that consisted of chilled cooked cauliflower and few red pepper bits. (Was there supposed to be a dressing, perhaps?)

I'm looking forward to future visits -- Jimmy's was once that "I don't want to cook but I don't want to splurge, either" Tuesday night go-to. Gilroy's is set to fill those shoes.

Gilroy's is at 1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines; 515-809-1727.

Wini Moranville covers food and dining for dsm. Follow her at All Things Food - DSM Wini Moranville.

Shakespeare's character Fallstaff comes to the movie screen this week and to the opera stage this summer. One distinction: In the theatrical version, Orson Welles has no aria.

FILM CLASSICS TO SET STAGE FOR OPERA

We're looking forward to free screenings of two great movies selected to start a series of monthly events leading up to Des Moines Metro Opera's Summer Festival Season.

Most exciting is the chance this week to see Orson Welles' legendary "Chimes at Midnight," recently restored after being largely unavailable for decades. Welles directed and starred in the film based on Shakespeare's recurring rascal, Sir John Falstaff, who is also the subject Verdi's opera "Falstaff," which DMMO will open June 25 in Indianola. The free screening is Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the Fleur Cinema and Cafe.

Next in the opera company's Staging Connections Series is the film "Marie Antoinette," also free at the Fleur, on May 5. Details about these and other events on the series can be found here.

Meet your friends and make some new ones. That's part of the fun of a dsm launch party.

JOIN US FOR A NEW EDITION LAUNCH PARTY

Well, just who doesn't love a party? We're having one, and you're invited. It's the launch party for dsm magazine's May/June issue. We'll reveal the very lovely cover; you'll get a copy hot off the presses; and we'll all have a fine time at the Hotel Renovo in West Des Moines. It's next Tuesday, April 26, 5 to 7 p.m. Don't miss out; we're hoping to see you there.

Plant something for Earth Day. The planet needs your personal attention.

WALK OR BIKE FOR THIS EARTH DAY TOUR

Earth Day may be Friday, April 22, but it's being extended in Des Moines with a walking/cycling tour Saturday, April 23, linking special events at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Science Center of Iowa and the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.

Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, the three destinations offer free admission to Earth Day activities. We're planning to take the suggestion of our friends at the Science Center, following the Principal Riverwalk between the sites. A stop for refreshments at The Riverwalk Hub will give us a chance to learn about river conservation with Iowa Rivers Revival. For info on the day's activities, click here.

CONTACT DSM

To contact us

515-288-3336

To submit news items

Christine Riccelli

dsmeditor@bpcdm.com

To get ad rates

Kris Maggard, x220

krismaggard@bpcdm.com

From Business Publications Corporation Inc.,

of editorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited.