Des Moines residents Sarah and Bryan Vanderpool, The Well Pennies, perform Sunday at the Social Club with an orchestra of young musicians from Valley High School.

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

By Larry Erickson

Have you heard The Well Pennies? The husband and wife duo of Bryan and Sarah Vanderpool met in Boston, gained a national following while based in California and are now living in Des Moines, Sarah's hometown, where they're developing a recording studio and some interesting new projects that highlight their harmonies and creative vision.

One of those, their "youth orchestra project," involves concerts with high school musicians to give kids a taste of performing with pros. Interested? They'll take the stage with an orchestra from Valley High School Sunday, May 1, in the Des Moines Social Club's Kum & Go Theater.

Sunday's concert will include The Well Pennies' stunning rendition of "All My Loving," from their album of re-imagined songs by The Beatles. They'll also perform favorites from their more recent collection, "Endlings." That album was inspired by the extinction of a species of tiger, Sarah says.

"Each song focuses on something we don't want to lose in life," explains Sarah, 36. She and Bryan often perform with an eclectic and changing backup band -- banjo, guitar, mandolin, piano, violin and upright bass --
a group of musicians who will be joining them here shortly, Sarah says.

Want to escape for a bit online? Search "The Well Pennies"and turn up the volume. You'll be rewarded with sweet harmonies, innovative originals and engaging covers. (That's how we happily spent a chunk of time last night, and we'll be back for more).

For Sunday's performance, the theater opens at 6 p.m.; music kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance here; $18 at the door.

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Why great design, craftsmanship and artistry matter. In a bigger-is-better world, Silent Rivers brings a different perspective on what make a house a home.

The squash omelet at Le Jardin features tender acorn squash and smoky ham, with a touch of brie and crème fraîche for added lusciousness. Photo by Duane Tinkey.

DSM DINING NEWS OF NOTE

By Wini Moranville

Le Jardin Begins Saturday Brunch Service: Fans of Le Jardin's Sunday Brunch -- French-focused crêpes, omelets and salads -- will be glad to know that Saturday brunch service has begun. The menu is somewhat smaller in scope than the full Sunday brunch menu, but a children's menu has been added. Le Jardin is at 2815 Beaverdale; 515-255-5787. Related: See my brunch story in dsm Magazine.

Pure Pork at Proof: Back in the '80s, when I worked in the restaurant industry, you couldn't give a pork dish away. Fine dining meant, above all, beef. Today's chefs, of course, are all over the meat. For proof, check out Proof's Pure Pork Awesomeness Dinner. At this event, May 19 at 6:30 p.m., chef/owner Sean Wilson is collaborating with Atlanta-based chef Kevin Gillespie, author of the book "Pure Pork Awesomeness: Totally Cookable Recipes from Around the World." The evening includes appetizers, four courses of "pork-a-licious" food, plus wine and cocktail pairings. Cost is $135 per person and includes a copy of Gillespie's book, plus a $10 donation to the Food Bank of Iowa. Proof is at 1301 Locust; call 515-244-0655 for reservations.

Flatbreads Are Back at Aldi: A while back, I told dsm magazine readers about the wonderful flatbread pizzas at Aldi's. Of course, the trouble with Aldi's is that something you fall in love with one month may not be there the next. That was the case with these flatbreads. I haven't seen them for months, but now they're back! Get them (from the freezer case) while you can. My favorite is the mushroom flatbread: An assortment of mushrooms and cheese tops a crisp, cracker-like crust, with a little crème fraîche to add tang. Stock up while you can.

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

Triple-threat performer Sutton Foster will sing Saturday with the Des Moines Symphony.

A DAZZLING OPPORTUNITY

It's baffling that this hasn't sold out yet, but what an opportunity for us this Saturday: Sutton Foster, the award-winning actor, singer and dancer, performs with the Des Moines Symphony April 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Foster has performed in 11 Broadway shows, but who's counting? (11!)
In addition to singing her socks off (really, you'll see: no socks), Foster stars in the TVLand series, "Younger," and has appeared in top TV dramas, such as "Law and Order SVU."

Foster's concerts have taken her to renowned stages, including the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. In Saturday's concert, she will bring elegant standards, show stoppers and popular favorites to life, backed by the rich sound of the Des Moines Symphony. Tickets, from $35 to $133, are available here.

Among the celebrants last time: Jessi Strander, Megan Blume and Ali Collins.

TONIGHT: PUT ON YOUR PARTY PANTS

Every issue of dsm magazine is reason enough for a party. And why not tonight? Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hotel Renovo in Urbandale. Meet some new people, enjoy some party food and drinks, and put a little more fun in your Tuesday. Hoping to see you there.

Jewelry, bags, dinnerware, furniture, fashions -- find it all at Arts & Ends.

ART CENTER SALE STARTS FRIDAY

This is the sale we always look forward: Arts & Ends, the fabulous tag sale to benefit the Art Center's education, outreach, and free admission programs. It has art, of course, plus everything you must might need, from furnishings to finery.

If you can, attend the preview party this Friday, April 29, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 555 17th St. in Des Moines. In addition to getting first dibs on the goods, you'll also enjoy a wallet-loosening beverage and hors d'oeuvres.

Advance tickets for the preview event are $50 for Art Center members, $65 for non-members. Advance tickets are available until noon Friday. Just click here. The cost at the door is $75.

Economy-minded patrons can enjoy the sale event free all weekend: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

They nail musical comedy: When you get folks laughing, start singing. Repeat.

THE BOOK IS BACK

The uproarious "Book of Mormon" is back for more uproar at the Civic Center May 3-8. If laughter is the best medicine, this will cure just about anything. If you missed it last time, don't let that happen again.

This Broadway blockbuster is the wicked brainchild of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of TV's South Park series. They got a little musical help from Bobby Lopez, the Oscar-winning composer of Disney's "Frozen." (Yeah, that's his music your kids have been yowling incessantly for the past few years.)

You'll follow a mismatched pair of missionaries through this outrageous musical comedy. Oh, we should tell you the show contains explicit language. But don't worry, you can take it.Get tickets, times and other show info here.

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