SEPTEMBER 13, 2016



Brilliantly colorful, this interactive sculpture is coming to Cowles Commons.

WALK INTO AN INTERACTIVE SCULPTURE 
 
The outdoor Cowles Commons invites you indoors, to experience a soaring inflatable sculpture Sept. 22-25, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
 
The inflatable walk-in sculpture from the United Kingdom is half the size of a football field and is a phenomenon of light, color and sound. Evoking a sense of wonder for people of all ages, the Luminarium, created by Architects of Air, offers a maze of winding paths and cavernous domes.
 
Tickets are $5 (free for children under 2) and are available here or through the Des Moines Civic Center ticket office. Advance tickets with assigned entrance times are limited and recommended. Admission will also be offered on-site as available. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (one adult for up to four children). For more information about the Luminarium, click here or visit DesMoinesPerformingArts.org.
Bridging continental cuisines as well as the Des Moines River, the annual World Food & Music Festival returns downtown Sept. 16-18.

A WORLD FESTIVAL OF FOOD & MUSIC 
 
The World Food & Music Festival returns to the world Sept.16-18, with new events ramping up to the festival on the Court Avenue bridge. 

As in years past, this 12th annual festival will feature cuisine from more than 20 countries and culinary regions. A list of vendors is available here

Entertainment runs day and night, including headliners Baby Bee and Waker, cooking demonstrations and more. Click here for the schedule.
 

Can't wait? You don't have to. The Des Moines Social Club has lined up a series of worldly food and music events this week, with international musicians and cuisine. Get details here.

On Thursday, Historic East Village holds its annual BASH, a fundraiser for the upcoming holiday lights event. From 5 to 8 p.m. at
the Iowa State Bar Association, enjoy live music, food and beverage samples while participating in live and silent auctions. Information about tickets ($25) and other BASH details are here
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This Weekend: See 3 Silent Rivers Homes on the Tour of Remodeled Homes! Don't miss a chance to walk through 3 of our projects on the Tour of Remodeled Homes. This year: a downtown loft, 2 modernized bathrooms, and a Sherman Hill condo! ... Read More �
Josh O'Connell, left, pours his way to the top while CJ Ryherd, right, earns a repeat as the People's Choice in the recent 2016 Mixology Championship.  

DJANGO BARMAN IS 'PEOPLE'S CHOICE' 
 
By Wini Moranville

Josh O'Connell from Black Sheep Social Club in Cedar Rapids took top honors in the Iowa Restaurant Association's 2016 Mixology Championship held last week at Vivian's Diner + Drinks in downtown Des Moines. Django's CJ Ryherd was runner-up.
  
Recipes included a head-turning array of ingredients, including Heirloom Thai Chile Syrup, Swisher Sweet Cigar Smoked Liqueur, Housemade Black Walnut Bitters and something called an Aronia Berry-Tarragon Tincture Wash.

O'Connell may have won the day, but the evening belonged to Ryherd. For the People's Choice round of the competition, Vivian's doors swung open to the public, who paid $30 to sample through 20 drinks (two creations from each of 10 contestants), then vote on their favorite. Ryherd took home the People's Choice Award for the second year in a row.
  
Frankly, there was no way I could make my way through 20 cocktail samples, but I was lucky enough to taste Ryherd's winning drink, the Ultra Birit, a captivating blend of rum, Cointreau, lime juice, George's aromatic bitters (made by Django chef-partner George Formaro), red pepper jam and a splash of craft ale. Now with three awards, Ryherd is the most decorated mixologist in the three-year history of the competition. 
 
Taste Ryherd's artistry for yourself at Django (210 10th St.; 515-288-0268; djangodesmoines.com).
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Downward Diaper isn't an official yoga position, but it's a delightful start. Get a yoga class, fresh air and a beer (for adults) Saturday at Yoga in the Junction.

DOWNWARD DOGS & BEER 
 
Sure, yoga is its own reward. But Saturday it comes with a beer chaser.

Yoga in the Junction on Sept. 17 offers an hourlong class conducted by Pop-Up Yoga, followed by beverages from Fox Brewing. The site is Valley Junction's Railroad Park, at the corner of Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue in West Des Moines. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $5 for the class, which runs from 11 a.m. to noon.

The yoga event is an expansion of a yoga program at Fox Brewing, which opened in the neighborhood last year. Fox holds weekly yoga classes on the brewery floor.
"We thought it would be fun to do yoga on a bigger scale by bringing our class to Railroad Park one week," says owner Brian Fox. More information on Yoga in the Junction is available here.  
Home and remodeling shows are great sources of fresh ideas when you're stumped. This creative kitchen by Silent Rivers Design + Build is among the sites featured on the Tour of Remodeled Homes this weekend.

HAPPILY EVER AFTERS  
 
Remodeling is all about transforming an unappealing "before" into a delightful "after." A tour of remodeled homes this weekend invites you to see such pleasing results in one house after another. Inspiring, right?

This 16th annual Tour of Remodeled Homes runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18. It's presented by the Remodelers Council of Greater Des Moines.

Featuring 15 homes, the show is a great source of ideas and inspiration, whether you're considering a new kitchen, a finished basement or a clever way to improve your home's space or spiff up its face. It's also an opportunity to meet contractors who can help you achieve your goals.

Get addresses and learn more about each project here. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at any of the tour's locations or online here. 
Massimiliano "Max" Stanco, owner of Lord Midas, will showcase his line of handmade briefcases and other accessories during the fashion event Sept. 21-23.

NEW FASHION EVENT DEBUTS 
 
A new three-day event Sept. 21-23 will spotlight Des Moines and Midwest fashion designers plus fall collections from local boutiques. Called Des Moines Fashion Week, the event is being produced by Camille Renee and will include the following shows:
  • Opening night show, Sept. 21, Sticks (400 E. Locust St.): Accessories from Massimiliano "Max" Stanco, the owner of Lord Midas, and others.
  • Street style show, Sept. 22, Noce (1326 Walnut St.): Collections from local stores including Wanderlust, J Brownlee and Atomic Garage, plus online retailers Made 4 Mankind and Modern Love.
  • Grand finale show, Sept. 23, Splash Seafood Bar & Grill (303 Locust St.): A showcase of menswear, evening wear and avant-garde styles by Midwest designers Max Stanco, Dan Richters, Kate Walz, Christian Michael Shuster and Dalton Taylor.
All shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $80 and are available through the event's website

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