Ballet Des Moines was kind enough to reach out and ask if I'd like to visit their studio during a practice before the upcoming show. Obviously, I said yes! I always enjoy getting a look behind the scenes and I also wanted to find out if any Black Swan stuff ever happens within the company (I asked, it doesn't.) Read on below...
Read MoreFor whatever reason, New York has always remained in my line of vision and someday I hope to live there. Who doesn't have that dream? Midwest to Manhattan is an ongoing series here on the site, dedicated to folks with connections to both the Midwest and Manhattan.
Last month, Erika Veurink kicked things off with her essay and this month, we have Eileen Moores sharing lessons she's learned while working in the fashion industry.
Read MoreI heard about Taylor's project from a friend of mine and I had to learn more about it. She's combining art with medicine to create a beautiful hybrid of holistic creativity. Taylor's focus is on dementia and those suffering from it, but take note: her project doesn't paint them as victims.
You'll see the term "art therapy" mentioned a few times throughout this piece. I know it sounds self-explanatory, but I asked Taylor to explain it for me. She says that it's similar to any other mental health professional, except that they incorporate art into the process. It's been found to work well with children or the elderly who may not be able to easily verbalize what they're thinking or feeling. Cool, right?
Read my feature after the jump.
Read MoreLast winter, Jami Milne was the inaugural "artist in residence" with Ballet Des Moines. Jami was given space within the ballet studio, as well as access to staff and dancers. Over a six week period she documented their craft in a series of stunning, sometimes ethereal portraits. Read about her experience below.
Read MoreMamma Mia! is coming to Des Moines! I'm so pumped to go see this show because I've been going through a huge ABBA obsession due to this viral video.
Read MoreI don't care for New Year's resolutions, because I feel like we should try to adjust the course of lives throughout the year. But I like the idea of purposefully heading into a new direction at the beginning of a year and it's in that spirit I write the following...
Read MoreI've always liked New York. Maybe it's because of Billy Joel, Nora Ephron, and Shake Shack. Maybe it's something deeper. The City seems to symbolize so many different things to different people - dreams, achievement, progress. For whatever reason, New York has always remained in my line of vision and someday I hope to live there. Who doesn't have that dream?
Over the next few months, we'll be having guest contributors here on the site and each will share a piece about life in New York for a series entitled 'Midwest to Manhattan.' First off is Erika Veurink, who recently moved back from Manhattan. Her thoughts are below....
Read MoreEarlier this week I went to see Beautiful: the Carole King Musical and I was blown away. Shows are selling out fast for this weekend, but there are still some seats available. Find tickets and showtimes right here.
Also if you're a student, they have a limited number of tickets for only $25. These tickets are made available two hours before each performance and you must have a student I.D. on hand.
Okay, that's the info I have for you. Now you can read my review after the jump if you're interested.
Read MoreLiz Brown does most of the photography that you see here on the site and there's a reason why. Beyond her obvious talent, Liz cares for people and her photography style is almost hospitable in nature, creating a warmth that talent alone can't make happen.
I respect Liz so much and I've asked her to share a few tips on photography. In true Liz Brown fashion, the advice you'll find below applies to both art and life. Thanks for sharing, Liz! Be sure to check out her blog here. And if you need some pictures anytime soon, she's a good pick.
Read MoreSitting in the audience last night, I was surrounded by people who'd obviously seen RENT several times. Halfway through the show, the woman next to me was crying and the couple behind me were quietly processing a death that had just occurred on stage.
It was my first time seeing it and the whole experience was weirdly moving even for me. It's no mystery why this show has had such a lasting influence! I honestly can't think of another show that I've been to that elicited such a response from the audience, the people on stage felt like less actors and more like old friends we hadn't seen in a long time. The show's three hour production time flew by and I already want to go back.
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