Quad-City Times from Davenport, Iowa • 56

WEEKEND fill QUAD-CITY TIMES Saturday, April 10, 1999 i. 1" f'1 7 Czzr- Des Moines filled with things to do 1 5 i-s COMING UP i There are several events coming up in Des Moines. fc Here's a sampling: April 23: Movie Magic Pops by the Des Moines 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center. The orchestra will perform sev- eral selected John Williams pieces, combined with Disneyj tunes by Paige O'Hara, Richard White and Michael Maguire.

For information, call )(-(515)243-1160. April 23-24: Drake Relays, at Drake University Stadium. One of the nation's premiere track and field events, top ath- letes from Iowa and across thej world will compete. Recent big-- name participants include Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis. For tickets and more information, call (515) 271- 3791.

nr. May 5-8: Tulip Time I'V, I. a il iv- DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU than a million visitors during its August run. if The Iowa State Fair attracts more Botanical Center The stunning Botanical Center, built a decade ago, has blossomed just like the plants it holds, the large dome includes perennials, herbs, annuals, ground cover and colorful foliage. The center is also busy with activities, including carnivals, book sales, plant sales, hot wheel shows, jazz music revues.

There are also box lunches available. The phone is (515) the steps of the Iowa State Capitol. Usual performances are at the Civic Center. For information, call (515) 243-1140. Opera The greater metropolitan area also is home to Iowa's only opera company.

The Des Moines Metro Opera performs at the Blank Performing Arts Center on the Simpson College campus, about 15 minutes south of Des Moines. This year's schedule includes "The Barber of Seville," and "II Trovatore," the group's first opera sung in Italian. For information, call (515) 961-6221. Hoyt Sherman Place This historic home, built by a brother to Civil War Gen. William rip in Pe a.

owa. soutneast ot nt Des Moines. The Dutch town 1j relives its heritage with a tulip display at this 64th annual" event. For information on the i parade and various activities, iu call (515) June 10-12: World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fair- 1 1 grounds. East 30th Street and University Avenue.

This huge event includes a number of bands, tasty food, and porcine- related activities. For tion call (515) 223-2600. June 25-27: Des Moines Arts Festival on the riverfront, downtown. This cultural event with original artwork, live entertainment and children's activities, is geared to the whole family. For more information, call (51 5) 282-8236.

thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, has a season running April 17 to Oct. 2. The track is in Altoona, east of Des Moines and adjacent to Adventureland amusement park. For more information, call toll-free, (800) 325-9015. Des Moines is being viewed as a city that made all the right moves.

Once battered by a sour economy, it's emerged as a proud city and a fine weekend vacation choice. REASONABLE BATSS (515) 274-4138 or log on: www.sciowa.org. For adults A good idea for an adult couple looking for fun is to find a hotel in downtown Des Moines. This area has seen particular improvements over the last several years. Fueled by the activity level a state capital affords, downtown is a happening spot.

Operation Downtown is partnered with all this new activity. Visitors who need directions, emergency assistance, or just a friendly face may look for one of the district's "ambassadors." Each ambassador wears a maroon shirt and hat, and is equipped with two-way radios, maps, schedules and assorted information. Last year, this group helped more than 85,000 people. Downtown Des Moines boasts the State Capitol of course, as well as the new State of Iowa Historical Building, a restored Court Avenue and Fourth Street entertainment districts, and several historical hotels. The most diverse dining in Des Moines is available downtown at the aforementioned Court Avenue and Fourth Street areas, and at many specialty spots.

Court Avenue and Fourth Street also boast the heart of the nightlife with live music, dancing, and coffee shops. There are sports bars and local breweries as well. Also downtown is the Civic Center, home to the Des Moines Symphony, concerts and Broadway shows. There is the outdoor Simon Estes Amphitheater and several movie houses. Downtown has a complete sky-walk system, and it's also home to sports teams including the indoor football team, Class AAA baseball team and professional basketball team.

The Civic Center The Des Moines Civic Center gets a lot of shows we see locally at The Adler, plus those that need a bigger stage. This summer, for instance, "Chicago" hits the stage July 6-11. For information, call (515) 243-1109 or log on: www.civiccenter.org. Court Avenue One of the nicest areas in terms of a renaissance is Court Avenue. More than 17 restaurants and bars are nestled in this three-block district which was a rundown warehouse area in a previous life.

Visitors will enjoy casual to fine dining, live music, comedy and art. Every Saturday morning, from Mother's Day to Halloween weekend, more than 100 vendors line the streets of this historic district for the Downtown Farmers Market. The market is open 7 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Arts Festival This free arts festival also is located downtown, along the Des Moines Riverfront.

The event June 25-27 includes a combination of art, music, food and activities. Des Moines Symphony The Des Moines Symphony, led by maestro Joseph Giunta, plans a full summer of events, including an Independence Day performance on Continued from Page 1W was completed in 1987, and is located near the Iowa State Capitol at 600 E. Locust St. Visitors can explore the people, places, events and issues from Iowa's past. For information, call (515) 281-5111.

Admission is free, but the facility is closed Mondays and holidays. Blank Park Zoo This 22-acre zoological park is nicely landscaped and features natural exhibits. Special attractions are the new Great Cats Exhibit (with snow leopards, lions and tigers), animal contact area, underwater otter viewing, and other attractions. The zoo is open May 1 to Oct. 15, 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. The phone number is (515) 285-4722. Living History Farms Celebrating its 30th birthday this year, this 600-acre open air museum tells the story of Midwestern agriculture. Interpreters dress in period costume, re-creating the daily routines of early Iowans. There is a circa 1700 Ioway Indian Village, 1850 Pioneer Farm, 1875 town of Walnut Hill, 1900 Horse-Powered Farm and also a Modern Crop Center.

To note its birthday, the farms will host "30-Cent Nights" May 30, June 30 and July 30. Special hours and entertainment will be offered for the reduced admission price of 30 cents. Living History Farms, located off Interstate 80 on the western side of Des Moines, is open May 1 to Oct. 15; the phone number is (515) 278-5286. Adventureland Iowa's largest amusement park is on the east side of Des Moines, actually in Altoona.

A new $2 million ride, the Space Shot, opens April 24. It is billed as "the most thrilling ride ever to be developed in Iowa." Space Shot reaches 235 feet over the park and launches riders from the ground level to the top in two seconds. Adventureland is open weekends from April 24 to May 22, and then daily until Aug. 22. Weekend operation resumes Aug.

28 and goes through Sept. 26. For information, call (515) 266-2121, or log on the Web site: Iowa State Fair i The Iowa State Fair is not until August, but what a grand time it is. The fair attracts almost 1 million visitors and is Iowa's largest event and tourist attraction. The State Fair also is the subject of a novel, three movies, and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical.

This year the fair will be Aug. 12-22. For information, call (800) 545-FAIR, or log into the Web site: Jvww.iowastate.com. Science Center of Iowa Gothic horror movies of the 1930s surround visitors as they learn about atoms in a new display. "The Atoms Family," created originally by the Miami Museum of Science, uses characters such as Frankenstein and Dracula to demonstrate the power of the atom.

The Atoms Family will be displayed May 28 through Sept. 12. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday. For information, call CrccEi Ihei .4 mation, call toll-free, (800) 225-1999. Or, try the Web site of www.1999senioropen.com. Kicking off in April are baseball games with the Iowa Cubs, the Chicago Cubs' AAA minor-league affiliate team. The Cubs play at Sec Taylor Stadium in downtown Des Moines, at 350 S.W.

1st St. For ticket information, call (515) 243-6111. Also in action this time of year are the Iowa Barnstormers arena football team, which plays downtown at historic Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The season runs May through July. For ticket information, call toll-free (888) STORMER, or log into the Web site: www.iowabarnstromers.com.

For a professional version of one of the world's growing sports, check out the Des Moines Menace, a member of the United States Soccer Leagues. All home games are played at Cara McGrane Memorial Stadium, 50th and Aurora, a half-mile east of Merle Hay Mall. Games run from May through July. For more information, call (515) 255-9000, ext. KICK.

For a quick view, log onto: www.dmmenace.com. Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino, home to Iowa's only live EXCELLENT ROOMS AT 1258 8th St. (Exit 1-235 dtt) West Des Moines, IA. 50265 223-1212 Minutes from Downtown Pea Moines Weekend Packages Corporate Rates Extended Stay Rates 3 Great Restaurants Adjacent Rossini's tr- t' I MHwfjairiim) iwniii.M)iiiiiiiiiiryrf I URBAHDAU f-(" 4ui Comfort Suites 'rje') Machln. Shed i Exi1125 fwildwood Lodge I University Av.

Exit 124 JBH 7 jjs)? Wlngat6 fa nut Come Rock "the Barn" in Des Moines! Sat. Mayl ORLANDO Sat. 'May 22 PORTLAND Sat. June 5 NASHVILLE All home games played at 7 p.m. in "the Barn," Vets Auditorium on 1-235 downtown GOOD SEATS ON SALE NOW! jj 1 .1 I 1 I i 1 I Ticket Prices: $11 $14 $16 $22 $35 Kids 14 Under Just $8 Tickets available through or at the Vets Auditorium 242-2934.

Tecumseh Sherman, is a renovated Victorian Home, art museum, and performing arts theater. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and is the focal point of the Sherman Hill Historic District, within walking distance of downtown Des Moines. For information, call (515) 243-0913. Sports 1 Des Moines boasts a number of professional and semi-professional sports teams for those who like a little athletic action in their weekend. Probably the biggest sports event in Des Moines this year will be the United States Senior Open golf championship.

More than 100,000 spectators are expected July 5-11 at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines. For infor- Sat. June 12 BUFFALO Fri. July 2 MILWAUKEE Mon. July 19 HOUSTON Sat.

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