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My Column For January--Bruce Wasenius

Here we are again. 2018 unfolds in front of us and the 364 days to yet another year to look forward to. Looking back on the year gone by and thinking about those people and places familiar and strange that I've encountered.
I don't really make resolutions or if I do it'll be something easy. My goals are simple, to have grey hair down to the middle of my back, still on the air on the way to 70, to improve my golfin', have some cigars with friends and enjoy the bands that play the Surf this year.
40 years ago I knew I was moving to North Iowa and was looking forward with excitement.
I stayed at the motel on the highway until I could find someplace to rent which turned out to be #2 Powers Ave. in Oakwood. It was the infamous winter of '77 - '78 the snow drifted so high that several garages were completely covered.
Coming up on the 40th anniversary to the sign on of the Z. Next month I'll have more to say about that. This picture was with two of the originals with me Brad Johnson and Kent Fletcher at a memorial for our friend the Mad Hatter.
Have a happy and safe month.

Happy New Year!

This weekend leads up to what may be your first -- and worst -- hangover of 2018. This is a long weekend for most of us, so make sure it's a fun one.

SATURDAY:Charlie LawsonMonthly residency with a different featured artist each month. 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Every last Sat.; Free. Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave. W., St. Paul; 651-646-5551.

Harrison Street9 p.m. Dec. 30; Free. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-729-4365.

Jack Knife and the Sharps8 p.m. Dec. 30; Free. Shaw's Bar & Grill, 1528 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis; 612-781-4405.
SUNDAY:
New Year's Eve at Brit'sRing in the UK New Year at 6 p.m. with free bubbly and bagpipes. The evening will also feature drink specials and Beatles tribute band A Hard Day's Night. Sunday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Brit's Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Back Alley New Year's Eve Party9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31; Free. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-729-4365.

Moonstone Fever8-12:15 a.m. Dec. 31; Free. Rosetown American Legion #542, 700 County Rd. C. W., St. Paul; 651-483-4405.

New Year’s Eve WassailAll-ages drum jam with drums provided, with a raffle, performance by Taikollaborative, food, and beverages. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 31; Free. The Women's Drum Center, 2242 University Ave. W., St. Paul; 651-695-1941.

Noon Year's EveFamily New Year's celebration featuring kids’ dance, music, contests, prizes, craft making, giveaways, and beach ball drop at noon. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Daily from Dec. 31-Jan. 1; Free. Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul; 651-487-8200.

Check Out What’s Happening in Mason City & North Iowa! December 28, 2017-January 4, 2018

December 31, 2017

New Years Eve Party (featuring Howl2Go Dueling Pianos) - Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr. Clear Lake (641-357-6151). Enjoy an exciting night with the dueling pianos- which includes a drummer and a guitarist and guarantees a full night of dancing and fun!  Doors open at 8pm. Tickets: $20 Adv/ $25 Door. Must be 21 to attend. https://www.surfballroom.com/boxoffice/index.htm

 

January 4- January 10, 2018

Exhibit: Susanne Crane: Selected Works - Charles H. MacNider Art Museum (Center Space Gallery), 303 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666). This exhibition features the paintings of Albert Lea, MN artist Susanne Crane.  The artworks highlight the natural landscape and, perhaps, give the viewer a glimpse into the symbolic world. Open during all normal operation hours of the Museum. Exhibit will be on display until February 10, 2018. https://macniderart.org/

Showing at Cinema West Theaters

(641) 421-1617 / www.cectheatres.com  / Movies starting Friday, December 29, 2017 - Thursday, January 4, 2018

General admission is $9.00; matinees general admission (before 6 p.m.) is $7.00;

Children (3-12) and seniors (62 and over), $6.50 all times. 3D movies additional $2.25.

Now Showing	Rating	Times
Downsizing	R	Mon-Thurs:  12:45, 3:50, 6:45, 9:45pm Fri-Sun:  10:00, 12:45, 3:50, 6:45, 9:45pm
Ferdinand	PG	Mon-Thurs:  11:45, 2:00, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40pm Fri-Sun:  9:35, 11:45, 2:00, 4:20, 7:10, 9:40pm
Jumanji In LDX	PG-13	Mon-Thurs:  11:35, 4:10, 6:50pm Fri-Sun:  9:15, 11:35, 4:10, 6:50pm
Pitch Perfect In LDX	PG-13	Mon-Thurs:  2:10, 9:40pm Fri-Sun:  2:10, 9:40pm
Father Figures	R	Mon-Thurs:  4:00, 7:05, 9:55pm Fri-Sun:  9:35, 4:00, 7:05, 9:55pm
Star Wars the Last JEDI 3D	PG-13	Mon-Thurs:  9:45pm Fri-Sun:  9:45pm
Star Wars the Last JEDI in LDX	PG-13	Mon-Thurs: 12:15, 3:20, 6:30, 9:45pm Fri-Sun:  9:20, 12:15, 3:20, 6:30, 9:45pm

MASON CITY ATTRACTIONS

·   Charles H. MacNider Art Museum- 303 2^nd St. SE - (641) 421-3666 - Wed., Fri., Sat., 9am-5pm; Tues & Thurs. 9am-8pm.  Admission Free. www.macniderart.org

·   Historic Park Inn Hotel (Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Hotel / Bank) Tours – 7 West State Street (641) 423-0689 Thurs. & Fri. & Sun. 11:30am & 1:00pm; Sat. 11:30am or by appointment for groups 10 or more.  Admission: $10 per person www.wrightonthepark.org

·   Lime Creek Nature Center- 3501 Lime Creek Rd. - (641) 423-5309 – Center open Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm; Multiple use trails open daily: 6am – 10:30pm.  Admission Free.   www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us

·   NIACC Art Gallery – 500 College Drive. Open to the public Monday – Friday 9am-4pm. Free admission. www.niacc.edu

·   Prairie School Architecture Tour/Historical Walking Tour- Prairie School Tour encompasses 14 blocks & the Historic Tour is an additional 13 blocks. Walking tour guidebook is available for $5.00 at MacNider Art Museum & Frank Lloyd Wright Stockman House.

·   The Music Man Square and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home- 308 and 314 S. Pennsylvania Ave. -  (641) 424-2852 – Open Tues.- Sun., 1pm-5pm, other times by appt., closed holidays.  Admission: $10 Adults; $5 students, children 6 & under free.  Admission includes both The Music Man Square and The Meredith Willson Boyhood Home. www.themusicmansquare.org

·  

Central Iowa Events, NYE and Beyond

(Some content courtesy: Des Moines Register)

DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve Pops: The Classic Hits of Motown

The Des Moines Symphony is playing the classic sounds of Motown featuring the awardwinning vocal group Spectrum.

Hear hits like “Under the Boardwalk” and “Soul Man” backed by the power of the symphony, and hear Motown like you’ve never heard before. 8 p.m. Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. Tickets are $35-$90 at desmoinesperformingarts. org.

Comedy XPeriment’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Laugh in the New Year with improv by Comedy Xperiment in a special show. At 9 p.m., meet the improv artists and enjoy a dessert buffet. The show begins at 10 p.m., followed by a countdown to midnight and a champagne toast. Stoner Theater at Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. Tickets are $25 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.

New Year’s at The Tea Room Spend your New Year’s Eve Gatsby-style at the New Year’s at the Tea Room bash. Dress up and enjoy themed drinks, appetizers and desserts, live music and more. Actors dressed up as characters from “The Great Gatsby” will be roaming the party. Dress in your best 1920s garb for a chance to win luxury prize packages. Enjoy a champagne toast at midnight. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to Variety-A Children’s Charity. 8 p.m. 713 Walnut St., Suite 600. Tickets are $150 for the first 50 and then $175 after.

Tickets are available at eventbrite. com.

JAN. 5

Come Fly with Me: Max Wellman Sings Frank Sinatra Max Wellman joins the Des Moines Big Band to celebrate the life and music of Frank Sinatra. Hear them cover his hits like “All of Me,” “All or Nothing At All” and more. 7 and 9 p.m.

Noce, 1326 Walnut St. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $50 for VIP Reserved at noce.ticketleap.com.

JAN. 11-28

UTOPIA - The Iowa Musical Revue

See the all-new Version 5.0 of UTOPIA, the musical that celebrates — and pokes a little fun at — the great state of Iowa.

The show consists of more than a dozen original sketches and more than 30 parodies from some of the biggest musicals, including Rent, Hairspray and more. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays.

Mainframe Studio Theater, 900 Keosauqua Way. General admission tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students. A full service bar and selection of appetizers will be provided during the evening performances. Purchase tickets at robertjohnford.com.

JAN. 13

‘Mr. Popper’s Penguins’

The whole family will love this hit musical about a painter and decorator who dreams of going

to Antarctica and then finds penguins on his doorstep. The production includes original songs and performing penguin puppets. 1 p.m. Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.

Tickets are $12 at desmoinesperformingarts. org. Tallymoore

Hear contemporary Irish folk band Tallymoore perform a range of Irish and Scottish folk tunes, ballads, reels and classic pub songs, breathing new life into Irish favorites. This concert, presented by the Celtic Music Association, begins at 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Hall, 2926 Beaver Ave. Ticket are $25-$30 at thecma.org.

JAN. 13-15

‘The Velveteen Rabbit’

Ankeny Community Theatre brings to life the heartwarming story by Margery Williams about a toy bunny who becomes real through the power and magic of love. 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday at 1932 SW 3rd St., Ankeny.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for kids at midwestix.org.

JAN. 16

Gina Chavez

Gina Chavez is a multi-ethnic Latin pop singer-songwriter who is a nine-time Austin Music Award winner. Chavez and her band have been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and their Tiny Desk concert made NPR’s Top 15 of 2015. See Chavez perform live at the Temple for Performing Arts, 1011 Locust St. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $28 at desmoinesperformingarts. org.

JAN. 19-FEB. 3

‘Stop Kiss’

Tallgrass Theatre Company presents “Stop Kiss,” the story of Callie and Sara who unexpectedly fall in love and whose first kiss provokes a violent attack that transforms their lives in ways they could never anticipate. 7:30 p.m. Rex Mathes Auditorium, 1401 Vine St., West Des Moines. Tickets are $17 at tallgrasstheatre.org.