Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll

This Saturday night will be a night Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll  – or at least an evening full of such things at the Des Moines Social Club/The Kirkwood. Saturday August 4th only, the Art, conversation, hook ups, and drinks begin at 6:30 PM. Followed by music by Clear Autumn starting at 7:30 PM, and an performance of selected works by Eric Bogosian kicks off at 8 PM.

This venture is unlike theatre events you have experienced before in Des Moines.  It is collaborative, it is eclectic, and it isn’t under the umbrella of some established theatre company.  This event is a culmination of artists in the Des Moines community circling together to provide a new taste of performance, the beauty and edge of our growing community. It all began with two of the guys you have seen in local theatre performances, Josh Visnapuu and Paul Valleau, affectionately known as The Veez. And they have quickly made a convert out of me.

As we sat in Star Bar last week, drinking Bloody Marys and sharing where you can find the best lox in DSM, these two made me – one who sometimes feels like she’s seen it all theatre wise – excited about a new theatrical venture. (Side note – most theatre people think they have seen it all and that they are pretty good experts when it comes to all things theatre. Some where deep inside of me I feel that this is to compensate for the fact that we as adults are still unabashedly really just dressing up in other peoples clothes and playing make-believe.)

This new venture isn’t out to replace the great work done by organized groups like StageWest or Des Moines Playhouse, these two and their cast are setting out to add even more to the mix.  The guys claim “this event is a culmination of artists in the Des Moines community circling together to provide a new taste of performance, the beauty and edge of our growing community.”

But then I asked them… So what about my husband, my Bachelors in Political Science / basketball loving / not part of the “theatre” crowd husband? Is this something he’s actually going to want to attend? Or is this yet another one of those events that he shuffles along to because he loves his artsy-fartsy wife?

They quickly answered, of course, “No. He’ll like it.”  I’ll admit, I probably like you, was a bit skeptical. But as Josh and Paul continued they explained that while it is the people you have seen performing on stages around town these are the very same people who work at the desk next to you at Wells Fargo. These performers are very same people that also walk by you in the Skywalk or the aisle at Hy-Vee.  They are making art that reflects their experiences – experiences not so different from my husband’s (read: your’s!)

The Veez have made it a point to cultivate a evening of entertainment of all sorts that appeals to all sorts. Sure you might try and experience something new, but you’ll be standing next to someone you already know.  And after all, what could be better than – I bet’cha can guess what I am going to say – an evening of Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll.