Best Show Ever

In this week’s episode, we’re sharing a conversation about venue closures across America with returning guest Tobi Parks, co-founder of Des Moines venue xBk; Amedeo Rossi, owner of the recently closed Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines, and our very own Andre Perry. Then, we’ll talk with photographer Bill Adams and head chef and owner of Deluxe Cakes and Pastries, Jamie Powers.

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and “Creature of Habit” by Elizabeth Moen for our Song of the Week.

Thank you to Toyota of Iowa City, Iowa City Downtown District, and Emma Goldman Clinic for sponsoring this episode.

Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineers: Red Rebelskey, Gabi Vanek, and Ioannis Alexakis

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, we’re excited to share some arts news and upcoming work from our friends at Iowa Dance Festival. Then, we’ll talk with student and talent buyer for Scope Productions, Kevin Trunda, followed by a conversation with writer, drag artist, and adjunct professor Sara McGuirk.

This episode features music by Gossip Cult and Alex Body. As of December 2020, we have removed this episode’s Song of the Week segment, which featured a track by Gloom Balloon. Since the original release of this episode, we have reviewed new information and determined that supporting work by this artist conflicts with our organizational values and programmatic policies.

Thank you to Goodfellow Printing, Shive-Hattery, RSVP, and Taxes Plus for sponsoring this episode.

Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineers: Red Rebelskey, Gabi Vanek, and Ioannis Alexakis

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, we’ll take a look at one music industry that’s been thriving this year. Then, we’ll talk with videographer and film colorist Ben Handler and go deep into the IC DIY music scene with arts and culture journalist Bryn Lovitt!

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and “We” by SoulTru.

Thank you to MidAmerica Securities, Emma Goldman Clinic, and moengroup for sponsoring this episode.

Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineers: Red Rebelskey, Gabi Vanek, and Ioannis Alexakis

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, we’ll discuss immediate and long term issues being addressed by leaders in the museum world. Then, we'll talk with multimedia artist and professor T.J. Dedeaux-Norris and hear from Cory Kent on his best show ever!

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and “Circus Came to Town” by Crystal City.

Thank you to Toyota of Iowa City, Phoebe Martin, Realtor, and the Iowa Children’s Museum for sponsoring this episode.

Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineers: Red Rebelskey, Gabi Vanek, and Sam Alexakis

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, Elly explores some troubling trends in reading habits in arts news before having a conversation with Tobi Parks and Thomas Kutz, the duo behind Station 1 Records and Des Moines music venue xBk. We’ll also be joined by actor and theatre instructor Kristy Hartsgrove-Mooers to hear her Best Show Ever.

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and “Sleepwalk” by a local trio comprised of Keegan Konsor, Nick Wilkins, and Siegfriid.

Thank you to Goodfellow Printing, Iowa City Downtown District, and New Pioneer Coop for sponsoring this episode.

Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineers: Red Rebelskey, Sam Alexakis & Gabi Vanek

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, Andre Perry is joined by high school music teacher Annie Savage, for a conversation on how music educators are adapting during the pandemic. Then, we'll share our conversations with Iowa City musician James Tutson and hear about JoAnn Larpenter Sinclair’s surprising best show ever!

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and features a spoken-word piece from Nancy Nahra.

Thank you to MidAmerica Securities, New Pioneer Coop, and Beadology for sponsoring this episode. Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineer: Red Rebelskey

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, host Elly Hofmaier shares how decisions to release highly anticipated films on streaming platforms are causing a shift in the film industry. Then, we'll share our conversations with midwest film (and FilmScene!) programmer Rebecca Fons and hear all about Jamie Ellis' twelve-hour long Best Show Ever.

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and the song of the week, “Aerial Oceans", a track from midwest folk group The Pines’ 2015 record, ‘Above the Prairie’.

Thank you to Toyota of Iowa City, moengroup, and Ten Thousand Villages for sponsoring this episode. Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and from the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund. Phase 1 is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineer: Red Rebelskey

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, Andre Perry is joined by Damani Phillips for a discussion about how the UI School of Music is adapting during the pandemic. Then, we'll share our conversations with poet and actor Steven Willis, and hear about Katy Meyer's winter solstice Best Show Ever!

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, and the song of the week, "Ichor" featuring Gabi Vanek and Will Yager, off of their recently released LP, 'Ghost Actions'.

Thank you to Goodfellow Printing, New Pioneer Coop, and FilmScene for sponsoring this episode. Ongoing support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council.

Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineer: Red Rebelskey

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, host Elly Hofmaier is joined by Andre Perry for a discussion about a major investment from some of the largest philanthropy foundations in an effort to support non-profits struggling during the pandemic. Then, we'll share our conversations with local artist Casey Gartlan, and hear about Christine Ralston's mind-blowing Best Show Ever!

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, with the song of the week featuring, "I'm Cool and I'm Famous", a track featuring Forrest Heusinkveld, Daron Vest, and Maurice Campbell, off of the Project Connect EP just released this month.

Thank you to MidAmerica Securities, KCCK 88.3 FM, and the Iowa Children's Museum for sponsoring this episode. Ongoing support come from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council. 

Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming. 

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineer: Red Rebelskey

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry

In this week's episode, host Elly Hofmaier is joined by Andre Perry for a discussion on what the cancellation of summer festivals has done to the events industry and the organizations that run them. Then, we'll share our conversation with one half of Karen Meat and owner of knitting goods store The Knithole, Arin Eaton. Due to the derecho, our BSE interview was interrupted and we look forward to sharing more shows again soon!

The episode features music by Gossip Cult, Alex Body, with the song of the week featuring Moline's dreamy psych-rock band, Dark Family.

Thank you to SouthGate, Toyota of Iowa City, and the Iowa Review for sponsoring this episode.

Best Show Ever is produced by the Englert in Iowa City, Iowa, and is supported by Friends of the Englert. Visit www.englert.org/friends to support our programming.

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Staff Writer & Content Manager: Claire Barrett

Host: Elly Hofmaier

Line Producer: Savannah Lane

Audio Engineer: Red Rebelskey

Executive Producers: John Schickedanz & Andre Perry