Botanical Blues

Sundays | January 7 to March 31

Shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Concert Checklist

  • Leave outside food and drinks at home.

  • Leave chairs at home.

  • Purchase admission at the door

  • Bring Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Silipint® for 10% off drinks.

  • Come early or carpool to the Garden.

  • Shoes are required at the Garden at all times.

Schedule and Details

January 7

Bob Pace
Guitarist Bob Pace has entertained Midwest audiences for more than 40 years. He proudly led the Tuesday night house band at the legendary Blues on Grand for almost 20 years. He’s a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame and the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. He has also won the Iowa Blues Challenge solo/duo competition with IBHOF member Steve E. George.

January 14

Major Blues and the Mugshots
Major Blues and the Mugshots got their start like all true blues bands should – on the front porch! They are a Des Moines based blues band and stay 100% true to the blues at their shows! They cover what many feel are the “Best of the Blues”. They do this in their own style so you are sure to feel the emotion and passion in the music! It is their version of “Keeping the Blues Alive”!

January 21

Heath Alan
Heath Alan (Pattschull) is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Des Moines, Iowa. Heath was nurtured and mentored by some of Iowa’s greatest talents including Patrick Hazell, Joe Price, Denny Garcia, Rush Cleveland, Roger Miller, Bob Dorr and Jonathan Schwabe. Heath was awarded the prestigious Liberace Music Grant (Yes – That Liberace) and inducted into the Yamaha Musicians Hall of Fame before he was 18 years of age. Heath was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his decade long run with Bob Dorr and The Blue Band. Heath has lead his own band for the past ten years and is an active sideman and studio musician.

January 28

Del Saxman Jones
Del is a long time, well-established musician. Del plays saxophone and perform vocals with his band, the Final Mix Show Band and is a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. Del plays a variety of music including well-known selections from James Brown, CC Ryder, Tina Turner, and much more. Del will be accompanied by another great musician, Scott Dawson on drums.

February 4

The Drama Kings
The Drama Kings is a group that specializes in the music of New Orleans, from Louis Armstrong to Dr. John. Scott Davis plays his 1895 cornet for the old ‘dixie’ style music, then plays bass for John to sing a few pop songs and some original blues; then Scott will sing a tune or two, some old New Orleans party music or Dr. John; then we’ll do an instrumental version of the Meters, and maybe an instrumental version of jazz standards. Bob Brown keeps us grounded on drums and occasional backup vocals.

February 11

Buckmiller Schwager
After winning the 2021 Iowa Blues Challenge and advancing to the semi-finals at the 2022 International Blues Challenge on Beale St. in Memphis TN, Buckmiller Schwager has continued to build momentum playing across Iowa. Additionally, Buckmiller Schwager’s new album was nominated for Blues Blast Award in the category of “New Emerging Artist Debut.” The band is featured in Eric Smidt’s documentary “To Memphis and Back” which was accepted into 6 different film festivals this past summer. The film will be released to the general public soon.

February 18

Local Ukesters
The Local Ukesters are a ukulele band who enjoy revisiting song selections ranging from bluegrass to blues and from country to rap.

February 25

Soul Searchers
The Soul Searchers are a Des Moines-based old-school blues and rockabilly band that have been performing in the area since the 90s. Their members include Iowa blues Hall of Fame member guitarist and vocalist Scott Eggleston, bass player Erich Gaukel, and drummer Mark Grimm. They are inspired by many of the early blues and rockabilly music from the 50s from the likes of T-bone Walker, Freddy King, Bobby Blue Bland, and Tar Heel Slim.

March 3

Tony Bohnenkamp
Tony Bohnenkamp is a veteran of countless piano bars, music venues, and private functions across the Midwest. His performances are driven by audience requests and draw from his massive and diverse catalog, ranging from Billy Joel to Elton John, Van Morrison to Neil Diamond, Journey to Johnny Cash, and Garth Brooks to The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with countless songs from the 60s through today scattered everywhere in-between.

March 10

Jodi Bodley and Dewey Cantrell
Jodi Bodley and Dewey Cantrell, founding members of The Blues Bureau band, are celebrating a significant milestone in 2024 – their 25th year together as a musical partnership. Jodi’s signature, powerful, and expressive voice, along with Dewey’s versatile talents as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter have led them to share the bill with the likes of Blues Traveler and Shemekia Copeland, and performances at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Nightfall on the River, and Bowlful of Blues.

March 17

Ducharme-Jones
Ducharme-Jones performances are dynamic and engaging, featuring the songwriting of Dave and Annie Ducharme-Jones. They cross genres, crafting songs that are lyrical with a little hook to create a connection between the artists and their audience. Both are Iowa natives who moved to San Francisco and later migrated to Austin, Texas before finding their way back to the Midwest.

March 24

Grill and Kain
Cindy “Hot Tamale” Grill and Dennis Kain
Cindy Grill is a premiere Blues and Rock vocalist who has been performing professionally for over 40 years. Cindy played for many years with Alan Smith, a well-respected Bluesman on the Botanical Blues stage. Cindy currently performs with her band, Hot Tamale, and the Red Hots. Cindy’s soulful, joyous vocals are engaging and exciting for audiences of all ages. Cindy’s excitement and passion for Blues is unmatched.

Dennis “Big Daddy” Kain is a veteran of many years of performing Delta and Country Blues as a soloist and as a featured musician. Dennis has performed in a variety of venues; from Iowa backwoods to deep in the Delta and on the islands of Hawaii. Dennis began his musical journey on the banks of the Des Moines River where he learned how to play finger-style and slide Blues. Dennis has learned to play many Blues standards and has written numerous creative Blues songs of his own.

March 31

The Blue Two
Bob Dorr and Jeff Petersen
Both members are twice inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and individually inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. Jeff Petersen-guitar/vocals; Bob Dorr-drums/harmonica/vocals. The song list comes from 38 years of playing music together. Blues, Rockabilly, Americana, even a country song and maybe an old Blue Band song.

Tickets

Member – free
Adult – $12
Senior (65+) – $11
Active Military – $11
Children (2-12) – $9
Children 2 and under – free
Adventure Pass holders and Museums for All (WIC and SNAP EBT card holders) – free

Tickets for Botanical Blues will not be sold in advance, but will be available at the door. First come, first served until capacity is reached.

Reserved Tables

NEW this year you can purchase a reserved table for up to four guests! Each show will have two reserved tables available for purchase. Enjoy the show from your designated spot, perfect for a group outing or an afternoon date! Tables include admission. Tables must be reserved online by the Wednesday before the performance.

Purchase a Reserved Table

Event Details

Shows are held live in the conservatory and last one hour each. Botanical Blues attendees are welcome to wander the indoor gardens during the concert.

Food

Trellis Café will have food and drinks available for purchase in the café and a bar in the conservatory.

Hours

Café

  • Food: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Drinks: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bar

  • 12-4 p.m.

Volunteering

Interested in volunteering at Botanical Blues?

Fill out a volunteer application!

Event Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring a special event at the Botanical Garden?

Email giving@dmbotanicalgarden.com or call 515.323.6289 with any questions about sponsorships.

Thank you to our 2024 sponsors:

Susan and Carl Voss, Jill and Dan Stevenson, and Central Iowa Blues Society