Downtown Events: <<    >>

Ladies! (sorry guys, ladies only) Find your inner goddess and connect with your movements. Class will start with slow stretching and a meditation component. Next we will work on basic belly dance movements with emphasis on isolation and strengthening your core. Expansion will take place from there.

Now that you got the bellydance basics down, we will begin to explore choreography, basic combos, varied levels and turns. The class will begin with a warm-up, then we will focus on increasing skills with combos and choreography. Email -- rglaza@desmoinessocialclub.org

So you think you know trivia? Then reserve the 2nd Tuesday of each month for Tuesday Trivia Night's at Des Moines Social Club in the beautiful Sideshow Lounge! A great way to tease your brain while laughing, chatting, or exploring downtown Des Moines! 7-8pm - Trivia Team Registration 8pm - Game Start

Attention Teens: join us for an informal writers' workshop. Share samples of your work and receive feedback from other writers in the group. Meeting Room Three.

Pioneer-ICIU International Dialogue Series-Life Under African Dictatorships: Common Threads and Lessons for the Future. Zimbabwean opposition politician speaking on the subject, with some personal additions and insights from ICIU board Vice President, Lloyd Le Page.

Think you're funny? Take the stage at The House of Bricks, 525 E Grand in the East Village and see if you can make the audience laugh...or just show up for some fun. It's Comedy Open Mic Night. The fun starts at 7:30PM and there's no cover charge.

Learn more about your African roots with other dedicated researchers and historicans at the African American Interest Group Meeting at the Iowa Genealogical Society Library, 628 E Grand in the East Village. Anyone interested in tracing their African American roots is welcome to attend this free special interest group meeting starting at 7PM. For more information, call 515-276-0287.

Will Polk County Paula, Des Moines' resident groundhog see her shadow? Check it out at the 6th Annual Groundhog Day Party at High Life Lounge, 200 SW Second in the Court District. The early morning fun starts at 6AM with free Miller High Life being served until 8AM. Breakfast will be served all morning and there'll be $5 all you can eat pancakes. Polk County Paula will look for her shadow around 7:30AM. If the early start doesn't work for you, head over for drink specials all day and night and live music by Mr. Baber's Neighbors starting at 5PM.