Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Coordinates: 41°35′15″N 93°37′13″W / 41.587424°N 93.620409°W
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a 2,744-seat performing arts center located in Des Moines, Iowa. It has been Iowa's largest theater since it opened on June 10, 1979, and is used for concerts, Broadway shows, and other special events. After an introductory Open House on June 10, 1979, the first public performance was by the Des Moines Ballet on June 14. The Civic Center is noted for its acoustics, and is handicapped-accessible. In addition, no seat is more than 145 feet (44 m) away from the stage. All seats are on one level.
The stage is 28 feet (8.5 m) high and 78 feet (24 m) wide. Backstage there are ten dressing rooms. The theater has two lobbies, each of which has a ceiling height of 50 feet (15 m), skylights, glass walls, and skywalks connecting the theater with most of downtown Des Moines.
Located on street level is the 200-seat Stoner Studio Theater, used for smaller theatrical shows and lectures.
Plans for the Civic Center emerged after the KRNT Theater closed in 1972. The city's largest fundraising effort at the time raised $9.3 million to build the Civic Center.[1]
The venue played host to the politically-motivated Vote for Change Tour on October 6, 2004, featuring performances by John Prine, Keb' Mo' and Bonnie Raitt.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Henning, Barbara Beving Long; Patrice K. Beam (2003). Des Moines and Polk County: Flag on the Prairie. Sun Valley, California: American Historical Press. p. 105. ISBN 1-892724-34-0.
- ^ http://www.backstreets.com/setlists2004.html
