Finally, there’s a venue in the Des Moines area that actively supports independent artists. The Vaudeville Mews is a bar/cabaret theater that has brought Des Moines a little bit of everything. Since its opening on Dec. 5, live theater, indie rock, indie film and improv comedy have graced its small but intimate stage. If The Vaudeville Mews has a niche, it’s that it doesn’t have one.

Tucked right between Java Joe’s and The Royal Mile, the place can be easy to miss — but inside, the narrow brownstone building is brimming with atmosphere. You can unwind with a drink at the beautiful handcrafted bar, or enjoy the night’s entertainment from the main floor or mezzanine seating. The raised stage also features an 18-foot screen which can be pulled down for film showings, for presentations, or for bands to incorporate visual backdrops into their sets.

And then there’s the “Mews” itself, which happens to be a British word for “alley.” The Vaudeville Mews, 212 4 St., shares theirs with The Royal Mile, and on a nice day the alley is a perfect place to relax and mingle with local hipsters. It is also ideal for stepping out for a cigarette if one is so inclined, since the Mews is one of the few smoke-free venues in Des Moines.

The Vaudeville Mews is a result of the dedication of its seven co-owners, including filmmakers from Ariesworks Entertainment and bar-owners from Des Moines’ The Lift. And with their new venture, they are determined to help up-and-coming artists by creating a venue that will allow them to showcase their material.

Kimberly Busbee, co-owner and co-entertainment manager, says the idea behind the theater was to be “eclectic” and “artist-friendly.” Together with co-owner and fellow Ariesworks filmmaker James Serpento, Busbee has produced a number of award-winning films such as “The Yoofo Club” and “A Quiet Evening Home,” as well as the just-completed “The Next Table.”

As a filmmaker herself, Busbee can relate to the struggles of independent filmmakers. She says most don’t have the money to get their work onto 35mm film, which is what movie theaters require, and many festivals have steep entrance fees. That’s why the Vaudeville Mews has a high-grade video projection system and allows filmmakers to show their work on a small budget.

“As indie filmmakers, we know how hard it is to get your stuff out there,” says Busbee.

“It’s the definition of true indie film,” says Frank Burnette, co-owner and Ariesworks producer. “People who are making great stuff can’t afford $50,000 for 35mm film.”

The Vaudeville Mews also plans to host the Wild Rose Independent Motion Picture Series and Festival in the fall. Named after the state’s flower, the festival is a celebration of movie-makers outside the mainstream. Busbee says Iowa has a lot of talent, and Ariesworks hopes to use mostly Iowans for its newest film, “Haunting Villisca.”

Busbee and Serpento have also done many stage productions for Ariesworks, and Burnette has a deep interest in live theater as well. So it’s natural that The Vaudeville Mews is also a huge supporter of live theater. The venue will show “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Mark Gruber, five times over the next two weekends.

The theater also has ambitions for hosting art galleries, and is starting to be a popular spot for indie bands to play as well. As clich‚d as it sounds, The Vaudeville Mews really does offer something for everyone.

“We’ve discovered a lot of new talent,” Busbee says, noting recent successes with bands like Decembrists and The Autumn Project.

“This place has great people and great atmosphere,” says Patrick Fleming, Poison Control Center guitarist and the producer of Monday night’s show. “It’s a great place for bands to set up shows.”

Although the venue books mostly indie bands, Burnette says they are open to all types of music. They have brought in everything from hip-hop to hard rock, and would like to have some classical music in the near future.

But the flavor of the night was indie-rock, and for a Monday night there was an impressive turnout to see Argos, Poison Control Center and Essex Green.

Argos started the night off with a stripped-down lineup, no longer using the cello and electric violin that was once their trademark, and instead focused on well-crafted songs and melodies. The band showed a more serious side, veering away from punk influence and drawing upon influences such as Oasis and The Smiths.

Poison Control Center also showcased a stripped-down lineup. No longer the green-clad, eleven-member spectacle it once was, PCC has begun to emerge as a solid, indie-rock quintet. It easily had the most energy of the night, as guitarist/vocalists Patrick Fleming and Devin Frank were up to their usual antics. Both flailed maniacally with little regard for audience safety, and nearly decapitated anyone within range of their swinging guitars. Fleming proved that crowd surfing does not require the audience to stand up, or even participate for that matter, and guitarist Frank earned himself a nasty head wound, finishing out the show in a blood soaked t-shirt. The crowd was supportive and enthusiastic, and it was easy to see why PCC has such a devoted following.

The night rounded out with Essex Green, and it was easy to see why the members of Poison Control Center admire them so much. The Brooklyn quintet had clearly influenced the sound of both the previous bands, as had other Elephant 6 Collective bands such as Apples in Stereo, Elf Power and Olivia Tremor Control. Essex Green’s sixties-influenced sounds brought the night to a close, and no one went home disappointed.

As the patrons began to file out, most of the conversation was about the bands and the theater’s great atmosphere. Many of those in attendance will likely tell friends about the hip hangout, and so far word-of-mouth has been a great friend to The Vaudeville Mews. For the venue’s seven co-owners, the night was a success by all accounts.

Busbee is optimistic about the theater’s future, and confident that the success will continue.

“I think the buzz on this place has spread—east and west,” she says.

“People from the state are realizing what it can be —not only for Des Moines but for the Midwest.”

What: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (live theatre)

Where: The Vaudeville Mews 212 4th St., Des Moines

When: Friday, May 23 & Saturday, May 24

Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door

For more info and reservations, call

(515) 244-1231 or

(515) 243-3270