Des Moines; French for “The Moines” as the Raygun t-shirt jokes – now central Iowans have the chance to  immerse themselves in the culture of their namesake.

A Des Moines Art Center exhibition will celebrate the avant-garde print scene in late 19th-century Paris starting May 17th.

L’estampe originale: Painters, Printers, Paris, will be on view in the Print Gallery through September 8th.

Much of the work on display was commissioned by Ambroise Vollard and features etchings, posters and prints by Pierre Bonnard, Paul Cézanne, Odilon Redon, Ker-Xavier Roussel, Paul Signac, and Edouard Vuillard.

There will be a talk that accompanies the exhibition by curator Amy Worthen Sunday, May 19th from 2 p.m.
 

Bravo Greater Des Moines has opened applications for this year’s grants.

Until Monday, April 22nd, qualified arts and cultural organizations in central Iowa are encouraged to apply for funding. Since 2005, the nonprofit has awarded $18 million in funding, including more than $2.2 million awarded to 51 organizations last year.

The grants are partially funded by a percentage of the hotel/motel tax revenue received from the following 16 local governments: Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, Polk County, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.

For more information and to apply, go to bravogreaterdesmoines.org.

Central College’s A Cappella Choir will be traveling along with several pairs of shoes to Brazil in May. Every four years, the ensemble directed by professor of music, Mark Babcock, tour abroad.

They’re set to sing at prestigious venues including Cathedrals as they travel to Sao Paulo, Iguacu and Rio di Janeiro from May 14th-25th.

“Collegiate choir ensemble tours are relational and transformational,” says Babcock. “They help diverse students from a variety of majors connect more deeply to each other and with audiences around the world.”

The choir will also be working with the Northeast Rotary Club in Sao Paulo to collect shoes for those in need.

To raise funds for the tour, the A Cappella Choir is performing in the following pre-tour events:

Sunday, April 21st

Choral Evensong Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 4 p.m.

815 High St, Des Moines

Friday, April 27th