PLAY OUTSIDE!

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS for "The Shakespeare You DON'T Wanna Miss!"

"Summer's lease hath all too short a date" (Sonnet 18).

So don't miss:

• Show dates: July 23 - August 2 (see full festival schedule and shows for more info!)

• Your "Rite of Free Will" includes: ample convenient FREE parking, FREE theatre (NO TICKETS REQUIRED!), FREE FULL VIEW of the stage (there's simply not a bad seat in the house!), FREE river breezes, and glorious mosquito-FREE European-style Festival grounds!

• Performing TWO terrific shows in true Repertory ~ Much Adoo-wop About Something PLUS The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)- each show is very different and unique - -so most festival goers plan to see both!

• Shows feature top area artists in music, dance, theatre - historically, our shows have averaged 3-4 MFA or conservatory artists per show!

• We offer Raindate options and sometimes a Rain Location: See FAQs - -and if weather threatens, be sure to check this website or call 515 274 8989 for more information

• "On - the - Spot" Picnic with Panache! Contest fun: We brake for Candelabras! While certainly not required, the "delightfully wicked" tradition of elegant picnics (gourmet recipes, fine china and linens, or other fine accoutrements...) and/or upscale picnic attire and "themes" is happily encouraged. And why not! Come in your best floppy hats, summer frocks, or seersucker and white bucks! Or toss on some fabulous Renaissance attire - or oh heck - -bring men in tights! You'll have fun regardless- but for extra humor or elegance, you just might win an "on the spot" seating upgrade to our premiere VIP seating area! FAQs will tell you more!

• Lots of Great Festival Amenities! Wines to purchase specially selected by The Wine Club. And since this is our inaugural first year- don't miss a chance to say "I was there!" Pick up one of our inaugural Festival T-shirts- or even better, a copy of our first commemorative Festival Poster! By nationally-collectible artist John Sayles, this high quality 4 color print on top quality art paper is a beaut- and with only 150 copies (even fewer signed copies), these gorgeous slices of cultural life will go fast fast fast!

Many Extra Special Festival Events: Don't miss a thing! See full festival schedule for much more information about the following great activities: our FREE Opening Night Director's Talk with ISE Artistic Director Lorenzo Sandoval, MFA. (July 24); VIP Pre-show Cocktail Soiree! Take the stage before the show to enjoy elegant nibbles and intimate chats with some of our artists. (July 26) FREE Summertime "Sonnet Slam!" and audience "Talk-back"! Take the stage after the show with the actors and linger in the cool riverside summer night! (August 1) FREE Guest Dramaturge Talk (August 2). Explore intriguing scholarly views about Shakespeare and this summer's works. PLUS...

• COMING SATURDAY, JULY 25: SPECIAL YOUNG PROFESSIONAL'S NIGHT and RIVERSIDE CAST PARTY: Includes all of the below-

• FREE Jasper Wine Tasting night in our Plaza: Discover a new favorite with this terrific local winery!
• FREE Grey Market Mini-Fair in our Plaza: Explore a select group of hand-made and unique wares from some of the Metro's hottest up-and-coming designers of jewelry, clothing and art! Sip your favorite wine as you have a chance to meet the artists during a leisurely browse through this intimate "trunk show" of enticing, artisan treasures.
• PLUS: Young Professionals After-Party: immediately following the show, come up on stage to enjoy the twinkling skyline as you never have before! Its an on-stage Dance Spectacular with the Cast! A very small fee includes drink tickets --and will help benefit the Festival! No advance tickets required.

STILL MORE FUN WITH THE BARD:

• Shakespeare on the Aire: our acclaimed monthly one-hour radio series on KFMG Radio: Shakespeare-themed radio plays and discussion with a seasonal theme:

-June: "BILL'S BELLS: For Whom Bill's (Wedding) Bells Toll" -July: "BABES, A BARD and BOB" - A Sneak Peeks at the 2009 ShakesperienceTM Festival" featuring a special guest from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the first lady of Des Moines jazz and jingle: Tina Haase Findlay -August: "SWOOORD O BLOOODY SWOOORD - Murder and Mayhem on a Hot August Night"

• "The Bill's on Will"; a June 20 special pre-festival event: a shopping extravaganza in the East Village with Bill Shakespeare himself- -special prizes if you spot him!

• FREE Des Moines Public Library youth activities throughout July, too, featuring our trademarked Mid Summer Day Dreams^TM curriculum.. Check www.pldminfo.org for a complete schedule.

• FREE World Premiere on the performing arts stage at the Des Moines Arts Festival on June 28th!

"Make red with Mirth!" Gather friends and make a party of it! At the Festival, rent VIP Picnic area, Premiere Lounge, and VIP party tents - --------------for modest fee!