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William Elliott Whitmore, a farm boy who hails from Lee County, Iowa, is set to release his new record, Animals in the Dark, on the Anti- label on February 17. After a trio of acclaimed, intimate, spare, and highly personal albums on the Southern label, Whitmore gets more political on Animals in the Dark, and he also fleshes out his sound. What remains the same is his wizened, worn voice, which gives a startling authenticity to his straightforward, woodsy folk music.

Whitmore will be performing with The Donkeys, Pictures of Then, and Meth & Goats at RIBCO on Saturday, January 17, in a show presented by Daytrotter.com. The show starts at 9 p.m., and admission is $8.

In this interview with the River Cities' Reader, Whitmore talks about why he began looking outward, the challenges of writing political songs, and why he decided to collaborate more on this album.

(Editor's note: Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa Christian Alliance and a Republican National Committee member, sent the following e-mail to Iowa Republicans in the wake of the November election. This, and two replies, are reprinted here with permission.)

Dear Fellow Republicans:

Election Year 2008 is now history. I am sure that you have had time to reflect on the results, what went right, what went wrong, and where do we go as a party from here. At a first glance, the results were discouraging. But let's put all the facts in perspective:

The tours focus on paintings on the birth of the Christ Child. The tour follows this familiar story from the announcement to Mary that she will bear a Son, to the young boy in His mother's arms.

A tour guide will meet visitors in the main lobby. Holiday cookies and hot beverages will be served after the tour. For more information call 563-326-7804 or visit figgeartmuseum.org.

Free with the price of paid admission or membership.
ADMISSION: $7 adults, $6 seniors (60+), students, educators, $4 Youth (12 & under)

About the Figge Art Museum
The Figge Art Museum actively serves the public by promoting appreciation and creation of visual art through education, and by collecting, conserving and exhibiting art. The museum collection includes more than 3,500 paintings, photographs, sculpture, and works on paper from the 16th century to the present.

During your visit to the museum, we encourage you to explore our expansive galleries, special exhibitions, and the Family Activity Center. For an in-depth experience, we offer a variety of art classes, gallery talks and lectures. Each year, several special events--from film presentations to family days?are held at the museum and expand on the themes of the exhibitions.