Noce's Upcoming Shows
Fri, Aug 21
Noce is proud to present a new production featuring company artist Napoleon Douglas highlighting the works of great black singers in the world of jazz. From classics like "Unforgettable," "Nature Boy," & other Nat King Cole hits, to more modern records from the Gregory Porter songbook, & a dash of Sammy Davis Jr. thrown in, this show has a little bit of everything for vocal jazz fans. Douglas will be joined by a 10 piece jazz orchestra featuring the arrangements of Jason Danielson in this brand new Noce revue.
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Napoleon, an international actor, singer, and entrepreneur, holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Drake University and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Southern New Hampshire University. He holds a diverse background in the creative arts including roles as a Teaching Artist, Director, Choreographer, and Music Director for esteemed Theatres and Arts Organizations.
Institutionally, Napoleon serves as the Artistic Director for Pyramid Theatre Company, Iowa's sole black theatre. Napoleon has a rich background in Cabaret Programming - his expertise extends to managing specialty acts, including The Randy Andy's from New York City to leading Cabaret and Private Events programs at NOCE Jazz & Cabaret in Des Moines, IA. He now captivates audiences at NOCE with premier acts like "Bojangles," "Nap Sings Nat" (his Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole tribute shows), and others featuring Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and more, including "For Once In My Life" and "Follies" – a review of Broadway's best.
Napoleon's recent stage appearances include "Louie" in the World Premiere of "Mr. Holland's Opus" at Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, ME, and "Bruce" at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Notable roles in theatre encompass international performances like Simba in The Festival of the Lion King in Hong Kong, and national roles such as Louie in "Mr. Holland's Opus" (World Premiere & Dance Captain - Ogunquit Playhouse), and Joe Alves & Carl Gottlieb Cover in "BRUCE" (World Premiere - Seattle Repertory).
His extensive theatre portfolio includes standout performances as Jimmy Early in "Dreamgirls" (2018 Ostrander Winner - Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Arvada Center), NoMax in "Five Guys Named Moe" (Westchester Broadway), as well as leading and supporting roles in productions like "Hairspray!," "Sister Act," "Superior Donuts," "A Christmas Carol," "Miss Saigon," "Romeo & Juliet," and "White Christmas." In the realm of TV and film, Napoleon's talents shine in Hulu's "Wu-Tang: An American Saga" (Co-Star) and "Oscar Micheaux" (Cannes Short Selection, Urban Film BET Short Premiere Selection - 2018). Formerly a prestigious Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corps member, which has graced both Inauguration Parades for President Barack Obama. Napoleon was part of that 2009 Drumline in Washington, DC.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Napoleon has contributed as a Board Member for various creative companies, including City Voices, a community-centered music education organization.
Sat, Aug 22
Fri, Aug 28
Lauren Vilmain is back with a night of Broadway, baby! Noce is proud to present a new show featuring a full 10-piece jazz orchestra playing the arrangements of Brian Martin from some of Lauren's favorite showtunes spanning the entire history of theater on Broadway. This sensational new cabaret is a great addition to Lauren's wildly popular residency at Noce.
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Vocalist, Lauren Vilmain is a Minneapolis native and graduate of Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa). During her studies, she was trained in both opera and musical theatre. Currently, Lauren performs on stages across the state with both local and regional musicians . She has become best known for her jazz and theatre residencies at Noce (Des Moines, Iowa). Her voice has been described as both powerful yet warm and is known for her stage presence and wide ranging styles.
Sat, Aug 29
Yoga to Live Music + Community Mocktail Hour
Start your Sunday morning with movement, music, and community at Noce Jazz & Cabaret.
Join Noce Production Manager and longtime yoga instructor Molly Feeney for an all-levels guided yoga class accompanied by a completely improvised live musical performance. Led by multi-instrumentalist and frequent Noce performer Robert Espe, the music will be created entirely in the moment. As the yoga class unfolds, the musicians will compose and evolve the soundscape in real time. Not only will the students not know what music is coming next, but the musicians won't know either. This unique collaboration offers an opportunity to connect with your body through an organic, ever-evolving soundscape created specifically for this moment in time.
Following class, stay for a community mocktail hour featuring guest bartender Miranda Tanner, recently featured in She Pours at The Contrary. Enjoy handcrafted, mocktails made with fresh ingredients sourced from local businesses while connecting with fellow attendees in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Music to continue during community mocktail hour.
Schedule
Doors Open: 9:30 AM
Yoga to Live Music: 10:00–11:00 AM
Community Mocktail Hour: 11:00 AM
Tickets: $30
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Molly Feeney is the Production Manager at Noce Jazz & Cabaret and has been teaching yoga since 2019. With a background in dance, theatre production, and live events, she brings a creative, welcoming approach to movement that emphasizes self discovery, playfulness and deep peace.
Her classes are accessible to all experience levels and encourage students to move with intention rather than perfection. Drawing from years of teaching yoga alongside her lifelong passion for music and the performing arts, Molly loves creating experiences where movement, sound, and community come together in meaningful ways.
She is excited to share this unique collaboration with Robert Espe, inviting participants to experience yoga accompanied by music that exists only in the present moment.
Sat, Aug 29
Wed, Sep 02
Every Wednesday night, Noce hosts an all night happy hour. Doors at 6, music 7-10pm, no cover all night! $5 green tea shots, $6 well drinks, $7 house wine, $8 specialty cocktails. Some of the top jazz musicians in the region are featured each week.
Thu, Sep 03
Join Max Wellman & Napoleon Douglas for a night of music spanning a wide spectrum of genres from their ongoing Noce productions, from the Sinatra songbook to the music of Tin Pan Alley & Broadway & more.
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Vocalist Max Wellman is enticing music lovers throughout the region. With a sound evoking the likes of Sinatra and Connick, Wellman’s recordings & performances promise that the Great American Songbook is alive & well for a new generation of listeners.
Wellman co-founded Noce, a state-of-the-art jazz club in the Western Gateway neighborhood of downtown Des Moines. Additionally, Wellman has appeared at some of the great clubs throughout the country, from Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center to Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago to Dazzle in Denver & many in between.
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Napoleon M Douglas is an International Actor, Teaching Artist, and Entrepreneur whose performance experience includes Stage Theatre, Film, Commercial, Voice Over, Instrumental Music, Dance, and Vocal Music among others. Theatre (selected): International - Simba in The Festival of the Lion King (HKDL); National - Louie in Mr. Holland’s Opus (World Premiere & Dance Captain - Ogunquit Playhouse); Joe Alves & Carl Gottlieb Cover in BRUCE (World Premiere - Seattle Repertory); Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls (2018 Ostrander Winner - Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Arvada Center), NoMax in Five Guys Named Moe (Westchester Broadway), as well as leading and supporting roles in Hairspray!, Sister Act, Superior Donuts, A Christmas Carol, Miss Saigon, Romeo & Juliet, and White Christmas. TV/Film (Selected): Hulu’s WuTang: An American Saga (Co-Star), and Oscar Micheaux (Cannes Short Selection, Urban Film BET Short Premiere Selection - 2018). Educationally, Napoleon has worked as a Choreographer, Director, Music Director, Studio Voice Instructor, and Teaching Artist for theatres and companies across the U.S. including The Summer Conservatory at Memphis Playhouse on the Square, The Academy at Midtown Arts Center, and The Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Institutionally, He serves as a Board Member and Artist-in-Residence for City Voices - a community-centered nonprofit that provides free, high quality, individualized music instruction to underserved students in the Des Moines Metro area and Board Member of Sing For Your Seniors (www.singforyourseniors.org). Napoleon is a former member of the renowned Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps who performed for both Inauguration Parades for President Barack Obama, and for President Joe Biden. Drake University (B.A. Theatre Arts, ’14). SNHU (M.B.A. Entrepreneurship, ’18). Phi Gamma Delta. Actors Equity Association.