PRESENTED BY

Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.

New Year, same newsletter. I’ll be in your inbox every Thursday morning with what’s happening around the metro.

Before we get into it, I’d love your input.

Vote in the poll above. It helps guide what I focus on each week.
And if you have any ideas of suggestions, feel free to hit reply.

In todays issue:

• 🥇 Des Moines > Olympics

• 🥫 MLK Day Meal Packaging Event

• ⚒️ Wreck N’ Roll Rage Room Opens

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

Zach Stoppelmoor is headed to the Olympics

West Des Moines native Zach Stoppelmoor won the men’s 500 meters at the U.S. Olympic speedskating trials and locked up his first trip to the Winter Games in Milan. He finished with the best combined time over two days, including a 34.661-second run in the final pairing. Zach becomes the first Iowa-born speedskater to make the U.S. Olympic team.

KCCI →

City offices are moving into the new City Hall

The City of Des Moines is consolidating 11 departments from four facilities into the T.M. Franklin Cownie City Administration Building at 1200 Locust Street, with the move expected to wrap up by mid-February. City services will stay open during the transition, but residents are encouraged to check department status before visiting in person.

WHO →

Heads up: University Ave Ramp Opening Delayed

The Iowa DOT delayed reopening the University Avenue ramp after new traffic issues surfaced during ramp reconfiguration work to northbound I-35/80. If the issues cannot be fixed soon, the ramp may stay closed until the Walnut Creek Bridge project wraps up sometime in April.

KCCI →

PRESENTED BY: Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros

Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros offers a swift and cost-effective kitchen transformation without the hassle of demolition. Serving the Des Moines area, they specialize in updating existing cabinets, achieving a fresh look in just 3 to 5 days. Their process is designed to be less intrusive and more affordable than traditional remodels, making it an attractive option for homeowners seeking a kitchen update.

Visit Kitchenrefreshiowa.com today!

Community Spotlight ❤️ 

Meals from the Heartland: MLK Day meal packaging

If you’re looking for something to do on your next day off, Meals from the Heartland is hosting MLK Day packaging events on Monday, Jan. 19 (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

The main local sites are the Patty Cownie Packaging Center and Polk County River Place. Volunteer shifts run throughout the day.

👉 Story

Now Open: Wreck N’ Roll Rage Room

New spot to keep on your radar: Wreck N’ Roll Rage Room is now open on the south side. Their setup is choose-your-own adventure. Pay to get in the door, then pick what you want to destroy.

👉 Check it out

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.

🎉 Battle at the Barn XVIII (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday
📍 Jacobson Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Two days of high-energy racing action back at the Fairgrounds with bikes, engines, and a packed barn atmosphere.

☕ Cocoa & Crafts (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
📍 Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Sip hot chocolate, enjoy Dome After Dark, and create botanical-themed crafts in a cozy winter setting.

🤠 Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday | ⏰ 7:30 PM–10:30 PM
📍 Casey’s Center
Two nights of rodeo action featuring bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, and edge-of-your-seat competition.

🛍️ Big Indoor Garage Sale Extravaganza (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 8 AM–5 PM
📍 Iowa Events Center
One-day indoor sale with hundreds of vendors, vintage finds, everyday essentials, and plenty of bargain hunting.

🛒 Big Indoor Garage Sale (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9 AM–4 PM
📍 Horizon Events Center, Clive
Shop and thrift from local vendors and small businesses under one roof.

🎨 Social Saturday: Snow Day (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 11 AM–2 PM
📍 Des Moines Art Center
A free, cozy afternoon with hot chocolate, art activities, gallery tours, and winter-themed fun for all ages.

🎷 Gatsby Gala: A Roaring 20s Dance & Live Music (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 7:15 PM–11 PM
📍 Des Moines Ballroom Dance Studio
Live jazz, a beginner Charleston lesson, and a full swing dance party. Dress up and dance the night away.

💍 Des Moines Wedding Show (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 11 AM–3 PM
📍 Scottish Rite Consistory
Meet local wedding pros, sample cakes, explore décor ideas, and gather inspiration all in one place.

🕺 K-Pop Demon Hunters Dance Party (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 1 PM–3 PM
📍 Big Grove Brewery, Des Moines
A free, high-energy dance party with music, costumes encouraged, and interactive activities for fans.

NOW SHOWING  🎭

🦊 Red Riding Hood
📆 Jan 9-25
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
A family-friendly stage adaptation of the classic fairy tale, brought to life with humor, music, and playful twists.

👑 Six
📆 Jan 13-18
📍 Des Moines Civic Center
The hit Broadway musical reimagines the six wives of Henty VIII.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 44 🌡️ Low 32 | 🌧️ | 💧 100%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Friday

High 38 🌡️ Low 29 | ☁️ | 💧❄️ 24%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 34 🌡️ Low 19 | 🌥️ | 💧❄️ 13%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 32 🌡️ Low 27 | 🌥️ | 💧❄️ 3%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Casey Joe Collins | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Raw Space | 7 | xBk Annex
Boss Tenors | 7 | Noce
Big Easy | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Soul Searchers | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Triple J’s | 9 | Yacht Club
Cody Hicks | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s

Friday

Rural Route | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Tyler Folkerts | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Jasper Tide | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
David Watson | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Amythyst Kiah | 7 | Temple Theater
The Max Wellman Big Band | 7 | Noce
The Bumps | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Dogtown Rhythm Band | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Theo Linebaugh | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Sean Michael Sullivan | 7 | The Ducktail Lounge
Aviana Gedler & Jason Weismann | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Sweez | 7:30 | Locals Bar & Stage
Blake Jack | 8 | xBk Live
Damon Dotson | 8 | Striking Sparrow Lounge
Mike McAbee | 8 | 1833 Saloon
Grind | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Round A Bout | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Monkey4 | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Lincoln Highway | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Harrison Ingham Band | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
The Prince Experience | 8:30 | Wooly’s
Not Sisters | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Mancat | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Brian Herrin | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Crystal Blue | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Bring The Heat Benefit Show | 7 | xBk Live
Andy Hanson | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Alex Schroeder | 7 | Brightside Aleworks
The Other Brothers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Jake Schrodt Duo | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Smells Like Nirvana | 8 | Wooly’s
Aftershock | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Toni & The BitterSweet Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Redemption | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Mike Walsh Band | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Son Peruchos | 9 | Noce
Jeff Banks Band | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Sunday

Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials | 2 | The Ingersoll
Heath Alan | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Hannah Goodwin | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Bob Fields & Swingtime | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom

SPORTS 🏈🏅

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season is in full swing. March Madness will be here before we know it. Here’s a quick snapshot on each local program along with their next game.

Men

• Drake 🐶 vs Belmont | Record: 8-7 (2-2)
  📆 1/10 | 🕛️ 5

• #19 Iowa 🦅 vs Illinois | Record: 12-3 (2-2)
  📆 1/11 | 🕛️ 11

• #3 ISU 🌪️ vs Okla St | Record: 15-0 (2-0)
  📆 1/10 | 🕛️ 3

• UNI 🐆 @ Bradley | Record: 12-4 (4-1)
  📆 1/10 | 🕛️ 5

Women

• Drake 🐶 @ Belmont | Record: 4-9 (3-0)
  📆 1/9 | 🕛️ 6:30

• #14 Iowa 🦅 @ Indiana | Record: 13-2 (4-0)
  📆 1/11 | 🕛️ 4

• #11 ISU 🌪️ vs WVU | Record: 14-2 (2-2)
  📆 1/11 | 🕛️ 2

• UNI 🐆 @ Murray St | Record: 8-6 (4-0)
  📆 1/9 | 🕛️ 6

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs
10-14-3-4 | 6th place | Western Conference

• @ Youngstown Phantoms
  📆 1/9 | 🕛️ 6:05

• VS Youngstown Phantoms
  📆 1/10 | 🕛️ 5:05

Iowa Wild
10-21-1-1 | 7th place | Central Division

• @ Tucson Roadrunners
  📆 1/9 | 🕛️ 8

• @ Tucson Roadrunners
  📆 1/10 | 🕛️ 8

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves
4-3 | 7th place | Western Conference

• @ San Diego Clippers
  📆 1/9 | 🕛️ 9:30

• @ San Diego Clippers
  📆 1/10 | 🕛️ 9

• @ Valley Suns
  📆 1/13 | 🕛️ 8

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! Reply here or email me anytime!

Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].