PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Spring break is here, and St. Patrick’s Day is in the rear view mirror.
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: The cold and snow are in the past, and its feeling like summer.
Announced: Lil Wayne is coming to the Casey’s Center in July.
Sports: NCAA tournaments kick off this weekend.
Travel: Greyhound expanding routes across the midwest.
In todays issue:
🍽 Dinner Club
🎸 Live Music
🎫 Weekend Happenings
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
DSM at Dawn Dinner Clubs
Last month we tried something new. It worked
Six people. One table. A great meal and real conversation.
We’re doing it again next week — Wednesday, March 25.
If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your reminder. We’ll match the group, pick the restaurant, and handle the details. You just show up.
Spots are still open, but we expect this one to fill up.
Can’t make this one? Join the list to hear about future dinners.
Here’s to breaking bread and building something real,
Nick
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!
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
Thursday
Magical Sourdough Spring Break Bakery Pop-Up (Runs Thu–Fri) — Fresh sourdough breads, cookies, and treats available while they last. Esther Unearthed. [details]
Statemint Pop Up Consignment for Adults (Runs Thu–Sun) — Massive consignment event with 40–80% off retail on name-brand styles. Iowa State Fairgrounds. [details]
Cake Decorating Class: 101 — Learn the basics of cake decorating in a beginner-friendly class. Molly’s Cupcakes. [details]
Friday
Spring Cleaning Book Sale — Gently used books and materials at great prices to support the library. Des Moines Public Library (East Side). [details]
Scrappin’ Des Moines Craft Retreat (Runs Fri–Sun) — A full weekend of crafting, workshops, and vendor shopping. Baymont Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport. [details]
Story Sprouts — Interactive nature-themed story time for young kids with a fun activity. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. [details]
Spring Sale (Runs Fri–Sat) — Stop by for baked goods and small-batch treats during this seasonal sale. Cozy Crumb Bakehouse. [details]
Sherman Hill Victorian Tea — A relaxing afternoon of tea, treats, and local history in a historic setting. Wallace House. [details]
Carpet Offroad — RC racing event with multiple classes and evening competition. Wolfram RC. [details]
Adult Book Fair Themed Sip + Stab Craft Night — Nostalgic book fair vibes with crafts, drinks, and a creative night out. Glitter Factory DSM. [details]
Glow Skate — Family-friendly glow skating night with music, games, and arcade fun. Skateland Des Moines. [details]
Murder Mystery Dinner — Interactive whodunit experience with dinner and live improv storytelling. Salisbury House and Gardens. [details]
Saturday
Greg Lewis Memorial Outdoor Swap Meet — Buy, sell, and trade outdoor gear with food and community vibes. Izaak Walton League Park. [details]
Monthly Cribbage Tournament — Casual cribbage tournament with prizes and a laid-back atmosphere. Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe. [details]
Great Train Show Des Moines (Runs Sat–Sun) — Huge model train show with exhibits, vendors, and interactive displays. Iowa Events Center. [details]
Sunday
Pop-up Food and Board Game Day and Wandering Towers Tournament — Food, games, and a casual tournament with a wide selection to play. Moxie Kitchen + Events. [details]
NOW SHOWING 🎭
⚡ The Lightning Thief
📆 Mar 6-22
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
The hit Percy Jackson story comes to life in a fast-paced musical about a teenager who discovers he’s the son of a Greek god.
🦢 The Seagull
📆 Mar 13-22
📍 Stoner Theater
A fresh adaptation of Chekhov’s classic exploring ambition, love, and the fragile line between artistic dreams and heartbreak.
🎺 The Music Man
📆 Mar 20-22
📍 Civic Center
A classic, feel-good musical packed with big songs, small-town charm, and a fast-talking con man.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Mary Santora
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
Quick, dark, and wildly relatable stand-up from a nationally touring comic with a storytelling edge.
🎤 Confessions: A Comedy Showcase
📆 Friday
📍 xBk Annex
A lineup of local comedians bringing sharp, honest stand-up and a mix of styles to the stage.
🎤 Jessica Kirson
📆 Saturday
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place
High-energy, character-driven comedy from a social media powerhouse with a massive following.
Support DSM at Dawn
This newsletter exists because of this community.
DSM at Dawn is free and always will be. If you find it helpful, fun, or worth sharing, you can chip in to help keep it running and growing.
Everything goes back into making this better for Des Moines,
Grateful you’re here.
— Nick
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Gaylin Sudik & Friends | 1 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
The Carousel Duo | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
LaMP | 7 | xBk Live
NOLA Jazz Band | 7 | Noce
DSM Irish Session | 7 | Brightside Aleworks
Corbett Reeves | 7 | Board & Batten
The Soul Searchers | 8 | The Greenwood Lounge
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Triple J’s | 9 | Yacht Club
Drew Fry | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Bradford Johnson | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Robert Deitch | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Alice Unchained | 7 | Wooly’s
El Cowboy Band | 7 | The Cave
Brian Congdon | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Jordan Beem | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
FunHouse | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
Jake Schrodt | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Casey Peasley | 7 | Pally’s
Purple Piano | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Fust & Merce Lemon | 8 | xBk Live
Shawn Paris | 8 | Down Under
Anthony Koester Band | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Reload | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Secret Formula | 9 | Locals Bar & Stage
Randy Burk & The Prisoners | 9 | The Greenwood Lounge
Saturday
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys | 6 | Wooly’s
RiviEras | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Napoleon Douglas | 7 | Noce
Brother Trucker | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Deeds & Co | 7 | xBk Annex
Display Case & more | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Clarence Tilton | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Luke Fox | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Jake Schrodt | 7 | Shirley’s
Purple Piano | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Rich Webster Band | 7:30 | The Cork
TWEN w/ Monsoon | 8 | xBk Live
JKB | 8 | Lakeside Hotel Casino
The Claudia Coltrain Band | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Jana West & RetroSpect | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Mary Runyan Band | 8 | Down Under
Decoy Duo | 8 | Striking Sparrow Lounge
Heath Alan | 8 | The Greenwood Lounge
Rattlebox | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
Sunday
The Blue Two | 1 & 3 | Botanical Garden
MFKS | 2 | Highland Underground
Dan Jones & Friends | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Two Guys Named Dave | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
High Society | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Charlie Parr | 7:30 | xBk Live
DSM SPORTS
If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:
🏒 Iowa Wild
Fri/Sat vs Ontario Reign
🏒 Bucs
Fri/Sat vs Fargo Force
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
Click the link below and use code DAWN25 in the message.
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].
