PRESENTED BY

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

This week flew by, and there’s a lot packed in below. I also made a few small tweaks to the structure, so as always, let me know what you think.

Quick Hits

In today’s issue:

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

I’ve got an idea I’ve been sitting on for a bit and wanted to put it out there.

What if DSM at Dawn hosted small dinner nights around Des Moines?

Small groups of readers. Local restaurants. You sign up, answer a few questions, then show up for dinner with people you haven’t met yet but probably should have. Nothing formal, nothing forced. Just good food and good conversation.

If enough of you are into it, I’ll give it a try. Let me know below.

Plans are moving forward for a mixed-use building at the former Black Cat location, bringing a combination of residential and commercial space to the Drake neighborhood. It’s another sign of continued reinvestment in the community for DEV Partners, who have been involved with the restoration of Val Air, Varsity Theater, and more.

Business Record →

A concept plan shared this week outlines a grocery store/gas station combo development, potentially a Walmart or Sam’s Club in Waukee. Nothing is final yet, and no one will spill the beans, but we know there is retail demand in the western suburbs.

WHO 13 →

A longtime Des Moines auto repair shop is being converted into an ice cream spot, trading lifts and bays for cones and coolers. City Council approved a rezoning plan for the location on Lower Beaver on the northwest side of town.

KCCI 8 →

High Life Lounge is holding its annual Groundhog Day celebration on Monday, complete with a special addition this year. As we know, Yuengling Lager is expanding into Iowa this spring and High Life will be offer free Yuengling at the event. A fun, DSM staple if you’ve never attended.

Check it out →

Looking to make your next event unforgettable? 🎶 Dapper DJs, led by Riley Schneekloth (a.k.a. DJ Riled Up), brings nearly a decade of experience and a reputation for creating memorable celebrations across Central Iowa. With sharp style and a focus on top-notch entertainment, they bring energy and expertise to every event.

Whether it’s a wedding, corporate gathering, or a milestone celebration, Dapper DJs deliver more than music—they set the vibe and keep the party going all night long. From dazzling lighting effects to seamless transitions, they ensure every detail is covered so you can relax and enjoy the moment.

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Future Flyers of Iowa, based in Winterset, has received a national award for its training program, highlighting Iowa’s growing role in aviation education and workforce development. The school is not new to this, as it received the same award last year and has also been awarded “Best Flight School” by the Des Moines Media Group.

👉 Read More

JPMorgan Chase has opened a new branch in Ames, marking it’s 10th branch in Iowa, and announced $1 million in philanthropic support aimed at Iowa small businesses. The investment will support programs focused on access to capital, workforce development, and local entrepreneurship.

👉 Learn More

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

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

🐶 Dog Man: The Musical
📆 Jan 31
📍 Des Moines Civic Center
From the creator of Captain Underpants comes a hilarious production a crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO.

🐭 The Mousetrap
📆 Feb 6-Mar 1
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
A classic Agatha Christie whodunit where a snowstorm traps a group of stranger, one of which is a murderer.

🥳 Kimberly Akimbo
📆 Feb 3-8
📍 Des Moines Civic Center
A 5-time Tony Award winner about growing up and growing old.

Thursday

Tom Pevear | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
The Carousel | 7 | xBk Live
John Kizilarmut & Co | 7 | Noce
Writers Round w/ Cody Hicks | 7 | Brick & Ivy
Dave Miller | 7 | Board & Batten
Johnny Novacaine | 9 | Yacht Club
Jake Kloefkorn | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s

Friday

Claudia Cortrain | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Vida Sisters | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Tom Pevear | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
The Drama Kings | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Duke Tumatoe | 7 | Temple Theater
The Max Wellman Big Band | 7 | Noce
Accoustiv Medicine w/ High Bidders | 7 | Locals
Kenni Falls | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Brian Congdon | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Winter Dance Party | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
The Rush Tribute Project | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
The Diplomats of Solid Sound | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Sheet | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Orphan Annie & The Hot Mess | 8 | Prairie Meadows
The Feel Right | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Flyte Risk | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Decoy Trio | 9 | Back Roads Lounge
Jordan Beem & Johhny G | 9 | Brick & Ivy

Saturday

Trickle Tree Hippies | 4 | 1833 Saloon
Brian Herrin | 4 | Revelton Distilling Co
Pony Express | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Taylor King | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Ducharme-Jones Band | 6:30 | Covered Bridges Winery
Stone Age Queens | 7 | Wooly’s
The Fab 4 w/ Gina Gedler | 7 | Noce
The Hors D’oeuvres | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
BanjoKat & The Sit-Ins | 7 | Locals
The Weary Ramblers | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Flyover Sessions | 8 | xBk Live
Orphan Annie Duo | 8 | Maggie’s Rumble Room
Damon Dotson | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Jake McVey | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Banket Fort | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Decoy Duo | 8 | Striking Sparrow Lounge
Count It Off | 8:30 | Back Roads Lounge
JJ & The Boys | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee

Sunday

Cedar County Cobras | 1 & 3 | Des Moines Botanical Garden
Bluegrass Jam | 2 | Captain Roy’s
Sumpin Doo | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Matt VanFossen | 4 | Talk Shop Lounge
The Lamplighters | 5 | Exile Brewing
Andy Classen-Tanner Taylor Duo | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Al Welsh | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Big Richard | 7 | xBk Live

If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:

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].