PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in on last week’s dinner club poll. The response was strong, and we’ll have an official announcement next week, so stay tuned.
This weekend brings a nice mix of early Valentine’s events, Super Bowl plans, and plenty to do around the metro. Let’s get into it.
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: It’s a heat wave by February standards. Time to get out the shorts and t-shirts. 😉
Announcing: Post Malone & Jelly Roll are coming to Jack Trice Stadium this summer.
Sports: The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics kick off this weekend.
Closed: The historic Des Moines City Hall building has officially shut its doors after 114 years.
With the Super Bowl this weekend, it begs the question…
What's your go-to Super Bowl dish?
In todays issue:
🚶 A new trail in WDM
🐶 Beautiful Bulldog Contest
🎨 Ingersoll Projector Showcase
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
THE 515 REPORT 📰
🏗️ $15M apartment project proposed
A $15 million apartment development has been proposed just outside downtown Des Moines, adding more housing inventory as demand continues to push outward from the core.
🚶 West Des Moines trail connector approved
City council unanimously approved a new trail connection near the Raccoon River to improve safety and close a long-standing gap in the trail network.
KCCI →
🐶 Beautiful Bulldog Contest registration opens
Registration is now open for the 47th annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest, one of the most beloved traditions of the Drake Relays. The event returns this spring with bulldogs competing for bragging rights and crowd favorites alike.
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 Notes ❤
🎨 Art lighting up Ingersoll Avenue
New artwork is now rotating through the Ingersoll Projector Showcase, projecting work from Iowa artists onto a building façade along Ingersoll and bringing public art into the neighborhood after dark.
👉 Details
🥩 Fareway donates $300K worth of hams
Fareway donated $300,000 worth of hams to the Food Bank of Iowa and other food banks across the state, helping stock shelves during a high-need season.
🏡 Iowa awards $78.6M for local projects
The state of Iowa announced $78.6 million in grants through the Healthy Hometowns initiative, funding community infrastructure projects across housing, childcare, and quality-of-life improvements.
👉 Story
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
Thursday
🎉 Half Way to the Fair – Fair-inspired food and drinks to scratch that State Fair itch early. Event goes through Saturday. Barn Town Brewing. [details]
🎉 Bourbon, Bubbly & Bowties – After-hours fundraiser with tastings, appetizers, and live music for a great cause. West End Architectural Salvage. [details]
Friday
🎉 Valentine’s Karaoke – Free karaoke night with donations encouraged to support the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund. xBk Annex. [details]
Saturday
🎉 Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Celebration – Belgian waffles, donuts, affogatos, and a full coffee bar for one sweet day. Uptown Dairy. [details]
🎉 BRR Ride to Rippey – Bundle up and join cyclists for the legendary winter ride from Perry to Rippey and back. Downtown Perry. [details]
🎉 Ice cream for breakfast! – Pajamas encouraged with breakfast-inspired ice cream flavors, prizes, and kid-friendly activities. Totally Rolled Ice Cream. [details]
🎉 Galentine’s Brunch at Backpocket – Brunch with a selfie booth and jewelry station for your crew. Backpocket Pin & Pixel. [details]
🎉 Vendor & Flea Market – Indoor market featuring vendors and community support for neurodivergent programming. Adventures in Social Development. [details]
🎉 Swirling Skies: A “Starry Night” Workshop – Guided painting class inspired by Van Gogh with no experience needed. Hoyt Sherman Place. [details]
🎉 Valentine’s Pack Walk – Structured, on-leash group dog walk focused on calm energy and connection. Purple Martin Water Resource Area. [details]
🎉 Sip & Shop at our Galentine’s Event – Sip, shop, and enjoy specials and giveaways with your friends. Styled by JJ Boutique. [details]
🎉 Saylorville Soup Fest – Sip, sample, and vote to help crown this year’s Soup Fest champion. Saylorville Lake Marina. [details]
🎉 I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa Festival – African American cultural festival with community, food, and heritage celebrations. Horizon Events Center. [details]
🎉 Snowball – Winter-themed evening with dancing, crafts, and hands-on exhibits for kids and adults. Science Center of Iowa. [details]
Sunday
NOW SHOWING 🎭
🐭 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.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Gabriel Rutledge
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone Comedy Club
A Dry Bar Comedy favorite known for sharp, self-aware humor and everyday observations that hit close to home.
THE SETLIST 🎤
Thursday
Brian Herrin | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Hannah Goodwin | 7 | Noce
Jordan Beem | 7 | Bevy’s Tavern
Maxwell Schaeffer | 7 | Board & Batten
Big Easy | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Cody Hicks | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
James Biehn | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Saner & Gibbons | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Taylor King | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Lauren Vilmain | 7 | Noce
The Ripoffs | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Neva Alden | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Barry Rutter | 7 | Shotgun Betty’s
The Mike Walsh Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Sean Michael Sullivan | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Scott Kirkhart | 8 | Brick & Ivy
The Weasels | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Rattlebox | 9 | Doc’s Lounge
Saturday
Dustin Baird | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Silversonic | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Lucky Jax | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Carson Parker | 7 | Noce
Casey Peasley | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Robbie Michael | 7 | Brightside Aleworks
Jake Schrodt Duo | 7 | Shirley’s
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
David Watson | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Hairball | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Everlasting Love | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
La Fiera de Ojinaga | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
Tommy Doggett & Seth Hedquist | 8 | xBk Annex
Matt Biegger | 8 | The Regal Beagle
Gut Feeling | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Mary Runyan Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Blanket Fort | 8 | Down Under
Cupids Lounge | 8:30 | xBk Live
The People’s Band | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
The Feel Right Band | 9 | Yacht Club
Jordan Beem | 9 | Back Roads Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 9 | Good Times
CeCe Stewart | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
Sunday
Jodi Bodley | 1 & 3 | DM Botanical Garden
TV Buddha w/ Astro Brat & Move Move | 6 | xBk Live
DSM SPORTS 🏆
Which local teams play at home this weekend:
🏀 Iowa Wolves — Saturday vs Maine Celtics
🏒 Bucs — Friday vs Omaha Lancers
🏀 Drake — Women | Thursday vs Belmont
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
Use code: DAWN25 for $25 off your first service.
THANK YOU! 🙌
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