PRESENTED BY

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

Dinner Club is back, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are around the corner, and there’s plenty happening across the metro this weekend.

Quick housekeeping note. I’ll be in Texas for Spring Break next week, so next week’s edition may be a little lighter than usual.

Quick Hits

In todays issue:

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

Last month we tried something new.

Six people. One table. A great meal and real conversation.

It turns out a lot of you liked the idea, so we’re doing it again.

The DSM at Dawn Dinner Club brings together small groups of readers for dinner around Des Moines. We match the group, pick the restaurant, and handle the details.

How it works

📍 Various Des Moines Restaurants
🗓️ Wednesday, Mar 25 at 6:30 PM
🎟 Book your seat

Can’t make this one? Join the list to hear about future dinners.

Here’s to breaking bread and building something real,

Nick

St. Patrick’s Day falls on Tuesday this year, but celebrations around Des Moines will start this weekend. From pub crawls and parties to brunch and live music, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the Irish spirit across the metro.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership has a great roundup of events and festivities happening around the city. You can check tout their full roundup here, and we’ve included a few happenings in the events section below if you’re planning to celebrate early.

Be sure to check out the parade hosted by The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Crews have begun removing a dam along the Des Moines River as part of the $55 million ICON water trails project downtown. The work will help transform the area near Scott Avenue into a new recreation hub featuring whitewater kayaking, surfing, shoreline access, and safer river navigation.

KCCI 8 →

Demolition of the long-vacant Younkers building at Merle Hay Mall is expected to begin in late summer as the mall’s redevelopment continues. The project is part of a broader plan that includes a new arena for the Des Moines Buccaneers along with new housing, retail, and entertainment.

Business Record →

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.

📆 Book Dapper DJs today and turn your event into a memory that lasts a lifetime!
🗣 Exclusive Offer for DSM at Dawn Readers! 🎉
Mention DSM at Dawn when booking with Dapper DJs to enjoy a 5% discount on their services.

Ankeny-based Greenland Homes raised $220,000 through its latest charity home build to support Children’s Cancer Connection. The partnership has now generated nearly $800,000 to help Iowa families navigating childhood cancer.

👉 More

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

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

⚡ 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.

🎤 Amber Autry
📆 Thursday-Friday
📍 Funny Bone
Nashville comic Amber Autry delivers sharp, high-energy stand-up packed with relatable humor and quick wit.

🎤 Adam Hunter
📆 Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
High-energy comedian Adam Hunter brings lightning-fast crowd work and nonstop jokes from a veteran of clubs, TV, and global tours.

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

Thursday

Brittany Sword | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Bermuda Search Party | 7 | xBk Live
Gina Gedler sings Linda Ronstadt | 7 | Noce
Courtney Patton & Jason Walsmith | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Austin Brown Trio | 8 | xBk Annex
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Triple J’s | 9 | Yacht Club
Jake Schrodt | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s

Friday

Jared Benson | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
The Dan Medeiros Project | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Dustin Baird | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Wheatus | 7 | Wooly’s
Southbound w/ Mission in the Rain | 7 | xBk Live
Delbert Anderson | 7 | Temple Theater
Corbett Reeves | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Andy Juhl & the Bluestem Players | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
The Soul Searchers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Lauren Vilmain | 7 | Noce
Trisha Yearwood | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Weary Ramblers | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Haywire | 8 | Sully’s
Damon Dotson | 7 | Cabaret Ankeny
GRIND | 7 | Kenny’s Garage
Kennedy Station | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Mike Walsh Band | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Night Like This | 8 | Down Under
The Sheet | 9 | Back Roads Lounge
Dan Jones & Friends | 9 | The Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Robert Deitch | 4 | Revelton Distilling
DSM Irish Sessions | 4 | Blank Park Zoo
Heidi Lynne | 6 | Plain Talk Books & Coffee
Steve E George & Bob Pace | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Merkules | 7 | Wooly’s
DemiCon Lite | 7 | xBk Annex
Aaron Ball Band | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Loose Gravel | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Barry Rutter | 7 | 36th St Tavern
The Ripoffs | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
Nickolai & The Dirty Guys | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Lavender Lace Trio | 7 | Sully’s Irish Pub
The Hors D’oeuvres | 7 | Shirley’s
Des Moines Symphony | 7:30 | Civic Center
Sam Barber | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Weary Ramblers | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Soulcage | 7:30 | xBk Live
Corbett Reeves | 7:30 | The Cork
Hollowtree & more | 8 | Maggie’s Rumble Room
Damon Dotson | 8 | Striking Sparrow Lounge
Igor Dimitrienko | 8 | Polk City Pub
The Savage Freds | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Yubu | 8 | The Regal Beagle
Toni & BitterSweet Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Gimikk | 8 | Mickey’s Waukee
Mike Walsh Band | 8 | Down Under
Jeff Banks Band | 9 | The Greenwood Lounge
Leradee & The Positives | 9 | Yacht Club
Jordan Beem | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
Red Dirt Renegade | 9 | Good Times

Sunday

Steve E. George & Bob Pace | 1 & 3 | Botanical Garden
The Soul Searchers | 2 | Highland Underground
The Crowfoot Rakes | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Des Moines Symphony | 2:30 | Civic Center
Antonio Lopes Trio | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Bob Fields & Swingtime | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
LANCO | 7 | Wooly’s
Josiah Queen | 7 | Val Air Ballroom
ghostwives | 7 | xBk Live

If you’re looking for a game to catch this week around town:

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].