PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
We have a loaded edition today, so let’s get right into it.
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: Mother Nature reminding us that it’s still February.
State Fair: AJR and Red Clay Strays added to Grandstand lineup.
Sports: State Wrestling takes over the Casey’s Center this weekend.
Real Estate: The historic Butler House hits the market.
In todays issue:
🍽 Dinner Club Update
🏬 Development at Valley West Mall site
🍦 Scoops by Beth
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
DSM at Dawn Dinner Club is Filling Up
Our first Dinner Club is almost here.
Six seats. One table. Real conversation.
Spots are limited, and once this one fills, that’s it. If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time.
📍 Downtown Des Moines
📅 Wednesday at 6:30 PM
🎟 Book your seat
If this one sells out, we’ll announce the next date soon.
Nick
THE 515 REPORT 📰
Valley West Mall Plans
West Des Moines City Council is continuing discussions around redeveloping Valley West Mall into a walkable, mixed-use district. Early concepts include housing, retail, green space, and a more connected street layout to replace the traditional enclosed mall model. No final development agreement is in place yet, but momentum is building toward a long-term transformation of that property.
New Restaurant coming to Jordan Creek
Yard House is proposing a new location at Jordan Creek Town Center. The national restaurant chain, known for its massive draft beer selection, is working through the approval process with the city of West Des Moines.
KCCI →
War Memorial Relocation Considered
Leaders are exploring the possible relocation of the Polk County Gold Star Memorial, a World War I monument currently located near Lutheran Hospital. A move to Laurel Hill Cemetery near the Iowa State Fairgrounds is being studied in hopes of improving visibility and accessibility. A feasibility study is expected, and no final decision has been made.
Axios →
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Community Notes ❤
Opening: Scoops by Beth
Scoops by Beth, a small-batch ice cream shop by local founder Beth Mensing, will open its doors at 523 Euclid Ave in the historic Highland Park business district this Saturday. The shop brings handcrafted ice cream and new foot traffic to a classic neighborhood.
Grimes Downtown Redevelopment
Grimes has installed its first mural as part of a broader downtown redevelopment plan, giving a public art boost to the city’s revitalization efforts. It’s the first visible step in Grimes’ long-term downtown vision.
👉 Mural
Des Moines Parks Seeking Artists
The city is inviting local artists and teams to submit designs for two new murals at Cheatom Park, one on the basketball court and one on the futsal court, as part of upcoming park improvements. Finalists selected from this call will compete for a mural commission, and the project aims to enhance the park’s identity and community space.
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
Thursday
Des Moines Watercolor Skyline Workshop — Paint a dreamy downtown skyline in this guided workshop. Glitter Factory DSM. [details]
Sushi Class at Waterfront — Learn to roll your own sushi with hands-on instruction. Waterfront Seafood Market. [details]
Dante’s Comedy Revue — A stacked lineup of local stand-up for a classic comedy night out. The Ingersoll. [details]
Up-Late at HiFi Lounge — Late-night standup featuring touring and regional comics. HiFi Lounge. [details]
Friday
Black History Month Scavenger Hunt — Explore exhibits while learning local Black history in an interactive format. State Historical Museum of Iowa. [details]
Pop-Up Sale (Runs Fri–Sun) — Three days of boutique finds and special pricing. Simple Treasures. [details]
Mixology Night: AI Edition — Cocktails meet creativity during this 21+ interactive evening. Science Center of Iowa. [details]
Saturday
The End of Winter Market at Bentley Ridge — Final winter market with local vendors and 40% off houseplants. Bentley Ridge Tree Farm & Nursery. [details]
Grand Opening Celebration — A full day of sales, giveaways, and family fun at the new storefront. Where The Child Things Are. [details]
Bozz Prints 2026 Warehouse Sale — Deep discounts on tees, sweatshirts, hats, and more. Bozz Prints. [details]
DIY in the Junction — Hands-on classes and creative workshops throughout the day. Historic Valley Junction. [details]
February Outlets of Des Moines Vendor & Crafter Show — Shop local makers and small businesses under one roof. Outlets of Des Moines. [details]
Willkie House Black History Program — An afternoon of speakers, food, and community celebration. Willkie House. [details]
Glow Gala — Dress up and support Dress for Success at this annual fundraising event. Hilton Des Moines Downtown. [details]
Murder Mystery Sip + Solve — A 21+ evening of clues, cocktails, and interactive fun. Glitter Factory DSM. [details]
Sunday
Iowa’s Best Damn Chili Cook-Off — Blind-judged competition with a $1,000 grand prize and public tasting. Westown Tap. [details]
Puppy Yoga — Flow through an all-levels class surrounded by adoptable pups. Paws and Pints. [details]
Central Iowa Trail Association Annual Party — Gravel ride, food, drinks, and trail community connection. Captain Roy’s. [details]
Kids Day of Science — Hands-on STEM activities for ages 4–12 inside a brewery-turned-lab. Big Grove Brewery. [details]
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.
🔥 The Outsiders
📆 Feb 24-Mar 1
📍 Des Moines Civic Center
The Tony-winning Broadway hit reimagines the iconic coming-of-age story with powerful music and raw stage energy.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Nate Jackson: Big Dog Comedy Tour
📆 Friday
📍 Vibrant Music Hall
High-energy storytelling and crowd work from one of the fastest-rising comics in the country.
🎤 George Lopez
📆 Friday
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place
The legendary comedian and TV star brings his sharp, culturally charges stand-up to Des Moines.
🎤 Alfred Robles
📆 Thursday
📍 Funny Bone
Viral crowd-interaction comic with sharp observational humor and major tour momentum.
🎤 Noel Miller
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
Internet megastar turned touring comic delivering rapid-fire one-liners and sharp social commentary.
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Ryne Doughty | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
The Weary Ramblers | 7 | Temple Theater
Andrew Hoyt | 7 | Noce
Harrison Ingham | 7 | Court Ave Brewing
Kenni Falls | 7 | Board & Batten
TX2 | 8 | xBk Live
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Jordan Beem | 8 | The Regal Beagle
Micah Wagner & Ted Stockton | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Joe Demerath | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Ben Puttman | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Matt Woods | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
David Watson | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Brother Trucker | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Gina Gedler | 7 | Noce
Turnpike Troubadours | 7 | Horizon Events Center
Bat Problem | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
The Silversonics | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Jack Curtis & The Travelers | 7 | The Cave
Taylor King | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Velvet Trio | 7 | Pal Joey’s
The BandITS | 7 | West Hill Brewing
Alex Schroeder | 7 | The Ducktail Lounge
Joshua Sinclair | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewins
Bayker Blankenship | 8 | Wooly’s
Fool House | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
Clay Street Unit | 8 | xBk Live
The Get down Band | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Kevin Lindgren | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Midnight Rodeo | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Mike Doty & The Cause | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Drew Fry | 8 | Brick & Ivy
Saturday
The Nadas Acoustic Duo | 1 & 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Chuggaluggers | 4 | 1833 Saloon
Dukes of Haggard | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Bob Pace | 6 | The Hills Bar & Grill
The Ripoffs | 6 | Cumming Tap
Steve Grismore Trio | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Country River | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Damani Phillips | 7 | Noce
Jinnouchi Power | 7 | xBk Live
The Jeff Banks Band | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Jones & Owens Trio | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Corey Jamison | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Ben Puttman | 7 | Brightside Aleworks
Jana West & RetroSpect | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
Brett Young | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
The Black Jacket Symphony | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
The Lamplighters | 7:30 | The Cork
She’s Crafty | 8 | Wooly’s
Decoy Duo | 8 | The Striking Sparrow Lounge
Neil Hewitt | 8 | The Waiting Room
Lucan Beebe | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Monkeyfour | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Motley Scrue | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Reload | 8 | Down Under
Velvet Trio | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Damon Dotson | 9 | Yankee Clipper
Sunday
The Soul Searchers | 1 & 3 | DM Botanical Garden
Mosher/Macbrehon | 2 | xBk Live
Danny Grause | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
Choro Moigona | 3 | The Cave
Chad Suttzman | 4 | Talk Shop Lounge
Tanner Taylor Organ Trio | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
BitterSweet Nation | 5 | Kenny’s Garage
Gaylin Sudik & Friends | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Bryce Vine | 7 | Wooly’s
DSM SPORTS
If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:
🏀 Iowa Wolves — Sunday vs Rio Grande
🏀 Drake — Women | Sunday vs UIC
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! 🙌
Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.
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Want to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn? Let’s chat! [email protected].
