PRESENTED BY

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

Happy Beggars’ Night! Well, what’s left of it. I’ll admit, it feels a little strange not having our quirky little tradition anymore. Sure, outsiders never quite got it, but it was ours. I can’t complain too much though, a Friday night trick-or-treat sounds pretty ideal to me. Just don’t take away the jokes!

In todays issue:

• 🎶 Hinterland expands

• ⚽️ Pro Iowa stadium project update

• 🎤 Jerry Seinfeld returns to DSM

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

🎃 Halloween Weekend in DSM

Halloween is finally here — time for costumes, candy, and chaos. Most of the metro is celebrating Friday night, so get those pumpkins lit and candy buckets ready. Whether you’re walking the neighborhood, hosting a party, or sneaking a candy bar, make it a good one.

I know some of you put far too much time and energy into your costumes, and I want to see them! Send me some pics and I’ll feature a few favorites in next week’s edition.

PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team

Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.

If you’re in the market to buy, the Springer Brothers work hard to find that house that just feels like home. Whether it’s the first home we see or the 30^th , we encourage our homebuyers to always trust their gut. There’s no greater feeling in what we do than that feeling of finding “the one”.

If you’re the market to sell, our team will work with you to put together a plan that maximizes your homes value. We tailor every situation, using our suite of services, so that homeowners can feel confident when they list their home that they’ll get maximum exposure for their greatest, most-tangible asset.

No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.

Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🎶 Hinterland Expands to Four Days

Central Iowa’s biggest music festival is getting even bigger. Starting in 2026, Hinterland will stretch from three days to four — running July 30 through August 2. The lineup hasn’t been revealed yet, but expect another strong mix of major artists and up-and-comers in St. Charles.

Story →

⚽ Soccer Stadium Backers Seek More State Support

Plans for the Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium are moving forward, and developers are now seeking additional state funding to support the surrounding redevelopment district. The proposed 6,300-seat stadium will anchor the Market District, with nearby housing, offices, and retail space transforming the area into a vibrant new neighborhood.

Story →

🎤 Jerry Seinfeld Returns to Des Moines

Comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld is coming back to the Civic Center next March — his first Iowa show in two decades. Tickets go on sale Friday, so fans will want to move fast.

Story → 

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

🎄 A Little House Christmas (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday | ⏰ 10 a.m.
📍Little House on Main
Their 8th annual holiday launch is here! Celebrate the season with live Christmas music, festive décor, and gift shopping that gives back — a portion of every sale supports Iowa causes.

🎁 The Attic Christmas Open House (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9 a.m.
📍The Attic Inc.
It’s their biggest day of the year! Kick off the holiday season early with a morning full of Christmas cheer, décor, and fun shopping.

👻 Spirits of the Wild (more)
📆 Friday–Saturday | ⏰ 6–10 p.m.
📍Blank Park Zoo
A Halloween haunt just for adults — sip on spirits, explore the zoo after dark, and uncover the legend of a mysterious creature. Costumes encouraged!

🍪 Halloweinie Cookie Decorating (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 6 p.m.
📍ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery
Decorate (naughty) Halloween cookies at this 21+ class — complete with icing, drinks, and plenty of laughs. Kits available for pickup if you can’t make it in person.

🎃 Halloween Charity Bash (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 7 p.m.
📍West End Salvage
The Ripper is back! Recon Roofing’s annual Halloween bash returns with costumes, food trucks, and a cash bar — all for a good cause.

🛍️ Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍Prairie Trail Sports Complex
An Ankeny holiday tradition 45 years strong — shop handmade goods from Midwest makers and get a head start on your gift list.

🕹️ Totally Rad Vintage Fest (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10 a.m.
📍Iowa Events Center
Throw it back to the 80s, 90s, and Y2K with retro clothes, records, games, and collectibles — plus a free-play arcade and photo ops galore.

💀 Day of the Dead 25th Anniversary (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍Des Moines Art Center
Celebrate 25 years of Día de los Muertos with music, food, art, and community tributes — plus free hot cocoa and pan de muerto while supplies last.

🎬 Des Moines Underground Film Festival (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 1 p.m.
📍The Varsity Cinema
Catch the annual showcase of local short films curated by Serena Fath and Hannah Wright — always a crowd favorite for indie film fans.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 54 🌡️ Low 37 | 🌤️ | 💧 8%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 51 🌡️ Low 35 | 🌥️ | 💧 14%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 48 🌡️ Low 32 | 🌥️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 56 🌡️ Low 39 | 🌥️ | 💧 6%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Jessie & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s Friendly Confines
Militarie Gun | 7 | xBk Live
Anthony Orji & Co | 7 | Noce
Joshua Sinclair | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Greensky Bluegrass | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Johnny Novacaine | 9 | Yacht Club

Friday

Luke Farland | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
Taylor King | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Johnny Laws | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Corbett Reeves | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
David Watson | 6 | Pally’s Bar & Grille
Velvet | 6 | Ducktail Lounge
Archers | 6:30 | Wooly’s
The Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra | 7 & 9 | Noce
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | 7 | Val Air Ballroom
Unforgiven Band | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Jordan Beem | 7 | Miss Kitty’s
Neva Alden | 7 | Shotgun Betty’s
Night Stories | 8 | xBk Live
Swampy Boggs & The High Strangeness | 8 | 1833 Saloon
Encore Legends | 8 | Down Under
Fretnoise | 8 | Cabaret Sports Bar & Grill
Back to Vinyl | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Burnin’ Sensations | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Round A Bout | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Sister Sara | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
FREAKOUT 2025 | 9 | Lefty’s
Beast | 9 | Greenwood Lounge

Saturday

Royce Johns | 1 | Winterset Cidery
Neva Alden | 4 | Winterset Cidery
Dustin Baird | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Calous | 5 | Lefty’s
Bob Dorr & The Blue Two | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Stark Raving Madge | 6 | Doc’s Lounge
Abbie Sawyer & Her Persimmon Band | 7 | xBk Live
Napoleon Douglas | 7 & 9 | Noce
Caesar’s Ghost | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Jessie & The Medicine Men | 7 | Big Rack Brew Haus
Robbie Michael | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
RetroSpect | 7 | Back Roads Lounge
Black Diamond Loons | 7 | Captain Roy’s
PROF | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
Beggar’s Bargain | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Damon Dotson | 8 | The Front Row
Kraft Brothers | 8 | Flat Tire Lounge
Motley Scrue | 8 | Talk Shop Lounge
Hardway | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Not Sisters | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
The People’s Band | 8:30 | Mickey’s Irish Pub
Some Friends | 9 | Wooly’s

Sunday

Yubu | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Southbound | 4:20 | xBk Live
ANCIIENTS | 5 | Lefty’s
Barefoot Becky | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Two Guys Named Dave & Steve O’Brien | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Blue October | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
J.I.D. | 8 | Vibrant Music Hall

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Football 🏈

• ISU 🌪️ VS Arizona St | Record: 5-3 (2-3)
  📆 11/1 | 🕛️ 12

• Drake 🐶 @ Butler | Record: 5-2 (4-0)
  📆 11/1 | 🕛️ 12

• UNI 🐆 @ Illinois St | Record: 2-6 (0-4)
  📆 11/1 | 🕛️ 2

• Iowa 🦅 Idle | Record: 6-2 (4-1)

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs
5-3-2-2 | 3rd place | Western Conference

• @ Dubuque Fighting Saints
  📆 10/30 | 🕛️ 7:05

• VS Tri-City Storm
  📆 11/1 | 🕛️ 6:05

Iowa Wild
2-4-0-0 | 5th place | Central Division

• VS Tucson Roadrunners
  📆 11/1 | 🕛️ 6
  🎃 Hockeyween Night

• VS Tucson Roadrunners
  📆 11/2 | 🕛️ 3
  🐾 Pucks ‘N Paws Day

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].