PRESENTED BY

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

As we flip the calendar, thanks for starting your mornings here. Whether you’ve been reading every week or just popping in when something catches your eye, I appreciate you.

DSM at Dawn exists to highlight what’s happening around us: events worth leaving the house for, local stories worth knowing, and the people helping make this city what it is.

If there’s something you’d like to see more of this year, my inbox is always open.

In the meantime, here’s what’s happening around DSM as we head into the first week of the new year. We’ll be back to our regular rhythm next week.

In todays issue:

• 🦓 Blank Park Zoo announcement

• 👶 Top Baby Names of 2025

• 🎫 Des Moines’ best events

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

Blank Park Zoo announces Roar & Explore

BPZ is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a first-ever statewide public art project. Roar & Explore will feature large-scale African lion sculptures designed by Iowa artists and displayed across the state from May through Labor Day.

Artists of all experience levels are invited to participate, making this a creative way to celebrate both the zoo’s legacy and communities across Iowa.

Learn More →

PRESENTED BY: Dapper DJs

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.

Community Spotlight ❤️ 

Top Baby Names in Des Moines

A fun snapshot of who’s being born in Des Moines right now. Baby Center recently released the most popular baby names of 2025, and We Are Iowa pulled together a list unique to Des Moines.

Some of the names showing up most often:

• Oliver

• Theodore

• Liam

• Sophia

• Vivian

• Charlotte

👉 Check out the lists

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

☕️ Granger Shop Grand Opening (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 6:30 AM – 12 PM
📍Vintage Road Coffee Co.
A new hometown coffee spot opens its doors. Swing by early for caffeine, community, and a first look.

🪀 14th Annual Iowa Diecast Toy Show (more)
📆 Saturday–Sunday
📍Iowa State Fair Elwell Family Food Center
A weekend packed with diecast toys, memorabilia, and dealers from across the Midwest. Family-friendly and surprisingly fun to browse.

🍸️ Iowa Distilling Company Tour & Sampling (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10 AM
📍Iowa Distilling Company
Go behind the scenes with a guided distillery tour, tastings, and a chance to learn directly from the team.

🍻 Confluence Brewing Chili Cook-Off (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 12 PM
📍Confluence Brewing Company
Chili, beer, and bragging rights. Sample the competition and support the Food Bank of Iowa while you’re at it.

♠️ Bingo at the Barn (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 2 PM – 4 PM
📍1850 Homestead
A laid-back afternoon of bingo, snacks, and prizes — a perfect post-holiday hang.

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 30 🌡️ Low 21 | 🌥️ | ❄️ 3%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight

Friday

High 31 🌡️ Low 24 | ☁️ | ❄️ 5%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 34 🌡️ Low 23 | 🌥️ | ❄️ 5%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 43 🌡️ Low 32 | ☁️ | ❄️ 6%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Friday

Ducharme-Jones Duo | 5 | Mainframe Studios
The Canary Collective Showcase | 6 | Wooly’s
Casey Peasley | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Corbett Reeves | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Wil Barnett | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Davina & The Vagabonds | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Beggars’ Bargain | 8 | xBk Live
Songwriters Round | 8 | xBk Annex
Taylor King| 8 | Cabaret Sports Bar & Grille
The People’s Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Jones & Owens Trio | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Midnight Dogs | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Jordan Beem & Johhny G | 9 | Brick & Ivy

Saturday

Davina & The Vagabonds | 2 | The Ingersoll
The Chuggaluggers | 4 | 1833 Saloon
Unforgiven | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Scott Kirkhart | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Adam Kulmatycki | 7 | Shirley’s
The Shaun Johns Big Band | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Feel Right Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Dogtown Rhythm Band | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
DiZclaimer | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Night Like This | 8:30 | Mickey’s Irish Pub
Motley Scrue | 9 | Prairie Meadows

Sunday

Major Blues & The Mugshots | 1 & 3 | Botanical Gardens
The Tighten Up All-Stars | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Andy Classen-Tanner Taylor Duo | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Al Godfredsen | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Courtney Krause | 6 | Big Grove
The Tight Up All-Stars | 8:30 | Yacht Club

SPORTS 🏈🏅

College Football 🏈

A strong finish for the Hawks.

Iowa closes the season with a 34–27 win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season is in full swing. March Madness will be here before we know it. Here’s a quick snapshot on each local program along with their next game.

Men

• Drake 🐶 vs Indiana St | Record: 7-7 (1-2)
  📆 1/4 | 🕛️ 2

• #25 Iowa 🦅 vs UCLA | Record: 11-2 (1-1)
  📆 1/3 | 🕛️ 5

• #3 ISU 🌪️ vs W Virginia | Record: 13-0
  📆 1/2 | 🕛️ 8

• UNI 🐆 vs Indiana St | Record: 10-3 (2-0)
  📆 1/1 | 🕛️ 7

Women

• Drake 🐶 vs Southern Ill | Record: 3-9 (2-0)
  📆 1/2 | 🕛️ 6

• #14 Iowa 🦅 vs Nebraska | Record: 11-2 (2-0)
  📆 1/1 | 🕛️ 1

• #10 ISU 🌪️ vs Baylor | Record: 14-0 (2-0)
  📆 1/4 | 🕛️ 2

• UNI 🐆 vs Southern Ill | Record: 7-6 (3-0)
  📆 1/4 | 🕛️ 2

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs
9-13-2-4 | 6th place | Western Conference

• vs Sioux Falls Stampede
  📆 1/2 | 🕛️ 7:05

• vs Green Bay Gamblers
  📆 1/3 | 🕛️ 6:35

• vs Green Bay Gamblers
  📆 1/4 | 🕛️ 3:05

Iowa Wild
10-20-1-1 | 7th place | Central Division

• @ Ontario Reign
  📆 1/4 | 🕛️ 5

• @ Ontario Reign
  📆 1/7 | 🕛️ 9

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves
3-2 | 5th place | Western Conference

• vs Sioux Falls Skyforce
  📆 1/3 | 🕛️ 6:30

• vs Sioux Falls Skyforce
  📆 1/4 | 🕛️ 3

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].