PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Happy Thursday and Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Summer in Des Moines always seems to kick off this weekend, and there’s plenty happening around town over the next few days.
Also… how are everyone’s lawns looking right now? The rain and warmer weather have everything growing fast, and if you’re already tired of mowing, my cousin Hunter would love to help out. He’s building his lawn care business and looking to take on more local clients this season. Reach him at [email protected] for mowing and lawn care needs.
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: Cool and dry for the next few days, with temps rising as we get closer to next week.
Sports: State track & field is going on at Drake Stadium this weekend.
Local Celeb: Caitlin Clark will grand marshal the Indianapolis 500 Sunday.
In today’s issue:
🥳 CelebrAsian kicks off
⏳Court Ave Hy Vee update
🎨 Arts Fest expansion
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
THE 515 REPORT 📰
Warehouse Redevelopment Moves Forward
Des Moines City Council approved preliminary terms tied to redeveloping a historic warehouse property near downtown. Current plans include apartments, commercial space, parking, and public infrastructure improvements near the site on SE 4th St, though the agreement still depends on final financing and incentive approvals.
Court Ave Hy-Vee Extends Hours
The Hy-Vee on Court Avenue will be allowed to stay open later under an amended agreement approved by the city. The updated deal also includes added security measures and operational requirements tied to the downtown location. The store’s hours will now be 7 am to 9 pm daily.
Arts Festival Expands Beyond Art & Music
The Des Moines Arts Festival is expanding its programming this year with more interactive experiences, culinary events, and hands-on activities throughout the weekend. Organizers say the goal is to create a broader festival atmosphere that appeals to more than just traditional art audiences.
WHO 13 →
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Community Notes ❤
$400M in Manufacturing Investment Approved
The Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved incentives connected to nearly $400 million in manufacturing investments across the state. The projects are expected to support hundreds of jobs and continued expansion in Iowa’s industrial and production sectors.
Holmes Murphy Foundation Supports 21 Nonprofits
The Holmes Murphy Foundation is distributing $140,000 in grants to 21 nonprofit organizations across Iowa. Funding will support a variety of community programs and services, including organizations focused on health, housing, education, and family support.
👉 More
Foster SQUAD Launches New Resource Hub
Foster SQUAD introduced a new online resource hub designed to help Iowa foster families more easily access support services, supplies, and information. The platform aims to simplify the process of finding assistance while helping foster parents connect with available community resources.
👉 Details
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
⭐️ Featured Event
🎉 CelebrAsian 2026: The Story of US
📆 Friday & Saturday
📍 Western Gateway Park
CelebrAsian returns to downtown Des Moines this weekend with two days of food, performances, cultural exhibits, live entertainment, and more than 150 vendors. The annual festival features 12 cultural villages, cooking demos, dance performances, market booths, and plenty of incredible food from across Asia.
Thursday
From Hive to Table — Learn how local honey goes from hive to plate with a meal and hands-on discussion. Iowa Food Cooperative. [details]
REBEL WITH A CLAUSE w/ Filmmaker Q&A and Author Signing — A documentary screening followed by a live Q&A and book signing with the filmmakers. The Varsity Cinema. [details]
YWRC Book Sale - Spring 2026 (Runs Thu–Mon) — One of Iowa’s biggest used book sales returns for Memorial Day weekend. Iowa State Fairgrounds 4H Building. [details]
Friday
Touch A Truck — Climb inside big trucks, heavy equipment, and emergency vehicles at this free family event. Colby Park. [details]
Car & Bike Night at Blue Ribbon! — Classic cars, motorcycles, live music, and patio drinks on the east side. Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery. [details]
Memorial Day Sale (Runs Fri–Sun) — Memorial Day weekend deals on plants, hanging baskets, and outdoor décor. Iowa Outdoor Products. [details]
Saturday
Opening Day at The Heritage Carousel! — The historic carousel kicks off its season with rides, giveaways, and family activities. Heritage Carousel. [details]
Fused Glass Garden Gnomes Workshop — Design colorful fused-glass garden gnomes during this beginner-friendly crafting workshop. Ted Lare Garden Center. [details]
Iowa Amateur Championships 2026 (Runs Sat–Sun) — Two days of competitive disc golf featuring players from across the region. Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course. [details]
Honeycomb Stained Glass Workshop — Create your own stained glass honeycomb piece in this hands-on workshop. Slick Designs. [details]
Kombucha Brewing Workshop — Learn the basics of brewing and flavoring kombucha at home. Green Mama Soaps. [details]
Blade Rave — Goth, techno, and vampire-inspired nightlife collide at this late-night themed dance party. Wooly’s. [details]
Sunday
Hometown Half Marathon & 5k/10k — Memorial Day weekend races with distances for competitive runners and casual walkers alike. Trestle Trail. [details]
Vintage at Val Air — Vintage vendors, local artists, DJs, and brunch specials fill Val Air Ballroom for this monthly market. Val Air Ballroom. [details]
Memorial Day Foam Paw-ty — Dogs and their humans can cool off with foam, drinks, and playtime at the park. Paws and Pints. [details]
Pop-up Food and Free Board Game Day — Grab food and try out a huge collection of board games during this casual community hangout. Moxie Kitchen + Events. [details]
Beaverdale Memorial Tree Walk — A guided storytelling walk exploring the history and meaning behind Beaverdale’s memorial trees. Beaver Ave and Urbandale Ave. [details]
NOW SHOWING 🎭
🟣 Polkadots
📆 May 8-24
📍 The Playhouse
A colorful, family-friendly musical about friendship, acceptance, and celebrating what makes us different.
📦 The Roommate
📆 May 14-31
📍 The Ingersoll
A dark comedy about two unlikely roommates whose lives spiral in unexpected directions.
🧺 Middle of Somewhere
📆 May 16 & 23
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
This improv comedy turns audience suggestions into a small-town story packed with laughs, drama, and unexpected twists.
✝ Mi Cristo Roto
📆 May 21
📍 Temple Theater
A high-energy Spanish-language theatrical experience filled with drama, music, and crowd interaction.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Jeremiah Watkins
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
Jeremiah Watkins brings his chaotic, off-the-cuff stand-up style and viral comedy energy to the stage.
Support DSM at Dawn
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Everything goes back into making this better for Des Moines,
Grateful you’re here.
— Nick
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Birdchild | 6 | Jasper Winery
Tom Pevear | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Bad Friends | 6 | Valley Junction
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Merll’s
Taylor King | 6 | Trailside Tap
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Styx | 7 | Water Works Park
Castor Valor | 7 | xBk Live
Jackie Myers | 7 | Noce
Rupert Wates | 7 | Board & Batten
The Soul Searchers | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Johnny Novacaine | 9 | Yacht Club
Cody Hicks | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Brittany Sword | 4:30 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Get Off My Lawn | 5 | Truman’s Pizza
Schoon Brothers | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Luke Farland | 5 | Caffrey’s
Dueling Guitars | 5:30 | Campbell Park
The Soul Searchers | 6 | Water Works Park
Opus Taylor | 6 | Confluence Brewing
The Juan & Only | 6 | El Toreado
Mule | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Mike Moody & The Outlaws | 6 | Destination Grille
The Lamplighters | 6 | Zeke’s Rooftop & Grill
BitterSweet | 6 | Soggy Frog
David Watson | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Final Mix | 6:30 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Stark Raving Madge | 7 | Wooly’s
Dave Zollo | 7 | Captain Roy’s
LIGHTCUBE | 7 | The Cave
Sundance & more | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Corbett Reeves | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
JB Williams | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Peter Roberts | 8 | xBk Live
Casey Peasley | 8 | Walker’s Place
The Remedy | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Sister Sara | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Get Down Band | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Mountain Alice | 8:30 | The Fremont
Not Sisters | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50’s | 10 | Prairie Meadows
Saturday
Drive Thirty5 | 12 | Annie’s Irish Pub
The Soul Searchers | 4 | Water Works Park
The Trickle Tree Hippies | 4 | 1833 Saloon
Dukes of Haggard | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Drew Peer & Cameron McCalister | 5 | Plain Talk Books & Coffee
Brittany Sword | 5 | 1908 Draught House WDM
Christian Connett | 5 | 1908 Draught House Norwalk
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Suede | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Willie Mac & The Lost Cousins | 6 | Madison Co Winery
Mr Softheart | 7 | xBk Live
Marisa Cravero | 7 | Noce
Jake Schrodt | 7 | Shirley’s
The Kenastons | 7 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Gh0stTheKid & Dakota $lim | 8 | Locals Bar & Stage
Brody & Cooper | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Ducharme-Jones Band | 8:30 | Greenwood Lounge
Casey Peasley | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Motley Scrue | 10 | Prairie Meadows
Sunday
The Hors D’oeuvres | 12 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Mabel’s Porch | 1 | Water Works Park
Final Mix | 2 | Truman’s Pizza
The Crowfoot Rakes | 2 | Captain Roy’s
Kris Karr | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Weary Ramblers | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Damon Dotson | 4 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Forrest McCurren | 5 | Exile Brewing
Velvet Trio | 5 | Soggy Frog
Gaylin Sudik & Friends | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
DSM SPORTS
If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:
⚾ Cubs
All weekend vs Memphis
🏈 Barnstormers
Friday vs Jacksonville Sharks
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
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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].
