PRESENTED BY

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

We’ve officially passed 5,000 subscribers, and I just want to say how truly grateful I am for every single one of you. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just joined last week — thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting DSM at Dawn. You’re the reason this community keeps growing, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.

In todays issue:

• 🏗️ Co-warehousing comes to DSM

• 🍳 Breakfast Club heads west to Waukee

• 🎶 Greenbelt Music Festival returns

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

🎶 Greenbelt Music Festival

Bluegrass, indie folk, local food trucks, and live goats. 

The Greenbelt Music Festival is back this Friday and Saturday (May 16–17) just west of Horizon Events Center in Clive — steps from the Greenbelt Trail. This two-day outdoor/indoor fest is packed with big names, local gems, and family-friendly fun.

🧭 Here’s what you need to know:

🎤 Headliners Include:

• Greensky Bluegrass

• The Devil Makes Three

• Shovels & Rope

• Charlie Parr

• Lissie

• …plus 20+ more acts on two stages

🎡 Festival Vibes:

• Kids Zone & face painting

• Food trucks, beer, cocktails

• Merch, vendors, & a petting zoo

• Silent disco & lawn games

• $5 from every ticket supports Clive’s Greenbelt Trail

🎟 Tickets:

• 1-Day GA: $89

• 2-Day GA: $149

• 2-Day VIP (G.O.A.T. Pass): $229

• Kids 12 & under: Free

📍 Location: Horizon Events Center, Clive
⏰ When: Friday + Saturday, May 16–17

👉 More info + tickets

PRESENTED BY: Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros

Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros offers a swift and cost-effective kitchen transformation without the hassle of demolition. Serving the Des Moines area, they specialize in updating existing cabinets, achieving a fresh look in just 3 to 5 days. Their process is designed to be less intrusive and more affordable than traditional remodels, making it an attractive option for homeowners seeking a kitchen update.

Visit Kitchenrefreshiowa.com today!

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

Birdland Pool Update 🏊️ 

Due to supply chain issues, Birdland Pool’s opening day is delayed until early July. The city is still waiting on a shipment of filters that were ordered back in October. Des Moines Parks and Rec is doing everything it can to get the pool open and has announced that daily admission will be reduced to just $1 once it does — a small way to thank the community for its patience.

You might remember this was originally set to be Birdland’s final season. But after a petition launched in January gathered over 2,000 signatures, the city reversed course. Birdland is now getting a $1.75 million renovation and will remain open through at least 2026.

Here’s when other pools open across the city:

• Teachout Family Aquatic Center opens weekends starting May 24, and daily beginning June 7.

• Ashworth Pool, Nahas Pool, and Northwest Family Aquatic Center open the weekend of May 31 and move to daily hours on June 7.

🛠️ Coolest Thing Made in Iowa?

The Top 8 finalists in the 2nd Annual Coolest Thing Made in Iowa contest will be revealed today. The contest, organized by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, celebrates innovation and manufacturing across the state — and gives Iowans a chance to vote for their favorite product.

Last year’s winner? Vermeer Corporation’s Self-Propelled Baler — a powerhouse piece of equipment made in Pella.

Finalists are selected through public voting, and the ultimate winner will be crowned at ABI’s annual Taking Care of Business Conference in June. You can follow along or cast your vote at: coolestthingiowa.com

🆕 Now Open in DSM

📧 Know of a new business opening? Let me know!

🏗 Elevator Des Moines
You’ve heard of co-working — but now Des Moines has co-warehousing. Elevator offers flexible warehouse, office, and showroom spaces designed for small businesses and creatives. Located at 204 12th Street, just blocks from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Elevator provides a vibrant community and resources to help your business grow.

🍳 Breakfast Club – Coming Soon to Waukee
The popular breakfast spot is opening a fourth location in Waukee’s Kettlestone Central, bringing its specialty pancakes and mimosa flights to the western suburb.

HEART OF DSM ❤️ 

Make-A-Wish Iowa 💫 

Make-A-Wish Iowa grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses across the state. These wishes—whether it's meeting a favorite athlete, embarking on a dream trip, or receiving a cherished gift—provide hope, strength, and joy during challenging times. Since 1987, the organization has fulfilled over 4,300 wishes, thanks to the support of donors, volunteers, and community partners.

How You Can Help:

• Donate: Contributions directly fund wishes for Iowa children.

• Volunteer: Opportunities range from event support to wish granting.

• Refer a Child: If you know a child facing a critical illness, they may be eligible for a wish.

Upcoming Event:
The 32nd Annual Make-A-Wish Iowa Des Moines Gala is set for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Iowa Events Center. This signature event features dinner, live and silent auctions, and an after-party, all aimed at raising funds to grant more wishes. For more details or to get involved, visit iowa.wish.org or find tickets here.

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

🖼️ Opening Reception – Spring Group Show
Moberg Gallery’s spring exhibit opens Friday night with new work from a variety of regional artists.
📍 Moberg Gallery (Google Maps)
📆 Friday | 🕔 5 PM
➡️ Details

🎨 Build-A-Pond Workshop
Learn how to design and build your own pond with experts from Just Add Water.
📍 Just Add Water (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕘 9 AM
➡️ Tickets

🚴 Pigtail Ride 2025
This women-centered bike ride rolls from Ankeny to Slater on the scenic High Trestle Trail. Hosted by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
📍 The District at Prairie Trail (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕢 7:30 AM
➡️ Tickets

🎨 Ankeny Arts Festival
Uptown Ankeny becomes a hub of art, food, and live music during this vibrant outdoor festival.
📍 Uptown Ankeny (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕙 10 AM–4 PM
➡️ Uptown

🃏 DSM Sport Card Expo
Explore 50 tables of sports cards and collectibles and connect with local collectors.
📍 The Picker Knows (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕙 10 AM–5 PM
➡️ Event Info

🍺 Beer Mile DSM
Run (and chug) your way through this lively one-mile beer run hosted at SingleSpeed Brewing.
📍 SingleSpeed Brewing Co. (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕓 4 PM
➡️ Sign Up

🤼 3X Wrestling
An evening of body slams and high-flying action at Wooly’s.
📍 Wooly’s (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕖 7 PM
➡️ Tickets

🎨 Valley Junction Arts Festival
Explore art vendors, live music, and local flavor in Historic Valley Junction.
📍 Valley Junction (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕙 10 AM–4 PM
➡️ Details

📚 Books & Brew
Sip coffee, meet local authors, and browse books in a relaxed afternoon setting.
📍 Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕑 2–5 PM
➡️ Event Info

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

Thursday

High 82 🌡️ Low 58 | 🌤️ 🌬️ | 💧 23%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Friday

High 77 🌡️ Low 49 | 🌥️ 🌬️ | 💧 2%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Saturday

High 70 🌡️ Low 47 | 🌤️ | 💧 1%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

Sunday

High 71 🌡️ Low 53 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Wormrot & more | 5:30 | Lefty’s Live Music
Ryne Doughty | 6 | Confluence Brewing
BitterSweet Nation | 6 | Valley Junction
Jay Webb w/ Alex Arthur | 7 | xBk Live
Nick Rueckert & Co | 7 | Noce
Lukas Nelson | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Sam Pattison | 8 | HiFi Brew Lounge

Friday

Sundogs at Midnight & more | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
Joe Demerath | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Rob Lumbard | 6 | Water Works Park
Johnny Laws & Vince Cline | 6 | Ducktail Lounge
Zachary Freedom | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Willie Shay | 7 | Simon’s
JB Williams | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Luke Fox | 7 | Pally’s
Tyler Folkerts | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Nick Hermann | 7 | Firetrucker Brewery
Dark Star Orchestra | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Rainbow Kitten Surprise | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Deb Talan | 8 | xBk Live
Velvet Trio | 8 | Down Under
A Wolf Among Us | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
JJ & the Boys | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Get Down Band | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Damon Dotson | 8 | Brick & Ivy Rooftop
BenjoKat & The Sit-ins | 9 | Lefty’s Live Music

Saturday

Seth Jamison | 2 | Water Works Park
Display Case & more | 4 | Lefty’s Live Music
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Jeff Banks Band | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Scott Kirkhart | 5 | Winterset Cidery
David Zollo | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Des Moines Symphony | 7:30 | Civic Center
Lacuna Coil | 7:30 | Wooly’s
Shine On | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
BitterSweet | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Stan Society’s Best Song Ever | 9 | Vibrant Music Hall
Cover That | 9 | Back Roads Lounge

Sunday

Other Brothers | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Brian Congdon | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Des Moines Symphony | 2:30 | Civic Center
Liv McNair | 5 | Exile Brewing
D.R.I. 2025 Tour | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music
Guardin | 7 | Wooly’s

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs
20-17 | 4th Place | IL West Division

• VS Saint Paul Saints
  📆 5/15 | 🕛️ 12:08
  📆 5/15 | 🕛️ After Game 1
  📆 5/16 | 🕛️ 7:08
  📆 5/17 | 🕛️ 6:08
  📆 5/18 | 🕛️ 1:08

• Next Week | @ Columbus Clippers

Soccer ⚽️ 

Des Moines Menace
0-0 | 2nd place | Great Plains Division

• VS Santafe Wanderers
  📆 5/17 | 🕛️ 7

Football 🏈

Iowa Barnstormers
1-5 | 7th place | Eastern Division

• VS Green Bay Blizzard
  📆 5/17 | 🕛️ 7:05

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].