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

You know it’s officially summer in Des Moines when the Arts Festival arrives and Western Gateway Park fills with locals and visitors exploring work from nearly 200 of the nation’s top artists.

The 4th of July is only a week away but it’s never too early to make your plans. Catch Des Moines has you covered with this comprehensive guide.

Quick Hits

In today’s issue:

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

Redevelopment of Valley West Mall remains stalled as a new developer takes over the project from Ankeny-based ATI Group, which missed a key deadline after failing to reach a buyout agreement with JCPenney. The new developer now has 90 days to close on the property, with JCPenney's lease running through 2032 still a key hurdle. City leaders say they're hopeful the new group will deliver the unique, mixed-use vision they've been chasing for years.

WHO 13 →

The Des Moines Heritage Trust released its annual Most Endangered Buildings list, naming a former school, a former church, and a cemetery vault among this year's at-risk sites — and for the first time, an entire neighborhood, Snusville. President Tim Waddell said the list is meant to spark action, not just raise alarms, pointing to past listees the Butler Building and Jefferson Apartments as proof that "endangered does not have to mean lost." The 2026 list includes Grant School, the Market Building, the former Valley Junction United Methodist Church, the Woodland Cemetery Receiving Vault, and the Salvation Army Building.

Business Record →

T12 Distillery, which is continuing to develop plans for its planned location in Bondurant's Grain District, will open its first public location inside The Foundry in Historic Valley Junction at 111 S. 11th St. in West Des Moines. The new spot will serve as a satellite location offering T12's brand cocktails and spirits. Founder Scott Turczynski, who named the company after the T12 vertebrae damaged in his spinal cord injury, says he wanted to build something "not overcomplicated, not manufactured — just good spirits, good people, and a place that feels welcoming."

Business Record →

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!

Last week marked the 20th anniversary of Principal Financial Group's sponsorship of the Principal Charity Classic, which has generated more than $73 million for Iowa youth initiatives since 2001. Principal CEO Deanna Strable says the tournament — which raised a record $10.6 million in 2025 alone — is on pace to hit $100 million in total charitable giving by 2028. Beneficiaries include Blank Children's Hospital, MercyOne Children's Hospital, Variety – the Children's Charity of Iowa, and United Way of Central Iowa.

👉 More

The Interrobang Film Festival, held alongside the Des Moines Arts Festival, has named "Night Feeds," directed by Rana Roy, as its Best of Show winner. This year's lineup features 36 juried films from nine countries, with screenings open to the public (and free) at the Central Library June 26–28.

👉 Story

Want a Featured Event with a poster,
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Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

🧢 Gutenberg! The Musical
📆 June 19-28
📍 The Playhouse
Two aspiring playwrights hilariously attempt to pitch an over-the-top musical about the inventor of the printing press in this fast-paced comedy.

🕺 MJ The Illusion
📆 June 25-26
📍 The Ingersoll
A high-energy tribute show celebrating the music, dance moves, and unforgettable hits of Michael Jackson.

🚂 Runaway Twain and Friends
📆 June 28
📍 The Playhouse
Des Moines improvisers create an unscripted night of laughs featuring rotating guest performers and long-form comedy.

🎤 Sam Salem
📆 Thursday
📍 Funny Bone
The former Midwesterner turned viral comic brings relatable stories, classroom-inspired humor, and a laid-back style that’s earned more than 100 million online views.

🎤 Cy Amundson
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
A nationally touring comedian and podcast host known for sharp storytelling, quick punchlines, and appearances on Comedy Central, Conan, and MTV.

🎤 Comedy Revival: Cameron Logsdon
📆 Friday
📍 The Station
The social media star and stand-up favorite delivers celebrity impressions, pop culture takes, and crowd-pleasing comedy alongside a lineup of local comics.

This newsletter exists because of this community.

DSM at Dawn is free and always will be. If you find it helpful, fun, or worth sharing, you can chip in to help keep it running and growing.

Everything goes back into making this better for Des Moines,

Grateful you’re here.
— Nick

DSM Arts Festival Music

Thursday

Black Tops | 5 | Ankeny Markey & Pavilion
The Pork Tornadoes | 6 | Jasper Winery
Psycho X | 6 | Valley Junction Farmers’ Market
Ryne Doughty | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Rob Lumbard | 6 | Water Works Park
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Josh Ross | 6 | The District @ Prairie Trail
The Schmids | 6 | Destination Grille
Mango Soul | 6:30 | Botanical Garden
The Secret Sisters | 7 | Wooly’s
Bat Problem | 7 | xBk Live
Kyle Bachara & Co | 7 | Noce
David Watson | 7 | Joe’s Pub
The Punching Pandas | 7 | Camp Dodge
Maxwell Schaeffer | 7 | Board & Batten
The Robert Cray Band | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
Tony Bohnenkamp | 8:30 | Bix & Co
Johnny Novacaine | 9 | Yacht Club
Micah Wagner & Ted Stockton | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s

Friday

Day Ashworth | 4:30 | Middlebrook Farm
Trio Aceto | 5 | Water Works Park
Back 2Vinyl | 5 | Truman’s Pizza
Exact Same Speed | 5 | Plain Talk Books
Matthew Garcia | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Chris Evers | 5 | Caffrey’s
BitterSweet Nation | 5:30 | Riverview Park
Harrison Ingham Band | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Midnight Radio | 6 | Captain Roy’s
The Sheet | 6 | Paws & Pints
Dustin Baird | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Of a Feather | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Justin Goodchild | 6 | The District @ Prairie Trail
Gimikk | 6 | Copper Creek Lake Park
Alex Schroeder | 6 | Zeke’s Rooftop
Tyler Folkerts | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Yubu Band | 6 | Soggy Frog
The Juan & Only | 6 | El Toreado
Anthony Koester | 6:30 | Heritage Park
Lauren Vilmain | 7 | Noce
Velvet Trio | 7 | Pal Joey’s
FunHouse | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
Early Girl & more | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Kenni Falls | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Mike Sherm | 8 | Wooly’s
Kensett | 8 | xBk Live
TrainWreck | 8 | The District @ Prairie Trail
The Remedy | 8 | Walker’s Place
Alayna Ringsby | 8 | The Cave
Sister Sara | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Not Sisters | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Lola Blue | 10 | Prairie Meadows

Saturday

Black Dirt Ramblers | 11 | Exile
Jake Schrodt Duo | 12 | Annie’s
Willi Vanilli | 2 | Soggy Frog
Luke Fox | 4 | Revelton Distilling
The Schmids | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Gut Feeling Party Band | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Fred Gazzo Quartet | 6 | Anna Dolce
Kracklin | 6:30 | Covered Bridges Winery
Napoleon Douglas | 7 | Noce
Jones & Owens Trio | 7 | Shirley’s
Dick Danger Band | 7 | The Pelican Post
The AstroYachts & Wanted | 7 | The Cork
Flyte Risk | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
Sister Sara | 7 | Soggy Frog
Isabella Love | 7 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
Casey Peasley | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Kolby Cooper | 7:30 | Wooly’s
Commotion | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Dead South | 7:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Encore Legends | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Shawn Paris | 8 | Down Under
Nick Hermann | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Motley Scrue | 8 | Talk Shop Lounge
Jeremy Alvarez | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Ducharme-Jones Band | 8:30 | Greenwood Lounge
Driving Blind | 9 | Good Times
Beggar’s Bargain | 10 | Prairie Meadows

Sunday

Dick Danger Band | 1 | Water Works Park
Tyler Folkerts | 1 | Cabaret Ankeny
Plastic Apartment | 1 | Soggy Frog
The Savage Freds | 2 | Truman’s Pizza
Matt Terronez Band | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Kris Karr | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Choro Moingona | 3 | The Cave
Improve N’ Hard Copies | 3 | Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Elton Jack | 4 | Greenwood Lounge
The Hos D’oeuvres | 4 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Asher Brown | 5 | Exile
Bob Fields & Swingtime | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Altoona Flute | 6 | Haines Park
Commotion | 6:30 | The Ingersoll
Heartland Horizons | 7 | Jasper Winery
I’m With Her | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place

If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:

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