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- 🌅 One last weekend of freedom 🎒
🌅 One last weekend of freedom 🎒
Tips for back-to-school, Cyclones abroad, and big moves in Des Moines
Nick Rivas
August 21, 2025
PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Welcome to football season. Many are rejoicing while others think “didn’t this just end?!”
In todays issue:
📖 Back to School
🏈 Cyclones in Ireland
🏗️ Community Updates
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
📖 Back to School
It’s officially back-to-school season. Most kids in the metro have one last weekend of summer freedom before it’s back to the grind. Some of you are seasoned veterans, while others are sending kids off for the very first time.
Here are a few quick tips to make the transition smoother:
Prep the night before — set out clothes, pack lunches, and stage backpacks.
Check supply lists — avoid the last-minute Target run.
Ease into routines — earlier bedtimes and alarms help beat the shock of day one.
Helpful links to start dates and supply lists:
🏈 Iowa State in Ireland
The Cyclones are kicking off the 2025 season in Dublin. On Saturday, Iowa State faces Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium.
What: Aer Lingus College Football Kickoff
When: Saturday | ⏰ 11 AM
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
How to Watch: ESPN
This marks the 11th college game ever played in Ireland and the 4th since the series was revived in 2022. Both teams enter ranked in the preseason Top 25 — K-State at No. 17, Iowa State at No. 22. It’s ISU’s first season opener against a ranked opponent since 2002, when they fell to Florida State at Arrowhead Stadium. And yes, Seneca was in. IYKYK.
PRESENTED BY: Kitchen Refresh by KnoPros
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Visit Kitchenrefreshiowa.com today!
THE 515 REPORT 📱📰
🏢 New Life for Zora Building
You know the spot — the former Zora nightclub at Ingersoll & MLK that’s sat empty for nearly two years. The Danny Elwell Company has purchased the building, which Community Choice Credit Union picked up at auction last year. While it won’t return as a bar or nightclub, early talks point to a restaurant or office space in the prime corner location.
🌊 Grand Experience Moves Forward
West Des Moines has approved updated urban renewal plans for the $400 million Grand Experience project. The tweaks are designed to bring more commercial activity sooner, while construction on the water park, hotel, and conference center is expected to begin in 2027. Stay tuned — big changes are coming to West Des Moines.
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
🎬 Movies in the Park: Moana 2 (more)
📆 Friday | ⏰ 6:30 PM
📍Gray’s Lake Park – SE Lawn
Wrap up Free Flicks season with Moana’s next big adventure under the stars. Free to attend — just bring your crew and some blankets!
🌎 World Food & Music Festival (more)
📆 Friday–Sunday
📍Western Gateway Park
One of Des Moines’ best weekends — three days of food, culture, and live performances from around the globe.
💃 Dancing on Cowles Commons (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 9–10 AM
📍Cowles Commons
Start your Saturday with a dance-fitness party that’ll have you sweating, smiling, and moving to the hits.
🌸 Flower Festival (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 10 AM
📍Howells Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch
Wander through fields of blooms, snap some photos, and soak up the summer beauty with family and friends.
🍷 Iowa Wine & Cider Festival (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 1 PM
📍Jasper Winery
Sip your way through tastings from 20+ Iowa wineries and cideries at this annual harvest celebration.
🎶 Ingersoll Live (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 3–10 PM
📍Ingersoll Avenue
It’s the ultimate block party — live music, food, vendors, and fun for all ages right on Ingersoll.
🍸 Gatsby Gala (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 6 PM
📍Salisbury House
Dress in your 1920s best for a roaring night of feathers, fringe, and fundraising at Salisbury House.
🎉 Cumming Street Party (more)
📆 Saturday | ⏰ 11 AM–8 PM
📍Iowa Distilling Company
Small-town vibes, big-time fun — live music, food, and drinks make this street party worth the short drive.
🚲 B4 Ride: Bras, Bikes, Bars & Beers (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 11 AM–6 PM
📍Captain Roy’s
A short, spirited ride with pink attire, live music, and plenty of fun — all to raise money for breast and cervical cancer awareness in Iowa.
📚 Exile Book Fair (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 12 PM
📍Exile Brewing
Relive the thrill of the school book fair with local vendors, happy hour pints, and live music to cap it off.
🎶 Winterset Porchfest (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 11 AM–6:30 PM
📍Court Avenue, Winterset
Grab your lawn chair and stroll porch to porch for live music across town. Free to attend — just tip the musicians!
🎎 Des Moines Anime Fest (more)
📆 Sunday | ⏰ 10 AM–5 PM
📍Holiday Inn Airport
Celebrate anime with voice actors, vendors, contests, and family-friendly fun. Kids under 11 get in free.
WEATHER 🌞🌡️
Thursday
High 84 🌡️ Low 64 | 🌤️ | 💧 10%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Friday
High 86 🌡️ Low 65 | 🌤️ | 💧 15%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Saturday
High 80 🌡️ Low 54 | 🌤️ | 💧 20%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
Sunday
High 76 🌡️ Low 51 | 🌤️ | 💧 7%
Weather Beacon: 🟢 No change foreseen
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Turnt With Talent | 5 | Lefty’s
The DM Project | 6 | Confluence Brewing
David Watson | 6 | DSM Biergarten
Black Jack & South 35 | 6 | Valley Junction
Cloakroom w/ Glass Ox | 7 | xBk Live
Tanner Taylor & Co | 7 | Noce
Umphrey’s McGee | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Silversonic | 8 | HiFi Brew Lounge
Friday
Glady's Lite | 4:30 | Middlebrook Agrihood
Josh Sinclair | 5 | Iowa Distilling Co
Brad Seidenfeld | 5 | Caffrey’s Irish Pub
Luke Fox | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Hudson Road | 6 | DSM Biergarten
Leila’s Rose | 6 | Lefty’s
Southbound | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Bittersweet Nation | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Vagabond Grove | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
The Guilty Pleasures | 7 | xBk Live
Gina Gedler w/ Abbie Sawyer | 7 | Noce
Avey Grouws Band | 7 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Drama Kings | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Leight July | 7 | Ducktail Lounge
Ryan O’Rien | 8 | xBk Annex
Liv McNair | 8 | Cabaret Sports Bar
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
The Adaptors | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
Flyte Risk | 8 | Down Under Bar & Grill
Saturday
Dave Zollo | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Dirk Von Stein | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Tim & Jana West | 6 | Fenders Brewing
Brother Trucker | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Hazer | 6:30 | Wooly’s
Robert Deitch Band | 6:30 | Covered Bridges Winery
Make Good Choices & More | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Chris Falcon | 7 | Mickey’s Irish Pub Waukee
Not Quite Brothers | 7 | Johnston Town Center
The Hors D’oeuvres | 7 | Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Ira Grace | 8 | xBk Live
Heart | 8 | Civic Center
10 Fold Return | 8 | Westown Tap
Mary Runyan Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Round A Bout | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Down Under Bar & Grill
Sunday
Matt Terronez | 1 | DSM Biergarten
Bob Pace | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Looking4Luke | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
David Watson | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Danny Russell Wolf & The Revolving Doors | 5 | Lefty’s
Casey Joe Collins | 5:30 | Exile Brewing
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Jamie Hurd Amphitheater
SPORTS 🏈🏅
Football 🏈
College football is back.
KSU VS Iowa State 🌪️
📍Dublin, Ireland
📆 8/23 | 🕛️ 11 AMDrake 🐶 Idle
UNI 🐆 Idle
Iowa 🦅 Idle
Baseball ⚾️
Iowa Cubs
59-62 | 5th Place | IL West Division
VS Sugar Land Space Cowboys
📆 8/21 | 🕛️ 6:38 🏟️ Iowa Oaks
📆 8/22 | 🕛️ 7:08 📱 2000’s Night
📆 8/23 | 🕛️ 6:08 🤠 Country Night
📆 8/24 | 🕛️ 1:08 📺️ PeanutsNext Week | @ Las Vegas Aviators
THANK YOU! 🙌
Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.
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