PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Valentine’s Day is upon us. Whether you love it or loathe it, I hope you find a way to enjoy the weekend. My wife and I celebrated early at Cooper’s in Valley Junction, and it did not disappoint. Great company and great food!
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: February is showing off. Highs in the 50’s and 60’s. Get out and enjoy it.
Coming to DSM: Steve Martin and Martin Short have announced a show at the Civic Center in October.
Opening: A second Dutch Bros is headed to the metro.
Closing: Panka Peruvian Restaurant is set to close its doors in April after 7 years.
What's the Valentine's Day vibe this year?
In todays issue:
🥖 DSM at Dawn Dinner Club
⛽ Kwik Star expanding again
🤼♀ Girls wrestling breakthrough
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
DSM at Dawn Dinner Clubs
Hey there,
We’re launching something new in Des Moines: the DSM at Dawn Dinner Club.
Six people. One table. A great meal and real conversation.
I’ve been thinking about how hard it is to meet new people as adults. So we’re going to try something simple.
How it works
Take a short personality quiz
Get matched with 5 compatible guests
We choose the restaurant and handle logistics
You just show up
📍 Downtown Des Moines
🗓️ Wednesday, Feb 25 at 6:30 PM
🎟 Book your seat
Can’t make this one? Join the list to hear about future dinners.
Here’s to breaking bread and building something real,
Nick
THE 515 REPORT 📰
Kwik Star eyes another WDM location
Kwik Star is planning a new store near Westown Parkway and Valley West Drive, adding to its growing footprint in the metro. The proposal includes a large-format store and multiple gas pumps, another signal that the Valley West corridor continues to attract reinvestment.
Axios →
Girls wrestling milestone for Iowa
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will host the first-ever girls state dual wrestling tournament as participation continues to surge across the state. It’s another sign that what started as rapid growth is becoming long-term infrastructure.
WHO 13 →
Harlem Globetrotters bring 100 years to DSM
The Harlem Globetrotters are stopping in Des Moines as part of their 100 Year Tour, blending basketball, showmanship, and family-friendly entertainment. It’s a throwback event that still manages to draw new fans every generation.
PRESENTED BY: Springer Brothers Real Estate Team
Looking to make a move? The Springer Brothers Real Estate Team is comprised of third generation real estate professionals, born and raised right here in Central Iowa. We’re deeply rooted in this community. When it comes to finding that place to grow your roots here, the Springer Brothers are experienced at guiding you home.
No matter your situation, we’re ready to get to work FOR YOU so that you can achieve your real estate goals.
Call us at (515) 371-9396, email us at [email protected], or visit our website to learn more about us.
Community Notes ❤
New multicultural food pantry opens
A new pantry focused on serving immigrant and refugee families has opened near Riverview Park, offering culturally familiar foods alongside traditional staples. The effort brings together local partners and fills an important gap for families who often struggle to find food that reflects their traditions.
👉 Details
Bondurant project received support
The MidAmerican Energy Foundation awarded funding to support the Silo Commons project in Bondurant, a developing space designed for gatherings and community events. It’s another example of smaller communities around the metro investing in long-term gathering spaces.
👉 More
Summer meal sponsors needed across Iowa
The Iowa Department of Education is seeking sponsors to help operate summer meal and snack sites for kids. These programs provide critical nutrition when school is out, and local organizations can step up to host sites in their communities.
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Winter Blues Fest
20 acts. Two nights.
Winter Blues Fest returns to the Downtown Marriott February 13-14 with a full weekend of live blues.
Tickets + Lineup at CIBS.org.
Thursday
Des Moines Home + Garden Show (Runs Thu–Sun) – Four days of home improvement inspiration and local vendors. Iowa Events Center. [Details]
Galentine’s Sip ’N Shop – After-hours shopping and sips supporting small businesses in Ankeny. Participating Ankeny boutiques. [Details]
Galentine’s Night at Painted Tree Clive – Late-night shopping, treats, and giveaways under one roof. Painted Tree Boutiques. [Details]
Galentine’s Night – A cozy creative evening with mocktails and hands-on activities. Barista’s Bouquet. [Details]
Friday
Flash Day Food Drive: Tattoos for Food – Bring non-perishables and receive tattoo credit for a good cause. Warrior Tattoo Studio. [Details]
Saturday
37th Annual Red Flannel Run – Suit up in red flannel for a winter 5K or 10K. Wellmark YMCA. [Details]
12th Annual Frozen Ride 2026 – A no-registration winter bike ride with breakfast and after-party. The Front Row. [Details]
The Fur Ride – A costumed charity bike ride ending with music and celebration. Ricochet. [Details]
Discover the Wild: Big Cat Day – Explore conservation efforts and learn about big cats. Blank Park Zoo. [Details]
Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting – Guided pours and curated pairings in an intimate setting. The Rabbit Room. [Details]
Valentine’s Day Chocolate & Paint Experience – An afternoon of cacao, creativity, and guided painting. All Love Wellness. [Details]
Paint Your Pint – Decorate a pint glass while enjoying a Valentine’s Day brew. SingleSpeed Brewing Co.. [Details]
K-Pop Party – A studio event with music, dancing, and themed activities. Premiere Dance Project. [Details]
Love on Lockdown: The Valentine’s Escape Trolley – A playful trolley date night featuring games and cocktails. Whiskey River Ankeny. [Details]
Sunday
Valentine’s Brunch Bingo – Brunch, bingo, and festive fun for all ages. Smash Park. [Details]
NOW SHOWING 🎭
🐭 The Mousetrap
📆 Feb 6-Mar 1
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
A classic Agatha Christie whodunit where a snowstorm traps a group of stranger, one of which is a murderer.
🕴️ The Naked Magicians
📆 Feb 12-14
📍 Temple Theater
The world’s funniest and naughtiest magic show, all the way from Australia.
💌 Love Letters
📆 Feb 14
📍 The Ingersoll
A staged Valentine’s reading of A.R. Gurney’s classic.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Vince Carone
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone Comedy Club
Fast-talking and brutally honest, Carone brings his rapid-fire Midwest storytelling to town.
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Luke Fox | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Max Wellman Big Band | 7 | Noce
49 Winchester | 8 | Val Air Ballroom
The Diary of Elon Lust | 8 | xBk Live
The Austin Brown Trio | 8 | xBk Annex
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Triple J’s | 9 | Yacht Club
Sierra Griggs | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Robbie Michael | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Ron Burchett | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Matthew Garcia | 6 | Firetrucker Brewing
Neva Alden | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Dan Medeiros | 6:30 | B&B Theaters
Max Wellman Big Band | 7 | Noce
Randy Burk & The Prisoners | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Addison Johnson | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
NHE | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Grain Powered Duo | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Everlasting Love | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
The Last Revel | 8 | xBk Live
Charvann | 8 | Ducktail Lounge
Renegade Soul | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Grind | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Royce Johns Duo | 8 | Brick & Ivy
Jordan Beem | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Saturday
The Guilty Pleasures | 1:30 | Big Grove Brewery
Dickie’s Lonely Hearts Club | 3 | Secret Admirer
Liv McNair | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Steven Kennedy | 6 | Surety Hotel
Velvet Trio | 6 | Ducktail Lounge
Beggars’ Bargain | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
RiviEras | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Birdy Young | 6 | 1850 Homestead
Matt Terronez Quartet | 6:30 | Covered Bridges Winery
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | 7 | xBk Live
The Cheatin’ Hearts | 7 | Captain Roy’s
New Sins w/ Soft Dog & Spumoine | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Jake McVey | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Brody Hedrick Music | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Des Moines Symphony | 7:30 | Civic Center
Braxton Keith | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Gran Noche De San Valentin | 8 | Wooly’s
Hardway | 8 | Down Under
Burnin’ Sensations | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Pickleback | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
The Get Down | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Sunday
The Drama Kings | 1 & 3 | DM Botanical Garden
Zane Gedler Trio | 2 | Highland Underground
Loose Gravel | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Des Moines Symphony | 2:30 | Civic Center
Sentimental Swing | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
SosMula | 7 | xBk Live
DSM SPORTS
If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:
🏒 Wild — Fri/Sat vs Springfield Thunderbirds
🏒 Bucs — Friday vs CR RoughRiders
🏀 Drake — Men | Thursday vs UIC
Women | Saturday vs Indiana St
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
Use code: DAWN25 for $25 off your first service.
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].
