PRESENTED BY

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

I hope everyone’s week is off to a good start. The family and I hit up our first I-Cubs game of the year last weekend. I hope you are getting out and about and seeing all this city has to offer.

Quick Hits

In today’s issue:

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

Corteva announced Johnston will become the global headquarters for Vylor, its new independent seed and genetics business. Company leaders say Vylor will focus on advancing seed technology while operating as its own standalone company.

WHO 13 →

Mullet’s will open a new Waukee restaurant in June inside a new commercial building at 1105 SE Pleasant View Dr as the local spot continues to expand across the metro. Owners say the location will include indoor and outdoor seating, a private event space, and the same brunch-focused menu that it’s known for.

Business Record →

515 Brewing is set to reopen in Clive under new ownership after closing and being listed for sale last year. The new owners say they plan to resume brewing in the coming weeks and bring back several longtime customer favorites.

Business Record →

Want to get in front of 10,000+ Des Moines locals?

This is where our weekly partner goes. Featured spots include a logo at the top, a dedicated section like this, and placement in front of thousands of readers actively looking for things to do.

If you run a local business, event, or service, this is one of the most consistent ways to get in front of people in the DSM metro.

→ Reply to this email or reach out to get on the schedule

United Way of Central Iowa collected nearly 30,000 children’s books during this year’s Stuff the Bus campaign. The books will be distributed to more than 100 childcare centers, schools, and youth programs across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties to help support early childhood literacy efforts ahead of summer break.

👉 More

Two new murals are planned for Ingersoll Avenue as part of ongoing effort to add more public art and visual identity to the corridor. Organizers say the installations are intended to highlight local artists while bringing more color and activity to the neighborhood.

👉 Details

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

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

🟣 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.

👨‍🎤 Choir! Choir! Choir!
📆 May 15
📍 Temple for Performing Arts
A massive interactive sing-along experience where the audience becomes the choir for a night of Queen hits.

🧺 Middle of Somewhere
📆 May 16 & 23
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
This improvised comedy turns audience suggestions into a small-town story packed with laughs, drama, and unexpected twists.

🩰 Cinderella
📆 May 16-17
📍 Civic Center
Ballet Des Moines and the Des Moines Symphony team up for a fresh take on the classic fairytale ballet.

🎤 Frank Caliendo
📆 Thursday
📍 Funny Bone
The longtime comedian and impressionist brings his high-energy celebrity and sports impressions to Des Moines.

🎤 T.J. Miller
📆 Friday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
The nationally touring comic and late-night regular delivers sharp storytelling and fast-paced stand-up.

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

Thursday

Dueling Guitars | 6 | Jasper Winery
David Watson | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Dirty Champagne | 6 | Valley Junction
Forrest McCurran | 6 | Trailside Tap
Paul Little | 6 | Merll’s Pub
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Ingrid Andress | 7 | xBk Live
Karrin Allyson | 7 | Noce
John Krantz | 7 | Court Ave Brewing
Chris Miller | 7 | Board & Batten
Scott Eggleston | 8 | Greenwood Lounge
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Austin Brown Trio | 8 | xBK Annex
Triple J’s | 9 | Yacht Club
Jake Schrodt | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s

Friday

Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band | 5 | Greenwood Lounge
Luke Farland | 5 | Truman’s Pizza
Johnny Laws & Vince Cline | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Mike Tiedeman | 5 | Caffrey’s
Sons of Gladys Kravitz | 5:30 | Campbell Park
Midnight Radio | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Brittany Sword | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Adam Kulmatycki Duo | 6 | Saylorville Lake Marina
Jared Benson | 6 | Shotgun Mary’s
Black Dirt Ramblers | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Chris Ranallo | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Adam Girard | 6 | Fenders Brewing
The Juan & Only | 6 | El Toreado
Freddy Gibbs | 7 | Val Air Ballroom
Karrin Allyson | 7 | Noce
Polly Mall Cops & more | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Jake Schrodt & Taylor King | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Jackie Venson | 8 | xBk Live
Abby Kasch | 8 | Brick & Ivy Rooftop
Dirty Champagne | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Ripoffs | 8 | Doc’s Lounge
The Feel Right Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
The Bishops | 8:30 | The Dark Side
Mister Mac & The Peels | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Dustin Farrow & The Relics | 9 | The Yacht Club
Joe Inman | 9 | My Sister’s Place
Hold On | 10 | Prairie Meadows

Saturday

DSM Biergarten Maifest | 12 | Water Works Park
Jones & Owens Trio | 12 | Annie’s Irish Pub
Sean Michael Sullivan | 12 | Ted Lare Garden Center
The Finesse | 3 | Ratt’s Underground Records
Dustin Baird | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Jake Schrodt & Taylor King | 5 | Saylorville Lake Marina
Brother Trucker | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Karla Bonoff | 7 | Temple Theater
NOLA | 7 | Noce
Dakota Anderson Duo | 7 | The Cave
Apollo’s Death | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
Jana West & RetroSpect | 7 | Down Under
Country River | 7 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Open Swim | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
Luke Fox | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Cody Ikerd & The Sidewinders | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Severio Mancieri | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Funhouse | 7:30 | The Cork
Beggars’ Bargain | 8 | xBk Annex
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
33 & The Boys | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Cody Hicks | 9 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
Heath Alan | 9 | Greenwood Lounge
Gut Feeling | 10 | Prairie Meadows

Sunday

DSM Biergarten Maifest | 12 | Water Works Park
Oppel, Foote & Schmid | 2 | Highland Underground
BS & The Liars | 2 | Truman’s Pizza
The Tighten Up All Stars | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Ava Lemon | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
Zachary Freedom | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Dan & Quinn Trilk | 3 | Wilson’s Orchard
The Blue Monday Band | 4 | The Bridge District
Yubu Band | 4 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Soul Collision | 5 | Exile Brewing
Antonio Lopez Trio | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Iced Wrist & more | 7 | xBk Live

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

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].