PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Hope everyone’s week is going well so far. Whether you’re just getting by or already looking ahead to the weekend, I’ve got you covered.
As I mentioned last week, the first DSM at Dawn Dinner Club was a success. Readers spread out across the metro at five different restaurants, meeting new people and sharing a great meal. After dinner, we all met up at The Continental for a nightcap.
Safe to say we’ll do this again. Stay tuned.
Some of the crew that met up at The Continental
Dinner Club Review
"Absolutely had a blast! Our group was great!! "
Curious about something…
How often do you support local small businesses?
What’s one Des Moines business you always tell people about. Leave a comment in the poll or reply to this email with your favorites. I’m always looking for great spots to highlight in DSM at Dawn.
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: Some storms tomorrow but I see a high in the 70’s for Sunday.
Daylight Savings: Remember to Spring forward Saturday night.
Sports: Girls State Basketball is underway downtown.
College: Iowa State Plans to discontinue women’s gymnastics.
New: Kwik Star expanding to WDM.
In todays issue:
🚌 DART working on expansion
🏬 A plan for Valley West Mall
❤ Local companies give back
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
THE 515 REPORT 📰
DART lands $20M federal grant
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority received a $20 million federal grant to help build a new operations and maintenance facility. The investment is part of DART’s long-term plan to modernize its fleet and support future electric buses. The facility will help the agency expand service and maintain vehicles as ridership continues to recover.
Eight new commercial projects in DSM
Several new commercial projects are moving forward across the metro after the latest round of building permits was issued. The list includes a mix of retail, office, and restaurant developments, a sign that construction activity across the Des Moines area is continuing to pick up heading into spring.
Apartment profect proposed in Market District
A six-story apartment building with 258 units has been proposed in the Market District near downtown. The $47 million project would add more housing to one of Des Moines’ fastest-growing neighborhoods and continue the steady buildout of the area just southeast of the central business district.
Valley West redevelopment moving forward
City leaders in West Des Moines are taking steps toward redeveloping the aging Valley West Mall site into a mixed-use district. Early plans call for a mix of housing, retail, and public spaces that could reshape one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.
WHO 13 →
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 ❤
Sleepy Hollow fundraising underway
Polk County Conservation is raising funds to redevelop Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in Des Moines. The project aims to upgrade the popular recreation area with improved facilities and expanded outdoor opportunities for families and youth sports programs.
👉 More
Local companies give back
Two major companies with strong ties to Iowa reported significant community investment over the past year. Sammons Financial Group donated $4.6 million and logged more than 11,000 volunteer hours in 2025, while Alliant Energy distributed more than $6.5 million to community programs and nonprofits across the region.
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
⭐ FEATURED EVENT
Wine, Food & Beer Showcase
Dozens of restaurants. Endless tastings.
Sample bites and drinks from Iowa restaurants, breweries, and wineries at this popular tasting event at the Downtown Marriott.
Thursday
Bingo in the Cat Lounge — Play bingo surrounded by adoptable cats during this cozy evening event. Coffee Cats WDM. [details]
Fiber + Yarn Woven Wall Art Workshop — Create your own woven wall art piece in this guided, beginner-friendly workshop. Glitter Factory DSM. [details]
Simply Spring at Little House on Main (Runs Thu–Sat) — Celebrate the season with new arrivals, shopping, and special in-store events. Little House on Main. [details]
Friday
Grand Opening of Wreck N’ Roll — Celebrate the launch of Des Moines’ newest stress-busting smash room with food, music, and tours. Wreck N’ Roll Rage Room. [details]
The Office Trivia — Test your knowledge of the hit sitcom during a themed trivia night for superfans. Uptown Garage Brewing. [details]
Opening Reception: Chris Vance “Bloom” — Meet the artist and explore a vibrant new exhibition centered on growth and transformation. Moberg Gallery. [details]
3XWrestling — High-energy professional wrestling returns to the stage for an action-packed night. Wooly’s. [details]
Iowa Deer Classic (Runs Fri–Sun) — Three days of hunting gear, seminars, and exhibits for outdoor enthusiasts. Iowa Events Center. [details]
Saturday
DIG Symposium — A half-day gardening symposium featuring expert talks and hands-on inspiration. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. [details]
10th Annual Bacon Festival — A celebration of bacon, live music, and good times during this annual Johnston favorite. Doc’s Lounge. [details]
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner — An interactive true-crime themed dinner where guests help solve the mystery. Embassy Suites Downtown. [details]
Family Fun Night — An evening of live animals, games, crafts, and activities for kids and families. Pioneer Columbus Community Center. [details]
Sunday
International Women’s Day Market — Shop local and support women-owned businesses at this community vendor market. Big Grove Brewery. [details]
Paint & Sip — Follow step-by-step instructions while painting a canvas and enjoying wine in a relaxed setting. Jasper Winery. [details]
Art Spectrums — A free art program designed for youth with autism and their families to explore creativity together. Des Moines Art Center. [details]
NOW SHOWING 🎭
🐐 Billy Goats Gruff
📆 Mar 6
📍 Des Moines Civic Center
A playful stage adventure that blends Goldilocks, The Three Little Pigs, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff into one imaginative story for families.
⚡ The Lightning Thief
📆 Mar 6-22
📍 Des Moines Playhouse
The hit Percy Jackson story comes to life in a fast-paced musical about a teenager who discovers he’s the son of a Greek god.
👿 The Screwtape Letters Tickets
📆 Mar 7
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place
C.S. Lewis’ satirical classic is brought to the stage in this darkly funny show set in the office of a senior demon plotting to claim a human soul.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Pauly Shore
📆 Thursday-Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
The Encino Man and MTV Totally Pauly star brings his quirky storytelling and classic “Weasel” energy to the Funny Bone.
🎤 Felipe Esparza
📆 Friday
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place
Last Comic Standing winner Felipe Esparza brings his high-energy storytelling and sharp observational humor to the stage for a night of stand-up.
🎤 Jerry Seinfeld
📆 Saturday
📍 Civic Center
The legendary comedian and Seinfeld creator returns to the stage with his signature take on the little things in everyday life.
Support DSM at Dawn
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
THE SETLIST 🎶🎤
Thursday
Dan Trilk | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Tyler Farr | 7 | Wooly’s
Napoleon Douglas | 7 | Noce
Scott Davis & John Mattingly | 7 | Court Ave Brewing
Gaelic Storm | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
The Soul Searchers | 8 | The Greenwood Lounge
Linc Henriksen | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Grant & Shane | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Brittany Sword | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Not Sisters | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Dirk Von Stein | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Jana West & RetroSpect | 7 | Down Under
Rittz | 7:30 | xBk Live
Jeni Grouws | 8 | xBk Annex
Tyler Folkerts | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
Suede | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Get Down | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Robbie Michael | 8 | Brick & Ivy
Back to Vinyl | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Heath Alan | 8:30 | The Greenwood Lounge
Saturday
Velvet Trio | 2 | Doc’s Lounge
Bruce Harris | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Femme Fest 515 | 5:30 | Local’s Bar & Stage
Crystal Blue | 6 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Bex Marshall | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Other Brothers | 7 | Temple Theater
Yubu Band | 7 | Shirley’s
Adam Girard | 7 | Brightside Aleworks
Rain Firestine | 7 | Talk Shop Lounge
Allie Crummy | 7 | Reclaimed Rails Brewing
Gimikk | 7 | Miss Kitty’s
Fresh Fighters | 8 | Wooly’s
Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes | 8 | xBk Live
Keith Davis | 8 | Cabaret Ankeny
80 Grit | 8 | Prairie Meadows
Devon Miller | 8 | The Regal Beagle
Not Sisters | 8 | The Greenwood Lounge
Drive Thirty5 | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
The Sons and Sara | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Down Under
Cardinal Sound | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
Son Peruchos | 9 | Noce
Sunday
Ducharme-Jones Band | 1 & 3 | DM Botanical Garden
The Crowfoot Rakes | 2 | Captain Roy’s
Silversonic | 2 | Highland Underground
Devon Miller | 2 | Covered Bridges Winery
The Other Brothers | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Steve Grismore-Rod Leaverton Duo | 5 | Louie’s Wine Dive
Stardusters | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys | 6 | xBk Live
Altan | 6:30 | The Ingersoll
Volumes | 6:30 | Wooly’s
DSM SPORTS
If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:
🏀 Wolves
Sunday vs Memphis Hustle
🏒 Bucs
Friday vs Dubuque
Saturday vs Sioux City
🏀 Drake
Women | Thursday vs Illinois State
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
Click the link below and use code DAWN25 in the message box.
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].
