PRESENTED BY

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

It’s almost April Fools’, but we promise this newsletter is 100% real… probably.

In todays issue:

• 🌳 Spring has Arrived

• 🏀 A new era for Iowa Hoops

• 🚀 Fresh openings around Des Moines

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

🌱 Spring Starts Here

The sun’s hanging around longer, birds are back, and lawns across the metro are waking up. Whether you're raking, mulching, or just stepping outside a little more, it’s officially spring in Iowa.

Quick cleanup wins: – Clear out leaves and branches
– Cut back grasses and perennials
– Clean gutters, prep your mower
– Freshen up mulch and planters

Even a porch sweep and a new pot of flowers go a long way.

🛠️ Local Yard & Garden Favorites:
– Goode Greenhouses (Urbandale) – Early blooms & houseplants
– Earl May – Tools, mulch, and tried-and-true essentials
– Ted Lare Garden Center (Cumming) – Workshops & landscaping inspo
– Canoyer Garden Center (Grimes/Ankeny) – Trees, shrubs, and more
– Des Moines Feed Co. – Bird seed, pet supplies & more

PRESENTED BY: Dapper DJs

Looking to make your next event unforgettable? 🎶 Dapper DJs, led by Riley Schneekloth (a.k.a. DJ Riled Up), brings nearly a decade of experience and a reputation for creating memorable celebrations across Central Iowa. With sharp style and a focus on top-notch entertainment, they bring energy and expertise to every event.

Whether it’s a wedding, corporate gathering, or a milestone celebration, Dapper DJs deliver more than music—they set the vibe and keep the party going all night long. From dazzling lighting effects to seamless transitions, they ensure every detail is covered so you can relax and enjoy the moment.

📆 Book Dapper DJs today and turn your event into a memory that lasts a lifetime!
🗣️ Exclusive Offer for DSM at Dawn Readers! 🎉
Mention DSM at Dawn when booking with Dapper DJs to enjoy a 5% discount on their services.

THE 515 REPORT 📱📰 

🏀 Ben McCollum Takes Over

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a new Men’s Basketball Head Coach — a sentence we haven’t said in 15 years. Fran McCaffery’s long tenure is officially in the books, and in steps Ben McCollum.

McCollum grew up in Storm Lake, idolized Chris Street, and knows what Hawkeye hoops means to this state. He built a powerhouse at Northwest Missouri State, winning four D-II national titles, then led Drake to a 31-4 season and a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32.

Now, he takes over an Iowa team looking to reset — and fans have reason to believe something special could be brewing in Iowa City.

🔗 Read More

🚀 Now Open in DSM

📧 Know of a new business opening? Let me know!

• Boulder Tap House | Ankeny

• Simply Stunning Events | WDM

• Fong’s | East Village

• Harlow + James | Valley Junction

HEART OF DSM ❤️ 

🌿 Nonprofit Spotlight: Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) works to protect and restore Iowa’s land, water, and wildlife — from prairies and wetlands to trails and riverways. Headquartered in Des Moines, their impact reaches all across the state, preserving the natural spaces that make Iowa… well, Iowa.

Spring is a busy season for INHF. This time of year brings prairie burns, native plantings, and land stewardship events — all focused on keeping Iowa’s landscapes healthy and thriving for generations to come.

How to Help:
– Volunteer for a land restoration event
– Donate to support permanent land protection
– Explore Iowa’s natural areas and spread the word

🔗 inhf.org

WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁

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

🎭 Knuffle Bunny
A charming stage adaptation of the beloved children’s book.
📍 Des Moines Community Playhouse (Google Maps)
📆 Friday-Saturday | 🕖 7 PM
➡️ Info/Tickets

🦐 Seafood Boil on the Terrace
An evening of Cajun flavors and spring vibes.
📍 Rollins Mansion (Google Maps)
📆 Friday | 🕕 6–9 PM
➡️ Tickets

🃏 Capital City Card Convention
A full weekend of trading cards, collectibles, and more.
📍 Iowa Events Center (Google Maps)
📆 Friday–Sunday
➡️ Details

🔮 A Taste of Tarot
Learn the basics of tarot in a hands-on, beginner-friendly class.
📍 Franklin Avenue Library (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕑 2 PM
➡️ Details

🎤 Rob Schneider
A night of comedy with the SNL alum and movie star.
📍 Hoyt Sherman Place (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕢 7:30 PM
➡️ Tickets

🦸 Des Moines Comic & Toy Show
Comics, collectibles, and cosplay fun for all ages.
📍 Merle Hay Mall (Google Maps)
📆 Saturday | 🕙 10 AM
➡️ Quad Con

🧩 Puzzle Fight Club
Fast-paced team puzzle-solving with prizes on the line.
📍 Big Grove Brewery (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕚 11 AM
➡️ Tickets

🧙 Wicked: Sensory-Friendly Screening
Enjoy this classic musical in a welcoming, inclusive theater experience.
📍 The Varsity Cinema (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕧 12:30 PM
➡️ Details

🌶️ Chili Cookoff
Sample and vote for the best chili around!
📍 Firetrucker Brewery (Google Maps)
📆 Sunday | 🕛 12–3 PM
➡️ Details

WEATHER 🌞🌡️

A rollercoaster of a weekend in the Capital City.

Thursday

High 70 🌡️ Low 56 | 🌦️ | 💧 47%
Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead

Friday

High 80 🌡️ Low 56 | ☀️ | 💧 6%
Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer weather ahead

Saturday

High 66 🌡️ Low 37 | ⛈️ | 💧 68%
Weather Beacon: 🚨🗼🚨 Precipitation is on its way

Sunday

High 44 🌡️ Low 30 | 🌧️ | 💧 48%
Weather Beacon: ⚪️ Colder weather in sight

THE SETLIST 🎶🎤

Thursday

Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music
Donavon Frankenreiter | 7 | Wooly’s
Madison Ray & Sean Veeder | 7 | HiFi Brew Lounge
The Rocket Summer w/ Mae | 7:30 | xBk Live
Teller Bank$ | 9:30 | Lefty’s Live Music

Friday

Casey Joe Collins | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Doppleganger | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music
Killswitch Engage | 6:30 | Vibrant Music Hall
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers | 7 | Wooly’s
Casey Donahew | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
Sona Jobarteh | 7:30 | Hoyt Sherman Place
High Fade w/ Purple Funk Metropolis | 8 | xBk Live
After Shock | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Sons of Gladys Kravitz | 8 | Doc’s Lounge

Saturday

Molly Nova and the Hawks | 5 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Psychostick | 6 | Lefty’s Live Music
The Second Shift | 7 | Captain Roy’s
DiZclaimer | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
The Nadas | 8 | Wooly’s
Luke Farland | 8 | Doug’s Grub & Pub
Ashes to Amber | 8 | xBk Live

Sunday

Great Caesars Goat | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Chad Tepper | 5 | Lefty’s Live Music
Greta Akers | 6 | xBk Live
Red Hot Chilli Pipers | 7 | Wooly’s
Black Violin | 8 | Hoyt Sherman Place
Mutually Assured Destruction | 9:30 | Lefty’s

SPORTS 🏈🏅

College Basketball 🏀 

College basketball season has officially come to a close for our teams. Whether you were cheering courtside or catching highlights, it was a ride. Below are final records for each of the in-state programs — until next season!

Men

• Drake 🐶 | Record: 31-4

• Iowa 🦅 | Record: 17-16

• ISU 🌪️ | Record: 25-10

• UNI 🐆 | Record: 20-13

Women

• Drake 🐶 | Record: 22-12

• Iowa 🦅 | Record: 23-11

• ISU 🌪️ | Record: 23-12

• UNI 🐆 | Record: 17-17

Baseball ⚾️ 

Iowa Cubs Opening Weekend

• VS Omaha Storm Chasers
  📆 3/28 | 🕛️ 7:08
  📆 3/29 | 🕛️ 3:08
  📆 3/30 | 🕛️ 1:08

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs | 22-30-5-0 (7th place - Western Conference)

• VS USA NTDP
  📆 3/28 | 🕛️ 7:05

• @ Lincoln Start
  📆 3/29 | 🕛️ 4

Iowa Wild | 22-33-5-1 (6th place - Central Division)

• @ Springfield Thunderbirds
  📆 3/28 | 🕛️ 6:05

• @ Springfield Thunderbirds
  📆 3/29 | 🕛️ 6:05

• @ Texas Stars
  📆 4/1 | 🕛️ 7

• @ Texas Stars
  📆 4/2 | 🕛️ 7

G League 🏀 

Iowa Wolves | 6-26 (15th place - Western Conference)

• VS South Bay Lakers
  🐺 Pack Battle Night
  📆 3/28 | 🕛️ 6:30

• VS South Bay Lakers
  🏎️ Final Lap: Fan App
  📆 3/29 | 🕛️ 6:30

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].