PRESENTED BY
Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn.
Plenty to cover today, so let’s dive in.
Dinner Club is heading west. Our next dinner is Wednesday, and spots are filling up quickly. If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now’s the time. Come meet fellow readers, try a new restaurant, and spend an evening with some great people. I’ll be there too. 😃
Quick Hits
Weekend Forecast: Storm chances return this weekend as temps stay warm.
Prime Day: Amazon annual sale runs June 23-26.
Hawkeyes: Iowa women’s basketball will face Vanderbilt in Sioux City this November.
High School Soccer: Boys State wraps up this weekend at Mediacom Stadium.
Closing: Coaches Kolaches announced it will close after 9 years.
In today’s issue:
🥩 A new meat market is coming to DSM
👗 Game Show Gala details
🐮 Explore Iowa Farms
And we’re off.
— Nick Rivas
THE 515 REPORT 📰
New Market on Hubbell
Cerro Grande Meat Market is planning to open in July at 2517 Hubbell Ave. in Des Moines. Co-owner Jose Lopez is a fourth-generation butcher whose family operated a butcher shop in Ottumwa before a July 2025 fire pushed the family to rebuild in Des Moines. The new market will focus on Latino and Mexican specialty cuts, marinated fajita meat, ready-to-cook foods, and more than 42 varieties of sausage. Lopez’s sister, Ariana, will also open a Mexican-style ice cream shop inside the same building.
Axios →
Can Play Scores Big
The West Des Moines Leadership Academy’s Class of 2026 raised $90,027.56 for Can Play, topping its original $65,000 goal by more than $25,000. The class built its campaign around Can Play Fore All, an 18-hole mini-golf fundraiser, along with a sports equipment drive and volunteer work with Can Play programs. The money will help Can Play purchase a new transportation van, reinvest in programming, and expand access for youth and families facing disabilities, chronic health conditions, and financial barriers.
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 ❤
Game Show Gala
House of Mercy will host its annual Game Show Gala on June 18, with proceeds supporting programs that serve pregnant women and mothers facing housing instability, poverty, and other challenges. The Des Moines nonprofit provides housing, healthcare access, parenting education, counseling, and case management services designed to help families achieve long-term stability. House of Mercy has served Central Iowa for decades and continues to support women and children through some of life’s most difficult transitions.
Explore Iowa Farms
The 2026 Choose Iowa Passport is live, giving Iowans a free digital guide to farms, farm stores, farmers markets, restaurants, breweries, wineries, garden centers, and other local food and ag stops across the state. Nearly 80 Choose Iowa members are already participating, with more expected to be added throughout the year. Users can check in at participating locations to earn points and redeem them for prizes, including Choose Iowa merchandise and locally grown or made products.
👉 Details
Driving Out Hunger
Dewey, Stew Hansen and Southtown dealerships have launched their third annual Drive Out Hunger campaign to support local food insecurity efforts. Participating locations are collecting nonperishable food items through June 20 with “Fill This Car” donation displays at the dealerships. The campaign is aimed at helping food-insecure students and families during the summer months, when school-based meal support is harder to access.
WEEKEND PLANS 🚨🏁
Want a Featured Event with a poster,
reach out and say hi.
⭐️ Featured Event
🎉 Captain Roy’s Art Festival
📆 Sunday
📍 Captain Roy’s
Captain Roy’s hosts its third annual Art Festival this Sunday, bringing together local artists, makes, food vendors, and live music along the Des Moines River. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features dozens of artists showcasing everything from paintings and photography to handmade goods and crafts. It’s a great excuse to spend a summer afternoon outdoors while supporting local creatives and enjoying one of the city’s most unique riverfront venues.
Thursday
Beats & Eats — Food trucks, live music, family activities, and summer fun in Uptown Ankeny. Ankeny Market & Pavilion. [details]
Park Palooza (Runs Thu–Fri) — A free weekend kickoff featuring DockDogs, outdoor activities, and family fun. Raccoon River Park. [details]
Governor Days (Runs Thu–Sat) — Norwalk’s annual community celebration with entertainment, activities, and hometown fun. McAninch Sports Complex. [details]
Venardos Circus (Runs Thu–Sun) — A Broadway-style circus under the big top with acrobats, aerialists, and classic circus acts. Outlets of Des Moines. [details]
Friday
Lowdown Roundup Custom Car & Truck Show (Runs Fri–Sun) — Three days of custom vehicles with proceeds benefiting Blank Children’s Hospital. Water Works Park. [details]
Greek Food Fair (Runs Fri–Sun) — A Des Moines tradition featuring authentic Greek food, music, dancing, and culture. St. George Greek Orthodox Church. [details]
Movies in the Park: Zootopia 2 — Grab a blanket and enjoy a free outdoor movie night with the family. Colby Park. [details]
Movies Under the Stars — Ratatouille kicks off this summer movie series under the night sky. Wagner Park. [details]
Movies in the Park — Watch How to Train Your Dragon on the big screen outdoors at dusk. Centennial Park. [details]
Saturday
Johnston Family Fest — Three days of carnival rides, live entertainment, food, and community celebrations. Johnston Town Center. [details]
Wild Wild Western Ride — A themed cycling adventure along the Great Western Trail with food, drinks, and entertainment. Middlebrook Agrihood. [details]
Ankeny Fishing Derby — Kids can fish, learn casting skills, and enjoy a morning outdoors. Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. [details]
Grown-Up Book Fair — Shop books, gifts, and local vendors while supporting the Des Moines Public Library. Central Library. [details]
Iowa Craft Brew Festival — Sample beverages from breweries and craft beverage makers across Iowa. Water Works Park. [details]
Governor Days — Norwalk’s annual community celebration with entertainment, activities, and hometown fun. McAninch Sports Complex. [details]
DSM Flea 2-Year Celebration Market — Vintage shopping, local artists, food collaborations, and more. East Village. [details]
Waukee Palooza — Live music, food, and community fun hosted by the Rotary Club of Waukee. Hy-Vee Waukee. [details]
Sunday
NOW SHOWING 🎭
🚪 Noises Off
📆 June 5-21
📍 The Playhouse
A wildly chaotic comedy where everything that can go wrong during a stage productions does.
🕷 I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire
📆 June 5-14
📍 Stoner Theater
A dark comedy inspired by Y2K fandom culture, celebrity obsession, and one unforgettable kidnappyin gplot.
LAUGHS 🤣
🎤 Michael Blackson
📆 Friday
📍 Funny Bone
The internationally known comedian brings his unfiltered storytelling, sharp observations, and crowd-favorite stand-up style to WDM.
🎤 Deric Cahill
📆 Saturday
📍 Funny Bone
The viral comic and creator of Toxic Papa delivers a candid, hilarious set about family dysfunction, trauma, and everyday life.
Support DSM at Dawn
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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
Andrew Hoyt | 5 | Ankeny Market
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | 6 | Jasper Winery
Joshua Sinclair | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Hudson Road | 6 | Water Works Park
The People’s Band | 6 | Valley Junction Farmer’s Market
Neva | 6 | Destination Grille
Jesse & The Medicine Men | 6 | Poncho’s
Neal McCoy & Jason Brown | 6 | Prairie Trail
Matt Garcia | 6 | Trailside Tap
Diplomats of Solid Sound | 6:30 | Botanical Garden
Hot Off The Grill | 6:30 | Sleepy Hollow
Public Opinion & Squint | 7 | xBk Live
Steffen Heins | 7 | xBk Annex
John Kizilarmut & Co | 7 | Noce
The Drama Kings | 7 | Court Ave Brewing
Chip Albright | 7 | Board & Batten
Failure Drill & Iron Bar | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
The Last Dinner Party | 7:30 | Val Air Ballroom
MFKS | 8 | Confidence Speakeasy
Jordan Beem & Johnny G | 8 | Brick & Ivy Rooftop
Jake Kloefkorn | 9 | Shotgun Betty’s
Friday
Gladys Lite | 4:30 | Middlebrook Farm
The Lamplighters | 5 | Water Works Park
Meadowbrook Circle | 5 | Truman’s Pizza
Luke Fox | 5 | The Pavilion
Sierra Griggs | 5 | Caffrey’s
Danny Grause | 5 | Bevy’s Tavern
Faculty Lounge | 5:30 | Riverview Park
Velvet Trio | 5:30 | Campbell Park
Casey Joe Collins trio | 6 | Confluence Brewing
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Taylor King | 6 | Iowa Distilling Co
Patresa Hartman | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Mike Walsh | 6 | The District at Prairie Trail
Plastic Apartment | 6 | Paws & Pints
Jones & Owens Trio | 6 | Zeke’s Rooftop
Adam Kulmatycki | 6 | Shotgun Betty’s
Jake Schrodt Duo | 6 | Soggy Bottom
After Shock | 6 | Copper Creek Lake Park
Satsang | 7 | Wooly’s
John Krantz Trio | 7 | The Cave
Grain Powered Duo | 7 | Kelly’s Little Nipper
Trio Aceto | 7 | The Front Row
Stark Raving Madge | 7 | Doc’s Lounge
KBong & Johnny Cosmic | 8 | xBk Live
Blake Jack | 8 | The District at Prairie Trail
Robbie Michael | 8 | Walker’s Place
Drive Thirty5 | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
FunHouse | 8 | Down Under
Heath Alan | 8:30 | Greenwood Lounge
Recoil | 10 | Prairie Meadows
Saturday
Brittany Sword Duo | 12 | Annie’s Irish Pub
Rural Route | 12 | Tipsy Crow
Luke Fox | 2 | Jethro’s Southside
The Trickle Tree Hippies | 4 | 1833 Saloon
Mike Aceto | 4 | Sips on Main
Kris Karr | 4 | Revelton Distilling
Velvet Trio | 5 | Winterset Cidery
Jones & Owens Trio | 5 | Soggy Bottom
Kim Pattison | 5 | 1908 Draught House Norwalk
Mike Moody & The Outlaws | 6 | Captain Roy’s
Dan Trilk | 6 | Madison County Winery
Hot Off the Grill | 6 | Middlebrook Mercantile
The Juan & Only | 6 | Cowboy Mexican Bar
Barrelhouse Rockets | 6:30 | Covered Bridges Winery
Rick Burke | 7 | Greenwood Lounge
Waylo & Geezy | 7 | Locals Bar & Stage
The Hors D’oeuvres | 7 | Shirley’s
Crystal Blue | 7 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
Kevin Lindgren | 7 | Reclaimed Rails
Luke Farland | 7 | 36th St Tavern
Shaun Johnson | 7:30 | The Ingersoll
Maraya Nicole | 7:30 | The Cork
Anders Colsefni | 8 | Wooly’s
Tommy Doggett & Ben Mars | 8 | xBk Annex
Drew Fry | 8 | Hawk Heaven Tavern
Mary Runyan Band | 8 | Kenny’s Garage
Count it Off | 8 | Back Roads Lounge
Dick Danger Band | 8 | Down Under
Brian Allan | 8:30 | Mickey’s Waukee
The Savage Freds | 10 | Prairie Meadows
Sunday
Kracklin | 12 | Cheba Hut
Faculty Lounge | 1 | Water Works Park
Claudia Coltrain & Jared Benson | 1 | Soggy Bottom
Malcolm Wells & The Two Timers | 2 | Middlebrook Mercantile
Encore Legends | 2 | Truman’s Pizza
CJC Jazz | 2 | The Cave
David Watson | 2 | Winterset Cidery
Luke Farland | 2 | The Whistling Donkey
Madison County Line | 3 | Covered Bridges Winery
The Soul Searchers | 3 | Wilson’s Orchard
BitterSweet Band | 4 | Wellman’s Pub & Rooftop
Al Godfredson | 5 | Lake Robbins Ballroom
The Lamplighters | 5 | Exile
Music Under the Stars | 7 | Water Works Park
Season to Risk | 7 | xBk Live
Kings Kaleidoscope | 8 | Wooly’s
DSM SPORTS
If you’re looking for a game to catch this weekend:
⚾ Cubs
All weekend vs Toledo
Check out Tarik Skubal on Saturday
Love your weekends, hate the chores? You use DSM at Dawn to plan your weekend — don’t spend it scrubbing floors.
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THANK YOU! 🙌
Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.
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