A portion of Iowa’s rich abolitionist history will be revealed for some, and refreshed for others, during the new Iowa Underground Railroad Bike Ride. Presented by Iowa’s National Association of Social Workers, the Des Moines branch of Black Girls Do Bike and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, the two-and-a-half-day ride combines learning, endurance and community in […]
Courtney Guein
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A new, free Des Moines music festival unites six genres: Afrobeats, blues, classical, hip hop, jazz and Latino
Central Iowa’s freshest music festival is already bigger than its creators first imagined. Billy Weathers, better known as the hip-hop artist B. Well, and Ashley Eidbo, a double bass player in the Des Moines Symphony (DMS), first connected backstage during DMS’s Yankee Doodle Pops concert last summer. (Weathers was invited to the event to sing […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Des Moines to host National Senior Games in 2025
The National Senior Games will make its way to Des Moines in 2025 to showcase the benefits of physicality, competitiveness and active aging for adults over 50 years old. Both Catch Des Moines and the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) are combining efforts to tackle this goal. “I think it’s outstanding,” Catch Des Moines President […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
SWAY’S BLOOM is coming soon!
Stop by Cowles Commons this afternoon to see Australia’s “aerial theater”, SWAY’S BLOOM! Watch performers bring themselves into the work as they transform into visual representations of the cycle of life as the wind takes hold of them. SWAY’S 10 year performer Andre Myers describes the show as the lifecycle of a flower. But he […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The Gas Lamp goes out after 12 years serving the Des Moines music scene
On the penultimate night of the Gas Lamp’s existence, the music venue filled with couples dancing hand in hand, smiles stretched from ear to ear, the energy of the music from Bob Pace & the Dangerous Band practically palpable. Since 2011, the Gas Lamp has given the community a space to unwind after the work […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photos: Iowans protest ‘tyrannical power grab’ as new abortion ban speeds through legislature
From Tuesday morning well into the afternoon, the Iowa State Capitol brimmed with Bans Off Our Bodies protesters and counter protesters, responding to a bill from Governor Kim Reynolds intending to ban abortions after just six weeks of conception. Currently, abortion is legal up to 20 weeks after conception in Iowa. Mazie Stilwell, the director […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Five questions with Iowa Juneteenth T-Shirt Contest winner, Jaemal Sullivan
A man with more skills than he can account for pushed himself to the next level by entering the new Iowa Juneteenth T-Shirt Contest. Jaemal Sullivan didn’t know if he had a chance to come out on top, but it surely felt good when he did. Sullivan’s winning design, a Black power fist emblazoned with […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Pride Sports League ensures every athlete in Central Iowa has a league of their own
Rich Rumsey is an active guy. He likes to play volleyball, dodgeball and go biking. But when he joined Pride Sports League in 2019, it wasn’t for sports. It was for the community. “It’s an organized way to find other people that are similar to yourself,” he said. “It’s a great way to meet people.” […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photo Gallery: ICON Water Trails and Iowa Rivers Revival host a big cleanup in Des Moines
Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON) and Iowa Rivers Revival joined forces for a huge clean up around Des Moines on Friday morning, May 19. Volunteers kicked off the clean-up with a gathering at Captain Roy’s for safety tips, safety vests, gloves, grabbers and both reusable and standard trash bags. Originally, the cleanup included a water […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photos: Drag storytime reaches capacity at Des Moines’ downtown public library as Pride Month approaches
Iowa Safe Schools and Polk County supervisor Matt McCoy hosted an all-inclusive drag storytime at the Des Moines Central Library on Sunday, May 21. Storytellers included celebrity baker Andrew Fuller (Is It Cake?), as well as drag performers Vana B and Robin Graves. Supporters crowded the library entryway hoping to attend the event, but as […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photos: BIKEIOWA rides in silence for solidarity and commemoration
BIKEIOWA honored those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways with a silent, slow-paced eight-mile ride on the evening of Wednesday, May 17, to raise awareness for sharing the road. This marks the 19th year that BIKEIOWA has hosted the global call to action, with about 226 locations observing that call, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photo Gallery: Skate DSM hosts ollies and kick flips for cancer patients
Skate DSM hosted the Grind for Life Series (GFL Series) at Lauridsen Skatepark on Saturday, May 13. All ages and all skill levels competed against each other to win the street and bowl competitions while also helping the Grind for Life Organization raise money for cancer patients who need assistance with traveling expenses. The competitions […]
