The Historic East Village ended its 21st annual, five-week Holiday Promenade celebration with fireworks in the snow. Every Friday from Nov. 18 through Dec. 16, the East Village was full of shoppers exploring local retailers, who kept their shops open until 9 p.m. to maximize gift shopping opportunities. Restaurants joined in the festivities as well, […]
Courtney Guein
Posted inArts & Entertainment
It’s time to slam now at Fox Brewing for Des Moines Poetry Slam’s last event of the year
Des Moines Poetry Slam is closing out the year with a December slam at Fox Brewing on Tuesday. Poets wishing to compete must perform three original pieces. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m., and performances begin at 7. Those who do not wish to compete but would still like to try out some material onstage may […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Des Moines’ historic Varsity Cinema reopening after four-year, $5 million renovation project
The Varsity Cinema near Drake University is reopening its doors to the community after being closed for four years. The historic Des Moines theater features “a variety of programming including prestige new releases, the best of art house & international, curated repertory series and classics, upscale genre and late-night movies, kids and family series” according […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Basi Affia and other Black Iowa creators developing sci-fi ‘motion comic’
Afrofuturistic comic author Basi Affia is back with more intergalactic Black love in his new motion comic Lost With All Hands . Its release moves the Des Moines artist also known as Aniekan White closer to his dreams of animation. “This is just me kind of testing out the waters, learning the system,” he said. […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Five questions with: Iowa poet Champagne Harrington, who raises shit talk to an art form
Des Moines’ own Champagne Harrington learned from a young age that she had a voice. That voice has since grown in strength, putting words to her pain from losing a childhood friend, being adopted, relationships and more. But through it all, she now knows who she is, the talent she has, and where both of […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Art supports climate justice at the Iowa Environmental Council’s inaugural Green Gala
The Iowa Environmental Council’s (IEC) Green Gala & Art Auction filled Mainframe Studio’s Big Room on Friday, Nov. 10, with guests dressed in shades of green to support a greener future. As people sipped their wine over tunes from DJ Jaide Knight, eyes canvassed pieces of art that were to be auctioned. The main event […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Des Moines-based BLK & Bold coffee collabs with Marvel Studios, Target on ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ packaging
Black coffee just got Blacker with a promotional partnership alongside one of the biggest movie releases of the year. Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever product collection features Des Moines’ own BLK & Bold coffee, founded by Rod Johnson and Parnell Cezar — two best friends from Gary, Indiana who moved to Des Moines to […]
Posted inCentral Iowa Community/News
Eat Greater Des Moines’ food rescue app has attracted hundreds of volunteers — now it needs more food to move
Eat Greater Des Moines partnered with grocery stores, gas stations and the community to make sure unwanted food in Central Iowa doesn’t have to go to waste. Their food rescue app launched back in June, and in its first four months, has successfully helped increase food assistance while decreasing local food waste, Eat Greater Des […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photo Gallery: Halloween on the Hill rises from the grave
Halloween on the Hill (HOTH) is an annual Halloween night celebration in Des Moines’ Sherman Hill neighborhood, in which residents go all-out to present the most creative yard decorations and spooky experiences for visitors. With the pandemic, like many other celebrations and city traditions, HOTH took a pause in 2020 and ’21. But their comeback […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cooler temperatures and cold attitudes towards Des Moines’ houseless spur supply drive — ‘We keep us safe’
As temperatures drop, the Des Moines Black Liberation Movement Collective, Supply Hive and Des Moines Mutual Aid have joined forces to make sure unhoused people have access to warm clothing and supplies. ‼️ DONATION DRIVE ‼️ Supplies are needed for our houseless neighbors! ICYMI: last week @desmoinesgov destroyed the tents and belongings of many of […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Des Moines’ Botanical Garden earns tourism award while working to become more accessible
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden received the 2022 Best Attraction award from Catch Des Moines last week, and plans to uphold that title by continuing to bring the community closer to nature. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden won the 2022 Best Attraction award from Catch Des Moines! Thank you to @catchdesmoines and everyone […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Sherman Hill’s neighborhood-wide Halloween celebration will rise from the grave on Oct. 31
The oldest neighborhood in Des Moines is back with their beloved Halloween tradition after a two-year hiatus. Halloween on the Hill returns to the Sherman Hill neighborhood on Oct. 31, larger than ever. “The event has really started as just some couple [of] Halloween nuts, or we’ll say Halloween enthusiasts, like myself, that were decorating […]
