Installation artist and musician Andrea Brook has never been to Iowa before. But as she stands on top of the Civic Center with a 360-view of night-time Des Moines to install her traveling show, Sonic Butterfly, she says that she likes it a lot. Sonic Butterfly is a 200-foot long harp made up of brass […]
Central Iowa
Posted inWeekender
Weekender Central Iowa! Trombone Shorty | Beaverdale Fall Festival | Lua Oktoberfest
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium There’s a party goin’ on ’round here—several, in fact! Get ready to celebrate this weekend with festivals galore, from Maximum Ames to the return of the Beaverdale Fall Festival, an early season Oktoberfest and more. Top pick of the weekend? Not a […]
Posted inPrint Edition
Little Village Central Iowa 006: Fall Arts Preview
Read issue 006 » Classes start, leaves redden, footballs are hiked, and artists come back from summer tours and hibernations to present their latest work. Let Little Village guide you through all fall has to offer — or at least some cool-ass events! Explore cutting-edge Iowa hip hop, Varsity Cinema’s next chapter, a Salem-inspired work […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Central Iowa libraries partner with DART to bring back free bus rides for cardholders
If you don’t already have a library card, Central Iowa library locations are partnering up with DART to give you another reason to get one. The Read and Ride program returns this week, offering free DART services to people who show their library cards while boarding a DART bus. The free rides are available for […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
California’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival comes to Waukee Sunday
This weekend, the Iowa Environmental Council will bring the 20th Wild and Scenic Film Festival — “where activism gets inspired,” according to organizers — to Waukee. The festival was started by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL, pronounced “circle”), a California activist group focused on protecting the Yuba River Watershed. In addition to the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Contact Buzz: What’s in a name? In his, musician DK Imamu Akachi finds, and spreads, empowerment
DeAn Michael Kelly has a vision. A creative one. He’s manifesting it through creativity, healthy choices, music and inclusivity — and it truly is inspirational. His personal evolution is the catalyst for the many projects he develops, as well as the next-generation leaders he encourages. His muse leapt into action, and he adopted “DK” as […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Get your Iowa lit fix at Beaverdale Books this fall
Nestled in a cozy town square off of Beaver Avenue, Beaverdale Books has been a space for Des Moines book-lovers since 2006. They offer a wide array of books from both local and farther flung authors, and the bookstore also boasts an impressive events calendar featuring author meet and greets, readings and book fairs throughout […]
Posted inWeekender
Weekender Central Iowa! Gurnfest | Wild and Scenic Film Festival | RenFest
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium Festivals about this weekend in Central Iowa, from Gurnfest to PorchFest to the RenFest and more! Top pick? Why not take in a film fest? The Iowa Environmental Council is offering the South Yuba River Citizens League Wild and Scenic Film Festival […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Forty years after the Johnny Gosch disappearance, fear continues to fuel conspiracy theories in Iowa and beyond
Listen an audio version of this article here, or using the player at the bottom of the page. On Sept. 20, 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave a speech in Cedar Rapids as part of his reelection campaign. In it, he advocated for slashing taxes and “the simple values of faith, family, neighborhood and good, hard […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
After a three-year hiatus, the historic Beaverdale Fall Festival returns this month
It’s been almost three years since Des Moines’ Beaverdale neighborhood hosted their annual fall festival. That changes Sept. 16 and 17, when the festivities return to downtown Beaverdale, with some new and altered features. Patrons can hear live music from local acts such as The Maytags for some soul, Standing Hampton for ’70s and ’80s […]
Posted inWeekender
Weekender Central Iowa! Water Lantern Festival | Ren Faire | Patio Fest
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium We’re still a few weeks out from fall, but everyone’s gearing up for the last big parties of summer, as Labor Day Weekend brings a days-long Patio Fest at Confluence, the Renaissance Faire and so much more. Top pick? Check out the […]
Posted inWeekender
Weekender Central Iowa! Exile’s decade celebration | ISU’s Bug Village | Surf Zombies
READ THE LATEST | SUPPORT LITTLE VILLAGE | SHOP PERKS THE WEEKENDER Your weekly editor-curated arts compendium The fests just keep on comin’! Exile celebrates a decade of delectable brews, Ingersoll Live delivers the summer’s best block party and the third annual Sista Soul Fest pairs a day of shopping from women-owned vendors with music, food and more! Top […]
