Coming out of COVID, more families than ever are looking to start over and get the assistance they need to thrive. The FreeStore is a Des Moines furniture bank helping locals leaving domestic violence housing (temporary or intermediate) and other unsafe conditions. They provide furniture and other household items to help furnish a new residence […]
Central Iowa
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Gross Domestic Product Festival returns to Des Moines in April
Another favorite Iowa music tradition is returning to Des Moines next month. The Des Moines Music Coalition (DMCC) announced this year’s lineup for the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a one-day All-Iowa music festival happening on Saturday, April 23. Little Village is a co-presenter of GDP for the first time, celebrating the launch of the […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
A new natural playscape is coming together in Urbandale, designed for year-round, adaptable recreation
Earlier this month, Jan Herke, director of Parks and Recreation for Urbandale, stepped onto a wooden play structure in Barrett Park. “I can’t wait to climb this today,” she said. Phase I of the city’s Natural Playscape project had just been completed, but Barrett Park, at the southeast corner of 156th Street and Waterford Road […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City students stage a walk out to protest Gov. Reynolds banning transgender girls from playing girls’ sports at school
More than 150 Iowa City Community School District students walked out of classes on Friday and marched to the Pentacrest to protest the newly enacted ban on transgender girls playing girls’ sports at all public and private schools, as well as at colleges and universities in Iowa. Planning for protest began among five friends at […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Five questions with Luke Pettipoole of the Envy Corps
Des Moines music fans know the Envy Corps as an alt-pop band from Ames that has over time become a festival staple. This summer is no exception. In the recent lineup announcement, 80/35 festival revealed that the Envy Corps will take the stage there for the fifth time. I talked with the founder of the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Celebrate National Pancake Day at these Des Moines Restaurants
It’s almost Shrove Tuesday! Or maybe you know it as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. Whatever you call it, you’re probably familiar. This year, I’m choosing to celebrate Shrove Tuesday’s secular cousin, National Pancake Day. (Ahh, yes. Now you’re familiar.) It’s important to mention that there are actually two National Pancake Days every year, but […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Charli XCX, Father John Misty to headline 13th 80/35, with Jamila Woods, Japanese Breakfast and more
80/35 is coming back to Des Moines for its 13th year, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has announced its 2022 headliners: English singer/songwriter Charli XCX and indie folk darling (and Fleet Foxes alum) Father John Misty. Supporting acts include Chicago songwriter and poet Jamila […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Five questions with Mabel Gladly of Chicago disco-pop group Glad Rags
It’s no secret that the Windy City is home to many great indie artists of all genres. And being only five hours away, Des Moines gets to experience a lot of those artists when they hit the road. That’s the case with Glad Rags, a self-described art-pop collaboration of some of Chicago’s top musicians. The […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Sex to me is a dance’: Des Moines’ Wendy Broich combines pole dancing, sex coaching and boudoir photography in one small business
Artist, sex coach and entrepreneur Wendy Broich has trouble summarizing her job. “I say ‘experience’ a lot because what I do is provide experiences. It’s hard to just tell someone what I do,” she said. “I feel like I have to take you through it, and in order for me to take you through it, […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
‘Dance does everything’: Gateway Dance Theatre celebrates 50 years in Des Moines with Black history showcase
This year marks 50 years of education, training and performance for Gateway Dance Theatre, a Des Moines company fusing African-American, Caribbean, Asian, Indian and other international music and dance traditions, in addition to drama, science, visual arts and other disciplines. Gateway will celebrate all year long, starting on Feb. 26 with a Black History showcase, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Iowa Craft Brew Festival releases tickets for 12th annual event at Water Works Park
Beer-lovers, rejoice! The Iowa Craft Brew Festival is back for its 12th year in 2022, and tickets are on sale now. The Iowa Brewers Guild, the organization responsible for putting on the festival, made its first real mark on the state when it lobbied to raise the alcohol limit for Iowa-brewed beers from 6 percent […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Des Moines’ Beaverdale Books brings back Local Author Fair, featuring six Iowa writers
Des Moines locals know Beaverdale Books as a cozy place to discover Iowa authors, and events like the Local Author Fair helped them earn that reputation. Beaverdale Books is hosting their first Local Author Fair since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Six authors will be […]
