“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature.” ―Maya Angelou Iowa has a national, even global, reputation as a place with a legacy of writers. The DSM Book Festival is central Iowa’s stellar literary event, an eagerly anticipated destination for bibliophiles, authors, readers and budding writers. It received […]
Des Moines
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Central Iowa Arts & Entertainment
Paint this staircase: Des Moines artists wanted for neighborhood beautification project
Even if you pass it every day on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, you may not have noticed the staircase. Lauren Kollauf wants to change that. “People have probably walked by or driven by this staircase and not really noticed it, it’s drab … and when you go up the staircase, it’s not entirely clear […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Hundreds rally for LGBTQ Day on the Hill, protesting bills ‘meant to scare us back into the closet’
Around 200 demonstrators filled the Capitol Rotunda to protest anti-trans bills making their way through the Iowa Legislature, and meet with their representatives. The rally was hosted by One Iowa, a nonprofit founded in 2005 to advance LGBTQ rights, and One Iowa Action, for LGBTQ Day on the Hill last Wednesday, Feb. 1. Courtney Reyes, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
A new Oakridge mural celebrates the life of 14-year-old Yore Jieng
Six years following the death of 14-year-old Yore Jieng, who was killed by a stray bullet while riding in his older sister’s car, a new mural in the Oakridge Neighborhood will memorialize his life. This is the second mural dedicated to Jieng. Des Moines-native Jordan Weber designed and painted “King Yore I,” which was completed […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
This 15-year-old songwriter from Des Moines is having fun writing sad music
Addilyn Erica is only 15, but successfully balances being a teenager with growing as an artist. This was made clear with the release of her debut EP Some Days on Nov. 4, 2022, in which the Des Moines singer-songwriter spins stories of love, heartbreak and freedom. “The music that we have released is almost nostalgic. […]
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 inCentral Iowa
With polkas, live reindeer and lots of Krampi, Christkindlmarket Des Moines brings Old World holiday charm to Principal Park
The sixth annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines kicked off at Principle Park on Thursday night. The Christmas market, inspired by by the centuries-old European tradition of holiday markets is a celebration of German and Austrian heritage infused with seasonal charm. So if you can’t make it to Munich, or even Chicago, the Christkindlmarket in Des Moines. […]
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 inCentral Iowa
As temperatures drop, DART is offering free rides to Polk County warming centers through Thursday
DART will provide free bus rides to warming centers and overnight shelters in Polk County through Thursday, Dec. 1, as central Iowa experiences severe cold temperatures and wind chills. “Riders should tell bus drivers when they board that they want to go to the warming center or shelter,” the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Five questions with Jinnouchi Power songwriter Patrick MacCready ahead of the band’s long-awaited album release party
After working on their newest album, Kaleidocoi, for close to eight years, Des Moines supergroup Jinnouchi Power is hosting an album release event at xBk on Dec. 9 to celebrate its release. The 11-track record will be streamable on all platforms on the same day. Little Village caught up with JP’s lead songwriter, Patrick MacCready, […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
DART providing free rides to Polk County warming centers through Monday
DART will provide free bus rides to warming centers and overnight shelters in Polk County through Monday, as central Iowa experiences brutally cold temperatures. “Riders should tell bus drivers when they board that they want to go to the warming center or shelter,” the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) said in a written […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
All-weather snow sports hill coming to Des Moines in 2023
If you can’t get enough snowy activities, you’ll want to plan a visit to Sleepy Hollow Sports Park in 2023. Polk County Conservation announced Thursday morning that it will be installing an “all-season turf surface” on the tubing hill at Sleepy Hollow that will allow for winter sports such as tubing, snowboarding, and skiing to […]
