Y La Bamba, an electric indie folk pop band from Portland, performed for Club Hancher on Friday, March 22. Led by Luz Elena Mendoza, a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and first generation Mexican American, the group’s sound has been described as “psychedelia-dappled dream pop” that incorporates “south-of-the-border rhythms and intricate guitar work,” according to The Boston Globe. […]
Photo gallery
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Photo Gallery: Chappell Roan at Val Air Ballroom
Photos from Chappell Roan at Val Air Ballroom on Sunday, March 17. Roan is currently on tour with Olivia Rodrigo and made a solo stop in Des Moines. The LA-based singer, songwriter and performer hit the stage to perform to an enthusiastic sold-out crowd. Five Midwest drag performers opened the show, and fans were decked […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photos: Table to Table’s big potato rescue
Little Village captured photos at Table to Table’s potato packing party on Friday, March 15. The nonprofit received a donation of an entire semi truckload of russet potatoes (an estimated 58,000 pounds). Volunteers from United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties and 5224Good sorted and moved the spuds into more manageable boxes. Table to Table […]
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 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 […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Photo Gallery: The 17th GDP fest lights up Hoyt Sherman with Iowa bands, bards and dancers
Seven bands shared two stages at historic Hoyt Sherman Place on Saturday for the 17th Gross Domestic Product festival, produced by the Des Moines Music Coalition and co-presented by Little Village. Photographer Tyler Erickson attended the all-Iowa music fest, featuring the Envy Corps, Annalibera, James Tutson, B.Well, Genevieve Salamone, Lani, Eleanor Grace, MFKS and other […]
Posted inCentral Iowa, Central Iowa Food & Drink, Food & Drink
Photo Gallery: Iowa’s only spring beer festival, Salvator Fest, celebrates centuries of good suds
A festival of beer, music, fun and more beer usually pairs with warm weather. But sunshine or not, beer fest season actually starts in spring with the Salvator Festival, honoring the first strong beer brewed by the monks of Neudeck ob der Au Monastery in 1516. The Paulaner Salvator masterpiece the Salvator Double Bock, the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Photo Gallery: Mission Creek Festival 2023
Mission Creek, the beloved three-day Iowa City festival focused on music and literature, returned on April 6-8 for its 18th year. Over 20 national and local music acts performed at various venues downtown across three days. The weekend saw performances by Cat Power, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Snail Mail, Kevin Morby, Greg Wheeler & The […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Photo Gallery: Who let the dogs out in Johnston?
New sniffs and new friends were made in Johnston on April 11. Little Village joined Fitness Sports in Johnston for a Dog Wog and Cat Dash to celebrate National Pets Day. Pet owners were invited to bring their dogs and cats for a walk to the beautiful scenery of Terra Park. Some did laps around […]
