Art Center survey, summer dining, pet safety for 4th of July, central Iowa watering ban, kite fest, and more. 
Happy Friday, Des Moines. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Des Moines Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Breakfast fundraiser 🥞
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Home architecture tour 🏠️
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Porter’s pool paw-ty 🐾
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
North American survey opens: The Des Moines Art Center’s first North American survey of Firelei Báez features over 30 paintings, drawings, and immersive installations exploring colonial histories and the African diaspora, on view through September 21 — check out the exhibition details.
Pets and fireworks safety: With July 4th just around the corner, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa shares steps to keep pets calm and secure, from updating ID tags to creating a quiet safe room — get the tips.
Specialized “signature schools”: DMPS has unveiled plans to transform aging campuses into specialty hubs—STEM at North, performing and visual arts at Moulton, and Montessori at Jackson—after surveying 14,000 students and families. A bond referendum this November will fund the updates and launch these programs — read more.
Is your bank underperforming? If you’re earning less than 3.80% APY with your current savings account (the national average is 0.41% 👀)… the answer is yes. Do yourself a favor and take the time to open a SoFi savings accounts. It could earn you up to 9x more in interest on top of no fees and a $300 bonus with eligible direct deposits — what are you waiting for?
Highlights this week
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New dining spots opening this summer
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Central Iowa imposes a new watering ban
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Enjoy live music while supporting animal rescue
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Attend a sensory-friendly ballpark experience
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Endurance’s auto warranty is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pom-pour perfection: When life gives you apples, Wilson’s Ciderhouse turns them into sparkling, spiced sips you didn’t know you needed—whether you’re into crisp and dry or sweet and cinnamon-kissed, they’ve got the pour to match your fall-in-love mood.
Last bite, best bite: Tiny towers of frosting, molten center marvels, and a sugar swagger that’ll keep you guessing what’s coming next—Crème is where your sweet tooth (and your Instagram feed) both get their moment in the spotlight.
Mic drop central: From shower-stall solos to power-ballad bravado and the occasional “sorry, not sorry” encore, AJ’s on East Court hands you the mic, cranks up the neon, and dares even the most tone-deaf among us to steal the show.
Bolt action: Hunting for bold florals, buttery satins, or that perfect canvas for your next DIY masterpiece? Woodside Quilting stocks bolts of fabric so good you’ll actually look forward to hemming, quilting, or just petting every. single. yard.
Plot twist (AARP is actually amazing): It’s packed with perks that actually matter — discounts at hotels, restaurants, flights, even car rentals. Plus, you’ll unlock a second membership for free for someone else in your house. At just $15 per year… it’s kind of a no-brainer.
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📆 Des Moines happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍻 Murph and Andy 2025 Patio Tour Live @ Big Grove Brewery | Friday (6/27) at 1 pm – Sports banter, cold beer, and two Iowa legends broadcasting live—Murph & Andy are taking their show to the patio at Big Grove. Come early, grab a seat, and catch all the laughs and hot takes in person.
⚾ Iowa Cubs Pride Night + Tailgate @ Principal Park | Friday (6/27) at 7:08 pm – Capital City Pride is taking over the ballpark with BBQ, fireworks, and fabulous vibes. Expect a rousing anthem by the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, a festive tailgate, and two mystery Pride Night goodies. Bonus: $7 from every ticket goes to support local LGBTQ+ programming. Let’s go Cubs, let’s go Pride!
🤼 3XWrestling @ Wooly’s | Friday (6/27) at 8 pm – Step into the ring for a rowdy night of 3XWrestling action. With the first bell at 8 pm, you’ll get suplexes, smackdowns, and surprises in a high-energy all-ages brawl. Bonus: snag your tickets fee-free in person at Wooly’s on Fridays.
This weekend
🎤 Hot Cakes ‘n Sausage — DMGMC Fundraising Breakfast @ The Garden Nightclub | Saturday (6/28) at 9 am – Pancakes. Sausage. Drag. Comedy. Endless mimosas. If this isn’t the brunch of your dreams, we don’t know what is. Support the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus while stuffing your face and clapping wildly between bites.
🏡 Waterbury Home Architecture Tour @ Raker Rhodes Engineering | Saturday (6/28) at 10 am – Love history and architecture? Join this free, guided walking tour of Des Moines’ Waterbury neighborhood. Discover the evolution of home styles from 1900 to 1929 — just be sure to wear comfy shoes and register ahead, space is super limited.
🐾 Porter’s Pool Party @ Paws and Pints | Saturday (6/28) at 12 pm – It’s a pool paw-ty like no other — splash zones for pups, live music, ice cream for all species, and a raffle or two. Bring your vaccinated pooch and soak up the sun while they cool off in the doggie pools. First-timers? Don’t forget to download the app and bring your ID!
🪁 Fly A Kite @ Riverview Park | Saturday (6/28) at 1 pm – Wholesome fun takes flight at this neighborhood kite fest. The first 125 kids score a free color-your-own kite, and prizes are up for grabs in the raffles. Bring canned goods for a chance to win and let the wind do the rest.
👗 The Curve Factor Fashion Event @ The Shop DSM | Sunday (6/29) at 5:20 pm – Celebrate curves, confidence, and couture at this stylish soirée blending runway glam with body-positive energy. Fashion, fun, and fierce vibes await.
🖤 Faust – Silent Film w/ Live Metal Score @ Varsity Cinema | Sunday (6/29) at 7 pm – The devil’s in the details—and the doom metal. Experience the 1926 silent classic Faust like never before, with a heavy live score by The Silent Light that’ll rattle your soul and your seat.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/27 The Travelers @ Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern – 5 pm
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6/27 Treaty Oak Revival @ Water Works Park – 6:30 pm
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6/27 Call Me Hot Not Pretty! The Chappell Roan Tribute Show @ xBk Live – 8 pm
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6/28 Killers of Kill Tony @ Civic Center of Greater Des Moines – 7 pm
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6/28 Traffic Death and more @ xBk Live – 8 pm
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6/28 The Last Revel @ Western Gateway Park – 8 pm
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6/28 Tonic @ Western Gateway Park – 8:30 pm
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6/29 Bittersweet @ Truman’s Pizza Tavern – 2 pm
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6/29 Pride Karaoke Party @ xBk Annex – 4 pm
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6/29 Tripping Daisy @ Wooly’s – 7 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Des Moines edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Diane Todd Brown and Alexander Shay (Iowa Realty Mills Crossing) – 3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | Built in 1924 | 2284 sqft
Original woodwork, a sunroom that practically begs for lazy Sundays, and a backyard deck built for legendary BBQs—this South of Grand classic isn’t shy about its charms. The thick front door stands guard like a bouncer at an exclusive club, while the living room and sunroom tag-team as the ultimate hangout zone.
Upstairs, the oversized primary suite delivers all the cozy vibes, with bonus points for the 2024 mini-split and AC upgrades (goodbye, sweaty summers). Anderson Renewal windows keep things bright and breezy, and the lot’s got expansion dreams if you’re feeling ambitious. All this, smack in the middle of Des Moines’ most coveted zip code.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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