Find Music, Comedy & International Culture in Downtown DSM This Week

You’ll find art, music, comedy, local food and international culture throughout Downtown Des Moines (DSM) with these five can’t-miss events taking place this week only:

Des Moines Arts Festival & Interrobang Film Festival

Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25 | Western Gateway Park
Feelin’ artsy? Or maybe you’re just looking for a tasty local bite to eat, live music and cultural entertainment? The largest arts and cultural event in Iowa is taking place this weekend, only! Explore the streets of Downtown DSM jam-packed with nearly 200 top artists from around the country, creating an unforgettable vibrant festival atmosphere mixed with performing arts, a film festival, delicious local food vendors representing global cultures, plus national musical talent including key performances by the 502s, Sister Hazel and Satsang. It only happens once a year, so don’t miss it!
LEARN MORE

Teehee’s & BLK & BOLD Presents: Chastity Washington

Friday, June 23 | Teehee’s Comedy Club
Drop in for a night of comedy, charity and culture with stand-up comedian Chastity Washington. Washington is an NBC Diversity finalist and has won HBO’s Comedy Wings. You may recognize her from appearances on BET, at the Martha’s Vineyard Comedy Fest and at the Just for Laughs Festival. Food will be sold by Lachele’s Burgers, with proceeds benefiting For Our Youth, an initiative of BLK & Bold which has earned bragging rights as the first nationally distributed black-owned coffee company in the U.S. Choose between two show times: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
LEARN MORE

How Does the Shape of Our City Shape Us?

Saturday, June 24 | Gravitate Coworking
The next edition in a series of events produced by the Des Moines Lyceum is a big conversation exploring how our city’s architecture and built environment affects our lives — and where it’s headed in the future. The conversation taking place in Downtown DSM will be led by Ryan Galloway of Hatch Development and Kimberly Zarecor from the Iowa State School of Design.
LEARN MORE

Leradee and the Positives / Local Bands, Brews & Bikes

Sunday, June 25 | Water Works Park
This weekly concert event at Water Works Park is family-friendly, and dogs are welcome, too! This week’s musical group is led by lead singer Leradee Fomsi, bringing together a mix of talent to form an uplifting, soul soothing sound of roots reggae. Parking is available nearby, or bike in using the connected trail system. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on, grab a brew from the nearby pop-up Des Moines Biergarten located within the park and settle in for a fun afternoon!
LEARN MORE

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Tuesday, July 27 – Sunday, July 2 | Des Moines Civic Center
Get ready to groove! This Broadway musical depicts a story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal — all told within the backdrop of civil unrest in America. You’ll see the signature dance moves of The Temptations and hear treasured tunes like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready” and many more unforgettable songs that will leave you humming all week long!
LEARN MORE

P.S. — Find a list of even more free events, things to do and other happenings taking place around Downtown DSM throughout the month of June.

For these upcoming events and more, find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation. For additional upcoming events, visit the Downtown DSM events calendar. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.