DMPA Presents Another Season of Free Outdoor Family Events

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) is celebrating four years of Free Outdoor Family Events this summer. The initiative, born of the COVID-19 pandemic, is designed to make the performing arts more accessible to Greater Des Moines (DSM) families by breaking down barriers like cost and need for transportation.

By the start of summer 2021, safety concerns from the pandemic continued to halt the return of live indoor performances. DMPA turned to outdoor venues and seized the opportunity to bring live performances back to the community safely and in a way that welcomed new audiences to experience the art form. The mission of the program was clear from the beginning: eliminate barriers to live performances and bring world-class performers into communities across DSM.

DMPA hosts these free, family-friendly events in collaboration with city departments and local organizations in parks and outdoor venues across the region. Over the years, performances and events have been held in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Altoona, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, Polk City, Grimes, Clive and more. The outdoor experience varies slightly in each park, but the sense of community surrounding each event remains consistent.

DMPA presents world-class performers who fit naturally into the outdoor series' nomadic nature. Performances must adapt to each location and move quickly from place to place throughout the week, with some days encompassing up to three shows in three different locations. Over the years, events have ranged from circuses and concerts to yoga sessions and blooming flower dancers.

This season kicked off with the interactive art installation “Impulse” by CS Design & Lateral Office. This special collaboration between the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Operation Downtown and DMPA featured oversized seesaws of various sizes that lit up and emitted sounds to the delight of all who experienced them on Cowles Commons this spring. The season has also featured concerts from “The Secret Agency,” a Grammy-winning family hip-hop group, and the return of Ants, an interactive performance by Polyglot Theatre.

Upcoming events for July and August include “El Circo,” “Squonk Brouhaha,” “Yoga on the Commons,” “Storytime Under the Green Umbrella” and “Dancing on the Commons.” View a full list of summer 2024 events here, and be sure to look for Free Outdoor Family Events near you.

 

EL CIRCO

When the big top raises its roof and the doors open, you will experience the music, cheer and color of the circus. Meet Budineto the lion, Ariadna the tight-rope walker, Ursus the weightlifter, a clown, a trapeze artist and of course the circus band. Enjoy all the surprises of the circus as this marionette puppet theatre company takes you on an unforgettable journey!

Wednesday, July 10 

• 6:30 p.m. – Sunrise Park in Ankeny

Thursday, July 11

• 10 a.m. – Union Park in Des Moines (En Español)
• 6:30 p.m. – Fairmeadows Park in West Des Moines

Friday, July 12

• 10 a.m. – Nature Lodge at Racoon River Park in West Des Moines
• 4:30 p.m. (En Español), 6:30 p.m. – Easter Lake Park in Des Moines (Food truck 5 – 7:30 p.m.: Hotsy Totsy)

Saturday, July 13

• 10 a.m., Noon (En Español) – Pete Crivaro Park in Des Moines

 

SQUONK BROUHAHA

“Brouhaha” is an immersive outdoor spectacle bursting with rollicking music, dazzling imagery and the thrill of audience participation. At the center of this riotous romp is the Squonkcordion, an enormous musical instrument powered by behemoth bellows topped with towering tuba bells. At the peak of the performance, Squonk invites the audience to play this foghorn organ, welcoming them to experience the joy of a brass band and the fireworks of community. They don't have to be musicians, but by the end of the show, we will all embrace the joy of making sounds — and the risk and camaraderie that entails.

All performances take place at Cowles Commons in Downtown Des Moines. Performance dates and times are:

• Friday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 11 at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.