Laser Spectacular Show to Light up the Night Sky at Des Moines Arts Festival
DES MOINES, IA June 7, 2018 — The Laser Spectacular show presented by Athene will amaze the crowd at the Des Moines Arts Festival® with a stunning convergence of light and sound. The special feature will begin immediately following the Sir Sly and Spin Doctors shows on the Hy-Vee Main Stage both Friday and Saturday night and will last approximately 15 minutes.
The award-winning Laser Spectacular show explores the limits of “synaesthesia,’ or how close an audience can come to seeing exactly what they are hearing. Tim Walsh, president of Laser Spectacles, has figured out how to accomplish this by sending the same signals that are used to generate laser images and beams of light to a sound system where the sounds are compiled and composed into music. He calls the result “Laser Synaesthesia,” which stuns the audience with the beauty of abstract laser images and awes them with perfectly matching of sounds.
“Athene is excited to bring this new sensory art experience to the Des Moines Arts Festival,” said Grant Kvalheim, CEO and President of Athene USA. “We are proud to be a part of Des Moines’ vibrant and culturally-diverse community and partner with the festival to bring the Laser Spectacular show. It brings creativity to the forefront with stunning effects. You won’t want to miss it.”
“Laser Spectacular is another opportunity for the Festival to showcase outstanding programming and provide guests an experience not seen before in Des Moines,” said Stephen King, CFEE, Des Moines Arts Festival Executive Director and Immediate Past Chair of the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) World Board of Directors. “Providing unexpected quality experiences is a hallmark of the Festival and our partner, Athene.”
Other not-to-miss events of the 2018 Des Moines Arts Festival include:
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Wall Raising Ceremony
When
Friday, June 22 at 11 a.m.
Where
12th Street and Locust Street
Why
The Des Moines Arts Festival has partnered with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity once again to build a house for a family in need. This short program is the start of the three-day Blitz Build on the Festival site from June 22-24 in Western Gateway Park. Guests of the Festival will be able to tour the house from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.
DART Art Bus Unveiling
When
Friday, June 22 at 12 p.m.
Where
12th Street between Grand Avenue and Locust Street
Why
The 2018 Art Bus Feature Artist will be announced and his or her work will be unveiled on the side of a DART bus. In addition to the unveiling, DART and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation are also hosting two public art tours on Saturday, June 24. The tours, which will take take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., are free and open to the public. The pick-up location for the tour is near the intersection of 12th Street and High Street in Downtown Des Moines. Volunteers will be on hand to assist those interested in taking the tour. Media is also welcome to ride along. Each tour is scheduled to last approximately one hour.
Visionary Artists Ceremony presented by Hubbell Homes
When
Saturday, June 23 at 11:30 a.m.
Where
Hy-Vee Main Stage
Why
This ceremony recognizes the creativity and artistic achievements of Central Iowa children in Kindergarten through 12th grade who take part in the Student Art Exhibition (SAE) at the Des Moines Arts Festival. Hubbell Realty CEO Rick Tollakson will reward each of them with a Medallion of Appreciation along with a Des Moines Art Center Household Membership.
For a full schedule of events for this year’s Festival, visit the Des Moines Arts Festival® website. Remember, admission to the Festival and all live music and entertainment shows are free to attend!
About Athene USA
Athene USA is an Iowa-domiciled corporation that serves as the U.S. holding company for Athene’s annuity operations in the United States. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, Athene USA serves customers in all 50 states, and through its predecessor companies, has been serving American consumers for more than 100 years.
About the Des Moines Arts Festival®
The eleven-time Grand Pinnacle Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide will be held June 22-24, 2018. This free annual three-day arts and culture festival will surround the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. DMAF invites you to “…go where it takes you…” by engaging with 180 invited professional visual artists, emerging Iowa artists, the cutting-edge Interrobang Film Festival, live music, performing arts, interactive arts activities, award-winning community outreach programs, live artist workshops and demonstrations, artisan food, and beverages for every taste. The Des Moines Arts Festival is presented by Nationwide and sponsored by Bravo Greater Des Moines, Prairie Meadows, Principal, and MidAmerican Energy.
For more information please visit us online at www.desmoinesartsfestival.org or socialize with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DesMoinesArtsFestival Twitter at @DMArtsFestival, Instagram at @desmoinesartsfestival, Pinterest at @dmartsfest, on YouTube and on LinkedIn. #GoWhereItTakesYou #DMAF #DMAF2018 #Nationwide #MakeSafeHappen
If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Belle Du Chene at 646-712-2196 or email Belle at bduchene@desmoinesartsfestival.org.