dsmWeekly: July 13, 2022

Aposto is among the many restaurants participating this year. All of their pasta is made by hand. Photo: Somos Studios.

FOOD AND DINING
Mark Your Calendar for Restaurant Week 2022

Celebrate the 15th year of Restaurant Week by scoring some epic deals and exclusive dishes at 33 of our city’s top restaurants. With two full weekends of dining and a variety of meal deals, there’s no reason not to check out a hot new spot or revisit one of your faves.

The Restaurant Week dinner specials are $40 to $80, and lunches are $15 to $25 (it’s still summer—grab your besties or colleagues and enjoy a long midday break). You can still order menu regulars at most of the eateries. When you’re there, ask if there’s a signature drink for an extra charge and if there are incentives for repeat visits.

Read about the participating restaurants in this special section in the new issue of dsm, and be sure to bookmark DSMRestaurantWeek.com for all the dining options. Menus will be posted in early August.

What's better than a BYOB (bring your own blanket) event? Whether you're at Chill on the Hill or the Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival, scope out your own prime spot and enjoy the music. Photo: Chuko Cribb.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

It's Party Time in Greater Des Moines' Suburbs

Who says city slickers get to have all the fun? Head to the suburbs this weekend to find a host of events and activities going on.

Start in Pleasant Hill on Friday for the weekly Chill on the Hill concert from 6 to 9 p.m. This week’s act is local dance band Fahrenheit. Admission is $10 at the gate. If you’re in the mood for more live music, check out the free Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival on Saturday at Tower Park from 5 to 10 p.m. Hear four bluegrass-inspired musicians while enjoying a beer (or two) underneath the illuminated Allen Hazen Water Tower.

What’s more, on Friday and Saturday, you can also swing by the Clive Festival for a giant Slip-N-Slide and beverage garden (among other entertainment options), or check out the Waukee Arts Festival to browse more than 100 artist vendors, see musical performances and more.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

American Pie 50th Anniversary Tour (Friday, 8 p.m.): Don McLean will perform at Hoyt Sherman Place, celebrating 50 years of his hit song “American Pie.” Along with his '70s hits, McLean will sing favorites from his decadeslong career. Tickets are still available here.

A weekend at Noce (all weekend, times vary): Join Max Wellman as he celebrates his 31st birthday with a show on Friday, followed by late night trivia. On Saturday, see the Eric Thompson Quintet perform, and catch Doug Deming & the Bel Airs on Sunday.

“Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical” (all weekend, times vary): There’s still time to experience the music and magic. Des Moines Community Playhouse will continue its production of “Matilda” through the weekend. Tickets and showtimes can be found here. The show will run until July 31.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Think tank series: Envision Iowa is an economic development initiative created by dsm’s parent company, Business Publications Corp., to help Iowa’s businesses and communities thrive through strategic connections and storytelling. The initiative is designed to convene visionary ideas to propel our state’s growth and enable our communities to thrive. The first think tank virtual event, “People and Culture: Workforce, DEI, Quality of Life,” will be held July 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.

Melissa Rosky and Taylor Rogers posing at the unveiling party with the balloon display created by Squeak Balloon & Decor.

NEW dsm

dsm's July/August Issue Unveiled

The new issue of dsm is out! We had so much fun celebrating the release of the July/August issue of dsm. In addition to Restaurant Week, the issue includes stories covering, among other people, places and things, young artists inspiring the community through their work, new home stores, and a couple of fun foodies, Kimberly Baishnab with Local Shroomery and Lyssa Wade with Veggie Thumper. The attractive craft cocktail featured on this issue’s cover was created by Django bartenders Nate Evans and Todd Martin, and shot by our photographer, Duane Tinkey. Click here to read the full issue online.

Last week, several hundred people joined us for the unveiling at Warners’ Stellian Appliance in Ankeny. Local musician Chris Ranallo provided the live entertainment, food was catered by Joni Bell of Great Caterers of Iowa, and the folks at Warners' Stellian gave away a deluxe set of stainless steel pots and pans and a KitchenAid mixer. If you couldn’t attend the event, check out this video and these photos for some highlights.