Des Moines Art Festival Attendance Reaches All-Time High

Congratulations to the Downtown Events group – the Des Moines Arts Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with an outstanding review including record crowds and beautiful weather. Iowa’s award-winning celebration of the arts surpassed its previous attendance records with this year’s final count soaring to 245,000 guests.

“I could not think of a better way for the Des Moines Arts Festival to celebrate its 10th anniversary than with this record-breaking crowd,” Stephen King, Executive Director said. “This year’s celebration exceeded all of our expectations. The positive feedback we have received over the past few weeks has been overwhelming, and we are looking forward to next year’s event.”

This year’s event boasted all-new attractions encouraging guests of all ages to Live the Arts. More than 150 professional visual artists from across the nation sold their artwork and demonstrated their trade. Twenty-four Emerging Iowa Artists and nearly 300 students in grades K-12 participating in the Nurturing a Student’s Vision exhibit rounded out the Festival’s spectrum of artists.

The Joffrey Ballet kicked off the Festival with a breathtaking evening performance on Friday night. Two GuideOne Insurance Interactive Murals were constructed by the collective hand of the community throughout the three-day weekend. Pavement artist Gary Palmer captivated audiences with his street art. Live street theatre roaming the grounds of the Festival site included an intriguing stilt-walker, a human statue, strolling minstrels, break dancers, a comedy juggler, and more. Non-stop live entertainment on three stages included performances from The Nadas, WORLD PORT, Swing Crew, Lady Blue, and The Kissers.

A multitude of children’s arts activities from local non-profit organizations and Festival sponsors, great weather and food from over 20 culinary artists made for the ideal environment for record crowds. Next year’s Festival is scheduled for June 27-29, 2008, in Downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park. For more information visit www.desmoinesartsfestival.org.

Strike Up The Band

Load the kids up and grab the lawn chairs! Wednesday, Aug 8 is the date for the annual Iowa State Fair Parade.  From traditional floats to vehicles, performing entries, and animals, you’ll see it all starting at 6:15 p.m. in the state’s largest parade.  They’ll line up at the Capitol Complex and proceed west on Grand across the river to 13th Street. 

2007 Wells Fargo World Food Festival

The 2007 Wells Fargo World Food Festival will celebrate the rich cultural heritages in the State of Iowa through a wide variety of ethnic foods on Oct. 5-7, in downtown Des Moines. The Festival will feature a wide variety of ethnic cafes, live strolling music and entertainers, a global marketplace, children’s activities, and an international beer tent. All food selections cost $5 or less, but admission and all other activities offered on-site are completely free.

The Festival also offers a variety of ways for the community to get involved and help guests to celebrate Iowa’s diversity. The Festival is currently seeking sponsors, food vendors, merchants, culturally-based non-profit organizations and entertainers. Electronic applications for food vendors, merchants, and non-profit organizations will be available Aug. 1, 2007, via email and on the official Festival Web site at www.wfwff.org. Please contact Kelley Kunz, Program Manager, at (515) 286-4923 or KKunz@downtowneventsgroup.org for more information.

The Festival is also seeking culturally-diverse entertainers for both stage and strolling acts. Entertainers interested in participating in the Festival need to send a press kit and demo CD to the attention of Kelley Kunz at 700 Locust St., Ste. 100, Des Moines, IA 50309.

Great sponsorship opportunities for the Wells Fargo World Food Festival are also available. A complete prospectus detailing the benefits of being a Festival sponsor can be downloaded on our Web site at www.wfwff.org by clicking on the Sponsor Opportunities link under Sponsors. Please direct any inquiries about sponsorship to Executive Director Stephen King at (515) 286-4927 or SKing@downtowneventsgroup.org. The Wells Fargo World Food Festival is produced by the Downtown Events Group and presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by Pioneer. The mission of the Wells Fargo World Food Festival is to celebrate Iowa’s cultural heritage through diverse culinary traditions.

Be A Star

Like to sing and want to have some fun? The Brenton Plaza, is celebrating summer with family friendly karaoke each Friday night in August. Sing a solo, have the kids perform or the entire family can take the stage starting at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available. No alcohol will be served. The Brenton Plaza is located at 520 Robert D. Ray Drive in Downtown.

New Downtown Businesses Now Open

The Dog Days of Summer

Groom your dog and head to Principal Park for the Animal Rescue League’s 9th Annual Dog Days of Summer with the Iowa Cubs, Wednesday, August 1. Join the doggie parade from first base to third base at 6:30 p.m., and then stick around for the I-Cubs game when they take on the Tucson Sidewinders at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for humans are $6, but dogs get in free. There’ll be a special seating area for dogs and their families, and each dog will get a bandana as a memento of the occasion.

Float Your Boat

Show your creativity at the first annual Curb It! Regatta at Gray’s Lake Park. Metro Waste Authority and Des Moines Parks and Recreation have joined ranks to present this fun event featuring boats made from 100% Curb It! recycled items. Get a team together or just go and watch, Friday, Aug. 3. Trophies will be awarded for the fastest finish, best looking, people’s choice and most like the Titanic (most fantastic sinker).

Validate Your Passport

Want to win a trip to Italy? There is still time to participate in the Downtown Passport program. Pick up a Downtown Passport at one of the participating Downtown businesses, get it stamped at 12 different participating places, return it to the Downtown Community Alliance and you are eligible to win a trip for two to Des Moines’ sister city in Catanzaro, Italy. For a complete list of participating businesses, visit our website. Downtown Passport Completed passports must be received by Sept. 7 to be eligible for the grand prize drawing for the trip for two to Italy.

Urban Living – See for Yourself

Is an urban lifestyle something you are considering? On Saturday, Aug. 4, the Downtown Community Alliance will be offering free tours of the condos, lofts, brownstones and apartments in Downtown Des Moines. Free shuttles will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. leaving from the corner of 5th and Court at the Downtown Farmers’ Market or you can walk or drive directly to the units. For a complete list of the tour, visit our website (http://live.downtowndesmoines.com/ . Bring your Downtown Passport along and get it stamped at each location. You’ll be well on your way to filling it up. Units that will be open range in price and are spread from the East Village to Sherman Hill to the middle of Downtown. Stop by the Downtown Community Alliance tent on the corner of 5th and Court at the Downtown Farmers’ Market to pick up a map and for more information.

Operation Downtown New Board Elected

Operation Downtown, providing enhanced clean, safe and beautiful services in Downtown, elected a new Board of Directors on July 10.  Comprised of specific categories designated to represent businesses of all sizes and all geographical areas of Downtown, the Board term will be in effect until June 30, 2009. 
Welcome newly elected board members:

Libby Jacobs, Principal Financial Group
Jed Fisk, Principal Financial Group
Jon Kurth and Dave Debo, shared seat, Wells Fargo Financial
Roy Kunkle, Nationwide/Allied Insurance
Krista Capp, Hubbell Realty Company
Don Klemme, EMC Insurance Companies
Joe Farr, BGK
Marcia Grant, Draper and Kramer
Sam Gelb, The Graham Group
Archie Brooks, Ruan Center Corporation
Jerry Hadenfeldt, Meredith Corporation
Kurt Mumm, Ruhl & Ruhl Commercial Company
Randy Minear, Terrus Real Estate Services
Rich Cohen, Aviva
Larry Sedarstrom, MidAmerica Group
Jake Christensen, Nelson Development
Mark Schleuger, Des Moines Police Credit Union
Kent Mauck, Encore Properties
Paul Rottenberg, Orchestrate Management
Brian Borchardt, ST Howard Development
Bob Josten, Dorsey & Whitney
Scott Wilgenbusch, Deloitte & Touche
Phillip Parrot, Durrant
Christine Hensely, Des Moines City Council
Rick Clark, City of Des Moines – Alternate, Merrill Stanley, Deputy City Manager
Paula Feltner, Feltner & Heller.

One More Time

The East Village will host the last in the summer series of “Bike Nights” Friday, Aug. 31. Hop on that Harley or hot-foot it over to East 5th and Locust for live music, and a look at some pretty cool motorcycles. If you haven’t visited the area for a while, go before 5 p.m. and check out the retailers in the neighborhood. You’ll find everything from unique works of art to clothing to furniture to kitchenware and more. Plan on sticking around to sample the food and entertainment on East 5th or in the restaurants and bars on East Locust, East 5th and East Grand. Whether its bistro style dining, sushi, tapas, Thai or Greek food, or a nice dinner, you’ll find it in the East Village.

Let People Know

Looking for a free way to publicize your Downtown event that’s open to the public? We have a deal for you! Go to the Downtown Community Alliance website, http://www.downtowndesmoines.com/member/login.php?referer=/im_looking_for_something_to_do/add_your_event_info.php? and enter your event. It’s an easy system and one that will help you get the word out. Not only will your event be on the Downtown Des Moines website, but it will also be sent out in the weekly events calendar.

Urban Pioneer

“Is ‘Triple Espresso’ back in town?”  That’s what comedian John Bush is often asked when he’s recognized out and about in downtown Des Moines these days.  Bush, who played naively optimistic Bobby Bean in “Triple Espresso” during most of its 16 month run at The Temple for Performing Arts in Des Moines, decided to make downtown Des Moines his home.

The engaging comedian spent his early years in Hawaii before his family moved to Minnesota when he was 12.  He most recently lived in New York City while establishing himself in the world of comedy. The “Triple Espresso” production brought him to Des Moines temporarily. “When the show ended, I asked myself ‘where do I go now?’ I found myself loving Des Moines.  It’s a great hub when you constantly have to travel to different parts of the country for your job.  It’s just a great place to come home to.”

John cites convenience and the expanding entertainment options as a major reason for choosing a downtown loft.  “I can walk or ride my bike to most anywhere I need to go”, remarked Bush.  “I can take a run out to Gray’s Lake and I might even see a bald eagle.  Where else can you get that so close to a downtown area?”  Bush calls Grey’s Lake one of the true gems of Des Moines.

“I can’t say enough about Raccoon River Brewery. They always treat me well there,” replied John when asked about his favorite hang-outs.  “I love that I can go there alone and always run into people I know.”  He also lists The Grand Piano Bistro, The Royal Mile and Kung Fu Tap & Taco as places he enjoys.

Other frequent haunts for Bush include Gym FX (“incredibly well run”), the Gateway Market (“awesome”) and the Des Moines Public Library where his interest in history recently led him to research a speech Charles Lindbergh gave at an America First rally in 1941 at the old Des Moines Coliseum, now the site of the Downtown YMCA.

Another thing he likes about downtown is how friendly the ‘cool, young people’ are.  “I’m amazed at how many people will start a conversation with you”, commented the affable Bush.  “It’s just not like that in New York or even Minneapolis.”