desmoinesisnotboring.com

Summer is here, officially, as of this week!  Not that anyone has forgotten with the current temperatures exceeding the 90 degree threshold. One great way to get out and enjoy the summer weather, even during 90 degree temps and humidity, is to listen to live music. It’s true, a great way to just forget about the temperature is to listen to the beats from the speakers…the vocals transcending you to a much happier, and more comfortable, place in time which will evaporate sensations of the ever-increasing body temperature and need for liquids.

One of the best places to take the forget-about-the-temperature journey is the Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater.  The Amphitheater is a fantastic place to bring a blanket and just relax during the Friday happy-hour or on a Saturday evening after you have spent all day at the Farmers Market or in the East Village.  Even if you didn’t spend all day at the Market or in the Village, the amphitheater provides a tremendous opportunity to see the sun-set and hear your favorite musician strumming a fantastic tune. The lineup of musicians this summer is top-notch, which is sure to make the opportunity one you will truly never forget.

For instance, the calendar for the next month is below:

• Tonight – Matthew Street
• Tomorrow – Des Moines own The Nadas
• June 25 – Carolina Liar
• July 2 – Sister Hazel
• As if you need any more music during the week of the forth of July week after the 80/35 Music Festival – The Black Crows July 7
• July 9 – Mat Kearney
• July 15 – Umphrey’s McGee
• July 16 - American Idol’s David Cook

So, as you can see, there are tons of options at the amphitheater this summer and ample opportunities to transcend your warm experiences.  Break out the folding chairs or blanket and head to the amphitheater to relax and enjoy some great live tunes.

Thanks to Des Moines Alive for the great picture of the amphitheater and the Des Moines skyline.

This Saturday the Des Moines Social Club is holding their
second annual Subjective Circus at their 1408 Locust location downtown. If you
are unfamiliar with the DMSC, they are a non-profit group made up of DSM
residents using art as the catalyst in a city filled with people aching for a
way to grow, a way to stay, and a way to be part of a movement.  They have
over 250 volunteers who put on weekly shows, performances, classes, social
gatherings, art gallery, just to name a short list of all the things they do.

The Subjective Circus is the clubs annual fundraiser that
will feature 3 Rooms – 3 Rings – 3 Times the Fun! Specific features will
include theater, music, movement, spoken-word, film, live art acts, live ANIMALS
(courtesy of the Blank Park Zoo), carnival games, FIRE EATERS!, mid-way
games…and the list really does go on and on. The music will be headlined by
local favorite the Poison Control Center.

I went to the inaugural event last year and was
completely blown away by a number of things, mainly the support the club received
from the over 2,500 people that went through their doors, the eclectic
dichotomy of people (young, old, suits, hippies), and the events the club
presented, etc…  Last year the weather outside stank, and people still came, which was very impressive for our not boring city. I have to imagine a years worth of planning will make
this years event completely insane, since ‘round two’ has been under the direction of their formal Board and location, which they did not have at this point
last year. Plus, this year the structure within the building is set and, of course, there is the Sideshow Lounge with a full bar for those looking for an adult beverage or two. All in all, there will be over 8 hours of entertainment on
Saturday and I highly suggest you take the time to check it all out. Or,
realistically, your senses will not be able to check ALL of it out, so I would
suggest you just start with the first event inside the door and see how far your psyche will allow you to digest.

This is an extremely big week for the Des Moines Music Coalition. Just a quick background, the DMMC is a volunteer organization that is committed to building a stronger more diverse live music economy in Greater Des Moines. Their efforts include three major events, the Gross Domestic Product, 80/35 Music Festival, and The Little Big Fest.

Today’s big announcement centered on the headliners for this year’s 80/35 Music Festival. The DMMC announced artists Ben Harper, Public Enemy, G Love and Relentless Seven, and Matisyahu as the major national acts for this summers festival, which will be held over the 4th of July holiday at the Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines. The first year showcased headliners The Flaming Lips and The Roots to nearly 30,000 overwhelmed fans. I know I kept doing a double-take between the 801 Grand Building and the stage last year as I had to remind myself that a festival that large was being held in downtown Des Moines. Many people were amazed at the quality of planning and the number of bands (30 in all) that pumped out music over the two day festival. Obviously, this year is going to be bigger and better as everyone associated with the festival has had a year to plan and organize. The plan is for up to 50 local, regional, and national acts performing on 4 stages throughout the Gateway area over two days. The DMMC plans to announce another list of acts sometime next month.

But, before we get too far ahead of ourselves….we need to remember there is another big event held by the DMMC this weekend. The Gross Domestic Product, which is held annually, will feature 14 different local musical acts in two rooms at Hotel Fort Des Moines. Many artists playing this Saturday are new to such a large audience, but there are a few that also played last year at the 80/35 Festival. I am excited to see The Autumn Project, Cleo’s Apartment, The Dig Angees, and (of course) The Envy Corps. I had the opportunity to hear The Envy Corps warm up at the initial GDP 4 years ago, I was completely blown away by their sound. I had no idea there were musicians as good as that in Des Moines and that experience really opened up my horizons to many other great local bands. Give yourself the chance to open your horizons this weekend and come on down to the Fort to hear some of the best musicians in the city.

Of all the video’s on the internet, this one is my favorite as Wayne Coyne of the Lips professes his support for DMMC and 80/35.