🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🚲 A spot where cyclists, regulars, and suited-up professionals all somehow make perfect sense together.
🎻 Scandinavian music, artisan goods, and blacksmithing? This one’s got range.
♻️ Hands-on fun, local groups, and a chance to love your neighborhood a little louder.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
Mullets | 1300 SE 1st Street, Des Moines |
Photo: The Morning Mullet | Emily Johnson
Photo: Cinnamon Roll Pancake | Emily Johnson
🍳 Breakfast here does not mess around — The Morning Mullet comes with two eggs and hash browns piled on top of a half order of biscuits and gravy, which is both impressive and a little humbling. It’s the kind of breakfast that easily becomes breakfast today and breakfast tomorrow which is fine by me.
🥞 Also worth your attention — The cinnamon roll pancake. Between that and the hearty breakfast lineup, Mullets really understands that sometimes you want your meal to feel a little indulgent and comforting. And they’ve heard us loud and clear - open back up for nighttime hours!!! Word is that it will start in May!
🚲🍺 The vibe is one of the best parts — Mullets has that rare, genuinely welcoming neighborhood feel where everyone seems to fit right in — daily regulars, Harley riders, business folks in suits, and cyclists hopping off the nearby trail for a bite. Add in killer bloodies, specialty drinks, and a solid beer selection, and it’s easy to see why this place has such loyal fans. 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: Systeme.io | Build Your Business With One Tool For FREE!
First of all, the name isn’t spelled incorrectly - it really is Systeme.io. I’ve been using it for almost two years now and what stands out most is that it gives you everything you need to run a business in one place. What I used to pay for Kajabi in one month is how much I pay Systeme.io for an entire year! They even have a free plan to get started.
If you’ve ever thought about starting an online business, selling a product, growing an email list, or creating a course, but immediately felt overwhelmed by all the tech and monthly subscriptions, this might be worth a look.
With this platform, you can:
build landing pages and sales funnels
grow an email list and send emails
sell physical or digital products
host online courses or memberships
create an affiliate program
schedule meetings
organize your offers in a simple storefront
Basically, it can do the work of a bunch of separate tools without the giant learning curve or giant price tag.
If you’re in that “I know I want to build something, but I don’t want to make this harder than it needs to be” stage, this could be a solid starting point.
👉 Try systeme.io
🎟️ Reserve Tickets Now: Vino in the Village by Winefest Des Moines
Winefest’s Vino in the Village is coming up soon and this feels like a very good excuse to plan ahead. Spend a spring afternoon sipping wine, wandering the East Village, and pretending you are the kind of person who always buys event tickets early.
| Saturday, May 2nd | 12–3 pm | $25 | https://winefestdesmoines.com/event/vino-in-the-village/ |
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour | Casey’s Center
If you love stand-up that sneaks up on you and somehow gets funnier the longer it goes, Nate Bargatze is your guy. He’s been called “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” and his style is sharp, relatable, and wildly easy to enjoy whether you follow comedy closely or just want a guaranteed fun night out.
With sold-out shows all over the country, this is one of those events that feels big in the best way. Great pick for date night or a friend outing!
| Friday, April 24th | 7 pm | Tickets Required |
🧺 Junk Jubilee | Iowa State Fairgrounds 4-H Building
If your dream afternoon includes vintage finds, repurposed treasures, and the thrill of spotting something charming before someone else grabs it, Junk Jubilee is calling. This longtime favorite brings together vendors and shoppers for two days of antiques, decor, handmade pieces, and plenty of “okay wait, I need this” moments.
This is a good one for treasure hunters, home decor lovers, and anyone who enjoys wandering with coffee in one hand and absolutely no firm shopping plan. Serious browsers, get there early for first dibs!
| Friday, April 24th & Saturday, April 25th | 9 am–4 pm General Admission | Kids 14 & under free | https://www.junkjubilee.com/ |
🎻 Folk Art Fair | Living History Farms
This one sounds especially lovely. Folk Art Fair brings together 50+ artisans, Scandinavian music and dancing, and hands-on classes in everything from blacksmithing and letterpress printing to knitting and Norwegian baking — which is, frankly, a very charming lineup.
It’s free to attend, family-friendly, and a great choice if you want something that feels both relaxed and genuinely interesting. A nice fit for anyone who likes local makers, old-world skills, or simply spending a spring day somewhere a little different.
| Saturday, April 25th | 10 am–3 pm | Free | https://www.lhf.org/event/folk-art-fair/ |
🌎 Earth Day Celebration | Colby Park, Windsor Heights
If you’re looking for a feel-good way to spend part of your Saturday, this community Earth Day Celebration checks a lot of boxes. Expect environmental education booths, local organizations, hands-on activities for kids and families, sustainability demonstrations, and opportunities to help clean up the park while connecting with neighbors. Earth Day events can sometimes feel overly earnest — this one sounds fun, approachable, and grounded in community.
| Saturday, April 25th | 12–3 pm | Free |
🧶 Fiberfest | Franklin Event Center
Fiberfest is the kind of event that makes you want to suddenly become the sort of person who spins yarn and says things like “loom setup” with confidence. Expect weaving and spinning demos, displays, classes, vendors, and food trucks so whether you’re deeply into fiber arts or just fiber-curious, there’s plenty to explore.
This is a fun pick for makers, crafty people, and anyone who loves seeing skill and creativity up close. There’s a small admission fee, but class registrants and Iowa Federation meeting attendees get into the vendor hall without paying extra.
| Saturday, April 25th | 9 am–4 pm | $5 admission | https://www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/calendar/fiberfest |
Stop wondering what to do and start doing. Pick one and make it happen!
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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