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Street Teams in Chicago
If you’re a marketer and trying to find a reliable and effective Street Team in Chicago - I’m the contact you need (Segway Street Teams, Scooter Squads Campaigns, Classic Street Teams).
Nathan Hewitt
nhewitt@icefactor.com
Are you ready to take it to the street?
Make a lasting impression utilizing the Innovative Consumer Experience. Our ICE Street Team campaign will provide a unique and memorable experience by promoting, branding, and interacting directly with consumers.
The ICE Street Team is here to provide a personal touch to your targeted audience. ICE Street Teams can travel from destination to destination or remain in a heavy traffic area. The ICE street team is there to promote and brand the service and product at hand.
ICE street team can hand out products, interact with consumers, or even provide hands on experience with the Bluetooth® ICE ZONE campaign.
Tags: advertising, chicago, illinois, instant results, instant sales, marketing, product launch, promotion, street teams NYC, abstract, ad, ambush, ambush marketing, ambushchi, art, arts, branding, brands, campaign, chicago, culture, events, guerilla, illinois, innovation, la, launch, life, marketing, product launch, promotions, street, street team, team, viral
If you’re a marketer and trying to find a reliable and effective Street Team in Chicago.
I’m the contact you need (Segway Street Teams, Scooter with Billboard Campaigns, Classic Street Teams).
Nathan Hewitt
Saturday, September 01, 2007
For-profits planning events for cause, exposure
By Sarah Bzdega
Staff Writer
Saturday, September 01, 2007
 |
| The SWINE festival attracted about 1,000 people for an afternoon of sampling wine and pork creations. Co-host Melinda Toyne, owner of In Any Event, said the event did not bring in a lot of money, but provided exposure for her work. Photo Submitted |
In the midst of a downtown revitalization and rapid suburban growth, Greater Des Moines is experiencing another phenomenon: an increase in events. Whereas Greater Des Moines residents used to find a few festivals a year sponsored by nonprofit organizations focused on bolstering community activity, calendars are now filled with multiple offerings.
Leading this trend are a number of for-profit businesses that are creating events as a way to add vibrancy to Greater Des Moines and often to support a charitable cause, in addition to generating exposure for their business and bringing in a small financial stream.
“I think we’ve been entertainment consumers for years, and a lot of us are building businesses around that experience in Des Moines,” said Kathryn Dickel, co-owner of Swaelu Media, who is working on a citywide festival for 2008. “It’s an evolution like everything else, an evolution of the entertainment industry.”
The effect is an increase in diverse cultural offerings, which enhances the quality of life and draws people to the area, said Greg Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“What we’re doing is changing people’s attitudes and behaviors and patterns,” said Melinda Toyne, owner of In Any Event, who started this year’s SWINE festival. “It’s not once a month you have an event or festival to go to. It’s perhaps every weekend or every other weekend.”
Small firms, big events
In collaboration with Doug Bakker, a former colleague who now runs a vineyard and is director of the Iowa Wine Growers Association, Toyne introduced the SWINE festival this summer. The one-day event featuring Iowa wines and pork creations from Iowa chefs on Des Moines Area Community College’s Ankeny campus drew 1,000 participants and raised $1,000 for DMACC’s new viticulture and enology program.
“The goal in the first year was to break even and then make a donation back to DMACC, which we were able to do,” Toyne said. “I recognize that as being a success.”
Though the money Toyne pocketed from the event was not enough to make up for the amount of time she invested in it, she said it gave her valuable exposure. At least one person has contacted her about a potential project after attending the event.
“They enjoyed the experience,” she said, “and therefore saw that as a reflection on In Any Event’s work.”
Though running an event can become a profitable business venture over a few years, Toyne points out that the risk can sometimes be greater. For SWINE, she and Bakker provided most of the financial backing and had to handle details ranging from insurance policies to lighting and marketing.
“[Attendees] purchase a beverage for four dollars and think it’s pure profit,” she said. “That’s very much not the case. That’s why you don’t see more larger-scale events or only see them one time.”
Like Toyne, much of Nathan Hewitt’s work is for the cause, which often is to showcase fashion, art and other talent in Greater Des Moines.
Hewitt, who provides marketing and runway fashion show and event planning services through his business, Ambush, has worked on several events, including LoveStruck, featuring Des Moines’ most eligible singles, which drew 1,000 people and raised $16,000, $6,000 of which went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. He also produced Glamour Girl Charm School, an edgy runway fashion show, which attracted 400 people, and Big Hair Ball through the Des Moines Art Center’s Art Noir program, which last year drew 1,000 people. Though he is moving to Chicago in a few weeks, he also is involved with planning Catalyst State: Iowa Design Weekend, which will showcase design in fashion, architecture and graphics on Nov. 16 and 17.
Most of Hewitt’s work is pro bono or for a small profit, but he said, “It definitely generates awareness for my company and for my creative input.” Even if clients are not looking for an event planner, he often acts as a consultant. Through connections from doing these events, he also has found ways to cut costs and collaborate with other people.
Still, he said, “it takes a lot of passion and a lot of energy. I don’t know if it’s my personality or if it’s just what I’m doing, but I don’t find a lot of financial reward in it.”
Companies want in
Thanks to the exposure they receive, many of these event-planning operations have found opportunities to work with larger companies interested in hosting major events.
Hewitt relates this to a lecture he attended at Iowa State University, where the guest speakers from Harvard University talked about the “experience economy” and how the service industry has evolved into needing to create memorable events so that consumers remember and connect with a product or service.
“I think you’re going to see more and more events and festivals hopefully sponsored by bigger companies and brands as they come to see more and more value from producing these events,” he said.
Hewitt is in the process of planning an event for a friend, artist Lee Ann Conlan, which in addition to having a band that does video installations and instrumental rock/hip-hop, could also feature Conlan drawing a portrait of a nude model at the event to connect people to her work, which often features nude female figure drawings.
Edwards agrees that more companies are looking at hosting events as a way to connect consumers to their brand.
“If you look at the trends across corporate America, probably in the last decade, all of these companies are now putting their names on things, from the big football bowl games to locally, like the Principal Charity Classic and Hy-Vee Triathlon,” he said. “I think corporations want to get their name out in front of the public in a different way and it shows they’re giving back to the community.”
Over the past four years, Toyne has helped organize and evolve Oktoberfest into a major event for Full Court Press Co., owners of Hessen Haus and many other bars and restaurants downtown. What started as a party in the bar parking lot has now evolved into a weekend event that expands into Fourth Street. Last year, 12,000 people attended, up from 8,000 the year before.
Though the Full Court Press owners assumed all the expense and liability and endured a couple of years before they realized a financial gain from the event, Toyne said, “it shows they have a broader goal for downtown Des Moines. Yes, they want to bring unique restaurants and bars to the area, but they also want to extend that in a natural way to a few special marquee-type events.”
However, a few other clients Toyne has worked with have decided not to pursue an event after she took them through a cost analysis and what they needed to do to make it happen. “At a glance, it may seem like a short-term investment for immediate return on a large scale,” she said, “but that’s not always the case.”
Future festivities
To lessen the risks associated with hosting an event, many event planners have collaborated with several partners, along with developing relationships with restaurant owners, musicians and other small businesses. Many also rely on sponsorships to cover a large portion of the expense.
When Dickel and her business partner, Heather Hansen, began conceiving of the FAMA festival (acronym for food, art, music and awareness), they decided to hold it the same time as the World Food Prize Harvest Festival and the Des Moines Marathon in October, so that the events could combine marketing efforts and draw more people to each event.
“It’s a trifecta that’s going to bring in an international crowd and a lot of people who are into nutrition and health. It has a lot of implications for food and the whole political dynamic,” Dickel said, pointing to how Iowa will be in the spotlight during the presidential election campaign.
The event, which has been put on hold until 2008 to allow more time for planning, will involve more than 50 locations throughout Greater Des Moines, featuring aspects of international culture, from world cuisine to international art and music. With an overall focus on world hunger, the event will also strive to raise awareness about that issue.
“There really hasn’t been a festival geared toward driving traffic into the businesses,” Dickel said. “Usually it brings everyone to a location.”
In addition to working with venues, Swaelu Media also has been working with many small businesses to receive services, such as printing and advertising, in exchange for sponsorships. The event also gives Swaelu an opportunity to integrate its work with several industries, including entrepreneurs, nonprofits and entertainment groups, into one effort, while creating a new product that the company can build upon and eventually use to generate money.
With so many people planning events of this scale, Toyne worries that competition for drawing people to an event could heat up. “If you’re the sole event, that’s more the exception to the rule,” she said.
However, Edwards believes the diversity of events will encourage people to attend several in one day. And as the city continues to grow, he expects the number of events to grow with it.
“I think we’ll continue to see some moderate growth,” he said, “I think as other new things happen around Des Moines, especially as the Principal Riverwalk is completed, I think you’ll see more events happening down there. All of the booming suburb areas are going to continue to see event growth, too, because it helps keep residents happy and enhances the quality of life.”
Des Moines Business Record - Saturday, September 01, 2007
Don’t miss 515 ALIVE this Saturday July 28th in Downtown Des Moines - Iowa.
Amazing DJ’s, Dancers, Bands, and more. Be sure to check out Oh Possum on the main stage…
| OFFICIAL LINE-UPHERE WE GO!!!!
Scion Main Stage 5:00 DJ Oz & QC 4th St. Stage 5:00 DJ Commando The Vaudeville Mews 7:00 TBA 4th St. Patio D&B Stage 5:30 DJ Mindblur The Royal Mile 7:00 Skim Milky 4th St. Theatre 5:00 Cool Hand Dan The Lift 8:30 DJ Nytblast Scion Car Show 8:00 Kelix |
Art Noir & YPC Present: Sunset Boulevard + Hollywood Swagger
Sunset Boulevard is playing for Free @ the Des Moines Art Center next Friday (July 20th) @ 6pm…As the 5th event of Art Noir’s After Dark series.
Then @ 10:00pm Hollywood Swagger After Party featuring the music of DJ Diverse. $3.50 Hollywood Cocktails: Option A - Red Stiletto ( Red pomegranate Vodka + Splash of Cranberry) or Option B - Classic Dean Martin Dirty (Dirty Martini)
$75 Bottle Service = Goose, Absolute, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Silver Patron = email by Thursday the 18th - dsmculture@gmail.com
DRESS: Get your shine on or bring the Rat Pack & Marlyn, Hollywood inspired attaire - New $chool vs Old School you choose…
www.myspace.com/artnoirdsm
www.ypcdsm.com
www.myspace.com/hidjdiverse
www.myspace.com/ambushdsm
MoCo Submissions
Recent MoCo submissions.
+ Tom de Vrieze has produced a new chair, “la mdf”, that has a rocking effect when tipped forward. Made of MDF, this chair is designed to be painted/personalized by the consumer.
+ On “is an electronic dynamic luminous sculpture -picture created by Jean Octobon”, a sound level meter as wall art. On has its own sensor so every sound in the room is displayed. Watch the video here.
+ Colombia’s Danilo Calvache’s Low Light Table combines grace and function in a table that provides mood lighting.
+ Maria Nylén has a small line of simple, yet striking handmade silver jewelry with pearls like the Elsa pendant.
+ Ecosystems is a furniture design company that takes sustainability seriously and reviews each step of the production process in light of this. No waste is produced and sustainable sourcing of materials and packaging carefully pursued.
Saturday night check out Dyrekt & Touch Nice on the 1’s & 2’s - rocking that dope shit…
Dyrekt - photo | alicia frenatt
The Art of Buying Art
Books: Jun 24, 2007
The Art of Buying Art by Paige West is a straight-up guide to taking the plunge into art collecting. West, who runs a New York gallery and writes an art blog, aims her advice to the uninitiated in a world that can be all too intimidating. Some might find this book too simplistic, but West’s target audience will find it a useful tool. The focus is on modern contemporary art and tips on how to go about acquiring it while enjoying the ride. Loads of illustrations and written in a clear, friendly style that makes you want to go out and buy art.Hardcover, 208 pages. Harper Collins 2007. $26.37 at Amazon.
+ The Art of Buying Art at Amazon
If you are looking to purchase art in Des Moines please contact me @ ambushdsm@gmail.com
Q&A: Seth Godin Says ‘Know When To Bail
I just read this book the Dip and it’s great - it’s a short read too!
Full Story1. Create real value. You can’t fake value. There are measuring sticks available to everyone. A service that truly makes someone’s life easier, a great bargain (value for money) or a product that saves lives or heightens the life experience and responds to emotional needs are all perceived as valuable to people. Clever marketing can’t compensate for true value.
2. Create that value together. If your entire team isn’t part of the creation of that value, they will not feel attached to it or compelled to communicate it effectively to others. Every member of your team should have a stake in the creative process - responsible for an essential ingredient in the pie.
3. Celebrate the value created. Show appreciation for value creation by regularly expressing how important each ingredient is - how instrumental every individual effort was in creating and continually improving the recipe. Celebration should occur before, during and after the process.
post from Gap In the Void:
[One of the drawings I did for Seth Godin's latest book, "The Dip".]
Social Objects and Homeless People
So I’ve been thinking some more about Jyri’s Five Principles of Social Objects, especially how they apply to gapingvoid:
1. You should be able to define the social object your service is built around.In gapingvoid’s case, that would be the cartoons for the most part. The straight writing part I’m less concerned about.
2. Define your verbs that your users perform on the objects. For instance, eBay has buy and sell buttons. It’s clear what the site is for.
The verb that springs to mind is “share”. Not only do people re-publish them on their blogs, they’re also allowed to upload them onto other media for free: posters, t-shirts, stickers, whatever works for them. My licensing terms are pretty open.
3. How can people share the objects?
The key word here is “re-publish”. Microsoft’s Steve Clayton is probably the most well-known of my “re-publishers”, as he’s always using the Blue Monster cartoon for different things.
4. Turn invitations into gifts.
Again, the Blue Monster cartoon would serve as a good example. Microsoft employees hand out Blue Monster schwag as an invitation to start a conversation about Microsoft. The Blue Monster’s main function is not about the message, the Blue Monster is about the social gesture.
5. Charge the publishers, not the spectators.
D’accord. The people who put the cartoons on their business cards are doing the paying, not the people receiving them.
Somewhere along the line I figured out the easiest products to market are objects with “Sociability” baked-in. Products that allow people to have “conversations” with other folk. Seth Godin calls this quality “remarkablilty”.For example: A street beggar holding out an ordinary paper cup cup won’t start a conversation. A street beggar holding out a Starbucks cup will. I know this to be true, because it happened to me and a friend the other day, as we were walking down the street and a guy asked us for some spare change. Afterwards, as we were commenting about the rather sad paradox of a homeless guy plying his trade with a “luxury” coffee cup, my friend said, “Starbucks should be paying that guy.”
Actually, my friend is wrong. Starbuck’s doesn’t need to be paying the homeless guy. Because Starbucks created a social object out of a paper cup, the homeless guy does their marketing for free, whether he knows it or not.
Although I suspect he does. I suspect somewhere along the line the poor chap figured out that holding out a Starbucks cup gets him more attention [and spare change] than an ordinary cup. And suddenly we’re seeing social reciprocity between a homeless person and a large corporation, without money ever changing hands. Whatever your views are on the plight of homeless people, this is “Indirect Marketing” at its finest.
And of course, the way I market my cartoons and my other various enterprises is not all that dissimilar…
[Bonus Link:] A wonderfully thought-provoking podcast interview of Seth Godin. Disclosure: He kindly gives me a brief mention about 23.15 minutes into it.
If you’ve ever felt the need to know what every single one of your chums is doing at every hour of every day, then count yourself lucky. They may now volunteer to surveil themselves for your amusement and edification, all thanks to an emerging breed of mobile messaging services with names like Jaiku, Twitter and Dodgeball. continue reading
From Brand Stradegy Insisder:
Traditional marketing divides the world into two groups:
prospects
and
customers
Customers are traditionally undervalued, and prospects are all treated the same.
As marketing got more sophisticated, some prospects ended up being treated a little differently than others. Someone reading Field & Stream, for example, is a more valuable prospect to a bullet company than someone reading Bass Fisherman.
Missing from this demographically-based analysis is the idea that people can change. They change their posture, their attention and their attitude. And as the knowledge they receive increases, their value as a prospect changes as well. click here to continue reading
On a planet vibrating from noise, advertisers must find ways to rise above it. Today’s advertising must be remarkable and relevant to make a connection. For some, Human Billboard Advertising may be a valid option. Perhaps most seen on the backs of Boxers there is now an army of Human Billboards ready to carry your brand into the conversation. At TatAD you can select from permanent or temporary tattoos to one of many other types of Human Billboard activity. Rates will vary based upon how much exposure you receive and in which markets.
Just when you think that advertisers are running out of new media, you are proven otherwise.
Brand Management: The Most Important Tasks
•Develop and execute brand plans, including brand marketing plans
•Build brand awareness
•Position the brand for sustainable competitive advantage
•Transform the organization’s leadership team into brand champions
•Transform all employees into brand champions
•Measure and actively mange your brand’s equity
•Legally protect the brand
•Know your customer and evolve with their needs and desires
•Always keep the brand customer focused
•Develop and execute brand loyalty programs
•Actively manage the brand’s identity, including enforcement of its guidelines and standards
•Design and implement plans to create an emotional connection between your brand and its customers
>> There are model models, model talk show hosts, model actresses, model singers - but “model stylist” you probably haven’t heard too much before. Alexander Wang told Style File yesterday that he’s appointed Erin Wasson to take over from Victoria Traina as stylist of his spring 2008 presentation. Good move for an up-and-comer like Alex - it’s a surefire way for him to get some press, just like he did when he announced Victoria was his stylist.
P.S. More fun news from Style File: they’re perpetuating rumors over there that Naomi, Christy, Linda, and Kate are walking the runway at Dior’s July couture show in the Versailles Orangerie. If so, the show to see just got better!
“Circuit Boards”, Atlanta, 2004, Chris Jordan
It started out as just an ordinary article tracking Google’s tracking of us. It’s become something much more unsettling.
I was reading Google’s privacy policy to find out what they were doing with the list of everything I’ve ever searched for, my Gmail content they were analyzing, my documents stored using Google Apps, and the detailed picture of my website they’ve been developing since I started running Google targeted ads. Not to mention all that information they can gather about my activities as I visit any site running Google ads.
But Google’s dozen interconnected privacy policies were mainly suggestively vague. “We may combine personal information collected from you with information from other Google services or third parties . . . We may also use personal information for auditing, research and analysis.” Google reps publicly claimed they weren’t developing a multi-layered personal profile of me for the CIA, yet they seemingly wouldn’t rule out doing it, either. (Continue Reading)
Here is a Flash-based animation I bumped into today… It’s a cartoon by artist Pascal Campion called “Door.” It features a character trying, without luck, to enter a doorway. Pascal has created over 20 ways for the door to defeat the poor guy…
view animation
Seems a challenge to come up with 20 gags for a door… Makes the idea of coming up with ways to excite customers or front-line employees seem a bit easier!
Hmmm… looking at this from another perspective… Perhaps the guy represents annoying solicitors or advertisers. And the Door… annoyed customers.
Either way you look at it, enjoy.
If you have time, browse Pascal’s website and watch some of his other animations - he’s a talented and creative artist.
This animation has no sound. It could be rated PG (for violence), but is work appropriate. If you get ‘busted’ watching it, explain to your boss or co-worker why it is posted here… as inspiration for coming up with clever ideas!
Next Friday go check out the artwork of Michelle Phillips, Brent Houzenga, and Seth Nosbusch.
**Resident Artists - June 22 from 7pm-12**
This is a casual, open house event. The idea came about because we live in a house full of artists. Michelle Phillips, Brent Houzenga, and Seth Nosbusch are all visual artists and Josh Boyd is a spoken word poet.
People are welcome to bring an art piece of their own to share, or just enjoy what’s already there. All of our art will be displayed throughout the house and there will also be spoken word performances from Josh Boyd as well as Johnny Armani. There will also be live music TBA.
Everyone is welcome. The Party will last throughout the night.
Resident Artists
1634 30th St.
Des Moines, IA 50310
please email for directions or any other questions
June 22, 7-12
www.brenthouzenga.com
www.emoree.com
www.myspace.com/sir_nozly
www.myspace.com/joshuaboydspokenword
Basic Disciplines of a Good Pitch
New ideas often make people uncomfortable. Many new projects and ideas need a champion to gain acceptance from others. Being able to pitch ideas is an invaluable business (and life) tool.
A terrific guide to effective building and successful pitching of ideas is the book “Life’s a Pitch: How to be Businesslike with Your Emotional Life and Emotional With Your Business Life” by Stephen Bayley & Roger Mavity.
Basic Disciplines of a Good Pitch
- Find a calm space to think in [for preparation].
- Remember that people’s emotions count for more than logic
[appeal to the heart as well as the head]. - Think through your proposition before you spell it out.
- Articulate it in the simplest way.
- Don’t go for an unattainable perfect solution, go for what works.
- Focus on what it means to them, not what it means to you.
* Ambush * if you’re in the know, you already know
Maybe you’ve been to an Ambush production?
*Big Hairball 2007 - DJ Rich B, DJ Solarz, Isisserettes, 6 Salons (Bella, Blondies, Halo, Marc Stephens, Salon Bliss, Sacred Skin & Hair), Robert Canada (Glamour Puss), MC Lenny, Sexy go-go dancers, video installations by On Purpos (onpurpos.com) + Flatform (flatform.net), much more…
*Art Noir - After Dark events (in conjunction w/Liza Kindred -lizakindred.com)
*YPC @ the Opera
*YPC @ the Symphony
*YPC @ Gateway Lofts - DJ Solarz - Pearl Vodka -
*Fresh Breath - Howl Jame Brown - Host Robert Canada (performance of Glamour Puss), Dj Dave Culpepper, FloorSpiders, Ms Vee, Mic (Check), Chandra (Raw Emotion), many other talented performers
*YPC/Metro Arts Two Rivers Preview Party + After Party @ Vertigo -Floor Spiders, J Bromell (Live Performance Art), Oxygen Bar, Dj Retro P
*Warhol Ball - Art Noir-Des Moines Art Center - The Autumn Project (Sound + Visual), DD Sparks, DJ Raj all in The Factory
*Grey Market 1 (After-Party) - DJ Phase II
*Fresh Breath - Mars Cafe - Robert Canada - Dj Dave Culpepper
*515 Alive Afterparty - Dj Retro P lead the efforts but ambush offered consultation
* LoveStruck - Des Moines Most Eligible Singles -Runway show w/Dj Rich B - sexy Ambush models - Opera Singer Kim Fitch -W Salon - much more… www.mosteligibledsm.org
*Naughty New Years (2006) - Runway Fetish Performance
*Glamour Girl Charm School @ Aura
Featured: Floor Spiders, What? Dancers, Isiserettes, Napoleon Dynamite, Handsome Boy Modeling School
*Big Hair Ball 2005 - Des Moines Art Center
*bu boutique 1st Fashion Show @ Aura -
Featured: CT from the Real World, Dialekt (L.A. Breackdancer), What Dancers, Ambush Runway Models
PS - If you’d like me to plan your next event - please contact me @ ambushdsm@gmail.com
| The Des Moines Fashion Alliance’s mission is to cultivate and support the Des Moines fashion industry by providing a network of resources and information geared to stimulate growth and development, as well as nurture and encourage emerging talent in the Des Moines metro.
It is the intent of this start-up organization to foster the following goals: This is for everyone in the Fashion industry: Founders: Liza (lizakindred.com), Ashley Canney, Nathan (ambush) If you are interested in getting involved e-mail me @ ambushdsm@gmail.com |
The Des Moines Art Center & Art Noir Present:
Catalyst State - Iowa Design Weekend
Nov 16 & 17
More details coming soon:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Young art lovers plan to showcase Iowa design this fall
by Tim Paluch
juice staff writer
02/28/2007 email this print this
Nathan Hewitt and Art Noir have big, bold plans for 2007.
Namely, for a weekend in November when the Des Moines Art Center’s Art Noir Presents: Catalyst State Iowa Design Weekend.
The two-day event will showcase Iowa’s design talents and will be the culmination of nearly a year of planning by Art Noir, a young professional organization started nine months ago as a way to promote the Des Moines Art Center to a new generation. The event is still in the planning phases.
Hewitt, the 27-year-old co-president of Art Noir, said Catalyst State is a huge undertaking that will feature Iowa (or former Iowan) designers. The focus is on four main components of the design field: fashion, graphics, built environments and objects. There will be lectures from top professionals in the industry, fashion shows and an award ceremony.
With the Iowa Caucuses just a few months later, Hewitt sees the event as a chance to capitalize on interest in Des Moines and really make a splash.
“We want this to get national attention,” he said. “We want people from New York and L.A. at the event.”
Interest in Art Noir has exceeded expectations so far. Hewitt said there are about 150 members. While many members work or dabble in the arts or creative outlets, bankers and lawyers and people in all walks of life are joining.
“There is a lot of energy, a lot of fresh energy,” he said. “There are a lot of young people involved in the arts and creative community in Des Moines, and we are the people who could really help shape the future of Des Moines in those areas.”
As for benefits, Hewitt said members get early previews to art exhibits and often get to meet artists and curators the public may not receive. There are also occasional social events.
If you’re an active member of the Des Moines Art Center, you can be a member of Art Noir. Eventually, there may be separate membership fees, but right now the $35 annual Art Center membership fee is the only cost to join the organization.
What they do: Promote the Des Moines Art Center to young professionals in Des Moines and encourage creative and artistic endeavors in Des Moines.
Membership: About 150.
Requirements: Must be an active Des Moines Art Center member, which costs $35 a year. Most members are in their 20s and 30s.
How often they meet: Monthly board meetings and social events, often timed around an exhibit at the Art Center. Art Noir often has exclusive, early access to artists and exhibits.
How to join: Go to the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., go to an Art Noir event, go to desmoinesartcenter.org or email artnoir@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Go to an event: The next Art Noir event is the Black Maria Film Festival at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Art Center’s Levitt Auditorium. The film festival is a juried competition of bold, contemporary films that stops in cities across the country. Art Noir hosts an afterparty at 25th St. Cafe.
HAIR:Halo Salon is the best salon in Des Moines…Amazing team of talent and professionals. Ryan is a genius…
Halo Salon
Call 278-3487.
849 42nd St., Des Moines
Hours are about 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Appointments are best.
Halo has relocated to the Shops at Roosevelt from 7440 Hickman Road in Windsor Heights, in the Sherwood Forest shopping center. Halo was located there more than three years, owner Ryan English said. It opened Jan. 2 in the former location of Reichardt’s clothing store.
The salon provides all hair services, eyelash extensions, manicures and spa pedicures in cabanas for privacy.
English said the salon has 10 stylists, with room for 12, two manicurists and two pedicurists. The move gave the salon more than double the space it had before, from 11,000 to 26,000 square feet.
Mens:
SMASH website
Screen printing, T-shirts, local labels, band merchandise, vintage clothes, graphic and web design.
400 E. Locust St., Ste. 12 see map
(515) 288-1323
Sarto in West Glen
Fabrik at Jordan Creek Towncenter
Badowers on Ingersoll
Melrose Boutique
Now in West Glen
(81 
633-2226
You can always go to the chain stores at Valley West Mall or Jordan Creek Town center like Banana Republic, Express… I’m a big fan of the clearance racks at Von Maur, Younkers and Dillards…
And if you’re balling on a budget, I’d recommend Burlington Coat Factory…
LADIES
Fabrik at Jordan Creek Towncenter
Aldo @ Jordan Creek Towncenter
SMASH website
Screen printing, T-shirts, local labels, band merchandise, vintage clothes, graphic and web design.
400 E. Locust St., Ste. 12 see map
(515) 288-1323
Sarto in West Glen
Aimee website
Upscale women’s boutique in the heart of the East Village with clothing, accessories, shoes and a little girl’s corner.
432 E. Locust St. see map
(515) 243-0045
Blonde Genius - Jordan Creek Towncenter
Melrose Boutique
One of the trendiest fashion stores to hit Downtown, located in the Historic East Vil