Backstage Ball 2019: Pink Neighbor
Photo: Eva Lewin Groovy. Intimate. Loungey. And of course, neighborly. These are the words Pink Neighbor embodies in sound and vibe. Based in Grinnell, Iowa, multi-instrumentalists Katie In and Erik Jarvis have worked patiently on their songwriting crafts since their teenage years. The deft and diverse output of Pink Neighbor makes this apparent, as they… Read more »
Ben Croghan: Volunteer of the Year – Backstage Ball 2018
Des Moines’ music scene relies heavily on the dedication and hard work of numerous volunteers. It’s a diverse group of do-gooders, comprised of all ages, backgrounds, and motivations. Sure, a good number are probably there to simply sling beer for a few hours in exchange for a free ticket, but for some it’s bigger than… Read more »
MarKaus & Brittan Ashworth: Artist of the Year – Backstage Ball 2018
To be a successful artist can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For Marquas (aka MarKaus) and Brittan Ashworth, it doesn’t mean that you have to run off to the big city and leave your roots behind. To them, success comes from performing with a sense of purpose, and… Read more »
Des Moines Metro Arts Alliance: David Hurd Community Support Award – Backstage Ball 2018
For more than 42 years, Metro Arts Alliance served its mission to strengthen the Des Moines creative community through collaborative events and education. Metro Arts relied on a combination of cultural organizations, artists, businesses, educators, governments, and a variety of other groups to create synergy and connect people to the arts. “[Our mission was] to… Read more »
Hoyt Sherman Place: Industry Supporter of the Year – Backstage Ball 2018
Hoyt Sherman Place has been a landmark building in Des Moines for more than a century and an entertainment venue for decades. It wasn’t until recently, though, that locals started to take note. Enter: Robert Warren. The Executive Director has pushed boundaries, taking risks on booking national touring acts and bringing in top performing artists…. Read more »
Sara Routh: Mentor of the Year – Backstage Ball 2018
Since moving back to Des Moines in 2014, musician Sara Routh immediately found her heart’s place in teaching and inspiring Des Moines’ young musicians. Through working and volunteering at countless music organizations (City Voices, Central Iowa Music Lab, Girls Rock! Des Moines, and Des Moines Music Coalition just to name a few…), Sara passionately believes… Read more »
Backstage Ball 2018: DJ Need-A-Stack
Bob Nastanovich has always been surrounded by music. Whether it was growing up on the eastern seaboard, performing as a member of seminal alt-rock groups Pavement and Silver Jews, or now spinning records under the moniker DJ Need-A-Stack, new tunes have always seemed to find his ear. Bob talks to us about his influences, releasing… Read more »
