Music & entertainment at the festival
Music Lineup | Musical Guest Bios
Music Lineup on the Main Stage Presented by Prairie Meadows.
Friday
8p.m. Evening Headliner: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
- 11 a.m.: Naturalization Ceremony
- 12:30 p.m.: Royce Johns
- 2:30 p.m.: Sons of Bossa
- 4:30 p.m.: Sharane Calister & The Feel Right Band
- 6 p.m.: Leradee & The Positives
Saturday
8:30 p.m.: Evening Headliner: Son Peruchos
- 11 a.m.: SAFE
- 12:30 p.m.: Heart of Iowa Cloggers
- 1:40 p.m.:Eshanjali Dance Academy
- 3:00 p.m.: Kick
- 5 p.m.: BYOBrass
- 6:30 p.m.: Guitarras ATM
Sunday
- 11 a.m.: Danza Folclórica del Oeste
- Noon: Esencia Añeja
- 1:00 p.m.: People's Choice Winner Announced
- 1:30 p.m.: 2Y
- 3:00 p.m.: Pianopalooza
Cultural Stage
Music lineup and entertainment presented by Bravo Greater Des Moines.
Friday
- 12:30 p.m.: Casey Joe Collins
- 2 p.m.: KLAZIK | Tyrone Thomas
- 3 p.m.: Freight Train Frank | Frank Strong
- 4:15 p.m.: Giddha | VIRSA
- 5:15 p.m.: The Beauty of Social Dance | Zahar
- 6 p.m.: Songs of Siam | Sue Hudson
Saturday
- Noon: KonKultra | Emilia Marroquin
- 1:15 p.m.: KUD Dukat |Jasmina Domazet
- 3 p.m.: Ishara Dance
- 4 p.m.: Traditional Rhythms of West Africa | Earth Mothers Drummers Trio
- 4:40 p.m.: RAM SII PAK | Marie & Amelie
- 6 p.m.: DSM Breakerz
Sunday
- Noon: Peruvian Pan Flute | Cucho Madero
- 1 p.m.: Capoeira | Juan & Amy Lourido
- 2:30 p.m.: Soten Taiko Drumming
- 3:30 p.m.: FOY Irish Dancers
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a nostalgic trip back to the start of rock and roll, with a strict adherence to the 1950-1969 timeframe. A trip back to when songs were tossed back and forth by artists, and one night could find Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis all on the same stage. An experience of the birth of rock music, with over 50 songs from a time before music started its electronic shift. Their repertoire is ever-growing and assures you’ll be twisting all night long with their modern take that continues to be true to the original sound. Like the king himself said, “Rock and Roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it”.
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Son Peruchos
Musicians playing Andean and South American fusion folk music using traditional instruments and more modern Latin and Caribbean rhythms.
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The Beauty of Social Dance | Zahar
Inspiring Social Dance from attendees with dance instruction.
Capoeira | Juan & Amy Lourido
Capoeira is more than just a form of exercise, it's a blend of fitness, culture and art. Capoeira is martial arts, it is music, it is dance, it is a cultural expression; Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian Art Form born of oppression that connects with people in unique ways. Today, Capoeira is a journey of personal transformation for people around the world.
Casey Joe Collins
A steward of the road and a custodian of its tales, Casey Joe Collins maintains the country’s story. A well-worn guitar and a pen & paper is all he needs to chronicle these blacktop novellas. A songwriter’s songwriter, Casey Joe’s songbook is vast, yet polished. A body of work replete with characters, some real and some imagined, as colorful as the tattoos that adorn his working-class hands.
DSM Breakerz
DSM Breakerz, Inc. is a non-profit organization in the Des Moines Metro Area that provides a safe environment for kids to learn the art of breakdancing, choreo and a wide variety of dance, arts and movement. They strive to inspire confidence in the youth, promote physical and mental health, facilitate creative expression and provide a passionate outlet for the community. DSM Breakerz host classes for all ages, offer opportunities for members to compete or perform in and around the community at events, and provide mentorship for youth in the school system, guiding them to a positive outlet!
Eshanjali Dance Academy
Eshanjali Dance Academy is a dance school in Des Monies, Iowa, which is directed by its artistic founder Pragnya Prakash and was established in 2007. The primary focus of Eshanjali is to offer training in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, two of the most prominent and well known classical dance forms of India. Eshanjali also offers dance training in folk dances from various states of India and semi-classical dances, Bollywood dances for few occasions. In partnership with CultureALL, Pragnya and her students regularly perform Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dances, semi-classical dances and folk dances at many community events, companies, universities, and other prestigious organizations.
FOY Irish Dancers
Join in the celebration of Irish culture featuring spirited dance and lively music that will have your toes tapping. Enjoy traditional Irish dance from our youngest wee ones to the lightning-fast footwork of our advanced dancers. We love rowdy crowds!
Freight Train Frank | Frank Strong
Experience the rich sounds of history with Frank Strong, a talented musician and storyteller who brings Americana songs to life. A longtime guitarist and harmonica player, Frank blends music with insight into cultural and economic impact. As an artist with CultureALL, ASAP, and the Iowa Arts Council, he shares his passion for live music across Iowa—from schools and coffeehouses to festivals and retirement homes. Join us for a performance that's both entertaining and deeply rooted in our shared heritage.
Giddha | VIRSA
Giddha is a vibrant and joyful traditional Punjabi dance performed by women, celebrating grace, strength and pride. Set to rhythmic claps and energetic folk songs called boliyan, Giddha showcases lively expressions, playful storytelling and synchronized movements that reflect everyday life, relationships and social themes. This captivating performance invites audiences to experience the warmth, humor and exuberance of Punjabi culture.
Heart of Iowa Cloggers
Clogging is an American folk dance that began in the 1700s in the Appalachian Mountains, where Irish, Scottish, English and Dutch German settlers blended their traditional dances. Originally called flat footing or buck dancing, clogging evolved into its own rhythmic style using elements from each region.
Despite the name, cloggers don’t wear wooden shoes. They dance in leather shoes with double taps on the toe and heel. The heel keeps the beat while the dancer creates rhythm with both feet. Led by Lois Holmes and in partnership with CultureALL, the Heart of Iowa Cloggers bring clogging to life through energetic performances set to all kinds of music, from traditional fiddle tunes to contemporary hits. Whether dancing in lines or formations, they’re sure to get the crowd clapping along.
Ishara Dance
We are Ishara - which means “Gesture” in both Hindi and Swahili, captures how we blend our Indian and African dance roots to tell stories and convey emotions beyond words. From the captivating narratives of Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Kuchipudi to the rhythmic beats of Bollywood and Bhangra – our performances are a tribute to the profound way we communicate through music.
KLAZIK | Tyrone Thomas
Klazik, a rising artist from Des Moines known for his high-energy stage presence and powerful lyricism. Blending hip hop with raw storytelling, Klazik brings a fresh and authentic voice to every show. His music resonates with emotion and grit, reflecting real-life experiences and Midwest roots.
KonKultra | Emilia Marroquin
Get ready for an inspiring performance by KonKultura, a Salvadoran folkloric dance group based in Storm Lake. Founded by Emilia Marroquín, what began as a family tradition has grown into a vibrant celebration of Latino identity and heritage. Today, KonKultura features youth from across Latin America, blending traditional Salvadoran dance with styles like cumbia, merengue and pop. With every performance, they share a powerful message of pride, unity and cultural expression.
KUD Dukat | Jasmina Domazet
This cultural dance performance preserves Bosnian traditions and fosters a sense of homeland among youth through folk costumes and dance. It also serves as a way to bring young people together in community, offering meaningful connections and cultural engagement. Based in Des Moines, KUD Sevdah has represented the Bosnian community at events across the U.S., including the annual Susreti of Bosniaks of North America.
Peruvian Pan Flute | Cucho Madero
Cucho Madero is a professional musician who performs at festivals across Iowa, sharing the rich sounds of Peruvian and Andean music. He specializes in traditional instruments such as the pan flute, antaras, sikus (wind instruments), as well as the charango and guitar (string instruments).
RAM SII PAK | Marie & Amelie
This young Thai sister duo will dance to a song celebrating the unity of all Thai people across the four regions of Thailand: the North, Northeast, South and Central regions.
Songs of Siam | Sue Hudson
The father-daughter duo of Songs of Siam, Sue Hudson, and her father, Sansonthi Boonyothayan, perform traditional Thai music. Sansonthi has played the guitar since grade school and used classic American country to teach Sue English. Sue has always adored singing with her father.
Soten Taiko Drumming
Soten Taiko is Central Iowa's only Taiko drumming group. The name of the group translates as "Blue Sky” Taiko. Their goal is to share the ancient sounds of Taiko drumming under the blue skies of Iowa. The group, which is part of the Japan America Society of Iowa, began in March of 2011 with the idea to introduce and share the traditional Japanese art form with the community. Starting with only two Taiko drums, the group has gradually added more Taiko Drums, along with other Japanese instruments. The group has performed at a number of events in addition to The Festival, such as IAA Asian Heritage Festival, community cultural events and corporate gatherings.
Traditional Rhythms of West Africa | Earth Mother Drummers Trio
Earth Mother Drummers is a trio of women who have been playing the drums and traditional rhythms of West Africa for over 20 years. They have studied and performed with world renowned Master Drummers from the West African countries of Mali and Guinea - drumming with them here in the United States and also in West Africa.