Middle of NOWhere Fest brings hip-hop, art to rural Iowa
MADRID — Rural Iowa will get a blast of modern music and art Saturday — including from Solon native Naethan Apollo — with the third annual Middle of NOWhere Rural Art & Music Festival (MONFest) happens. The all-afternoon event is intended to shatter stereotypes about Iowa and showcase its appreciation for “hip-hop, graffiti art and diversity,” writes Axios. Twelve bands will take the stage from 1 to 9 p.m. while attendees enjoy food, vendors, the chance to create art live, and an arts maze (Ames Tribune). Apollo is a rising hip-hop star whose low-key tunes are drawing more than 20 million listens apiece on Spotify. The festival was created by Siriaco Garcia, a mural artist from Huxley also known as “Siricasso” who was named among Des Moines’ People to Watch in 2024. MONFest is 1 to 9 p.m. at
Public input on data centers sought Tuesday in Ames
AMES — Should the city of Ames enter into lease negotiations with a company that wants to build a data center on city-owned property? Should the city of Ames create regulations on data centers anywhere within city boundaries? These are the two key questions this central Iowa community faces Tuesday over the proposed LightEdge data center (KDSM-TV). Public comment is encouraged at the 6 p.m. meeting, where the council will review a legal report over these two key questions. LightEdge already has two data centers in Des Moines and 19 overall; it’s seeking to lease about 11 acres of city-owned land near the city-owned James Herman Banning Ames Municipal Airport for a small data center projected to consume up to 25 megawatts of energy. Ames Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips explained to KDSM that the city retains more regulatory control if it allows the data center on city-owned land and may have less influence over the project if it goes to private land. Attend the 6 p.m. meeting in person at City Hall, 515 Clark Ave., or watch online. The local group Ames Action: Help Prevent the Data Center is also gathering signatures on a petition to oppose all data centers in Ames city limits.
Wrestling, drum circle, drag at Marshalltown Pride
MARSHALLTOWN — Pro wrestling, a drum circle and a drag showcase will highlight the Marshalltown Pride in the Park by Marshalltown LGBTQ+ Saturday. The third annual event will also include dance lessons by the Remix Dance Academy, a communal sidewalk chalk collage, and a vendor market. The fest is noon to 4 p.m.at West End Park in the 13th Street District. You can also join a Pride after party at Fizz & Fiction, 18 W. Main St. from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Marshalltown LGBTQ+ is still looking for volunteers to help out with the festival; sign up to here.Â
