Inkfluencers
You know the basic story: Fifty-six colonial bigwigs unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, at the Pennsylvania Statehouse. But the immediate aftermath is worth remembering, too. A handwritten copy was rushed to a nearby print shop, where a printer cranked out 200 copies overnight. A Philadelphia newspaper published it on July 6, three public readings took place on July 8, a German translation appeared a day later, and it was all over Europe by late summer. By 18th-century standards, that’s practically viral. Now, 250 years later, you’ll hear its echoes at Yankee Doodle Pops on July 3, at Living History Farms on July 4 (before a reading there on July 8) and at dozens of America 250 events throughout the summer. Find a statewide list online at governor.iowa.gov/america-250.
Summer soundtrack
Every summer, there are almost too many outdoor concert series to count — at Water Works Park, Jasper Winery, Valley Junction, Middlebrook Farm, the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny and almost every other big patch of grass in Central Iowa. But if we had to recommend just one, it would be Music in the Garden every Thursday evening at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. You can stroll the gardens at their summer peak, count frogs in the lily pond, dance to the music or simply settle into a lawn chair and watch the sun set over the river and downtown skyline. Check out the lineup through Aug. 20 at dmbotanicalgarden.com. Photo: Drew Dau
Root for the underdogs
With their sturdy torsos and stubby legs, corgis don’t look like runners — but don’t tell them that. The undersized dogs with oversized confidence will run their hearts out in the Corgi Chase during half-time at the Iowa Barnstormers game on July 11 at Casey’s Center. A portion of the event proceeds support the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. arl-iowa.org
What’s up?
Most of us won’t get the same view of the moon as the Artemis II astronauts anytime soon (unless the Des Moines airport expansion really expands), but you can still get a mighty good look at our celestial neighbor during the Midsummer Moon viewing on July 24 at the Science Center of Iowa. The free event is one of the monthly Star Parties when Science Center staff and volunteers set up high-powered telescopes (weather permitting) to help visitors gaze at the moon, the stars and whatever else is floating around up there. The team also sets up telescopes with special filters to see the sun during Solar Parties on the first and third Saturday mornings of each month, during the Downtown Farmers Market. sciowa.org
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, left, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of TLC. Photo courtesy of Live Nation.
Homecoming queen
Did you know a Des Moines native is part of the best-selling American girl group of all time? Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins lived here until she was 9 and plans to return this summer when TLC performs at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 18. The group that’s sold more than 85 million records worldwide with hits like “Waterfalls,” “Creep” and “No Scrubs” recently teamed up with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue for an aptly named national tour, “It’s Iconic,” which lands at the grandstand between Rod Stewart (Aug. 14), Alabama (Aug. 21) and plenty more. iowastatefair.org
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