Author Archive Suzanne Hull

BySuzanne Hull

DMEHA at Des Moines Arts Festival

Join DMEHA at the Des Moines Arts Festival June 28 – 30. This award winning festival is a great way to get out and see the city. Located in Western Gateway Park, around the John and Mary Papajohn Sculpture Park, it includes artist demonstrations, live music and art available for purchase. The hundreds of artists featured were each selected by a committee to present their work at the festival.

Even better, there is a community outreach program where local non-profit organizations can connect with the public. DMEHA will be located there, near the Community Choice Credit Union Performing Stage. Look for us on Grand Avenue off of 15th Street.

We’ll be sharing our own art project with visitors while we’re there. Come by our tent to make a craft to take home.

We can’t wait to see everyone there! Get your friends together to learn more about DMEHA and Christkindlmarket Des Moines while appreciating another great event Des Moines has to offer.


Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]
BySuzanne Hull

Metro Brass Quintet | #CDM2019 Performer

Tell us about your group

The Metro Brass Quintet has five members – two trumpets, a French horn, trombone, and bass trombone. The group has been together since 2014 and still has 4/5 original members! We are comprised of music teachers and working professionals that all have degrees in music and play in a variety of groups in the Des Moines area.

What are you most looking forward to at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?

We look forward to playing at Christkindlmarket Des Moines every year because of the Gemütlichkeit. It’s a fun crowd and a really nice way to spend a December afternoon.

What’s your favorite thing about performing at events like this?

Our favorite thing about playing for events is being able to share a variety of music with the audience and connect with them to make the event special and memorable.

Anything else you’d like to share?

We’ve been performing each year of Christkindlmarket Des Moines and we are happy to be a part of the tradition!

BySuzanne Hull

Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa | #CDM2019 Performer

Tell us about your group

The band was founded by Thomas S. Coulson, a distinguished piper, who served during World War II, as a pipe major with the Essex Scottish 4th Brigade of Canada and as a piper in the Seaforth HIghlanders. He moved to Des Moines during the 1980s and founded the Mackenzie HIghlanders Pipes and Drums at that time. We are a paramilitary pipe and drum band and our uniforms are steeped in traditional attire worn both on Scottish and American soil. Our tartan is Ancient Mackenzie. We regularly perform at local events and parades in support of the military, active and reserve, law enforcement agencies and fire departments. Currently we have 9 members, with some members having performed with the group since it began to those only being with the group for the past year.

What are you most looking forward to at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?

Being able to perform for a new audience, both those familiar with bagpipe music and those who aren’t

What’s your favorite thing about performing at events like this?

Being able to introduce new people to the music of the Great Highland Bagpipes and being able to be involved with the community.

BySuzanne Hull

DSM Dueling Fiddles | #CDM2019 Performer

Tell us about your group

The DSM Dueling Fiddles are comprised of two violinists, Hanna Wolle and Genevieve Salamone. We have been performing together for almost five years, but have both separately been playing the violin for over 20 years! Hanna started playing the violin when she was four, and Genevieve when she was ten. We decided to begin playing together after connecting and becoming friends through both playing in the Des Moines Symphony. The DSM Dueling Fiddles was a passion project that has turned into so much more! Genevieve takes the lead in writing our arrangements and producing our layered accompaniment, and Hanna handles the business side of the endeavor. Our most exciting recent performance was at Bacon Fest this past year, where we performed on an entertainment stage and then were the featured musicians in the night club, where we played with professional DJs. We are looking forward to bringing our music to the audiences at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this December!

What are you most looking forward to at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?

We are most looking forward to engaging with the crowd and helping to create a festive atmosphere at the market through our music and performance! Christkindlmarket Des Moines is also a unique festival in Des Moines, and we are excited to explore the market and all the different things it offers in our spare time!

What’s your favorite thing about performing at events like this?

Our favorite thing about performing at events like Christkindlmarket Des Moines is sharing our music. Our passion is creating and sharing our music, and it’s the greatest feeling to walk away from a performance knowing the audiences enjoyed our music. We put so much time and effort into creating our music and perfecting our performances, and seeing just one excited face in the audience makes it worth it for us!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you for the opportunity to play. We can’t wait!

BySuzanne Hull

Iowa State Bank | Bronze Sponsor

We’re excited to announce Iowa State Bank’s support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019.

Iowa State Bank is proud to have called Des Moines home for 75 years. Our mission is to serve customers, prosper, have fun and remain an independent bank. We are confident you will find that Iowa State Bank is able to provide the perfect mix of convenience banking and traditional services.


Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]
BySuzanne Hull

Follow-Up | DMEHA at Downtown Farmers Market

One of the best parts of living in Des Moines during the summer months is the Downtown Farmer’s Market. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday morning than grabbing a breakfast sandwich or burrito and browsing the local produce offerings? Add some great weather and live music and it can’t be beat.

The great opportunities don’t stop there. Did you know you can learn more about what’s happening in Des Moines at the Downtown Farmer’s Market? Each week the market gives non-profit and charitable organizations the opportunity to connect with the community and create awareness for their causes.

On June 1, Des Moines European Heritage Association was at the Downtown Farmer’s Market at the community corner to share our mission with market goers. Check out these fun photos!

BySuzanne Hull

2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Christkind Application

Welcome! We appreciate your interest in applying to be the 2019 Christkind at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) taking place December 6 – 8, 2019 at Principal Park. Please complete the 2019 application PRIOR to your interview. You will receive a confirmation email with additional details upon successful application submission. Learn more about the Christkind and its history.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Deadline: September 15, 2019
• Interviews Held: Week of September 23, 2019
• 2019 Christkind Announcement: October 1, 2019

To Apply

  1. Register and complete this official online application
  2. Please email video of applicant reading opening ceremony proclamation to [email protected]
  3. Please email headshot of applicant to [email protected]

Note: CDM will provide the costume, wig and accessories; Christkind can wear their own shoes.

To be eligible to be the 2019 Christkind, all of the following criteria must be met:

Must be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2019, and no more than 22 years of age before January 5, 2020
A resident of Iowa (or attending an Iowa-based school/university) able to provide verification of residence and/or enrollment
A student in high school or enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 units) in any accredited school or college in Iowa
Possess at least a 2.0 grade point average in both the current and previous years’ course work and able to provide verification
Available to participate in-person or via video during scheduled interview
Must be able to memorize and recite opening ceremony proclamation in front of 2,500 people without visual or auditory aid
Must enjoy working with others and talking with the public, including children of all ages
Must be able to provide own transportation to and from appearances
Available to attend the following functions/appearances as the 2019 Christkind
6pm – 8pm, December 5, 2019 | ‘Twas the Night Before #CDM2019 Preview Event
5:30pm – 7:30pm, December 6, 2019 | Opening Ceremony
2pm – 4pm, December 7, 2019 | CDM appearance
2pm – 4pm, December 8, 2019 | CDM appearance

Please fill out and submit this application; all fields with red asterisks (*) are required.

BySuzanne Hull

Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling Party and Open House a Huge Success

Several people were the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2019 Glühwein mug design at Jasper Winery on Tuesday, May 21.

They sipped the signature drink (warm mulled wine) while shopping a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 vendors. The first 25 attendees to donate $25 (or more) to guarantee their 2019 mug received a goody bag. Make your donation today!

BySuzanne Hull

Visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines at the Downtown Farmer’s Market!

One of the best parts of living in Des Moines during the summer months is the Downtown Farmer’s Market. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday morning than grabbing a breakfast sandwich or burrito and browsing the local produce offerings? Add some great weather and live music and it can’t be beat.

The great opportunities don’t stop there. Did you know you can learn more about what’s happening in Des Moines at the Downtown Farmer’s Market? Each week the market gives non-profit and charitable organizations the opportunity to connect with the community and create awareness for their causes.

On June 1, Des Moines European Heritage Association will be at the Downtown Farmer’s Market at the community corner to share our mission with market goers. Get a preview of what the market will look like and learn more about what it takes to make a Christmas market happen. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter while you’re there.

Our booth is located on the intersection of Third Street and Court Avenue, near Johnny’s Hall of Fame. Volunteers will be at the booth from 7 a.m. until noon. We hope to see you there!

Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.

Support[1]
BySuzanne Hull

Join DMEHA Today!

At our Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling Party and Open House on Tuesday, Des Moines European Heritage Association launched our annual membership drive. Join today and enjoy the following benefits:

Silver – $100 (annual membership)

  • 2 guaranteed Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) commemorative mugs – $50 value
  • Limited edition commemorative poster OR pin – voucher to give to the cashier at “An der Weihnachtsecke” at CDM.
  • Free CDM reusable bag – $5 value  
  • 5% off purchase of two tickets to one DMEHA Event (includes CDM preview events) or one language school class per membership year
  • Recognition on our website as a “Silver” member

Gold – $250 (annual membership)

All items listed above plus:

  • Limited edition commemorative poster –  voucher to give to the cashier at “An der Weihnachtsecke”
  • Limited edition commemorative pin – voucher to give to the cashier at “An der Weihnachtsecke”
  • Membership bracelet
  • Free general admission entry to “‘Twas the Night Before #CDM“, the preview night, with full access to vendors ahead of the market – Value of $35 gets you free parking, 1 entree, 1 dessert, 2 drink coupons, commemorative CDM mug
  • Access to “express lane” for Gluehwein, Beer and the DMEHA Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Must show membership bracelet)
  • 10% total off purchase of two tickets to one DMEHA event or one language school class per calendar or membership year
  • 5% off purchases at “An Der Weinachtsecke” (Must show membership bracelet)
  • Recognition as “Gold” level member at CDM (Must be a paid member by November 1, 2019 to be included on the printed banner
Congratulations and special thank you to our first Gold Members, Becky and Dan DeVries!