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BySuzanne Hull

Heartland Youth Choir | #CDM2017 Performer

Tell us about your group.

Heartland Youth Choir is a nonprofit organization that provides a performance-based program focused on music literacy, character development, and community engagement for central Iowa singers in grades K – 12. Students who love to sing can explore that passion beyond the school setting with highly skilled and experienced choral instructors. Heartland Youth Choir, with offices in Windsor Heights, is in its 15 th year of service to central Iowa youth.

Cantilena Choir, which will perform at Christkindlmarket, is one of six ensembles that comprise Heartland Youth Choir. The majority of Cantilena singers are in grades 3 and 4. The group performs at a number of concerts and collaborations throughout the year. And each spring, Cantilena hits the road for a regional choir tour.

What inspired you to get involved as a performer at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017?

Heartland Youth Choir sang at the first Christkindlmarket in 2016, and the group is delighted to return for 2017. Public performances are an important component of HYC’s teaching philosophy. Rehearsals help students learn responsibility, teamwork, and leadership, as well as build confidence and creative thinking skills. The only thing more fun than singing songs with your friends is singing holiday songs with your friends!

Anything else you’d like to share?

Conductor of the Cantilena Choir is Sandy Miller, who also teaches music at Timber Ridge Elementary in Johnston. The accompanist is Mary Bartemes, the assistant director of choral music at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines.

Heartland Youth Choir ensembles deliver 40 performances a year. In addition to their own concerts, HYC also seeks collaborations with professional musicians and organizations. A few examples: the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Des Moines Playhouse, the Canadian Brass, Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, the Des Moines Symphony, Mannheim Steamroller, and Simon Estes.

Heartland Youth Choir’s reputation for excellence includes a gold rating in the World Choir Games and an invitation to the International Choral Festival (the first Iowa choir to receive that honor).

Local jazz musician Max Wellman is a Heartland Youth Choir alum.

New members are always welcome at Heartland Youth Choir. For information, visit joinhyc.org.

BySuzanne Hull

DMEHA Offers Beginning German Language Classes for Adults

Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to explore the German language during this 10-week beginning German language course for adults (starting Wednesday, August 2, 2017).

During each 90-minute session, you will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics while focusing on grammar and vocabulary.

There will be assigned homework and studying required each week. A textbook and workbook will need to be purchased by the student prior to the beginning of the course in addition to the course fee of $120. These materials will cost approximately $40 and are due at the first class.

This is a non-credit course.

Click here to Register

We will meet at the Grand View University. You may park in the parking lot directly south of the Student Center (Y on the map). Click here for a campus map.

Deadline to register: July 1, 2017

About the Instructor: Steffi Schryver received her Master’s Degree in German and English Education in 2010 from the University of Regensburg in southern Germany. Since then, she has enjoyed working with many types of students teaching both languages. She recently moved to Iowa with her husband and enjoys spending time with him, horses and her dog.

 

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.

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BySuzanne Hull

TeaGschwendner | #CDM2017 Vendor

Tell us about your business

TeaGschwendner offers over 250 premium loose leaf teas sourced directly from tea gardens around the world. Our products are sugar free, natural, pure, organic and pesticide free.

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017?

We enjoy reaching out to customers outside Chicago as well as meeting online customers in person. We had a great time last year in Des Moines and happy to come back again.

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 and why did you choose them?

Our Christmas collection offer over 10 teas that are only available during the holidays. The teas are spicy, warm and smooth – perfect for Christmas time. One of the top sellers is Christmas tea-black tea with vanilla, cloves and orange peels that really smells like Christmas. Others are Snowman tea, White Christmas, Rooibush Eggnog, Winter magic and more. Our collection will also include all tea accessories: teapots, mugs, infusers and tins.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Since 2008 we have been rewarded for the best quality tea in the world, as well as voted/named the Best Tea Shop in Chicago.

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.

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BySuzanne Hull

Salt and Pretzel Co | #CDM2017 Vendor

Tell us about your business

We are a small family owned and operated business based out of Ames, Iowa, that makes hand-twisted soft pretzels. We are not just pretzels though; our food truck provides a variety of foods that include local sausages, meats, breakfast sandwich, fried foods, and we even have vegan options!

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017?

This is our second year attending the market as a vendor. The first Christkindlmarket was a huge success and we believe this one will be even bigger! We came across this event last year and decided to reach out to see if we could provide some of our classic German foods and European style cuisine. The market hosts said yes, and the rest is history.

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 and why did you choose them?

We will have both our classic American and German style pretzels, a wide variety of sausages, European breads, cookies, European sides, and some European desserts.

Anything else you’d like to share?

We look forward to seeing you at the market. This year will be a great one and we are happy we have the opportunity to be a vendor for another year!

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.

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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 3, 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.

Need more of a reason to visit us? We’ll be making ornaments at our stall for people to take home. We’d love for your family to come make a memory with us downtown.

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.

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BySuzanne Hull

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. | Christmas Tree Sponsor

We are pleased to announce that Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. is the Christmas Tree Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017! Their generous sponsorship will ensure that we all can enjoy a central focal point – A decorated Christmas Tree – a must-have for a traditional European-style Christmas market.

Exploring your life priorities is one of the ways Merrill Lynch understands your financial priorities; it’s not just about the market returns, it’s about your goals and priorities. In plain language, your advisor will make sure you understand the reasoning behind any financial suggestion, what your alternatives are, and all the risks and fees involved.

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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.

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BySuzanne Hull

The Permanent Collection Letterpress + Design Studio | #CDM2017 Vendor

Tell us about your business.

Letterpress printing is the first mechanized form of printing from 14th Century Europe. Printed pieces from The Permanent Collection Letterpress + Design Studio celebrates this historical tradition with a vintage nod and modern design. Each item is hand-printed on a vintage printing press on elegant paper, making each item an original and truly distinctive.

The Permanent Collection is owned and operated by Sarah McCoy and located in the vibrant downtown East Village in Des Moines, Iowa. Sarah’s studio is full of wood and metal type as well as, vintage presses- models including a Heidelberg Windmill Red Ball, two Chandler and Price models, a Vandercook SP-15, and two small proof presses. She designs and prints work for clients both big and small such as PaperSource, Madsen Cycles and several music festivals such as Hinterland and 80/35.

What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017?

The historical aspect of printing originated with Johann Gutenberg in Germany and several designs celebrate the european heritage. My classic products fit well with the audience and overall feel of an outdoor holiday market.

What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 and why did you choose them?

I will be selling art prints, cards, and other letterpress printed products. There will be a wide variety of holiday cards and note cards. I received wonderful feedback on the classic designs that have a wide appeal to many customers.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m looking forward to the market and the small little wooden houses that we will be selling our products out of…

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.

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BySuzanne Hull

Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling Party a Huge Success

Several people were the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2017 Glühwein mug design at Jasper Winery on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

They sipped the signature drink (warm mulled wine) while shopping a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 vendors. The first 25 attendees to donate $25 (or more) to guarantee their 2017 mug received a goody bag.

Participating vendors included:

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.

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BySuzanne Hull

Maiwanderung: A Celebration of Spring – Wrap up!

What a great way to celebrate the amazing Spring weather. On May 6, several folks met at the Saylorville Cottonwood Recreation Area for make/take activities, a scavenger hunt, food from Curbin’ Cuisine and a good, old-fashioned bake sale! Scroll through the photos below!

 

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.

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BySuzanne Hull

European Amazing Race presented by Des Moines European Heritage Association

Celebrate European heritage and culture in the heart of downtown Des Moines!

During the Des Moines European Heritage Association’s European Amazing Race, follow clues (on foot and by driving yourselves in either teams of two or four) that will lead you to several downtown Des Moines locations while participating in challenges and activities that will help you learn about European heritage and culture.

Adults and children 12 and over are ticketed, children 11 and under are free. Bring your smartphone to take pictures and wear comfortable shoes!

A prize will be awarded to the winning team. The winning team will be determined based on race completion time and if the challenges were successfully executed.

Click here to Register!

Registration closes May 31, 2017 at midnight. You may not register on site.

DATE: June 3, 2017

TIME: 1pm – 4pm

START/END LOCATION: Cowles Commons (221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309)

FEES: $50 for a team of two / $100 for a team of four

Click here to Register!