7.10.23 Press Release
Inaugural ‘Together Through Sound’ Festival to Bring Cross-Cultural Music, Arts to Des Moines Communities
Together Through Sound is a recipient of the Polk County Community Betterment Grant and showcases more than 100 musicians, visual artists, local food vendors and more.
Des Moines, IA – A team of local artists is excited to announce the inaugural Together Through Sound festival, a free family-friendly event that aims to foster collaboration and respect across diverse communities through an appreciation of the arts.
The event takes place September 10, 1:00-10:00 p.m., at the Prairie Meadows Amphitheater at Riverview Park, featuring more than 100 local musicians across a diverse range of cultures and musical genres including Latin, Afrobeats, hip hop, jazz, blues, classical and many more. Free tent space will be available to local visual artists to sell their work, with more than 20 artists confirmed, as well as a Nonprofit Village, offering free tent space for local nonprofits to raise awareness of their causes. A “make-your-own instrument” bar, curated by Pied Piper Studios, and face painting will entertain community members of all ages.
“As a long-time musician, I’ve always felt that music and the arts has a unique ability to bring people together and create shared experiences,” said festival director and local musician Ashley Eidbo. “Together Through Sound strives to create opportunities for local community members to experience music and art that is new to them, and I’m excited to watch the Des Moines community come together around this goal.”
Performances will begin at 1:00 PM and the day will finish with the Together Through Sound Collaboration Concert, featuring a full symphony orchestra, Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble led by Dr. Tim McMillan and musical artists from throughout the day. Confirmed musicians to date include Latin musicians Lani and the band Son Perurchos, Afrobeats musician Ahmed Musa, hip hop artist B.Well, jazz musician Damani Phillps, blues and movement performers Shankar Subramanian and friends, Des Moines Public Schools high school orchestra students and the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble. Local conductor Joshua Barlage will conduct the Collaboration Concert, featuring pieces by Iowa-based composer Bill Campbell and 14-year-old DMPS student Adalyn Sidon.
Together Through Sound is being hosted in partnership with its fiscal partner, the B.Well Foundation, a nonprofit that supports initiatives in the Des Moines community focused on education, mentorship, and families and schools in need of resources.
“Des Moines offers such a vibrant, artistic community, and we are thrilled to offer a platform that brings so many different cultures and genres together,” said Billy Weathers, co-founder of the B.Well Foundation and Together Through Sound’s creative director. “We are very grateful to the support of the community that is behind us already and for everyone who is already sharing our vision.”
Together Through Sound is the proud recipient of the Polk County Community Betterment Grant, which provides financial support to non-profit organizations that provide cultural, recreational, educational, and human needs services to the citizens of Polk County. Additional sponsors include Chuck’s Restaurant, the Parks Area Foundation and Iowa-Des Moines Supply.
Together Through Sound is incredibly grateful to local community organizations and individuals who are helping to make this event possible. Please visit TogetherThroughSound.com or contact event organizers at info@togetherthroughsound.com for more information on performing at the event and sponsorship, donation or volunteer opportunities. Tent space for visual artists and in the Nonprofit Village is free of charge but will be limited, so interested community members are encouraged to contact event organizers soon to register.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Together Through Sound
Prairie Meadows Amphitheater at Riverview Park
Sunday, September 10
1:00 PM - 10:00 PM
ABOUT US
Together Through Sound (TTS) is an annual event started in 2023 by local musicians Ashley Eidbo, Katelyn Stessman and Billy Weathers in partnership with the B.Well Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting students and families in the Des Moines metro community. TTS was built on the idea that everyone deserves access to all kinds of music. With a focus on music, food and art, TTS promotes respect and collaboration between cultural and community groups, encouraging a shared appreciation of the arts.
Media Contact:
info@togetherthroughsound.com