Drake Relays & xBk Partner for Dogtown Sounds
The free concert series will take place on Saturday, April 30 on Forest Ave.
DES MOINES, Iowa – Forest Avenue will be lively on Saturday (April 30) and not just because of the elite level competition inside Drake Stadium. The Drake Relays Presented by Xtream Powered by Mediacom have partnered with live music venue xBK (located on 1159 24
th St. in Des Moines) to provide a memorable live concert experience called Dogtown Sounds Presented by xBk on Forest Avenue adjacent to Drake Stadium.
Local youth educator and spoken word poet Emmett Phillips will host.
Dogtown Sounds is included in the Fan Fest experience on Forest Avenue, where there will a chocolate milk giveaway by Hiland Dairy and the opportunity to Official Relays merchandise available for purchase.
"The competition in the stadium will be one for the record books and this new partnership creates a reason for every Iowan to visit to Drake Stadium on the last Saturday of April," Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays
Blake Boldon said. "Whether you're a frequent concert goer or a track fan stepping away from the Blue Oval for lunch, this lineup is one that everyone will enjoy."
"xBk is excited to deepen our on-going relationship with Drake University by working with the Athletics Department to program this year's relay stage," Tobi Parks, xBk Owner/CEO said. "Given the history and importance of the relays to the Drake and Dogtown communities, we are pleased and honored to be part of the relays team and bring great entertainment to the event."
Dogtown Sounds Lineup
Nella Thomas- Singer and songwriter, Nella Thomas, embraces the familiar sounds of Midwestern living in her own unique blend of alternative folk music. Nella is an Iowa Native who debuted in 2015 with her album, "Yonder Woods," and has since released singles on her own and in collaboration with her husband and fellow artist, William J Locker. Their music video for "1871" was featured in Iowa Public Television's Film Lounge Series in 2018. Nella has performed on the Main Stage for the Des Moines Arts Festival, for local fundraisers, and the live music venues in Des Moines and surrounding communities. Others may recognize Nella Thomas as the singer of "The June Bugs" or from her annual Christmas show which she has hosted for five years in the city of Des Moines. Nella is currently working on a new album with an announcement date coming soon.
Lily DeTaeye- Lily DeTaeye is a folk-rock Americana firecracker with alt-rock and blues influences. She's a spirited songwriter and a harmonica-wielding badass that will remind you of your weird friend from book club who definitely has a few bodies in her closet. Between her candid nature onstage and the playful accessibility of the rest of the band, she leaves audiences feeling as if they were on the stage with her. Her music is wry and filled with the emotional honesty and vulnerability of a young Dwight Yoakam and the dynamism of Brandi Carlile. When backed by her band, she displays the edge and power of the Black Keys or the Record Company.
Lani- Lani is a Colombian-American singer/songwriter and self-taught keyboardist based in Des Moines, Iowa. Always at her disposal have been her catchy melodies and lyrical hooks, documenting the stories of her soul, along with a delicate yet powerful voice that has the power to touch every heart it comes across. There is beauty in love and an equal amount of beauty in pain, and through her songwriting and her performances, Lani captures what it means to be beautifully vulnerable.
Dogtown Sounds Schedule (Saturday, April 30)
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Nella Thomas
Noon-1p.m. -- Lily DeTaeye
3 p.m.-4 p.m. -- Lani
Food vendors will be lined up along Forest Avenue throughout the weekend of the Drake Relays include:
Turkey Time Concession
Mediterranean Grill
Road Side Tacos
Wings on Wheels
Campbell Ice Cream
Brandmeyer Popcorn Company
Bon Bon Treat
Papa John's Pizza (Available only in Drake Stadium)
