While travel and festivals remain stalled, we’re here to bring you inspiration for the trips you’ll take when life returns to normal. – TravelSquire Editors
If all you know about Iowa is the catchy Rogers & Hammerstein tune from State Fair or the rolling plains and cornfields from your road trip across the US, Michael Shawn “Clown” Crahan aims to change that. One of two percussionists and co-founder of the Grammy award-winning heavy metal band Slipknot, Crahan has made a name for himself directing the band’s videos. The talented musician wants you to know a little bit about Des Moines, the state’s hard-to-pronounce capital and the site of the Iowa State Fair, where the band broke an attendance record in 2019 held previously by Sonny and Cher, back in 1972.
Here’s an inside look at Clown’s hometown, also on the map thanks to being where the first caucuses of the presidential primary cycle occur.
What’s your favorite live music venue?
I love the Des Moines Civic Center downtown for many reasons but the one that hits the high notes for me is that I can make an evening of it. My wife and I just park our car and walk to any number of places nearby for drinks and apps or dinner. It’s old school. If you’re catching an opera or a classical performance, you can also have drinks at intermission and then someone walks around with a bell when it’s time to return to your seat. I mean this is where my mom and dad took me. My dad said if I was going to know Rock & Roll, I had to know the greats, and they all performed here – Johnny Cash, BB King, Jerry Lewis. My all-time favorites were Ray Charles and Buddy Rich. I admit it’s not a rock music venue, but when I go there for a show it feels like it’s part of my DNA and I can reminisce.
What are the best places to experience art?
The Des Moines Art Center is a must for any art lover but there are other less obvious establishments displaying art – restaurants, bars, banks, hospitals, especially children’s hospitals. Schools even have programs where children draw pictures to hang in the children’s hospitals, and today’s kids are bringing joy to those who need it most. What is great is that the art coming from kids is not tainted with the realities of the world and people can view positive scenarios in the works. Des Moines is unusual in that the younger community is encouraged to understand and make art, and people truly appreciate it.
Where’s the best Happy Hour and what’s your go-to bar?
I have a soft spot for Hello, Marjorie, a classic cocktail bar which has a speakeasy vibe. I also have a thing for dive bars and Des Moines has them in spades.
What is one thing people might not know about your city?
During the winter we have a healthy bald eagle population. There are two rivers that meet downtown and fork out weirdly. There are great white oaks surrounding them where bald eagles nest due to the amount of food they get from the river then.
What’s one must-do for visitors?
This may be cliché, but the mammoth gold-domed State Capitol building is stunning. It is really something to see, and not just from outside, but inside, too. It’s got fabulous art, big pieces, old school.
As a kid we’d go there all the time and take tours, climbing the spiral staircase up to the dome and poking our heads in the cannons. It’s remarkable!
What can you find in your city that you cannot find anywhere else?
The Clown!
What’s the most historic aspect in Des Moines?
It would have to be the Iowa State Fair. I first went as a child in the womb and have been there every year since I was born. The state fair is special because it’s epic and legendary and brings all of Iowa to one place for two weeks. From agricultural contests to livestock shows and entertainment of all kinds, the fair draws over a million visitors. You definitely feel the importance of where you’ve been raised.
Why is Des Moines a good place to be a creative person?
Growing up in the Midwest I was told that trends happening in other cities would take longer to make their way to us. Living locally means you buy local and you buy into that philosophy. So, I’m just not being pounded with everything that’s current. I can still use my imagination here, and I have more space to come up with things on my own.