Hey Friends,

It’s prom contest time! Post your own best prom picture on our Facebook page to win either a CASE of Boone’s Farm or a $30 Americana gift card. If you don’t have your prom photo handy, pull a random one you found online and post that on our page instead.

We’ll choose the winner by choosing a random photo on Friday morning.

Pssst… This Saturday from 10p–2a is our First Year Anniversary prom. The theme’s “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.” DJ 2-4-8 will be spinning good things, we’ll have a photobooth and we’ll name a king and queen.

Nice shoes, dude.

Are you ready for balloons and cake? Thunderbird, Boone’s Farm and Mad Dog 20/20? How about a photo booth and making out with your special someone? We invite you all to join us in our one year anniversary prom this coming Saturday!

WHAT: Paradise By the Dashboard Lights: Americana’s One Year Anniversary Prom!’

WHEN: Saturday, May 19th, 10pm-2am.

WHERE: Americana and the back seat of your parents’ Mercury.

The One Year Anniversary Prom starts at 10 pm on Saturday the 19th, and will feature DJ 2-4-8 and Phase Two. Enjoy spiked punch, dancing, a prom photo booth & enter to be crowned Prom King & Queen. Best prom attire at the dance Saturday night will win.Prom King and Queen will receive a $100 Americana gift card!

“Paradise By the Dashboard Lights” is going to be represented in the photo booth decorations but can certainly be represented in dress as well.  All prom attire is welcome and will be eligible for judging for king and queen, especially if you decide to dress up like Meat Loaf.  For those that don’t know “paradise by the dashboard lights” is a song by rock legend Meat Loaf all about “backseat make outs.”  People can make their own interpretation but shouldn’t worry about their dress…. the tackier the better!! We are going for fun here not formal.  A “hot mess” if you will.  We will have props for the photo booth like bottles of Boone’s Farm, Zima, Thunderbird, Mad Dog, etc.

Saturday Prom Dinner: Join us for dinner on Saturday night as the fine people from Des Moines Art Center’s Art Noir will be giving tours of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park at 5:30 and 8pm.

Sunday Prom Brunch: Sunday, May 20th, Americana will serve brunch from 10am – 2:30pm. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Des Moines Art Center to help its free admission policy. Guests can celebrate with Americana on Saturday night or Sunday morning by dressing in their best prom attire and showing off their style by getting your official prom photos taken under a balloon arch at the restaurant. Reservations can be made by calling 515-283-1312 or via www.americanadsm.com.

“I wanna make your motor run.” — Meat Loaf

Join us at Americana for Prom Saturday, May 19 and Prom Brunch on Sunday, May 20

Americana Restaurant marks its one-year anniversary on May 19th, and will celebrate by hosting a prom-style dance on Saturday night, followed by a prom themed brunch on Sunday morning to benefit the Des Moines Art Center.

SATURDAY DINNER AND PROM:

Dinner on Saturday night will feature Americana’s new menu by Chef Dan Warren. On Saturday, May 19 at 5:30pm and again at 8 pm, Americana patrons can learn more about the Des Moines Art Center as well as the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, located directly across from the restaurant, from representatives of the Art Center’s member group for young professionals, Art Noir. Art Noir representatives will be stationed next to the popular sculpture, Nomade, by Jaume Plensa.

The Prom starts at 10 pm on Saturday the 19th, and will feature DJ 2-4-8 and Phase Two. Enjoy spiked punch, dancing, a prom photo booth & enter to be crowned Prom King & Queen. Best prom attire at the dance Saturday night will win. Prom King and Queen will receive a $100 Americana gift card!

SUNDAY PROM BRUNCH

Sunday, May 20th, Americana will serve brunch from 10am – 2:30pm. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Des Moines Art Center to help its free admission policy. Guests can celebrate with Americana on Saturday night or Sunday morning by dressing in their best prom attire and showing off their style by getting your official prom photos taken under a balloon arch at the restaurant. Reservations can be made by calling 515-283-1312 or via www.americanadsm.com.

CONTEST: HELP US FIND A THEME FOR OUR PROM

We’re looking for help coming up with a theme for our party. Every prom has a theme, right? Well, we need your help to come up with one. Just go to our Facebook post on this subject on our Facebook page and tell us what you think our theme should be. If we choose your theme, we’ll give you a FREE NIGHT STAY AT A DES MOINES area hotel. (location TBA, but it’ll be a good one). Contest ends Sunday, May 13th at 5pm.

For information on the Des Moines Art Center or John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, visit www.desmoinesartcenter.org. For more information about Art Noir, including how to join and get involved, visit www.desmoinesartcenter.org/art-noir or contact Art Noir President Liz Lidgett at 515-201-8389.

The Red Shoe Society is a volunteer organization that provides an opportunity for emerging community leaders to connect with other young professionals that share their same philanthropic interests through fundraising, serving and building awareness for RMHC. Members can look forward to exciting fundraising events, fun networking socials and monthly service opportunities, like providing meals to Ronald McDonald House families.  Members are encouraged to take an active role in the organization and are invited to sit on the different committees that manage the operations of the group.  The committees will provide unique opportunities for members to:

–Learn how RMHC is enriching the quality of life for children and their families

Be sure to mention the Red Shoe Society or Ronald McDonald House when you visit Americana on May 12th!

If you’d like more information about the Red Shoe Society please email RedShoeSociety@rmhdesmoines.org, or visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/RedShoeSocietyofDesMoines.

The party continues with the Americana NIGHTCAP live music series with Tony Bohnenkamp on Friday and a BYO Vinyl party with DJ 2-4-8 on Saturday. We also thought we’d give you an update on what’s happening here in the next two months. Music always starts at 10pm, but you could show up at 9:30 and nobody would make fun of you. And there’s NO COVER CHARGE. EVER.

Tony B brings his show to Americana's Nightlife series on Friday.

May 4 – Tony Bohnenkamp 14 years in the making, Tony has finally finished his debut cd entitled “side 2.” and he wants you to come party with he and his friends at Americana this weekend. No cover.

Americana's BYO Vinyl Night on Saturday

May 5 – DJ 2-4-8 a.k.a. Mike Utley brings the BYO Vinyl party — B.Y.O. Vinyl Dance Party this Friday, Apr. 13th with Mike Utley aka 2-4-8. All the dance records are coming out from all genres. Dancers are welcome to bring their own favorite dance records…if they are dance worthy we will play them! No Cover.

Here’s the rest of the lineup scheduled:

And the rest of this weekend…

CINCO DE DERBY: We’re having our Cinco de Derby celebration on Saturday from 10a-2:30p to go along with our regular Bombshell Brunch. If you wear a Kentucky Derby hat or a sombrero, you’ll be entered into a contest to win a $50 gift card from Americana. 10am-2:30pm Saturday. Margaritas, pinatas, mint juleps, brunch, a nacho bar, sombreros, big sun hats… I’m pretty sure we’re the only restaurant in Des Moines doing this…maybe even the world, so you’ll want to be a part of history. See ya este sábado.

SUNDAY MAD MEN PARTY, Sunday, May 6, 8p-10p: We’ve been having some great times at Des Moines’ only Mad Men viewing party at Americana. Yep, that means $5 Americana cocktails, $5 tapas and $4 wines to go along with Joan, Pete, Betty, Peggy and Don. Join us at the bar and lounge on Sunday nights from 7:00-10 when Mad Men is on TV and help us celebrate the cocktail culture’s number one friend.

Tough decision: Wearing a sweet sombrero or your Kentucky Derby hat? Join us for Cinco de Derby on Saturday, May 5th at Americana and wear one of them for a chance to win a $50 Americana gift card!

Greetings friends!

Cinco de Mayo this year happens to fall on the same day as the Kentucky Derby. Both are pretty awesome holidays all around for wearing hats. We’re well aware of this.  For this reason, we had a pretty great idea. What if we combined the two holidays? We’d call it CINCO DE DERBY!

Genius!

What if you had to choose between wearing a sombrero you bought on spring break and wearing a Kentucky Derby hat with a southern belle dress? Would that just blow your mind? Could you possibly handley the life altering decision that you must make when you have to decide between a perfectly crafted mint julep, or a margarita? Relax, random italicized voice.

We know you can choose, because we’ve made that decision very easy for you. Just show up, eat some brunch, munch on our bonus nacho bar, and sip away on both a mint julep AND a margarita. If you wear a Kentucky Derby hat or a sombrero, you’ll be entered into a contest to win a $50 gift card from Americana. 10am-2:30pm Saturday.

I’m pretty sure we’re the only restaurant in Des Moines doing this…maybe even the world, so you’ll want to be a part of history.

See ya este sábado.

This weekend, our live music series, Americana NIGHTCAP, continues with two great local DJ’s. On Friday, we have DJ Eight Ten and on Saturday we have DJ Kelix Williams. There’s never a cover for these shows and we not only welcome you to bring your lady or man friend, we also encourage it. Drink specials include: $5 classic cocktails, $4 wines, $3 domestic beers, $2 PBR and High Life. Specials AND music will go from 10pm-2am.

DJ Eight Ten spins Friday at Americana

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 10pm-2am: DJ Eight Ten

Strictly vinyl, 50’s 60’s R&B dance party,  Jeffrey Eaton, a.k.a. DJ Eight Ten does Pressure Drop parties at Beechwood Lounge in Des Moines. Kick back & Relax in style or hit the dance floor and howl at the Moon. Chicago Blues, 50′s Rockabilly, Northern Soul, New Orleans Funk, Soul-Jazz, Motown, Stax and More. Seriously.

Check out DJ Kelix Williams Saturday Night at Americana

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 10pm-2am: DJ Kelix Williams

Kelix Williams is a seasoned veteran of the underground dance music scene in Des Moines and nationally. As a DJ and performer, Kelix Williams has been rocking dancefloors for over 20 years, from the late ’80s Chicago acid house nights to the psychedelic 90′s rave days of San Francisco (Toon Town, A Rave Called Sharon, Cool World, Mr. Floppy’s Flop House, Love, Release, Anon Salon, and various warehouse parties) to the lush underground clubs and exclusive VIP lounges of Los Angeles (The Viper Room, Shane, Playboy Mansion, The Room). Blending slick produced funky grooves with
sexy soulful vocals and live musicians Kelix Williams knows how to keep your body movin’ and feelin’ the the vibe… Kelix is also known for his remixing skills, remixing top artists such as Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Usher, TLC, Dr. Dre, Sade, and Prince.

Also this weekend: Bulldog Brunch on Saturday from 10am-2:30pm. Wear your best Drake University gear to brunch to get into the Drake Relays spirit… Mad Men Watch Party every Sunday from 7p-10p with happy hour drink and tapas specials.

It just happens to be a fantastic day outside today. One of those days that makes you just want to go up and hug somebody. So do that right now. Step away from your computer screen and give someone a hug. We’ll wait for you.  Okay, you all done? Feels good to be loved, doesn’t it?  Yes it does.

So it’s Drake Relays week! We just wanted to point out a couple things that are happening at Americana to celebrate America’s favorite track and field classic. First, the Grand Blue Mile is starting in front of Americana and ending across the Pappajohn Sculpture Park from us. If you don’t know much about the Grand Blue Mile, we suggest you check out their website here, and then stop by and watch the festivities if you’re not planning on running or walking it. It’s a great way for the Drake Relays to kick off and we’re proud to be in the neighborhood for it.

Second, before you head down to the Relays on Saturday, stop in for our Bulldog Brunch and wear your Bulldog blue and white. Our menu for the brunch is here. Then head down to the Drake campus to watch some of the best athletes on the planet.

Now back to those hugs. Go hug someone again. Because it’s a beautiful day and you’re a beautiful person.

The Americana NIGHTCAP live music series continues this weekend with DJ 2-4-8, a.k.a. Mike Utley on Friday and James Biehn on Saturday. Music starts at 10pm, but you could show up at 9:30 and nobody would make fun of you. And there’s NO COVER CHARGE. EVER.

In case you’re looking ahead, our schedule that is booked so far:

April 20 – DJ 2-4-8 — For all you dancers that happen to be lovers. Mike brings the good times.
April 21 – James Biehn — James brings his killer guitar and songwriting skills to Americana Nightcap on Saturday, April 21st… Over the years James has established himself as one of the premiere singer/songwriters in Iowa. He’s continued to play live as a solo performer as well as with bands such as the Nadas, the Jeff Banks Band, Hyde Park, and Soapbox Prophets.  He has opened for countless national touring bands such as Buckcherry, Mike Doughty, Gov’t Mule, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, King’s X, and many more. In 2005 his band, Soapbox Prophets, released the critically acclaimed album, “Stranger than Strange.” Join James and friends on Saturday!
April 27 — DJ Eight Ten
April 28 — DJ Kelix Williams
May 4 – Tony Bohnenkamp
May 11 — DJ 2-4-8
May 12 — THE END (Beatles Tribute Band)

We’ll update more bands and dates, but in the future we have Drink specials will include: $5 classic cocktails, $4 wines, $3 domestic beers, $2 PBR and High Life. Specials AND music will go from 10pm-2am. Set up should be cool too.  We plan on putting some of the band on the second level balconies to open up the downstairs for dancing and mingling. Again, there’s never a cover charge.

Don’t forget that every Sunday is our MAD MEN PARTY, going from 7-10. Yep, that means $5 Americana cocktails, $5 tapas and $4 wines to go along with Joan, Pete, Betty, Roger, Peggy and Don.

Saturday Brunch to benefit House2Home! 10% of your receipt will be donated directly to the House2HOME project. Show Up. Eat Waffles. Do Good…. Just tell your server that you want 10% of your bill to go to House2Home. Here’s more info about House2Home:

House 2 HOME is the class project for the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2012. The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is a premier leadership organization, guiding graduates to greater public awareness, commitment and involvement – improving the overall quality of life in our community… House of Mercy in Des Moines provides clinical services for women undergoing substance abuse treatment, transitional housing and permanent housing. The House of Mercy’s program goals are for women to become alcohol- and drug-free, move into permanent housing and begin the steps towards self-sufficiency. The permanent housing facility offers a warm feel of home for those it serves, but the facility is in desperate need of repair.

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI) Class of 2012 has chosen to renovate the House of Mercy permanent housing facility as its service project, house 2 HOME. The 60 class participants are already hard at work reaching out to community partners for their involvement and have committed to 100% financial participation in the project.

Do them a favor and LIKE them on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/House2HOME2012.

Cheers!

Friends!

Would you like to win two tickets to The Midtown Men this coming Sunday, April 22nd at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines? All you have to do is either retweet this link on Twitter or share it on your Facebook wall and we’ll enter you in a contest to win two tickets to The Midtown Men and include a copy of the group’s CD. (If you share it on your Facebook wall, just let us know in the comments of this post here so that we know that you shared it.) From there, we’ll select a winner at 4pm on April 20th. Two others will win copies of the Midtown Men CD as well as gift certificates for dinner for two for our all you can eat Winner Winner Chicken Dinner that we hold here every Monday night.

Here’s some more info about the Midtown Men:

Four stars from the original cast of Broadway’s mega hit Jersey Boys—Tony-Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony-Award nominee J. Robert Spencer—reunite to bring their amazing showmanship and electrifying synergy to the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. They’ve been called ‘ambassadors of the 60s’ and ‘as crisp as their Rat Pack inspired suits.’ For The Midtown Men, the music, the moves and that jump-jivin’ feel from rock and roll’s greatest era lives on in a special concert.

Singing the hits of The Four Seasons, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Jackson Five, The Mamas and The Papas and much more – The Midtown Men turn their unique sound and chemistry into a stunning performance appreciated at any age. Audiences rave about these Broadway Stars and their timeless set.

So buy tickets to the show and make a night of it with dinner at Americana and The Midtown Men at Hoyt Sherman Place! For more information, visit www.themidtownmen.com.

Sunday, April 22
8:00 PM
Tickets: $35.50, $45.50, $59.50
Reserved Seating
*Prices shown reflect all fees for tickets purchased at the Box Office. BUY TICKETS HERE