The Val Air Ballroom was the answer to yesterday's "Where's Jason" contest. Axios DSM reader James Trent won one of our shirts. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
Val Air Ballroom reopens Sunday with a free event aiming to beat the world record for the most amps played through at the same time.
Catch up fast: Val Air first opened about 85 years ago as an outdoor dance venue that was later enclosed in the 1950s for music and other social events.
State of play: Metro music promoter Sam Summers purchased the ballroom in January 2022 for $1.9 million and closed it for renovations later that year.
- The property has since gone through a $15 million revamp, including functionality for modern touring production equipment allowing artists to perform their full shows, Summers tells Axios.
- The venue's capacity is now around 2,200, down by roughly 300 to make room for the modern amenities, dsm Magazine reports.
What's happening: Local musician Jon Locker of The Nadas will attempt to play around 80 amps at the same time Sunday, about 30 more than the world record, Iowa Public Radio reports.
- The "Sneak Peek" also includes an open jam, free cocktails and access to areas of the ballroom normally closed to the public
If you go: Noon to 4pm.
- 301 Ashworth Rd. in WDM.
🎻 1 fun thing go: More than two dozen concerts are already announced, including Greensky Bluegrass on Feb. 29.
- Jason has tickets to Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Chappell Roan and Gregory Alan Isakov.
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