The Week in Social 10/26-10/30
Everywhere you look, Iowans are uniting like never before. While times may be tough right now, we’re seeing it won’t stop the great people in the state from supporting one another. Many have taken to social media to help those in their communities, share helpful resources or to simply highlight something positive to bring joy to others. This Week in Social will round up the best of #IowansUnite and share these uplifting stories.
We’re celebrating Day of the Dead online this year with the @DMArtCenter and would be honored to include photos and memories in a virtual community ofrenda to remember your loved ones. Share with us >>> https://t.co/ybFnRvlrmR #DayOfTheDead #ofrenda #DiaDeMuertos pic.twitter.com/XlfVzhaTSh
— Iowa PBS (@IowaPBS) October 27, 2020
Des Moines Art Center had big plans for 2020’s Día de Los Muertos celebration. After 2019’s record-high attendance in 2019, the Art Center wanted this year’s event to be the biggest yet. The pandemic changed the in-person plans, but resulted in a more accessible event for all.
"For 19 years, the Des Moines Art Center's Day of the Dead festivities have been an opportunity for Iowans to come together to learn about and celebrate Día de Los Muertos as a community," said Jordan Powers, Art Center Director of External Affairs.
The Art Center offered a variety of activities and resources to help those wishing to participate in this important tradition. Among the materials offered were free ofrenda starter kits, special Day of the Dead video features and tutorials, downloadable poster designs, photo galleries and much more.
The Quad Cities Corporate Games (QCGC), a project of the Iowa Sports Foundation in partnership with Visit Quad Cities and the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department, announced its inaugural kickoff dates, with games to be played next July. Companies will benefit as the games display company pride, corporate wellness, employee engagement and team-building opportunities.
“We are thrilled to launch the Quad Cities Corporate Games with our partners at the Iowa Sports Foundation,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. Registration is limited to 50 companies and registration begins December 1, 2020. For more info and registration details click here.
?? The inaugural Quad Cities Corporate Games (QCCG), a project of Iowa Sports Foundation in partnership with Visit Quad Cities and the Davenport Parks and Rec Department, will be held June 1 – July 31, 2021. ??
— Quad Cities (@VisitQuadCities) October 27, 2020
Read the full news release ?? https://t.co/RuNwON8XBm @qccorpgames pic.twitter.com/hEgiYSl152
Typically, the University's of Iowa's four cultural centers draw 28,000+ visits per year. This fall, the centers are offering programming and support virtually. Learn more: https://t.co/t8pqVIzy4Z pic.twitter.com/lNNZ3nQZo3
— University of Iowa (@uiowa) October 27, 2020
In a traditional year, the University of Iowa’s four cultural centers draw more than 28,000 visitors. Given that 2020 is no traditional year, the centers are offering programming and support virtually for those looking for an extra hand in a difficult time. Multicultural and International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE) operate the Afro-American Cultural Center, the Latino Native American Cultural Center, the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center and the Pride Alliance Center. While these locations won’t be physically open, MISSE will provide regular campus updates, workshops, program offerings, events and any changes to service through social media channels for the respective individual Cultural Centers. Learn more here.
Most parents are happy to help out with Halloween in ways that require minimal effort. Easy ways to get involved include putting out the candy, carving some pumpkins, purchasing costumes and maybe even hanging up a skeleton or two. But Iowa dad Greg Dietzenbach went above and beyond by concocting a wildly creative Halloween costume for his 12-year-old daughter. His “Zoom and Gloom” meeting features Photoshopped images of classic horror characters including Dracula, Frankenstein, a mummy, a wolf-man, the Invisible Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and more.
Dietzenbach, a creative director at an advertising and marketing agency, is challenged by his kids to make a creative costume every Halloween. He certainly fulfilled that request this year. And while he has garnered quite a bit of attention on social media for the effort, the most important thing to Dietzenbach was the memories he made with his daughter.
"The best part of this costume creation was the photo shoot I had with my daughter," Dietzenbach said, referring to the Photoshopped images he created of the monsters. "We were laughing the whole time as we tried to make all the monster faces."
Iowa dad Greg Dietzenbach created the perfect 'Zoom & Gloom meeting' Halloween costume for his 12-year-old daughter ?? pic.twitter.com/eDupvQNLZi
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 26, 2020
