The Des Moines Web Geeks are expanding their programming to include a Coding Dojo.  We are pretty excited about this and are helping them throw the first one!  The first event will take place her on Monday, May 3rd from 7pm – 9pm. Mark your calendars and come on down. If you aren’t sure what Coding Dojo is or want more info… then read on for the full deets!

In a Coding Dojo, coders come together and complete a programming challenge in a fun environment that provides a night to refine ones’ skillz. Coders have no knowledge of the problem until they form teams on the evening of Coding Dojo. The Des Moines Dojo adds the challenge of coding from scratch in front of an audience.The solution of the night’s problem for may require use of various languages, tools, and exercise formats.

Coding Dojo is a non-competitive, collaborative event at which all skill levels are welcome. It’s a fantastic place to test new methods and ideas. Participants should bring their lappies!

The problems are always new and provide a challenge for all levels of coder.
An exercise is successful when coders complete the challenge within the time limit AND can repeat the solution at home, alone.

The evening runs as follows:

• 10 minutes: Introduction & Team Formation
• 5 minutes: Problem Explanation
• 40 minutes code, code, code
• 5 minutes: BREAK
• 40 minutes: code some more
• 20 minutes: solution presentations
• Beers at local pub. (optional)

Learn more at http://codingdojo.org or contact Matthew Nuzum: newz@bearfruit.org

We want to share the coworking experience with as many people as possible. To that end, coworking will be absotively posolutely free the first Wednesday of every month.

Drop in anytime between 9am and 10pm the first Wednesday of every month and experience coworking for yourself.

Can’t make our open coworking days but want to learn more? Drop us a line to set up a tour.

User Groups

Impromptu Studio is proud to support a number of Central Iowa technology user groups. Our current groups include:

• Web Geeks: 1st Monday
• Des Moines Mac Users Group (DMMUG): 4th Tuesday
• Cocoa Heads: 2nd Thursday

If your user group wants to meet at Central Iowa’s home for technology entrepreneurs, send us an e-mail (hello@impromptustudio.com) with the following information:

• Your contact information
• Group name and website, if you have one
• General description of your subject area and what your meetings cover
• Number of members and average attendance
• Any special needs your group may have
• Current (or desired) meeting dates

Get us the info and we’ll take a look and get back to you as soon as possible.

Lunch and Learns

We’re currently in the process of scheduling spring lunch and learn sessions. Have an idea for a topic? Interested in sponsoring lunch? E-mail Dan at dshipton@impromptustudio.com with your ideas.

Special Events

Since our launch in 2008, Impromptu has played host to a number of special events, from Startup Weekend to Barcamp to Whuffaoke to the Movement Bash and even the Epic Ugly Sweater Party. Keep an eye on our site and streams for information on the next big thing at Impromptu Studio!

Official Movement Bash Poster (Click for Large Version)

DES MOINES, Iowa (October 8, 2009) – Impromptu Studio plays host to movers and shakers from across the Midwest at the first ever Movement Bash on Thursday, October 22. A select group from Des Moines’ growing tech and creative communities are joining forces to celebrate entrepreneurship with free food, free beverages, and free entertainment. Organizers are creating a casual networking evening for entrepreneurs and creatives from the Omaha, Kansas City, and Des Moines metro areas coming to town for Highlight Midwest.

“There’s a lot of good energy in Des Moines right now, and it’s connected in a big way to the same energy that’s growing across the whole Midwest,” said Dan Shipton, an organizer of the event and co-founder of Impromptu Studio. “Movement Bash will be a great way for big brains and big ideas to come together, network, and have a good time. No presentations, just conversations.”

To keep the event free and open, organizers tapped 18 19 different local businesses for support including tech start-ups, law firms, and creative agencies.

“Everyone I called was really excited,” Shipton said. “[Our sponsors] are a broad mix and involve a lot of businesses that are part of this movement of genuine innovation in flyover country. Events like Movement Bash, BarCamp, BIG Omaha, Ignite Des Moines, Advance Week…they’re tied to the new platform that real movers and shakers in the Midwest are building.”

Organizers are encouraging Movement Bash attendees to cut loose and come share their passions over food, drink, and activities. Rock Band, social games, an anonymous “suggestion box” for entrepreneurs, conversation-sparking nametags and other activities will help prevent wallflower-ing and keep the evening lively, Shipton said.

Movement Bash is being presented by Paragon IT, BitMethod, Law Offices Of Brett J. Trout, P.C., Public Relations Project, Grand Consulting, Click! Photography, Internet Solver, Napkin Sketch, Tweetup Badges, Test of Time Design, createWOWmedia, Market Street Media Foundry, Catchwind, 25 Connections, 48Web, Spindustry, SmartyPig, Olde Main Brewing Co. and Mars Café.

An RSVP is requested but not required and available at http://movementbash.eventbrite.com. Impromptu Studio is located at 300 SW 5th St, Des Moines IA 50309.

Impromptu Studio is known for a few things: being a hub for Des Moines entrepreneurs, highlighting and connecting our community, and throwing KICKASS shindigs!  In October, Impromptu Studio plans to do ALL OF THEM AT ONCE!  We lined up ~20 sponsors (which we kindly referred to as the Movers & Shakers of Des Moines) to help make this a reality so a BIG shout out is in order for them.  A larger, more legible version of the poster below will be be gracing local businesses and available for download shortly!

On October 22nd, 2009 the Movers & Shakers of Des Moines are throwing a big party for all of the folks who are helping put the Midwest back on the map. This party is called the MOVEMENT BASH and it will include free bevvies, free food, and free entertainment:

Keep checking back for more info about the BASH but here is the lowdown-

• What: MOVEMENT BASH
• When: October 22nd, 2009. 6pm.
• Where: Impromptu Studio
• RSVP at EventBrite

At Impromptu Studio we strive to do great things for and with the business and technology communities.  It is awful nice to hear feedback and feel the support from our community in whatever medium.  Today has been one of those days. To that end, we want to thank James Eliason, Founder of Twittad for making a donation to Impromptu Studio.

“Impromptu Studio not only provides a great work environment for shared office space in Des Moines, it provides a great spot for meetings and conferences.  I highly recommend that all local Des Moines and surrounding businesses hop on and support the Studio!” – James Eliason, Founder and CEO of Twittad

We love being a part of the great things that are happening in Des Moines and hope to be a part of everything for a long time to come. So a big thanks goes to James and Twittad for their continued support in making Impromptu Studio a sustainable reality.

Our big Townhall meeting is just two days away!  If you haven’t figured out what our meeting will be about, look no further.

The Townhall meeting is aimed at three types of people and part of the meeting will address each:

1. Those who want to learn more about coworking and Impromptu Studio.
2. Those who interested in finding out what big announcements, including upcoming events, and changes Impromptu Studio has in store for it’s community.
3. Those who are interested in lending a helping hand to make Impromptu Studio better than they found it.

The Townhall is a meeting where you can bring your questions and suggestions about coworking or Impromptu Studio. This is an open invitation to shape the way Des Moines works!

For those that are curious about who you might see at the Townhall…. some of the speakers that will be either talking about coworking, Impromptu Studio, or making an announcement include:

• Brian Anderson of CoLab in Ames
• Member, Andy Brudtkuhl of 48Web
• Scott Kubie of Market Street Media Foundry
• Member, Doug Mitchell of CreateWowMedia
• Nathan T. Wright of Lava Row

We hope to see you there!  During the Townhall meeting we will also be collecting video testimonials in our green screen room.

If you like, RSVP on Upcoming.

Gabriel Glynn and Michael Libbie

Gabriel Glynn, Asset Protection Specialist founder, and Michael Libbie, President of Insight Communications, were at Impromptu Studio for Part 4 of our “What Now” series for entrepreneurs. They gave us some great advice about bootstrapping and how to get your business up and running for less. Check out who was there in the Des Moines Register .

Check out Part 5 of our WhatNow series this Friday, March 20th and listen to Brett Trout, Law Offices of Brett Trout, and Adam Steen, 25 Connections, discuss “Character: Don’t be an @$$hole”  Sign up for your tickets today!

Senator Chuck Grassley Speaking to YPs

Last month Chuck Grassley was at Impromptu Studio to speak with young professionals of Des Moines about among other things the financial crisis and its implications.  The Business Record posted even posted a nice video recap.  Jennie Smith who along with Gabriel Glynn organized the event. She first came across Impromptu Studio when she attended the “Big Dream Gathering” at our space.

Our very own local photographer Brooke Peterson held her very first show at Impromptu Studio. We thought it was very fitting since this was our first gallery show as well. We couldn’t have been more excited for Brooke in her debut.  We happen to think Brooke is a great talent and Des Moines is lucky to have her. Please check out her website here and support our local talent.