Music in the Junction w/ Gallivant

This Week: Faculty Lounge

Funkin’ up Des Moines since 2000! 

Faculty Lounge started on Beggar’s Night in the fall of 2000, with founding member David Maxwell’s decision to pick up the bass. From there, he, drummer Mark Stallman, and guitarist Timm Pilcher set the groove that would later become Des Moines’ premier ten-piece, horn-driven, all-teacher, multi-hyphenated old-school funk machine!

And now …

Faculty Lounge quickly became a local favorite, winning the Polk City Battle of the Bands on their first outing. Since then, they have been featured at the Des Moines Arts Fest, Valley Junction Farmers Market, Ingersoll LIVE!, the Cedar Rapids Freedom Fest Balloon Glow, and numerous other venues. They have received extensive coverage in the Des Moines Register, Cityview, Juice, and Datebook, and were named as one of Des Moines best bands in Cityview’s Best Of Des Moines.  Former Iowa Governor Chet Culver named them “The Official Funk Band of Iowa”, and they have been featured in an award-winning 4 1/2-minute piece on WHO Channel 13, Faculty Lounge is Des Moines’ premier ten-piece, horn-driven, all-teacher, multi-hyphenated old school funk machine!

They have played for tens of thousands, including Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, opened for George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, and continue to TEACH you how to get down! 

Getting Here

Here is the map link to our office in the heart of the Farmers Market. Find driving routes and parking instructions. To keep everyone safe, West Des Moines Police officers may ticket or tow vehicles parked:

• In front of public or private driveways or mailboxes
• On or across a sidewalk or on a crosswalk at an intersection
• Within or within 10 feet of an intersection of any street or alley
• Within 10 feet of a flashing beacon, stop or yield sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a street

We know finding parking can be an issue on event days. If wanting to avoid parking congestion, or driving isn’t an option, the DART Route 4 Crosstown is available, which picks up and drops off near Fifth and Vine streets: 

Rent the Music in the Junction VIP Tent

Do you have a celebration, organization milestone, or any other reason to party? (who needs a reason?) Rent the VIP tent for any Music in the Junction date. Rent the tent before the bands are booked for next year, and you can have input on who should perform on your date. More information is here. 

Be a Beverage Tent Sponsor

We need help slinging drinks at Music in the Junction, and your company or organization can be that help. Get marketing and exposure to the Valley Junction community while providing the people who make this concert series continue on each year. Email Bobbie Bishop at office@valleyjunction.com for more information.