(Radio Iowa) – An event planned for this coming weekend in central Iowa will feature nationally-known speakers, a film premiere, a live podcast recording, an “ideas contest,” and more, all designed to inspire conversation. Nathan Beacom, executive director of The Lyceum Movement, says “Tallgrass: The Des Moines Festival of Ideas” is planned for Sunday (August 6th), focused on things like history, art, and philosophy.

Beacom calls the fest a revival of something that used to happen in Iowa a century ago, when chautauquas would have interesting speakers, thinkers, culture and food. We’re living in a time where many people are consumed by the anxiousness of online life, and Beacom says this will be a space where neighbors can slow down and meet face to face.