Off Hours, your freeweekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we've written about karaoke bars, where to go thrifting, where to buy crafts, Black-owned businesses, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants.
I'm Susan Stapleton, your entertainment editor at the Des Moines Register who also happens to cover the dining scene. Feel free to drop me a line at sstapleton@gannett.com to tell me about your dining experiences in the Des Moines area — the good, the bad and the ugly. I would also love to hear about your favorite cocktail lounges, dive bars and watering holes.
The Deal
Here's the deal: We're taking a short break this week as we get ready for RAGBRAI. Are you riding? Cheering on friends? Serving pies or pork chops? I would love to hear what you plan to do during the ride.
You can share your favorite tips for finding good food along the route, bathrooms and showering, what you look for in entertainment, and your favorite events that you look forward to.
Drop me a line at sstapleton@gannett.com. And if you're interested in writing an Off Hours, reach out!
Here are a couple of my favorite Off Hours about biking in Iowa. Ryan Hanser told us about some of the secret biking spots he visits in the Des Moines metro. And Jessica O'Riley shared some of her favorite trails in Iowa.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Off Hours — what you've loved, hated, or want to read, too. Is there someone in the community that you think we should ask to write an Off Hours?
Do you want more things to do with kids? Outdoor activities? Religious events? Food truck tips? Golf options? Disc golf ideas? Places to go running, biking or ax throwing? Maybe where to play pickleball? Do you want to write an Off Hours? Or work with me to write one? Happy to chat.
48 Hours Off
Thursday night: Take part in a theater tradition with Shakespeare on the Lawn presents: “A Midsummer Night's Dream” at Salisbury House & Gardens, 4025 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines. Bring a blanket and a picnic to watch the three plotlines of William Shakespeare’s comedy. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with one 20-minute intermission. Gates open at 6 p.m. for seating. Tickets are $35, $20 for students 13 and older, $10 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and younger. The show runs through Sunday.
Friday afternoon: Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane in Waukee, hosts the Waukee Arts Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event includes a 5K Saturday morning, balloon animals, yoga in the park, food trucks, and live music from Not Quite Brothers and the Pork Tornados, among others. At the heart of the festival, dozens of local artists, showing their works. Find a complete schedule online at waukeeartsfestival.org/.
Friday afternoon: Live music, a giant water slide courtesy of the Clive Fire Department, balloons, a bounce house, and food trucks are among the activities during the free Clive Festival at the Clive Aquatic Center, 1801 N.W. 114th St., Clive. Take part in a pancake breakfast from the Lions Club, let the kids touch a truck, or even participate in the Cardboard Boat Regatta. Events start at 5:30 p.m. Friday then continue at 7 a.m. Saturday until late. Both nights feature fireworks. Head online for a complete schedule at cityofclive.com.
Saturday night: Light up lanterns at Riverview Park, 710 Corning Ave., Des Moines, during the Water Lantern Festival. The event from 6 to 10 p.m. includes food trucks, music, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night. Tickets start at $26.98.
Saturday night: Brothers Jared Leto (yes, the Academy Award-winning actor) and Shannon Leto formed Thirty Seconds to Mars in Los Angeles in 1998. The rockers behind “The Kill (Bury Me),” “This is War,” and “Up in the Air” play Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Jagwar Twin opens. Tickets start at $64.
Sunday afternoon: Check out local vendors during the Northside Market in Highland Park on Sixth Avenue from Douglas to Euclid avenues in Des Moines. Expect to find more than 100 local vendors showcasing a diverse range of products from pottery to vintage clothing from noon to 6 p.m. Get food from Lachele's, El Salvador Del Mundo, Reyes Tamales, Jambo African Cuisine, Veggie Thumper, Hotel Luna Food Truck, or La Ventanita.
My Day Job
Thanks for reading! By day, I'm the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. We'll be back next week with a new edition of Off Hours. Read about the essential restaurants or hot new restaurants.
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Interested in writing an Off Hours about the things you love to do during your time off? Drop us a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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