If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that 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 , vegan restaurants , gluten-free options , the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants . If you sign up for our newsletter , you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.
Sum 41
Thursday night: Canadian post punk rockers Sum 41 bring their Tour of the Setting Sum to Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee. The band behind “Fat Lip,” “The Hell Song,” and “Still Waiting” plays a 7 p.m. show with tickets starting at $53.
Yelawolf
Thursday night: Rapper Yelawolf heads to the Horizon Events Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive, for a 7 p.m. show. The singer behind “You and Me,” “Pop the Trunk,” and “Box Chevy” has collaborated with the likes of Travis Barker, Eminem, Ed Sheeran, and Big Boi. Tickets start at $35.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ in Concert
Friday night: Take a spin through a two-hour concert that features the soundtrack from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” during a 6:30 p.m. show at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. “Taiko and erhu will share the spotlight with violins and clarinets, while the series' most beloved scenes play out on screen, bringing viewers into the ‘Avatar’ world to experience the series’ most memorable moments with Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka, Zuko and more.” Tickets start at $28.
Cage the Elephant
Friday night: Alt rockers Cage the Elephant are behind hits such as “Come a Little Closer,” “Trouble,” and “Cigarette Daydreams.” They bring their “Neon Pill” tour show to Wells Fargo Arena , 233 Center St., Des Moines, with special guests Young The Giant and Baka. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $38.
‘Voix de Ville — A Modern Vaudeville Cabaret’
Friday night: Max Wellman and the crew at Noce , 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, reveal their new “Voix de Ville — A Modern Vaudeville Cabaret” during a 7 p.m. show that features original music and new arrangements from the 1920s to the 2020s. Look for a jazz orchestra under the direction of Jason Danielson alongside drag and ballet professionals. This initial run will feature performances by Wellman along with Napoleon Douglas, dancers Amelia and Logan Hillman, drag queens Tyona Diamond and Domita Sanchez, and more. Tickets start at $25.
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‘Jersey Boys’
Friday night: “Oh, What a Night!” Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons went from a corner du-wop group to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” follows the group’s 40-year friendship with a collection of hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and many more played along the way. See it at the Des Moines Community Playhouse , 831 42nd St., Des Moines, at 7:30 p.m., with shows through Sept. 29. Tickets start at $29.
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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Friday night: The band behind “Mr. Bojangles,” “Long Hard Road,” and “Make a Little Magic” play Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, during a 7:30 p.m. show. Special guest Brit Taylor opens for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as they perform on their final tour. Tickets start at $45.
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Home Show Expo 2024
Saturday afternoon: Check out the amenities inside nine homes in Shadow Creek West, 1455 N.W. Douglas Parkway, Clive, during the Home Show Expo . Tickets for the exhibition from the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. go for $5 to $20. Runs through Sept. 29 at various times and dates.
10th Annual Oktoberfest
Saturday afternoon: Hold a stein up and get ready for the 10th Annual Oktoberfest at Adventureland Park, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona. For $44.99, patrons 21 and older from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. can hear traditional polka music, play games, take part in contests and ride Dragon Slayer, Draken Falls, Flying Viking, Frantic Freeway, G-Force, Giant Sky Wheel, Monster, Outlaw, Parachutes, Phoenix, Rockin' Rainbow, Scrambler, Sidewinder, Space Shot, Teacups, Tilt and Tornado. Pork Tornadoes, The Little Mermen and Not Quite Brothers perform, while visitors can also find Jager & the Polkameisters, Pianopalooza, The Sheet, Gimikk, Casey Muesigmann and many more throughout the park.
Indianola PorchFest
Saturday afternoon: Did you miss PorchFest in Des Moines last weekend? Indianola Porch Fest takes place this weekend from 1 to 4 p.m. with a free community event connecting residents to local musicians performing on front porches. Four locations offer a 45-minute music concert on their porches while the audience gathers in the yard. Stop at the West Hill Beer Garden, 219 W. Salem Ave., for Jeremy Griffin performing ‘80s to ‘90s rock starting at 5 p.m. Find the entire schedule online at indianolaiowa.gov/1200/PorchFest .
‘Art Dealers’
Saturday night: Head to the Varsity Theater , 1207 25th St., Des Moines, for a special screening of “Art Dealers,” with a live performance from the film's co-director and star, Adam Weiner, plus a Q&A following the film. The Varsity said: “The documentary follows eccentric rock-n-roll artist Adam Weiner, aka Low Cut Connie, and his band as they attempt to mount a concert production of their recently released album ‘Art Dealers’ for a three-night run in New York City.” Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $12.
Blues Traveler
Saturday night: John Popper and the rest of Blues Traveler celebrates 30 years with an 8 p.m. show at the Val-Air Ballroom. Over the course of their career, Blues Traveler has performed more than 2,000 shows reaching an estimated 30 million people. Their hit “Run-Around” earned them a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Tickets start at $45.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram , or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Cage the Elephant, 'Jersey Boys,' Oktoberfest
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