(Some content courtesy: Datebook)
APRIL 15
Women Playing Hamlet
This all-female Tallgrass Theatre Company show tells the story of
Jessica, an actress who is cast as Hamlet in a New York Production, and
how she tries to figure out herself as she also figures out just how to
play the male lead role in the Shakespeare tragedy. 7:30 p.m. Fridays
and Saturdays. Rex Mathes Auditorium, 1401 Vine St., West Des Moines.
Tickets are $17 at tallgrasstheatre.org.
APRIL 21
Historic Valley Junction Spring Gallery Night
Visit galleries in Historic Valley Junction and see new artwork by
regional, national and international artists during Spring Gallery
Night, in its 22nd year. Galleries, as well as other local shops, will
open from 5-9 p.m. 4th-7th blocks of Railroad Avenue and Locust Street,
West Des Moines. The event is free and open to the public.
Tonic Sol-fa & Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience
Emmy Award-winning Tonic Sol-fa brings their groundbreaking a cappella music to the stage, along with the big-band-meetsmodern-
genres sound of the Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience. It delivers
contemporary music with a big band punch. 7:30 p.m. Hoyt Sherman Place,
1501 Woodland Ave. Tickets are $38 at hoytsherman. org.
APRIL 21-22
Stephanie J. Block — Broadway Cabaret Concert
Accomplished Broadway actress and singer Stephanie J. Block, known for
her roles in “Wicked,” “Anything Goes,” “9 to 5: The Musical” and “The
Mystery of Edwin Drood” will put her musical talent on display in an
intimate concert at the Temple Theater, Tenth and Locust Streets.
7:30 p.m. Friday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $39.50 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.
Countdown to 100: Musicals of the ’80s and ’90s
Help count down to the 100th anniversary of the Des Moines Playhouse
with a special fundraising event that takes you back to the ’80s and
’90s, with performances by your favorite Playhouse singers from musicals
like “Evita,” “42nd Street,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more. Enjoy an
hors d’oeuvres reception or just the performance. See dmplayhouse. com
for ticket options. 831 42nd St.
APRIL 22
PBR: Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour
See some of the world’s best bull riders battle the toughest bovine
athletes in search of that magical 8-second ride during this stop on the
Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour. 7 p.m. Wells Fargo Arena, 730
Third St. Tickets are $17-$67 at HyVeeTix.com or the Iowa Events Center Ticket Office.
The Flaming Lips
Experience one of the elaborate live shows of psychedelic rockers The
Flaming Lips when they make a stop at Hoyt Sherman Place. Past shows
have included elements such as balloons, puppets, video projections and
even giant hands.
The
band first became popular in the early ’90s with their hit “She Don’t
Use Jelly” and have since collaborated with artists like Ke$ha, Erykah
Badu and Miley Cyrus. 7:30 p.m.
1501 Woodland Ave. Tickets are $40-$55 at hoytsherman. org.
Wonder of Words Festival
The Wonder of Words Festival is an indoor festival featuring
presentations and book signings by authors of both national and local
acclaim, as well as workshops, children’s entertainment/ activities and
a storytelling competition. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central
Library, downtown Des Moines.
APRIL 24
Def Leppard with Poison and Tesla
Wells Fargo will be rocking when Def Leppard takes the stage, bringing
with them Poison and Tesla. Def Leppard got their start in the late ’70s
and really hit their stride in the ’80s, when rock anthems like
“Photograph,” “Love Bites” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me” blasted from the
radio and hooked a whole generation. The band continues to produce
albums and play to sold-out crowds, with new music and classic hits.
Fellow rockers Tesla and Poison, with frontman Bret Michaels, will add
their hits to the mix. 7 p.m. Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St.
Tickets are $29.50 to $129.50 at HyVeeTix.com or the Iowa Events Center Ticket Office.
