Made Weekend Plans Yet?

Check Out What’s Happening

in Mason City & North Iowa!

April 28-May 4, 2017

April 28, 2017

Beauty and the Beast  - Stebens Children's Theatre, 616 N Delaware (641-424-9802).This “tale as old as time” is filled with enchanting characters, unforgettable songs and one of the greatest stories ever told. Our heroine, Belle, dreams of adventure and romance until she meets up with a cursed beast who must learn to love (and be loved). April 28 at 8pm; April 29 at 7pm; & April 30 at 2pm. Tickets are $13 for adults/$10 for 18 and under - Box office open 1-5pm weekdays.

The Big Five-Oh- Mason City Community Theatre, 215 S Delaware (641-424-6424) Box office open 1-5pm weekdays. Show times Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm.  Whoever said that life is better after fifty better be right! George Thomas is turning fifty on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week. His dog is sick, he son is a slacker, his daughter wants to marry a Republican, and has a neurotic wife. Through these trying days, George will discover the wonders of family, the responsibly of parenthood, and the results of his latest physical. www.mccommunitytheatre.com 

Fantastic Fridays Roller Skating - Roller City, 600 2^nd NW (641-423-2000). Kick off the weekend with roller skating from 7pm-10pm. Check Roller City's Facebook page for weekly themes and events!

City Wide Garage Sale - Neighborhood sales all over the Mason City Area. Visit www.globegazette.com for locations.

Hardees Early Bird Baseball Classic (April 28-May 30)- Mason City Baseball Complex , 1700 4^th St. SE (641-530-5696). Teams play on Friday nights.

April 29, 2017

City Wide Garage Sale - Neighborhood sales all over the Mason City Area. Visit www.globegazette.com for locations.

Roller Skating - Roller City, 600 2^nd NW (641-423-2000). Morning Skate: 10am-12pm - A slower pace geared towards younger families, $10 per family. Afternoon Skate: 1pm-4pm - The most popular session for parties and larger groups, $6 per skater. Night Skate: 7pm-10pm - Most popular skating session with Jackpot Dice Game and much more, $7 per skater.

Beauty and the Beast  - Stebens Children's Theatre, 616 N Delaware (641-424-9802).This “tale as old as time” is filled with enchanting characters, unforgettable songs and one of the greatest stories ever told. Our heroine, Belle, dreams of adventure and romance until she meets up with a cursed beast who must learn to love (and be loved). April 28 at 8pm; April 29 at 7pm; & April 30 at 2pm. Tickets are $13 for adults/$10 for 18 and under - Box office open 1-5pm weekdays.

The Big Five-Oh- Mason City Community Theatre, 215 S Delaware (641-424-6424) Box office open 1-5pm weekdays. Show times Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm.  Whoever said that life is better after fifty better be right! George Thomas is turning fifty on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week. His dog is sick, he son is a slacker, his daughter wants to marry a Republican, and has a neurotic wife. Through these trying days, George will discover the wonders of family, the responsibly of parenthood, and the results of his latest physical. www.mccommunitytheatre.com 

Retirement Planning Expo – NIACC (gymnasium), 500 College St. (641-423-1264). The Retirement Planning Expo will feature exhibitors, speakers, and workshops.  Topics include senior living, social and recreational opportunities, learning opportunities, retirement careers, investments, health care, legal matters, volunteer opportunities and much more. This education session will take place from 9am-3pm. The Expo is being sponsored by 97.9 KCMR and the Globe Gazette in partnership with NIACC.

Central Gardens (Seeds of Growth) - Central Gardens (Nature Education Pavilion), 800 2^nd St. Avenue North, Clear Lake (641-357-0700). April is Autism awareness month! Every end has a beginning and as April comes to a close, Central Gardens of North Iowa invites children with autism and their families into the garden to plant seeds and gather Spring blooms! Children attending are invited to bring and share a poem or picture they created describing Spring or their favorite color. Event time: 1pm-2pm. Central Gardens officially opens to the public Monday, May 1.

North Iowa Choral Society Spring Concert– NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-533-4188) Choral concert performed by the North Iowa Choral Society under the direction of Linda Ferjak. Show begins at 7:00PM with reception following. Admission: $5 adults/ Students Free

Delbert McClinton - Surf Ballroom, 460 N. Shore Drive (641-357-6151). McClinton songs and soul-stirring performances have connected with audience across the country as well as his peers. The theme of romance, and his signature sense of humor shine throughout on songs such as "Middle of Nowhere" and "Like Lovin' Used To Be" while on "Jones For You", McClinton describes a character giving up his vices and struggling to be a better man. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets $25 in advanced/ $30 at the door.

Border Battle Softball Tournament (April 29-30)- Norris Youth Softball Complex, 201 N Tennessee Ave (641-424-5809). Games will be from 9:00 until 5:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

April 30, 2017

Beauty and the Beast  - Stebens Children's Theatre, 616 N Delaware (641-424-9802).This “tale as old as time” is filled with enchanting characters, unforgettable songs and one of the greatest stories ever told. Our heroine, Belle, dreams of adventure and romance until she meets up with a cursed beast who must learn to love (and be loved). April 28 at 8pm; April 29 at 7pm; & April 30 at 2pm. Tickets are $13 for adults/$10 for 18 and under - Box office open 1-5pm weekdays.

The Big Five-Oh- Mason City Community Theatre, 215 S Delaware (641-424-6424) Box office open 1-5pm weekdays. Show times Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm.  Whoever said that life is better after fifty better be right! George Thomas is turning fifty on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week. His dog is sick, he son is a slacker, his daughter wants to marry a Republican, and has a neurotic wife. Through these trying days, George will discover the wonders of family, the responsibly of parenthood, and the results of his latest physical. www.mccommunitytheatre.com 

Lorrie Morgan- Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr. Clear Lake (641-357-6151). Although she spend most of her life signing, Lorrie Morgan didn't become a star until the early 90's, when she scored a string of Top Ten Country hits "five minutes", followed by "What part of NO" and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" and hit No. 1. Doors open at 6pm. Ticket Price $20.00 Adv. / $25.00 Door

Cool Week In Central Iowa

APRIL 25

Drake University Hosts Public Debate Series

The National Speech & Debate Association's next installment of Podius Debates will be held at Drake University. The topic: Is civil disobedience in a democracy morally justified? CNN political commentator and former South Carolina State Representative Bakari Sellers will debate this contentious topic with CNN analyst, columnist, and former FOX News contributor Kayleigh McEnany. The 90-minute debate will be led and moderated by Iowa Public Radio political reporter and Morning Edition host Clay Masters. The audience will be given the chance to vote on the debate, as well as participate in a Q& A session with the debaters and moderator.

Free admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.

APRIL 25-MAY 14

The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?

In this one-man show, Robert Dubac takes on five hysterical personas in the quest to find the answer to the age-old question: What do women want? 7:30 p.m. Tuesday- Friday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The Temple Theater, Tenth and Locust Streets. Tickets are $25 and $43 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.

APRIL 27

Ballet Jazz of Montreal

Ballet Jazz of Montreal creates experiences that are uplifting and reflective of the world at large through powerful music, mass movements and allowing the dancers to fully express their identity. 7:30 p.m. Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.

Tickets are $15-$57 at desmoines performingarts.org or the Civic Center ticket office.

APRIL 28

Brantley Gilbert

Hard-rocking country singer Brantley Gilbert makes a stop at Wells Fargo Arena on his 'The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour,' promising an intense night of his music, which not only makes people want to party but also speaks to the lives of his fans. With two platinum albums under his belt and the release of his new record, Gilbert is proving to be a force in post-Outlaw country music. 7:30 p.m. 730 Third St. Tickets start at $34.75 at HyVee-Tix.com.

APRIL 29

Coffee & Donut Festival

If you’re a fan of the doughnut or coffee aficionado, you won’t want to miss the First Coffee & Donut Festival, where doughnuts and coffee come together for one delicious day of celebration. Get your photo taken with Mr. Donut DSM, enter the doughnut-eating contest or maybe

even get crowned Donut Queen. The kids will have their own doughnut fun. 8 a.m.

7 Flags Event Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive. Learn more and purchase tickets by visiting the Coffee & Donut Festival Des Moines Facebook page. 

Savor Des Moines

Sample appetizers and signature drinks from the best restaurants, bars, wineries and breweries in Des Moines and vote on your favorites. Win prizes and socialize with friends, with all proceeds benefiting Variety — The Children’s Charity. 6 p.m.

State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust St. Purchase tickets for $40 in advance at varietyiowa.com, or pay $50 at the door. Must be at least 21 to attend. 

 'The Grapes of Wrath'

The National Players bring to life John Steinbeck’s story about a family that ventures west, leaving the Dust Bowl behind in search of a better life. 7:30 p.m. Fisher Theater, Scheman Building, 1805 Center Drive #102, Ames. Tickets are $25 at center.iastate.edu. 

 Gross Domestic Product music festival

The 12th annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) music festival, hosted by the Des Moines Music Coalition, will be held in downtown Des Moines. GDP 2017 will feature 16 acts including Ames’ Neon & Nude (Leslie Hall & Kate Kennedy) and Iowa City’s Halfloves to headline. Performances will take place at Vaudeville Mews and 4th Street Theatre from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., with pop-up shows on April 22 in stores around the East Village. iowagdp.com

And Hello, Monday

April 24, 2017

North Iowa Food Coalition & Advocacy Lunch & Learn - North Iowa Events Center, 3700 4^th St. SW (641-423-3811). The North Iowa Food Coalition is hosting an advocacy lunch and learn to highlight how decision makers across North Iowa get involved in food systems. This program will help participants better understand policies and how they relate to food system development in our nine county region. Come and learn from panelists about their involvement in food policy development, engage and network with peers and consider ways to get involved. The North Iowa Food Coalition meeting will provide space to debrief from the Lunch and Learn, we well as share about priority projects, and discuss additional projects and programs going on in our region related to food systems.   Advocacy Lunch & Learn: 12-1:30pm/North Iowa Food Coalition: 1:30-3:30pm. FREE admission and open to the public. 

April 25, 2017

Ruku Ceramics (adult/teen class) - Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 303 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666). Some pottery experience required. Tuesdays: May 9 & 16 from 5:30-8:00pm.

April 26, 2017

Epiphany Parish Spring Salad Luncheon -  Columbia Club (Knights of Columbus Hall), 551 S. Taft. Epiphany Parish, Churches of St. Joseph & Holy Family, will be holding their annual Salad Luncheon from 11am-1pm.  Tickets are only $7.00 and are available at the door or in advance at the Parish Office, 300 5^th St. SE. Hot casserole, variety of salads, roll & beverage. Bake Sale, pie by the Slice & Epiphany Parish cards on sale. What a great way to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day!

STOMP - NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-422-4188). An eight member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments- matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps - to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Show begins at 7:30. Tickets start at $20. Call or order online for tickets at

April 27, 2017

Cerro Gordo County S.A.L.T. Forum – Grace Church, 440 North Illinois Ave,(west side, entrance E) The Seniors and Law Enforcement Together will have a forum with the agency booths opening at 8:45am and the program at 10am. Free to the public.

The Big Five-Oh (April 27-30) - Mason City Community Theatre, 215 S Delaware (641-424-6424)Box office open 1-5pm weekdays. Show times Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm.  Whoever said that life is better after fifty better be right! George Thomas is turning fifty on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week. His dog is sick, he son is a slacker, his daughter wants to marry a Republican, and has a neurotic wife. Through these trying days, George will discover the wonders of family, the responsibly of parenthood, and the results of his latest physical.