(Some content courtesy: DSM Register)
Through April 8
‘ The Humans’
When Erik Blake breaks tradition and brings his Pennsylvania family to
celebrate Thanksgiving at his daughter’s apartment in Lower Manhattan,
his family’s biggest fears and greatest follies are brought to light as
things start to go bump in the night. See why this play by Stephen
Karam took home the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Des
Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. Tickets start at $35 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.
April 6
Shattered Glass
Experience the modern sound of the 16-member string orchestra that
performs without a conductor and plays from a wide repertoire of
composers, from Bach to Stravinsky. 7:30
p.m. Stephens Auditorium, 1900 Center Drive, Ames. Tickets start at
$25, and enjoy a pre-show dinner for $32 per person. Get your tickets at
center.iastate.edu.
April 6-29
‘Ragtime’
See the sweeping musical about the life of three families in
turn-of-the-century New York, featuring diverse musical styles, from
Harlem ragtime to bold brass marches to delicate waltzes, parlor songs
and anthems. Don’t miss the classic musical that won the 1998 Tony
Awards for Best Score, Book and Orchestrations. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Des Moines Community Playhouse,
831 42nd St. Tickets are $29-$46 at dmplayhouse.com.
April 7
Harlem Globetrotters
See basketball greats like Big Easy Lofton, Ant Anderson, Hi-Lite
Bruton and more as the Harlem Globetrotters take on their long-time
adversaries the Washington Generals. See amazing ball handling, trick
shots, dunking and familyfriendly comedy in this sports entertainment
spectacular. 2 p.m. Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St. Tickets start at
$25.50 at HyVeeTix.com.
Lysander Piano Trio and Charles Neidich: Transplanted
Clarinetist Charles Neidich joins the Lysander Piano Trio for a
program by European composers who were displaced due to the rise of
Nazism and Fascism in the 1930s and found refuge in the United States
and Israel. The concert, presented by the Civic Music Association,
begins at 7:30 p.m. at Sheslow Auditorium, 2507 University Ave. Tickets
are $20-$45 at midwestix.com.
Coffee and Donut Festival
Coffee lovers and doughnut aficionados can indulge in their passion
with the wide variety of different coffees and doughnuts from the 40-50
vendors who will offer their latest and greatest. The second annual
event will take place April 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Seven Flags.
April 8
Jeff Dunham
America’s favorite ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings his irreverent cast
of characters on the road for his Passively Aggressive tour. See him
bring to life Walter, Achmed the Dead Terrorist, Bubba J. and Peanut
for a night of sidesplitting comedy. See why he holds a Guinness World
Record for “Most Tickets Sold for a Stand-Up Comedy Tour.” 3 p.m. Iowa
Events Center, 730 Third St.
Tickets are $48 at HyVeeTix.com.
Iowa Blues Hall of Fame
The Central Iowa Blues Society will announces the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame Class of 2018: Ardie Dean
Strutzenberg, Jay Sieleman, Scot Sutherland, Jeff Taylor and Vicki
Price. The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 8 at 5 p.m.
at Noce. Midwestix. More information at www.cibs.org
John Holiday in concert
Join Des Moines Metro
Opera for an evening of opera, jazz and gospel favorites featuring
acclaimed countertenor John Holiday, whose 2017-18 season includes
performances at the Kennedy Center, Opera Philadelphia, the LA Phil,
Dutch National Opera and the Philharmonie de Paris before debuting with
Des Moines Metro Opera this summer as the Refugee in Jonathan Dove’s
“Flight.” 7 p.m. at Plymouth Church in Des Moines.
desmoinesmetroopera.org or 515-9616221.
April 10-29
‘The Second City: Look Both Ways Before Talking’
The satirical revue show that has launched so many comedic careers in
nearly six decades comes to the Temple Theater with its best and
brightest new talent. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday
and 3 p.m. Sunday. 1011 Locust St. Tickets start at $28 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.
April 12
MercyMe and Tenth Avenue North Live
Just off a 2017 GMA Dove Artist of the Year Award win, Christian music
superstars MercyMe join fan favorite Tenth Avenue North for a live
tour. Hear MercyMe sing their latest hit “Even If,” as well as classics
like “I Can Only Imagine” and “Word of God Speak” as well as hits like
“You Are More” from Tenth Avenue North. 7 p.m. Iowa Events Center, 730
Third St. Tickets start at $27 at HyVee-Tix.com.
April 13-22
The Christians
The Iowa Stage Theatre Company presents “The Christians,” a
thought-provoking yet funny play about a pastor in a growing church who
is about to preach a sermon that will rock the foundation of his
church’s beliefs. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday- Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday
and 2 p.m. Sunday at Kum & Go Theater, 901 Cherry St. Tickets are
$20 for students, $30 for seniors and $35 for adults at midwestix.com.
April 13-15
Vintage Market Days of Des Moines
Shop for vintage and vintage-inspired finds, along with architectural
salvage and repurposed goods at Vintage Market Days of Des Moines.
Listen to live music and enjoy food from food trucks. The Lake at Jordan
Creek Town Center, 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines. Buy a
three-day pass for $10 and take advantage of the Early Buying Day on
April 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission on Saturday (10 a.m.-5
p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) is $5. Admission for kids under 12 is
free. A ticket allows re-entry to the event all weekend long.
April 14
Choral Masterworks
Hear the Des Moines Choral Society perform some of the great choral
works of the past and present in the gorgeous acoustical environment of
St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High St. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for
preferred seating, $15 for general seating and $10 for student/ child
general seating. Purchase tickets at dmchoral.org.
Lewis Black
See one of the most prolific and popular comedians today when Lewis
Black comes to Hoyt Sherman Place on his “The Joke’s on US Tour.” Always
ticked off about something, Black is one of those performers who is
able to make an audience laugh to the point of tears while delivering a
compelling message about the absurdity of the world we live in. 8 p.m.
Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. Tickets are $45-$65 at hoytsherman.org.
April 15
‘At Our Waking and Our Sleeping’
The Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble presents a program exploring the
themes of waking and sleeping, featuring works spanning musical styles
and eras, from Bach to a brand-new commissioned piece from
world-renowned composer Timothy C. Takach. 4 p.m. Meet the composer for
a pre-concert talk at 3:15. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114
Allison Ave. Buy tickets in advance at dmvae.org for $18 for adults or $20 at the door. Students are $5.
April 6
Luicidal
Former members of thrash favorite Suicidal Tendencies plays tracks
from the band’s early records. Lefty’s Live Music, 2307 University Ave.
$10. 5 p.m. More information at leftyslivemusic.com.
April 11
Willie Nelson
One of country’s true living legends returns to Iowa’s capital city.
And he’s bringing quite the cast of characters with him: Dwight
Yoakam, Robert Earl Keen and Brandy Clark. Wells Fargo Arena, 233
Center St. $49.50-$149.50. 6:20 p.m. More information at iowaeventscenter.com.
April 14
Society of Broken Souls
The Fairfield-based, self- described “folk noir” duo throws a show to
coincide the release of new album “Midnight and the Pale.” Des Moines’
own The Host Country and Dustin Smith open the gig. Gas Lamp, 1501 Grand
Ave. $7. 9 p.m.. More information at Facebook.com/gaslampdsm.
April 17
The Maine
A staple pop rock act of the Warped Tour era, The Maine heads back to
Iowa in support of 2017’s “Lovely Little Lonely.” Wooly’s 504 E. Locust St. $20. 7:30 p.m. More information at woolysdm.com.
April 18
Tech N9ne
Kansas City’s hip-hop road warrior heads back to Iowa in support of
“Planet,” a studio album released earlier this year via Strange Music.
Seven Flags Event Center, 2100 NW 100th St., Clive. $35-$50. 7 p.m. More
information at sevenflageventcenter.com.
April 20
Turnpike Troubadours
The roots rock act heads to Iowa to kick off this year’s Nitefall on
the River. The group spent part of early 2018 opening for country
favorite Miranda Lambert. Simon Estes Amphitheater, 75 E. Locust
St. $25. 8 p.m. More information at nite falldsm.com.
April 20
Tires Self-described “mind-bending, experimental spacerock” from Des Moines
celebrates the release of a new extended play. Blood Spell, also
releasing a record at the show, Yetta and Jinnouchi Power open the
night. Vaudeville Mews, 212 4th St. $5. 5 p.m. More information at vaudevillemews.com.
April 21
Dan Tedesco
Local music fans can return to the Mews for a “ birthday jam” with
acoustic troubadour Dan Tedesco. The Host Country, Josh Parks Davis,
Patresa Hartman and Dan Trilk round out the bill. Vaudeville Mews, 212
4th St. $18. 8 p.m. More information at vaudevillemews.com.
April 30
Misterwives
The “Reflections” band returns
to Des Moines for a one-night club show following a 2017 opening slot
at Wells Fargo Arena. Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust. $25. 8 p.m. More
information at woolysdm.com.
