27 can't-miss concerts and performances in Des Moines from 'The Lion King' to the Doobie Brothers
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From a nationally recognized jazz artist at Noce to Grammy Award-nominated performers at Hoyt Sherman Place in downtown Des Moines, this spring is sure to be an exciting and much anticipated event schedule in the Des Moines metro. Broadway shows such as "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" and "Dear Evan Hansen" take the stage, while huge acts such as Journey and The Doobie Brothers perform at Wells Fargo Arena. Spring brings something for all ages and tastes. Here is our list of can't-miss concerts and performances in Des Moines this spring.
Harlem Globetrotters
When: March 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $26 on hyveetix.com
The Harlem Globetrotters are going head-to-head against their rivals, the Washington Generals, in an all-out fight to bring comedy, baller basketball skills, and amazing athleticism to the court at Wells Fargo Arena.
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Chapel Hart
When: March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $32 on hoytsherman.org/events.
The Black all-women country act and “America’s Got Talent” alums are bringing their Glory Days Tour sound to Hoyt Sherman Place as they continue to create change in the genre. The trio is behind the social media favorite “You Can Have Him Jolene” and will be joined by special guests Lucas Hoge and relative newcomer Rosevelt.
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Niko Moon
When: March 25, 8 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $17 on hoytsherman.org/events.
There ain’t no better place to be on March 25 than genre-bending country music artist Niko Moon’s “Ain’t No Better Place” tour stop at the Hoyt Sherman Place near downtown Des Moines. The crooner, who will be joined by Dylan Schneider, is set to perform hits from his 2021 effort “Good Time,” including the album’s title track and “Paradise to Me.” The EP blends the intersections of Moon’s artistry: rural Georgia roots with Atlanta-style hip-hop beats.
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Journey and Toto
When: March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $39.50 on hyveetix.com
One of the world’s most recognized rock bands, Journey, is bringing believers on their Freedom Tour 2023 stop at Wells Fargo Arena on March 28. The “Don’t Stop Believin',” “Any Way You Want It," and "Faithfully" hitmakers are celebrating their 50th anniversary and the members of rock royalty will be joined by fellow rockers Toto of "Africa" fame.
More:Classic rock bands Journey and Toto to play Des Moines in March 2023
Once Upon This Stage
When: March 29, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $22 online at hoytsherman.org/events.
"Once Upon This Stage," Hoyt Sherman Place's tribute to seven artists who first appeared on the theater's historic stage a century ago, is hosted for one night only at the iconic local theater. Famed artists such as John Philip Sousa, Grant Wood, Meredith Willson, Agnes de Mille, Will Rogers, Vincent Price, and Edna St. Vincent Millay will be honored by local partners such as B.Well, Ballet Des Moines, and more performers who will pay tribute to the seven icons by delivering performances.
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Disney's 'The Lion King'
When: March 30 to April 16
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets vary depending on performance on dmpa.org.
The beloved Broadway production roars into downtown Des Moines with its story of Simba, succession, and the Circle of Life. If you can't wait to hear "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" at the Civic Center, this show is for you with its mix of nostalgia, top-notch costuming, and next-level storytelling.
More:Broadway shows coming to Des Moines include 'MJ,' 'Moulin Rouge,' 'The Wiz' and 'Funny Girl'
Hailey Whitters
When: April 1, 7 p.m.
Where: Wooly's, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Price: Ticket are $20 on axs.com/events.
Shueyville native and up-and-coming country starlet Hailey Whitters makes a trip to the metro with a stop on her headlining Raised Tour at Historic East Village venue Wooly's. The performance is an appetizer for Whitters' home state audience as the "Everything She Ain't" singer is slated to support country legend Shania Twain later this year during her Queen of Me tour. Whitters' recent release "Raised" topped Rolling Stone's list of best country/Americana albums of 2022, beating out artists like Zach Bryan, Miranda Lambert, and Ashley McBryde.
More:Shania Twain to come on over to Des Moines during 2023 Queen of Me tour stop next year
Chase Matthew
When: April 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Wooly's, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Price: Ticket are $20 on axs.com/events.
Chase Matthew, the 24-year-old country music streaming favorite known for "County Line" and "Pull Up," will pull up at Wooly's in the Historic East Village with his gritty discography and opener Hayden Coffman.
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Ian Munsick
When: April 14, 7 p.m.
Where: Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW. 100th St, Clive
Price: Tickets start at $39.50 on horizoneventscenter.com/events.
Country music idealist Ian Munsick, known for tracks like "Long Haul" and "Horses Are Faster," arrives in the metro on April 14 with special guest Ned LeDou for an evening performance at Clive's Horizon Events Center.
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Gina Chavez
When: April 15, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $20 on dmpa.org.
Latin Grammy nominee Gina Chavez lights up the Temple Theater with an uproarious sound that blends grit and grace. The Texas native's popular NPR Tiny Desk concert has garnered more than 1.3 million views and Chavez has been hailed for her recent EP "Lightbeam."
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Festival
When: April 15, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $24.50 online at hoytsherman.org/events.
Get to know artists from all across Iowa at the Gross Domestic Product Festival. The annual all-Iowa music festival, which is coordinated by volunteers and the Des Moines Music Coalition, first started in 2006 and features artists from across Iowa and the Greater Des Moines area such as Ames rockers The Envy Corps, Des Moines hip hop star B.Well, indie rockers Annalibera, Des Moines-born violinist Geneviève Salamone, modern rhythm and blues/soul band from Iowa City James Tutson, Des Moines country singer EleanorGrace, and Des Moines-based soul singer Lani. You may find a new favorite here.
Monster Jam
When: April 15 to 16, times vary
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $20 on hyveetix.com.
Monster Jam crashes and smashes into the metro this April with its signature adrenaline-inducing sights and series of family-friendly activities. Each day begins with the Monster JamPit Party fan experience, where participants can view an immersive experience, meet drivers and crews, collect autographs, and even more.
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The Second City Swipes Right
When: April 18-23, times vary
Where: Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $20 on dmpa.org.
Be sure to swipe right when the Chicago-based comedy troupe "The Second City" performs a sassy set about love, relationships, and more at the Temple Theater. Make sure to find "love at first laugh" during the troupe's six-day run.
'How I Became a Pirate'
When: April 21 to May 7
Where: Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $14 on dmpa.org.
The Des Moines Playhouse presents "How I Became a Pirate," which follows a pirate and his mates as they enlist a young Jeremy Jacob to look for the perfect spot to bury their treasure.
Chris Botti
When: April 24, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $42 on hoytsherman.org/events.
The Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Chris Botti will make his way to the metro in late April. The iconic instrumentalist, who has performed with artists from Andrea Bocelli and Tony Bennett to Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, is set to put audiences at ease with a signature spellbinding performance.
Black Flag
When: April 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Gas Lamp, 1501 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets details are not yet available on songkick.com/concerts.
California-based alt-rock punk band Black Flag, known for hits like "Rise Above" and "Six Pack," flies into the Gas Lamp near the end of April for an exciting performance of their go-against-the-grain collection of songs. Des Moines-based pro skater Mike Vallely handles lead vocals.
Bruce-O-Rama starring Bruce Campbell
When: April 26, 8 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $24.50 online at hoytsherman.org/events.
Bruce-O-Rama, an interactive event from "Burn Notice" and cult classic film star Bruce Campbell, is coming to Hoyt Sherman Place in late April. The show features two parts: the first, Last Fan Standing, is an interactive game show hosted by Campbell that challenges audience knowledge about pop culture topics such as fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and superheroes. The second, Watch a Groovy Bruce Movie, includes Campbell screening a movie he has appeared in and hosting questions before the screening.
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Rob Schneider
When: April 28, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $35 online at hoytsherman.org/events.
The “Saturday Night Live” alum, Netflix star, and dad of country rocker Elle King will grace the Hoyt Sherman Place stage during a nighttime standup set on April 28. The “Grown Ups” star will feature his boundary pushing, sarcastic style of comedy.
Invisible Wonders
When: April 30, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $15 on dmpa.org.
Photographer Anand Varma captures natural creatures in a way that is usually unseen by the human eye. This National Geographic Live speaker series event features Varma's work alongside a live audience Q&A session and speaker's presentation.
Thomas Rhett
When: May 4, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $29.50 on hyveetix.com.
Country star Thomas Rhett is taking his Home Team Tour 23 to Wells Fargo Arena with Cole Swindell and Nate Smith as openers. Rhett, the son of famous country crooner Rhett Akins, is well known for songs like "Look What God Gave Her," "Die A Happy Man," and "Marry Me" alongside his shared social media fame with wife Lauren. Swindell, of "She Had Me At Heads Carolina" note, and Smith, who made TikTok noise with his song "Whiskey On You," will delight the 515's home team audience.
More:Thomas Rhett to headline first stop of Home Team Tour 23 at Wells Fargo Arena
'Tina: The Tina Turner Musical'
When: May 16-21, times vary
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $40 on dmpa.org.
"Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" pays homage to the comeback story of the legendary pop-rock superstar and her hits including "River Deep — Mountain High," "Proud Mary," and "What's Love Got to Do with It." "Tina," which follows the life of one of the best-selling artists ever, first premiered in 2018 and has been dazzling audiences since.
The Nadas
When: May 19, 8 p.m.
Where: Wooly's, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $20 on axs.com/events.
The five folk rockers from Des Moines will perform during a hometown show at Wooly's in May. With their tracks "Hard Rain," "Honor," and "Meant to Be," the beloved local band The Nadas is sure to please Heartland audiences.
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Karrin Allyson
When: May 19-20, 7 p.m.
Where: Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $25 on simpletix.com
The five-time Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson with a famed jazz repertoire will make her mark on the metro with a two-night stop at the swanky Walnut Street jazz nightclub Noce. The singer and Kansas native, who grew up in Omaha, will perform a selection of hits from bluegrass-inspired songs to ballads.
Greenbelt Music Festival
When: May 19-20
Where: Greenbelt Outdoor Festival Field, 2100 NW. 100th St., Clive
Price: Festival passes start at $35 on greenbeltmusic.com.
A new music festival, Greenbelt Music Festival, will kick off the end of spring in central Iowa with a bluegrass theme and back-to-back days of performances. The inaugural festival, which is presented by Horizon Events Center on its grounds in conjunction with the Clive Community Foundation, will include sets from headliners Jameson Rodgers, an up-and-coming country star who spawned the hit "Some Girls," and bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters.
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'Dear Evan Hansen'
When: June 6-11
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $40 on dmpa.org.
The touring edition of the groundbreaking Tony Award winner and Broadway favorite "Dear Evan Hansen," which later spawned a feature film of the same name featuring original Broadway star Ben Platt, will makes its mark at the Des Moines Civic Center in early June. The musical follows an anxious high school teenager who grapples with the grief and complexities that come from facing an unexpected tragedy.
Impractical Jokers
When: June 16, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $35 on hyveetix.com.
The famed improv trio Impractical Jokers, from the hit truTV show of the same name, is on a national tour that will stop through the metro with a series of games, gab, and more following the recent departure of longtime group member Joe Gatto.
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The Doobie Brothers
When: June 18, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines
Price: Tickets start at $49 on hyveetix.com.
The legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will be “Rockin’ Down the Highway" to Wells Fargo Arena in mid-June for a tour stop on their 50th Anniversary Tour. The group, best known for their chart-topping singles “Black Water” and “What a Fool Believes," is sure to delight Iowa-based fans of the four-time Grammy Award winners. Lead singer Michael McDonald returns as well, bringing Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and John McFee back on the road together for the first time in more than 25 years.
More:Rockers The Doobie Brothers take the stage in Des Moines this June
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines concerts, events from Monster Jam to Harlem Globetrotters
