55 summer shows in central Iowa from Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani to 'My Fair Lady'
Summer is nearly here and with the arrival of the season comes a slew of concerts, festivals and other in-person events.
While some events that happened last year, like the Riverview Music Festival and Big Country Bash, will be absent from central Iowa this year, here are more than 55 events Iowans can look forward to this summer.
FREE MUSIC EVENTS
Where: Various
When: Throughout the summer
All through the summer, a variety of central Iowa venues have free concert series available to Iowans.
These include Hoyt Sherman Place's Jazz in July series, Windsor Heights' Nights in the Heights, Valley Junction's Music in the Junction, Jasper Winery's Summer Concert Series, Summer Sundaze at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, Sunday Tunes at Summerset Winery, the Iowa Municipal Band Festival in Boone and Tunes in the Trees in Madrid, among many others.
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Des Moines Arts Festival (and concerts, too!)
Where: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des Moines
When: June 24-26
The first major event of the summer is the Des Moines Arts Festival, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The annual event gathers thousands of people each year for a weekend of art, entertainment and food. There will also be a June 23 kickoff concert at 7:30 p.m. on the Roots Stage, in the parking lot east of 1416 Locust St., featuring Iowa folk musician William Elliott Whitmore.
More information: desmoinesartsfestival.org.
FREE OUTDOOR FAMILY EVENTS
Where: Various
When: Throughout the summer
Last year, uncertain what indoor performance would look like for the summer, Des Moines Performing Arts scheduled a series of outdoor events for 2021. Those events were so positively received that, even those COVID restrictions have eased, DMPA has scheduled a brand new slew of free events throughout central Iowa.
These events include Yoga on Cowles Commons — a recurring event Sunday mornings — as well as events that will be performed outside of downtown like Bees by Polyglot Theatre and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus.
More information about all of these upcoming events can be found at desmoinesperformingarts.org.
Yankee Doodle Pops
Where: The West Terrace of the Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines
When: July 1, 8:30 p.m.
Yankee Doodle Pops is an annual, family-friendly concert with fireworks and patriotic music. Now in its 28th year, Yankee Doodle Pops claims to be the largest single-day concert in the state of Iowa.
Those interested in attending can bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to the State Capitol's West Terrace. Food trucks and vendors will be at the event as attendees enjoy an evening of music and fireworks lighting up the sky over Des Moines.
More information about this free event can be found at dmsymphony.org.
CONCERTS GALORE, PLUS OTHER FUN STUFF
Contact venues for more information about specific events and ticketing, such as Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines Performing Arts, Wells Fargo Arena and Horizon Events Center.
Tickets also can be found via TicketSmarter.com.
Todd Rundgren
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 8 p.m. July 6
The man behind “Hello It’s Me” takes the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place on July 6. The Philadelphia native fronted The Nazz, a ’60s psychedelic group, before starting a solo career. His 1972 album “Something/Anything” brought him to the forefront of the music industry. He played every instrument and sang all the vocal parts on that album. His catalog of hits includes “I Saw The Light,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “Bang The Drum.” Tickets range from $49 to $79.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
More: Wang Chung, Hairball, Anne Wilson among the free entertainment at the Iowa State Fair 2022
80/35 Music Festival
Where: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des Moines
When: July 8-9
After not holding the 80/35 Music Festival in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, the Des Moines Music Coalition announced plans to bring the two-day festival back for 2022 in full force.
The nonprofit music festival is returning with headliners Father John Misty on July 8 and Charli XCX on July 9. More than 40 acts are scheduled to perform across three stages. Other performances include experimental pop band Japanese Breakfast, indie rock legends Guided by Voices, Zimbabwean-Australian singer Tkay Maidza, indie-pop band Future Islands, singer-songwriter Jamila Woods and experimental musician MonoNeon among others.
More information: 80-35.com.
'A Thousand Acres'
Where: Des Moines Metro Opera, 513 North D St., Indianola
When: July 9-22
This July marks the world premiere of the opera adaptation of "A Thousand Acres," based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Jane Smiley, Iowa Writers' Workshop grad. This modern re-telling of Shakespeare's "King Lear" is set on an Iowa farm.
The story follows a farmer who decides to hand over his land to his three daughters. When his youngest daughter expresses doubt about the plan, she ends up getting cut out of the deal.
In 1997, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange starred in the film adaptation of the novel. More information on the performance can be found at desmoinesmetroopera.org.
Don McLean
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 8 p.m. July 15
The singer behind “American Pie” swings through Des Moines for a stop at Hoyt Sherman Place on July 15. Don McLean celebrates the 50th anniversary of the song, a classic in American music. McLean infuses his concerts with all his songs from the “American Pie” album as well as “Vincent (Starry Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air,” “And I Love You So,” and “Cryin’.” In 2018, McLean released his 19th studio album, “Botanical Gardens.”
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
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'American Apollo'
Where: Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines
When: July 20-23
The story of Thomas Eugene McKeller, a Black man who was born in 1890 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and his work modeling for painter John Singer Sargent has inspired an opera.
Originally a 20-minute piece composed by Damien Geter with libretto by Lila Palmer, the opera will now be performed by the Des Moines Metro Opera and the Pyramid Theater Co., a Des Moines troupe focused on Black theater, as part of the Indianola-based opera's 50th anniversary season.
With the support of a $100,000 gift from Harry Bookey and Pamela Bass-Bookey — the patrons behind the conversion of downtown Des Moines' former Masonic Temple into the Temple for the Performing Arts — "American Apollo" will be expanded into a full-length work for performance in the opera's 2024 season.
This summer's event, however, will not be the eventual full opera, but the 20-minute version of the show.
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place
When: 7:30 p.m. July 21
The four-time Grammy-winning singer, composer, and actor Lyle Lovett performs with his Large Band at Hoyt Sherman Place on July 21. Fans can expect to hear some of his biggest hits such as “That's Right (You're Not From Texas),” “Pontiac,” “Bears,” “Cowboy Man” and “If I Had a Boat” as well as songs from his new album “Twelfth of Noon.” Tickets range from $59.50 to $99.50.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
Three Days Grace
Where: Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW 100th St., Clive
When: 7 p.m. July 21
Canadian rockers Three Days Grace take over the Horizon Events Center in Clive on July 21. Some of the band’s biggest hits include “(I Hate) Everything About You,” “Pain,” “Just Like You,” “Animal I Have Become” and “Break.” Tickets range from $39.99 to $234.99.
More information: Horizon Events Center
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Vince Gill
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: 8 p.m. July 22
Country singer Vince Gill heads out on tour for the first time since 2019 with a stop at the Des Moines Civic Center on July 22. The venerable country star behind songs such as “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” “I Still Believe in You,” “One More Last Chance,” and “My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man” has been touring on and off with The Eagles. “Come In Out of the Rain” singer Wendy Moten, who performed on “The Voice” in 2021, opens. Tickets range from $50.50 to $154.50.
More information: Des Moines Performing Arts
Drive-By Truckers
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 8 p.m. July 22
Right before the pandemic hit, Drive-By Truckers released their 12th studio album “The Unraveling” and continued to perform virtual concerts and write new music for “The New OK.” Now the band hits the road again for a performance at Hoyt Sherman Place on July 22. As fans know, Drive-By Truckers don’t use a set list, so anything goes. Tickets range from $29.50 to $49.50.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
Hy-Vee Indycar Race Weekend
Where: Iowa Motor Speedway, 3333 Rusty Wallace Dr., Newton
When: July 22-24
When IndyCar returns to central Iowa this summer, it brings with it a list of high-profile country and pop music stars to bookend the race with entertainment on July 23-24.
Country star Tim McGraw and country duo Florida Georgia Line will perform on Saturday with the former playing before the race and the latter after. Sunday features a performance from pop star Gwen Stefani before the race and her husband, country music star and "The Voice" coach Blake Shelton, after the race.
Pre-race concerts are expected to run for 50 minutes, with post-race performances planned to run for 90 minutes. Tickets for the day at the races will also get attendees into the two concerts booked for that same day. Pricing for tickets to the race start at $50.
More: Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line headline Iowa's IndyCar race
Cardboard Caucus
Where: Hilton Garden's Inn, 205 S. 64th St., West Des Moines
When: July 29-31
Despite its name, don't expect politics at the cardboard caucus, just fun and games. In the three years since the Cardboard Caucus first debuted in central Iowa, the popularity of board games — the focus of this weekend event — has soared.
Attendees can expect to see area game stores selling their wares as well as hundreds of board games to rent over the course of the day courtesy of the Omaha-based Board Game Wagon.
"Last year we did get a family that runs a YouTube channel called Our Family Plays Games and be a special guest — and they’re coming back this year," said Chad Hatting, one of the event's organizers.
More information: cardboardcaucus.com.
Hinterland Music Festival
Where: Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, 3357 St. Charles Road, Saint Charles
When: Aug. 4-7
Sam Summers, owner of the music venue Wooly's in Des Moines, organizes Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles. This music festival, one of the largest in the state, drew an estimated 14,000 attendees in 2021.
Typically the three-day festival invites more niche artists such as progressive bluegrass band Yonder Mountain String Band, multi-genre group Lake Street Dive and indie-folk band The Head and the Heart. Other acts include the Minnesota bluegrass group Trampled by Turtles, country singer Miko Marks, and stand-up comedian Joe Pera.
More information: hinterlandiowa.com.
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'My Fair Lady'
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
When: Aug. 2-7
The Broadway touring show "My Fair Lady" was locked and loaded at the Des Moines Civic Center in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the abrupt cancelation of the show, which, at the time, never got to perform on the Civic Center stage.
This updated iteration of the 1956 Lerner and Loewe classic "My Fair Lady" is a musical that takes its narrative cues from the 1913 "Pygmalion" play.
More information: Des Moines Performing Arts
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Steve Earle & the Dukes
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5
Rock, country and folk singer Steve Earle brings his biggest hits such as “Guitar Town,” “Copperhead Road” and “Feel Alright” to Hoyt Sherman on Aug. 5. Tickets start at $45.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker and Willow
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9
Hip-hop artist Machine Gun Kelly is bringing his Mainstream Sellout tour to Wells Fargo Arena on Aug. 9 with drummer Travis Barker and Willow opening.
Kelly blends alternative hip-hop with rock for songs such as “Bad Things,” “Forget Me Too” and “At My Best.” Barker, who plays drums in Blink-182 and frequently collaborates with hip-hop artists, went solo in 2008. Kelly and Barker collaborated on Kelly's album Tickets to My Downfall. Willow, aka Willow Smith, is the daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. She performed “Transparent Soul” with Barker and "Emo Girl" with Kelly.
Tickets start at $29.50.
More information: Wells Fargo Arena
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Melissa Etheridge
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10
Singer and songwriter Melissa Etheridge returns to Hoyt Sherman Place on Aug. 10 with her lineup up hits that started with her self-titled debut album in 1988. Some of her big hits include “I'm the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” her love song of longing that earned her a second Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance. Tickets go for $65 to $95.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
Iowa State Fair
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
When: Aug.11-21
The Iowa State Fair remains one of the most anticipated events of the coming year. In 2021, the event managed to draw more than 1 million visitors despite ongoing COVID-19 concerns over the summer.
Announcements regarding the 2022 State Fair have been rolling out since the end of 2021, which includes the entirety of the Grandstand lineup for this year. Those Grandstand performances vary from country music star Carrie Underwood to the rock band Disturbed to hip-hop artist Nelly.
Aug. 11: Skillet
Aug. 12: Brooks & Dunn
Aug. 13: Nelly
Aug. 14: Demi Lovato
Aug. 15: Alanis Morissette
Aug. 16: ZZ Top and Ann Wilson
Aug. 17: John Crist
Aug. 18: Kane Brown
Aug. 19: Disturbed with Chevelle
Aug. 20: Keith Urban
Aug. 21: Carrie Underwood
More: What to know about the 2022 Iowa State Fair: concerts, tickets, dates and more
Free shows at the Iowa State Fair: Wang Chung, Hairball, Anne Wilson among the free entertainment at the Iowa State Fair 2022
Jack White
Where: Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
When: Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.
The gritty sounds of singer-songwriter Jack White head to the Val Air Ballroom on Aug. 14 as part of his The Supply Chain Issues Tour. White first gained fame as a member of the duo The White Stripes with his ex-wife and drummer Meg White. The pair fused punk and folk music, producing hits like "Seven Nation Army" and "Fell In Love With a Girl." Outside of The White Stripes, White has released pieces like "Love Interrupted" and "Lazaretto." Tickets are sold out.
More information: Val Air Ballroom
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Pitbull
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
When: Aug. 21, 8 p.m.
Pitbull, aka Mr. 305, is known for hits such as "I Know You Want Me" and "Timber." In 2016 he won a Grammy for his album "Dale", which tied with Natalia Lafourcade in the category of Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.
Pitbull fans know that the artist worked with other famed singers from Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira ("Get It Started") and pop star Ke$ha ("Timber") to country stars Blake Shelton ("Get Ready") and Keith Urban ("Sun Don't Let Me Down").
On this stop on his "Can't Stop Us Now" Pitbull will be joined by special guest Iggy Azalea, the Australian artist who gained musical stardom with her 2014 song "Fancy."
Tickets start at $29.95.
More information: Wells Fargo Arena
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'To Kill a Mockingbird'
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
When: Aug. 23-28
The Aaron Sorkin ("The West Wing," "The Social Network") stage play adaptation of Harper Lee's ubiquitous American novel is coming to the Civic Center this August.
This acclaimed "To Kill a Mockingbird" adaptation was first staged on Broadway in 2018. The touring production of the show originally planned to hit the road in 2020, with a Des Moines stop.
This national tour subsequently ended up taking to the road in early spring. The touring production cast will include Richard Thomas ("The Waltons") as Atticus Finch and Mary Badham — the Oscar-nominated actor famous for portraying Scout in the 1962 film — as Mrs. Dubose.
More information: Des Moines Performing Arts
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Des Moines Water Lantern Festival
Where: Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines
When: 5 p.m., Sept. 3
Des Moines' Water Works Park will once again host a Water Lantern Festival this summer. One World LLC produces water lantern festivals, inspired by east Asian traditions, across the nation. These festivals feature local vendors for an evening near the water that sees hundreds of lanterns lit and floated down the river.
Youth tickets for the Des Moines event start at $11.99 with adult tickets starting at $35.99.
More information: waterlanternfestival.com.
REO Speedwagon, Styx and Loverboy
Where: Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
When: 6:45 p.m. Sept. 4
The ’70s come calling when two iconic bands head to Well Fargo Arena in September. REO Speedwagon, formed in 1968 by keyboardist Neal Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzer, joins Styx, a rock band with origins in Chicago in the early ’70s, for the co-headlining show "Live and Unzoomed." And that's not all. Canadian rockers Loverboy take the stage as a special guest.
Styx is famous for songs such as "Come Sail Away," "Mr. Roboto," “Lady,” “The Grand Illusion” and “Renegade.” The group won a Grammy Award in 1980.
REO Speedwagon formed in Champaign, Illinois, and went on to sing hits such as "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Take It on the Run," "Keep on Loving You," "Time for Me to Fly" and "Back on the Road Again."
Tickets for the show range from $39.50 to $199.50.
More information: Wells Fargo Arena
311
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
The Omaha-based alt-rock band 311 will perform at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., as part of its 27-show tour. Joining the band as a special guest for the performance will be Tropidelic, a reggae-rock band hailing from Ohio, scheduled to play 18 of the shows.
Tickets for the show, priced from $45 to $79.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
More: Alt-rock band 311 comes to play Hoyt Sherman Place this September with Tropidelic
Bernadette Peters
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 8
Bernadette Peters, famous for her roles in the musical work of the late Stephen Sondheim such as "Sunday In the Park With George" and "Into the Woods," appears in Des Moines for an in-concert performance on Sept. 8. Across her storied career, Peters received three Tony Awards and a Golden Globe, with three Emmy and four Grammy nominations. Tickets start at $40.
More information: Des Moines Performing Arts
Maximum Ames Music Festival
Where: Various locations, Ames
When: Sept. 15-18
The 10th year of the Maximum Ames Music Festival has been a long time coming. After being canceled in the face of the pandemic in 2020 and scaled back last year, the music festival promises to be in full swing for 2022.
“We’re a community-based DIY festival that really wants to show Iowa talent," said Fred Love, co-producer of the central Iowa music festival, who also started as the director of marketing and sales for Stephens Auditorium in May. "We raise our own money, don’t keep a dime of it… (and) spotlight Iowa artists.”
The festival generally sees dozens of musicians appearing at a variety of price points in multiple Ames-area venues across the four days of the event. While this year's schedule has not yet been fully announced, once more information is announced, it can be found at maxamesmusicfest.com.
World Food & Music Festival
Where: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St.
When: Sept. 16-18
One of the last big events of 2022 is this year's World Food & Music Festival when dozens of vendors representing myriad culinary traditions fill Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines for this year's event.
More information about the 17th year of this annual event will be announced closer to the date of the festival and can be found through www.dsmpartnership.com. However, those interested can expect a weekend packed with food, music and more.
Amy Grant
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: Sept. 22
On the very last day of Summer 2022, Des Moines welcomes singer-songwriter, Amy Grant, to the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place. Grant, who got her start in gospel music before leaping into pop, has been making music for over four decades and, in that time, has performed recognizable tunes like "That's What Love Is For" and "Baby Baby." Across her long career of music-making, Grant has accrued six Grammy-award wins.
Tickets range from $59 to $125.
More information: Hoyt Sherman Place
Ludacris
Where: Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW 100th St. in Clive
When: Sept. 22
Hip-hop artist Ludacris will bring his DTP Tour to central Iowa on Sept. 22 when the pop icon arrives at the Horizon Events Center. Beginning his rise to fame with his music career in the late ’90s, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges has become known for songs like “Phat Rabbit," "Rollout" and "My Chick Bad." Tickets for the show start at $79
More information: Horizon Events Center
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Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at ihamlet@gannett.com or 319-600-2124, follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 55 of Central Iowa's best summer concerts, shows and festivals
