9 things to do in Des Moines, including country music, 'Kinky Boots' and a book festival

Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register
·5 min read
"Kinky Boots" at The Des Moines Playhouse features (clockwise from top center) Travis Ness as Lola, and Mitchell Nieland, Bryan Gamboa, and Lawrence Walker as Angels.
"Kinky Boots" at The Des Moines Playhouse features (clockwise from top center) Travis Ness as Lola, and Mitchell Nieland, Bryan Gamboa, and Lawrence Walker as Angels.

Spring arrives in Des Moines and you could use a palate cleanser after a spring break with the kids. This week brings two different country acts, a local production of "Kinky Boots," the Des Moines book festival and more. If culture doesn't appeal to you this week, try a new happy hour or brunch and invite a group of friends. No regrets. Here, a look at nine things to do in Des Moines this week.

If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we've written about Black-owned businesses, learning how to ice skate, and where to buy plants. If you sign up for our newsletter, you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.

Be amazed with some basketball tricks

The Harlem Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Harlem Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals at Wells Fargo Arena.

Tuesday night: You just can't help but want to whistle along to "Sweet Georgia Brown" when you think of the shenanigans from the Harlem Globetrotters. The 7 p.m. show at Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St., Des Moines, brings all the trick plays, slam dunks, dazzling dribbling, and comedy as they take on their old foe, the Washington Generals. Tickets start at $26 on hyveetix.com.

More:How Rodina's focus on Midwestern foods made this Iowa chef a James Beard semifinalist

Listen to a powerful songstress

Shayna Steele comes to Des Moines with her new album.
Shayna Steele comes to Des Moines with her new album.

Thursday night: Jazz singer Shayna Steele got her start as a demo and backup singer for Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna, and Bette Midler and as an original Broadway cast member of “Hairspray.” Now she performs her new album “The Bloodline,” a commentary of social justice and racial issues, at the Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St. in Des Moines. Tickets for the show range from $20 to $45 online for the 7:30 p.m. show.

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Kick off the weekend with a happy hour

Friday afternoon: Take a break and grab a happy hour deal. Over at Anna Dolce Ristorante at 5585 Mills Civic Pkwy. in West Des Moines, diners can snap up $10 pizzas and apps, half-off glasses of house wine and all bottles, and $20 pitchers of shared cocktails. Happy hour takes place daily from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

More:Get Des Moines restaurant recommendations from Bubba's owner Chris Diebel

Get your country on

"America's Got Talent" standouts Chapel Hart will croon to their country hits at Hoyt Sherman Place this March.
"America's Got Talent" standouts Chapel Hart will croon to their country hits at Hoyt Sherman Place this March.

Thursday night: The Black all-women country act and “America’s Got Talent” alums Chapel Hart bring their Glory Days Tour to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, as they continue to create change in the genre. Special guests Lucas Hoge and relative newcomer Rosevelt join the trio behind the social media favorite “You Can Have Him Jolene.” Tickets start at $32 for the 7:30 p.m. show.

Take in a Broadway show

Gavin Runles is Charlie Price and Travis Ness is Lola in "Kinky Boots."
Gavin Runles is Charlie Price and Travis Ness is Lola in "Kinky Boots."

Friday night: The Des Moines Civic Center is between Broadway shows, so head over to the Des Moines Playhouse instead for “Kinky Boots.” Charlie Price’s family shoe factory is close to bankruptcy when he finds Lola, an outspoken drag queen, who inspires his shoe designs. Together they save the company and become an unlikely duo of friends, all to the backdrop of a Cyndi Lauper soundtrack. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays at 831 42nd St., Des Moines. Tickets range from $29 to $53 for this Tony Award winner for Best Musical.

Meet some famous authors

Author Chris Bohjalian is one of the headliners at the Des Moines Book Festival.
Author Chris Bohjalian is one of the headliners at the Des Moines Book Festival.

Saturday morning: Book lovers, unite. The 2023 DSM Book Festival takes over Capital Square, 400 Locust St. in Des Moines, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with workshops on topics such as baking blue ribbons and writing true crime while drinking wine, and author panels with the writers behind children’s bools and fiction. See authors such as Chris Bohjalian (“The Flight Attendant”), NoViolet Bulawayo (“Glory” and “We Need New Names”), Sequoia Nagamatsu (“How High We Go in the Dark” and “Where We Go When All We Were is Gone”), and Sarah Penner (“The Lost Apothecary” and “The London Séance Society”). Participants can grab VIP options beginning at $60 that include signed copies of books from headlining authors, premier seats for author presentations, a commemorative DSM Book Festival item, 20% off at Beaverdale Books and access to a VIP Suite. Learn more here.

More:The DSM Book Festival brings 4 diverse authors to the March event

Hear some Georgia country

Niko Moon, the genre-bending country star, is bringing Georgia to Iowa this March at Hoyt Sherman Place.
Niko Moon, the genre-bending country star, is bringing Georgia to Iowa this March at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Saturday night: Ain’t no better place to be than at genre-bending country music artist Niko Moon’s tour stop at the Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Moon, who will be joined by Dylan Schneider, performs his 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. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $17.

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Eat Pop Tarts and eggs Benedict

An eggs Benedict at HomeGrown.
An eggs Benedict at HomeGrown.

Sunday morning: Breakfast is the best meal of the day and the most fun when it includes friends or family. Newcomer HomeGrown opened in Sherman Hill next to Big Grove Brewery in the Crescent Building with a roster of brunch favorites and cocktails to boot. Try a homemade Pop Tart and an order of eggs Benedict at the restaurant at 555 17th St., Suite 102, Des Moines, and pair it with a bloody Mary topped with a pickle, celery and bacon. Opens at 6:30 a.m. daily.

More:HomeGrown brings homemade Pop Tarts and brunch favorites to Sherman Hill

Relax to an orchestra

Pink Martini with China Forbes takes over Hoyt Sherman Place.
Pink Martini with China Forbes takes over Hoyt Sherman Place.

Sunday night: Bandleader and pianist Thomas Lauderdale once said that "if the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we’d be that band” about Pink Martini. With a dozen musicians and songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs a multilingual repertoire when the group appears at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show that features singer China Forbes start at $39.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: This week in Des Moines features the Harlem Globetrotters, Kinky Boots