What is there to do in Des Moines this weekend? Rob Schneider, drink beer and more events
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Des Moines gets wrapped in royal blue and white with the Drake Relays taking over the city through Saturday. This year brings a music festival on Saturday courtesy of 80/35 with Sharane Calister & the Feel Right Band, a neo-soul pop band led by “The Voice” Season 14 finalist Calister from 10:45 a.m. to noon; Soultru, a soul acoustic artist based out of Davenport, performs from 12:30 to 2 p.m.; and indie folk artist Neil Anders from 2:30 to 4 p.m. If you need something to do with the kids, try a show that combines the circus with comedy, while the adults can try one of two boozy festivals. As always, we have happy hour and brunch options as well. Check out what's in store this weekend.
More: Drake Relays return to Des Moines. What you need to know about tickets, parking, concerts
See Black Flag perform
Wednesday night: California-based alt-rock punk band Black Flag, known for hits like "Rise Above" and "Six Pack," flies into the Gas Lamp 1501 Grand Ave., Des Moines for a 7 p.m. performance of their go-against-the-grain collection of songs. Des Moines-based pro skater Mike Vallely handles lead vocals. Head online for tickets.
See cult-favorite film star Bruce Campbell
Wednesday night: Bruce-O-Rama, an interactive event from "Burn Notice" and cult classic film star Bruce Campbell, 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. All takes place starting at 8 p.m. at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Tickets start at $24.50 online at hoytsherman.org/events.
Go to happy hour at Lucky Horse
Thursday afternoon: Since you’re in the Drake neighborhood anyway, why not stop by Lucky Horse Beer & Burgers, 2331 University Ave., Des Moines, from 3 to 6 p.m. for happy hour? Grab $2 cans of Busch Light, High Life, PBR, Old Style, Grain Belt, or Hamm’s; $5 mugs of Confluence Farmer John or Des Moines IPA, Exile Ruthie, or SingleSpeed Gable, Tricycle, Victory Dance or Whirled Wide Haze; or $5 slushies. Quell the munchies with $5 Buffalo cauliflower or $2 off on nachos. You can grab these specials every Monday through Thursday.
Watch a ballet that empowers women
Thursday night: Leading and emerging female voices come together in “She” from Ballet Des Moines. This triple bill with Jennifer Archibald, Shannon Alvis, and Stephanie Martinez offers stories of love, longing, and laughter. Tickets for the show at the Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines, start at $54.50 with shows Thursday through Sunday at 7 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Laugh with funnyman Rob Schneider
Friday night: Comedian Rob Schneider brings his boundary-pushing comedy to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, at 7:30 p.m. Grab a $78 VIP meet-and-greet package for a premium seat location, after-show meet-and-greet opportunity and photo op with the “Saturday Night Live” alum and star of “Grown Ups.” Tickets start at $35 online at hoytsherman.org/events.
Entertain the kids with 'Air Play'
Saturday morning: Snag the kids and watch circus performers Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone in collaboration with kinetic sculptor Daniel Wurtzel in “Air Play,” a show that makes umbrellas fly, fabrics soar over the audience, balloons swallow people, and snow swirl. The show on the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, brings a little bit of comedy, a smidge of circus, and a dollop of sculpture that children of all ages will love. Tickets for the 11 a.m. show start at $12.
Support an indie bookstore
Saturday afternoon: Support your favorite local bookstore in central Iowa during the 10th annual national Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday and Sunday. Seven businesses participating in the weekend-long road-trip passport challenge include: Dog-Eared Books in Ames, Dungeon’s Gate in Ankeny, Beaverdale Books and Storyhouse Bookpub in Des Moines, Raccoon River Press and Reading in Public in West Des Moines, and Pageturners Bookstore in Indianola. Book readers can look for special events, exclusive books and gifts, free maps of all of the Midwest’s independent bookstores, and many more fun perks over the course of the weekend. Pick up the book passport and fill it out by the end of the day on Sunday for a chance to win one of seven grand prize collections of central Iowa bookstore swag.
Drink beer at the Outlets of Des Moines
Saturday afternoon: Who wants a beer paired with shopping? The Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Drive N.W., Altoona, have you covered with Brews and Bites. The event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. features local food trucks such as What the Fries, Big Mama's Bistro, Bearded Jackal Street Food, and Polish King; beers from Reclaimed Rails, Brightside Aleworks, Firetrucker Brewing, and Confluence Brewing; and live entertainment from Andrew Hoyt, Royce Johns and Nicholas Sinclair. Admission is free.
Try cocktails, wines and beers at Booze-a-palooza
Saturday night: Those who need to sample canned cocktails, wines and beers can head over to the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third St., Des Moines for Booze-a-palooza from 5 to 8 p.m. Stroll into the beer garden to sample more than 20 beers. Head to the wine cellar for 10 to 12 different styles of wine. The Cantopia section features canned cocktails. And then VIP guests can enter the Champagne Courtyard with Champagnes and passed hors d'oeuvres. Tickets range from $50 to $70.
Eat brunch at Mitzi's
Sunday morning: If you need to fuel up while power shopping in Valley Junction, head to Mitzi's Kitchen & Cocktails, 206 Fifth St., West Des Moines. Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. features dishes with punny names such as the Breakfast at Mitzi’s, a breakfast burrito stuffed with hash browns, cheese, sausage and scrambled eggs, or the Some Kind of Wonderful, a breakfast poutine. Even the kids can get a pancake or scrambled eggs and sausage (dubbed the Kids Are Alright) for $6.95.
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: Things to do near me this weekend: Drake Relays, Rob Schneider and more