There’s plenty to do in Ankeny in the days ahead, and if you want to travel into to Des Moines and around the metro, there’s plenty to do there, too.
Here are some selected events, with a full list of Des Moines metro events available here.
ANKENY EVENTS
Ankeny High School Presents Monty Python’s “Spamalot”: Clear your schedules this weekend, Ankeny, and make room to catch the Ankeny High School Drama Department’s production of “Spamalot.” The play will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, located at 1155 S.W. Cherry St. A 2 p.m. matinee will be held on Sunday.
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Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser: Come to the lasagna dinner fundraiser Friday night to benefit New Horizons Adult Day Center. On the menu are meat or vegetable lasagna, salad, breadstick, drink, homebaked pie, and ice cream.
When: Friday, 4:30-7 p.m.
Where: Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 S.W. Walnut St.
Tickets: Adults-$8.00 advance, $9.00 at the door, Children under 10-$4.00 advance and $5.00 at the door. Children under 3 are free.
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The Amorous Ambassador”: Four years ago, Ankeny Community Theatre entertained audiences with the hit show The Sensuous Senator. Now, the troupe is preparing to delight audiences with the hilarious sequel, The Amorous Ambassador.
Harry is up to his old shenanigans again but this time as the Ambassador to Great Britain. Harry, wife Lois and daughter Debbie are each planning to have the county house to themselves for the weekend for a romantic rendezvous. Their butler, Perkins, is reluctantly drawn into the plans as each seeks his assurances of absolute discretion as they plot their love affairs. What follows is a case of mistaken identities, indiscretions and attempted infidelities.
When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Ankeny Community Theatre, 1923 S.W. Third St.
Tickets: Available at the door. $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students.
See more Ankeny events on Ankeny Patch’s events calendar
METRO EVENTS
The Everything Bridal Show: This event features a live fashion show at 1 p.m. Sunday with the latest styles in bridal gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses and formal wear. Vendors will showcase their photography, wedding cakes, banquet facilities, invitations, catering services, limousine rental, DJ services and more. Also, there will be many prizes and giveaways throughout the day. Brides and grooms can register to win $1,000 cash.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 14
Where: Hy-Vee Conference Center, 5820 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines
Admission: Free
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I-Cubs Home Opener: It doesn’t quite feel like baseball weather, but that doesn’t matter for true fans. Cheer on the Iowa Cubs as they face the Albuquerque Isotopes in their home opener.
When: 7:05 p.m. Friday
Where: Principal Park, One Line Drive in Des Moines
Tickets: $7 for general admission or $10 for reserved grandstand seats. www.iowacubs.com.
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GDP Music Festival: The Gross Domestic Product music festival, organized by the Des Moines Music Coalition, takes over Fourth Street in Des Moines Saturday night. House of Large Sizes will headline the festival, and bands such as Trouble Lights and H.D. Harmsen will also perform. The event features 19 Iowa bands playing hip-hop to indie.
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: See shows at the Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth St.; Fourth Street Theatre, 216 Fourth St.; The Des Moines Social Club, 400 Walnut St.; and The Lift, 222 Fourth St.
Tickets: Fifty all-access passes will be available to purchase in the lobby of the Kirkwood for $20 each beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. Individual show tickets can be purchased at the door of each venue.
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WineStyles Wine and Cheese Tastings: Will be held in two locations simultaneously at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. You can head to WineStyles West Glen (5515 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines) or to WineStyles Johnston (8460 Birchwood Court, Johnston) to learn how to pair up the right duos. You will be guided through six wines and six cheeses to learn the nuances of pairing.
When: Tuesday, April 16, 6 p.m.
Tickets: Cost is $40 per ticket at www.winefestdesmoines.com.
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Iowa Barnstormers vs. Philadelphia Soul: All Iowa Barnstormers home games will be played at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines, IA.
When: Saturday, April 13, 6:05 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Arena
Tickets: Available through Dahl’s Tickets
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Drake Choirs at Des Moines Symphony: Carl Orff’s epic “Carmina Burana” anchors the Des Moines Symphony program. The orchestra will be joined by local soloists and all four choruses from Drake University: the choir, chamber choir, chorale and joint university-community chorus.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
Tickets: $15-$55.www.dmsymphony.org.
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Menopause the Musical: Four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody, set to classic tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s, celebrates women and The Change.
When: Saturday, April 13, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Tickets: Online through the box office
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“Grug” stage musical at Temple: Ted Prior’s popular children’s book character, Grug, takes the stage in this musical for young theater lovers. Grug, who looks like a small, striped haystack with feet and a nose, approaches the world around him with fascination and a determination to solve everyday problems.
When: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Temple for Performing Arts, 1011 Locust St. in Des Moines
Tickets: $10; purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
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Cat in the Hat musical: Dr. Seuss’ best-loved stories collide in an unforgettable musical caper, “Seussical the Musical.” The show is intended for grades K-5.
When: 12:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University, 230 Beach Ave., Ames.
Cost: $5.
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An Evening with David Sedaris: One of America’s pre-eminent humor writers, his skill slicing through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observed writers addressing the human condition today. Sedaris is the author of the collections of personal essays Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames, all which have become bestsellers.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 17
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Tickets: On sale now through the box office
UPCOMING EVENTS
1st Annual Midwest Gala of Bellydance Featuring Rania: The Midwest has an amazing community of bellydancers. In one evening, you will be able to see many styles of Bellydance — Egyptian, Turkish, Folklorik, Lyrical, American Oriental, Wings of Isis and more. This show is also a fundraiser for the Furry Friends Animal Refuge, a no-kill shelter.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Tickets: On sale now through the box office
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Rock of Ages: The party musical features a mix of 28 rockin’ 80s tunes including “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “We Built This City”, “The Final Countdown”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “Here I Go Again”, “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, and “I Want To Know What Love Is.” In 1987, on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker in LA’s most famous rock club, and they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 26; 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 27
Where: Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St.
Tickets: Purchase tickets through DesMoinesPerformingArts.org
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David Byrne, Wu-Tang Clan Headline 80/35: David Byrne and St. Vincent’s summer tour dates include a July 5 stop at the 80/35 Music Festival. Byrne and St. Vincent released an album together last summer, “Love This Giant.” In live shows their sets have been a mix of Talking Heads and Byrne solo material, St. Vincent songs and selections from the new album. Rappers Wu-Tang Clan will headline on July 6. More than 40 acts will perform during the festival, including: Deerhunter, Yeasayer, House of Large Sizes, and Mr. Baber’s Neighbors.
When: July 5 and 6
Where: Western Gateway in downtown Des Moines
Tickets: On sale at the Des Moines Music Coalition website
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Upcoming Events at the Iowa State Center in Ames
Seussical Mon, Apr 15, 10:00 am–11:30 am and 12:30 pm–1:30 pm
California Guitar Trio + Montreal Guitar Trio Thu, Apr 18, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm
Romeo and Juliet Thu, Apr 25, 10:00 am–11:30 am
Ramona Quimby Mon, Apr 29, 10:00 am–11:30 am
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Jon Bon Jovi: The New Jersey rocker and his band will return to Des Moines on April 14 with the “Because We Can” Tour at the Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. Ticket prices start at $19.50; tickets on sale through dahlstickets.com.
Kenny Chesney: The country superstar will play in concert April 27 at Wells Fargo Arena. Chesney’s tour is called “No Shoes Nation,” and includes the Eli Young Band and Kasey Musgraves. Tickets are $22-$79.50 are on sale through www.dahlstickets.com.
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Impractical Jokers: The hidden camera-practical joke reality series on TruTV follows the four members of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins as they goad one another into doing public pranks while being filmed by hidden cameras. The interactive comedy show will feature videos, an audience QA, stand-up comedy and more.
Where: 7:30 p.m. April 27
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
Tickets: ($35) go on sale Friday through Ticketmaster or visit theater box office online
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Willie Nelson and Family: The creative genius behind historic recordings like “Crazy,” “Hello Walls,” “Red Headed Stranger” and “Stardust” is coming to Iowa. His career has spanned six decades. His catalog boasts more than 200 albums. His most recent album release, Heroes, spent five weeks at #1 on the Americana Radio Chart and debuted as #18 on the Billboard 200 best-selling albums chart.
When: 7:30 p.m. May 14
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
Tickets: On sale now through the box office
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B.B. King Tickets: Blues guitarist B.B. King and his guitar, named Lucille, will be in town later this spring, but tickets are on sale now. The 87-year-old legend comes to Prairie Meadows on May 24. Tickets are $44-$84 and go on sale now through Ticketmaster.
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P!nk – “The Truth About Love” Tour: P!nk will make her tour stop at Wells Fargo Arena on November 8, 2013. The tour’s electric crowds have enthusiastically embraced her unique brand of high-energy theatrics and emotion-fueled performances that have secured her place in history as one of the most spectacular performers of her generation. Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m.
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Keith Urban in Concert: One of the industry’s most electrifying live performers, four-time Grammy Award winner and American Idol judge Keith Urban will launch his “Light The Fuse Tour 2013” with Little Big Town and special guest Dustin Lynch. The tour will include a show in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena on November 9. Tickets go on sale at 10:00am on Friday, April 5 at www.dahlstickets.com.
When: Nov. 9
Where: Wells Fargo Arena
Tickets: Get tickets at the Wells Fargo Arena ticket office, all Dahl’s Foods locations, or by calling 866-55-DAHLS.
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Daniel Tosh: Tosh.0’s Daniel Tosh will visit the Iowa State Center in Ames June 4. He will present two shows one at 7 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday June 4 at Stephens Auditorium.
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Jackson Browne: The singer/songwriter will perform in Des Moines June 25 at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Browne is best known for hits like “These Days,” “Running On Empty,” “Rosie” and, “The Pretender.” Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek will open for him.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: June 25
Tickets: $41-$66 on sale Friday through Ticketmaster.
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Justin Bieber: Pop star Justin Bieber will make an appearance at Wells Fargo Arena on July 7. Tickets are on sale now. Tickets range from $40 to $95.
Taylor Swift: Country star Taylor Swift returns to Wells Fargo Arena on Aug. 1. No word yet on ticket prices or an on-sale date. The event is listed on Swift’s website but is not listed on Ticketmaster or its partner website. In nearby Kansas City, MO tickets range from $30 to $85.