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‘Stomp’
Thursday night: Things get noisy at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines when “Stomp” returns to town. The eight-member troupe turns everything from matchboxes, wooden poles, and brooms to garbage cans, Zippo lighters, and hubcaps into a percussion instrument. The group makes some noise at 7:30 p.m. with additional shows on Friday and Saturday at the same time and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
b. Robert Moore exhibit
Friday night: Stop by the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, for the opening “Iowa Artists 2024: b. Robert Moore: In Loving Memory” from 5 to 7 p.m. The free event showcases the art of Des Moines-based, Iowa-born artist b. Robert Moore and what the art center calls his “powerful, striking works of art that confront issues of social justice and Black identity.” The night includes complimentary desserts from Tangerine Food Co. and coffee from BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages.
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REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger
Friday night: “Take it on the run, baby.” The soft rock sounds of REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger fill the air during the Field Daze Music Series at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. REO Speedwagon out of Champaign, Illinois, is behind hits such as “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” “Keep on Loving You,” and, of course, “Take It on the Run.” Night Ranger, which started in San Francisco, performs songs including “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and “Rock in America.” Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. show start at $45.
More:These are some of the biggest concerts near Des Moines in 2024, from Jelly Roll to Post Malone
‘The Black Feminist Guide To The Human Body’
Friday night: Think of “The Black Feminist Guide To The Human Body” as a meditation of the Black women’s experience, often invisible and neglected. The show also celebrates Black feminist pioneers and ends with an audience dance party. See it at the Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, for $26.50. Also various dates and times through July 7.
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Cajun Fest Boil & Brew
Saturday morning: Dine on crawdads and don your favorite purple, green and gold outfit for the Cajun Fest Boil & Brew 2024 at Cowles Commons, 300 Locust St., Des Moines, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event includes music, entertainment and food for purchase from local vendors. Tickets start at $40 per person, free for children 10 and younger. VIP tickets are $100. The event includes a friendly competition to see who can handle the boldest Cajun flavors.
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World Refugee Day
Saturday afternoon: Celebrate World Refugee Day at Franklin Junior High, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines, from noon to 4 p.m. The Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa honors refugees at this free event that includes cultural performances with dance, music, poetry, storytelling, fashion shows, and more.
BBQ & Brews
Saturday afternoon: BBQ & Brews returns to Principal Park with a barbecue competition with contestants from across the state from 2 to 7 p.m. competing for more than $10,000 in prize money. Attendees can sample grilled pork loin sandwiches and 15 beers from Iowa’s craft breweries. Everyone can cast a vote for their favorite competitor in the Peoples’ Choice competition. Netflix “Barbecue Showdown” champion Thryon Mathews will offer grilling tips. Tickets are $30 at the door, or $20 without beer tickets. Kids 5 and younger get in free. For more information, head to IowaPork.org.
More:9 places to dine near Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs, plus one great co*cktail bar
Cage of Horrors
Saturday night: Wrestling Revolver presents Cage of Horrors at the Horizon Events Center, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive, at 7 p.m. The title matches include the Cage of Horrors Scaffold Match with Mance Warner vs. 1 Called Manders vs. Matthew Justice; the Revolver World Title Match with Alex Shelley vs. Speedball Mike Bailey; the Revolver World Tag Title Match with “Good Lucha Things” Lince Dorado & Samuray Del Sol vs. Bang & Matthews; the Revolver Remix Title Match with Gringo Loco vs. Blackheart Lio Rush vs. Myron Reed; and a tag team grudge match with “The Crew” Rich Swann and Matthew Palmer vs. Jake Crist and Ace Austin. General admission tickets start at $27.59.
6LACK
Saturday night: See 6LACK, pronounced “Black,” at the Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, when he brings his “No More Lonely Nights” tour. Locals probably best know 6LACK as Billy "B.Well" Weathers, the rapper originally from Atlanta who sold more than 200,000 units of his debut album “Free 6LACK” and more than 100 million streams. The event starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45.
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DSM Gamer Symphony Orchestra
Sunday afternoon: The DSM Gamer Symphony Orchestra celebrates its fifth anniversary with a free show at 4 p.m. The performance at Urbandale High School, 7111 N.W. Aurora Ave., Urbandale, elevates video game music. A 50-piece orchestra, led by returning conductor Phil Peters, joins the Des Moines Diversity Chorus under the direction of Brandon Record to perform songs such as “Zelda” and “Final Fantasy” as well as new hits such as “Monster Hunter” and “Genshin Impact.”
Pixies, Modest Mouse and Cat Power
Sunday night: “Where Is My Mind?” Alternative rock fans will want to catch the surfer rock of the Pixies — “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Gigantic,” and “Here Comes Your Man” — with Modest Mouse of “Float On” fame and special guest Cat Power at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee. Tickets for the concert at 6:30 p.m. start at $97.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her onFacebook,Twitter, orInstagram, or drop her a line atsstapleton@gannett.com.
