See a rap show, burlesque or Disney jam this weekend in des Moines – Des Moines Register
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Not everyone loves the Iowa State Fair, the main entertainment in town through Aug. 20. Instead, you can find an array of things to do across the Des Moines metro, from a burlesque show with characters from the board game Clue, an album release party for Run Wilson, or a comedy hypnotist, to classes on making charcuterie boards or corn dog cake pops. You can even run a 10K or shop for goods for your dog.
Check out some of the things you can do in the area that don’t involve the State Fair.
Grab a cocktail at happy hour with a view
Thursday afternoon: Take in a view of the city from Republic on Grand on the sixth floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott in the East Village at 401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, for cocktails with a rooftop view. Happy hour every Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. brings $5 draft beers, $6 house wines, $7 craft cocktails and $10 dishes such as avocado fries, goat cheese terrine, hummus, and flatbreads.
More:12 great happy hours to try at bars and restaurants in the Des Moines area
Make a charcuterie board
Thursday evening: Learn how to style a charcuterie board from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines. Boards by Heidi offers the tips and tricks as well as the ingredients and even wine. Tickets are $80, and participants can go to Music in the Garden after.
Decorate a cake pop corn dog
Thursday night: Learn how to decorate a corn dog cake pop during this class at Molly’s Frozen, the new ice cream shop next to Molly’s Cupcakes, 322 E. Court Ave., Des Moines. The Blue Ribbon Corn Dog class uses red velvet cake and participants also receive two cupcakes while honing their decorating skills for $35 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Laugh with a hypnotist
Friday night: Get some laughs when DougT Hypnosis takes over the Funny Bone, 560 S. Prairie View Drive #100 in West Des Moines. Doug Thompson takes his show to the next level with his quick wit and spot-on impressions. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for this show that starts at $17. Also Saturday night.
Jam to Disney tunes
Friday night: Disney lovers, unite. Head to Wooly’s at 504 E. Locust St. in Des Moines with your prince charming and fairy godmother for this flashback of favorite Disney tracks such as “Circle Of Life,” “Under The Sea,” and “Zero to Hero” at Be Our Guest. Even former Mouseketeers Britney, Miley, Jonas Brothers, Demi, and more make an appearance. Costumes encouraged. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $18.
Listen to an album release
Friday night: Des Moines indie rock group Run Wilson debuts their new EP, “If You Love Me Leave The Garden,” at xBk Live, 1159 24th St., Des Moines, with a 9 p.m. show. Des Moines band Dirty Blonde opens. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Check out new vendors at the farmers market
Saturday morning: The Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market brings on 24 new vendors such as Climbing Kites, Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse, Callo Metal Art and Blue Moon Face Paint. Check out the newcomers as well as dozens of others with fresh produce, cheese, arts, plants, furniture, meats and more from 7 a.m. to noon in Historic Court Avenue in Des Moines. Free to attend.
See an all-ages rap show
Saturday evening: Head to the Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW 100th St., Clive, for rappers SleazyWorld Go and PGF Nuk during a 6 p.m. all-ages show. Tickets start at $60.
See Clue acted by burlesque performers
Saturday night: Burlesque performers take on the personas of the characters from the board game Clue while the audience tries to figure out who the killer is during “Clue: An Evening of Merriment, Burlesque…And Murder.” VIP ticket holders receive a special clue from a performer, and win a prize if they can correctly guess the killer, the location, and the murder weapon. Tickets to the show at the Tallgrass Theater, 2019 Grand Ave., Suite 100, West Des Moines, run from $30 for general admission to $50 for VIP for the 7:30 p.m. show.
Grab brunch and swing golf clubs
Sunday morning: Check out brunch at the Range Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, 11865 Hickman Road, Urbandale, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Order cinnamon twists, a Tex-Mex skillet with New York strip steak, crème brulee French toast, a steak burrito, carnitas breakfast tacos or Iowan flatbread with ham, peppered bacon, scrambled eggs and more. Drink bottomless mimosas for $20. You can play a golf simulator before or after.
More:21 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A
Run through trenches in a 10K
Sunday morning: Run through trenches, smoke, pyrotechnics, military vehicles, streams, and more during the Trench Run, a 10K through Camp Dodge, 7105 NW 70th Ave., Johnston. For $40, register for this run that honors the sacrifices of service members during World War I starting at 7:30 a.m.
Buy goods for your dog
Sunday afternoon: This one’s just for the dogs. Barket Market from 1 to 4 p.m. features a farmers market for pooches with goods from local businesses. Shoppers can pet therapy dogs and watch a pro dog trainer at work during this free event at Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines. You can also listen to The Crust, a classic rock band from West Des Moines from 1 to 3 p.m.
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
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