Weekend Events: WineStyles Tasting, plus Bon Jovi, Everything Bridal Show, Iowa Barnstormers, and 80/35 Tickets on Sale

JOHNSTON EVENTS

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum: The museum on the grounds of Camp Dodge in Johnston in open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday. For information, call (515) 252-4531.

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.

METRO EVENTS

 

Jon Bon Jovi: The New Jersey rocker and his band returns 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.

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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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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 “Carmina Burana” anchors the Des Moines Symphony program. The orchestra will be joined by local soloists and 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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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 Q&A, 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 Nov. 8. The tour features 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 went on sale March 30.

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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 Nov. 9. Tickets are on sale through 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.  

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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.