West Des Moines, Des Moines Metro Events, When and Where: Beer and Wine Expo, Wild Rose Film Festival, Comic Book I-Con, ‘Evil Dead,’ ‘STOMP’, Chicago, Kathy Griffin, Kenny Rogers

There’s plenty to do in West Des Moines 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.

This Weekend in West Des Moines
“Something that Matters” Chili Cookoff: Proceeds from cookoff go to the Food Bank of Iowa. Cooks will compete in three categories – Homestyle, Unusual, Vegetarian – and free-will donations will be accepted. There’s also a raffle. Awards will be given in several categories. To enter, call (515) 371-5271.
Sully’s Irish Pub, 110 Grand Ave.
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Costs: $15 entry fee ($10 with three non-perishable food items donated to the Food bank; $1 for each sample of chili, or one free sample for every non-perishable food item donated, with a limit of three free samples per person. A bowl of chili costs $5.

Metro
Iowa’s Premier Beer, Wine & Food Expo: The event, a celebration of all things culinary, features celebrity chefs Ray Lampe, Mark DeCarlo, John Hall and others who will demonstrate their talents in the celebrity kitchen. There will also be a meet and greet, 30-minute demonstrations from local and regional chefs, and a large sampling area.
Hy-Vee Hall, 730 Third St. in Des Moines
Friday 3-10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: $20-$30.
Tickets: Go to www.wineandfoodexpoiowa.com.

Comic Book I-Con: Will feature discussions, competitions, a costume parade, trivia and more. This year, several comic book writers and art­ists will be present to discuss their careers, including Kyle Higgins (writer of Nightwing, Deathstroke and The Wheelman), Ron Wagner (artist of G.I. Joe, The Punisher, Batman: Legends of the Dark Night and more — his work pictured above), Alex Saviuk (artist for The Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman) and others.
All Play, 615 Third St., Des Moines
Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $8.
Tickets: www.iowacomicbookclub.com.

Wild Rose Independent Film Festival: The festival celebrates the diverse, biz­arre and beautiful art created by independent filmmakers outside the mainstream. The event includes industry workshops, international features, documentaries, shorts, plus animated and experimental films. Tom Bower, known for his works “Crazy Heart,” “Die Hard 2,” “The Hills Have Eyes” and “Pollock,” will be the keynote speaker and workshop presenter.

Fleur Cinema, 4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines
Today through Nov. 15; Go to www.wildrosefilmfest.com for a schedule.
Cost: $5-$65.

“Evil Dead: The Musical”: Based on the ‘80s cult classic films, this show unearths the old familiar story: boy and friends take a weekend getaway at abandoned cabin, boy expects to get lucky, boy unleashes ancient evil spirit, friends turn into demons, boy fights until dawn to survive.
Stoner Theater, Civic Center of Des Moines
Nov. 8-11
Cost: $27.50 to $32.50
Tickets

Iowa Artists 2012 Print: An exhibition of recent print-based work by artists living and working in Iowa. The exhibition will be on view in the Print Gallery and Blank One Gallery.

Des Moines Art Center
Now through Jan. 5, regular museum hours
Free

Upcoming
“STOMP”: The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with rhythm.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10, 2 p.m.; Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets.

Chicago: The group has record sales of 100 million, 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One Singles and 5 Gold singles. Their hits include: “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” “Saturday In The Park,”  and “Wishing You Were Here.”
Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University, Ames
Tickets: Call (515) 294-3347

Annual Tree Lighting Event: Come to the Amphitheater for a live performance by Flipside, followed by Santa's arrival, tree lighting and fireworks.
Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines
Nov. 16, 6 p.m.
Free.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: The smash hit Broadway musical is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film. Dazzling production numbers include "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Nov. 20 and 21, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 23, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 24, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 25, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets.

Kenny Rogers Hits and Christmas Show: Blending sets of timeless hits and Christmas favorites, the man known as "The Gambler" has sold over 120 million albums, Kenny Rogers offers a memorable, warm and fun Christmas event for the entire family.
The Civic Center, Des Moines
Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets.

“Triple Espresso - A Highly Caffeinated Comedy”: — Tells the rags-to-rags story of Hugh Butternut, Buzz Maxwell and Bobby Bean, an aspiring comedy trio whose bid for showbiz fame and fortune ended in four minutes of magnificent failure on national television.
Temple Theater, Des Moines
7:30 pm. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays Nov. 27 through Jan. 6
Tickets

An Evening With Kathy Griffin: Two-time Emmy winner, NY Times bestselling author, Grammy nominee, and 2009′s GLAAD Vanguard recipient Kathy Griffin has been making audiences laugh for years discussing Hollywood gossip and celebrity blunders.
Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State University, Ames
Tickets: Call (515) 294-3347

“War Horse”: As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France, where he's soon caught up in enemy fire. But Albert cannot forget Joey and he embarks on a treacherous mission to bring him home.
Civic Center of Des Moines
Dec. 11-17
Tickets.