West Des Moines and Metro Weekend Events: Comedian Dan Grueter, Bon Jovi Tickets on Sale Saturday, Plus Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert

There’s plenty going on in West Des Moines this weekend, but if you're traveling around the metro and central Iowa, you will find plenty to occupy your time there, too.

In West Des Moines

Comedian Dan Grueter: Originally from Ohio, Grueter  has spent years working clubs, colleges and corporate events. Reviewers say he is quick, and clean, and by the end of the show, you''ll feel like you've known him your whole life. He has appeared on The Late Late Show on CBS, Friday Night on NBC, The Bob & Tom Show and BET's Comicview.
Funny Bone Comedy Club
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets.

Upcoming in West Des Moines

Metal band Lamb of God: When singer Randy Blythe was denied bail on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a fan at a 2010 Czech Republic concert, the metal band cancelled more than two dozen concerts, but kept an engagement in Council Bluffs after Blythe was released from prison. Prosecutors in Prague are determining how to proceed and metal fans are rallying behind the band, so expect high-level energy at Tuesday’s show.
Val Air Ballroom
Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
Tickets.

Des Moines Metro Events

ISDTA High School and College Dance Championships: The Iowa State Dance Team Association  Dance Championships involving 270 High School dance teams and 25 college teams.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Friday, 8 a.m. -9 p.m.
Cost: $10 for 1 day pass ;$18 for 2 day pass. Tickets available at the door.

“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 through Jan. 6
Tickets

Evening with Kathy Griffin: Two-time Emmy winner, NY Times bestselling author, four-time Grammy nominee Kathy Griffin is a multi-faceted performer with rapid fire wit. She has been making audiences laugh for years discussing Hollywood gossip and celebrity blunders.
Stephens Auditorium, Ames
Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets

Jon Bon Jovi: The New Jersey rocker and his band will return to Des Moines on April 14 on the "Because We Can" Tour. Ticket prices start at $19.50.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
April 14; tickets will go on sale Nov. 30 through dahlstickets.com.

ISU Theatre Presents Alice In Wonderland: A girl falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of the White Rabbit, The Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and The Queen of Hearts. Alice finds it all so curious that she finally concludes “It would be so nice if something made sense for a change.” This is a new script that takes a fresh look at Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece.
Stephens Auditorium, Ames
Friday-Sunday, 7:30 pm.
Tickets

Nada Silent Night: The Nadas’ 10th annual benefit concert for Toys for Tots.
Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave.
Saturday, 8 p.m.
$22.50 through Ticketmaster.

Jim McDonough: McDonough, an Iowa-born pianist, his orchestra and singers perform “Holiday Grande 2012.”
Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave.
Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $31.50-$36.50.

Upcoming in the Des Moines Metro

Iowa Energy Basketball vs. Texas: The Energy's 2012-2013 schedule has been released! This 2011 Championship team is back for another season of great competition.
Wells Fargo Arena
Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Tickets

2012 Heartland Shootout: The event is loaded with great teams and talented players. Come out and see the To 100 nationally-ranked players like Wisconsin recruit Bronson Koenig (No. 73 in 2013); Reid Travis (No. 44 in 2014), Clayton Custer (No 100 n 2014) take on top Iowa players like West Des Moines Valley’s highly-touted Peter Jok (just signed with Iowa), Klint Carlson (Northern Iowa), Matt Lassen (Albany) and Ted Friedman (Northern Iowa).
Wells Fargo Arena
Dec. 8, scheduled game times: 1 p.m., Linn-Mar vs. North Scott; 2:45 p.m., Ankeny vs. De La Salle, MN; 4:30 p.m., Waverly Shell Rock vs. La Crosse Aquinas, WI; 6:15 p.m., West Des Moines Valley vs. Northwest, KS.
Tickets

Iowa Energy Basketball vs. Erie: The 2011 championship team is back in action.
Wells Fargo Arena
Dec. 9, 4 p.m.
Tickets.

The Nutcracker, presented by Iowa Dance Theatre: Join us for the Iowa Dance Theatre's celebration of its 30th Season as we once again present the story of a girl, her nutcracker, and the special dream they share. The Nutcracker is choreographed and directed by a team of professionals from seven area studios, with dancers from over 25 different studios.

A Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party will be on Saturday, December 8 at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines at 12:30 pm. Tickets are $15 per person with limited capacity. Tickets available only at the Civic Center Ticket Office.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Dec. 8, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m, Dec. 9, 2 p.m.
Cost: $15-$35

Max Wellman: “Home for the Holidays” concerts with late-night shows featuring Chris Ford and others.
The Des Moines Social Club’s Kirkwood Theatre,
7 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Dec. 7-16
Cost: $20-$125 through midwestix.com.

“War Horse”: As World War I 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 Greater Des Moines
Dec. 11-17
Tickets.

Tonic Sol-Fa: The Minneapolis a cappella group’s annual holiday show.
Hoyt Sherman Place
Dec. 14-15, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $27-$32 through Ticketmaster.

The Blenders: Holiday soul with the vocal group from Minneapolis.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $39 through Ticketmaster.

Jim Brickman: “On a Winter’s Night” Christmas concert by the new age Grammy winner.
Stephens Auditorium, Ames
Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $32-$62 through Ticketmaster.

Euforquestra: Originally from Iowa, now based out of Colorado, this jam band offers its third annual “Home for the Holidays” concert.
Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St.
Dec. 21, 7 p.m.
Cost: $10 in advance through ticketfly.com.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: New takes on Christmas favorites.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $35-$83 through Ticketmaster.

Carrie Underwood: In concert with a stop in Des Moines.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets on sale

Miranda Lambert: Locked and Re-Loaded tour stops in Ames with Dierks Bentley and Lee Brice.
Hilton Coliseum in Ames
Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.  
Tickets on sale

Taylor Swift: Country star Taylor Swift returns to Wells Fargo Arena on May 6. No word yet on ticket prices or an on-sale date.