West Des Moines, Des Moines Metro Weekend Events: Backstage Ball, Every family Rocks, Oscar Party, Second City Laughs, plus B.B. King, Tosh.0 and Kenny Chesney Tickets on Sale

Tonight in West Des Moines

Des Moines Music Coalition’s Backstage Ball: This 1950’s themed sock-hop celebrates the birth of rock ‘n’  roll and the Val Air Ballroom's critical role in the Des Moines music scene. So dress sharp (the likes of skinny ties and poodle skirts, but you won’t be thrown out if your 2013 look is cool) and step into the DMMC time machine for food, drinks, dancing, and more.
Where: Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road
When: 7-11 p.m. Friday
Cost: $75 a person or reserve a table for four or more people for $75 per person. Buy tickets.
More info: www.desmoinesmc.com

This Weekend in the Metro

Every Family Rocks: Kids can meet the tooth fairy, get a balloon animal, dance along with various musical groups and meet a T. rex named Sue at the Science Center of Iowa. Admission will include access to the Science Center and its exhibits,, as well as hands-on mobile science demonstrat­ions and activities. Musicians performing include Dan Zane and Friends, Drum Safari interactive drumming program for children, and six groups from Central Iowa Music Lab.
Where: Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $12 in advance; $16 at the door; children under 2 are free
More info: www.everyfamilyrocks.org

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.

Bluegrass Festival: The Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa presents its first  Bluegrass Festival, featuring The Martins, the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America’s 2012 instrumental group of the year. Hear Copper Creek, County Line Bluegrass and Castle Ridge as well, with a special performance by the BMAI Bluegrass Band. Enjoy the music, or bring your banjo and jam along.
Where: Ramada Tropics Resort, 5000 Merle Hay Road Des Moines
When: 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $15 for Friday night, $20 for Saturday, $15 for Saturday night or $30 for a weekend pass. Tickets for kids ages 6-16 are half price.
More info: www.iowabluegrassmusic.com.

Art Center Oscars party: “Argo,” “Lincoln,” “Life of Pi,” “Les Miserable,” “Zero Dark Thirty.” Which will win Best Picture Sunday at the Academy Awards? The Art Center’s first Oscars Party gives movie buffs the chance to celebrate their favorite films and predict which will win on Sunday night. Attendees can tour the “Double Feature: Art and the Movies” and “Vibrations” exhibits. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be available.
Where: Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave.
When: 8-10 p.m. Friday
Cost: $10 ($5 for members); www.desmoinesartcenter.org.

“Good People”: The play about a determined middle-aged woman who can’t seem to escape Boston’s rundown South End, opens this weekend at the Civic Center’s Stoner Theater.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-23, 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 24
Cost: $25-$30, with half-price discounts on Wednesdays and $15 seats for seniors and students on Sundays.www.stagewestiowa.com.

The Second City: Laughing Matters: Founded in Chicago in 1959, The Second City has become the premier training ground for the comedy world's best and brightest. Their alumni list includes: Joan Rivers, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. No topic or subject matter is off limits for The Second City.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: Feb. 22-March 3
Cost: Buy tickets

Upcoming Events

Kidsfest: The Children & Families of Iowa’s annual Kidsfest is a kid-centered festival with activities, games and entertainment for kids, including inflatables and special guests like Dora the Explorer and Spider-Man.
Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds Varied Industries Building, Des Moines
When: March 1-3
Cost: $7 per person; children under 2 are free

“The Ugly Duckling”: Classic tales “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Tortoise and The Hare” are brought to life with the brilliant light of electroluminescent wire.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: 1 p.m. March 2
Cost: $12.25
Tickets: www.desmoinesperformingarts.org

“The Kid Who Ran for President”: The play chronicles the story of 12-year-old Judson Moon, who runs for president after deciding he could do a better job than the adults.
Where: Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St. Des Moines
When: March 1-17
Cost: $12 students, $15 adults
Tickets: www.dmplayhouse.com

“Meet Me in St. Louis”: The Des Moines Onstage Children’s Theater will perform a dramatic adaptation of the popular musical, as four sisters anticipate the opening of the World’s Fair in St. Louis, and meddle in the love life of their only brother.
Where: Des Moines Social Club, 1408 Locust St. Des Moines
When: March 1-10
Cost: $12 adults; $8 kids
Tickets: www.desmoinessocialclub.org

“Jekyll & Hyde the Musical”: “American Idol” star and Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis joins Grammy nominee Deborah Cox in new, lively version of the classic tale of good and evil that spent four yours on Broadway. This new pre-Broadway production includes all the classic songs -- “This is the Moment,” “A New Life,” “Someone Like You” -- that first won over audiences.
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
When: March 5-10
Cost: Buy tickets

Beer ‘n’ Bread: Sample more than 20 different Iowa micro-brewed beers along with fresh artisan breads and other goodies. Explore the art of home brewing with the experts from Beer Crazy and taste food and beer samples from 515 Brewing Company, Confluence Brewing, Exile Brewing, Great River Brewery, Twisted Vine, Back Pocket Brewing, The Beer Bread Company, Cabot Creamery, Doll Distributing, DMACC Culinary Arts, Iowa Brewers Union, La Mie, Madhouse, Millstream, Peace Tree Brewing, Raccoon River Brewing Company, South Union and Sweet Binney's.
Where: Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
When: March 9
Cost: Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at www.livinghistoryfarms.org/cabinfever.

Tracy Morgan -- Excuse My French: The former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star brings his comedy tour to Des Moines in March.
Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 7 p.m., March 15
Tickets: $45.50-$55.50; visit theater box office online

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: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
When: 7:30 p.m. April 27
Tickets: ($35) go on sale Friday through Ticketmaster or visit theater box office online

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

Kenny Chesney: The country superstar will play in concert April 27 at Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets are $22-$79.50 are on sale through www.dahlstickets.com.
Chesney’s tour is called “No Shoes Nation,” and includes the Eli Young Band and Kasey Musgraves.

Daniel Tosh: Tosh.0's Daniel Tosh will visit the Iowa State Center  in Ames June 4. Tickets to his The June Gloom Tour go on sale Friday. He will present two shows one at 7 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday June 4 at Stephen's Auditorium.

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.

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.