Watch Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen learn the Moulin Rouge cancan dance
The Moulin Rouge tour stops at the Des Moines Civic Center this summer. Ensemble member Stefanie Renee Salyers teaches Mayor Connie Boesen the cancan.
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Cast Iron Cooking Contest
Thursday morning: Three surprise ingredients and the thrill of cooking over an open flame are the challenges at the Cast Iron Cook-Off at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale. Chefs from four of the attraction’s farms compete from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., when judges evaluate the dishes they prepare based on presentation, taste and historical value. It’s included in the price of admission.
“Divine Animals”
Thursday afternoon: Minneapolis-based photographer RJ Kern brings his retrospective, “Divine Animals,” to the Olson-Larsen Galleries, 542 Fifth St., West Des Moines. The opening, from 4 to 7 p.m., is free and kicks off the Taste of the Junction festival (see below).
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“Barking Hour”
Thursday night: Go to a “Yappy Hour” and support a great cause when the Animal Rescue League of Iowa holds this free event at Bailey’s Bark Park, 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event includes mini-football tossing, a bar with beverages for humans and bark-utery cups for your canine friends. The event also features raffle prizes. Donations are welcome. Register for the event at arl-iowa.org.
Story Sprouts Story Time
Friday morning: If young children ages 2 to 5 are still at home, visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, for Story Sprouts Story Time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The interactive story focuses on plants and nature and then includes an activity based on the week’s theme. The event is included in the price of admission.
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“Moulin Rouge”
Friday night: The glitz, glamour and grandeur of Paris come to life in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” which features aristocrats and bohemians alike. Set in the Montmartre neighborhood during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the century, the musical tells the story of composer Christian, who falls in love with cabaret actress Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, start at $40. See the show through Sept. 1.
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Taylor Fest
Friday night: Which Taylor Swift era is your favorite? Maybe you just want to exchange friendship bracelets, wear butterflies or put on sequins. The music of TayTay for Swifties and by Swifties is coming to Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines, during Taylor Fest. For $20 per person, head to the 9 p.m. show and dress in your favorite era, but everyone is the main character.
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Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival
Saturday afternoon: The Taste of the Junction multicultural festival continues with a street festival from 2 to 10 p.m. featuring food, music, face painting, arts, crafts and drinks at the Railroad Park Music Pavilion at Fourth Street and Railroad Place in Valley Junction. See the DSM Metro Mix Dance Squad at 3 p.m., Guitarras ATM at 4 p.m., Get Down Band at 5:30 p.m. and Son Peruchos Salsa Band on the main stage at 8 p.m. For the full schedule of the Thursday-Saturday event, visit tasteofthejunction.org.
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“The music of Billy Joel”
Saturday night: If “Uptown Girl,” “River of Dreams,” “Movin’ Out,” “My Life,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and similar songs are among the songs you enjoy singing along to, then make a date with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s Water Works Pops show “The Music of Billy Joel.” Bring a picnic dinner to this free concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Lauridsen Amphitheater in Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh, who himself played the Piano Man in the hit Broadway show “Movin’ Out,” reprises the role of Joel.
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Yung sauce
Sunday night: American rapper and singer-songwriter Yung Gravy brings his “The Grits & Gravy” tour with Carter Vail to Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee. The all-ages show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets start at $51.
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‘Dance with me’
Sunday evening: The Des Moines Symphony will play a second show at 7:30 p.m. at Water Works Park, playing popular symphonic and pop pieces one after the other. For “Dance Away with Me,” singers Scarlett Strallen and Ben Davis join the symphony orchestra to sing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “All I Ask of You” and “Let it Go” from “Frozen,” and then the orchestra will serenade the audience with Offenbach’s “Can Can” and Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” Visit the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, for the free show.
Susan Stapleton is entertainment editor and restaurant reporter at the Des Moines Register. You can reach her on Facebook, Þjórsárdaluror Instagram, or message her at [email protected].
