Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa.
‘Hamilton’
June 12-15: “I am not throwing away my shot,” proclaims Alexander Hamilton in this Broadway hit making its return to the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. This epic saga told through dramatic acting and song follows the rise of Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. “Hamilton” is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and is set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway tunes. See it on June 12 and 14 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., June 13 at 7:30 p.m., and June 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $45 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.
Venardos Circus ‘Far Beyond’
June 12-15: Catch the Venardos Circus as the performance with no animals takes over the Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Drive, Altoona. The show includes the singing ringmaster Julia Swann, the Reyes Brothers’ juggling perch pole, the mind-bending contortion of Nordic Beauty Sno Bunta, slapstick sensation Sam Ferlo, Duo Dadiva’s astonishing aerial acrobatics, the ridiculous Rob Lok, Priscilla and Jonathan’s Diabolical Daggers, and the Wicked Wheel of Wonder. Tickets start at $16.95 for the 7 p.m. show on June 12 and 13; 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. shows on June 14; and 2 and 5 p.m. shows on June 15.
‘Torch Song’ by Harvey Fierstein
June 12-15: Actor Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song,” a two-act revival of the “Torch Song Trilogy,” tells the story of Arnold Beckoff, a torch song-singing, Jewish drag queen living in New York City in the late 1970s into the 1980s. A visit from his overbearing mother reveals that he needs one more thing — respect. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows on June 12-14 and 2 p.m. shows on June 14-15 start at $45. See it at the Stoner Theater on the first floor of the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines.
‘Anything Goes’
June 12-14: Billy Crocker will do anything to be near Hope Harcourt, even stowing away on the S.S. American. Crocker enlists a nightclub singer and a gangster, and all wear elaborate costumes to break Hope’s engagement to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in “Anything Goes.” The Tallgrass Theater and West Des Moines Parks & Rec team up on this production that takes place at 7:30 p.m. June 12-14, with a suggested donation of $25. The Des Moines Community Orchestra performs, playing songs from Cole Porter. See it at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater at 4100 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines. Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnic items, or visit Harrington’s Dining Car on June 12, El Delicioso Street Tacos on June 13, or Momma Moody’s Grinders on June 14.
Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
June 12: Grammy and Tony Award-winning jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater puts her own spin on jazz classics. She most recently won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee.” Bill Charlap brings his jazz piano chops to the stage with Bridgewater for a 7:30 p.m. show at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Tickets start at $49.
Proud ‘N Pink Cabaret
June 13-14: Proud ‘N Pink with the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus brings a celebration of love and strength that combines power-pop anthems of Pink, the poems of Maya Angelou, and songs from artists such as Chappell Roan, Pentatonix, Janelle Monáe, Doechii, and Bad Bunny. Tickets for the show at the Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines, start at $37.50 for a 7:30 p.m. performance on June 13 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. sets on June 14.
Sips in the City
June 13: The Ruan Center, 666 Grand Ave., Des Moines, hosts Winefest’s Sips in the City starting at 6 p.m., or 5 p.m. for VIP ticket holders. The event includes samples of wines, bites from local restaurants, and a live deejay. Tickets start at $50.
‘The Domita Sanchez Show’
June 13: Cabaret shows are big this spring in Des Moines with Domita Sanchez bringing hers to Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, at 7 p.m. “The Domita Sanchez Show“ will feature some drag, as well as vocals performed with a 10-piece big band. Tickets start at $49.
Cajun Fest 2025
June 14: Cajun food comes to West Des Moines when Cajun Fest returns, this time at The Hall, 111 S. 11th St., West Des Moines. The celebration of food, music, and live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. includes all-you-can-eat food tickets for $45. A crawfish boil, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, dirty rice, and more are on the docket.
Art on The Avenues
June 14-21: Art on The Avenues brings local art and creative collaborations to Ingersoll Avenue. Each day brings something new to restaurants, in parks, on sidewalks, and in galleries. On June 14, the North of Grand Art Stroll from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 37th and 38th features a neighborhood block party with local artists and creative projects. All week, check out a Feast For Your Eyes as local chefs and mixologists team up. Artist Paul Matykowski is working with Oak Park, artist Toni Corbett is working with The Bartender’s Handshake, and artist Jennifer Gauerke is working with Harbinger to create art-inspired menu items. The Doodle Wall will feature doodles by five local artists moving to different locations all week. Get the full schedule online at theavenuesdsm.com/a-guide-to-art-on-the-avenues-2025/.
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
June 14-15: Des Moines Performing Arts brings the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus to Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, for a free show at 10:30 a.m. The hybrid of vaudeville, circus, and sideshow spectacle includes jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, plate spinning, sword swallowing, brain twisters, and other risk-taking feats set to live music. Additional shows take place at 10:30 a.m. on June 15 at Walker Johnston Park, 9000 Douglas Ave. in Urbandale, and at 6:30 p.m. on June 15 at Columbus Park, 1921 S.E. First St. in Des Moines.
Filipino Fiesta
June 14: Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, hosts the Filipino Fiesta from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This free festival from the Filipino American Society of Iowa brings a full day of music, food, dance, and cultural exploration. Multiple food vendors will serve lumpia, sisig, pancit, and halo-halo.
Des Moines People’s Pride
June 14: This celebration features all-local, all-queer vendors and performances, a free book exchange, complimentary event food and beverages, and all-ages activities from noon to 5 p.m. at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. Get the full schedule on Instagram at instagram.com/dsmpeoplespride.
Free Range Music and BBQ Festival
June 14: This new festival at Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, from 3 to 11 p.m. features barbecue from Smokey D’s BBQ, Cornbred Barbecue, Whatcha Smokin? BBQ, and Farm Boys BBQ, and music from bluegrass band Arkansauce, country and Americana act Cole Chaney, roots rock from Cousin Curtiss, outlaw country from Alex Williams, and classic rock and country from Jordan Beem. Tickets are $50 for music and barbecue and $30 for music only. Children age 10 and younger are free.
George Lopez
Editor’s note: George Lopez canceled his June 14 show on June 13. He rescheduled for Feb. 20, 2026, at 8 p.m. All tickets for the original performance will be honored. For more information: hoytsherman.org/event/george-lopez.
June 14: George Lopez has starred on television shows and films, and performed stand-up on late-night television and in front of an audience. Now he comes to Des Moines with a show at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, at 8 p.m. with tickets for $70.50 to $100.50. His latest comedy series for NBC, “Lopez vs Lopez,” features his real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez, in a fictionalized version of their real-life relationship.
(This article was updated to correct a fact.)
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Eat Cajun or Filipino food, and watch ‘Hamilton’ this weekend in Des Moines
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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