16 things to do this weekend in Des Moines include farmers markets, 'MJ,' Megan Moroney
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Valley Junction Farmers Market
Thursday afternoon: Head to Historic Valley Junction at 137 Fifth St., West Des Moines, for the opening of the Valley Junction Farmers Market from 4 to 8 p.m. More than 80 vendors bring baked goods and fresh produce as well as prepared foods and arts and crafts. A beverage garden offers live music until 8:30 p.m. and beverages starting at 5 p.m. The farmers market returns weekly through September.
More: How to spend the perfect day in Valley Junction with restaurants, bars and shopping
Gregg Hurwitz and Nick Petrie
Thursday night: AViD, the Des Moines Public Library’s visiting author series, brings action writers Gregg Hurwitz and Nick Petrie to the Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines, from 7 to 9 p.m. Hurwitz is the writer behind the Orphan X series, which follows Evan Smoak, a government assassin. Petrie’s Peter Ash series features a mystery-solving war vet with PTSD. The event is free.
More: A visitors’ guide on things to do and places to eat in and around Des Moines
‘MJ’
Thursday night: As Michael Jackson says, “You wanna be startin' somethin'.” Explore the music, the dance moves and more during “MJ,” the Tony Award-winning musical about the making of the 1992 “Dangerous” world tour. See the cool choreography from “Smooth Criminal,” and hear a soundtrack that includes “Beat It,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” and “Billie Jean,” among others. Tickets for the show at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, start at $119. Shows run on Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
More: An actor from Iowa is in the Tony-winning Michael Jackson musical coming to Des Moines
The Improvised Shakespeare Company
Thursday night: See an interpretation of William Shakespeare like no other. The Improvised Shakespeare Company starts with an audience suggestion and carries on with a fully improvised Shakespearean show created on the fly. Characters are developed on stage and dialog is spoken for the first time. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show at the Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines, are $20 to $48. Also Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 5 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Pictoria Vark and Mint Green
Thursday night: Songwriter and bassist Pictoria Vark made a name for herself in Iowa City. She performs at the intimate music venue xBk Live, 1159 24th St., Des Moines, in the Drake neighborhood. Rolling Stone described her debut album “The Parts I Dread" as one of 2022’s “finest indie records.” Joining Vark is Boston act Mint Green, who blends emo, pop and alternative sounds. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $12 at xbklive.com.
More: 9 places to eat near Drake University including Indian, diner fare, burgers, ice cream
Tori Kelly
Thursday night: Singer Tori Kelly already has two Grammy Awards and platinum certification for singles such as “Hollow” and “Should’ve Been Us.” She brings her hits including “I Was Made For Loving You” and “Nobody Love” to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets start at $29.50.
More: These are some of the biggest concerts near Des Moines in 2024, from Jelly Roll to Chris Stapleton
First Friday at Mainframe Studios
Friday evening: Take a chance to explore all five floors of art and artists’ studios during the open house at Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, from 5 to 8 p.m. Projects from local nonprofits CitySounds and ArtForce Iowa will be on display during this free event.
‘Ivy & Bean: The Musical’
Friday night: Ivy is a quiet 7-year-old who loves to read books. Outgoing Bean wants to be known around the world. Together they find mischief and laughter in “Ivy & Bean: The Musical” at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show that runs through May 12 start at $14. Also Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m.
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Megan Moroney
Friday night: Country singer Megan Moroney returns to Iowa with her “Megan Moroney ― The Lucky 2.0” tour with special guest Logan Crosby. Moroney, who previously performed at the Iowa State Fair, landed on the map with her 2022 breakout single “Tennessee Orange.” Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee, start at $40.
More: The hottest new restaurants from Ciderhouse to Zavy in the Des Moines area, April 2024 edition
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Saturday morning: Load up on spring produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, plants and more when the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market returns to the Historic Court District in Des Moines. Wander from Water to Fifth streets along Court Avenue from 7 a.m. to noon through October to find eggs, meats, cheeses, mushrooms, and more at this free weekly event.
More: Spend the perfect day in Des Moines' East Village with restaurants, bars and shopping
Central Campus Plant Sale
Saturday morning: Pick up some plants at the Central Campus Plant Sale, 205 County Line Road, Des Moines. This free-to-attend sale takes place through May 18 on Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Des Moines Public School horticulture program fills a 10,000-square-foot greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more.
More: 31 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A
Dallas County Master Gardeners plant sale
Saturday morning: If Adel is closer, head to the Dallas County Master Gardeners plant sale at 28061 Fairground Road, Adel. The free-to-attend event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. features perennials, annuals, vegetables, house plants, succulents, horticulture books, pre-potted arranged plants, plant containers, denim garden aprons, and garden art. All proceeds will benefit the Dallas County Master Gardeners' demonstration garden.
Mayor’s Annual Ride
Saturday morning: Grab your bike and join Des Moines Mayor Pro-Tem Carl Voss on the Mayor’s Annual Ride, which starts at 1551 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds go to the City of Des Moines Parks & Recreation trail system. Participants could win $300 in gift certificates toward a new bike. Adult registration is $35 before May 4 and $50 on site. Kids ages 5 to 18 are $5 and those four and younger are free.
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Derby Days Celebration
Saturday afternoon: Celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby during the Derby Days Celebration at Prairie Meadows Casino, 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., find food and drinks specials, live entertainment, promotions, a derby hat and bow tie contest, and more. Post time for the derby is 5:57 p.m. Ankeny real estate developer Dennis Albaugh has a horse in the race at Churchill Downs through his Albaugh Family Stables, based in Des Moines. Watch Catching Freedom, who was the 8-1 third choice in the 1 1/4-mile first jewel in the Triple Crown, on Tuesday.
More: Here are a few Iowa casinos to visit, from Hard Rock Sioux City to Ameristar Casino Hotel
Cinco de Mayo
Saturday afternoon: Get a head start on Cinco de Mayo in Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines from noon to 10 p.m. The event includes Mexican foods, artwork, live music, dancing, and family activities.
More: Craving some good Mexican food? Here are the best Mexican restaurants in Des Moines.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival
Saturday afternoon: All things bacon take center stage when the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival returns for its 16th anniversary. This year, the ode to bacon takes place at the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and embraces the theme “Bacon Wars — May the Bacon be with You!” The event from noon to 6 p.m. includes bacon-themed vendors, live entertainment, and the cover band The Pork Tornadoes. Look for a space-themed cantina, craft beers from Iowa, more themed bars, a silent disco, ax throwing, and more space-themed attractions. Tickets start at $29 on the festival’s website.
More:May the bacon be with you when the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival returns in May
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do in Des Moines this weekend, May 2-5: Farmers market, ‘MJ’
