Eat ice cream for breakfast, see country act Flatland Cavalry this weekend in Des Moines

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Do things a bit differently this weekend in Des Moines. Treat yourself and your loved ones to ice cream for breakfast on Saturday at Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream in Ankeny after a night of shows thanks to comedian Kathy Griffin at Hoyt Sherman Place and beloved Iowa act The Nadas at Wooly's. Keep up the fun by getting a cute photo of you and your pet Saturday, or invite family and the little ones in your life to The Snow Ball at the Science Center of Iowa.

Be present for an important discussion on mental health

Varsity Cinema in Des Moines pictured Nov. 11, 2023.
Varsity Cinema in Des Moines pictured Nov. 11, 2023.

Thursday night: Visit The Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St., Des Moines, for a screening of “Through the Lens: Black Visionaries on Mental Health” and stay for a dialog after. The 38-minute documentary released last year explores mental health and the Black community. The screening starts at 7 p.m. Seats can be reserved on The Varsity Cinema’s website.

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See one of Iowa’s favorite bands perform

The Nadas play alt-rock-country at Wooly's on Friday night.
The Nadas play alt-rock-country at Wooly's on Friday night.

Friday night: Missed The Nadas 30th anniversary and album release show at Hoyt Sherman Place last year? Catch the folk-Americana act at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

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Laugh through the pain with Kathy Griffin

Comedian Kathy Griffin brings the laughs to Hoyt Sherman Place.
Comedian Kathy Griffin brings the laughs to Hoyt Sherman Place.

Friday night: “Dear God in heaven, it’s been six long years since I have been on tour and performed for my fans," comedian Kathy Griffin wrote. "I cannot wait to hit the stage and see you in your hometown." The award-winning comedian brings her wit to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, on her tour “My Life on the PTSD-List.” In addition to her standup and reality series, “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” Griffin has co-hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve specials alongside Anderson Cooper. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50.

Take a sweet pic with your pet

A dog barks at the Animal Services Building in Des Moines.
A dog barks at the Animal Services Building in Des Moines.

Saturday morning: Get a photo of you and your beloved pet at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa Inc., located at 5452 N.E. 22nd St., Des Moines. The photoshoot will be Valentine’s Day themed. Reserve a photo session between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or try your chance as a walk-in. The photoshoot costs $15.

Do dessert for breakfast

Saturday morning:Sweet Swirls Rolled Ice Cream, 303 S.W. School St., Ankeny, is celebrating Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Head to the ice cream shop, which will be open at 8 a.m., for sweet special menu items including the peanut butter ice cream with bacon and topped with maple syrup.

Drink mimosas while plant shopping

Owner of The Trendy Gardener Hunter Frescoln throws mimosa happy hours on the weekend.
Owner of The Trendy Gardener Hunter Frescoln throws mimosa happy hours on the weekend.

Saturday afternoon: Stop by The Trendy Gardener, 1905 EP True Pkwy., Suite 204, West Des Moines, for a customer appreciation event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a free mimosa bar for those age 21 or older, baked goods from The Hearty Life, and raffles for plants. Bring in a plant up to 8 inches across for a free repotting and discounted for anything larger. Customers can score sales on all plants and discounts on owner Hunter Frescoln’s beloved line of Trendy Organics products.

Walk away with ‘A Good Memory’ with Flatland Cavalry

Flatland Cavalry makes a stop in Waukee this weekend.
Flatland Cavalry makes a stop in Waukee this weekend.

Saturday night: Country-Americana act Flatland Cavalry will perform at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy., Waukee. Some of the band’s popular songs include “Missing You” and “A Life Where We Work Out” featuring musician Kaitlin Butts. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.

Dress in your best for a family-friendly ball

Saturday night: Des Moines Parks and Recreation presents The Snow Ball at the Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Des Moines. Families are invited for an evening of dancing, refreshments, photo opportunities, art projects and science exhibits. And let’s not forget that there is going to be a chocolate fondue station. The dance starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

See a show about life

The Des Moines Playhouse production of "Our Town" features Julia Spera as Emily and Derek Steffen as George. The show runs from Feb. 2-18.
The Des Moines Playhouse production of "Our Town" features Julia Spera as Emily and Derek Steffen as George. The show runs from Feb. 2-18.

Saturday night: The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents “Our Town,” a play about the daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry and die in the small town of Grover’s Corners. The show at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include The Nadas, Kathy Griffin

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