A- A+

Live Music This Week in DSM: Aug. 23 – 27, 2023

Live Music in DSM

August 23, 2023

Amelia Klatt

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Boomerang at Music in the Junction on Thursday, Aug. 24, World Food and Music Festival main stage and cultural stage acts Friday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 27 and Emmett Sheehan at Beaver Tap on Sunday, Aug. 27.

This list is curated week-to-week by local music fan Bryan Farland. Visit The List – Live Music in DSM Area's Facebook page for more information.

CHECK FOR HEAT CANCELLATIONS!

Wednesday, Aug. 23

  • CW Smith at Scottish Rite Park at 3:30 p.m.
  • Stu Ryan O’Brien Pub Band at the Historic Trangle at Waukee Farmers’ Market at 4 p.m.
  • Levi Smith at Paws & Pints at 7 p.m.; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required)
  • Jordan Messerole at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
  • Steve Grismore/Rod Leaverton Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m. 
  • Day’s Live Music at The Republic on Grand at 6 p.m.
  • Brittany Sword at Gilroy’s, WDM at 6 p.m.
  • Adam Whitehead at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men on the patio at Claxons in Altoona at 6 p.m.
  • Andrew Hoyt at Rhythm & Brews at 30Hop in Ankeny at 6:30 p.m.
  • Bruce Day at Firetrucker Brewery in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
  • Lincoln Grimes at Greenwood Lounge at 7 p.m.
  • Landon Conrath 15 at xBk Live at 8 p.m.
  • Adam Klett at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 24

  • “Freight Train” Frank in the skywalk at La Mie Restaurant at 11 a.m.
  • NOLA Jazz Trio on the patio at Latin King at 5:30 p.m.
  • David Watson at Confluence Brewing at 6 p.m.
  • Boomerang at Music in the Junction in Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Jesse & The Medicine Men at Big Al’s Bar-B-Q in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • John Burtch at 515 Brewing in Clive at 6 p.m.
  • Matt Snell with Casey Muessigmann at The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny at 6 p.m.; $25
  • Dustin Baird at Fleetwood at Saylorville at 6 p.m.
  • Bruce Day at Music in the Garden at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in the Historic East Village at 6:30 p.m.; $12, seniors & active military, $11, children $9
  • Casey Joe Collins at Board & Batten, LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
  • Sir Chloe with Lille Venn at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $15
  • Open Jam w/Groove Review at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
  • Kent Atha on the patio at Trailside Tap in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
  • The Righteous Babes: Gracie and Rachel, Holly Miranda, Jocelyn Mackenzie with Abbie Sawyer at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $20-25
  • Live Jazz Trio at In Confidence at Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
  • Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
  • Adam Bruce at Bix & Co. in West Des Moines at 8:30 p.m.
  • Tank Anthony at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 25

  • World Food & Music Festival at Western Gateway Park from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
    • Main Stage
      • Heath Alan & Todd Mason at 2:30 p.m.
      • BYOBrass at 5 p.m.
      • Son Peruchos at 6:30 p.m. 
      • Flor de Toloache at 8:30 p.m.
    • Cultural Stage
      • Freight Train Frank at 12:45 p.m.
      • Vera Babich at 1:45 p.m.
      • Soul Steppas at 5 p.m.
      • Shades of Blackness at 6 p.m.
  • Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Friday Work Release at xBk Live at 4:30 p.m.; $5
  • Joshua Sinclair at Middlebrook Agrihood Farm in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
  • Coldsaint with Entre Luche, Brudda, Klazik at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $10-15 VIP $25
  • Dustin Baird at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 5 p.m.
  • Dave Swenson and Steve O’Brien at The New Northwestern in the Historic East Village at 5 p.m.
  • Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
  • Randy Burk & The Prisoners at Food Truck Friday in Campbell Park in Clive at 5:30 p.m.
  • The Drama Kings at on the patio Confluence Brewery at 6 p.m.
  • Live Music at Adult Recess at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
  • The Sheet at 300 Craft & Rooftop at 6 p.m.
  • Tom Hofer & the Iowa Playboys at Chuck’s Restaurant at 6 p.m.
  • Anthony Orji duo at The Cave at 6 p.m.
  • Czech It Out at DSM Biergarten, Water Works Park in Gray’s Lake Area at 6 p.m.
  • The Midlanders at Cozy Café in Johnston at 6 p.m.
  • Luke Fox at Kinship Brewing, Waukee at 6 p.m.
  • Tony Bohnenkamp at McDivot’s Sports Pub in Grimes at 6 p.m.
  • The Mondeau Dukes at Reclaimed Rails Brewing in Bondurant at 6 p.m.
  • Casey Joe Collins at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m. 
  • Jordan Beem at Fleetwood at Saylorville at 6 p.m.
  • Jeff Stagg at Firepit Fridays at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
  • Andrew Hoyt at Smash Park in Pella at 6 p.m.
  • The Avett Brothers at Wells Fargo Arena at 7 p.m.; $49 to $99
  • Old 97’s w/ Angel White at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $25
  • Songbirds – theatre veterans at Pura Social Club in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.
  • Dirk Von Stein at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
  • Taylor King at The Hall in West Des Moines at 7 p.m. 
  • Dustin Farrow at Pally's Bar & Grille in Clive at 7 p.m.
  • Leight July at Ducktail Lounge in Clive at 7 p.m.
  • Angela Meyer at Uptown Garage Brewing in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
  • Opus Taylor at Penoach Winery in Adel at 7 p.m.; $5
  • David Watson at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 7 p.m.
  • Vimka Album Release with Eleven Moons at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $10-15
  • Monkey Two at Doc’s Lounge in Johnston at 8 p.m.
  • Ryan Baade at 1st Street Tavern in Grimes at 8 p.m.
  • Gladys Kravitz Lite at Whiskey House in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
  • Brian Herrin at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
  • James Biehn Band at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
  • The Bishops/Leradee & the Positives/The Getaways at Boggs' Hull Ave. Tavern at 9 p.m.
  • Jesse Wilson at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 9 p.m. 
  • Mary Runyan Band at Down Under in Clive at 9 p.m.
  • The Snacks at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 9 p.m.
  • Drivethirty5 at Good Times in Ankeny at 9 p.m.
  • The Feel Right at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 9 p.m.
  • Mind@Large EP Release Party featuring Annie Kemble at TeeHee’s Comedy Club at 10 p.m.
  • Lucas Beebe at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.
  • Latin Night with Son Peruchos at Noce in Western Gateway at 11 p.m.; $10

Saturday, Aug. 26

  • Kelsie James, Sydney Storm Entertainment, Al Sinatra Sings, Patricia Holly, Ortonville Circus, Ben Sanders Music, Simple Stories at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Historic Court District from 7 a.m. until Noon
  • Paws & Pints One Year Anniversary; See their online site for ticket and table options/prices. (If you bring a dog – medical documentation required)
    • Cardinal Sound at 10 a.m.
    • Bruce Day at 1 p.m.
    • Black Dirt Ramblers at 3:30 p.m.
    • Josh Sinclair at 6 p.m.
    • B2wins at 8 p.m.
  • World Food & Music Festival at Western Gateway Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Main Stage
      • Royce Johns at 2 p.m.
      • Guitarras ATM at 3:30 p.m.
      • Sharane Calister at 5 p.m.
      • Mind@Large at 6:30 p.m.
      • Chicago Afrobeat Project at 8:30 p.m.
    • Cultural Stage
      • Sansonthi Boonyothayan and Sue Hudson at 1 p.m.
      • ROOTS Capoeira at 2:45 p.m.
      • Emmett Phillips and DSM Breakerz at 6 p.m.
  • The Muddy Walter Band with Buckmiller/Schwager at Benefit Bike Ride Show for Alzheimer’s Disease at Mullet’s at Noon
  • BitterSweet Nation at Annie’s Irish Pub at Noon
  • Birdchild at Iowa Wine & Cider Festival at Jasper Winery at 1 p.m.; $40
  • Jordan Beem at Altoona Palooza at the Sam Wise Sports Complex at 2 p.m.
  • Scott Davis/Jamie Poulsen Duo on the patio at Latin King at 4 p.m.
  • Melted Rose at Revelton Distillery in Osceola at 4 p.m.
  • Ingersoll (Avenue) Live from 3 to 10 p.m.
    • West Stage
      • Ducharme - Jones Band at 5 p.m.
      • Heath Alan Band at 7:30 p.m.
    • East Stage
      • Parranderos Latin Combo at 6 p.m.
      • Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at 8:30 p.m.
  • Buried In Smoke with Godcrutch, Faultmine at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.; $10
  • Tony McGhee Project at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 5 p.m.
  • The Polkameisters at Pezce Tree Brewery DSM at 5 p.m.
  • Luke Fox on the patio at 1908 Draught House in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Brian Congdon at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
  • Black Diamond Loons at the Street Party at Cumming Tap in Cumming at 5:30 p.m.
  • The Unfortunate Sons at Captain Roy’s at 6 p.m.
  • Sugar Valley at Chuck’s Restaurant at 6 p.m.
  • The Sheet at Kinship Brewing in Waukee at 6 p.m.
  • Gimikk at Fleetwood at Saylorville at 6 p.m.
  • Robert Deitch Trio at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 6:30 p.m.; $5
  • Corey Jamison at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 6:30 p.m.
  • Leading Ladies Cabaret at Pura Cocktail Lounge in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.
  • Unforgiven at the Croatian Slavic Center at 7 p.m.; $5 Members, $7 Nonmembers
  • Dirk Von Stein & Cindy Grill at Uptown Garage Brewing in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
  • Paul Little at Feelin’ Groovy 70’s Concert & Costume Party at Board & Batten, LLC in Dallas Center at 7 p.m.
  • Final Mix at the Indianola Town Square in Indianola at 7 p.m.
  • RiviEras at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
  • Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Pella Peanut Pub at 7 p.m.
  • The Baberhood Bluegrass Band at Big Rack Brew Haus in Winterset at 7 p.m.
  • David G Smith at Tannin Wine Bar in Marshalltown at 7 p.m.
  • Jazz at The Continental in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.
  • Robbie Huffaker at 1st Street Tavern in Grimes at 8 p.m.
  • Ky Groon Solo at Whiskey House in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
  • Mancat at Ambro’s Roadhouse in De Soto at 8 p.m.
  • Jordan Beem at Nite Hawk Bar & Grill in Slater at 8 p.m.
  • David Watson at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
  • Danny Spain Gang with Ben Hallow at Lefty’s at 9 p.m. (Doors); Online $10, Door $15
  • Evanoff with Erf at Exile Brewing at 9 p.m.; $10
  • Dustin Farrow & The Relics at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
  • Kevin Burt Trio at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
  • Dirty Champagne at Senor Tequilas at 9 p.m.; $7
  • Round A Bout at Down Under in Clive at 9 p.m.
  • Cover That at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
  • Randy Burk at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 9 p.m.
  • BitterSweet at The Port at Lake Panorama in Panora at 9 p.m.
  • Taylor King and Nicholas Sinclair at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 27

  • World Food & Music Festival at Western Gateway Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Main Stage
      • Sonny Side Up at 12:30 p.m.
      • Suede at 1:30 p.m.
      • Eleanor Grace at 3:30 p.m.
    • Cultural Stage
      • Soten Taiko at 11:30 a.m.
      • Foy Irish Dance at 2:30 p.m.
      • MacKenzie Highlanders at 3:30 p.m.
  • Jake McVey at Paws & Pints at Noon; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required)
  • Lou/Goldblums/Lshapedpool/Stabbed to Death/Moon Summoner/Drag Performances at the Benefit For Iowa Transgender Mutual Aid Fund at Lefty’s from 1 – 9 p.m.; Bake sale, raffle - suggested donation of $5-20
  • Faculty Lounge at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray’s Lake Area at 1 p.m.
  • Dan Trilk at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 2 p.m.
  • Randy Burk & Dave Ducharme-Jones at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
  • David G Smith at Summerset Winery in Indianola at 2 p.m.
  • Bob Pace Band at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 2 p.m.
  • Looking For Luke at Covered Bridges Winery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
  • Brazilian Jam Session with “Choro Moingona” Robert Espe, Heather Leo, Nick Leo at The Cave at 3 p.m.
  • The Unfortunate Sons at 300 Craft & Rooftop at 4 p.m.
  • Damon Dotson at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
  • “Saxman” Jone and Owens at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
  • Brother Trucker at Jordan Creek Town Center Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
  • Stardusters at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m.; $13
  • Clint Riedel & Friends at Byron’s in Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $15
  • Keep Flying/Some Friends/More Cheese/On Hiatus/Longbottom Leaf at TeeHee’s Comedy Club at 5:30 p.m.; $10
  • Emmett Sheehan at Beaver Tap at 6 p.m.
  • Recoil at Summer Sundaze at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
  • Haywire at Haines Park in Altoona at 6 p.m.
  • Collaboration Station Open Mic at Boggs’ Hull Ave Tavern at 6:30 p.m.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.

Amelia Klatt

Amelia Klatt is the Director of Events for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Her background working with nonprofit organizations has led to skills as a relationship builder and events professional. Klatt received her MPA from Drake University in 2019.