Live Music This Week in DSM: May 23 – 28, 2023

This week’s lineup of musical acts in Greater Des Moines (DSM) includes Chris Falcon at Greenwood Lounge on Tuesday, May 23, Live Jazz Trio at In Confidence at the Hotel Fort Des Moines on Thursday, May 25 and Cindy Grill & Frank Strong at La Mie Bakery on Saturday, May 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.

Tuesday, May 23

• “Freight Train” Frank at La Mie Restaurant in the skywalk at 11 a.m.
• B. John Burns “Budget Stalemate” Dinner Hour Livestream at 5 p.m.
• Desperate Electric, Allegra Hernandez, V Ellsbury at Lefty’s at 5 p.m.
• Loose Gravel at Bombshells & Pitbulls Calendar Release Party at Maggie’s Rumble Room at 5 p.m.
• Young Talent Night hosted by Taylor King at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 5 p.m.
• Hillbilly Air Show at Attivo Trail in Waukee at 5 p.m.
• Belin Quartet: Vaughn Williams: String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor at Salisbury House & Gardens at 5:30 p.m.
• SPAM at Cruise in Car Show at Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona at 5:30 p.m.
• The Rivieras at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park in Urbandale at 6:30 p.m.
• DSM Irish Sessions in Des Moines (Message for location) at 7 p.m.
• Blues Jam at Carl’s Place at 7:30 p.m.
• Chris Falcon at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, May 24

• Royce Johns at Out to Lunch on 401 Robert D. Ray Road (Food trucks)
• Buzz Blake at DSM Biergarten in Water Works Park in Gray's Lake Area at 5 p.m.
• Eden Forrest at Stuffed Olive in Historic Court District at 6 p.m.
• Nate Sparks/Aviana Gedler Duo at Louie’s Wine Dive at 6 p.m.
• Tony Bohnenkamp at The Republic on Grand in the Historic East Village at 6 p.m.
• Music Jam with Beggars’ Bargain at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop at 6 p.m.
• Joshua Sinclair at Gilroy’s in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Damon Dotson at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee at 6 p.m.
• Levi Smith at Paws & Pints at 6:30 p.m.; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required)
• Willie Watson (formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show) at xBk Live at 7 p.m.; $20-25
• Creatures of Content, Call of the Road, Resurrection Mary at Lefty’s at 7 p.m.
• Slidewok at Exile Brewing at 7 p.m.
• The DSM Big Band at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $15, Reserved $35, Student $7
• Trio Aceto at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• The Sheet at Bellhop in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.
• Jason Mayer at Shotgun Bettys in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 25

• “Freight Train” Frank at La Mie Restaurant in the skywalk at 11 a.m.
• For The Fallen Dreams with Switchblade Saturdays, Heir of Sorrow, Mutt IA at Lefty’s at 5 p.m. (Doors); $15 adv.
• Chad Elliott at La Poste in Perry at 5 p.m.
• NOLA Jazz Trio at Latin King at 5:30 p.m.
• The Schmidt Brothers at Jasper Winery in Gray's Lake Area at 6 p.m.
• Scott Wilcox at Confluence Brewery at 6 p.m.
• Dick Danger Band 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.
• Royce Johns at McDivot’s Indoor Sports Pub in Grimes at 6 p.m.
• Erek Wright at Fleetwood at Saylorville at 6 p.m.
• Luke Fox at Board & Batten, LLC in Dallas Center at 6:30 p.m.
• Saxophonist Wayne Page & Co. at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.
• Open Jam with Groove Review at Kenny’s Garage in Waukee at 7 p.m.
• Chris Falcon at Trailside Tap in Ankeny at 7 p.m.
• BYOBrass with The Sheet at xBk Live at 8 p.m.; $10-15
• The Snacks at Gas Lamp at 8 p.m.
• Live Jazz Trio at In Confidence in the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 8 p.m.
• Scott Eggleston at Greenwood Lounge at 8 p.m.
• Punk Rock Show: Elephant Rifle (NV), Facet (CA), Frontal Assault, Americature at The Dark Slide at 8:30 p.m. $7
• Tyler Harpenau at Shotgun Bettys in West Des Moines at 9 p.m.

Friday, May 26

• Final Mix Show Band at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 11 a.m.
• CelebrAsian in Western Gateway Park (Other music and dance all day)
  • Dang Felton at 3 p.m.
  • Joemari Felarca at 4 p.m.
  • Andrew Hoyt at 4:30 p.m.
  • OrchestraAsian at 5:20 p.m.
  • Iowa Parai Kuzhu (Idian Drumming) at 5:35 p.m.
  • D2G SocaFit with Iowa SoFls at 6 p.m. (Grand stage)
  • S.A.F.E. at 6:15 p.m.
  • Anneston at 8 p.m.
• Josh Sinclair at Middlebrook Agrihood (Farm) in Cumming at 4:30 p.m.
• Bob Pace & The Dangerous Band at Gas Lamp at 5 p.m.; $5
• Kracklin at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 5 p.m.
• Willie James Shay at Sonny’s Pizza Bistro at 5:30 p.m.
• The Snacks at Food Truck Friday at Campbell Park in Clive at 5:30 p.m.
• Joelton Mayfield Band at Confluence Brewery at 6 p.m.
• The Drive-Ins at Lua Brewing at 6 p.m.
• Charlson Trio at Chuck’s Restaurant at 6 p.m.
• Bruce Day at 300 Craft & Rooftop at 6 p.m.
• Bill Bergren/Tanner Taylor Duo at The Cave at 6 p.m.
• The May Jam at Hootenanny House at 97 Indiana Ave. at 6 p.m.
• Final Mix Show Band at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 6 p.m.
• Cody James with Nick Maurer at Cozy Cafe in Johnston at 6 p.m.
• SP3 Trio at Firetrucker Brewery in Ankeny at 6 p.m.
• Fast Henry at Fleetwood at Saylorville at 6 p.m.
• Jake Schrodt at Iowa Distilling Co. in Cumming at 6 p.m.
• Sean Sullivan at The Cellar Winery in Madrid at 6 p.m.
• Robbie Huffaker at Smash Park in Pella at 6 p.m.
• Jungle Rot with Forever Tormented, Gravis Somnia, Viscerous & Mutually Assured Destruction at Lefty’s at 6:30 p.m. (Doors); $20 adv.
• Buckmiller - Schwager Band at Captain Roy’s at 7 p.m.
• From Sunrise To Fireflies: A Journey Into Folk Americana with Lauren Vilmain at Noce in Western Gateway at 7 p.m.; $27 table, $45 VIP, $18 Bartop
• Dan Medeiros at Pura Social Club in the Historic East Village at 7 p.m.; $10, Free with dinner reservation
• The Sheet at Paws & Pints at 7 p.m.; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required)
• J.B. Williams at Kelly’s Little Nipper at 7 p.m.
• Tyler Richton at Shotgun Betty’s in West Des Moines at 7 p.m.
• Joshua’s (mostly) Acoustic Takeover at Fazio’s University Tap in Clive at 7 p.m.
• Exit 185 at Bike Night at Reclaimed Rails Brewing in Bondurant at 7 p.m.
• Radiotrain at The Thunderdome in Newton at 7 p.m.
• Suede at Doc’s in Johnston at 8 p.m.
• Funkytown, Inc. at Kenny's Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Brian Herrin at 1st St. Tavern in Grimes at 8 p.m.
• Gladys Kravitz Lite at Whiskey House in Ankeny at 8 p.m.
• Brian Congdon at The Proletariat in Perry at 8 p.m.
• Hillbilly Air Show at Old Timer Tavern in Marshalltown at 8 p.m.
• The Weary Ramblers at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• Mary Runyan Band at Down Under in Clive at 9 p.m.
• Cody Hicks at Misfits at 9 p.m.
• Verploegh, Davis, Quass, Tuttle, Dr. Koba, Plastic Sunsets, Nicholas Starke at Boggs’ Hull Ave Tavern at 9 p.m.
• The Boys at Miss Kitty’s in Clive at 9 p.m.
• Jordan Beem at Hawk Heaven Tavern in Altoona at 9 p.m.
• Salty View at The Port in Lake Panorama at 9 p.m.
• Gas Lamp at 9:30 p.m.
• Latin Night with Son Peruchos at Noce in Western Gateway at 10 p.m.; $10
• Taylor King and Nicholas Sinclair at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Saturday, May 27

• Downtown Farmers Market in Historic Court District from 7 a.m. until Noon
• B. John Burns at Uptown Ankeny Farmers’ Market in Ankeny at 8 a.m.
• Cindy Grill & Frank Strong at La Mie Bakery at 11 a.m.
• The Snacks at Annie’s Irish Pub at Noon
• Beggars’ Bargain at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop at 12:30 p.m.
• Nate Sparks/Avi Gedler Duo at Latin King at 3 p.m.
• Melted Rose at Revelton Distillery in Osceola at 4 p.m.
• Hudson Road at DSM Biergarten at Water Works Park in the Gray's Lake Area at 5 p.m.
• Brian Herrin on the patio at 1908 Draught House in West Des Moines at 5 p.m.
• Dan Trilk at 1908 Draught House in Norwalk at 5 p.m.
• One Can Stan and Eric Kennedy at Captain Roy's at 6 p.m.
• Sugar Valley at Chuck’s Restaurant at 6 p.m.
• Suede at Fleetwood at Saylorville at 6 p.m.
• Ceelo Green at Adventureland Park, Altoona at 6:30 p.m.; Park admission
• CelebrAsian in Western Gateway Park (Other music and dance all day)
  • D2G SocaFit with Iowa SoFIs at 7 p.m. (Grand stage)
  • Dynamic Duo, Andy & Helena at 8 p.m.
• RiviEras at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 7 p.m.; $10
• DJ Fisher at Fiddle & Whistle Irish Pub in Marshalltown at 7 p.m.
• Toni Williams at Pura Social Club in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.
• More Cheese, Tiananmen Squares, Attacked By Badgers, Bigby Woods at Boggs’ Hull Ave Tavern at 8 p.m.
• Live Jazz at The Continental in the Historic East Village at 8 p.m.
• A "7" At Best at Kenny's Garage in Waukee at 8 p.m.
• Erek Wright at Ambro’s Roadhouse in De Soto at 8 p.m.
• Sean Sullivan at Mickey’s in Waukee at 8:30 p.m.
• Wailin Storms, Glass Ox at Gas Lamp at 9 p.m.; $10
• Acousti-Beast and Ricc Terranova at Greenwood Lounge at 9 p.m.
• The Snacks at Yacht Club at 9 p.m.
• The Sons of Gladys Kravitz at Down Under in Clive at 9 p.m.
• Hillbilly Air Show at The Port at Lake Panorama at 9 p.m.
• Trio Aceto at Prairie Meadows in Altoona at 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 28

• Taylor King at Cozy Cafe in Johnston at 10 a.m.
• Dan Medeiros at Paws & Pints at Noon; Free (Unless you bring a dog – membership or day pass, medical documentation required)
• The Snacks at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at Noon
• Del “Saxman” Jones & Kieth Owens at Truman’s Pizza Tavern at 2 p.m.
• Rob Lumbard at Middlebrook Mercantile in Cumming at 2 p.m.
• Dick Danger Band at Summerset Winery in Indianola at 2 p.m.
• Ronley King Band, Brandon Miller Band, Curtis Salgado at Central Iowa Blues Society’s Springfest at The Cellar Winery (now near Madrid) at 2 p.m.
• The Soul Searchers at Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid at 2 p.m.
• Liv McNair at Winterset Cidery in Winterset at 2 p.m.
• Brazillian jam session with “Choro Moingona” — Robert Espe, Heather Leo, Nick Leo at The Cave at 3 p.m.
• Damon Dotson at Wellman’s West in West Des Moines at 4 p.m.
• The High Crest at Hotel Grinnell in Grinnell at 4 p.m.
• Two Guys named Dave with Steve O’Brien at Louie’s Wine Dive at 5 p.m.
• The Sinclair Duo at The Fleetwood at Saylorville at 5 p.m.
• The Kenastons at Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward at 5 p.m..; $11
• Mark Stuart at Byron’s, Pomeroy at 5 p.m.; $15
• June Star at Lefty’s at 6 p.m.
• The Drive-Ins at Bellhop in the Historic East Village at 6 p.m.
• Jim Kanehl at Beaver Tap at 6 p.m.
• Lincoln Highway at Music at Haines Park in Altoona at 6 p.m.
• J Jeffrey Messerole at Exile Brewing at 6:30 p.m.
• Sleeping With Sirens with Dayseeker & M.A.G.S. at Wooly’s in the Historic East Village at 7:30 p.m.; Check for tickets
• Open Jam at Boggs’ Hull Ave Tavern at 8 p.m.
• Some Friends at 300 Craft & Rooftop at 8 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.