September

Farmers' Markets

You can find fresh produce, home-baked goods, crafts, great music, and more nearly any day of the week at Farmers’ Markets in the metro area. Check out this listing for some of the best central Iowa has to offer!

Wednesdays
Drake Neighborhood from 4:00–7:00 p.m. More info is available at drakefarmersmarket.com.

Urbandale from 4:00–7:00 p.m. Held at Living History Farms. Check out lhf.org for specifics.

Thursdays
Valley Junction from 4:00–8:00 p.m. Includes Music in the Junction concert series. Visit valleyjunction.com for the list of weekly bands.

Saturdays

Downtown from 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Always includes street musicians, artists, and other craftsmen as well as fresh produce and baked goods. Check out desmoinesfarmersmarket.com.

Uptown Ankeny from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Full details available at uptownankeny.org.

Now–September 5

Summerset Winery hosts a series of concerts this summer with live music, wine, and food—the perfect combination for a summer evening. Visit summersetwine.com for a schedule of events. Admission is $3 per person or $10 per car.

Now–September 6
Learn the history of race and the role science plays in that experience at the Science Center of Iowa’s RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit. A full calendar of events and discussions continues throughout the exhibit.

See sciowa.org/race for details.

Now–September 19
Selected from a large pool of entries, Iowa Artists 2010 features the work of 15 artists in various media. Exhibitors include professionals, teachers, and students from around the state.

See desmoinesartcenter.org for Art Center hours and a list of exhibitors. Admission is free.


September 8
Mercy Children’s Center Kids’ Corner is for children ages 2-5 and their parents. This fun event, which is from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the play area next to Dillards at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, provides educational information for parents and a fun activity and snack for children. There will be information about siblings and caring for babies. No reservations needed.

September 8
The Terrace Hill Foundation presents Erin Fest, a reception for two of Ireland’s popular poets on tour in America, the evening of September 8 in the mansion at Terrace Hill.Seamus Cashman and Joan McBreen will perform readings of their works, starting at 7:00 p.m. They will also be joined by two Irish soft-shoe dancers from the Foy Irish Dance School, under the direction of Kelly Schulte, and a harpist – all in celebration of Irish heritage and its contribution to American culture. Reservations are $15 per person by calling 515-280-3450.

Details: TerraceHill.org

September 10-October 3
Every weekend through October 3 the Des Moines Playhouse presents The Drowsy Chaperone, a jazz-age musical comedy. Times and admission prices vary.

See DMPlayhouse.org for details.

September 10
The Salisbury House & Gardens’ annual Roaring ’20s bash, Gatsby Gala 2010, features delicious food, live music, and a setting worthy of the Jazz Age.

Details: SalisburyHouse.org.

September 11
Sbrocco Wine Bar & Wine Shop opens the doors for a Wine Tasting during the Downtown Farmer’s Market from 9:00–11:00 a.m. Admission is free.

Get complete details at SbroccoWine.com.

September 11-12
This year’s annual Riverbend Neighborhood Home Tour runs September 11–12. Homes included in the tour are within easy walking distance of one another and tickets are good for both days, so you can take a leisurely tour of this beautiful historic neighborhood. The Des Moines Rehabbers Club will be hosting demonstrations and workshops, and vendors will be located along Sixth Avenue along the tour. Homes are open 10:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Buy tickets at RiverBendNeighborhood.org  or at any area Dahl’s Food Store or at the Asian Foods Market (1623 Sixth Avenue) the days of the tour.

September 12
Tassel Ridge Winery hosts a free Ric Wilson Art Exhibition from noon to 4:00 p.m. Iowa native Wilson creates brightly colored abstract paintings, writes poetry and songs, and performs as a singer/ songwriter in a variety of venues. Admission is free.

TasselRidge.com

September 12
The 2nd Annual Concours D’Elegance at the Salisbury House includes classic automobiles from various periods as well as several Frank Lloyd Wright cars in the Art and Design theme. All ages are welcome
for this judged show.

Visit SalisburyHouse.org for times and admission prices.

September 12
Valley Junction’s Antiques Jamboree runs today from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. More than 100 antiques dealers from across the Midwest display their wares throughout the historic neighborhood. Admission is free.

More information is available at ValleyJunction.com.

September 12
Sundays through October, the East Village comes alive with the Sunday Bazaar, featuring live music, beer and brew samples, food vendors, and eclectic shopping. Noon–4:00 p.m., rain or shine.

EastVillageDesMoines.com.

September 13
Hear Marilyn Towndrow, a native of Carroll County, Iowa, who has lived in Cornwall, England, for the last 15 years; share her love of gardening and her life in England. Marilyn, also an artist, is serving as a garden intern at Terrace Hill. Enjoy a narrated walk through our historic gardens, tour the mansion, and hear Marilyn speak. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are $1o per person. Call 515-242-6317 or email THSociety@aol.com to reserve your seat today. The event will be held Monday, September 13, with two times available: 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Details: TerraceHill.org

September 13-October 2
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity takes on its largest project ever, Habitat 20/10, a campaign to build 20 homes in 10 days. An entire community will rise from the site of an abandoned softball field in Des Moines with the help of more than 3,000 volunteers contributing their time and skills in everything from construction to first aid, food service to cleanup. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed daily from 8:30 a.m. –4:00 p.m. Participation is unpaid, but endlessly rewarding.

Sign up at GDMHabitat.org and click on the “Volunteer Now” button. 

September 16
Break the Silence, the 5th annual Ovarian Cancer Conference, will take place September 16 at Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines in the East Tower Auditorium. This one-day seminar is designed to explore current treatments and issues involving ovarian cancer. The intended audience is all health care professionals and individuals interested in the care and treatment of women with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer survivors are encouraged to attend.

For more information, call 515-643-8206 or go to mercydesmoines.org/cancercenter.

September 16
Destination 10th Street, a fundraiser for the Western Gateway Association, is an outdoor lunch with live music. One Night Stand will perform on 10th Street between Walnut and Mulberry during the event, which runs from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Local restaurants will be serving entrées for $5 each and desserts for $1.

Details: DowntownDesMoines.com.

September 16-20
The annual Planned Parenthood Book Sale runs Thursday–Monday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds 4-H Building. Admission is $10 Thursday, but free after that. The mission is to raise funds for the support and expansion of the education and community outreach programs of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

Details: PPGI.org.

September 17-19
Check out the boats, motor homes, and campers at the Greater Iowa RV & Boat Show, including new 2011 models and 2010 closeouts. The show runs Friday–Saturday 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at the Iowa State Fair Varied Industries Building. Admission prices vary.

Details: GreatIowaRVAndBoatShow.com.

September 17-19
It’s time for the Beaverdale Fall Festival. Carnival rides, fun food, live music, and lots of other activities all weekend in the Beaverdale district. Don’t miss the parade on Saturday that begins at 10:00 a.m.

Get all the news at FallFestival.org.

September 17-26
Be sure and grab tickets for Bill W. and Dr. Bob, a special production at Iowa State West. In 1929, two alcoholics, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, meet through an astonishing series of events and form a relationship, each helping to keep the other sober. This is the amazing and often humorous story of the two men who pioneered Alcoholics Anonymous. 

Tickets range from $18-$24 through StageWestIowa.com.

September 18
Esperanza Spalding, the 23-year-old jazz and instrumental prodigy-turned-pro, brings her talents to Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium for a 7:30 p.m. show. Don’t miss this hypnotic musician.

Tickets $15–45 through CivicMusic.org.

September 18
The East Village plays host to Vino in the Village from noon to 3:00 p.m. Your $10 admission includes a wineglass and sampling from visiting wineries. Must be 21 or older with a valid I.D.

Get complete details at WineFestDesMoines.com.

September 18
Tassel Ridge Winery offers a Winemaker’s Dinner with wine tasting starting at 7:00 p.m. Four-course dinner with wines for each course includes Steak au Poivre Vert and a mini wine appreciation course. $50/person.

Reserve your seat at TasselRidge.com.

September 18
Scheduled for Saturday, September 18, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Mercy Medical Center–Des Moines, the Mercy Stork Affair event highlights include an exhibitor hall, tours of the Mercy Women & Infants’ Center, educational expo, car seat safety check and prizes and giveaways valued at more than $3,000. This premier baby event is a must for anyone considering pregnancy or who is currently expecting. It’s also a great event for first-time moms and grandmas to attend together to get prepared for a brand new baby! Pre-registration is not required for this free event.

For more info on this event, visit mercydesmoines.org.

September 18-19
The Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines’ annual Tour of Remodeled Homes is the ideal opportunity to check out some of the finest remodeling professionals in the area by touring some of their finest work. This year’s tour, which runs from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. each day, features 18 beautifully remodeled homes across the metro area. Tickets can be purchased at each participating home and are good for all houses on the tour. Come see what your home dreams of becoming!

Call the HBA or visit DesMoinesHomeBuilders.com for more ticket information and home locations.

September 19
Bankers Trust presents Every Family Rocks! The Des Moines Family Music Festival, from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Benefiting Employee and Family Resources, the festival is a family-oriented event featuring a wide range of local, regional, and national music acts.

Ticket prices vary and are available from EveryFamilyRocks.org.

September 19
Historic Valley Junction’s Fall Art Market features over 80 Iowa and regional artists and crafts people. This juried art show runs 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and includes all kinds of artwork and crafts. Admission is free.

Details: ValleyJunction.com.

September 19
Opportunity is knocking! Central Library is partnering with ISED to provide assistance in job searching for adults during the Central Library Job Assistance Program. The program consists of assistance in using the computer for searching and applying for jobs. Preregister online or by calling 515-283-4152 ext. 3. Event is free and takes place at the Central Library computer lab from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Details: DMPL.org.

September 20
The Terrace Hill Bridge Tournament is scheduled for September 20. Guests are invited to compete for the Terrace Hill Tournament trophy while enjoying an afternoon of intelligent “party style” play. Dessert will be served at the conclusion of this first-of-its-kind fundraiser of the Terrace Hill Foundation. There will also be an opportunity to meet Bridge author, lecturer and director Joan Anderson.  The event is limited to 12 tables of players at $52 a person.  Call 515-280-3450 to reserve a chance to play up to 20 hands in the beautiful rooms of the mansion.

Details: TerraceHill.org

September 24-25
The Historic East Village, Historic Valley Junction, Roosevelt Cultural District, Heritage Art Gallery, Gateway West, and Ingersoll Avenue join forces for artstop, a free two-day visual and performing arts event. Keep this Friday and Saturday open for special exhibits, art openings, performances, artists’ studios tours, lectures, and a myriad of special events.

Details: ArtStopInfo.com.

September 24-26
The largest in the state of Iowa with over 300 exhibitors, the annual Craft Show takes place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Friday–Sunday. Products include leather goods, oak furniture, paintings, glassware, purses, and many more original items. All items are handmade by the exhibitors and most exhibitors accept special order requests.

Visit IowaStateFair.com for admission prices and times.

September 24-26

Enjoy a short country outing to The Garden Barn for their annual Autumn Open House! Shop from a barn filled with fall decor, wreaths, home fragrances, antiques and gifts. Decorate your porch or deck with pumpkins from their patch, gourds, hardy fall mums and much more. The Garden Barn's garden and gazebo is also open and refreshments will be served. 4 miles south of Des Moines on Hwy 65/69 then 1 mile west on Hwy G 24. The Open House will be Friday & Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

More information at TheGardenBarn.com.

September 25
Iowa Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Mercy Medical Center–Des Moines, and Iowa Health–Des Moines have partnered to present the 2010 Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) Conference & Health Fair, an event at the Polk County Convention Complex, designed for people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes—as well as those who are at risk for developing the disease—and their loved ones. Attendees will  attend lectures, participate in screenings, and speak one-on-one with diabetes specialists. The registration fee is $25 per person and includes a carb-counted lunch. The fair is from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

For more info or to register, call 800-99-TCOYD (998-2693) or visit TCOYD.org.

September 25
The Des Moines Symphony’s fundraising event this year is Bus to Beethoven: A Mystery Tour of Downtown Des Moines, including celebrity guides, mystery locations, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and great entertainment, concluding with the Symphony’s Season Debut concert. Hop on board and get the backstage tour of some of downtown’s coolest spots!

Tickets and details available at DMSymphony.org.

September 25
Don’t miss the last Saturday of Free Yoga in the Park at Gray’s Lake. A certified instructor will lead the class, appropriate for all skill levels. Wear comfortable clothing, and bring your own mat if possible. Experience a unique atmosphere to relax and invigorate. Participants will have to sign a waiver.

More information at DMGov.org.

September 25
Drake Dogtown Festival is scheduled from 2:00–11:00 p.m. on University Avenue between 22nd and 25th Streets. Activities include children’s games, family portraits, food vendors, bicycle tours, and live music. Admission is free.

Contact the Drake Area Business Association for more information by calling (515) 339-9768.

September 25
Check out handmade goods, vintage and found items, indie art and lots more at Market Day at Aherns-Pershing Warehouse, 300 SW 5th Street in the Court District. Held the last Saturday of every month, Market Day features everything from cupcakes to handmade greeting cards to 80's inspired workout items and more. You'll find unusual and one-of-a-kind items from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and there's no charge to attend.

Details: MarketDayIowa.com.

September 25-26
Des Moines Symphony’s 2010-11 Masterworks Season debuts with Beethoven’s The Emperor, featuring Brazilian pianist and Des Moines favorite Arnaldo Cohen. The timeless beauty of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony is the evening's exciting finale. Admission and performance times vary.

See DMSymphony.org for tickets.

September 26
Two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia's most respected musicians. The legendary guitarist has a professional career that spans almost five decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians throughout the world. He will be playing at Hoyt Sherman Place  at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $28.50 in advance and $30 day of show.

Details: HoytSherman.org.

September 28
Iowa Public Radio’s Insight Series: Scott Simon comes to the Civic Center to share stories, insights, and ideas. Scott Simon is an author and host of Weekend Edition Saturday. Come experience the wit and wisdom of a public radio icon.

Details: CivicCenter.org.

October

October 6
Popular singer Michael Bolton arrives at Prairie Meadows to perform live in Iowa for the first time in years. Fresh from his latest release, “Live at the Royal Albert Hall,” will treat his fans to music from a career spanning decades and covering everything from pop to standards.

Get complete details at www.ticketmaster.com.

October 6-9
The American Quilter's Society 2010 Quilt Show & Contest at the Iowa Events Center demonstrates quiltmaking at its very best! Visit with vendors, view a wide variety of quilts of all themes and genres, and participate in specialty classes and show seminars.

See www.americanquilter.com for admission prices and times.

October 8-10
Celebrate Iowa's culinary traditions at the US Cellular World Food Festival in the East Village. Des Moines' premiere taste and entertainment event will feature cuisine and entertainment from around the world from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.worldfoodfestival.org.

October 8-24
Stage West presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the comical, Tony-award winning musical about an unlikely cast of characters for whom the spelling bee is both a chance to stand out and an opportunity to fit in for once. Times and ticket prices vary.

Get details at www.stagewestiowa.com.

October 9-10
ArtFest West!, a partner with ArtFest Midwest, features affordable fine art and a pedestrian-friendly outdoor setting at the Village of Ponderosa in West Des Moines. Free admission and free parking throughout the show.

See www.stookeyshows.com for more information.


October 10
Legendary singer Willie Nelson arrives at 7 Flags Event Center for a 7:30 p.m. show. With a career that spans five decades, Nelson has written and recorded hits for himself and others. Don’t miss this chance to see him live.

Tickets run $38-48 from www.7flags.com.

October 12-17
Based on the hit movie and featuring Dolly Parton’s Tony-nominated score, 9 to 5 The Musical tells the story of three unlikely friends learning to cope in business, even if it’s a man’s world. Show times and ticket prices vary.

Get more information at www.civiccenter.org.

October 13-15
The World Food Prize Keynote Speaker this year is former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, participating in the Borlaug Dialogue entitled, “Take it to the Farmers: Reaching the World’s Smallholders.” Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Annan is chairman of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa.

Visit www.worldfoodprize.org for details.

October 16-17
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers’ annual benefit, Reggie’s Sleepout, raises awareness about youth homelessness in the Des Moines area. All ages welcome – education, entertainment and more will be provided. Sleepout begins at 3 p.m.

Check out www.reggiessleepout.org to get more information.

October 17
Join in or cheer them on at the IMT Des Moines Marathon, starting downtown at Nollen Plaza at 8 a.m. Runners from around the world race through Des Moines neighborhoods and parks. Events include the full marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay and a 5-K.

Register at www.desmoinesmarathon.com.

October 20
Straight No Chaser, an all male a capella group featuring Urbandale native Tyler Trepp brings their unique interpretations to Hoyt Sherman Place.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are available for $43 through www.hoytsherman.org.

October 21-31
The Blank Park Zoo’s 20th annual Night Eyes fundraising festival runs Thursdays-Sundays and invites children and adults to dress in their favorite costume to trick-or-treat through the zoo. Event takes place rain or shine. Tickets are $5 for non-members; $4 for members.

More details available at www.blankparkzoo.com.

October 23
Disney Live! presents Mickey's Magic Show with Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends performing magic from generations of Disney films. Experience Disney Magic with your own eyes at Wells Fargo Arena. Shows are 3 and 6 p.m.

Ticket prices vary through www.dahlstickets.com.

October 23
The 19th Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure continues the fight against breast cancer. The Des Moines event begins on the Capitol grounds and winds through downtown. Join the race or donate to make a difference.

Register at www.komendesmoines.org.