Live Music & Theater Guide in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Des Moines, United States, Des Moines, Culture & Entertainment, Live Music & Theater Guide

Live Music & Theater Guide in Des Moines, Iowa, United States

1. Des Moines Social Club

A creative hub offering theater, music, art, and food in a beautiful historic building.
  • Unique Venue: Blends arts, food, and community space in an architecturally significant location.
  • Community Focus: Provides a platform for local artists and encourages participation from the public.
  • Flexible Space: Accommodates various events, from small gatherings to large concerts and theater productions.

2. Civic Center of Greater Des Moines

A multi-purpose venue hosting everything from Broadway shows to major music concerts.
  • Broadway Shows: Brings national touring productions of popular Broadway plays and musicals.
  • Concert Venue: Hosts a variety of well-known musicians across multiple genres.
  • Events Space: Rentable for corporate events, weddings, and other special occasions.

3. Hoyt Sherman Place

A historic mansion turned performing arts center with a focus on music and theater.
  • Historic Mansion: Preserves the elegant architecture of a late-19th-century home while serving as a vibrant cultural venue.
  • Intimate Setting: Offers an intimate and elegant atmosphere for live music and theater performances.
  • Community Concerts: Hosts a variety of community concerts throughout the year, featuring local talent.

4. Wooly's

A live music venue with a focus on national and regional acts in a historic setting.
  • Historic Building: Located in the Historic Valley Junction, Wooly's is housed in an old feed store.
  • National Acts: Brings a diverse range of national touring artists to Des Moines.
  • Local Scene: Supports the local music scene by booking regional acts and hosting showcases.

5. Temple Theater

An ornate historic theater presenting a variety of performing arts productions.
  • Historic Theater: A National Historic Landmark with beautiful art-deco architecture.
  • Performing Arts: Offers a wide range of performing arts including dance, theater, and music.
  • Classic Atmosphere: Preserves the classic movie-theater ambiance with its original marble staircase and grand lobby.

6. Jazz Central Studios

A nonprofit jazz club supporting local musicians and promoting the art of jazz.
  • Nonprofit Focus: Supports local musicians by providing performance opportunities and educational workshops.
  • Jazz-Only Venue: Dedicated to the art of jazz, featuring both established and emerging artists.
  • Educational Workshops: Offers workshops for local musicians to learn and grow in their craft.

7. Kum & Go Theater

A black box theater located downtown, hosting a variety of performances and events.
  • Black Box Theatre: Flexible space for experimental productions and immersive experiences.
  • Downtown Location: Centrally located in the heart of Des Moines, providing easy access to restaurants and shops.
  • Community-Focused: Supports local artists and provides opportunities for community participation.

8. DMPAC Stoner Theater

A smaller theater within the Des Moines Performing Arts Complex, offering more intimate performances.
  • Smaller Venue: Provides an intimate setting for a variety of performances, such as chamber music and dance.
  • Part of DMPAC: Located within the larger Des Moines Performing Arts Complex, offering easy access to other performances.
  • Accessible Seating: Offers accessible seating options for patrons with disabilities.

9. Clef Coffee House

A coffee shop and music venue featuring local musicians and open mic nights.
  • Local Musicians: Provides a platform for local artists to showcase their talent.
  • Open Mic Nights: Allows anyone to perform and share their musical talents with the community.
  • Coffee Shop Ambiance: Offers a comfortable, coffee-shop atmosphere for patrons to enjoy while listening to live music.

10. Salon de Jazz

A small jazz club offering nightly performances by local and regional artists.
  • Small, Intimate Space: Provides an intimate atmosphere for enjoying live jazz music.
  • Local Artists: Featuring local and regional jazz artists on a regular basis.
  • Dinner & Drinks: Offers dinner and drinks service for patrons to enjoy while listening to the music.

11. The Studio Theater

A theater focused on improv comedy and acting workshops.
  • Improv Comedy: Features improv shows performed by local comedians.
  • Acting Workshops: Offers acting workshops and classes for both children and adults.
  • Community Theater: Provides opportunities for the community to get involved in theater productions.

12. Drake Community Library's Storytime Underground

A live music series featuring local artists in a library setting.
  • Library Setting: Brings live music to the community within a library environment.
  • Local Artists: Showcases local artists from various genres.
  • Family-Friendly: Provides an enjoyable experience for families and music enthusiasts alike.

13. Noce Jazz Restaurant & Wine Bar

A restaurant and wine bar featuring live jazz music performances.
  • Live Jazz Music: Offers nightly live jazz performances by local and regional artists.
  • Wine Bar: Features an extensive wine list for patrons to enjoy with their meal.
  • French Cuisine: Serves traditional French cuisine in a cozy, intimate setting.

14. The Cellar Peanut Pub

A pub offering live music and karaoke in a lively atmosphere.
  • Live Music & Karaoke: Provides opportunities for patrons to enjoy live music or participate in karaoke.
  • Sports Bar: Features multiple TVs for watching sports events and games.
  • Locally Sourced Food: Serves pub food made from locally sourced ingredients.

15. Jasper Winery Concert Series

A series of outdoor concerts at a local winery, featuring regional and national acts.
  • Outdoor Concerts: Offers live music in an outdoor setting among the vineyards.
  • Regional & National Acts: Brings a variety of regional and national acts to perform at the winery.
  • Wine Tasting: Allows patrons to sample wines from the local winery during the concert events.