
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.