13 things to do in Des Moines this weekend include comedians, 'American Idol' stars

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Welcome to 2024, a new year, a clean slate, a reset. It's a chance to try something new, experience something different, or find a new hobby. Our weekly things to do list showcases some of the best events in the Des Moines metro, from comedians on the stage and local acts performing live to vintage shopping opportunities with a cocktail in hand and hikes to learn about trees. Take it all in, and check out these 13 things to do during the first weekend in January.

Order a nostalgic pizza

Thursday night: Fans who remember Bamie's Pizza House, the former restaurant south of the airport that closed in 1986, can dine on four of pizza place's thin-crust pies when it holds a pop-up at Gusto Pizza Bar, 2301 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines. Expect long lines, but commiserate with fellow fans by sharing your favorite stories about Frank “Bamie” Bonanno, the head of Bamie’s Pizza House, who ran the restaurant with his wife, Coleen “Coke” Bonanno, for 23 years. Stop by Gusto from 3 to 9 p.m. for a dose of nostalgia.

More: Bamie's pizza pops up at Gusto Pizza Bar again with nostalgic pies from 37 years ago

Listen to some local talent

Thursday night: Head to xBk Live, 1159 24th St., Des Moines, for some local indie rock when 28 Days Later out of Norwalk performs. Their two latest tracks, “Phases” and “All Hard Feelings,” have become fan favorites. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Dirty Blonde and Kobe Williams and the Fantasy open.

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Take in some new art at Moberg Gallery

Friday night: Moberg Gallery, 2411 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, celebrates its 20th anniversary from 5 to 8 p.m. with a free party. Artists Aaron Wilson and Tim Dooley give an artist talk at 6:15 p.m., followed by a screen-printing demo that adds the final touches to a new work. Hybrid Trio, formed by bandleader and saxophonist Adam Larson, performs at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Moberg also plans to serve a selection of SingleSpeed beers and cocktails curated from Full Court Press’ Jeff Bruning.

Reminisce to Nat King Cole songs

Friday night: “Let There Be Love,” “Get Your Kicks On Route 66,” and “Unforgettable” were some of the legendary jazz singer Nat King Cole’s biggest hits. Listen to Napoleon M. Douglas when he performs the songs of Cole with his band at Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $18.

More: How to spend a perfect day in downtown Des Moines with food, drinks and more

Get ready for some laughs

Friday night: Start the new year off with some laughs when Jamie Wolf takes the stage at Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St., Des Moines, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The “former opiate user with a penchant for tackling dark and taboo subjects with tight writing and a dynamic stage presence,” performs two shows, Teehee’s wrote. Tickets for the shows are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

See a burgeoning comedy legend

Friday night: Comedian Patricia Williams (aka Ms. Pat) brings her dark comedy to the stage at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, 560 S. Prairie View Drive #100, West Des Moines. The Atlanta native stars on her own show, “The Ms. Pat Show,” which airs on BET+. Her show, based on her own life, shares the story of a convicted felon turned suburban mom. Tickets start at $25 for the 7:30 p.m. show.

Check out diecast toys

Saturday morning: Stop by the Elwell Family Food Center Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, for the Iowa Diecast Toy Show. Toy dealers from across the Midwest bring diecast farm toys, semis, trucks, and cars to this show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Toys of all scales will be on hand. Adults pay $5, kids ages 13-17 are $3; and kids 12 and younger are free.

More: 21 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A

Learn how to grow a vegetable garden

Saturday morning: The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, for Learn on Saturdays, a weekly educational lecture series presented by experts from across the state of Iowa. The first session of the year at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. covers the basics of vegetable gardens. Tickets are $8 for members and $16 for nonmembers.

More: Here are 16 of the best restaurants in Des Moines' East Village

Go for a hike

Saturday afternoon: Take a hike through the woods at Jester Park, 12130 N.W. 128th St., Granger, and learn some of the key characteristics that will help you identify trees in the winter. The hike from 1 to 2:30 p.m. is free to anyone age 8 and older. The hike starts at the Jester Park Nature Center.

See 'American Idol' stars

Saturday night: “American Idol” favorites Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken head to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines, for the second leg of their reunion show. See Aiken perform “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Studdard sing his single “Flying Without Wings” when the two take the stage together 20 years after they competed during the second season of Fox’s “American Idol” in 2003. Tickets start at $39.50 for the 7:30 p.m. show.

Eat a holiday brunch

Sunday morning: Celebrate the new year with a holiday brunch with chef David Baruthio at BeerStyles Taproom & Gastropub, 5513 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines. The $49 brunch offers seatings at 9:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m., and noon. Book a reservation online.

Do some vintage shopping

Sunday morning: Do some shopping with a cocktail in hand when Captain Roy’s holds its winter Sip N’ Thrift at 1900 Saylor Road, Des Moines. The free event includes vendors such as Golden Girl Vintage, Nahla Thrift, Into the Mystica, By Fiore, One Man Gathers, Steph Jessen, and Kawaii Thrift from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday afternoon: Start whistling “Sweet Georgia Brown” as you get ready for the Harlem Globetrotters when they return to Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St. in Des Moines, at 3 p.m. Any game with the winningest team in basketball includes everything from slam dunks and fast breaks to twirling basketballs and the figure-eight weave. Expect laughs and a little bit of magic along the way as they take on the Washington Generals. Tickets start at $31.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, X, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include 'American Idol' stars