See Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Soulja Boy or Shrek this weekend in the Des Moines metro

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The Iowa State Fair wraps up on Sunday, but Des Moines still offers plenty of things to do to get out of the house without stepping foot on the Fairgrounds. Check out a circus meant for the whole family. See "Shrek: The Musical" before the kids head back to school. See classic rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive play the oldies or Soulja Boy bringing some rap to Des Moines. The Iowa Cubs make a run for the playoffs while Katy Guillen & The Drive bring indie rock to the city.

Check out all the fun things to do around Des Moines this week.

See a thrilling author

Wednesday evening: International author of thrillers James Rollins kicks off the Des Moines Public Library’s new Fall Author Series at 7 p.m. at Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. Rollins plans to talk about his new novel, “Tides of Fire,” the latest in his popular Sigma Force series. An international research station in the Coral Sea comes under siege during a geological disaster that triggers earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. To stop Earth from burning, it’s up to Sigma Force to uncover a buried secret. The free event is first-come, first-seated, and copies of the book that came out on Aug. 15 will be on sale from Beaverdale Books.

See a family circus for free

Thursday afternoon: The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus comes to town with jugglers, acrobats, and contortionists who will be performing plate spinning, sword swallowing, brain twisters and other risk-taking feats set to live music. Take the family to Fort Des Moines Park, 7200 SE Fifth St., Des Moines, at 10 a.m., noon and 6:30 p.m. Also Friday night and Saturday afternoon in Waukee and Urbandale.

Eat some sushi for happy hour

Thursday afternoon: Ninja Sushi Ramen, 765 SE Alice’s Road, Waukee, throws a happy hour every Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. with $3 domestic bottles, $6 mojitos and Moscow mules, and $5 sake, house wine and well drinks. Small bite options include $4 steamed edamame or harumaki, $5 veggie or pork gyoza, and $6 crab Rangoon or Takoyaki. All classic rolls are $1 off.

Paint a cactus

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Thursday night: Learn how to paint a cactus with artist Teri Templeton Cadman in her studio at Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, from 6 to 8 p.m. Adults and kids ages 10 and older pay $35 for the 11-inch by 14-inch canvas and the experience.

Listen to some classic rock

Thursday night: You’ll be “Takin’ Care of Business” when Winnipeg’s Bachman-Turner Overdrive plays the Horizon Events Center, 2100 NW 100th St., Clive. “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” “Roll On Down the Highway” and “Gimme Your Money Please” are sure to be on the setlist. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show range from $54 to $69.

Hear some old school hip hop

Thursday night: Head out to Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines, to see pop rap artist Soulja Boy, who gained fame with his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" when it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007. Colo Chanel, GnarlyJevy and Marley open. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $45.

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Cheer on the Iowa Cubs

Friday evening: See some of the future stars of Major League Baseball. The Iowa Cubs are in second place in the International League West and look to continue to improve their record. They take on the Louisville Bats in a 6:38 p.m. game at Principal Park, One Line Drive, Des Moines. Tickets start at $10.

See 'Shrek' in musical form

Friday night: Stop by the Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, for “Shrek: The Musical” about the lovable ogre, his pal Donkey and their quest to save Princess Fiona from the fire-breathing dragon. Everyone falls in love in this tale of misfits. The show kicks off its run at 7 p.m. with tickets for $24.50. Multiple dates through Aug. 27.

Listen to some indie rock

Friday night: Katy Guillen & The Drive take over xBk Live, 1159 24th St., Des Moines, with a night of “simple and timeless indie rock sound carried by Guillen’s chugging guitar and (Stephanie) Williams’ driving drums,” according to Under The Radar Magazine. Tickets for the 9 p.m. show start at $9.

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Donate blood, then do some shopping

Saturday morning: Do some shopping and save a life. Head to the Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Drive, Suite 125, Altoona, from 9 a.m. to noon to donate blood with LifeServe Blood Center in the organization’s bus near Forever 21 and Skechers. The drive is by appointment only; register at LifeServeBloodCenter.org.

Celebrate 75 years of the Art Center

Saturday morning: Help the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, celebrate its 75th anniversary with a lawn party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day includes free art activities, ceramics demonstrations, old-fashioned games, live music spanning the eras provided by Midnight Madness Quartet and Girls Rock! Des Moines, and celebratory cake. Food trucks Hey Schweetie, Lachele’s Fine Foods, Outside Scoop, and The Traveling Bean will be on hand.

Eat a Crake

Sunday morning: When a restaurant has a dish called “The Crake,” you have to order it. Wrap up your weekend with brunch at the PerKup Café, 2700 University Ave., Suite 324, West Des Moines, and order said dish, a rolled pancake with homemade strawberry cream cheese filling and topped with powdered sugar. And that’s just an appetizer. Try an array of breakfast sandwiches with croissants, buttermilk pancakes, sourdough bread and other other carbs; a corned beef skillet; pancakes; strawberry-stuffed French toast; eggs Benedict; and build-your-own omelets. Available Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.https://perkup-cafe.com/

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

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: See Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Soulja Boy or Shrek this weekend in DM