Things to do this weekend in Des Moines include Carrie Underwood, 'Little Shop of Horrors'

If you want to stay on top of all the fun things to do in Des Moines, sign up for Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register that showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we've written about karaoke bars, where to go thrifting, Black-owned businesses, vegan restaurants, gluten-free options, the Amana Colonies and where to buy plants. If you sign up for our newsletter, you get a whole list of fun places to go, things to do, what to eat, and more early Thursday morning in your inbox.

The weekend brings the stars of IndyCar to the Iowa Speedway in Newton and with it, big concerts with Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney and Ed Sheeran. Check out Shakespeare at the Salisbury House, eat a four-course wine dinner with dishes from the Veneto region of Italy, watch "The Little Shop of Horrors" or take the kids to a free show on Cowles Commons. And fireworks, a new cornbread festival, a new brunch with Korean food, and a new opera round out the fun things this weekend brings. Check out 12 things you can do this weekend in Des Moines.

Start the weekend early with tiki cocktails

Thursday night: Stop by Ken’s Not So Secret Speakeasy, 215 E. Third St. in Des Moines, from 4 p.m. to midnight for a menu of tiki cocktails and décor during this popup event every Thursday through August.

Eat and drink like an Italian at Centro

Thursday night: Drop by Centro, 1003 Locust St. in Des Moines, for a wine dinner highlighting the Veneto region of Italy, one of the country’s most famed food and wine destinations. Executive chef Michael Kolodzej showcases four courses with an appetizer spread during the 6 p.m. dinner that starts at $90.

See some Shakespeare on the lawn of Salisbury House

Thursday night: Take in some Shakespeare at the Salisbury House & Gardens, 4025 Tonawanda Drive in Des Moines, to see “Twelfth Night,” the story of shipwrecked Viola, who disguises herself as her lost twin brother, and navigates between the courts of the lovesick Duke Orsino and the grieving Countess Olivia. Gates open at 6 p.m. for seating with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35, and sales close two days in advance. Nightly through Sunday.

Watch the opera's new production

Thursday night: The Des Moines Metro Opera takes its show on the road to Camp Dodge, 7105 NW 70th Ave. in Johnston, with “The Falling and the Rising,” the story of a soldier in a medically induced coma after she is severely wounded by a roadside IED. Her dreams show the lives of other service members. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $40 to $50. Also Saturday at 2 p.m.

Entertain the kids with a free, family-friendly show

Friday afternoon: Take the kids to see Sway’s “Bloom!” that includes performers atop 14-foot poles at Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines. The free, family-friendly show explores themes of earth and nature, community, transformation, individuality, and diversity. The show starts at noon and repeats at 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday and Sunday. Friday includes food trucks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find out if plants can talk in 'The Little Shop of Horrors'

Friday night: Floral shop assistant Seymour Krelborn discovers a new breed of plant he names after his coworker crush, but the foul-mouthed Audrey II has a thirst for world domination. Pick up tickets for the “The Little Shop of Horrors” at the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St. in Des Moines. Tickets start at $29 for the 7:30 p.m. Additional dates through July 29.

Start the weekend with a happy hour on Gilroy's patio

Friday afternoon: Stop by Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio, 1238 Eighth St. in West Des Moines, for the Ginger Power happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. Customers can nab $4 well drinks and PBRs, $5 White Claw seltzers and mocktails, $6 traditional mules and sangria, $7 Buffalo Trace Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, $9 appetizers, and $11 pizzas. Happy hour takes place every Monday through Friday and when the patio is open, it’s one of the best in the area with shade and a breeze.

More: 12 great happy hours to try at bars and restaurants in the Des Moines area

You can still see fireworks, this time in Clive

Friday night: Clive Festival 2023 features activities for everyone including “Thunder Over Clive Fireworks” at 10 p.m. along with live music, the popular Clive Fire Department Slip-N-Slide, Clive Running Festival, and more at the Greenbelt Landing Project, NW 114th St. in Clive, just outside the Aquatic Center. Also Saturday, when the Clive Cardboard Boat Regatta takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See the stars of IndyCar plus concerts at the Iowa Speedway

Saturday morning: Hy-Vee’s IndyCar weekend brings two races to the Iowa Speedway, dubbed “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet,” at 3333 Rusty Wallace Drive in Newton. Tickets to the Saturday race include concerts from Carrie Underwood before and Kenny Chesney after range from $50 to more than $1,000. On Sunday, Zac Brown Band kicks off the second race, with Ed Sheeran closing, again for $50 to $1,000. IndyCar stars such as points leader Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, last year’s winner of the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 Josef Newgarden, Marcus Ericsson, and last year’s winner of the Hy-Vee.com 250 Pato O’Ward will all be on hand. Gates open at 9 a.m.

More: Everything to know about the IndyCar races in Newton this weekend, from drivers to concerts

Check out a new festival

Saturday morning: The new Corn Bred Cornbread Festival at Riverview Park, 710 Corning Ave. in Des Moines, promises to be corny as can be. The all-inclusive event from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. hopes to bridge Iowa’s rural and urban cultures into one Iowa culture by promoting Iowa’s history, talent, food, and attractions. Free to attend.

Try a brunch with Korean cuisine

Saturday morning: A new brunch in the metro brings a taste of Korean fare to the morning. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., head to Jenny Lee’s Korean American Kitchen at 3701 EP True Pkwy. in West Des Moines for a Saturday brunch buffet. Aside from eggs, cheesy browns, biscuits and gravy, French toast sticks, and waffles, the restaurant has japchae glass noodles, fried rice, Korean fried chicken, Korean street buns, spicy pork and more. Look for a soba noodle salad, Napa kimchi, Asian slaw, kimchi jiggae, and more. Order a Dalgona whipped coffee, a miso caramel latte, orange dream slushie, or Korean strawberry milk. Adults are all in for $19 and kids ages 5 to 12 pay $12.

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

Listen to Broadway and American Songbook classics sung by Kelli O'Hara

Saturday night: Tony Award-winning singer and actress Kelli O’Hara joins the Des Moines Symphony with American Songbook classics and modern Broadway favorites. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. in Des Moines, range from $36 to $125.

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: Things to do in Des Moines this weekend include IndyCar, Ed Sheeran