Things to do this weekend include Hinterland, Kansas and dinner with the first gentleman
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The summer of music in the Des Moines metro continues with Hinterland taking over the hills outside St. Charles this weekend. Bon Iver and Zach Bryan headline the festival. If you want to stay local, Hoyt Sherman has Kansas on the docket. Meet the first gentleman at a barbecue at Terrace Hill, chuckle with comedian Mark Normand, or watch a free choreography festival. If you have a big appetite, try to eat a five-pound breakfast burrito. Des Moines has a lot of fun events happening. Get out there and enjoy.
Grab happy hour with friends
Thursday afternoon: Slip away from 3 to 6 p.m. daily for happy hour at Louie’s Wine Dive, 4040 University Ave., Suite A, in Des Moines. Look for rotating specials from the beverage director for $7; cocktails such as Louie’s mule, an Old Fashioned or Aperol spritz for $8; beignets or Brussels sprouts for $7; the SCB burger or shrimp tacos for $10; and more. All wine bottles are 25% off.
More: 12 great happy hours to try at bars and restaurants in the Des Moines area
Dine with the first gentleman at Terrace Hill
Thursday night: Meet and chat with Iowa's first gentleman Kevin Reynolds during a barbecue at Terrace Hill, 2300 Grand Ave. in Des Moines. The $40 per person dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. includes a chance to explore the first and second floors of the residence, wander the gardens, and enjoy food prepared by the Terrace Hill chef Tag Grandgeorge, who formerly operated Jardin in Beaverdale. Register online at thfirstgentlemanbbq.eventbrite.com or contact Claire Sowder at 515-281-7205.
Grab cocktails and play board games
Thursday night: Head to the New Northwestern, 321 E. Walnut St. in Des Moines, for Cocktails and Cardboard with games courtesy of The Dealt Hand. This free game night runs from 6 to 9 p.m.
Head to Hinterland
Friday afternoon: Hinterland Music Festival kicks off with three days of artists from Bon Iver to Zach Bryan in the hills of St. Charles, about 30 miles south of the Des Moines metro. Tickets are still on sale for $100 for single-day tickets and $250 for three-day tickets at axs.com/festivals/452499.
More: What to know about Hinterland Music Festival 2023 from Bon Iver and Zach Bryan
Wander through the East Village
Friday evening: Ready for some deals? Head to the Historic East Village from 5 to 8 p.m. for First Friday with free parking in designated areas. Look for specials at HoQ, Owen Jewelry Design, Peace Tree Brewing, Petals & Moss, Porch Light, Purveyor, Raygun, and Velvet Coat. Visit the website for details.
More: Here are 16 of the best restaurants in Des Moines' East Village
Listen to Kansas play their hits
Friday night: All we are is “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas celebrates a musical career that spans 50 years with a night at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines, starting at 7:30 p.m. The band — known for songs such as “Play the Game Tonight,” “Carry on Wayward Son,” “Point of No Return” and “Fight Fire with Fire” — plans to play fan favorites and deep cuts rarely heard live. Tickets range from $69.50 to $125, with some VIP packages available.
See a choreography festival for free
Saturday night: Stop by Lauridsen Amphitheater in Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, from 6 to 9 p.m. for the Iowa Choreography Festival. The Iowa Dance Theater promises a night of performances from local designers, choreographers, and musicians. The free event includes installation art, art vendors and food trucks.
Laugh with comedians
Saturday night: Laugh at comedians such as Onnalee Kelley, Tim Overton, Jessica Elwell, Travis Cherniss, Jen Kuhle, Marcos Lester, Dan Logan, and Jill Leary during “Chowdown” at Teehee’s Comedy Club, 1433 Walnut St. in Des Moines at 7 p.m. The event features a live improv show made up on the spot. Advance tickets start at $15.
Chuckle with Mark Normand
Saturday night: See Mark Normand, a comedian dubbed by Jerry Seinfeld as the “best young up and coming comic,” when he performs at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines. His self-released special, “Out To Lunch,” reached more than 10 million views on YouTube and he appears on Netflix’s Season 3 of “The Stand Ups.” Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $35.
Try to eat a 5-pound breakfast burrito
Sunday morning: Cinnamon roll skillets, biscuits and gravy, elotes avocado toast and build-your-own omelets are among the brunch options at Barn Town Brewing, 9500 University Ave. in West Des Moines. Not enough food? Try the monster chimichanga stuffed with scrambled eggs, shredded cheddar, chorizo gravy, and guajillo sauce, or take on the Barn Town Burrito Challenge. Finish a five-pound burrito stuffed with breakfast sausage, bacon, chorizo, black beans, scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, avocado spread, and cheddar cheese and receive a free Barn Town T-shirt. Head here for brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More: 21 great brunches to try in the Des Moines area right now, including Early Bird, Eatery A
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 near me include Kansas, Hinterland, Mark Normand
