12 things to do this weekend in Des Moines including Nate Bargatze, Cody Johnson, Greenbelt

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Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Thursday night: Love a free show? Check out “The Secret Agency,” a story told by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a Grammy Award-winning, internationally touring, purple velvet tuxedo-wearing family. Head to Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines, for the 6:30 p.m. show. Also Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Riverview Park Amphitheater, 710 Corning Ave., Des Moines.

More: 'Back to the Future,' 'Shucked' among the touring Broadway shows headed to Des Moines

‘Panic! at the Burlesque Vol. 3’

Thursday night: “Panic! at the Burlesque Vol. 3” comes to xBk Live, 1159 24th St., Des Moines. The show features Helena Havok, a “singing and flinging” burlesque performer from Milwaukee, who showcases character-based acts across the Midwest. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $24.

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Greenbelt Music Festival

Friday afternoon: Get your jam on for two days of bluegrass, Americana and jam bands in Clive when improv rockers Umphrey’s McGee and jam-grass act Railroad Earth headline the Greenbelt Music Festival. The festival, in its second year, will also feature musicians Sierra Hull, Yonder Mountain String Band and more at Greenbelt Trail, 2100 N.W. 100th St., Clive. Tickets start at $64 at greenbeltmusic.com. Doors open at 2 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.

Max Wellman Big Band

Friday night: You just want to sing along when the Max Wellman Big Band when they play the hits of Frank Sinatra and more during “Fly Me to the Moon.” The night includes songs from Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, Dean Martin, and more at Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines. Tickets start at $25 for the 7 p.m. show.

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B.Well

Friday night: Des Moines’ own B. Well, aka Billy Weathers, dropped his new album, which Wooly’s calls “a hypnotic mood piece that pulls the listener deep within his complicated worldview. These beats and rhymes were made for midnight.” See B.Well perform with Annie Kemble and Teller Bank$. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines, start at $30.

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Cody Johnson

Friday night: The CoJo Nation of loyal fans can get excited for 2024. Singer Cody Johnson brings his country songs to Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St. in Des Moines, for a 7:30 p.m. show. His new album “Leather” includes collaborations with Jelly Roll ("Whiskey Bent") and Brooks & Dunn ("Long Live Country Music") as well as previously released singles "The Painter," "Work Boots," "Watching My Old Flame" and "That's Texas." Tickets start at $47 at hyveetix.com.

The Peking Acrobats

Saturday morning: This rescheduled show with The Peking Acrobats brings precarious maneuvers on top of a stack of chairs, tricks on cycles, juggling, tumbling, gymnastics, and more. The show features live musicians who play traditional Chinese instruments. Tickets to the 11 a.m. show at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, range from $10 to $20.

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John Crist

Saturday evening: Comedian John Crist brings “The Emotional Support” tour to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, for a 7 p.m. show. Crist, who had a Grandstand show at the Iowa State Fair in 2022, has 1 billion video views and more than five million fans on social media who adore his viral videos, such as “Honest Football Coach,” “Every Parent at Disney,” and “Brands that need to be CANCELLED.” Tickets start at $39.75.

Nate Bargatze

Saturday night: Funny man Nate Bargatze brings the “Be Funny” tour to Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines, for a 7 p.m. show. The Atlantic called him “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” while “CBS Morning” referred to him as a “rising star.” Tickets start at $48.

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Chicago

Saturday night: Which is your favorite Chicago song? “Saturday in the Park?” “25 or 6 to 4?” “You’re the Inspiration?” “Hard Habit to Break?” The classic rock band brings its biggest hits to Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee. Tickets start at $101 for the 8 p.m. show.

Historic Valley Junction Arts Festival

Sunday morning: Kick off your morning at the Historic Valley Junction Arts Festival, 137 Fifth St., West Des Moines. The festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. showcases fine arts and crafts from more than 50 artists from Iowa and beyond. Admission is free.

More: How to spend the perfect day in Valley Junction with restaurants, bars and shopping

Josh Gates

Sunday night: Explorer, talk show host, and author Josh Gates from Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown” and “Josh Gates Tonight” takes the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. Gates shares stories from his adventures at this 8 p.m. show with tickets starting at $43.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. You can reach out to 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 in Des Moines include Nate Bargatze, Cody Johnson