Week of July 1st

Often imitated... the Open Jam has been a Thursday night tradition since 1992! The host band warms up the crowd from 9:30 to 10:30. Musicians, ranging from the accomplished professional to the inspired novice, are then invited to take the stage. Unrehearsed and straight from the heart, this is some real Blues guaranteed to fill the house week after week. $3 Cover

5-Day class for teens age 13-17 to learn fundamentals of sailing. Registration deadline for each session is one week prior to start date. Bring a proper-fitting lifejacket and be able to pass a swim test. Additional forms on the SYCSS website must be completed and submitted prior to first class.

5-Day class for students ages 8-12 to learn sailing basics and develop teamwork skills and good sportsmanship. Registration deadline for each session is one week prior to start date. Bring a proper-fitting lifejacket and be able to pass a swim test. Additional forms on the SYCSS website must be completed and submitted prior to first class.

It's a one night stand with fireworks following the game as the Iowa Cubs take on the Omaha Royals in AAA baseball at Principal Park, One Line Drive. Game time is 7:05PM and ticket price varies.

Race: Are We So Different? explores race in the United States from three unique perspectives to provide a highly personal exhibit experience. Learn the history of race, the role of science plays in that history and the everyday experience of race. Visit www.sciowa.org/race for the full calendar of special events, cultural celebrations, diversity discussions and Café Scientifique forums. Save with SCI’s Cultural Combo ticket and travel to exotic Arabia and uncover mysteries in ancient Greece through the immersive IMAX experience.

Join the Des Moines Symphony on the Iowa State Capitol Grounds for its 16th annual patriotic concert. Maestro Giunta and the Orchestra will perform patriotic favorites complete with city's premier fireworks display over the downtown skyline. This free event is perfect for the whole family and a great way to kick off the Independence holiday weekend.

Hop on board the Symphony's Mystery Bus for a backstage tour of some of downtown Des Moines' coolest spots, the Symphony's fundraising event for its season debut. A local celebrity guide will host each bus and each mystery location will include hors d'oeuvres, drinks and great entertainment. Once the tour is over, guests will be dropped backstage at the Civic Center for the Symphony's Season Debut concert featuring Arnaldo Cohen and Beethoven's Emperor Piano Concerto. (Concert tickets purchased separately.)

Brian Congdon and Brad Seidenfeld will perform at the Jasper Winery Summer Concert Series at Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway. The concert will run from 6 to 9PM and is open to the public without charge. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a blanket or folding chair. Burgers and brats will be available for purchase from the grill. Wine and beer may be purchased inside the winery Event Room.

A taste of poetry is sweet...a tasty treat...a nice surprise. Take the stage for Say What! Poetry and Open Mic Night at The House of Bricks, 525 East Grand in the East Village. Hosted by Lennytwin with DJ Extract on the ones and twos. The fun starts at 9:30PM and the cover is $5. For more information visit www.thehouseofbricks.com or email lenny at saywhatpoetry@yahoo.com.

Popular children’s books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, by author Eric Carle, have been brought to life at Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center. Designed by Botanical Center horticulturist, Angie Buchanan, the summer gardens include a 16-foot caterpillar and larger-than-life ladybugs that greet you as you walk into the tropical Dome. Visitors will also learn about the benefits of insects as they walk through the Dome. The Botanical Center will host an event, Buggy About Plants, on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Have fun while learning about honeybees from the USDA and butterflies from Des Moines’ Butterfly Lady, Kathy Ziemer. Enjoy hands-on activity by holding live insects from the Blank Park Zoo. Visitors can also help with the annual ladybug release in the Dome. Enjoy the creativity of AJ’s Copper Garden sculptures, including giant copper bugs and butterflies placed throughout the Botanical Center and inside the Dome. Throughout 2010, visitors to the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center will be welcomed with a new horticultural and educational experience as the gardens transform throughout the year, all inspired by popular children’s stories, including Dr. Seuss, Charlie Brown and Eric Carle books. “Story Time in the Gardens” includes seven plant bed changes in the Dome – many bringing the stories alive with life-size props – educational activities, theme-related gift shop items, Riverwalk Café menu choices and special events, all inspired by children’s books. The theme continues into the Show House, with four unique, seasonal designs, and outside to the Herb Garden which is open May through September. Please visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center throughout the year to see each new garden.

Wing Ding is Gold Wing Road Riders Association’s (GWRRA’s) annual convention, get-together, party, etc. It is our once-a-year chance for our Members, and everyone else who wants to see the world’s largest Gold Wing trade show, to gather to party! The show moves to a different city every year and is held over the 4th of July holiday for four days of FUN, Food, Entertainment, Shopping, Education, Riding and Meeting old and new Friends.

Hear Index Case and Mindrite as they open for headliner Cavo at People's Court, 2l6 Fourth Street, Third Floor in the Court District. Music starts at 7PM. Tickets are available in advance for $15 at www.midwestix.com. Cover at the door is $20.

With Daniel Maurice & Heart Cumpton. A salute to homebrewers @ el Bait Shop. Every Thursday at 6pm, free beer from local brewers and homebrewers while it lasts.

Featuring Capital Brewing. Every Thursday from 5-7pm we will be sampling out new in, seasonal, and year-round beers from commercial breweries. Brewery draws are $3 all night.

Catch some jazz and the kick off to the Metro Arts Alliance's Jazz in July series with the Soya Vista Jazz Orchestra at the State Capitol Grounds, East 9th and East Grand, in the East Village. The group will take the stage prior to the Des Moines Symphony's Yankee Doodle Pops concert, starting at 6:30PM. Stick around for the concert by the symphony and the fireworks that follow. It's all free!

Put on your dancing shoes...or just kick back and watch. The Fourth Street Theater, 216 4th Street in the Court District is hosting a Swing Dance Social and you're invited. Whether you're a pro, a novice or interested in watching or learning a few steps, you'll want to be there for the fun starting at 8PM. There's no cover charge.

Hear rock/pop/indie music in a show for all ages at Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth Street in the Court District. Performing will be SSIC, Elliot Burke, The Chatty Cathy's and headliner The Prospectors. Doors open at 5PM and the show starts at 5:30PM. Cover is $5.

Celebrate the weekend every Friday at Blues on Grand's Friday Work Release Party. The party lasts from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and features music by Sumpin' Doo and food by Jesse James.

5-Day class for teens age 13-17 to learn fundamentals of sailing. Registration deadline for each session is one week prior to start date. Bring a proper-fitting lifejacket and be able to pass a swim test. Additional forms on the SYCSS website must be completed and submitted prior to first class.

5-Day class for students ages 8-12 to learn sailing basics and develop teamwork skills and good sportsmanship. Registration deadline for each session is one week prior to start date. Bring a proper-fitting lifejacket and be able to pass a swim test. Additional forms on the SYCSS website must be completed and submitted prior to first class.

Race: Are We So Different? explores race in the United States from three unique perspectives to provide a highly personal exhibit experience. Learn the history of race, the role of science plays in that history and the everyday experience of race. Visit www.sciowa.org/race for the full calendar of special events, cultural celebrations, diversity discussions and Café Scientifique forums. Save with SCI’s Cultural Combo ticket and travel to exotic Arabia and uncover mysteries in ancient Greece through the immersive IMAX experience.

The Des Moines Register calls them "the band that's obviously meant to play the blues." Since the early 1990s, The Soul Searchers have done just that for fans in central Iowa and across the state. Their music, rooted in traditional blues with healthy doses of rockabilly and swing, has made this three-piece combo the hardest working blues band in Des Moines. Blues Before Sunset is family friendly, free and open to the public. Beer, wine and bottled water available for sale and an assortment of food vendors will be selling hot foods. People attending the event should plan to bring their own seating. Blues Before Sunset is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Iowa with support from the Central Iowa Blues Society and Cafe Baratta's.

Popular children’s books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, by author Eric Carle, have been brought to life at Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center. Designed by Botanical Center horticulturist, Angie Buchanan, the summer gardens include a 16-foot caterpillar and larger-than-life ladybugs that greet you as you walk into the tropical Dome. Visitors will also learn about the benefits of insects as they walk through the Dome. The Botanical Center will host an event, Buggy About Plants, on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Have fun while learning about honeybees from the USDA and butterflies from Des Moines’ Butterfly Lady, Kathy Ziemer. Enjoy hands-on activity by holding live insects from the Blank Park Zoo. Visitors can also help with the annual ladybug release in the Dome. Enjoy the creativity of AJ’s Copper Garden sculptures, including giant copper bugs and butterflies placed throughout the Botanical Center and inside the Dome. Throughout 2010, visitors to the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center will be welcomed with a new horticultural and educational experience as the gardens transform throughout the year, all inspired by popular children’s stories, including Dr. Seuss, Charlie Brown and Eric Carle books. “Story Time in the Gardens” includes seven plant bed changes in the Dome – many bringing the stories alive with life-size props – educational activities, theme-related gift shop items, Riverwalk Café menu choices and special events, all inspired by children’s books. The theme continues into the Show House, with four unique, seasonal designs, and outside to the Herb Garden which is open May through September. Please visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center throughout the year to see each new garden.

Wing Ding is Gold Wing Road Riders Association’s (GWRRA’s) annual convention, get-together, party, etc. It is our once-a-year chance for our Members, and everyone else who wants to see the world’s largest Gold Wing trade show, to gather to party! The show moves to a different city every year and is held over the 4th of July holiday for four days of FUN, Food, Entertainment, Shopping, Education, Riding and Meeting old and new Friends.

Sister Hazel fans...the group will be performing at Simon Estes Amphitheater, East Locust and Robert D. Ray Drive in the East Village. Opening for them will be Aslyn. Music starts at 8PM and advanced tickets are available at www.midwestix.com. Tickets purchased at the door are $20.

There's a full line up of entertainment for all ages at The House of Bricks, 525 East Grand in the East Village. Hear Hold for Swank, Leaving Carroll, and E.G.G. starting at 5PM. Cover is $5.

Kick back, grab your lunch and head outdoors to Nollen Plaza. The Civic Music Association sponsors a lunchtime concert by the Belin Quartet starting at 12:15. Enjoy the water feature at Nollen and spend some time relaxing before heading back to work. The program is free.

Hip hop and rap fans of all ages can hear a full line up of entertainment at Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth Street in the Court District. Taking the stage will be headliner Izzy Dunfore. Opening the show will be Population Control, Tre d Crazi, The Syndicate, Zeaphy and Merkabilities. Music starts at 5:30PM and doors open at 5PM. Tickets are $5.

Hear a throw back to roots rock with a modern twist when Hightide Blues headlines at Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth Street in the Court District. The concert featuring rock/roots/americana will open with Bright Giant. Doors open at 9:30PM for the show geared to those 21+. Music starts at 10PM and tickets are $8.

Sbrocco Wine Bar & Wine Shop, 298 Court in the Court District, will open their doors and offer wine tasting during Farmer's Market Saturday mornings from 9AM to 11AM.

Race: Are We So Different? explores race in the United States from three unique perspectives to provide a highly personal exhibit experience. Learn the history of race, the role of science plays in that history and the everyday experience of race. Visit www.sciowa.org/race for the full calendar of special events, cultural celebrations, diversity discussions and Café Scientifique forums. Save with SCI’s Cultural Combo ticket and travel to exotic Arabia and uncover mysteries in ancient Greece through the immersive IMAX experience.

Come meet the good folks at Emmack Family Farms as we demonstrate and taste some great variations of potato salad. Learn a new recipe to take to your 4th of July party!

Popular children’s books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, by author Eric Carle, have been brought to life at Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center. Designed by Botanical Center horticulturist, Angie Buchanan, the summer gardens include a 16-foot caterpillar and larger-than-life ladybugs that greet you as you walk into the tropical Dome. Visitors will also learn about the benefits of insects as they walk through the Dome. The Botanical Center will host an event, Buggy About Plants, on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Have fun while learning about honeybees from the USDA and butterflies from Des Moines’ Butterfly Lady, Kathy Ziemer. Enjoy hands-on activity by holding live insects from the Blank Park Zoo. Visitors can also help with the annual ladybug release in the Dome. Enjoy the creativity of AJ’s Copper Garden sculptures, including giant copper bugs and butterflies placed throughout the Botanical Center and inside the Dome. Throughout 2010, visitors to the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center will be welcomed with a new horticultural and educational experience as the gardens transform throughout the year, all inspired by popular children’s stories, including Dr. Seuss, Charlie Brown and Eric Carle books. “Story Time in the Gardens” includes seven plant bed changes in the Dome – many bringing the stories alive with life-size props – educational activities, theme-related gift shop items, Riverwalk Café menu choices and special events, all inspired by children’s books. The theme continues into the Show House, with four unique, seasonal designs, and outside to the Herb Garden which is open May through September. Please visit the Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center throughout the year to see each new garden.

Wing Ding is Gold Wing Road Riders Association’s (GWRRA’s) annual convention, get-together, party, etc. It is our once-a-year chance for our Members, and everyone else who wants to see the world’s largest Gold Wing trade show, to gather to party! The show moves to a different city every year and is held over the 4th of July holiday for four days of FUN, Food, Entertainment, Shopping, Education, Riding and Meeting old and new Friends.

International blues musician, grandson of blues great, RL Burnside. A must see performance!

Relax and get invigorated at the same time at the Yoga in the Park sessions at Gray's Lake Peninsula. All skill levels are invited to attend the weekly Saturday morning classes that start at 9AM. A certified instructor will lead the class. All participants will have to sign a waiver. Anyone under 18 will need to have the waiver signed by a legal guardian. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing and bring their own mat.

The 3rd Annual 80/35 Music Festival celebrates national headliners along with top local and regional acts in Western Gateway Park, 13th and Locust. Hear cutting-edge, progressive acts on three different stages. The extensive lineup of performers can be viewed at www.80-35.com. Music starts at noon both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are priced at $35 for a one day pass, $60 for both days, and $175 for a VIP pass for both days. Order advanced tickets at www.midwesttix.com.

On the Run performs at People's Court, 216 Court Avenue, Third Floor in the Court District. Catch their tribute to Pink Floyd after the Post 80/35 show. Doors open at 9PM and the show for those 21+ starts at 10PM. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at www.midwestix.com.

You'll be humming and tapping your toes at Cafe di Scala, 644 18th Street in Sherman Hill as they feature a Beatles Brunch. Listen to Beatles tunes and enjoy "Please please me" crepe, the "Eleanor Rigby" cannoli pastry basket and lots more. Menu items vary in price, but most are under $10. Reservations for the event that runs from 10AM-2PM are highly recommended. Call 244-1353 for reservations or more information.

Catch the afternoon concert by Emmure at People's Court, 216 Court Avenue on the third floor in the Court District. They perform at 2PM. Tickets are available for $15 in advance at www.midwestix.com. Charge for cover at the door is $17.

Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth Street in the Court District, hosts a show featuring hardcore/metal entertainment for all ages. Taking the stage will be headliner Marla Singer, along with Of Flesh Unseen, Shoot The Moon, A Well Dressed Man and 12 Day Silent. Doors open at 5PM, the show starts at 5:30PM, and tickets are $6.

Music fans, keep on rockin' after 80/35 at an After Party at Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth Street in the Court District. Poison Control Center entertains. Doors open at 10PM and the show starts at 11PM. There's no cover.