Music, fireworks, and John Cusack

Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa.

Music in the Garden

Aug. 7: Celebrate the final Music in the Garden of the season at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive. Diplomats of Solid Sound perform in Koehn Garden, with food and drinks available from Flora Café. Bring a chair and enjoy the evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission for nonmembers is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $9 for children; members pay $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children.

More: Explore East Village dining with this Des Moines restaurant guide

John Cusack screens ‘High Fidelity’

Aug. 7: Actor John Cusack is touring the nation to showcase his film catalog with screenings followed by Q&A sessions. The actor makes a stop in the Des Moines metro to show “High Fidelity,” his 2000 cult-hit classic romantic comedy that serves as a love letter to music and ex-girlfriends. Cusack plans to be at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy. in Waukee, at 7:30 p.m. to show the movie and answer questions from the audience afterward. Tickets start at $48.

Three Dog Night

Aug. 7: “Mama Told Me (Not To Come).” Three Dog Night brings that hit, along with “Joy to the World,” “Black and White,” “Shambala,” and “One” to the stage at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, for a 7:30 p.m. show. “In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night,” according to the band. Relive the ’70s starting at $45 at hoytsherman.org. Fun fact: The name Three Dog Night comes from a saying from the indigenous Australian culture, referring to a night so cold that you’d need to sleep with three dogs just to stay warm.

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Forrest Frank

Aug. 7: Christian singer Forrest Frank fractured two vertebrae in a mid-July skateboarding accident. That’s not going to stop him from opening the Iowa State Fair, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, with an 8 p.m. show on the Grandstand. The singer, best known for his song “Your Way’s Better,” recorded two songs from his bed while he recovered from the injury. Christian rapper Lecrae opens. Tickets start at $25 for the show that has sold more than 14,500 tickets.

More: Some Iowa State Fair concerts nearly sold out: Which acts still have tickets

Fridays in the Park

Aug. 8: Head to Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, for Fridays in the Park from 5 to 9 p.m. with brews and bites, all served by food trucks and mobile food vendors in Des Moines. The event takes place east of the Lauridsen Amphitheater at the Biergarten and includes yard games. A portion of the revenue generated from Fridays in the Park will be donated to the Water Works Park Foundation. Comfort Food Huxley and Tropical Sno Iowa will be on hand.

PGI 2025: Fire Flies in the Sky

Aug. 8: Fireworks enthusiasts from around the world gather to showcase their skills and passion for pyrotechnics during the 2025 PGI Convention at the Central Iowa Expo, 1827 217th Road, Boone. Fans can catch choreographed displays featuring member-made exhibition shells Aug. 8. Gates open at 6 p.m., and food trucks and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets start at $10 at eventbrite.com.

‘Paper Bag Confessions’

Aug. 8: This 90-minute, one-man play, starring Doyle Smiens, shares his story that begins with a paper bag and unfolds through his true account of feeling unseen. “Paper Bag Confessions” will resonate with the LGBTQ+ community through a story that combines humor, heartbreak, courage, and the freedom of finally being seen. The show takes place at the Stoner Theater inside the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, at 7 p.m. with tickets starting at $22.

Parker McCollum

Aug. 8: Welcome to East Side Night, the unofficial class reunion for east-siders and maybe the rowdiest night at the Iowa State Fair. Parker McCollum went from being listed by Music Row as a 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year to playing the Iowa State Fair Grandstand, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines. The country singer is behind songs such as “Burn It Down,” “Pretty Heart,” “To Be Loved By You,” and “Handle On You.” McCollum’s latest single, “What Kinda Man,” brings him back to his Texas roots. Josh Abbott Band opens. Tickets start at $45 for the 8 p.m. show.

More: Iowa State Fair announces 2025 free concerts. When to see The Nadas, PetRock and more.

‘Nerdtopia!’ A nerdy burlesque show

Aug. 9: This 21-plus show at xBk Live, 1159 24^th St., Des Moines, brings the Naughty Nerds with “Nerdtopia,” an LGBTQIA-friendly, all-inclusive burlesque show. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $35.

Megan Moroney

Aug. 9: Country phenom Megan Moroney plays the Iowa State Fair, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, for the first time, bringing her emo cowgirl post-breakup ballad “No Caller ID” and two-time platinum No. 1 hit “Tennessee Orange.” Fans can expect to hear “Man on the Moon,” “Indifferent,” “I Know You,” “I’m Not Pretty,” “Hair Salon,” “Lucky,” and “Sleep on My Side.” Rising star Kameron Marlowe, who was a contestant on Season 15 of NBC’s “The Voice,” released his debut single, “Giving You Up,” in 2019. He opens the show. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show start at $45. As of July 31, 14,500 tickets were sold.

Pitbull

Aug. 10: “Mr. Worldwide” Pitbull hit the mainstream in 2009 with “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” and never looked back. He performs on the Grandstand at the Iowa State Fair, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, at 8 p.m. “Don’t Stop the Party,” “Time of Our Lives” and “Give Me Everything” are sure to be on the setlist. Tickets range from $59 to $104 at iowastatefair.org. Neon Union opens. “Mr. 305” also sold 14,500 tickets so far.

Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour

Through Sept. 30: Check out 45 bookstores across the state during the Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour. Each stop on the tour includes a passport stamp for items purchased and a bingo challenge. Participants can win prizes including audiobook credits, gift cards to bookstores, and more. Last year, the tour brought in an estimated $140,000 in sales to participating stores, with more than 4,000 individual passports distributed. Locally, find stops at Beaverdale Books, Dungeon’s Gate, The Little Book, Nos Books, Reading in Public, Storyhouse Bookpub, and Wandering Raccoon. See the full list and details online at iowaindiebookshoptour.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 [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Top events in Des Moines this week: Pitbull, John Cusack & Megan Moroney