10 things to do in Des Moines this Labor Day weekend include Taste of the Junction, Taylor Fest
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Cast Iron Cook-Off
Thursday morning: Three surprise ingredients and the thrill of cooking over an open flame provide the challenges for the Cast Iron Cook-Off at Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale. Cooks from four of the farms at the attraction face off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when judges evaluate the dishes they make based on presentation, taste and historical value. See it as part of the price of admission.
‘Divine Animals’
Thursday afternoon: Minneapolis-based photographer R.J. Kern brings his ”Divine Animals” retrospective of photographs to Olson-Larsen Galleries, 542 Fifth St., West Des Moines. The opening from 4 to 7 p.m. is free to attend and helps kick off the Taste of the Junction festival (see below).
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‘Yappy Hour’
Thursday night: Go to a “Yappy Hour” and help a good cause when the Animal Rescue League of Iowa holds this free event at at Bailey's Bark Park, 5452 N.E. 22nd St., Des Moines, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event includes mini football toss, a cash bar with drinks for humans and Bark-uterie cups for your dog pals. The event also offers raffle prizes as well. Donations accepted. Register for the event at arl-iowa.org.
Story Sprouts Story Time
Friday morning: If the little kids ages 2 to 5 are still at home, stop by the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines, for Story Sprouts Story Time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The interactive story takes a look at plants and nature, then includes an activity based on the week’s theme. The event is included with the price of admission.
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‘Moulin Rouge’
Friday night: The glitz, glamour and grandeur of Paris comes to life in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” where aristocrats and Bohemians alike play. The musical, set in the Montmartre Quarter during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the 20th century, tells the tale of composer Christian, who falls in love with cabaret actress Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, start at $40. See the show through Sept. 1.
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Taylor Fest
Friday night: What’s your favorite Taylor Swift era? Maybe you just want to exchange friendship bracelets, wear butterflies, or don sequins. The music of TayTay for Swifties and by Swifties comes to Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines, during Taylor Fest. Head to the 9 p.m. show dressed in your favorite era for $20 per person, but everyone is the main character.
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Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival
Saturday afternoon: The Taste of the Junction Multicultural Festival continues with a street festival from 2 to 10 p.m. with food, music, face painting, arts, crafts and beverages at Railroad Park Music Pavilion at Fourth Street and Railroad Place in Valley Junction. See the DSM Metro Mix Dance Squad at 3 p.m., the Guitarras ATM at 4 p.m., the Get Down band at 5:30 p.m., and the Son Peruchos Salsa Band on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. See the full schedule for the Thursday through Saturday event at tasteofthejunction.org.
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‘The Music of Billy Joel’
Saturday night: If “Uptown Girl,” “River of Dreams,” “Movin’ Out,” “My Life,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and the like are among the songs you like to sing along with, make a date to see the Des Moines Symphony's Water Works Pops show, “The Music of Billy Joel.” Bring a picnic dinner to this free concert at 7:30 p.m. at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines. Broadway star Michael Cavanaugh, who played the Piano Man himself in the hit Broadway show “Movin’ Out,” takes a turn as Joel again.
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Yung Gravy
Sunday night: American rapper and singer-songwriter Yung Gravy brings his “The Grits & Gravy” tour with Carter Vail to Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Parkway, Waukee. The all-ages show kicks off at 8 p.m. with tickets starting at $51.
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‘Dance Away with Me’
Sunday evening: The Des Moines Symphony plays a second show at Water Works Park at 7:30 p.m. that covers symphonic and pop favorites, played one after the other. “Dance Away with Me” features vocalists Scarlett Strallen and Ben Davis performing along with the symphony on Andrew Lloyd Webber's “All I Ask of You” and “Let it Go” from “Frozen” and then the orchestra serenading the audience with Offenbach's “Can Can” and Tchaikovsky's “Swan Lake.” Stop by Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, for the free show.
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 this weekend: Taste of the Junction, Taylor Fest
