Ames and Des Moines Metro Events, When and Where: Play With Words, Julian Lage, Kanye West Good Music Group, Miranda Lambert, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber

The weekend begins tonight (Thursday) with a performance by Grammy nominee Julian Lage at the Maintenance Shop at ISU's Memorial Union. Tickets are $12 at the door and the performance begins at 8 p.m. This is a seated show.

Play With Words

Also one can see the creative works of area youth turned into a theatrical production in this weekend's “Play with Words.” Shows take place at Fisher Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10. The production is a collaboration of the Ames Children's Theater, Ames Public Library and Iowa State Center.

The Pines

The Pines will perform with the Colt Walkers at DGs Tap House 9 p.m. Friday. Admission is $5 and you must be 21 to enter.

Snowmine

Snowmine will perform with the Olympics 9 p.m. Friday at the Maintenance Shop. Full price tickets are $10 at the door.

Mumford's

But the Second Annual Ames Winter Classic, also at the Maintenance Shop, is free. The show begins 8 p.m. Saturday. Bands include Mumford's, Surgery, Peace Love & Stuff and Rebel Creek.

The Kanye West Good Music Group will perform at Zeke's Live Music House on Lincoln Way on Saturday as well. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Upcoming Events at the Iowa State Center

Charlotte's Web Fri, Feb 1, 12:30 pm–1:30 pm

Imago Theater's "ZooZoo" Sun, Feb 3, 2:00 pm–3:30 pm

West Side Story Mon, Feb 4, 7:30 pm–9:30 pm

Iowa State University Symphony Orchestra Tue, Feb 12, 10:00 am–11:30 am

Shrek the Musical Wed, Feb 13, 7:30 pm–9:30 pm

Experience the Beatles with Rain Thu, Feb 14, 7:30 pm–9:30 pm

Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues Fri, Feb 15, 7:30 pm–9:30 pm

Voca People Thu, Feb 21, 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

China National Symphony Orchestra Sat, Mar 2, 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Upcoming Ames/Metro Events:

Miranda Lambert: Locked and Re-Loaded tour stops in Ames with Dierks Bentley and Lee Brice.
 The event takes place at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames
 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 
Tickets are on sale

Jon Bon Jovi: The New Jersey rocker and his band will return to Des Moines on April 14 on the "Because We Can" Tour. Ticket prices start at $19.50.
 The event takes place at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
 tickets for the Iowa show went on sale Dec. 3 at dahlstickets.com.

Taylor Swift: Country star Taylor Swift returns to Wells Fargo Arena on Aug. 1. No word yet on ticket prices or an on-sale date. The event is listed on Swift's website but is not listed on Ticketmaster or its partner website. In nearby Kansas City, MO tickets range from $30 to $85.

Justin Bieber: Pop star Justin Bieber will also make an appearance at the Wells Fargo Arena on July 7. Tickets are on sale now. Tickets range from $40 to $95.