Urbandale and Metro Weekend Events: Holiday Open House, Triple Espresso, The Wizard of Oz

Holiday Open House - The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates hosts a holiday open house at 100 Locust Street in Des Moines. Explore the renovated Hall of Laureates and learn about the World Food Prize's efforts to preserve the historical integrity of the former Des Moines Public Library.

Decorate the Mitten Tree - Begins Saturday at the Urbandale Public Library. The library is asking residents to help decorate the Mitten Tree by placing purchased or hand-knit mittens and gloves on the tree. All sizes and types of mittens and gloves are needed. The Urbandale Food Pantry will distribute the donated items to the Urbandale schools and elsewhere for those in need. The tree will be up until Dec. 31.

“Triple Espresso - A Highly Caffeinated Comedy”: Tells the rags-to-rags story of Hugh Butternut, Buzz Maxwell and Bobby Bean, an aspiring comedy trio whose bid for showbiz fame and fortune ended in four minutes of magnificent failure on national television.
Temple Theater, Des Moines
7:30 pm. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays Nov. 27 through Jan. 6
Tickets

The Wizard of Oz: On a farm in Kansas, Dorothy Gale feels out of place and misunderstood. She wants to escape to somewhere "Over the Rainbow." Ages 5 and up.
Des Moines Community Playhouse, Des Moines
Dec. 7 to Dec. 30, Wednesday-Friday 7pm, Saturday & Sunday 1pm and 5pm
Cost: $35 ($20 Hot Tickets available 2 hours prior to curtain, limited to available tickets, at the ticket office only.)

Max Wellman: “Home for the Holidays” concerts with late-night shows featuring Chris Ford and others.
7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16
The Des Moines Social Club’s Kirkwood Theatre, 400 Walnut St.
Cost: $20-$125 through midwestix.com.

Cirque de Soleil – Quidam: Young Zoe is bored; her parents, distant and apethetic, ignore her. Her lfie has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world – the world of Quidam – where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.
Dec. 22, 3:30 p.m and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 23, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Cost $35-$79. Buy tickets.

Jim Brickman: “On a Winter’s Night” Christmas concert by the new age Grammy winner.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 20
Stephens Auditorium, Ames.
Cost: $32-$62 through Ticketmaster.

Euforquestra: Originally from Iowa, now based out of Colorado, this jam band offers its third annual “Home for the Holidays” concert.
7 p.m. Dec. 21.
Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St.
Cost: $10 in advance through ticketfly.com.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: New takes on Christmas favorites.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22.
Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St.
Cost: $35-$83 through Ticketmaster.

GuideOne ImaginEve!- GuideOne ImaginEve! is Des Moines' premier free, non-alcoholic family New Year’s Eve celebration. The event features awesome inflatable rides and bounce houses, a caravan of clowns, balloon artist, carnival games and prizes, toddler zone, mini golf, dancers and a fireworks finale. This one-of-a-kind family event encourages family members of all ages to participate in a wide variety of activities. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Dec. 31, 4pm
Hy-Vee Hall, Des Moines
Cost: Free

Iowa Energy Basketball- The Iowa Energy play the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Dec. 29, 7:00pm
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Cost:  $8-$20 Buy Tickets

New Year's Eve Pops-Des Moines’ signature New Year’s Eve celebration is the Des Moines Symphony’s annual POPS spectacular at the Civic Center.So plan early and ring in 2013 with The Classic Hits of The Beatles, performed by the award-winning Classical Mystery Tour—a tribute to the boys from Liverpool like no other.
Dec. 31, 8:00pm
Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. Des Moines
Cost: $15-$75 Find Tickets

Monster Jam 2013-The 2013 touring season brings more Monster Jam excitement with the celebration of Maximum Destruction’s 10th Anniversary providing entertainment tailored perfectly for your family's budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old.Jan. 4, 7:30p  Jan. 5, 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, 233 Center Street
Cost:$20-$45, Child $5

Weddings DSM-t's the fun, chic way, to help you plan the wedding of your dreams! Our vendors are Iowa's premier photographers, caterers, bakers, florists, bridal and tuxedo shops and more! Presenting a designer fashion show featuring models from RUNWAY model and talent, seminars from wedding experts and the Soon to be Newly Wed Game.
Jan. 5 11:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, Des Moines, 233 Center Street
Cost: Free

Miranda Lambert: Locked and Re-Loaded tour stops in Ames with Dierks Bentley and Lee Brice.
Hilton Coliseum in Ames
7:30 p.m.  Feb. 21
Tickets 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.
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
April 14; tickets on sale through dahlstickets.com.

Taylor Swift: Country star Taylor Swift returns to Wells Fargo Arena on May 6. No word yet on ticket prices or an on-sale date.