By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Pocket Full of Nickels is one of many Iowa bands playing The Des Moines Arts Festival

Summer, sun song: An outdoor concert fan’s refrain

The outdoor concert season in Greater Des Moines is in full swing with the return of the Des Moines Arts Festival, Jazz in July and two concerts at Water Works Park. For music fans that bask in the glow of concerts under the sun, there is no better time of year than now.

Des Moines Arts Festival

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the free Des Moines Arts Festival in Western Gateway Park. While many of those visitors have their sites set on the works of 175 professional artists, the festival is also an opportunity to experience live music by a number of talented Iowa musicians performing original folk, blues, bluegrass, pop, reggae and rock music. This year’s event includes two stages hosting non-stop live music sponsored by U.S. Cellular and Meredith Corp., as well as a performing arts stage that features music, dance, theater and comedy on Friday from 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.desmoinesartsfestival.org.

Friday

U.S. Cellular Stage — Truth Be Told (4 p.m.), North of Grand (6 p.m.), Public Property (8 p.m.)

Meredith Stage — Fat Tuesday & the Greasefire Horns (4 p.m.), True North (6:30 p.m.), Swing Crew (8:30 p.m.)

Performing Arts Stage — Michael Whisler (4 p.m.), Roberto the Magnificent (6 p.m.), Hot Club of Des Moines (7 p.m.), Java Jews (8:30 p.m.)

Saturday

U.S. Cellular Stage — BeJae Fleming Duo (10 a.m.), Barb Miller Band (11:30 a.m.), Little Mojo (1:30 p.m.), Hyentyte (3:30 p.m.), Gumbohead (6 p.m.), The Josh Davis Band (8 p.m.)

Meredith Stage — Highway Home Bluegrass Band (10 a.m.), Roxi Copland Band (noon), Deja Voodoo Band (2 p.m.), Mr. Baber’s Neighbors (4 p.m.), Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts (6 p.m.), Lady Blue (8 p.m.)

Performing Arts Stage — Nurturing a Student’s Vision Artists’ Ceremony (10 a.m.), Des Moines Playhouse’s “Grease” (2 p.m.), Mundus (12:30 p.m.), Bill Robison (2 p.m.), Ryan Collier (3:30 p.m.), Roberto the Magnificent (4:30 p.m.), Switchback (5:30 p.m.), Lamajamal (7:30 p.m.)

Sunday

U.S. Cellular Stage — Pumptown (10 a.m.), Rob Lumbard (noon), Peter Mulvey (1:30 p.m.), Old School (3:30 p.m.)

Meredith Stage — Johnny Cash Tribute (10 a.m.), Driftwood Fire (11:30 a.m.), Pocket Full of Nickels (1 p.m.), Gladys Kravitz (3 p.m.)

Performing Arts Stage — Ecuador Manta (10 a.m.), Des Moines Playhouse’s “Clubhouse at the Playhouse” (noon), Roberto the Magnificent (1:30 p.m.), Des Moines Symphony Academy Flute Choir (2:30 p.m.), Des Moines Symphony Academy Strebor String Quartet (4 p.m.)

Jazz in July

This marks the 26th year that the Metro Arts Alliance of Greater Des Moines has organized one of the metro’s most recognized concert series — Jazz in July. More than 15,000 Des Moines area residents are expected to attend 30 concerts at multiple locations featuring bands that play a variety of jazz music. Seven concerts featuring Giants of Jazz showcases will be held throughout the series. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free. Call 280-3222 or visit http://www.metroarts.org.

July 1 — Mike Giles the 3x5 (5 p.m.), Giants of Jazz: Des Moines Big Band performs the music of Thad Jones (7 p.m.); West Glen Town Center’s Fountain Plaza, 5513 Mills Civic Prkwy., West Des Moines.

July 2 — Java Jews (5 p.m.), Tony Valdez Large Band (7 p.m.); Lions Park, 72nd Street and Aurora Avenue, Urbandale.

July 6 — Jumbies (6:30 p.m.); Casady School front lawn, 16th Street and Allison Avenue.

July 8 — Giants of Jazz: Skunk River Jazz Band performs the music of Scott Joplin and friends (7 p.m.); West Des Moines City Hall.

July 9 — Dave Camwell (5 p.m.), Ashanti Latin Jazz Band (7 p.m.); Heartland Presbyterian Church, 14300 Hickman Road, Clive.

July 10 — Peoples Connection (6 p.m.), Wayne Page Quartet (7:30 p.m.); Waukee Downtown Triangle, 6th and Walnut, Waukee.

July 11 — Mandy Julson, storyteller (6 p.m.), Roxi Copland Band (6:30 p.m.); Greenwood Park’s Sylvan Theater.

July 12 — Brazilian Sunset featuring Don Brown and John Scott (6:30 p.m.); Roosevelt High School west lawn.

July 13 — Susie Miget’s Creative Music Studio Young Jazz Artists (6 p.m.), Susie Miget Group featuring Janey Hooper (6:30 p.m.); Salisbury House.

July 14 — Keith Nash Septet (10:30 a.m.), Scott/Four Mile Community Center, 3711 Easton Blvd.

July 15 — Giants of Jazz: Tina Haase Findlay perform the music of Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Irene Myles (6:30 p.m.); behind The Shops of Roosevelt.

July 16 — Giants of Jazz: Scott Smith Five performs the music of Michelle LeGrand (7 p.m.); Science Center of Iowa.

July 22 — Party Gras Classic Jazz Band (10:30 a.m.); Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines.

July 23 — Giants of Jazz: Ed Kaizer Jr. Group with Ed Kaizer Sr. performs the music of Duke Ellington (6 p.m.); Wesley Acres front lawn, 3520 Grand Ave.

July 25 — Belin Quartet featuring Pete Simonson, John Morgan and Steve Charleson (12:15 p.m.), downtown Des Moines Public Library.

July 26 — X-tet (4 p.m.), Giants of Jazz: Stu Calhoun’s 80th Birthday Band pays tribute to the Modern Jazz Quartet (6 p.m.); Beaverdale Park, 34th and Adams streets.

July 27 — Classic Jazz featuring vocals by Judi Brown (5:30 p.m.), Freestyle (6:30 p.m.); Blank Park Zoo Pavilion Plaza.

July 29 — Giants of Jazz: Hot Club of Des Moines: Hot Club of Des Moines celebrates the 100th anniversary of jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli (6 p.m.); Railroad Bandstand, Railroad Avenue and 5th Street, West Des Moines.

July 30 — Octangle (5:30 p.m.), East Village Books; Luca Donini Quartet (6:30 p.m.), State Capitol West Steps; Pianopalooza wrap-up party (8 p.m.), Grand Piano Bistro.

Blank Park Zoo

Citadel Broadcasting Co. sponsors two concerts this weekend at Blank Park Zoo to promote their corporate country and rock radio stations: 95 KGGO Summer Jam/30th Birthday Bash featuring classic rock by former Bad Company lead singer Brian Howe, Nazareth with Manny Charlton, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, The Blue Band and Hat Trick Heroes play Saturday from noon to 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the gate. Visit www.kggosummerjam.com. On Sunday, the Big Country Bash (KJJY, The Hawk) will be held from noon to 10 p.m. at Blank Park Zoo. Featured performers include Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, Chris Cagle, Heidi Newfield, The Lost Trailers, Emily West and Jason Brown. Tickets are $45 at the gate, $35 in advance. Visit www.bigcountrybash.com. VIP tickets for each concert sell for $125 and children 12 and under are free.

Scene notes

Prairie Moon Winery continues its Sunday live music series with a performance by The Soul Searchers at 3 p.m. Other shows include: Larry Myer (July 6), Erick Hovey Band (July 13), The Bob Pace Band (July 20) and Brother Trucker (July 27). … The 10th Annual State BBQ Championship will be held this weekend at the former Iowa International Raceway, 2002 E. Anson St., in Marshalltown. The event includes live music by the Lincoln Highway Band and The Rumbles on Friday and the Stanwood Charlie Band and Hot Tamale & the Red Hots on Saturday. Visit www.marshalltownbbq.com. CV

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