By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Talk about rock theater, The Des Moines Playhouse will host “Yesterday and Today,” and interactive Beatles concert this week, March 11-13. Billy McGuigan, who portrayed Buddy Holly in The Playhouse’s previous productions of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” returns with his band to recreate the Fab Four’s music. Each night, the audience creates the band’s set list by filling out a pre-show questionnaire. Tickets are $25. Visit www.dmplayhouse.com for show times.
Dashboard Confessional performs an all-ages show on Friday, March 12 at 6 p.m. at People’s Court. Tickets are $25 through Midwestix.
The Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band performs Saturday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Anchor Coffee House. Tickets are $10 in advance (274-1534) or $12 at the door. They also perform a free show at el Bait Shop on Sunday, March 14 at 8 p.m. as part of the bars “Live Bait” concert series.
The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura, Augury and Hatesphere perform Sunday, March 14 at 5 p.m. at the House of Bricks for fans of all ages. Tickets are $13 through Midwestix.
Local pop-rockers Hold For Swank recently welcomed two former members of the band Stanwood Charlie to the fold. Drummer Eric Haughey and guitarist Jason Wacha join Hold For Swank veterans, singer Eric Nelson and bassist Max Kenkel. The new lineup will perform March 18 in Austin, Texas during SXSW and just inked a licensing agreement with Bunim/Murray Productions to play their music in the background of television shows like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and “Bad Girls Club.”
Texas singer-songwriter Mark Stuart of Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons performs March 26 at Jasper Winery for a concert/wine tasting event at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Special gusts include Randy Burk. Call 282-9463.
Born of Osiris and Oceano play an all-ages show at 4 p.m. on April 4 at the Vaudeville Mews. Tickets are $12 through Midwestix.
Elton John returns to Des Moines for the first time in more than three decades with a performance at Wells Fargo Arena on April 16 for his “Rocket Man — The Greatest Hits Live” tour. Tickets are $36, $65 and $95, and go on sale March 12 through dahlstickets.com.
Julian Casablancas of The Strokes will play People’s Court on April 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 through Midwestix.
KGGO’s Summer Jam (June 26) and the Big Country Bash (June 27) return to Water Works Park this summer. No word on lineups or tickets yet.
Iowa folk singer-songwriter Chad Elliott is embarking on a yearlong ambitious project to release 100 home-recorded songs for “The Den Sessions” of 2010. Visit www.chadelliott.net.
Local rock band SNAFU, has a new lineup and will release a new album in May. As if that isn’t enough, bandleader Andy Anderson is also opening The Ark, a new recording studio in downtown Ames, on March 26. Details of the grand opening are forthcoming.
Students who participate in the monthly jam sessions hosted by the Community Jazz Center at Java Joe’s each first Sunday or the month, will be eligible for the chance to win $400 to attend a summer jazz workshop hosted by an Iowa university or college. Young musicians can enter their name at the monthly jams. The winner will be announced in June. CV
