This summer, the Des Moines Symphony held its sixth annual “Yankee Doodle Drive Against Hunger,” in conjunction with its annual Yankee Doodle Pops program. This year’s final tally was the largest in the event’s history, with about $12,000 and more than 2,200 pounds of food being collected for the Food Bank of Iowa.

Metal act Slipknot has announced an October release date for its new album, “.5: The Gray Chapter.” What they haven’t announced yet are Iowa concert dates. Thus far, the Des Moines natives are only coming as close as Omaha.

Your Pick o’ the Week is at Gas Lamp on Saturday, Sept 13, as that venue presents Nashville, Tennessee-based Rachel Kate, with Des Moines’ The High Crest opening. Show starts at 9 p.m., and $5 gets you in the door. Mahalo. CV