Sound Advice

Summer is winding down but don’t despair. There’s more to do than listen to your tailgating buddies attempt to sing college fight or beer-on-the-wall songs. Speaking of beer, Oktoberfest arrives Sept. 28-29 at downtown Des Moines near Court Avenue, complete with traditional German music, folk singers and the Polka Police. Want to party to non-polka music? Then hit up the Silent Disco DSM starting at 8 p.m. both nights, where you can choose DJ tunes on your personal illuminated headphone. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. The Iowa Blues Challenge finale takes place on Sept. 8 at the Des Moines Social Club. Nine acts from four summer challenge winners compete for the top prize. Tickets cost $15 at the door and $10 for current Blues Society members. Mark your calendars for a big serving of meatloaf, sans the ketchup. “Bat Out of Hell – The Musical” brings its high energy rock musical, made famous by Meatloaf. The show runs at the Des Moines Civic Center from Feb. 26 – March 3, 2019. Tickets run from $40-$134, available now at www.mydesmoinesperformingarts.org. The Beaverdale Fall Festival takes place Sept. 14-15 and features free live music both nights on five different stages. On Saturday’s stage, Scrap Metal — a group of military soldiers from the Iowa National Guard’s 34th Army Band — performs a variety of “fun-loving, anything goes” music. For more information, visit https://fallfestival.org. ♦