The Des Moines Symphony is putting on a special concert showcasing “Engelbert Humperdink’s Favorite Songs to Hum.” Eschewing their instruments, the avant garde performance will feature the symphony performing such Humperdink hits as “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz” and “After the Lovin’” through “a variety of non-verbal vocalizations.” Contact the

Garth Brooks may never leave Des Moines. The country music legend has added a stunning five shows to his initial stay in town, and the six total events have combined to sell nearly 80,000 tickets. Salisbury House has announced the spring lineup for its appropriately named “Music Series at Salisbury

The Iowa State Fair continues to roll out grandstand artists for this year’s event. Most recently, a trio of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers were announced, as Cheap Trick, Joan Jett and Heart will play on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Tickets go on sale on March 26 and will run

Slipknot announced its first Des Moines show in seven years. They’ll be playing Wells Fargo Arena on Aug. 5, along with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice and Men. Tickets went on sale Friday, March 4 at www.hy-veetix.com and start at $45. The Iowa Blues Challenge Society is now accepting applications

Paul Simon is coming to the Des Moines Civic Center for a show on May 18. Tickets went on sale last week and are available at the Civic Center box office or through Ticketmaster. Slipknot is returning to Des Moines for the first time in more than seven years to

The Hinterland Music Festival announced the lineup for the second-year event in St. Charles. Headlining this year’s festival, which will be held Aug. 5-6, is the legendary Willie Nelson, who will be joined by Cold War Kids, Ray LaMontagne, Grace Potter, Shovels & Rope, Houndmouth, Turnpike Troubadours, Hayes Carll, Pokey

Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams has been forced to postpone his entire 2016 tour due to his recent hip replacement surgery. The shelving of the 21-city tour knocks out his scheduled April 13 performance at Hoyt Sherman Place. Anyone who has previously purchased a ticket can get a

Davenport has announced the creation of a Bix Beiderbecke Museum to honor the legendary jazz trumpeter who died in 1931 at the age of 28. Plans for the museum include a 15,000-seat theater and youth classes. The museum is expected to open in 2017. Local rockers Holy White Hounds has

The Iowa State Fair has announced its first grandstand acts for the 2016 State Fair. Deirks Bentley and Newsboys will both be performing this August, with Newsboys hitting the stage on Aug. 11 and Bentley on Aug. 16. Ticket prices have not been announced yet. Speaking of summer, Des Moines-based

Everyone knows how I love a good band name, so my interest was piqued when I saw Embryonic Devourment was coming to Vaudeville Mews this week. However, according to the band’s lead singer, the show was canceled “weeks ago,” and he has no idea why the venue is still advertising