Sound Advice

The Celtic Music Association kicks off 2026 with their concert series. Concerts feature popular and traditional Irish and Scottish music. Jan. 17 is Dallahan; Runa is Feb. 28 and Tannahill Weavers on March 28. All concerts are held at the Franklin Junior High Event Center, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines. Tickets $40; $35 in advance at various ticket outlets. For ticket info visit, www.thecma.org.

The Ingersoll Dinner Theater is back in 2026 but simply named The Ingersoll. All shows offer dinner, and the lineup varies from jazz, contemporary, big band, tribute bands and more. Des Moines’ own Steve Berry performs “Steve Berry Open Stage” on Jan. 15; The Memphis Flash, an acoustic Elvis Presley, on Jan. 17. Attend in January or February and receive a free dinner with ticket purchase for just $60 plus tax. For tickets, www.theingersoll.com. 

Each year, the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake commemorates the death of Buddy Holly through its Winter Dance Party. This year, various events are held from Jan. 29 through Feb. 2 and include appearances by Billy F. Gibbons, Austin Allsup and nearly a dozen other musical acts. Can’t make it to Clear Lake? Then hit the Val Air Ballroom on Jan. 30 for John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party, featuring all the music from Holly’s last concert, which was Feb. 2, 1959. Tickets for the Val Air concert run from $39 to $71.