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 play “LAZER’s 20th Anniversary Show” at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, Aug. 5. Joining Slipknot will be special guests Marilyn Manson and Of Mice and Men. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. and can be purchased through www.Hy-Veetix.com or at the Wells Fargo Arena box office. Tickets start at $45.

The Metro Arts Alliance has announced the schedule for this year’s Jazz in July series, and the list includes eight bands and five venues that have never been a part of the series before. For a complete list of acts, locations and times, head over to www.metroarts.org.

This week’s Pick o’ the Week can be found up at Lefty’s on Friday, March 4, when James Biehn, Dust Radio and Jacob County & The Damaged Goods all take to the stage, starting at 9 p.m. Mahalo. CV

Chad Taylor is an award-winning news journalist and music writer from Des Moines who would love to take his talents abroad if the rent were not so much more affordable in Des Moines.