Warm up with the blues
Sunday: Baby, it’s cold outside. But it’s hot inside the Des Moines Botanical Center, where Bob Pace will heat up the downtown landmark during the first Botanical Blues of the season. Every Sunday through February local blues artists will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, children 3 and under are free. Des Moines Botanical Center, 520 Robert D. Ray Drive.
Get ready for the ‘big day’
Saturday and Sunday: Planning a wedding this year (or just want a few free cake samples)? Head over to Weddings DSM on Saturday and the Bridal Forum on Sunday. Each features wedding and bridesmaid gowns, party gifts and ideas, planning services, venue information, exhibits, demonstrations and everything else related to your most important day ever. Weddings DSM is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (free) at Veterans Memorial convention center, 833 Fifth Ave. Bridal Forum runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (free) at the Sheraton Hotel, 1800 50th St., West Des Moines. Go to weddingsdsm.com and yourweddingiowa.com.
Mix it up
Friday: Kick off your weekend at Mixology Night. The event at the Science Center is an evening for adults with drinks, mingling, entertainment and of course, science. Enjoy music from Chris Ranallo and Micah Wagner of Decoy and learn the science of the big screen in the Blank IMAX dome theater. 5:30 p.m. Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Go to sciowa.org.
Monster Jam
Friday and Saturday: Add some horsepower to your weekend at Monster Jam, a family-friendly motorsports show that pits giant trucks against other large objects. Watch as they soar over — or smash through — anything in their way. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 for children, and $20-$45 for adults. Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third St. Go to iowaeventscenter.com.
A Night of Tributes
Saturday: Pay homage to some of your favorite bands during a Night of Tributes at Wooly’s. Critical Mass (a tribute to Rage Against the Machine) and Ten Club (a tribute to Pearl Jam) will perform hits, from “Bulls on Parade” to “Even Flow.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8-$10. Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. Go to woolysdm.com.
