During the summer, watching a show inside a bar or club just isn’t the same as enjoying an outdoor concert. This part of the challenge is easy: Find an outside music event nearby. Here are some of the outdoor shows worth your time this summer.
Music in the Junction
5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Valley Junction at Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue. Free admission. Valleyjunction.com.
May 3: Brother Trucker
May 10: Echo’s V
May 17: It’s Complicated
May 24: Comfort Zone
May 31: Boomerang
June 7: Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts
June 14: Melodie Proffitt Band
June 21: Jony & the Rectifiers
June 28: Faculty Lounge
July 5: Lesson7
July 12: RSVP
July 19: Tony Valdez Large Band
July 26: Final Mix featuring Del “Saxman” Jones
Aug. 2: Brother Trucker
Aug. 9: Abby Normal
Aug. 16: Brian Holtz Band
Aug. 23: Boomerang
Aug. 30: Malcolm Wells & the Two-Timers
Continues weekly through Sept. 27.
Rendezvous on Riverview
Put on by Oak Park, Highland Park and Union Park neighborhoods, the series is 5:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays in the lot at Sixth and Boston avenues. Free.
June 1: Beau Nystrom Band
June 8: Boomerang
June 15: Backstage Boogie Band
June 29: Abby Normal
July 6: Ben 2K (with fireworks)
July 13: Final Mix featuring Del “Saxman” Jones
July 20: Celler Dwellers
July 27: Hold On
Urbandale Friday Fest
Held 4:45-8:30 p.m. Fridays at Walker Johnston Complex, 9000 Douglas Ave., Urbandale. $7 admission includes a cup and three drink tickets. Children 12 and younger are free. Friday-fest.com.
May 4: The Driveway Rockers
May 11: Ben 2K
May 18: The Nadas
May 25: Lavender Lace Band
June 1: Faculty Lounge
June 8: Abby Normal
June 15: Flipside
June 22: Standing Hampton
June 29: Final Mix featuring Del “Saxman” Jones
July 6: Stone Thro
July 13: Gimmikk
July 20: Insane Jane
July 27: Trips
Aug. 3: Decoy
Ankeny Unplugged
4-9 p.m. Saturdays in June at Wagner Park, 401 W. First St., Ankeny. $3. Features a market with local crafters. Children 12 and younger are free. Ankenyunplugged.com.
June 2: Parlours, Milk and Eggs, Hanwell, Death Ships
June 9: Caroline Smith, Elizabeth Arynn, James Biehn, The Host Country
June 16: Fierce Bad Rabbit, Mint, Brothers Burn Mountain, TBA
June 23: Christopher the Conquered, Patrick Tape Fleming, The New Bodies, Jordan Mayland and the Thermal Detonators
Ames on the Half Shell
5 p.m.-8 p.m. Fridays at Bandshell Park, 804 Kellog Ave., Ames. $4 admission. Amesonthehalfshell.com.
June 1: Redzband
June 8: Echo 18
June 15: Burnin’ Sensations
June 22: Box Brothers and friends
June 29: Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts
July 6: Wheelhouse
July 13: Saucy Jack
July 20: Vivace
Music in the Park
Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in Colby Park, Windsor Heights. Free admission, with free beverages, popcorn and snow cones. Windsorheights.wordpress.com.
June 12: Ralph Zarnow Orchestra
June 19: Java Jews
June 26: Sacred Heart Sax and Brass
July 1: (Sunday show, 3 p.m. start) Hot Club of Des Moines
July 10: Party Gras Classic Jazz Band
July 17: Urbandale Community Adult Band
July 24: Hold On
July 31: Brass Band from Altenmedingen, Germany
Aug. 7: Greater Des Moines Community Band
Aug. 14: FreeStyle
Blues Before Sunset
Monthly concert series on the Grand Terrace of the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust St. Concerts are free and held 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 1: Bella Soul
July 13: The Janeys
Aug. 3: Riskey Revival
Sept. 7: Soul Searchers
