Jess' top events August 7-14

Friday: Sorry everyone, this show has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict. Refunds will be issued to the cards used to purchase tickets. Read more in Joe's music blog. 

Saturday: Stuff yourself with Iowa’s sweetest summer treat at Adel’s annual Sweet Corn Festival. Volunteers will shuck more than seven tons of sweet corn Friday night, which will then be served for free all day Saturday, to be enjoyed along with other vendor foods, live music and a beer garden. The day kicks off with the Adel Sweet Corn Festival 5K, which begins at 8 a.m. After the run, head to the town square for a parade. The festival is held in downtown Adel, 10th and Main streets. Go to adelpartners.org.

Matisyahu

Sunday: Matisyahu will bring his reggae, rock and hip-hop beat-boxing mix back to Des Moines for a Sunday show during Nitefall on the River. His first single, “King Without a Crown,” was a top 40 hit in 2004, and he has since released three studio albums and two live albums. Don’t be startled by the singer’s new look since his last visit to Des Moines (he shaved his beard and cut his hair short in December 2011), he’s still the reggae superstar we love. The Dirty Heads (“Lay Me Down,” “Spread Too Thin”) will open the show. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. $30 at ticketfly.com. Simon Estes Amphitheater, 71 E. Locust St.

Urban Assault

Sunday: Grab your bikes, your buds and some beers for the Urban Assault Ride, a bicycle obstacle event hosted in a handful of large (and fun) cities across the nation. Des Moines’ debut in 20120 was the biggest inaugural ride in the event’s history. There also are rides in Austin, Chicago, Fort Collins and other cities. To participate, choose a teammate and set out on a citywide quest to checkpoints. Each checkpoint includes a silly obstacle for riders to complete before proceeding to the next. The goal is to complete all the checkpoints in the shortest amount of time. $30-$60 per person. Online registration closes Friday at 4 p.m., or register between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at el Bait Shop, 200 S.W. Second St. The ride starts and finishes at Mullet’s, 1300 S.E. First St.