Our month-long celebration will include many musical memories!
Thursdays, May 1 - May 29 (and through September)
Farmers Market/Music in the Junction – At 4 pm over 100 vendors fill up the first three blocks of 5th Street in Valley Junction for the weekly Farmers Market that runs through October 2nd. Railroad Park then plays host to a beverage garden while the band, Comfort Zone plays from 6pm-8pm for Music in the Junction. Over 3,000 people come to this very popular event each week. Free.
Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3
State Large Group Music Contest – Valley High School will be hosting this event that features orchestra, band, and choir in an adjudicated setting. There is an admission fee but all are welcome to watch the amazing talents of area musicians.
Tuesday, May 6
Night of Jazz – Dowling students will be putting on a concert at St. Francis of Assassi at 7pm. Free.
Wednesday, May 7
Choral Concert - Dowling students will be putting on a concert at Sheslow Auditorium at 7:30pm.
Thursday, May 8
Cancer Benefit Concert - Tempest Rose and various Valley vocalists will be performing in the Valley High School Auditorium at 7pm. Proceeds will be go to the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Tickets are $5 at the door or pre-sale from Tim Sheet at 537-4755. Click here for a flyer.
Tuesday, May 13th
Colbie Caillat at the ValAir Ballroom – With her platinum debut album, Coco, and popular song, “Bubbly,” this American pop singer-songwriter and guitarist is sure to please audiences. With opening act, Trevor Hall, she’ll play the Val Air at 8pm. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $22.50.
Friday, May 16
Bill Riley Talent Show and Family Fun Fair – Valley West Mall will be the location for the talented people of our community to step up and compete for a shot at going to the State Fair’s Talent Show. Competitions will be held for both Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21) with the winners in each category advancing to compete at the Iowa State Fair. Bill Riley Jr. will emcee the competition and there will be lots of fun activities for the entire family. The event will be held from 6pm – 8:30pm in the center court of the lower level of the mall.
Monday, May 19
Killswitch Engage at the Val Air – This metal band rose to fame with their 2004 release The End of Heartache, which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold in December 2007. The title track was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005. Opening bands are Poison the Well, Throwdown, and The End. Doors open at 7pm; show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $20.50.
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 20 & 21
Shake, Rattle & Roll –You’ll be movin’ and groovin’ in this hand-clappin’, foot-stompin’ morning! At 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. at the West Des Moines Library for ages 1-4 (9:30) and ages 2-6 (10:30) with an adult. Registration begins on May 5, 222-3405. Free.
Saturday, May 24
Musical Event in Valley Junction – Once again, 5th Street in Valley Junction will transform into the site of a huge street party. There will be three bands playing throughout the day. The evening will peak with a performance by Kool and the Gang, who will sing such hits as “Get Down On It,” “Ladies Night,” and of course, “Celebration.” Gates open at 4pm; show starts at 5pm. Tickets are $15 and are available at any ticketmaster outlet, including the Val Air Ballroom.
Opening bands are the local favorite, Flipside, followed by Karen Durrant’s Dreamgirls, who will feature tributes to Tina Turner, The Supremes, Donna Summer, and Martha Reeves. Click here to purhcase your tickets online now!
Wednesday, May 28
The Honda Civic Tour Starring Panic at the Disco at the Val Air Ballroom - With songs like the Top 10 single, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” and nonstop touring, Panic At The Disco saw A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out land in the Top 15 of the sales charts with more than 1.6 million in sales. Their video was awarded top honors with “Video of the Year” at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006. Opening bands are Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound, and Phantom Planet. Doors open at 6pm; show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $32.50.
Friday, May 30 (and every following Friday through the summer)
Fridays at the Fountain - Celebrate your weekend freedom at West Glen’s Fountain Plaza every Friday this summer, starting the last Friday of May. We’re serving up rockin’ hot tunes and wildly cool drinks. $5.00 admission gets you a free drink ticket and awesome giveaways. West Glen retailers will be offering everything from extended hours and samples to prizes! Dick Prall will be the first musical act of the season.