Weekend, Upcoming Events: Awolnation at the Val Air, plus Rodney Atkins, ‘Snow White’ Ballet, Easter at Blank Park Zoo and More

WEST DES MOINES

Awolnation: Music by electronic rock group Awolnation runs the spectrum from sunny jingles like “All I Need” to the haunting single “Sail.” The group, headed by Aaron Bruno, will stop here on its spring tour. Doors open at 7 p.m. Blondfire and Mother Mother will open. When: Tuesday, April 2, 8 p.m. Where: Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines. Tickets: $23 at www.valairballroom.com or $25 at the door.

METRO

Rodney Atkins: Country singer Rodney Atkins will christen the renovated Veterans Memorial convention center. The show is part of Atkins’ “Most Hits for the Money Tour,” spotlighting songs like “Take a Back Road,” “It’s America” and “These Are My People.” Josh Thompson and Tyler Farr open the show. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Where: Veterans Memorial convention center, 833 Fifth Ave. Tickets: $29-$39 through www.dahlstickets.com.

‘Snow White’ Ballet: Disney’s tale of a character who meets seven dwarfs and is tempted by an evil queen entertains, but the Ballet Des Moines presentation of “Snow White,” a classic German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, will awe. Ballet Des Moines’ resident professional company will perform with music by the Des Moines Community Orchestra. More than 100 amateur and local dancers also will perform. When: 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. Tickets: $35-$55 at www.desmoinesperformingarts.org.

Iowa Energy Basketball: The Iowa Energy takes on the Reno Bighorns at Wells Fargo Arena. Check out an Iowa Energy game from an exclusive luxury suite.  The package includes 16 tickets, 4 parking passes and a food and beverage credit. When: Saturday, 7 p.m. Where: Wells Fargo Arena. Tickets: tickets can be purchased at the Wells Fargo Arena ticket office, all Dahl's Food locations, www.dahlstickets.com or by calling 866-55-DAHLS.

Easter at Blank Park Zoo: Spend your Easter weekend with the animals of Blank Park Zoo. On Saturday, kids can enjoy egg hunts, scavenger hunts, craft activities and games, as well as a visit from the Easter bunny. On Sunday, the zoo’s annual brunch will include breakfast foods, chef-carved ham and prime rib, chicken Madeira, cedar plank salmon, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, pastries and desserts. Reservations required. When: Saturday events - 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday - Call for reservations. Where: Blank Park Zoo, 7401 S.W. Ninth St. Tickets: Saturday events - $7 adults, $3 children; Sunday brunch - $22 zoo members; $24 nonmembers; ages 4-12 $12.

Arrival From Sweden: The ABBA tribute band will perform at Stephens Auditorium in Ames on Wednesday, April 3. The group formed in 1995 and has been traveling the world ever since. Vicky Zetterberg sings the part of “Anni-Frid” and Jeanette Norlander is “Agnetha” (both on lead vocals), while Fredik Bjorns is “Bjorn” (guitar and vocals) and Leif Olsson is “Benny” (keyboard). The group tours with several of ABBA’s original bandmates, wearing gold catsuits and kimonos re-created by ABBA’s original costume designer. When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State Center, Ames Tickets: $38-$42 for adults, $28 for youth Info: www.center.iastate.edu

David Byrne at 80/35: David Byrne and St. Vincent’s summer tour dates include a July 5 stop at the 80/35 Music Festival. It’s not official until the Des Moines Music Coalition releases its lineup on April 9. Byrne and St. Vincent released an album together last summer, "Love This Giant." In live shows their sets have been a mix of Talking Heads and Byrne solo material, St. Vincent songs and selections from the new album. Tickets: On sale to music coalition members March 29 and to the general public April 1. Details: Des Moines Music Coalition website

Iowa Barnstormers vs. Spokane Shock: Once again this season, all Iowa Barnstormers home games will be played at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines, IA.  All 9 home games will be played on Friday and Saturday evenings with a kickoff time of 7:05pm. When: Friday, April 5, 7 p.m. Where: Wells Fargo Arena Tickets: Available through Dahl’s Tickets

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Events at the Iowa State Center in Ames

Seussical: Monday, April 15 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.

California Guitar Trio + Montreal Guitar Trio: Thursday, April 18, 7:30-9 p.m.

Romeo and Juliet: Thursday, April 25, 10-11:30am

Ramona Quimby: Monday, April 29, 10-11:30 a.m.

Kyle Eastwood Band: The eldest son of actor Clint Eastwood is a universally respected musician. Eastwood's Paris-based jazz quintet thrills audiences with dynamic and pulsing jazz music, full of swing, great rhythms and memorable melodies. When: April  Where: Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines Tickets: $129, only sold as part of a season ticket package

Jon Bon Jovi: The New Jersey rocker and his band will return to Des Moines on April 14 with the "Because We Can" Tour at the Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. Ticket prices start at $19.50; tickets on sale through dahlstickets.com.

An Evening with David Sedaris: One of America's pre-eminent humor writers, his skill slicing through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observed writers addressing the human condition today. Sedaris is the author of the collections of personal essays Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames, all which have become bestsellers.  When: 7:30 p.m. April 17 Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines Tickets: On sale now through the box office.

Kenny Chesney: The country superstar will play in concert April 27 at Wells Fargo Arena. Chesney’s tour is called “No Shoes Nation,” and includes the Eli Young Band and Kasey Musgraves. Tickets are $22-$79.50 are on sale through www.dahlstickets.com.

Impractical Jokers: The hidden camera-practical joke reality series on TruTV follows the four members of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins as they goad one another into doing public pranks while being filmed by hidden cameras. The interactive comedy show will feature videos, an audience Q&A, stand-up comedy and more.  When: 7:30 p.m. April 27 Where: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines Tickets: ($35) go on sale Friday through Ticketmaster or visit theater box office online

Willie Nelson and Family: The creative genius behind historic recordings like "Crazy," "Hello Walls," “Red Headed Stranger” and “Stardust” is coming to Iowa. His career has spanned six decades. His catalog boasts more than 200 albums. His most recent album release, Heroes, spent five weeks at #1 on the Americana Radio Chart and debuted as No. 18 on the Billboard 200 best-selling albums chart. When: 7:30 p.m. May 14 Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. Tickets: On sale now through the box office

B.B. King Tickets: Blues guitarist B.B. King and his guitar, named Lucille, will be in town later this spring, but tickets are on sale now. The 87-year-old legend comes to Prairie Meadows on May 24. Tickets are $44-$84 and go on sale now through Ticketmaster.

P!nk - “The Truth About Love” Tour: P!nk will make her tour stop at Wells Fargo Arena on November 8, 2013. The tour's electric crowds have enthusiastically embraced her unique brand of high-energy theatrics and emotion-fueled performances that have secured her place in history as one of the most spectacular performers of her generation.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m.

Keith Urban in Concert: One of the industry’s most electrifying live performers, four-time Grammy Award winner and American Idol judge Keith Urban will launch his “Light The Fuse Tour 2013” with Little Big Town and special guest Dustin Lynch.  The tour will include a show in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena on November 9.  Tickets go on sale at 10:00am on Friday, April 5 at www.dahlstickets.com. When: Nov. 9 Where: Wells Fargo Arena 

Daniel Tosh: Tosh.0's Daniel Tosh will visit the Iowa State Center in Ames June 4. He will present two shows one at 7 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday June 4 at Stephens Auditorium.

Jackson Browne: The singer/songwriter will perform in Des Moines June 25 at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Browne is best known for hits like "These Days," "Running On Empty," "Rosie" and, "The Pretender.” Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek will open for him. Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. When: June 25 Tickets: $41-$66 on sale Friday through Ticketmaster.

Justin Bieber: Pop star Justin Bieber will make an appearance at Wells Fargo Arena on July 7. Tickets are on sale now. Tickets range from $40 to $95.  

Taylor Swift: Country star Taylor Swift returns to Wells Fargo Arena on Aug. 1. No word yet on ticket prices or an on-sale date. The event is listed on Swift's website but is not listed on Ticketmaster or its partner website. In nearby Kansas City, MO tickets range from $30 to $85.