West Des Moines, Metro Weekend Events: Roller Derby, Bridal Show, Green Expo, World’s Toughest Rodeo, Iowa Home Show, Plus Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift

This Weekend in West Des Moines

Green Life Expo & Concert: Many healthy, "green" conscious vendors with a lunch-hour concert by a contemporary Christian group. Organic and gluten-free food are available at this family-friendly event.
Jan. 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Green Grounds Cafe, 117 Fifth St., West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction
Cost: Free

Men’s Roller Derby: Iowa’s own national champion men’s professional roller derby team, Your Mom, takes on the Minnesota Rollergirls All Stars. For more about the team, visit the web site.
Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Skate West, 2019 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
Cost: $7 or two for $10, at the door; kids 10 and under are free.

The Everything Bridal Show: Featuring a live fashion show at 1 p.m. with all the latest styles in bridal gowns, bridesmaids' dresses and formalwear. Vendors will be on hand to showcase their photography, wedding cakes, banquet facilities, invitations, catering services, limousine rental, DJ services and so much more. Also, there will be many prizes and giveaways throughout the day.
Brides and grooms can register to win $1,000 cash!
The Hy-Vee Conference Center, 5820 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines
Jan. 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: Free

Around the Metro

World's Toughest Rodeo: Cowboys, cowgirls and, of course, the animal athletes are all ready to roll into Des Moines. There’s a free Pre Show, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and of course the women's barrel racing mixed in with a little comedy, stunts, and rock and roll.
Jan. 11-12, 7:30 p.m.
Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Cost: $20-$57 Kids tickets are half price.  Buy Tickets

Iowa Home Show: The 2013 Iowa Home Show includes a completely decorated home inside the show from Lincoln Homes, and HGTV's TV Celebrity Carpenter Eric Stromer from “Hideous Houses”  and “Over Your Head.” Also Mushroom King Thomas Weipert shares mushroom hunting tips and special recipes, and free antique appraisals.
Jan. 11, 4-8 p.m.; Jan. 12, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;  Jan. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Iowa State Fairgrounds, Varied Industries Building, East 33rd Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Cost: $6.95 adults; $5.95 seniors over 62; kids under 12 free.
Buy Tickets online or at the door

Iowa Energy Basketball: The Iowa Energy play the Canton Charge. Family Day with Iowa Energy Hat Giveaway to the first 1000 fans presented by MidAmerican Energy.
Wells Fargo Arena, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Jan. 13, 4 p.m.
Cost: $8-$20 Buy Tickets

“The Monster Under the Bed”: Monsters under the bed are supposed to be scary, right? But as Ben’s mom gets grumpy, his dad is far away and his best friend isn’t being very nice, Ben turns to the Underbed Monsters for friendship. One day, the monster goes to school with Ben, causing a huge ruckus.
The Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines,
Jan. 11-27, 7 p.m. Fridays, 1 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays ( 1 p.m. only, Sunday, Jan. 27).
Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for students

ISAA Pro Am Archery Tournament and Trade Show: third-argest indoor archery tournament in the united states. $20,000 purse. Free and open to the public.
Registration is on web site at www.isaaproam.com
Hy-Vee Hall, 233 Center St., Des Moines
Jan. 11, 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; Jan. 12, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.,;Jan. 13, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free

Coming Up

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! 2013 Tour: Is your family ready to get the sillies out. Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! features the one and only DJ Lance Rock, plus Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex – and, of course, hip-hop legend Biz Markie.
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Jan. 15, 3 and 6 p.m.
Buy tickets.

Smart Talk Connected Conversations Series – Doris Roberts: Nine years as Marie Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond” brought Doris Roberts international accolades as the most popular comedic actress in television.
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $112-312 for the five show Smart Talk series.

Carnival of the Animals: Des Moines Symphony with l’Arsenal a Musique of Montreal, Canada. Discover this fantastical work by composer Camille Saint-Saëns, and enter into the marvelous universe of the Carnival of the Animals. Inspired by this piece, which still sounds fresh, we will take you on a fabulous musical journey.
The Civic Center, of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Jan. 19, 1 p.m.
Cost: $10 Find Tickets

Live At the Temple Concert Series – Susan Werner: Iowa-born Susan Wemer is a genre-busting singer/songwriter traversing pop, folk, blues, country, roots, jazz and gospel with wit and grace.
The Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines
Cost: $162 for the five-concert series

“The Book of Mormon”: Nine 2011 Tony Awards say it’s the best musical of the year. Vogue says “it’s the funniest musical of all time.” And the New York Times says “it’s the best musical of the century. It’s “The Book of Mormon,” the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart calls it “so good, it makes me angry.” Contains explicit language.
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines.
Jan 24-Feb. 3
Cost: $40-$125

Iowa Bike Summit: The Iowa Bicycle Coalition announces the 2013 Iowa Bike Expo, Iowa Bicycle Summit and RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party. Last year's event attracted over 3,000 attendees, with over 60 exhibitors ranging from bike advocacy organizations like Raccoon River Valley Trail Association to bike shops like Bike World of Des Moines.
Iowa Events Center, 223 Center St., Des Moines
Jan. 25 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $160 Buy Tickets

Iowa Bike Expo and Ragbrai Announcement Party: Make plans the next day, January 26th, 2013 to attend the free Iowa Bike Expo that will also be held at the Iowa Events center. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the best bicycle equipment, optimal riding destinations, and future cycling events.

After the Expo, attendees can relax and kick back their cleats as the Iowa Bicycle Coalition is excited to host the RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party at the Iowa Events Center Vets Auditorium in Des Moines. The evening will feature live music with a special performance by Johnny Holm Band. Other activities include a live auction of amazing cycling equipment, raffles for prizes, and complimentary snacks and refreshments.
Iowa Events Center, 223 Center St., Des Moines
Jan. 26. Expo: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. PM, Party: 8-11 pm
Cost: Expo is free and open to the public.
Announcement Party: $30 before Jan. 15, and $35 after. Buy Tickets

MCC45 Schmauss vs. Dicke: The MCC light heavyweight title is on the line as current champion Will “The Franchise” Dicke faces off against Todd Schmauss.
Wells Fargo Arena, 223 Center St., Des Moines
Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25-$50. Buy tickets.

Winter Jam Tour Spectacular: Founded and hosted by GRAMMY®-nominated Christian music mainstay NewSong and presented by World Vision, the Winter Jam 2013 Tour Spectacular will be headlined by GRAMMY®-winning, multi-platinum recording artist TobyMac. The 44-city tour will also feature RED, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, Sidewalk Prophets and Royal Tailor, with a message from national speaker Nick Hall. In addition, the Youth Music Vault Pre-Jam Party will include performances from Jason Castro, OBB and Capital Kings.
Wells Fargo Arena, 223 Center St., Des Moines
Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
Cost: $10 at the door, with no ticket required.

Comedy Xperiment: Comedy XPeriment is Des Moines' premiere long-form improvisation team. Each show is unique to itself as the genesis for the show is based on suggestions from the audience. Even the performers themselves don't know what could happen in a show.
Stoner Theater, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines
Jan. 26, 7:30pm
Cost: $10 Find Tickets

Upcoming Ames and Metro Events

Miranda Lambert: Locked and Re-Loaded tour stops in Ames with Dierks Bentley and Lee Brice.
 Hilton Coliseum in Ames
 7:30 p.m.  Feb. 21
. Tickets on sale

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 for the Iowa show went on sale Dec. 3 through dahlstickets.com.

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.

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