Des Moines Civic Center

221 Walnut St, Des Moines

Website ↗(515) 246-2300

Upcoming shows20 listings

Sat, Oct 31

B7:30pmBeautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie FantastiqueCelebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in this unforgettable evening! Kevin Put's Heartland and Iowa’s Linda Robbins Coleman’s In Good King Charles’s Golden Days set the stage for the sweeping American Mosaic by Peter Boyer and photographer/video artist Joe Sohm. American Mosaic features dramatic images of American life on a giant screen above the Orchestra and historic narration with Harry Smith. The Harlem Quartet brings Michael Abels’ Urban Legends to life before Bernstein’s electrifying Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.

Sun, Nov 1

B2:30pmBeautiful Monsters – John Williams & Symphonie FantastiqueCelebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in this unforgettable evening! Kevin Put's Heartland and Iowa’s Linda Robbins Coleman’s In Good King Charles’s Golden Days set the stage for the sweeping American Mosaic by Peter Boyer and photographer/video artist Joe Sohm. American Mosaic features dramatic images of American life on a giant screen above the Orchestra and historic narration with Harry Smith. The Harlem Quartet brings Michael Abels’ Urban Legends to life before Bernstein’s electrifying Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.

Mon, Nov 2

O7:00pmOutlander in ConcertThe officially licensed concert experience celebrating the global phenomenon. Outlander in Concert brings eight seasons of love, legacy, and destiny to life as a live orchestra performs Bear McCreary’s score, curated by Matthew B. Roberts, against breathtaking scenes from the series.

Sun, Nov 8

S2:00pmStar Spangled Salute to Veterans

Thu, Nov 12

B8:00pmBrandi CarlileI’m hitting the road this fall for a special trio run with my longtime bandmates and collaborators, Phil and Tim Hanseroth. Every show will be completely unique, with the setlist made up entirely of live, in the moment fan requests.

Sat, Nov 21

R7:30pmRenewal – Four Seasons & BoleroVivaldi’s The Four Seasons with violinist Maxwell Brown blooms with vitality and color. Iowa native Michael Daugherty’s Last Dance at the Surf evokes the legendary Surf Ballroom with evocative choreography by Eric Trope and virtuosic dancers from Ballet Des Moines. Ravel’s hypnotic Bolero builds steadily to a radiant, thrilling conclusion.

Sun, Nov 22

R2:30pmRenewal – Four Seasons & BoleroVivaldi’s The Four Seasons with violinist Maxwell Brown blooms with vitality and color. Iowa native Michael Daugherty’s Last Dance at the Surf evokes the legendary Surf Ballroom with evocative choreography by Eric Trope and virtuosic dancers from Ballet Des Moines. Ravel’s hypnotic Bolero builds steadily to a radiant, thrilling conclusion.

Mon, Dec 21

M7:30pmMannheim Steamroller ChristmasMannheim Steamroller have been innovators of the neo-classical genre for over 40 years, blending the finest orchestral sections with electronic elements and a hint of rock to arrive at their remarkably unique sound. Not only are their live performances sonically robust, but they're visually stimulating as well, featuring an incredible light show and illustrations that dance across giant projection screens. Whether they're playing originals like "Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue" or classics like "Joy to the World," Mannheim Steamroller will have fans in the holiday spirit this season on their 2014 Christmas tour.New age

Thu, Dec 31

N8:00pmNew Year’s Eve Pops: Cirque – Symphonic CinemaStep into the movies this New Year’s Eve! The Des Moines Symphony transforms the Civic Center into a cinematic spectacle, where unforgettable film scores meet breathtaking artistry from the world-renowned Cirque performers of Troupe Vertigo. Dazzling aerial choreography, gravity-defying acrobatics, and larger-than-life symphonic sound create a thrilling fusion of film music and motion that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Ring in the New Year with the hottest ticket in town and experience the magic of Symphonic Cinema.

Sat, Feb 6

R7:30pmResistance – Mozart & ShostakovichLauridsen Guest Conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane leads from the keyboard in Mozart’s witty and radiant Piano Concerto No. 22. After intermission, the program takes a dramatic turn with Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 10, a gripping journey of artistic resistance to the soviet regime, programmed from brooding intensity to ultimate triumph, showcasing the Orchestra’s full expressive force.

Sun, Feb 7

R2:30pmResistance – Mozart & ShostakovichLauridsen Guest Conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane leads from the keyboard in Mozart’s witty and radiant Piano Concerto No. 22. After intermission, the program takes a dramatic turn with Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 10, a gripping journey of artistic resistance to the soviet regime, programmed from brooding intensity to ultimate triumph, showcasing the Orchestra’s full expressive force.

Sun, Feb 21

M7:00pmMarvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert the North American TourMarvel Studios' Black Panther in Concert features a screening of the groundbreaking film electrified by live performances from world-class Hollywood studio musicians, African rhythm masters and powerhouse vocalists, delivering the award-winning score and soundtrack in a truly unforgettable experience.

Fri, Feb 26

H7:30pmHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ - Part 2 in ConcertThe final battle begins. You can experience Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in a way you’ve never seen it before! Your Omaha Symphony performs Alexandre Desplat’s iconic score as the film is projected onto a high-definition screen that puts you in the middle of the action. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness Harry and his friends face off for the last time against their foes.

Sat, Feb 27

H1:30pmHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ - Part 2 in ConcertThe final battle begins. You can experience Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in a way you’ve never seen it before! Your Omaha Symphony performs Alexandre Desplat’s iconic score as the film is projected onto a high-definition screen that puts you in the middle of the action. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness Harry and his friends face off for the last time against their foes.

Sat, Mar 20

R7:30pmResilience – Beethoven’s Fifth & ProkofievBeethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony resounds with gripping intensity, anchoring a program of fate and resilience. Overture No. 2 by Louise Farrenc, the only female professor at the 19th Century Paris Conservatory, opens the concert. Pianist Tony Siqi Yun makes his Des Moines Symphony debut performing Prokofiev’s electrifying Third Piano Concerto.

Sun, Mar 21

R2:30pmResilience – Beethoven’s Fifth & ProkofievBeethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony resounds with gripping intensity, anchoring a program of fate and resilience. Overture No. 2 by Louise Farrenc, the only female professor at the 19th Century Paris Conservatory, opens the concert. Pianist Tony Siqi Yun makes his Des Moines Symphony debut performing Prokofiev’s electrifying Third Piano Concerto.

Sat, Apr 17

A7:30pmAwakening – Mahler’s ThirdA rare, once-in-a-lifetime event, Mahler’s Third Symphony, with more than 100 musicians, mezzo and two choruses on stage, is a monumental journey from nature’s awakening to transcendent love. Vast in scale and breathtaking in scope, this epic masterpiece calls for enormous forces and delivers an overwhelming, unforgettable and immersive experience unlike anything else in the symphonic repertoire.

Sun, Apr 18

A2:30pmAwakening – Mahler’s ThirdA rare, once-in-a-lifetime event, Mahler’s Third Symphony, with more than 100 musicians, mezzo and two choruses on stage, is a monumental journey from nature’s awakening to transcendent love. Vast in scale and breathtaking in scope, this epic masterpiece calls for enormous forces and delivers an overwhelming, unforgettable and immersive experience unlike anything else in the symphonic repertoire.

Sat, May 15

R7:30pmRadical Joy – Tchaikovsky’s FourthJoy radiates throughout this vibrant program, from Jimmy López’s high-energy Techno to the expressive sweep of Iowa’s James Poulsen’s Piano Concerto, recently recorded by Robert Thies with the London Symphony Orchestra. The celebration culminates in the triumph over fate in Tchaikovsky’s powerful Fourth Symphony.

Sun, May 16

R2:30pmRadical Joy – Tchaikovsky’s FourthJoy radiates throughout this vibrant program, from Jimmy López’s high-energy Techno to the expressive sweep of Iowa’s James Poulsen’s Piano Concerto, recently recorded by Robert Thies with the London Symphony Orchestra. The celebration culminates in the triumph over fate in Tchaikovsky’s powerful Fourth Symphony.

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