Things to do in Des Moines this weekend: St. Paddy’s 5K, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa. Recently, we've written about new workouts to try, adopting a pet, new holiday traditions in Des Moines, where to eat in the Quad Cities, which bourbons to drink, where Clown from Slipknot dines in Des Moines, former Datebook Diner Wini Moranville's new book, pets, and more.

Showstopper Dance Competition

Friday night: Stop by the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, for the Showstopper Dance Exhibition, what organizers call America‘s first and longest-running dance competition. The dancers perform from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Counted Out

Friday evening: The Black Child Development Institute Iowa joins Corinthian Baptist Church — Des Moines’ largest Black church at 814 School St. in Des Moines — to participate in Counted Out’s worldwide movement to re-imagine math. This free event at 5:30 p.m. includes pizza and pie, a screening of “Counted Out!” and a panel discussion with the audience. Panelists include Rev. Dr. Jonathan Whitfield, pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church; Iowa State Legislator Rob Johnson; Greg Kehrier, board president of You Discover Math, Houston, Texas: Dwana Bradley, former teacher and Des Moines Public Schools school board member; Dr. Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, Des Moines Public Schools school board member; and Dr. Kimberly Wayne, founder and executive director of Jewels Academy. Author, columnist, and podcaster Rachelle Chase will facilitate the discussion. Adults will be eligible to win gift cards at the conclusion of the event. During the event, older children will help younger children play math games, after which the younger children will be given a toy to take home.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Friday night: Catch the Des Moines Community Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, and its theater company’s performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at 7:30 p.m. The rock opera tells the story of Jesus and his final days, based on the gospels. Hear songs such as “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” and “Superstar.” Tickets for the show range from $29 to $53 at dmplayhouse.com. The show runs through March 23 on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

‘Broadway’s Next Hit Musical’

Friday night: Head to the Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St., Des Moines, for an improvised show that took Broadway by storm. “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” is an unscripted theatrical awards show where audience members write down made-up song titles and the cast of improvisers present them as “nominated songs” for the Phony Awards. The audience then votes for their favorites. The cast turns that song into a full-blown improvised musical. Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $50 at desmoinesperformingarts.org.

‘Voix de Ville: A Noce Folly’

Friday night: “Voix de Ville: A Noce Folly” returns to Noce, 1326 Walnut St., Des Moines, with a 7 p.m. show. The original ever-evolving cabaret produced by Max Wellman includes arrangements spanning from the 1920s to the 2020s. The show features a jazz orchestra under the direction of Jason Danielson alongside drag and ballet professionals and a rotating cast of performers for a different show each week. Past shows have featured drag queens Tyona Diamond and Domita Sanchez, ballet professionals Amelia and Logan Hillman, Napoleon Douglas, and more. Tickets start at $36.

#IMOMSOHARD: 'Flashback'

Friday night: Grab some wine and get ready to laugh. Comedians Jen Smedley and Kristin Hensley bring their #IMOMSOHARD tour to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines, for a 7:30 p.m. show. The two contemplate all things womanhood, motherhood, and friendship with tickets starting at $39.50.

Pecos & the Rooftops

Friday night: Get over to the Val Air Ballroom, 301 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, to see lowdown country and classic rockers Pecos & the Rooftops out of Lubbock, Texas. The band behind "11 Beers" and "This Damn Song" plays a 7:30 p.m. show with Eddie And The Getaway opening. Tickets start at $27.

Des Moines St. Paddy’s 5K and Half Marathon

Saturday morning: Kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend with the Des Moines St. Paddy’s 5K and Half Marathon, starting at East Locust Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Des Moines at 8 a.m. Organizers encourage racers to wear green and chase the rainbows and leprechauns. Sign up at https://iowaruns.com/desmoinesstpaddys5k.

Shen Yun: ‘China Before Communism’

Saturday afternoon: Explore China before communism took over when Shen Yun brings its artistic interpretations to the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines, for a 2 p.m. show. The show uses dance, music, and backdrops to tell stories of ancient legends, dynasties, and wisdom, with each performance including around 20 pieces that move from one scenario to the next. See the elegant Tang court ladies, battlefield heroics, the philosophical works of Lao-Tzu and more. Tickets start at $84.50.

‘Countess Cabaret’ with Luann De Lesseps

Saturday night: Countess Luann de Lesseps brings her “Countess Cabaret” to Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. The original cast member of “The Real Housewives of New York City” performs her songs “Money Can’t Buy You Class,” “Chic C’est La Vie,” “Girl Code,” “Feelin Jovani” and “Marry F Kill” at this 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets range from $39 to $75, with a limited number of meet-and-greet packages.

Dixon Dallas

Saturday night: Singer, rapper and metal head Dixon Dallas brings country music back to its roots with an 8 p.m. show at Wooly's, 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines. "Good Lookin'" and "Like Whiskey are just some of his new songs. Tickets start at $25.

Book trade

Sunday afternoon: Grab your gently used fiction books, cookbooks, and gardening books for new-to-you reads at a book trade at Fireweed Acupuncture, 3520 Beaver Ave., Suite C, Des Moines, from 1 to 3 p.m. Organizers request all types of fiction except YA and no diet cookbooks. RSVP online at eventbrite.com.

Judy Collins

Sunday night: “Send in the Clowns.” Singer Judy Collins marks 50-plus years in the music industry with a show at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. Her debut album in 1967, “Wildflowers,” featured original works alongside songs by not-yet household names such as Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show range from $27.50 to $64.50 at hoytsherman.org.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.