7 must-attend weekend events
Rex Manning Day
Friday: The latest Rex Manning Day concert focuses on the '80s starting at 9:30 p.m. at Vaudeville Mews, 212 Fourth St. Ramona & the Slimdudes, Karen Meat & the Computer, Viva Montesa, Just Say No and Easy Fruit will perform classic '80s songs, with DJ Bueller McFly spinning between sets. $5. Go to vaudevillemews.com.
CelebrAsian
Friday-Saturday: Iowa Asian Alliance hosts its annual CelebrAsian festival from 2-9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday in Western Gateway Park downtown. The event features villages representing Asian communities in Des Moines, sports and martial arts demonstrations, music and so much food. Free. Go to iowaasianalliance.com.
Des Moines Menace
Saturday: The Des Moines Menace men's and women's soccer teams have back to back games at Valley Stadium, 4440 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines. The women play the Minnesota TwinStars at 4:30 p.m., with the men taking on WSA Winnipeg at 7:30 p.m. $9. Go to menacesoccer.com.
Smokin' in the Junction
Saturday-Sunday: The seventh annual Smokin' in the Junction barbecue contest is held noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday in Fifth Street in Valley Junction, West Des Moines. There's music by Randy Burk & The Prisoners, The Blue Band and others, a beverage garden, food vendors and more. Free. Go to smokininthejunction.com.
Des Moines Symphony
Saturday-Sunday: The Des Moines Symphony closes out its season with "Appalachian Spring," a Memorial Day weekend show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St. The show features the Simpson College Choir and Chamber Singers and the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble joining the symphony on several pieces, including works by John Williams from "Saving Private Ryan," "Lincoln" and "The Patriot." Go to dmsymphony.org.
Hairball
Saturday: The Minneapolis tribute band Hairball kicks off the Nitefall on the River series with an 8 p.m. show at Simon Estes Amphitheater, 75 E. Locust St. Hairball recreates live shows by bands like AC/DC, Kiss, Guns 'n Roses and more, complete with costume changes. $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Go to nitefalldsm.com.
Mini-Camp
Saturday: If you can't make it to the Summer Camp Music Festival this weekend in Chillicothe, Ill., there's Mini-Camp at Wooly's, 504 E. Locust St. Infuzion will perform as The Grateful Dead, The Smoothsayers as Phish, America as The Black Crowes and Southbound as The Allman Brothers.