Find intersectional, LGBTQ affirming and progressive events of all kinds in the The Real Mainstream Central Iowa Events Calendar. Events are color-coded:
April–May 2024
May 9 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Noche Latina • Des Moines–
May 9
Latin-themed drag at The Legendary Blazng Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar, every second and fourth Thursday.
May 10 (2 events)
6:00 pm • Glamour Unleashed: Capital City Pride Board Drag Makeover • Des Moines–
May 10
Capital City Pride board members "trade in their business attire for sequins, feathers, and fierce makeup" to raise money for this year's Pride efforts. "Get ready to unleash your inner diva!"#lgbtqpride202411:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 10
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
May 11 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 11
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
May 12 (1 event)
10:00 pm • SADDLE KING SHOW Des Moines IA–
May 12
Monthly drag king show at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
May 14 (2 events)
7:00 pm • Fetish, Erotic and Kink Figure Drawing • Chicago, Ill. and online–
May 14
Studio drawing class featuring professional models, available in person or online. Classes are $10; pre-register here. With questions, email online@leatherarchives.org.
Online9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
May 14Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
May 15 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
May 15
Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
May 16 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Covered in Melanin • Des Moines–
May 16
Drag show featuring Black performers, every first and third Thursday at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's largest LGBTQ+ bar.
May 17 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 17
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
May 18 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 18
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
May 19 (3 events)
1:00 pm • Fort Dodge Pride Potluck • Fort Dodge–
May 19
Enjoy the park, food and community, with the Fort Dodge LGBTQ Alliance that organizes the Fort Dodge Pride Festival June 22.
#lgbtqpride2024
5:00 pm • Prism Tabletop Club LGBTQ+ Game Night • Des Moines–
May 19
Choose from hundreds of games; all ages welcome. "Gather, play games, slay dragons, piece together puzzles, hang out and meet new friends" in a safe and welcoming space. Presented by The Rook Room.
10:00 pm • The Graveyard • Des Moines–
May 19
Drag show hosted by Robin Graves, at The Blazing Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
May 21 (1 event)
9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
May 21Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
May 22 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
May 22
Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
May 23 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Noche Latina • Des Moines–
May 23
Latin-themed drag at The Legendary Blazng Saddle, Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar, every second and fourth Thursday.
May 24 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 24
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
May 25 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 25
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
May 26 (1 event)
2:00 pm • Bingo! • Des Moines–
May 26
Chill out with some games while helping raise money for charity.
May 28 (1 event)
9:30 pm • Trivia Tuesday • Des Moines–
May 28Drag-themed trivia every week at Iowa's oldest LGBTQ+ bar.
May 29 (1 event)
9:00 pm • Game Nite at The Blazing Saddle • Des Moines–
May 29
Come to play or watch; bring your own games, or partake of The Blazing Saddle's ever-growing selection.
May 31 (1 event)
11:00 pm • Saddle Gurls and Friends • Des Moines–
May 31
Enjoy The Blazing Saddle's showcast with themed shows and special guests.
