Hoyt Sherman Place — Attraction in Des Moines

Leanne Morgan and Karen Mills are amazing comics. Wonderful auditorium for the show. Vintage vibe.

Pros, large free parking lot. Not certain when using valet assistance if this requires payment. We parked ourselves.

Open’s an hour before the show. Lots of indoor helpers to ask where seats are. Women were using the men’s bathroom as there’s limited seating 😂 The men seemed supportive and everyone was respectful if women or men were using the room the few times I was in the area.

They check purses and hand bags at the bottom of the steps.

At the top of the steps is a rent a cop security ‘CSC’ service in polo shirts. Like TSA with wands. After the show several of this group were stationed inside.

We didn’t have concessions. I’ve read other reviews that say there are some. There is alcohol available. People had plastic cups of wine in seats. Not sure what all is available. But, drinks for the show is.

The merch table is, or at least for this show, way way way in the back. Up stairs. Through a hall. Etc etc. you’ll wanna ask for directions. There’s plenty of room for people to shop. We were the only people. Glad they have one. A pro. Though, con’s to the set up 👇🏼

Con, if you’re handicapped not sure how you’d get into the show. I only saw steps.

Con, leg room. At 5’9 1/2” it was snug. If you’re tall won’t be surprised. When people in front of us needed to step out the entire row had to leave their seats. Super disruptive. Missed an entire bit twice. During their exit and return.

Con, the merch table wasn’t located in a helpful place for the patron. Given the set up understand why. Just a con for helping the artist and patrons. Suggestion, there could be better signage to direct people. We didn’t see any. People asked us were merch was when they saw us. If there is directions hanging anywhere we didn’t find it. We asked staff.

Con, one of the security members was inappropriate verbally several times during the process. Result, me taking time to speak to the event planner (forget the exact title) Toni Robert’s and security supervisor, Tim Schmidtt about the incident.

It’s been many years since I’ve visited the Hoyt. This is the first event center with TSA style security I’ve encountered in Iowa.

Being a native to NYC am accustom to all type and levels of care for patrons.

This was the first event I’ve been to where this style of treatment occurred. Ever. Other than an airport.

Example, Des Moines at the library in May attended a book signing with Jack Carr. A packed event. No such issues there with security. They were cordial and things moved along easily.

Not sure why the Hoyt adopted this style of event security. I’m not sure what type of training these people have. It didn’t appear very much.

Asking someone to drop their bag and raise their arms at a comedy show, weird, but not a big deal. Especially when complied with.

If the employee of rental security has nothing kind to say he shouldn’t speak. Do the job. Including unnecessary remarks several times. He appeared hostile. Unkind. Inappropriate. Tossed in a comment while walking away in a nasty tone. Which my friend heard, as well.

The Hoyt and rented security supervisor were very kind during our chat before the show. Thank you.

Sharing this in case others aren’t aware of what to expect from these random check points.

The supervisor said they recover a variety of contraband to justify why Hoyt hires them. This said, the mouth on the guy with the wand should be confiscated. Reprimanded.

If it weren’t for the kind chat with event staff and security supervisor wouldn’t have been so generous with stars. This is not Beirut … call back to the Leanne’s comic relief about heat and other Iowa nuances...

I payed $230 for a box seat to see Burton Cummings July 20, 2025. I was using my cellphone to access YouTube Music to see the lyrics as Burton and the band performed all the great hits. I know the words to just about everysong but there a couple of songs I wanted to see the lyrics on my phone. Apparently I violated a rule even though it's not posted on the Prohibited Items list. My box seat mate was a grumpy old man who came in late. He stayed in his chair for maybe all of 5 minutes. He obviously didn't like me singing along with the songs and didn't like me viewing lyrics on my phone even though it's not on the list of prohibited items. He ran to a grumpy woman usher who then pounded me on the shoulder to tell me to put my phone away. The grumpy old man had found a better box seat so at that point what difference does it make? I complied with the request. It would have been nice for the grumpy old woman usher to say THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION! By the way I did not take one second of video. Many were taking videos, none of those people were asked or told to put their phone away. Before the show starts it is clearly announced no video but you can take as many still shots as anyone would like. Apparently the rules change despite what is clearly posted and announced prior to the concert. Why people go to a concert and sit like a statue as was the case with the grumpy old man who moved to a center box seat is a mystery to me. He just sat there the whole night. Hope he had fun. I did despite the grumpy old woman usher treating me not so nice and yelling in my left ear to put...

Our date night was superlative at the Hoyt Sherman Place. Are we parked in the lot kitty corner which is clearly marked for Hoyt Sherman attendees. A short walk to the building, they’re building an permanent outdoor stage for jazz in July, so it was a bit dusty with the new construction. Once we were inside, the Hoyt Sherman is immaculate in it’s cleanliness and presentation. The staff has worked to make the lovely areas accessible and crowd friendly.

We got a nice glass of wine and beer and strolled around, looking at the lovely art. Hoyt Sherman itself is a treasure with preserved early 1900 doors, floors stairs however, the facilities are updated to code of course.

There were lots of volunteers on hand to guide people around the facility, and help you find your seats.

Once we were in the auditorium, we were amazed at the size of the balcony. It was the first time that we had sat in the balcony, section a row B with the good view of the stage-

Diana Krall did not disappoint one bit.

People were in a festive mood, and the acoustics couldn’t have been better.

Thank you everyone for a lovely evening out. This is our 10th or 12th outing to Sherman in our 40 years here in Des Moines. (I suggest balcony seating as it’s more comfortable than the main floor). Our ticketing couldn’t have been easier as they were downloaded to my phone and the ticket takers and baggage. Inspectors were...