Today’s Weekender could also be titled: what to do beyond the State Fair. Don’t get us wrong, we are as morbidly curious about butter sculptures and all the different ways to fry up food as the next person, but there are lots of other things happening in Eastern and Central Iowa this weekend. In Des Moines, the immersive outdoor spectacle known as Squonk Brouhaha will be doing a run of free performances at Cowles Common. August sees the start of KCCK’s “Jazz Under the Stars” Thursday night series in Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids. Dubuque is celebrating the arts this weekend with ‘Dubuquefest’ in Washington Park. The festival has been running since 1979 and will feature art vendors, music and live performance.