It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing! Tonight the Des Moines Civic Center will host the Iowa Jazz Band championship finals. This event is sponsored annually by the Principal Financial Group.

Only bands receiving an invitation will be competing for the championship title. These bands include all ensembles that received a first or second place at their district jazz festival. However, some wild card invitations were sent out to ensure sufficient competition and participation for the event.

Preliminary competitions will be going on all day from 4 to 8 p.m. The Convention Center will be the site of the A, 1A, 2A, and 3A “playoffs.” The Civic Center will host the the class 4A daytime competition.

Costs to attend these concerts are $3 for adults and $2 for students and are available for purchase in the lobby of the competition sites. The winners will be announced at 5 p.m., and the evening performance will follow at 7 in the Civic Center.

The ticket price for the 7 p.m. show is $5.25 for adults and $3.25 for students with ID. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster for the evening concert.

Call the Civic Center line at 243-1120 for more information.