We’d understand if Kansas City was still nursing an 816 Day hangover. But nope, it’s right back up and planning another two-and-a-half days of fun this weekend. A medical marvel!
Music, music, music
This weekend is especially packed with music. The highlights: Dierks Bentley plays T-Mobile on Friday, the KKFI Crossroads Music Fest runs Saturday through Sunday, and Barry Manilow takes over at T-Mobile on Sunday night.
For the most local flare, head to Bird Lives! II, a free Charlie Parker festival that goes down in Jersey Creek Park at 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be games, food, crafts, and a musical tribute to the KCK jazz legend.
Speaking of music…
West Side Story at Starlight
August 23-25
This might be the most anticipated show in Starlight’s 2024 Broadway series. Sixty-four years since its Starlight debut and 17 since its last Starlight stop, West Side Story returns to the stage between the towers on August 20 and runs through Sunday. If you can’t make a weekday show, buy one for this weekend—and quick. We hear there might be a rumble.
Parkville Days
August 23-25
Nothing stirs up late summer nostalgia quite like a small-town festival. Let Parkville Days do the stirring. Starting Friday evening, this Northland river town balloons in size for live music, carnival rides, a parade, and plenty to eat, drink, and do.
A good starting point might be the Parkville Farmers Market, which opens at 7 a.m. Saturday. Getting there early gives you time to grab a spot along the parade route, which leaves for Main Street from 63rd Street and 9 Highway at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Canaries Cabaret
August 24
The Kansas City Canaries is a popular 12-woman chorus girl troupe that dances with jazz acts all over the city. Saturday night, they’re producing their first solo show. The spotlight is all theirs at Canaries Cabaret at The White Theatre at the J. The group promises “a night filled with glitz, glamour, and high kicks galore.” Doors open at 6:30, and it’s showtime an hour later.
Deaf Cultural Festival
August 24
On Saturday, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is hosting a free festival meant to spotlight and delight the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The festival goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and anyone can attend. The schedule includes performances by students from the Kansas School for the Deaf; ASL-friendly workshops in Visual Vernacular (a gestural storytelling medium), painting, and comic art; an ASL art walk through the Still Performing exhibition; and a showcase of work by deaf artists in the museum’s collection.
Those are just the highlights—the Nelson’s website has a full schedule of events.
Crossroads District and Westside Urban Hike
August 24
IN Kansas City’s office is in the Crossroads. We see several murals on our way in, and it’s not uncommon for new ones to spring up like wildflowers. It’s a cool place to be, and at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Urban Hikes KC’s guided hike through the Crossroads and the Westside dives into all that art—as well as the area’s architecture, landmarks, and views. It’s a great way to show out-of-towners your city, sure, but even locals enjoy this tour.
The hike is about five miles and takes three hours. Bring water and comfortable shoes. When you’re finished, you’ll get a ride back to your starting point on the KC Streetcar.