Kansas City is wild. Few cities give you the choice between an awards show, an accordion concert, and Christmas on a random July weekend. But this is the lovely world we live in. Let’s break it down.
Shrek the Musical
July 26-28
Ariel found love first; now it’s Shrek’s turn. Shrek the Musical is the second production in the Starlight Theatre’s stacked 2024 Broadway series, and it’s running Friday through Sunday. The show starts at 8 p.m., so if you’re up for it, you and the kiddos can make a day of it at Swope Park.
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Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival
July 27
The blend of music at Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival shows just how many threads make up the tapestry of our country’s musical identity. Featured act Making Movies might say it best: “AMERI’KANA is our living love letter to the Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and Latino heroes of American music. We want kids like us to know that they come from heroes.”
Gates open at 1 p.m., and entry is free. See the full lineup here.
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2024 Accordionist & Teacher Guild, International (ATG) Festival
July 26-27
Why not do something new? Go listen to world-class accordionists (and other acclaimed musicians) at the 2024 ATG Festival.
Friday at 7:30 p.m., accordion/clarinet duo Bridge & Wolak teams with multi-time accordion world champ Grayson Mansfield and Ensemble Ibérica at White Recital Hall. Saturday night at the same time, come back to see Michael Bridge (the accordion side of Bridge & Wolak) join accordionist Gorka Hermosa, the ATG Festival Orchestra, and the winner of the ATG World Cup.
The event actually begins on Wednesday, July 24, and there are concerts every night. Buy individual concert tickets here.
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Christmas in July with Strawberry Swing
July 27
This pop-up’s organizers, J. Rieger & Co. and The Strawberry Swing craft fair, make a good point: Why not get your holiday shopping done months in advance? Between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday, head to the distillery to browse booths upon booths of handmade goods. In the unlikely event you don’t find a gift, you can still head home with a photo with Surfin’ Santa.
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Kansas City People’s Choice Awards Weekend
July 26-28
There’s a lot more to KCPCA than the awards ceremony Sunday afternoon. On Friday, you can mingle with the nominees at Elevation Grille in a free social event. Saturday, there’s a free day party at Soiree Steak and Oyster House. Sunday, if you grab a ticket to the ceremony at the Midland Theatre, you can walk the red carpet starting at 2 p.m. Just get to your seats by 3:45.
You can vote for the winners, too. Categories range from Best Chef to Best Child Development and Education Center.