Here are 13 things to do in KC this weekend, September 5-8, including: Dancefestopia, Once and the Chiefs opening game.
Renaissance Festival
Starting as a small benefit for the Kansas City Art Institute in 1977, the Renaissance Festival has blossomed into one of the city’s most-beloved events, drawing nearly a quarter of a million visitors each year willing to let their freak flag fly. Transport yourself into a long-bygone era with live jousting performances, giant turkey legs and men in tights.
August 31–October 13. Saturdays and Sundays. Times vary. 633 N. 130th Street, Bonner Springs.
Dancefestopia Music and Camping Festival
Dancefestopia Music and Camping Festival is back for its 12th year, and it’s promising plenty of opportunities for music lovers, with over 200 artists from across the nation on four different stages. Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit children’s camp, gets converted into Dancefestopia’s “Emerald City.” The festival aims to celebrate high-energy music and provide an escape from the everyday. Visitors may choose to camp from three to seven days amid the Emerald Forest’s picturesque hills and enjoy activities such as ziplining, canoeing and fishing to immerse themselves completely into Emerald City.
September 2–8. 7095 W 399th Street, Lacygne, KS.
Once
Once is your classic guy-meets-girl story. Two musicians named Guy and Girl bond over their love for music and learn important lessons about love along the way. Based on the 2007 motion picture by John Carney and directed by Stuart Carden, this performance at the Spencer Theater includes songs like the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly” and a heartfelt message about love and music.
September 3–22. 4949 Cherry St., KCMO.
Chiefs Opener
Celebrate the start of the 2024 NFL season with the Super Bowl LVIII champs on kickoff night. The Chiefs will be on their home turf, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, against the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game.
September 5. 7:20 pm. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Farewell Presents: an Evening of Chamber Folk
Musicians Monarch, Bailey Walton with Les Izmore, Gracie Caggiano and Dandelion Lakewood will be playing an intimate set of original chamber folk songs at local favorite Farewell Coffee & Booze.
September 5. 8 pm. Farewell Coffee & Booze.
Red Friday Tailgate
Celebrate the Chiefs and the NFL season beginning with the Red Friday Tailgate celebration featuring appearances by KC Wolf, KC’s pop princess impersonator, ‘Almost Taylor Swift’, a performance from the Chiefs’ Rumble Drumline, along with pop-ups, food trucks, a live DJ, and more.
September 6. 5–6:30 pm. Zona Rosa’s Central Park.
Goode Vibes2 Release Party
Celebrate Boulevard’s newest Brewhouse One release, Goode Vibes2, a Juicy Double IPA made in collaboration with Ruby Jean’s Juicery. This limited release has aromas of strawberries and pineapple balanced by a slight hops tingle and earthy notes from the beets and ginger in the juice—a true fusion of beer and juice. Boulevard’s front porch will be hosting the release party, with the new brew, music and an opportunity to learn more about this brand new collab.
September 6. 5–8 pm. Boulevard Brewing Co. Tours & Rec Center.
Reverberation: Faith in Motion
Through Reverberation: Faith in Motion, Emily Cramer shows how artwork can go beyond the canvas and force its viewers to consider the emotions and lessons it invokes. The Kansas City artist’s dreamlike depictions of water and ripples are meant to show how our faith impacts others in ways more dramatic than we might imagine. Open every Saturday throughout September and October at the Four Chapter Gallery, this thoughtful and heartfelt exhibit will have its opening reception, which will include an artist talk and Q&A, on the evening of Sept. 6.
Reception on September 6, 5:30–9 pm. Exhibit on Saturdays from September 7–October 26. 208 W. 19th St., KCMO.
Reflections: a solo exhibition by Braxton Fuller
Kansas City-based visual artist Braxton Fuller’s newest exhibition, Reflections, is a series of mirrors, which focus not only the act of seeing, but about the deeper process of self-exploration and transformation. Reflections aims to be “a journey into the multiplicity of self, where every angle reveals something new, every break opens the door to growth and every imperfection turns into artwork.”
Opening September 6. 5–8 pm.Kansas City Artist Coalition (SNAP SPACE) (On view September 6–27).
September Sounds at Leawood City Park
The Leawood Parks, Recreation and Arts Department is having a free live music series for the community. The fun fall event, September Sounds at Leawood City Park, runs through September and kicks off with Kansas City’s favorite The Blues Brothers tribute band, Four Fried Chickens and a Coke. After a decade of hitting major concert venues throughout the Midwest, they are playing hits from The Blues Brothers movies along with timeless classics from artists like James Brown and Ray Charles.
September 6. 6:30 pm. Leawood City Park.
PBR KC Outlaw Days
The third season of the groundbreaking PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series returns to T-Mobile Center. The Outlaws are KC’s first professional bull riding team, and they will be competing in the PBR Team Series, which takes bull riding from an individual sport to a team competition. This season features the number one bull rider in the world, Cassio Dias, and there are now 10 teams competing in riding games held across a dozen events.
September 6 & 7, 7:45 pm; September 8, 1:45 pm. T-Mobile Center.
Oktoberfest KC
This fall fest returns to the KC Pumpkin Patch with samplings of beer and cider, live music from German bands and contests like a stein hoisting competition and a best dressed Bavarian style competition. At Oktoberfest KC there will also be fun farm games like skee ball, human foosball, adult trikes and mega slide.
September 7. 12–8 p m. KC Pumpkin Patch.
Dance in the Park
Thanks to City in Motion Dance Theater, appreciating local talent has become a walk—or dance—in the park. This free event, located in Roanoke Park, will include a warm-up fair with vendors and snacks followed by a youth dance performance and a dance demonstration. Still, make sure to pack enough picnic baskets to last until Dance in the Park’s main event, which will feature City in Motion Dance Theater’s own group as well as a diverse selection of other local dance groups.
September 7, 5:30 pm. 3601 Roanoke Rd, KCMO.
