August 1
Check out the Chiefs training camp. After losing the conference championship game in overtime to the eventual Super Bowl champs, the Chiefs come into this season with sky-high expectations and a retooled defense. Check in on their progress during this Tuesday morning practice session at Missouri Western. Chiefs training camp runs July 26–Aug. 14. Times vary. Aug. 1 practice at 8:30 am. Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, Mo. $5 parking. chiefs.com/trainingcamp.
August 2nd
Raid your costume bin for a masquerade. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is celebrating its 25th anniversary in masquerade fashion. The Moonlight Masquerade event is a chance for guests to enjoy the museum’s art, along with food and music, in the most elegant and mysterious way. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 6 pm. Free. kemperart.com.
August 3rd
Listen to a cigar box guitar. What do you get when you combine empty cigar boxes, bedpans, skillets, slates and sticks? Music. The Ozark Cigar Box Guitar Music Festival is back at Drake Harbor for its third year, and musicians are getting creative with their handmade instruments, which will be for sale after the show. Festival runs Saturday-Sunday. 1 pm Saturday, 11 am Sunday. Drake Harbor & Amphitheater, W. Harrison Street, Warsaw, Mo. Free. cigarboxnation.com.
August 4th
Explore street art. If you’ve been through the Crossroads District, you’ve seen the exploded-color murals. But you may not be familiar with the artists or the meanings behind the art. The Kansas City Graffiti Tour takes you on a behind-the-scenes walk through the best street art the city has to offer. Crossroads District. 10 am. $22. kcgraffititour.com.
August 5th
Explore the city by scooter. After a long winter of sitting idle on snowy sidewalks, Bird rental scooters are once again whizzing around the city. This is a good day to give one a spin — just download the app to find and ride. $1 to start, 33 cents per minute. bird.co.
August 6th
Go peach picking. Late July through early August is prime peach-picking season in Missouri. Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard is a 50-acre farm that houses over 2,000 peach trees, among other fruit plants like blackberry bushes and apple trees. Spend a day picking peaches for homemade jams and cobblers. Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard, 18545 Co Road H, Weston, Mo. Open 9 am–5 pm. $3 admission. 816-253-8240. orchardweston.com.
August 7th
Hit the lake.
August 8th
Watch flips of all kinds. The U.S. Gymnastics Championships are returning to Kansas City for the first time since 1987. Both men and women will be competing for national titles and national team berths. Competition runs Thursday-Sunday. Sprint Center, 407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. Events start at 1:30 pm and 6 pm. $24-$119. sprintcenter.com.
August 9th
Sip at an urban winery. Located in the Stockyards District of West Bottoms, Amigoni’s locally made wine focuses on traditional European grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Viognier. Pair one of those wines with a cheese plate for the ultimate tasting experience. Amigoni, 1505 Genessee St., #100, Kansas City, Mo. Open 11 am-6 pm Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-7 pm Friday, noon-5 pm Sunday. 913-890-3289. amigoni.com.
August 10th
Take a dog swimming. Some dogs like summer pool time, too, and Tails on the Trails Pet Festival in Lenexa is like one big dog pool party. The pooch-filled festival is also holding a talent show, with categories including best trick, best talker, most affectionate and best dressed. Ad Astra Pool and Park, 8265 Maurer Road, Lenexa, Kan. 9 am. $8 per dog swim. lenexa.com.
August 11th
Board game and brunch. Old school board games like Scrabble and Guess Who? go pretty well with mimosas. Pawn and Pint, a board game bar and cafe just over the bridge from River Market, is renowned for its Wall of Games — there are over a thousand. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, the bar holds brunch with food from its next-door neighbor, Homesteader Cafe. 9 am-2 pm Saturdays, 11 am-2 pm Sundays. Pawn and Pint, 613 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. pawnsandpints.com.
August 12th
See a stonehenge.
August 13th
Experience amazing a cappella vocals. Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix is swinging through KC on its 45-date tour. The melodic quintet was made prominent by its rendition of “Hallelujah” and has produced nine charting albums, including several multi-platinum. They group is on tour with Rachel Platten, singer of the empowering ballad “Fight Song.” Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 7:30 pm. $29.50-$129.50. kcstarlight.com.
August 14th
Be nice to Cardinals fans. What defines the I-70 series between the Royals and St. Louis Cardinals? How nice and classy everyone is, of course. While other interleague series too often devolve into fan brawls, this one features two very proud and polite fan bases holding doors and smiling politely. Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, Mo. 7:15 pm. $19-$124. mlb.com/royals.
August 15th
Spend a night at the (art) museum. On every third Thursday of the month, Nelson-Atkins hosts what they call a “not-so-quiet” adults-only event at the museum. Join the happy hour for art activities, networking and live music from local artists. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo. 6 pm. Free. nelson-atkins.org.
August 16th
Sing along with Ben Folds. Ben Folds’ music is often described as crossover classical. The “Brick” pianist, whose latest album is a blend of pop songs and his “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra,” shows his talent in Kansas City at Starlight. Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $35-$115. kcstarlight.com.
August 17th
Attend a culture fest. The Ethnic Enrichment Festival is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country. Experience more than 60 cultures’ native foods, arts, music and dance. Festival runs Friday 6-10 pm, Saturday noon-10 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. Swope Park, 3999 Swope Parkway and E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. kcparks.org.
August 18th
Throw pottery. Spend a Sunday afternoon cozied up to a potter’s wheel. Let your hands get covered in silky clay while practicing the basics of throwing and glazing your own ceramic work of art. Belger Arts, 2011 Tracy Ave., Kansas City, Mo. $35 for a studio pass. 816-474-7316, belgerarts.org.
August 19th
See the treasures of the Arabia. In 1856, the Arabia steamboat sank near Kansas City. After being lost for 136 years, the boat — along with the treasures in it — were rediscovered near St. Joseph. There’s talk that the museum will move out to its sinking site, so see the artifacts displayed in City Market while they’re close. Arabia Steamboat Museum, 400 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. $14.50 for adults, $5.50 for children ages 4-14, free for children 3 and under. 816-471-1856, 1856.com.
August 20th
Travel a historic trail. Whether you’re a walker, runner or cyclist, try out the Trolley Track Trail. The crushed limestone patch traces a former streetcar system, which ceased operation in 1957. There are bikeshare stations along the way if you don’t have a whip. Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail, from Volker and Brookside Boulevards to E. 85th Street and Prospect Avenue.
August 21st
Shop local produce. Utilize the Overland Park Farmers Market to stock up on mid-week groceries. The market, which also runs on Saturdays, has over 80 stands of fresh produce, so you can grab later-in-the-season goods like melons, greens and root vegetables. Runs May 22–Sept. 25. 7950 Marty St., Overland Park, Kan. 7:30 am–1 pm. downtownop.org.
August 22nd
Sing with Dierks. You might recognize his voice from the catchy 2014 summer tune “Drunk on a Plane.” Country singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley is taking his 2019 tour, Burning Man, to Starlight Theatre with openers Jon Pardi, Tenille Townes and ’90s cover band Hot Country Knights. Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $50-$89. kcstarlight.com.
August 23rd
Take a tour of the night sky. If you want to do some stargazing on a clear summer night, you could drive east or west on Interstate 70 until the lights of the city fade away. Or, stay in town and head to the Warkoczewski Observatory for a Friday night public night. The Warko is owned by the University of Missouri–Kansas City and operated by the local astronomy association. On clear Friday nights during the summer, they offer free tours of the night sky and the chance to view the cosmos through a custom-built 16-inch telescope. Roof of Royall Hall. Access by fourth floor of pedestrian walkway from the parking garage on 52nd Street between Rockhill Road and Charlotte Street 7:30 pm. Free. askc.org.
August 24th
Head to the home of the CHIEFS. The third NFL preseason game is typically the “dress rehearsal” for the season to come. This year, the Chiefs are at home for the game, a grudge match against the San Francisco 49ers. Yes, it’s preseason, but the Chiefs ended Niners QB Jimmy Garoppolo’s season with an injury at Arrowhead last year. Expect a feisty Saturday night game and tailgate lots already in midseason form at Arrowhead. 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, Mo. 7 pm. $27-$183. chiefs.com.
August 25th
Burn some beans. There’s a lot of work that goes into your morning cup o’ joe. Get a behind-the-scenes look at The Roasterie on this 40-minute tour that covers the company’s methods of roasting, blending and cupping during a factory tour. The Roasterie Cafe, 1204 W. 27th St., Kansas City, Mo. $5. Sunday tours at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. 816-931-4000, theroasterie.com. Register in advance online.
August 26th
Play abnormally large chess. Soak in the end of summer on the rooftop terrace at this Kansas City Public Library location. Central Library’s fifth floor has a dedicated outdoor space to enjoy a good book under the sun (and with sweeping city views). Take on the massive chess board, if you dare. Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-701-3400, kclibrary.org.
August 27th
Feed camels. Last year, Stingray Bay made its debut at the Kansas City Zoo. The zoo’s newest addition this year is a feeding deck next to the camel habitat. Find these one-humped animals in the Australia section of the zoo. Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Mo. 8 am–5 pm. $16 for adults, $13 children 3-11, free for children 2 and under. kansascityzoo.org.
August 28th
Take down a country-fried cow at Golden Ox. The Golden Ox is a Kansas City dining institution. After a brief closure, the birthplace of the Kansas City strip steak cut reopened last summer in the historic Kansas City Livestock Exchange. Every Wednesday night, the restaurant offers a country fried steak special ($30 with sides) made with a hulking 10-ounce cut of Akaushi sirloin that’s golden-fried. Golden Ox, 1600 Genessee St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-842-2866, goldenoxkc.com.
August 29th
Listen to a mashup of jazz and salsa. Connected to the American Jazz Museum in the historic 18th & Vine District, the Blue Room Jazz Club showcases the best in local jazz artists. To change things up, the club’s Latin Jazz/Salsa series takes over on the last Thursday of each month. American Jazz Museum, 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo. Open 5 pm–11 pm, live music starts at 7 pm. Free. americanjazzmuseum.org.
August 30th
Take a hike. As the weather starts to reach not-so-blazing-hot temps, take advantage of the hiking trails in the KC metro. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area has four trails ranging from 0.7 miles to 2.3 miles. The steep forested hillsides will make you forget you’re in the Midwest. Burr Oak Woods, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs, Mo. Free. 816-228-3766.
August 31st
Get weird with “Weird Al”. Goofball “Weird Al” Yankovic is headed to KC on his 2019 tour, Strings Attached. The comedy singer has recorded more than 150 parody songs (like “Yoda” — in tune to “Lola” by The Kinks). He’s got costumes, props and an orchestra. Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo. 8 pm. $45-$95. kcstarlight.com.
September 1st
Find your true genealogy at Irish Fest. St. Patrick’s Day is so fun, Kansas City decided to celebrate Irish heritage a second time around. Alongside the music, dancing and Guinness, visitors can bring family documentation to the genealogy center, where researchers will help them build their family tree on-site. Festival runs Aug. 30–Sept. 1. Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. $12 for adults, $7 for children. kcirishfest.com.
September 2nd
Find yourself a hammock. Pat yourself on the back for a great summer and for making your way through our summer calendar. Fire up the grill, put out the hammock, and relax.
