Dwight Yoakam
September 4
The best top-to-bottom country album ever re-corded? I’m not going to tell you Dwight Yoakam’s Buenas Noches from a Lonely Roomclaims the crown, but it’s surely in the conversation next to No Fences, At Folsom Prisonand Wide Open Spaces. The Ohio-raised Yoakam was Johnny Cash’s favorite singer, and being weathered by age is only giving him more gravitas. Saturday, September 4. 8 pm. Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. $45–$79.
Hannah Berner
September 3-5
Pro tennis player turned podcaster and reality TV star (Bravo’s Summer House) Hannah Berner is a newcomer to stand-up, having started writing comedy via viral tweets. She’s already had contemporary comedy’s most important rite of passage: apologizing for insensitive comments about mental health made several years ago. Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5. Various times. The Comedy Club of Kansas City, 1130 W. 103rd St., KCMO. $25–$35.
Water Lantern Festival
September 18
Honor a loved one or a special mem-ory, or simply share a happy message by decorating a water lantern and watching it float alongside hundreds of others. Live music and food trucks will accompany the tranquil sight of this traveling festival. And don’t worry about trash—staff will collect all the lanterns at the end of the night. Saturday, September 18. 4:30–9 pm. Frank A. Theis Park, Oak and 47th streets, KCMO. $56 day-of tickets. Waterlanternfestival.com.
Dinosaur Jr.
September 21
Alternative idols, Dinosaur Jr. has never faltered from the noise that comprised its original sound, instead refining it in ways other band revivals have failed. Their latest release, Sweep It Into Space, co-produced by Kurt Vile, stream-lines their edge into an enjoyable but still distorted ride. Tuesday, September 21. 8 pm. The Truman, 601 E. Truman Road, KCMO. $28. thetrumankc.com.
Faith No More
September 24
The long-awaited reunion of Mike Patton’s large-for-mat rock band was delayed by the pandemic, but it’s now rolling. This show is sandwiched between festival gigs in Chicago (with Nine Inch Nails and The Smashing Pumpkins) and Iowa (with Slipknot and Megadeth), which is a handy way of explaining the band’s sound. Friday, September 24. 7 pm. Grinders, 1826 Locust St., KCMO. $82
Oktoberfest Lee’s Summit
September 24-26
The largest festival in the world, Germany’s Oktoberfest, is canceled again this year. But bier is back in KC, with KC Bier Co.’s event in October and this smaller warmup in downtown Lee’s Summit the weekend before. This event is more family-focused, with food (pork schnitzel, sauerbraten) and children’s activities getting most of the real estate. There is, however, a sneaky good option for beer lovers: twenty bucks gets you three hours of unlimited tasting at the homebrew competition. Friday, September 24–Sunday, September 26. Hours vary by day. Downtown Lee’s Summit. lsoktoberfest.com.
Food Truck Frenzy
September 25
Lenexa Public Market is throw-ing what amounts to a food truck festival, but without the entrance fee. The City Center will have standout trucks including The Waffler, Barbwire Barbecue, Rolling in the Dough, Taste of Brazil and The Hungry Hatch. There will be live music by Holmes Street. Saturday, September 25. 5–10 pm. Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, Lenexa.
Latino Arts Festival at Arrowhead
September 26
While you’re tailgating before the Chiefs game, stop by the Latino Arts Festival tent in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Twenty artists of all ages will have their work showcased along with food, drinks and a lowrider exhibition. If you stick around for halftime at the game, you’ll catch performances from Mariachi Estrella KC and El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco. Sunday, September 26. 10 am. Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, KCMO. Free, $45 for parking.
