Here are twelve things to do in KC this weekend, July 17—20 including KC Fringe Festival, Earth Wind & Fire and Nelson-Atkins Lawn Party.
KC Fringe Festival
Fringe sits at the cutting edge of theatrical creativity. You’re sure to see something interesting, something that will be shown in a traditional theater a few years down the line. And this year’s festival, running from July 17–27, is no exception. KC Fringe Festival will feature some 342 performances—63 productions with five performances each—with more than 600 local, national and international artists participating.
July 17—27. Times and locations vary.
Lyle Lovett & His Large Band
WIth a career spanning four decades, country artist Lyle Lovett has done it all. He’s shared the mic with Al Green in a Grammy-winning duet of country standard “Funny How Time Slips Away” and joined Randy Newman on Toy Story’s theme song “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” Now, backed by a 15-piece ensemble, the singer-songwriter comes to KC to weave together country, jazz, folk and more.
July 17. 8 pm. Uptown Theater.
Festival of Butterflies
Powell Gardens’ Festival of Butterflies returns to celebrate the striking pollinators. At the family-friendly event, the botanical gardens bring in butterflies from all over the world to hatch and flutter throughout the conservatory.
July 17–August 3. Times vary. Powell Gardens.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Legendary funk band Earth, Wind & Fire takes the Starlight Theatre stage for an evening of timeless tunes. Formed 56 years ago in Chicago, the band helped define the sound of the 1970s and remains one of the bestselling groups of all time with hits like “September” and “Let’s Groove.” Although frontman and founder Maurice White died in 2016, the groove lives on through his brother, bassist Verdine White, as well as longtime members Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson.
July 18. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.
Summer Fest
Zona Rosa’s North Park transforms into an all-day block party at Summer Fest. Now in its third year, the Northland festival includes bounce houses, DJs, kids activities, yard games and more. Food and drinks are available for purchase in the beer garden, along with a pop-up shop of handmade items from local makers curated by Strawberry Swing.
July 19. 11 am. Zona Rosa.
Father John Misty
After stepping away as the drummer of indie band Fleet Foxes, Josh Tillman reinvented himself as Father John Misty—a sharp-witted and sardonic persona. His wry, folk-pop sound found critical acclaim with Pure Comedy, which earned him a Grammy Award in 2018. Now, Father John Misty is bringing the theatrics in support of his latest release, Mahashmashana. Hamilton Leithauser, former frontman of The Walkmen, will open.
July 19. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.
Nelson-Atkins Lawn Party
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s annual Lawn Party returns. A partnership with Kansas City Parks & Rec, festivities stretch from the museum’s south lawn to Brush Creek in Theis Park. Expect a day of live music from local favorites like Friendly Thieves and Back Alley Brass Band, lawn games, art demonstrations, food trucks and more. Plus, photographer Tom Styrkowicz will be snapping photos of partygoers in the Bloch Lobby for the museum’s One By One Community Portrait project.
July 20. 4 pm. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Austin Snell
Miller Light’s Hot Country Nights is back for the summer season, bringing renowned country artists every Thursday to KC Live! In P&L. This week’s performance features Nashville-based Austin Snell’s hard-rocking, grunge influenced sound.
July 17. 7 pm. KC Live!
WeekEnder
WeekEnder is Crown Center’s free, outdoor summer entertainment series. Now through August 1, each Friday night brings live music, food trucks and a movie screening after sunset. This week features Honeybee—a band led by singer-songwriter Makayla Scott—and a showing of Crazy Rich Asians.
July 18, 25 and August 1. 6 pm. Crown Center.
West Side Story
The Jets and Sharks duke it out in one of the most popular musicals of all time: West Side Story. Set in New York City, the tale of star-crossed lovers is composer Leonard Bernstein’s 20th century adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and features beloved selections like “Maria” and “Somewhere.” This weekend marks the opening of the production, a collaboration between The White Theatre at The J and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City.
July 5—27. Times vary. The White Theatre at The J.
Mini Golf At The Museum
It’s back! A summer highlight, Art Course offers an artist-designed mini-golf adventure within the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Every Thursday through Monday, you can play nine unique holes, each offering a creative spin on a masterpiece from the museum’s collection.
May 22–September 1. Regular museum hours Thursday–Monday. Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.
Surf’s Up
Free movie nights are in full swing at Legends and this weekend’s feature is animated mockumentary Surf’s Up. Each Saturday night through October, the shopping center hosts an outdoor screening of a fan-favorite film. Pack a lawn chair and blanket and enjoy drinks from Dave & Buster’s mobile bar on the lawn.
July 19. 7 pm. Legends Outlets.
