Here are eleven things to do in KC this weekend, May 8—11, including Kemper Museum Block Party, Kansas City Monarchs Home Opener and Samantha Fish.
Rhythm on the Roof
Green Dirt on Oak’s concert series Rhythm on the Roof returns. This Friday’s performance features two KC trombonists and songwriters—Kadesh Flow and Trevor Turla for an evening of funky grooves, great eats and a stunning view of downtown.
May 9. 7 pm. Green Dirt on Oak.
Kemper Museum Block Party
This year, the Kemper Museum Block Party joins forces with the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) to highlight one of the most creative blocks in KC. This free, family-friendly festival will feature a preview of a new neighborhood walking tour, The Arterie, which bridges Southemoreland’s creative hubs: Kemper Museum, Nelson-Atkins and KCAI. The event will feature a dozen local businesses providing music, food trucks, artist demos, and interactive art activities for the whole family. Participants are encouraged to also see the work of student artists at KCAI’s End of Semester Exhibition + Sale.
May 10. 11 am. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Mother’s Day Weekend at Powell Gardens
Celebrate Mother’s Day with the scenic and peaceful backdrop of Powell Gardens. For those celebrating early, Saturday’s festivities include a charming garden tea at 10:30 am, as well as a picnic lunch beginning at 11 am. On Mother’s Day, the botanical gardens will again offer picnic lunch options in addition to brunch. Jazz duo Strawberry Duo will perform all weekend long.
May 10 & 11. Times vary. Powell Gardens.
Fusion
Kansas City Ballet celebrates the finale of their 2024—2025 season with Fusion, a collection of short dance works. The performance of contemporary pieces features the world premiere of hold on tight, choreographed by KC’s own Caroline Dahm.
May 9–18. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Lucas Beaufort
French artist and skater Lucas Beaufort returns to KC on his US tour in support of his curated book, HEART, which celebrates the ‘beating hearts and histories of the skate scenes worldwide.’ A weekend-long affair with sponsorship from Pabst Blue Ribbon, Lucas will spend Friday and Saturday painting and revamping Crossroads skatepark Escapist, and on Sunday, he’ll host a jam session.
May 9–11. Times vary. Escapist.
ArtPop
The Kansas City Art Institute’s (KCAI) biggest party of the year, ArtPop, is back, transforming the campus into a festival with outdoor art installations, student performers, music, food and drinks. This party gives attendees the opportunity to view and purchase student work the night before the weekend-long End of Semester Exhibition + Sale on May 9—11.
May 8. 6 pm. Kansas City Art Institute.
Water Lantern Festival
KC’s Water Lantern Festival is a unique summer event that truly illuminates the summer night. On May 10 at Frank A. Theis Park (across the street from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art), festivalgoers can eat at food trucks, create paper lanterns and enjoy the spectacle. After jotting down your hopes and dreams on your lantern, they are launched on the park’s pond at dusk.
May 10. 5:30 pm. Theis Park.
Emma
Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma is a tale brimming with wit and charm. Set in Regency-era England, the story follows Emma Woodhouse, a clever but often erroneous matchmaker. As she meddles in others’ romances, she learns her own heart may be on the line.
May 6–25. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
NASCAR Spring Weekend
NASCAR is zooming to KC for a high-octane weekend of stock car racing. The action kicks off Friday with a semi-professional race, followed by pickup truck racing on Saturday. The weekend culminates with the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Race on Sunday afternoon.
May 9–11. Times vary. Kansas Speedway.
Kansas City Monarchs Home Opener
The Kansas City Monarchs carry a rich legacy in KC that dates back a century as the longest-running and best team in the Negro Leagues. Today, the team’s name has been revitalized to honor the tradition after previously competing as the T-Bones. Now a force in the American Association of Professional Baseball, the Monarchs’ home opener will feature a Satchel Paige bobblehead giveaway, pre-game skydivers and a post-game fireworks display to celebrate the start of the season.
May 9. 6:35 pm. Legends Field.
Samantha Fish
KC’s own Samantha Fish got her start performing regularly at the East Bottoms biker bar Knuckleheads as a teen. The now New Orleans-based blues guitarist and singer’s star has steadily risen ever since those formative years, with her 2023 album Death Wish Blues hitting number one on the Billboard blues chart. Her hometown performance is in support of Paper Doll, her latest Rounder Records release.
May 10. 8 pm. The Truman.
