Here are fourteen things to do in KC this weekend, August 20—23 including Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Bluey’s Big Play and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Summer in the City
The event series Summer in the City is bringing free performances to downtown audiences each third Thursday of the month from May through September. Held at Oppenstein Park, this month’s installment kicks off at noon with a performance by Black Crack Revue, followed by food trucks, yard games, a makers mart and more throughout the afternoon. At 6 pm, the day culminates in a performance by Allyu.
August 20. 12 pm. Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park.
KCK Third Friday Art Walk
Every third Friday through October, artists and businesses set up booths and exhibits starting at EPIC Clay Studio in Downtown KCK for the Third Friday Art Walk, a celebration of talent and creativity in the community. With local makers, live music, interactive art, food trucks and more, the event is great for the whole family.
August 21. 5 pm. 609 N. Sixth St., KCK.
KC Current vs. Seattle Reign FC
This weekend, KC Current faces off against Seattle Reign FC. Although the Current lost when it last played the Seattle club, the KC team has an impressive reputation when playing on its own turf, holding the NWSL’s unbeaten home streak record. KC baby!
August 22. 5:30 pm. CPKC Stadium.
Hawthorne Plaza’s Home Opener
Kick off football season at Hawthorne Plaza’s third annual Home Opener. The free event includes appearances from KC Wolf and Chiefs Cheerleaders, pop-up vendors, family-friendly activities and more.
August 22. 10 am. Hawthorne Plaza.
Bluey’s Big Play
There’s a reason why Bluey has been the most streamed show in the United States for the past two years. Following the adventures of an energetic and curious blue heeler, the cleverly written series is just as much for parents as it is for kids. This stage adaptation brings Bluey, Bingo and the Heeler family to life with puppetry.
August 21–23. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
5 Seconds of Summer
When boy band 5 Seconds of Summer made its debut in 2011, it didn’t take long for the group to gain traction on YouTube. Two years later, the band landed a gig as an opening act for One Direction, soon followed by the release of breakout hit “She Looks So Perfect.” In support of the band’s sixth studio album, 5 Seconds of Summer stops in KC on the Everyone’s A Star! world tour.
August 20. 8 pm. Morton Amphitheater.
Ethnic Enrichment Festival
This longstanding cultural exchange and celebration of diversity returns to Swope Park. Held each third weekend of August, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival has become one of the area’s largest multicultural events since its inception in 1979—last year, the event drew nearly 40,000 attendees. Across three days, enjoy live music and dance performances, global cuisine and a fashion show, and shop handmade goods.
August 21–23. Times vary. Swope Park.
Parkville Days
This annual festival celebrates historic, picturesque Parkville with three days of family-friendly fun. Ride a ferris wheel with a view of the Missouri River, sip on craft brews in the beer garden, browse the art fair and explore downtown’s boutiques and restaurants.
August 21–23. Times vary. Downtown Parkville.
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival—an annual fundraiser for Negro Leagues Baseball Museum—is firing up the grill to celebrate the history of America’s pastime, made complete with ballpark cuisine and live music. Headliners include funk bands Zapp and Con Funk Shun and ’90s R&B heartthrob Christopher Williams.
August 22. 3 pm. National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Wicked
Since making its Broadway debut more than 20 years ago, Wicked has become one of the most popular musicals in history. In line with the stage production’s reputation, the recent film adaptations starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande brought the musical to new heights, shattering box office records. With selections like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” this Wizard of Oz spinoff tells the backstory of the misunderstood Wicked Witch, Elphaba, and the bubbly yet calculated Good Witch, Glinda. The national Broadway tour stops in Kansas City for 24 showings.
August 12–30. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Intimate Apparel
Set in New York City in the early 20th century, Intimate Apparel follows an overworked Black lingerie seamstress who is left with little time for romance. Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, this tale of forbidden love is based on the life of the author’s own great-grandmother. In this Kansas City Actors Theatre production, ensemble member Chioma Anyanwu stars as Esther.
August 8—23. Times vary. City Stage at Union Station.
Hot Country Nights: The Band Perry
Hot Country Nights are back, bringing live music to the Power & Light District on Thursdays through August. This week, The Band Perry comes to KC, a country-rock group best known for their 2010 breakout hit “If I Die Young.”
August 20. 7 pm. KC Live!
Mini Golf At The Museum
It’s back! Art Course offers an artist-designed mini-golf adventure within the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Play nine unique holes, each offering a creative spin on a masterpiece from the museum’s collection.
April 10—October 25. Times vary. Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.
Cross Threaded
Kansas City Artists Coalition’s new textile exhibit, Cross Threaded features works by 14 local artists. While the artists work with strikingly similar (and often recycled) materials, their approaches vary widely, from embroidery to soft sculpture to quilting and beyond.
July 17—September 4. Times vary. Kansas CIty Artists Coalition.
