Here are fourteen great things to do in Kansas City this weekend, May 2-5, including: Little Shop of Horrors and multiple Kentucky Derby and Cinco De Mayo parties across KC.
Little Shop of Horrors
Kansas City Repertory Theatre finishes its 60th Anniversary season with the Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Stuart Carden. Little Shop of Horrors has been a hit with theater-goers for over 30 years, following meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn who stumbles across a new breed of plant that soon begins singing and demanding blood.
April 30-May 19. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
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 3-5.
May 2. 6–9 pm. Kansas City Art Institute.
Trampled by Turtles
Trampled by Turtles hails from Duluth, Minnesota, like fellow folkie Bob Dylan. The group has a contemporary bluegrass sound that relies heavily on banjo and fiddle with harmonious vocals, a formula that has served bands like The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show well in the last decade.
May 2. 6:30 pm. Uptown Theater.
Hippie Sabotage
Sacramento-based electronic and hip-hop brother duo Hippie Sabotage is often classified as chillwave, their music blends various and often contrasting genres like trap, psych rock and indie. They are opened by Daisy Guttridge and Kembe X.
May 3. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.
Journey to Valhalla
Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents Richard Wagner’s legendary four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung, which is based on ancient Norse mythology. In this semi-staged concert, Journey to Valhalla, brings to life the best moments from Wagner’s epic—breathing new life into the story of gods, dwarves and humans in a world full of magic, power and greed.
May 3. 7:30 pm. May 5. 2 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Brookside Art Annual
The Brookside Art Annual celebrates its 38th Anniversary with support from historic Brookside Shops, featuring a variety of activities, and of course, art in all forms created by artists from around the country.
May 3–5. Times vary. 63rd St. & Brookside Boulevard.
Kemper Museum Block Party
This year, the Kemper Museum Block Party joins forces with the Kansas City Art Institute to highlight one of the most creative blocks in KC. This free, family-friendly festival will feature a 1990s theme to celebrate the museum’s founding decade during its 30th anniversary year. 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 the Kansas City Art Institute’s End of Semester Exhibition + Sale.
May 4. 12–4 pm. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Lucas Beaufort
French artist and skater Lucas Beaufort hits KC on his US tour to celebrate his curated book, HEART, which celebrates the ‘beating hearts and histories of the skate scenes worldwide.’ With sponsorship from Pabst Blue Ribbon, Beaufort’s stop in KC will feature a unique art show to bring local artists, photographers, skateboarders and enthusiasts together to celebrate the spirit of their skate community and culture.
May 4. 6-9 pm. Escapist.
The Kansas City Symphony with Tech N9ne
Kansas City’s own singer and rapper Tech N9ne has been a hometown favorite for decades, founding the record label Strange Music over 20 years ago and making Chiefs anthem “Red Kingdom” in 2019. He is bringing a new twist to his classic hip-hop sound by collaborating with the Kansas City Symphony and guest conductor and arranger Tim Davies for a sound like never before.
May 4. 8 pm. The Midland.
The Derby Party
The Kansas City Museum’s ninth annual Derby Party takes place on the museum’s historic grounds and the fundraiser promises an afternoon of cocktails, mocktails, southern bites, live music and dancing with Derby live-streaming. Derby attire is encouraged.
May 4. 3 pm. Kansas City Museum.
Horseshoes and Hats
Dress to impress at the Kentucky Derby watch party at KC Live!, a free event sponsored by local distillery Tom’s Town and Blue Moon. The afternoon will be filled with horse racing, fabulous fashion, Derby-themed cocktails, live entertainment and prizes for best hat, best bowtie, overall best dressed and more.
May 4. 3 pm. KC Live!
Kentucky Derby Party at J. Rieger & Co.
Celebrate the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at J. Rieger & Co.’s Derby Party. This annual event features Derby-inspired bites, J. Rieger & Co. mint juleps and other race-inspired cocktails, a giant LED screen to watch the race, live music, a photo booth, and more. Break out your best Derby attire—bow ties and big hats are encouraged—and a portion of proceeds will benefit the Great Plains Adaptive Riding Academy, which provides adaptive horseback riding programs to children and adults with disabilities.
May 4. 3–6 pm. The Electric Park Garden Bar, Atrium and Tasting Room, and The Hey! Hey! Club bars at J. Rieger & Co.
Fiesta De Mayo
This celebratory cinco de Mayo event, Fiesta De Mayo, features live entertainment from DJ Playboy and DJ Ashton Martin, nachos, mexican beer, and of course, margaritas. This is a free event with the option to purchase an all-inclusive drink package, along with other food and drink specials.
May 5. 2 pm. KC Live!
Opus 76 Quartet
Midwest Trust Center’s artists-in-residence, Opus 76 Quartet, perform ‘Mozart and Brahms’ with voila player Paul Neubauer. Neubauer, faculty at The Juilliard School is a celebrated player, joining powers with the quartet to perform Mozart’s C Major viola quintet & Brahms’ G Major viola quintet.
May 5. 2 pm. Polsky Theatre.
