Here are ten great things to do in KC this weekend, August 24-27, including: The Black Keys, Goo Goo Dolls and KC SuperStar hosted by Heidi Gardner.
KC Wine Co. Sunflower Fest
KC Wine Co. in Olathe is ready to rep the Sunflower State with pride as they eagerly await the stunning blooms this summer, giving guests the opportunity for close-up pictures and family-fun activities when they host the KC Sunflower Festival for three consecutive weekends this August. The boutique winery invites visitors to celebrate Kansas agriculture while enjoying all the fun the farm has to offer—access to the sunflower field, photo opps, lawn games, a giant slide and live music, along with wine, cider, beer and festival food available for purchase.
Weekends during August 11–27. KC Pumpkin Patch.
Grand Horizons
Grand Horizons is a funny and touching play by Bess Wohl and directed by Dennis D. Hennessy. This 2020 Tony Award nominee for Best Play depicts the surprisingly amicable and hilarious end of Nancy and Bill’s fifty-year marriage and the fallout it causes within their family and retirement community.
August 23–28, 31–September 3. City Stage in Union Station.
Jewish Family Services Anniversary
Jewish Family Services will celebrate its one-hundred-and-twentieth anniversary with an evening for the whole community which includes cocktails, dinner, a live auction and donated musical entertainment by the Jewbie Brothers. Help celebrate JFS programs, which are anchored in core Jewish values that honor community and caring for one another.
August 24. 5:30–8:30 pm. Marriott Overland Park.
Avant-Garde Gala
aSTEAM Village, an organization that “focuses on engaging students in science, technology, engineering, arts and math pathways to facilitate career and education readiness,” is hosting their eighth Annual Avant-Garde Gala in support of that mission. The evening features former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison as Keynote speaker, recording artist Lonnie McFadden, KSHB41’s Kevin Holmes and Julee Jonez of KPRS Hot 103, along with food, drinks, music and fun for the whole community.
August 24. 6:30—10:30 pm. Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Crown Center.
Erik Griffin
Comedian Erik Griffin is most well-known for his now iconic—to Millenials, at least—minor role on Comedy Central’s Workaholics. Since, Griffin has been in a slew of TV shows and movies as well as his new weekly podcast, Riffin With Griffin.
August 24. 7 pm. The Comedy Club Of Kansas City.
The Black Keys
2010’s The Black Keys have an instantly recognizable sound that have kept them semi-relevant while many other rock bands of their time have faded into one-hit-wonder obscurity. At the show, the band will play hits that are still often heard on 96.5 Not-the-Buzz like “Howlin’ For You,” as well as songs from their latest album, Dropout Boogie, which has a more basic, blues-rock style from their early days.
August 25. 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.
KKFI Crossroads Music Fest
The nineteenth annual Crossroads Music Fest is happening this weekend throughout the West Bottoms in support of KKFI 90.1 FM. Designed to showcase the best in KC’s music, arts and dance scene, the fest aims to provide opportunities for all ages to support local artists, discover new music and celebrate KC’s cultural diversity.
August 26. Noon. West Bottoms.
Kemper Museum Block Party 2023
Celebrate the newly opened eighth Annual Atrium Project, “Sarah Zapata: So the roots be known,” and catch “Virginia Jaramillo: Principle of Equivalence” before it leaves. In this last summer hurrah, there will be live music from a DJ, food, drinks and art activities followed by an outdoor screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on the lawn after sunset.
August 26. 6–10 pm. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
Goo Goo Dolls
After nearly forty years, Buffalo-based Goo Goo Dolls are still going strong. Now on their The Big Night Out Tour, the band will be playing classic hits like “Iris” and “Slide,” as well as some of the lesser-known songs from their catalog, with rock-reggae opener O.A.R.
August 27. 7 pm. Starlight Theatre.
KC SuperStar
KC’s premiere high school singing competition, KC SuperStar, returns for its fourteenth year in an American Idol-style performance-off between students from eighteen different schools in the metro area. Finalists prepare all summer for a high-energy, professionally-produced show where the audience—donors and guests—selects the winners, who each get more than $22,000 in scholarship money. SNL cast member Heidi Gardner will host with former TV anchor Abby Eden serving as emcee.
August 27. 7 pm. Yardley Hall.
