Here are ten great things to do in Kansas City this weekend, May 16-19, including: KC Monarchs home opener, KC Folk Fest and Kelce Jam.
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 who soon begins singing and demanding blood.
April 30–May 19. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
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Kansas City Monarchs Home Opener
The home opener of the 2023 Championship winners the Kansas City Monarchs features pre-game skydivers, a free hat to the first 1,500 fans in attendance, a raffle prize drawing, and more, along with a great game showcasing America’s favorite pastime and the reigning champs.
May 16. 6:35 pm. Legends Field.
Dark Matter
Artist Alea Lovely presents her art show “Dark Matter,” in which dark strokes cover raw linen canvases, evoking “unseen elements in the human experience: emotions, fears, hopes, psyche, and spirit. Each stroke of black paint echoes the mysterious nature of the dark matter within us, inviting the viewers to contemplate the unseen forces that shape our world and the shadows that live deep within our souls.”
May 17. 5–8 pm. La Villa KC.
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This is Kansas City featuring Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra joins living legends vocalist Deborah Brown and saxophonist Bobby Watson. The lifelong Kansas Citians take the Folly Theater’s stage to create magic together with KCJO’s big band for a live album recording.
May 17. 8 pm. Folly Theater.
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‘¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva America!’
This exciting program celebrates the union of Mexico and America through music and dance, combining elements from both sides of the border. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar opens with a traditional performance before exploring more modern sensibilities with the celebrated, colorful group Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles.
May 17. 8 pm. Yardley Hall.
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Go Girl Run
Get ready for the Go Girl Run, which encourages and inspires women and girls to showcase their strength and spirit through the sport of running. With both a 5k and half-marathon, this promises to be an unforgettable weekend of empowerment and community.
May 17 & 18. Times vary. Prairiefire.
Sci-Fi Spectacular
The Kansas City Symphony presents Sci-Fri Spectacular, an out-of-this-world concert conducted by guest conductor Jack Everly and featuring music from Sci-Fi favorites like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek and E.T.
May 17 & 18. 8 pm. May 19. 2 pm. Helzberg Hall.
KC Folk Fest
This family-friendly and free Folk Fest highlights the artists and celebrates the music and arts of KC locals. KC Folk Fest has something for everyone—with song, poetry, dance, storytelling, local art, demos, workshops, food trucks, a craft market and more.
May 18. 12–8 pm. Washington Square Park (KCMO).
Kelce Jam
Chiefs favorite Travis Kelce brings his Kelce Jam for the second year in a row. This time sponsored by Jim Beam and showcasing artists Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2 Chainz, and more, this year’s fest will be bigger and better, along with a wide variety of food and beverage vendors. You better fight for your right to paaaaaaarty!
May 18. 5 pm. Azura Amphitheater.
Summer Outdoor Movies In The Park
Zona Rosa will be showing both new movies and classic flicks in their free, family-friendly outdoor movie nights all summer long. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and find a spot in North Park (the green space South of Dillard’s) for the first movie of the season, last summer’s box office hit, Barbie.
May 18. 8:45 pm. Zona Rosa.