Here are ten things to do in KC this Memorial Day weekend, May 22—25, including The Lion King The Musical, Homegrown Harmony Festival and Celebration at the Station.
MO’ BBQ Barrel-Aged Smoked Quad Release Party
Boulevard Brewing Company is partnering up with KC’s new Museum of BBQ to release a new, small-batch brew: MO’ BBQ Barrel-Aged Smoked Quad. The unique Belgian-style quad, aged in Bourbon barrels, combines barbeque-inspired flavors like star anise, celery seed and peppercorns. This brew’s release party also includes small bites accompanied by a Museum of BBQ-curated sauce bar.
May 22. 5 pm. Boulevard Brewing Tours & Recreation Center.
The Lion King The Musical
The wildly popular reimagining of Disney’s The Lion King made its Broadway debut in 1997 and remains a theatrical sensation, with more than 10,000 performances. Hailed not only for its music but also the mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind costuming, the national tour brings the spectacle to KC.
May 22–June 1. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Homegrown Harmony Festival
Pay a visit to Messner Bee Farm’s Raytown headquarters for an afternoon of folk music. Homegrown Harmony Festival will feature six local folk musicians, like Kirstie Lynn and Kasey Rausch, in the farm’s historic Yellow Rock Barn. The event also includes a maker fair, tacos from Sugar Skull Grill and craft cocktails.
May 24. 12 pm. Messner Bee Farm.
Whitney Manney Open Studio
Fashion designer Whitney Manney is opening up her studio to the public all weekend long. Offering a glimpse into her creative process, the event offers the opportunity to dive into interactive projects, get measured and shop exclusive pieces from Manney’s collection.
May 23—25. Times vary. 8300 Troost Ave. Lower Level, KCMO.
Rhythm Nation: The Music of Janet Jackson
Music Theater Heritage is honoring the musical contributions of a beloved pop legend at Rhythm Nation: The Music of Janet Jackson. The performance—curated by the theatre company’s associate producer Linnaia McKenzie—features four dynamic vocalists to perform hits from Jackson’s decades-long career. Creative, themed cocktails will also be available.
May 22—25. Times vary. Ruby Room at Crown Center.
Mean Girls The Musical
Starlight Theatre is kicking off its summertime Broadway series with Tina Fey’s beloved comedic brainchild Mean Girls. Although the 2004 cult classic never really faded, last year’s 20th anniversary movie-musical release revived its pop culture relevance and popularized the Broadway adaptation. The show brings popular clique “The Plastics”—Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith—to the stage as newcomer Cady Heron shakes up the high school hierarchy for a fetch evening of drama, laughs and plenty of pink.
May 20–25. Times vary. Starlight Theatre.
Painted Garden
Powell Gardens’ current exhibit Painted Garden invites patrons to see the botanical garden as a gallery. A new work from KC artist Tyler Kimball (of Monarch Glass Studio), titled Growth, features blown glass wisteria vines among spring blooms in the cascading sunlight of the glass domed Conservatory.
April 26—June 15. Times vary. Powell Gardens.
Orion Sun
Alternative R&B artist Orion Sun has captivated listeners with her fusion of acoustic instruments and entrancing electronic beats, amassing tens of millions of streams on hits like “Antidote” and “Mirage.” The singer-songwriter and producer’s upcoming performance at The Truman promotes her latest self-titled album, Orion, which dives deep into love and love lost.
May 23. 8 pm. The Truman.
Celebration at the Station
For many Kansas Citians, Celebration at the Station marks the unofficial start of summer. Every year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, tens of thousands of attendees gather for a free, family-friendly commemoration honoring fallen soldiers through a program centered on live music, fireworks and food trucks galore. Now in its 21st year, the rain-or-shine event is a collaboration between Kansas City PBS and the Kansas City Symphony.
May 25. 5 pm. Union Station & National WWI Museum and Memorial.
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.
