Here are ten things to do in KC this weekend, May 29—June 1, including Festa Italiana, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Big Slick.
Mahler’s Third Symphony
Written in the wake of his mother and sister’s deaths, composer Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 3 conveys a sweeping range of human emotion—from grief to hope and everything in between. The Kansas City Symphony performs this epic, six movement masterwork. Buckle in: the piece clocks in at a whopping 90 minutes (at least).
May 30—June 1. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.
Festa Italiana
Put on by the KC chapter of Italian American service organization UNICO, Festa Italiana’s main draw is the authentic cuisine. Aside from Italian food vendors and plenty of cold Peronis, the Zona Rosa street fair includes an Italian motorsports show, makers from Strawberry Swing, wine tastings, a live music stage and more. As a bonus, Friday night starts off with a meatball eating contest.
May 30—June 1. Times vary. Zona Rosa.
Glamour of Old Hollywood
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra welcomes singer Brenna Whitaker back to her hometown for Glamour of Old Hollywood. With a voice that channels the golden age of jazz and cinema, Whitaker brings vintage charm and old-school star power alongside the 18-piece big band.
May 31. 7 pm. Folly Theater.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Springfield, Missouri’s own Ozark Mountain Daredevils rose to popularity with their ’70s hit “If You Wanna Get to Heaven.” With a devoted regional following, their southern Missouri style melds country and rock with plenty of steel guitar, harmonica and bluegrass-esque harmonies. Their Kauffman Center performance is a part of their farewell tour.
May 30. 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Hospital Hill Run
The 52nd-annual half-marathon, 10k or 5k, Hospital Hill Run will be yet again causing traffic for a good cause. Thousands of runners will attempt to conquer the hill in the oldest road race in Kansas City—and one of the oldest half marathons in the country.
May 31. 7 am. Crown 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.
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.
Big Slick
This year marks the 16th anniversary of Big Slick, a celebrity-driven fundraiser for Children’s Mercy hosted by KC’s own stars like Paul Rudd, Jason Suedikis and Heidi Gardner. The weekend-long affair features a private social event for Kansas Citians to meet the power players that have flown in for the event; a celebrity softball game at The K before a scheduled Royals game; and a huge celebration and show at T-Mobile Center for 6,000 paid attendees, with a live update on money raised.
May 30—31. Times and locations vary.
Wicked
Movie night has returned to the Legends and it’s starting off strong with Wicked, last year’s beloved blockbuster adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Each Saturday night through October, the shopping center hosts an outdoor screening of a fan-favorite film. Pack a lawn chair and blanket and enjoy drinks from Dave & Buster’s mobile bar on the lawn.
May 31. 7 pm. Legends Outlets.
Martini Corner Vintage Market
This summer community event returns to feature 20 vintage clothing vendors, beverages from Prefix Coffee and puppies for adoption from Lucky 13 pet rescue. The pop-up market is hosted by Westport vintage shop Gilded Chaos.
June 1. 11 am. Noka restaurant parking lot.
