Here are ten great things to do in Kansas City this weekend, May 9-12, including: MJ The Musical, The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie and KC Summer Brew Fest.
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.
MJ- The Musical
Multi Tony-award winning MJ- The Musical brings the King of Pop to audiences as never before. Created by Tony Award-winning Director-Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, this jukebox musical centers around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, going beyond the iconic moves and sound of Michael Jackson, offering a inside look at the creative mind and spirit that made him a legend.
May 7-12. Times Vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Art as Therapy: Exploration
In this free teens-only event, the Teen Arts Council in collaboration with Viva La Tinta, collaborates for a printmaking workshop inspired by techniques in the exhibition, Hangama Amiri: A Homage to Home. Local art therapist Sherri Jacobs lends her expertise into art therapy where participants can learn firsthand about printmaking processes through live demonstrations and hands-on activities.
May 9. 5–7pm. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie
Early-aughts emo-alt staple bands The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie are exciting millennials everywhere by co-headlining their tour to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their most celebrated work, the albums Give Up & Transatlanticism, respectively. For every performance, Benjamin Gibbard, the co-founder of both bands, will pull double duty and perform with each.
May 9. 7:30 pm. T-Mobile Center.
Hermanos Gutiérrez
Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers make up the two-piece Latin instrumental band Hermanos Gutiérrez. Heavily influenced by 1950’s Latin American sound, they take listeners on a journey through beautiful landscapes. The band hits KC in support of their newest album, which will be released next month, Sonido Cósmico.
May 9. 8 pm. The Truman.
The Concert Truck
Believing in the power of music to strengthen a community, pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang converted a 16-foot box truck into a fully functioning mobile concert hall—with lights, sound system and piano. The Concert Truck has toured all around the country, presenting concerts in city streets, music and arts festivals, schools, neighborhoods, parks—anywhere you can park a truck. Through travel performance, they are hoping to share their unique concert experience to strengthen communities nationwide.
May 10. 8 pm. Polsky Theatre. May 12. 1 pm. Prairiefire (across from Pinstripes)
Jewels
Kansas City Ballet Presents Jewels, the incredible music of three composers creates a ballet in three acts. Emeralds features the music of Gabriel Fauré, and evokes the elegance of the French Romantics’ 19th-century dances. Rubies, with music by Igor Stravinsky, is crisp and jazzy, showcasing the collaboration of Stravinsky and Balanchine. Tchaikovsky’s music is featured in Diamonds, which epitomizes the feeling of Imperial Russia, where Balanchine was trained.
May 10-12 & 17-19. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Mother’s Day Organ Concert
In honor of Mother’s Day, take your mom on An Around-the-World Musical Adventure. Grammy-nominated artist Jan Kraybill leads the journey from the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875. This musical program is a trot around the globe, bringing music from the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Africa and more. This free concert is a Mother’s Day gift from Saint Luke’s to the community and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center.
May 11. 3 pm. Helzberg Hall.
2024 KC Summer Brew Fest
KC Brew Fest takes over Arrowhead Stadium, with the ultimate tailgate—with over 60 breweries, 150 beers, food, lawn games and an opportunity to party on the Chiefs home turf. There are add-ons to the ticket including early admission and VIP Admission, which also includes rare access to the locker and media rooms, VIP lounge and commemorative glassware.
May 11. 6 pm. Arrowhead Stadium.
Levee Town
Throughout the summer, there will be a free, family-friendly summer concert series in Raytown to encourage families and community members to join together and listen to great live music. This week, local favorite blues group Levee Town plays. They have self-released eight albums, including their most recent album, Trying to Keep My Head Above Water.
May 11. 7 pm. Greenspace (in Town Center, Downtown Raytown.)
