Here are ten things to do in KC this weekend, October 19-22, including: Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure, Electric Poe at Union Cemetery and Cheers to Cheese Festival.
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual and bicultural musical for the whole family that uses traditional, regional Mexican music and dance to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores, who finds herself on a magical journey to find the true meaning of Día de los Muertos.
October 19. 7 pm. Yardley Hall.
Jessie Christiansen
In “The Search for Earth 2.0: Why We Think It Exists And How We’re Going To Find It” NASA Scientist and astrophysicist Dr. Jessie Christiansen, commonly referred to as the most successful woman planet hunter in the world, will discuss why we may be closer than ever to finding another Earth-like planet, including plans for a next-generation telescope. Attendees will hear her insights into why NASA believes another Earth-like planet exists and how they may ultimately discover it.
October 19. 7 pm. Linda Hall Library and virtually.
Geoffrey Asmus
Comedian Geoffrey Asmus is on tour in support of his debut stand-up comedy special, The Only Funny White Man. Asmus began performing stand-up in 2013 with successful performances opening for comedians like Dave Attell and Fortune Feimster, and now co-hosts “You’re An Idiot” podcast with Alex Dragicevich.
October 19–21. Times vary. Comedy Club of Kansas City.
Jekyll & Hyde
Kansas City Ballet’s Jekyll & Hyde brings the haunting tale of a dark mind and shady streets to life. This North American premiere, choreographed by Val Caniparoli from the Finnish National Ballet, presents the timeless tale with music performed by the KC Symphony.
October 19–22. Times vary. Kauffman Theatre.
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Ain’t Misbehavin’ pays homage to the Harlem Renaissance with a sassy, sultry celebration of a vibrant era in American history and jazz legend Fats Waller. Expect to hear his beloved tunes like “The Joint is Jumpin’” and “Handful of Keys.”
October 19–22 and 25–29. Times vary. Music Theater Heritage.
Electric Poe
Hidden KC gem Union Cemetery hosts a chilling outdoor performance of Electric Poe. The talented R.H. Wilhoit adapts Edgar Allan Poe’s macabre masterpieces for the stage, including Annabel Lee and The Cask of Amontillado. Accompanied by live music, the haunting allure of Poe’s works come to life—or death—in front of the historic “Holding Vault” of KC’s oldest public cemetery. There’s also an optional after-show Q&A about both Poe and Union Cemetery and guided cemetery tours before Friday performances.
October 19–22, 26–29, & 31 and November 3–5. 6:30 pm. Union Cemetery.
Nobuntu
The all-female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, Nobuntu, has drawn international acclaim for their inventive performances and sound, ranging from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro-jazz to gospel. Their concerts are performed with pure vocals, supported by minimalistic percussion and traditional instruments like the mbira—a thumb piano—and authentic dance.
October 20. 8 pm. Polsky Theatre.
Cheers to Cheese Festival
Cheers to Cheese Festival is a unique cheese and beer pairing party featuring local breweries, cheesemakers and vendors held on the lawn of Green Dirt Fam’s Events Barn. Eight of KC’s favorite breweries like Torn Label and Double Shift are paired with cheeses from the area to create unique beer and cheese pairings. A panel of judges will crown the team that creates the best pairing, along with local goodies from Tacos Valentina and High Hopes Ice Cream available for purchase.
October 21. 3–7 pm. Green Dirt Farm.
Arcadia
Pop-up exhibition “Arcadia” promises to be “an intimate evening of art, sound, and dance,” which features the works of its most recent performance artist-in-residence, Kat Dison Nechlebová. Nechlebová uses her experiences as an artist and therapist to portray human behavioral patterns both visually and experientially. Abstract expressions of sculpture, film, and performance art will also be on display, accompanied by live music along with beverages and appetizers.
October 21. 6–9 pm. Habitat Contemporary Gallery.
VOCES8
This magical concert celebration of the first two decades of VOCES8 features music from the early roots of Claudio Monteverdi and Orlando di Lasso, making deep connections to the present day. This program is inspired by the journey of the ensemble with music they have grown up with along with pieces by contemporary composers. The Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 aims to inspire and spread joy through music, touring globally and performing its extensive repertoire in a cappella concerts and music collaborations.
October 21. 7:30 pm. Village Presbyterian Church.
