The Nelson-Atkins rings in the Lunar New Year with a museum-wide festival
The lunisolar calendar may not officially begin until February 17 this year, but the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is ready to usher in the Year of the Horse a little early.
On January 25, the museum’s annual Lunar New Year Festival returns, marking 30 years since the free, family-friendly celebration began. “It’s the oldest of our cultural festivals,” says Sarah Hyde, the Nelson-Atkin’s senior manager of community programs. Today, the event draws an estimated five thousand attendees.
Visitors can expect a rotating lineup of musical performances, a special menu of Asian-inspired dishes at the museum’s restaurant, Rozzelle Court, and festive red lanterns suspended throughout the lobby. The festival also offers interactive activities, including a paper horse craft for attendees to take home in honor of this year’s zodiac. But the much-anticipated traditional dragon and lion dances, led by student groups from KU and Rockhurst University, remain the highlight for many.
Naturally, the celebration also connects to the museum’s Asian galleries—what the Nelson-Atkins considers to be one of the most comprehensive collections of Chinese art in the West. “Every year, it’s so fun to find out what your zodiac sign is and see an art object with your zodiac sign represented,” Hyde says. “There are a lot of ways to engage with our collection.”
GO: January 25. 10 am–4 pm. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
9–18
Kansas City Restaurant Week
From longstanding establishments like Cascone’s in North Kansas City to hot new spots like Leawood’s LaPez Mod Mex, Kansas City Restaurant Week is a great time to sample the metro’s wide-ranging culinary scene. Returning for its 17th year, the premier dining event offers 10 days of prix fixe multi-course menus from over 100 participating local restaurants. January 9–18. Locations vary. kcrestaurantweek.com.
10
Molly Healey String Project
Multi-instrumentalist Molly Healey is a longtime fiddle player for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, but her solo act is truly a sight to behold. Playing cello, violin, guitar and piano, Healey loops and layers instrumental tracks and vocals on stage in real time. KC-based singer-songwriter Kasey Rausch opens. January 10. 7 pm. recordBar.
15
Cowtown Vintage & Art Exchange
Every third Thursday of the month, this grassroots market brings a curated pop-up to Midtown’s El Torreon. Set to the soundtrack of local bands and DJs, shoppers can browse everything from trendy Y2K pieces to handmade goods to books. The event series, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, pays homage to the venue once known as the Cowtown Ballroom, a hall that hosted artists like Frank Zappa and Van Morrison throughout the ’70s. January 15. 6 pm. El Torreon.
19
Minería Symphony Orchestra
Since its founding in 1978, Minería Symphony Orchestra has become a cultural institution throughout Mexico. The program will predominately feature music from throughout Latin America, like Cuban-American jazz musician Paquito D’Rivera’s Concerto Venezolanoand Sonoran composer Arturo Márquez’s magnum opus Danzón No. 2, but the symphony will perform some Haydn, too. Presented by the Harriman-Jewell Series, the orchestra is joined by renowned trumpeter Pacho Flores. January 19. 7 pm. Helzberg Hall.
20-25
Kimberly Akimbo
Kimberly Akimbo, a relatively new Tony Award-winning musical, follows a nearly 16-year-old Kimberly Levaco, and to say she has a lot on her plate would be an understatement. Due to a rare disease, Levaco ages rapidly, appearing to be closer to her 60s than her teens. Regardless, she navigates many of the quintessential coming-of-age experiences (like romantic interest) on top of a turbulent family life, grappling with her mortality—and a potential felony charge. PNC Broadway brings the national Broadway tour of this musical comedy to KC stages. January 20–25. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
21–25
On The Road Again
Yee haw! A part of Music Theatre Heritage’s intimate Ruby Room Series, On The Road Again pays homage to outlaw country luminaries Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. A cast of local crooners will perform an evening of twangy toe-tappers and weepy ballads alike, including “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Mama Tried.” January 21–25. Times vary. Ruby Room at Crown Center.
22–25
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert
Kansas City Symphony’s hit concert series brings cinema to the concert hall. Alongside a showing of Steven Spielberg’s action-packed blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the orchestra performs John Williams’ famous score live. Set in 1936, the film follows the daring archeologist as he contends with Nazi forces in pursuit of the Ark of the Covenant. January 22–25. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.
23
Ben Sayevich and Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich
Park University’s International Center for Music—a rather small and unsuspecting conservatory in Parkville—is training first-rate classical musicians, thanks in large part to its accomplished faculty. Among them, husband-wife duo Ben Sayevich (professor of violin) and Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich (director of collaborative piano) present a duo recital in Mission Hill’s upscale 1900 Building. January 23. 7:30 pm. 1900 Building.
23 & 24
Emily Catalano
Los Angeles-based comedian Emily Catalano’s dry yet straightforward delivery casually makes light of the mundane. That style, as seen in her debut comedy special Unspecial, earned her a spot on the New York Times’ Best Comedy list in 2024 and a large social media following, too. Catalano comes to South KC’s Comedy Club of Kansas City for two nights of doubleheaders. January 23 & 24. 7 pm & 9:30 pm. Comedy Club of Kansas City.
29
Soft Clubbing at Elixir with DJ hunni bunni
Clubbing at a museum may be an unlikely pairing, but the Museum of Kansas City knows how to throw a party. On the last Thursday of the month through March, DJ hunni bunni spins an eclectic R&B, house, funk and more in the museum’s cafe, Elixir. Sip a cocktail, enjoy ice cream from Fairway Creamery, or grab a coffee or soda while dancing the early evening away. Admission is free. January 29. 6 pm. The Museum of Kansas City.
29–Feb 1
New Moves
The Kansas City Ballet steps outside of its typical classical wheelhouse with New Moves. This contemporary showcase features brand-new works from innovative choreographers around the country, including premieres by a few of the main company’s own dancers: Joseph Boswell, Amira Hogan and Cameron Thomas. January 29–February 1. Times vary. Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity.
