Here are sixteen great things to do this weekend in KC, including: Les Misérables, Brooks & Dunn at T-Mobile Center and several Kentucky Derby Parties throughout KC.
Les Misérables
One of the most popular musicals of all time, Les Misérables, based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name, follows various characters as they face tough decisions, sacrifice and hope in the midst of the June Rebellion of 1832.
May 2–7. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Peter Pan and Wendy
Taking the original spirit of adventure and wonder from J.M. Barrie’s classic, Lauren M. Gunderson’s fresh adaption, Peter Pan and Wendy, focuses on budding scientist Wendy Darling, who dreams of earning a Nobel Prize. But when Peter Pan arrives at her bedroom window, she leaves school behind, chasing adventure with characters like Captain Hook and Tiger Lily instead. Soon, she and her friends discover the power of standing up together for what’s right.
May 2–7, 9–14 and 17–21. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
Pink Floyd’s Laser Spectacular has become a cult classic, showcasing the original music of Pink Floyd accompanied with trippy effects never seen before. The show immerses viewers on a mind-expanding rock ‘n’ roll journey driven by bright lasers, huge video projections and special lighting effects.
May 4. 6:30 pm. Uptown Theater.
ShuttleCork
The festivities begin with Winemakers dinners, where an incredible home in KC will host the evening, with cuisine made by a renowned local chef and two winemakers from the West Coast teaching about their wines. Night two is the Grand Tasting and auction, where guests will sample food offerings from local restaurants and wines from more than twenty-five top winemakers inside the Nelson-Atkins, followed by the live auction under the big-top tent. The final event is After Dark, an after-party that features more food vendors, desserts, a DJ and a dance floor with beer and Cinco de Mayo-themed cocktails.
May 4, 6:30 pm; May 5, 5:30; “After Dark,” 9:30 pm. Various locations.
Brooks & Dunn
Time to shine your boots and perfect your Boot Scootin’ Boogie because iconic country music duo Brooks & Dunn is kicking off their 2023 “REBOOT” Tour in KC with American Idol season ten winner Scotty McCreery opening.
May 4. 7 pm. T-Mobile Center.
South of Summit Cinco de Mayo Pop Up
South of Summit Taqueria + Tequila is taking over Summit Grill Waldo to host Waldo’s largest Cinco de Mayo Party. The full South of Summit menu will be available throughout the entire space, along with live music, margaritas, and food from Waldo’s most popular Mexican restaurant.
May 5. 11 am–close. Summit Grill Waldo.
2016 Main Event Space Hosts artist Thomas Tears
The team behind Westport Café is holding a party to announce their ownership of the 2016 Main Event Space and Art Gallery. To celebrate, they are featuring French artist Thomas Tears who will be selling his original works, French house music played by Dan Clvb, cocktails, and a selection of complementary light bites from the team at Westport Café.
May 5. 5 pm. 2016 Main Event Space.
Disco Inferno: A ’70s Celebration
Conductors Gonzalo Farias and David T. Beals III lead a cast of New York’s top performers celebrating the disco days and boogie nights of the seventies, performing hits by ABBA, Donna Summers and more.
May 5. 8 pm. Helzberg Hall.
Kansas City Urban Sketchers
This free community event was inspired by The Nelson’s newest exhibition, Alberto Giacometti: Toward the Ultimate Figure. The KC Urban Sketchers will be sketching live around the museum and in the exhibit, where guests will be invited to interact and observe the artists at work.
May 6 10:30 am –12:30 pm. Nelson-Atkins Museum.
Tintype Portraits with Megan Karson
Ironwoods Park in Leawood is hosting another “Art in the Park Pop-Up” art program with photographer Megan Karson, who will be shooting tintype portraits. This Weekend Artist Residency is part of a series in honor of Leawood’s 75th anniversary, so spots are reservation only with limited portrait sessions available.
May 6–7. By appointment. Ironwoods Park.
Big Hats, Bowties, and Bourbon
Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with a party full of horse racing, craft cocktails, a Bourbon tasting with Woodford Reserve, a DIY rose-bouquet building workshop, costume contests, raffles and more to raise money for Give Kids The World.
May 6. 3–5 pm. Marriott KC Overland Park.
Derby Crawfish and Shrimp Boil
In honor of the Kentucky Derby, Jax is hosting the “Derby Crawfish and Shrimp Boil,” where they’ll serve fresh crawfish and shrimp boils, along with festive cocktails like mint juleps and oyster shooters.
May 6. Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar.
J. Rieger & Co. Kentucky Derby Party
Celebrate all things Derby at J. Rieger & Co.’s indoor-outdoor patio bar, the Electric Park Garden Bar & Atrium. There will be live music, special signature cocktails, Derby-themed bites, a giant video displaying the race, a photo booth, and more. Proceeds from this event go towards LevelUp Kids–a charity providing life-changing dental and vision care to low-income children.
May 6. 3 pm. Electric Park at J. Rieger & Co.
Sondheim on Sondheim
Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents Sondheim on Sondheim, a touching tribute to one of the most influential figures in musical theater. The show is an intimate portrait of famed songwriter Stephen Sondheim through his beloved songs and lyrics. Exclusive interviews are interspersed throughout to give audiences an inside look at the legendary composer’s personal life and artistic processes, which brought about some of the most influential musicals of our time, such as West Side Story and Sweeney Todd.
May 6, 7:30 pm; May 7, 2 pm. Kauffman Theatre.
Matters of the Heart
City in Motion presents its annual concert, Matters Of the Heart, with new Co-Directors Ann Shaughnessy and Bobbi Foudree. This year, they are showing both new and previously presented works, along with the choreography of company members. The theme Matters of the Heart is reflective of the unifying inspirations of family, healing and hope behind the different presented pieces, which will be performed in various modern, contemporary and aerial dance styles.
May 6. 7:30 pm. May 7. 2 pm. City Stage Theater (in Union Station).
Built to Spill
Boise-based alternative indie-rock band Built to Spill has been on the scene for thirty years, influencing later indie-rock bands that helped to bring that emo-alternative sound mainstream in the early aughts. Guitarist Doug Martsch remains one of the few guitar heroes to come out of the indie-rock scene, and the band will be highlighting melodic favorites both old and new.
May 7, 8 pm. Madrid Theatre.
