Here are thirteen things to do in KC this weekend, October 31-November 3: American Royal World Series of Barbecue, a Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Crossroads Hotel and Leslie Jones.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
Come experience the life and songs of Billie Holiday like never before in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, with songs like “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child” and scenes based off of many of her true life events.
October 8–27. Copaken Stage.
Goodnight Moon
Based on the beloved children’s book of the same name, Goodnight Moon is adapted for the stage by Chad Henry. This family-friendly musical features favorite characters like the three bears sitting in chairs, the cow jumping over the moon and the tooth fairy.
October 8–November 2. Times vary. City Stage at Union Station.
The Heart Sellers
While the difficulties of immigration and integration are not new social themes, The Heart Sellers asks the question: Just how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for a new home? The play introduces new Americans Jane and Luna, who contemplate their American dreams while celebrating Thanksgiving without their husbands, who are at work. Hosted by the Unicorn Theatre, a venue that is no stranger to plays that tackle complicated and diverse social issues, The Heart Sellers will pull on your heartstrings.
October 23–November 10. 3828 Main St., KCMO.
The Music Man
Your favorite traveling salesman is on his way to Overland Park. The Jewish Community Center presents The Music Man at the Lewis & Shirley White Theatre. The story of a con man with no musical knowledge convinces the people of River City, Iowa, he can organize a boys’ band. This Broadway classic will mark the beginning of the J’s 20th season.
Thursday, Saturdays, Sundays from October 26–November 17. 5801 W. 115 St., Overland Park.
American Royal World Series of Barbecue
If there’s one thing Kansas City takes pride in, it’s our barbecue. The American Royal World Series of Barbecue touts itself as the world’s largest barbecue competition, that takes place right here in the heartland. The weekend-long fest includes live performances, activities, and of course, the smells of hickory wood smoke and slow roasted meats as competitors battle it out on the speedway.
October 31–November 3. Times vary. Kansas Speedway.
Leslie Jones
Comedian Leslie Jones made her breakthrough on SNL a decade ago with her brash humor and offbeat characters, and she quickly became a standout of the cast. Today, she stars in comedy roles and hosts a podcast. Now, she’s on tour in support of her new book, with New York-based comedian Lenny Marcus opening.
November 1. 7 pm. Uptown Theater.
The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium 25th Anniversary
This two-day celebration of Union Station’s Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium’s 25th anniversary features a unique fusion of performance art, live music and laser light displays under the always-magical planetarium dome. On day two, there will be Yoga Under the Stars in the morning.
November 1, 7 pm; November 2, 9:30 am. Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium.
Park University International Center for Music Orchestra’s Fall Concert
The Park University International Center for Music Orchestra will hold its fall concert (the first of the season) under the direction of guest conductor Laura Jackson, D.M.A., music director and conductor of the Reno Philharmonic. Jackson has selected a program of works for the string orchestra, with music by composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Benjamin Britten and Antonin Dvořák.
November 1. 7:30 pm. Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel (Parkville Campus).
Vintage Market Days of Kansas City
Vintage Market Days features over 100 vendors hawking vintage items, art, home decor, treats and more. Food and coffee will be available, along with an indoor seating area and live music all weekend long.
November 1–3. Independence Center.
Mozart’s Requiem
If you’re looking for a night of classical music, Kansas City Symphony Chorus’s Mozart’s Requiem is a performance you don’t want to miss. Guest conductor Bernard Labadie joins the Kansas City Symphony Chorus at Helzberg Hall for an event filled with music and engagement. While the concert on Saturday and Sunday will include Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major by Franz Schubert as well as the Requiem, Friday night will look a little different. As part of the new Friday Symphonic Piazza series, the performance will feature a shorter concert, but with social opportunities for concertgoers to mingle with the musicians that will include beverages and other activities before and after the performance.
November 1–3. 1601 Broadway Blvd., KCMO.
Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert
As part of the Kauffman’s wildly popular film screenings with live orchestral accompaniment, the beloved anime Avatar: The Last Airbender will feature a live orchestral rendition of the series’ now-iconic soundtrack paired with a special recap of the animated series on the big screen. The projection features the original dialogue and sound effects as the live orchestra performs the legendary score live and in sync with the show scenes to bring a truly immersive experience to the beloved series.
November 2, 2 pm & 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Crossroads Hotel is hosting its annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, in partnership with Mattie Rhodes Art Center & Gallery and the Kansas City Museum. To celebrate this colorful cultural tradition, guests will enter the hotel to a breathtaking ofrenda, covered in flowers and memorabilia to help guide late loved ones to the afterlife. There will be live folklórico dancing, a roaming mariachi and live music. To further immerse yourself in the spirit of the holiday (pun intended), there will be puppetry by StoneLion Puppet Theatre, complimentary Day of the Dead face painting, specialty cocktails and light bites. Guests are also welcomed to add to the ofrenda, the community altar installation, and there will also be artisanal goods made by local Latinx makers.
November 2. 6–10 pm. Crossroads Hotel.
HYPROV
Hyprov blends hypnosis and improv comedy—what could go wrong? Fresh off an off-Broadway run and six-month residency in Las Vegas, this fresh new show combines the two mystifying (and sometimes seemingly impossible) art forms of hypnosis and improv. The show begins with hypnotist Asad Mecci welcoming volunteers on stage to be hypnotized. Those most receptive to hypnosis then join comedian Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it Anyway? fame to improvise the rest of the show while audience members are under hypnosis to create an original, unscripted and oftentimes kooky comedy theater show.
November 3. 7 pm. Yardley Hall.
