Here are twelve things to do in KC this weekend, August 1-4, including: Morgan Wallen, Orville Peck and Boyz II Men.
The Festival of Butterflies
The Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens encourages nature enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate butterflies—those fluttery creatures loved by all. Spend a day outdoors exploring tropical and native butterflies alongside stunning botanical displays.
July 18–August 4. Times vary. Powell Gardens.
Moulin Rouge
Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film comes to life on stage in a new jukebox musical version of Moulin Rouge. Directed by Tony Award nominee Alex Timbers with choreography by Emmy nominee Sonya Tayeh, this musical is a celebration of beauty, freedom and love. Moulin Rouge takes audiences to a world filled with glitz, glamor, drama and romance at the turn of the 20th century in Paris.
July 23–August 4. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
Morgan Wallen
Uber-popular and sometimes controversial country superstar Morgan Wallen is coming for two nights to KC on his paradoxically-named One Night At A Time tour, bringing openers Lainey Wilson, Nate Smith and Ella Langley along for the multiple day stint.
August 1 & 2. 5:30 pm. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Orville Peck
Country musician Orville Peck gained widespread popularity in less than half a decade by breathing new life into the genre—and bringing a sense of delightful surprise to it. Most known for his signature fringe mask that conceals his true identity from the public, the masked singer is hitting KC in support of the Stampede Tour, aptly named after his EP Stampede: Vol. 1 released in May.
August 1. 7 pm. Grinders.
How to Hold a Butterfly: Thomas Woodward LaFavre
The new solo exhibition, “How to Hold a Butterfly” by Thomas Woodward LaFavre, was informed by the process of gardening over the past four years. The paintings use the artist’s garden as the sole subject matter, and was inspired after an exploration into familial identity that uncovered that gardening, farming or viticulture has been a constant in the lives of the artist’s ancestors.
Opening Reception: August 2. 5 pm. (Exhibition, August 2–31). Upper Level Gallery.
Aerosol & Acrylic Paint on Canvas, 2024
Crown Center’s WeekEnder series
Crown Center’s free family event series finishes this weekend with a live musical performance by Retroactive and an outdoor screening of last year’s smash summer hit Barbie. There will also be food trucks and beverages available for purchase (rotating weekly) and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to watch the film under the stars.
August 2. 6 pm. Crown Center Square.
TEDxKC 2024
This year’s theme, Navigating the Unknown: to create a future worth having, challenges and inspires audiences through TED Talks, performances and experiences. This 15th anniversary lineup includes author, philosopher and suicide prevention advocate Clancy Martin, singer-songwriter Lee DeWyze, and much more. There will also be a post-event celebration with even more experiences, music and refreshments.
August 2. 6 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
The War and Treaty
R&B/Americana husband-and-wife duo The War And Treaty is hitting KC after being nominated at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards after two GRAMMY nominations. Half of the duo, Michael Trotter Jr., is a veteran who learned to play piano while overseas, but returned from war with severe PTSD and faced homelessness. Creating music with his now-wife Tanya helped him heal and eventually created their award-winning music group. The Kentucky Gentlemen open.
August 2. 8 pm. Knuckleheads.
2024 KC Brew Fest
KC Brew Fest returns to historic Union Station to bring together craft and international breweries and will feature over 50 breweries, 125 beers, music and KC’s best food trucks. Kansas City favorites like Boulevard and Vine Street Brewing will be pouring their beloved beers and food truck alley will be in full swing, with everything from Korean food to burgers.
August 3. 12–8 pm. Union Station.
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival
Get grillin’ and groovin’ with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as they host this summer celebration featuring live music, admission to the museum and, of course, hot dogs galore. At the Hot Dog Festival, sausage aficionados can sample ballpark franks—including the signature Kansas City Monarch Dog—and other offerings from food trucks. There will also be mascot appearances and live music performances by Stokley, Brownstone and more.
August 3. 3 pm. The Paseo between 18th & Truman.
Legends Back-to-School Bash
Legends Outlets is kicking off the back-to-school season with a Back-to-School Bash, where many stores will be offering discounts of up to 75% off on back-to-school essentials. There will also be tons of family-friendly activities and entertainment including: a DJ performance, face painting, balloon artist, Bluey meet and greet, inflatable games, photo station, free haircuts for children under 12 and more. The festivities wrap up with an outdoor screening of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on the lawn.
August 3. 4 pm. Legends Outlets.
Boyz II Men
Hide your aunts because iconic R&B boy (to men) band Boyz II Men are coming to KC with opener Robin Thicke to bring their timeless baby makin’ hits like “I’ll Make Love to You” and “End of the Road” to Kansas City. Their songs are so smooth that Putin allegedly asked them to perform in 2013 in an effort to fight Russia’s declining population. Need we say more?
August 4. 7:30 pm. Starlight Theatre.
