Picnic in the Park
Make Mother’s Day memorable with a catered picnic on the historic East Lawn of the Kansas City Museum.
The Mother’s Day picnic bundle is being provided by SipSteady, a Kansas City-based organization that promotes and organizes non-alcoholic events. The Mother’s Day package includes a Green Dirt Farm charcuterie board for two, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine—your choice of red, white or rosé—and a sweet finale of delightful macaroons, plus a small, festive floral arrangement to set the scene. You provide a blanket or lawn chair and, of course, the guest list.
Kids are welcome, and “healthy” soda pop will be provided on the house, but bringing your own kid-friendly bites is recommended. Adults who would rather bring your own food to the picnic can do that, too. The event isn’t just for moms, organizers say, but really for anyone who wants to enjoy a spring day in the museum’s gardens.
Built in 1910 by lumber baron and civic leader Robert Long as a private home for his family, the 35,000-square-foot mansion was donated to the city in 1940 by Long’s heirs and became a museum shortly thereafter.
GO: March 12. 1 pm. Kansas City Museum. kansascitymuseum.org.
2
Trampled by Turtles
Trampled by Turtles hails from Duluth, Minnesota, like fellow folkie Bob Dylan. The group has a contemporary bluegrass sound that relies heavily on banjo and fiddle with harmonious vocals, a formula that has served bands like The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show well in the last decade. May 2. 6:30 pm. Uptown Theater.
3
Journey to Valhalla
Lyric Opera of Kansas City presents Richard Wagner’s legendary four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung, which is based on ancient Norse mythology. In this semi-staged concert, Journey to Valhalla brings to life the best moments from Wagner’s epic, breathing new life into the story of gods, dwarves and humans in a world full of magic, power and greed. May 3, 7:30 pm; May 5, 2 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
4
The Derby Party
The Kansas City Museum’s ninth annual Derby Party takes place on the museum’s historic grounds, and the fundraiser promises an afternoon of cocktails, mocktails, southern bites, live music and dancing alongside the Derby live stream. Derby attire is encouraged. May 4. 3 pm. Kansas City Museum.
4
Tech N9ne with the Kansas City Symphony
Kansas City’s own singer and rapper, Tech N9ne has been a hometown favorite for decades, founding the record label Strange Music over 20 years ago and releasing Chiefs anthem “Red Kingdom” in 2019. He is bringing a new twist to his classic hip-hop sound by collaborating with the Kansas City Symphony and guest conductor and arranger Tim Davies. May 4. 8 pm. The Midland.
7–8
Portugal. The Man
Over the past decade, Alaskan alt-indie band Portugal. The Man has established themselves as a staple of the alt-indie scene and a live favorite, having performed nearly two-thousand shows. They are coming to KC as part of The Knik Country Tour, joined by opener Reyna Tropical. May 7. 8 pm. The Truman.
7–12
MJ: The Musical
Multi Tony Award-winning MJ: The Musical brings the King of Pop to audiences as never before. Created by Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, this jukebox musical centers on the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, going beyond Jackson’s iconic moves and sound to offer an inside look at the creative mind and spirit that made him a legend. May 7–12. Times Vary. Kansas City Music Hall.
9
The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie
Early-aughts emo-alt staple bands The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie are exciting millennials everywhere by co-headlining their tour to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their most celebrated work, the albums Give Up and Transatlanticism, respectively. For every performance, Ben Gibbard, the co-founder of both bands, will pull double duty and perform with each. May 9. 7:30 pm. T-Mobile Center.
10–12 & 17–19
Jewels
Kansas City Ballet presents Jewels, which sets the music of three composers to three ballet acts. “Emeralds” features the music of Gabriel Fauré and evokes the elegance of the French Romantics’ 19th-century dances. “Rubies,” with music by Igor Stravinsky, is crisp and jazzy, showcasing the collaboration of Stravinsky and choreographer George Balanchine. Tchaikovsky’s music is featured in “Diamonds,” which epitomizes the feeling of Imperial Russia, where Balanchine was trained. May 10–12 & 17–19. Times vary. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
14 & 15
Cake
Sacramento-based ultimate ’90s rock band Cake has been a staple in the alternative rock scene for 30 years, and their mega radio hits like “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” and “The Distance” can still be heard hourly on 96.5 Not-the-Buzz. Cake added a second show to outdoor venue Grinders after selling out the first performance, proving that they’re still going the distance, they’re still going for speed. May 14 & 15. 8 pm. Grinders.
15
Local Natives
Los Angeles-based alt-indie group Local Natives has released five albums since they formed a decade and a half ago. Known for a chill pop-rock sound that dominated the airwaves in the 2010’s, they are on tour for their newest album, Time Will Wait for No One. May 15. 8 pm. The Truman.
15
Gary Clark Jr.
Austin native, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Gary Clark Jr. has been a favorite for over a decade, fusing blues, rock and soul with elements of hip-hop. Clark’s latest album, JPEG Raw, fuses elements of different musical genres, as before, but turns it up a notch by adding more electronic forms to his classic blues style. May 15. 8 pm. The Midland.
17
¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva America!
This exciting program celebrates the union of Mexico and America through music and dance, combining elements from both sides of the border. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar opens with a traditional performance before exploring more modern sensibilities with the celebrated, colorful group Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles. May 17. 8pm. Yardley Hall.
17 & 18
Sci-Fi Spectacular
The Kansas City Symphony presents Sci-Fi Spectacular, an out-of-this-world concert conducted by guest conductor Jack Everly and featuring music from sci-fi favorites like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek and E.T.. May 17 & 18, 8 pm; May 19, 2 pm. Helzberg Hall.
27
Union Station Memorial Day Concert and Firework Show
One of the largest free Memorial Day weekend concerts in the Midwest is held on the grounds of Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial, drawing crowds of 50,000. This year’s headliner is the Kansas City Symphony in concert with rock band The Resilient and other bands like Drive On and the Back Alley Brass Band. There will also be food trucks and vendors. The evening concludes with KC’s largest fireworks display. May 27. 5 p.m. Union Station grounds.
28–31
The Cher Show
Based on the incredible 50-plus-year career of icon Cher, this 2018 Tony Award-winning jukebox musical by Rick Elice tells Cher’s life story through her songs. In the show, Cher is played by three actresses: the young hopeful of the ’50s and ’60s, the glam pop star of the ’70s and the icon of the ’80s and ’90s, proving that fads come and go, but Cher is forever. May 28–31, 8 pm; June 1 & 2, 8 pm. Starlight Theatre.
