From The Temptations to KC Beer Fest … #GoDowntownKC this week

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It just might be our imagination, but the Downtown Kansas City arts & entertainment appears to be smokin’ this week. Roll the highlight reel for what’s happening in Downtown – Monday to Sunday, Sep. 9-15:

Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St. Next up, Rock Gods will pay tribute to the rock legends who wrote and played the soundtrack to the best times in our lives at 8 p.m. next Friday, Sept. 20.

Crown Center, 2405 Grand – This week, featuring Hallmarket – A Hallmark Art Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on the Square. Open to the public, this FREE, family-friendly art fair celebrates the creativity and talent of Hallmark employees.  Enjoy live music, interactive activities, food and beverage options. 

 

Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St. – This week, featuring three great nights of entertainment, including:

  • The SteelDrivers, the innovative, soulful bluegrass band, will light up the Big Town at 8 p.m. Friday, as part of the Americana Series, presented by The Folly and 90.9 The Bridge.
  • The Four Italian Tenors – This new generation of world-class tenors – touring the U.S. for the first time – explore and present beloved classics with panache, verve, and vivacity, all in their own inimitable style beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday.
  • Blackheart Burlesque – The SuicideGirls  deliver a unique look for burlesque – one that’s, filled with pop culture references, a high energy indie soundtrack and the sexiest choreography that will make your inner nerd explode with glee. The fun begins at 9 p.m. Sunday.

 

KC Public Library, 14 W. 10th St. This week, Making KC (More) Competitive will be the focus of a presentation by KC Rising, a cooperative of business, civic, education, and philanthropy leaders looking to improve our area’s economic prospects, wants to push KC to a top-10 ranking among 31 peer cities across the country in three key areas. KC Rising leaders will lead a discussion of the important issues facing the city at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Plaza Branch.

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. This week, The Temptations will light up Downtown KC, as the Motown legends perform with the Kansas City Symphony. For nearly 50 years, The Temptations have been sunshine on a cloudy day with an avalanche of smash Motown hits and sold-out appearances around the world. Performances are set for 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Helzberg Hall.

Knucklehead’s, 2715 Rochester. This week, the hottest honky tonk in KC will be swayin’ to 12 live shows this week, including Matthew Sweet (and His Band) at 8 p.m. Tuesday; two nights of Infinity Blues featuring Eric Gales and more beginning at 6 p.m. Friday AND the Danielle Nicole Band and more starting at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Power & Light District – This week, the KC Live! Block will feature Taking Back Sunday in the Coors Light Block Party at 6 p.m. Friday; Jake McVey at 7 p.m. Friday at PBR Big Sky; KC Beer Fest beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday at Walnut & Grand. Click here for  the tasty details; School of Rock at noon Sunday at PBR Big Sky; 

Sprint Center, 1407 Grand. This week, platinum selling country crooner and songwriter Thomas Rhett with special guests Dustin Lynch, Russell Dickerson and Rhett Akins for the Very Hot Summer Tour at 7 p.m. Thursday. 

The Truman, 801 E. Truman Rd. – This week, Whitney – the idie/alt band out of Chicago – will light up the Big Town at 8 p.m. Wednesday; and The Truman will celebrate its second birthday with Wonderfuzz featuring Hi-Lux at 9 p.m. Friday.

Union Station – 30 W. Pershing Rd. This week, featuring Stonehenge – this remarkable experience has begun its last few weeks in KC. Guests travel back in time – more than 5,000 years –  to discover remarkable stories of the prehistoric people who lived, worked and were buried in the landscape around Stonehenge.  Open daily, but time is running out. The exhibit runs through Sept. 29, click here for ticket information.

LIVE THEATER – This week, a peek behind the curtain reveals three productions happening this week:

  • DNR – This world premiere addresses the sensitive subject of DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) with warmth, wit, and bite, DNR explores the complexities of human connection and asks, what does it mean to be alone? What does it mean to be alive? Performances continue through Sept. 22 at The Living Room.
  • The Marvelous Marilyn Maye returns home this week for a cabaret celebration with Kansas City’s hometown jazz legend! Tickets are now on sale for seven performances – from Wednesday through Sunday – only at Quality Hill Playhouse.
  • ‘Master Harold’ …And The Boys opens Wednesday on the City Stage at Union Station. Presented by the KC Actors Theatre, the story is a surprising and subtle reflection on how institutional racism and bigotry affects all of those living within it. This production stands to be an classic in its own right. Master Harold will be performed through Sept. 29

LIVE MUSIC is on tap most nights at these Downtown clubs and joints: Blue Room Jazz Club, Black Dolphin, The Brick, Gem Theater,  Green Lady Lounge, Hush, The Majestic Jazz Club, Mutual Musicians Foundation, The Phoenix, Prohibition Hall , throughout the Power & Light District, The Record Bar and The Ship.

AND, UNIQUE TREASURES are plentiful via Downtown museums and attractions, including the Airline History Museum, Downtown Airport; American Jazz Museum, 18th & Vine; Arabia Steamboat Museum, River Market; Black Archives of Mid-America, 18th & Vine; Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity, Union Station District; Boulevard Beer Hall, Westside; City Market, River Market; College Basketball Experience, Sprint Center; Garment District Museum, Garment District; Kansas City Public Library, Central Business District; Hallmark Visitors Center, Crown Center; Hy-Vee Arena, West Bottoms; Kansas City Museum, Corinthian Hall; Money Museum, Federal Reserve Bank of KC; National Archives, Union Station District; National WWI Museum and Memorial, Liberty Memorial; Legoland Discovery Center, Crown Center; Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 18th & Vine; Riverfront Heritage Trail, River Market area; Science City, Union Station; Sea Life Aquarium, Crown Center; 21c Museum Hotel, Historic 9th District; TWA Museum, Downtown Airport; and Union Station, Union Station.

For more of what’s happening in Downtown and Kansas City, check out ArtsKCGo and VisitKC.com

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