Thirteen Things To Do In KC This Weekend, October 9—12
Here are thirteen things to do in KC this weekend, October 9—12 including Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau, Heartland Book Festival and RENT.
Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau
Contemporary jazz visionaries reunite for this dynamic duo performance at the Kauffman Center. Pianist Brad Mehldau—best known as a longtime member of saxophonist Joshua Redman’s band—joins forces with bassist Christian McBride, a nine-time Grammy-winning composer, arranger, and musical mastermind.
October 9. 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
Lenexa Chili Challenge
Judges aren’t the only ones to get a taste of the entries at this cook-off. Friday night kicks off with live music and family-friendly activities like face painting, but the festivities heat up on Saturday as more than 200 teams serve up their best chilis, hot wings and salsas. Grab a spoon at the gate and sample your way through a tradition nearly four decades strong.
October 10 & 11. Old Town Lenexa.
True Lions & Marmoppes
Head to the West Bottoms’ The Ship for an evening headlined by two of KC’s own: funk-jazz ensemble Marmoppes and self-described “elevated folk freaks” True Lions. Nashville-based group Little Systems opens.
October 11. 9 pm. The Ship.
Heartland Book Festival
Regional and national literary voices gather for this two-day festival. Friday night features Pulitzer Prize winner Percival Everett in the Northland, followed by a downtown celebration at the Kansas City Public Library on Saturday, headlined by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo presents her latest novel, Atmosphere, alongside KC’s own best-selling author Adib Khorram.
October 10 & 11. Times vary. Mid-Continent Public Library Woodneath Library Center & Central Branch, Kansas City Public Library.
Copland’s Appalachian Spring
Spanning from Americana to French impressionism, the Kansas City Symphony presents an evening of contrast (though both masterworks were originally composed for ballets). The program opens with Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a Pulitzer Prize-winning score with folksy melodies. Maurice Ravel’s lush and romantic Daphnis et Chloê—nearly an hour-long magnum opus—closes out the evening.
October 10–12. Times vary. Helzberg Hall.
Waldo Fall Fest
A day of family fun ensues as Waldo Fall Fest returns for its 33rd year. The neighborhood’s autumn event includes pop-up shops featuring small businesses, food trucks like Taco Cacao and El Café Cubano, a live DJ and ample kids’ activities.
October 11. 10 am. Gregory Boulevard & Wornall Road.
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra: British Invasion
At British Invasion, rock and roll from across the pond meets big band jazz. Backed by the 18-piece Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the program includes fresh arrangements of hits from English bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and more.
October 11. 7 pm. Yardley Hall.
Visions of the Flint Hills
At this annual art benefit and sale, celebrate the beautiful plains of Kansas, portrayed through art pieces inspired by the Flint Hills’ landscapes—the largest tallgrass prairie in North America. Artists from around the country find themselves inspired by the region and present their pieces at the Buttonwood Art Space this fall. Half of the proceeds go to the artists themselves, while the other half benefit the Friends of Konza Prairie, which promotes education and research in the Flint Hills. Although the sale is open from October through November 10, a First Friday reception with live music and refreshments will be held on October 4.
October 1–November 10. Times vary. Buttonwood Art Space.
RENT
While the struggles of living with HIV/AIDS may be hard to fully understand, RENT gives us a window in. Jonathan Larson’s iconic Tony Award-winning musical follows a group of artists in 1990s New York as they search for love and meaning while facing poverty amid the AIDS crisis. Presented by Music Theater Heritage, this show, which first opened on Broadway in 1996, is one of just 10 musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and its message still rings true.
October 2–26. Times vary. Main Stage at Crown Center.
KC Wine Co. Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch
Roam KC Wine Co.’s 40 acres at this all-ages extravaganza. The price of admission includes over 60 activities like corn pits, skee ball, mega slides and plenty of seasonal photo ops. Plus, the Olathe winery’s signature wine slushes will be available for purchase all day, every day.
September 27–October 26. KC Wine Co.
Kansas City Renaissance Festival
Don your finest flowy dresses, tunics and breeches for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. At this immersive step back in time, watch jousting tournaments, feast on gigantic turkey legs, listen to period music and shop the bustling artisan market. Each weekend brings a different theme, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.
August 30–October 13. Times vary. 628 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs.
Alone Together
The bittersweet feeling of becoming empty nesters doesn’t last long in the Broadway comedy Alone Together. Just as all three kids finally move out, they slowly start trickling back in, returning home to mom and dad one by one. Starring The Brady Bunch’s Barry Williams and featuring Cathy Bennett, this show explores the chaos and joy of family life. At New Theatre & Restaurant in Overland Park, the play is a full dining and entertainment experience, complete with waitstaff, cocktails and a gourmet buffet.
September 10–November 16. Times vary. New Art Theatre & Restaurant.
ArtSalon: Biennial Alumni Exhibition
Head over to the Kansas City Art Institute’s 2025 alumni exhibition to see what former KCAI students are creating right now. Whether you’re collecting or just want to take a look, the annual exhibition is always a good show. There will also be an opening reception, bringing together alumni, faculty, collectors and patrons, that’s open to anyone who wants to meet the artists and celebrate this year’s exhibition.
Every piece in the show is available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting both the artist and the KCAI Annual Fund, which supports student scholarships.
September 6–October 19. KCAI Gallery.
The post Thirteen Things To Do In KC This Weekend, October 9—12 appeared first on Kansas City Magazine.
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