Twelve Things To Do This Weekend, September 4—7
Here are twelve things to do in KC this weekend, September 4—7 including The Color Purple, Crossroads Music Fest and Art Westport.
Christine Walker: Tap Dancing at the Bluebird
KC-born author Christine Walker presents her latest novel, Tap Dancing at the Bluebird, at this Rainy Day Books event. Inspired by Walker’s grandmother’s Great Depression-era diaries, the multi-generational story follows two traveling tap dancers in a tale of forgiveness and long-lost love.
September 4. Time. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
The Color Purple
Deep like the hue it’s named after, the musical The Color Purple brings emotion to every scene with compelling dialogue and music that spans several genres, including jazz, gospel and blues. Presented by KCRep, this inspiring stage musical is based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which follows the journey of Celie, a young Black woman in the early 20th century rural South, as she overcomes hardship.
September 2–21. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.
KC Live! Chiefs Watch Party
Power and Light is kicking off the Kansas City Chiefs 2025 season with the city’s largest watch party. With live DJs, giveaways, trivia and more, doors open two hours before kickoff, amping up the excitement as the Chiefs face off against the Los Angeles Chargers.
September 5. 5 pm. KC Live!
Lenexa Spinach Festival
Celebrate Lenexa’s spinach legacy at the family-friendly Spinach Festival. Family-oriented fun abounds, from the World’s Largest Spinach Salad to live music and crafts. Engage in hands-on activities, learn how Lenexa became the “Spinach Capital of the World” in the 1930s and savor the community spirit.
September 6. 9 am. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
Crossroads Music Fest
Crossroads Music Fest, a fundraiser for community radio station KKFI, returns for its 21st year. Headlining is Krystle Warren, a KC-born singer-songwriter now residing outside of Paris who has built a thriving career abroad with an impressive list of collaborations, having shared the stage with Rufus Wainwright and Joan As Police Woman. In total, the celebration of Midwestern music features over 30 bands across six stages in the West Bottoms.
September 6. 12 pm. West Bottoms (locations vary).
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.
Art Westport
The 45th annual Art Westport is the city’s oldest local art show, showcasing arts and crafts by the city’s top talent. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a collector or are simply curious, this community event has something for everyone. In addition to the artist booths, there are hands-on activities for children, music and food.
September 5–7. Times vary. Westport Road & Pennsylvania Avenue, KCMO.
Molly Carr and Anna Petrova in “Hers”
Violinist Molly Carr and pianist Anna Petrova are kicking off Park University’s concert season with a classical performance showcasing female composers. The show at the 1900 Building in Mission Woods, Kansas, will include works by Clara Schumann and Vivianne Fung. Carr and Petrova are lauded for their musical prowess, and audience members should expect to feel the heartbreak and struggles inherent in the female experience.
September 5. 7:30 pm. 1900 Building.
George Brown Band with Kadesh Flow and Kemet Coleman
Music lovers are in for a treat at the George Brown Band’s performance at The Ship. Hailing from New Orleans, trombonist George Brown is a two-time Grammy nominee and takes inspiration from artists like Michael Jackson and James Brown. Before forming his own namesake funk rock band, Brown toured the world with Hot 8 Brass Band. Brown has opened for Ghost Note, Soul Rebels and more.
September 5. 10 pm. The Ship.
Dance in the Park
This year, City in Motion will hold the 26th annual Dance in the Park. Along with dance performances, the Roanoke Park event will also include local vendors, lawn games and activities for all ages, including mini dance classes for those so inclined.
Be sure to bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs for the main event. Starting at 6:30 pm, youth dance groups from across the metro will perform, followed by performances from a variety of adult troupes, including City in Motion.
September 6. 5:30 pm. Roanoke Park.
Wrapped Walk Ways
A gift from the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, “Wrapped Walk Ways” is an exhibition of photographs and other pieces of memorabilia that tell the story of the Christos’ 1978 Loose Park art installation. For two weeks in October of 1978, the Bulgarian-born artist Christo and his partner, Jeanne-Claude, vividly transformed the park by covering 2.7 miles of paths with shimmering, saffron-colored nylon fabric, altering the way visitors experience the park.
Although the Christos conceived “Wrapped Walk Ways” as a temporary installation, its legacy continues both in this exhibition and in the memories of those who encountered it. Last year, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation gave the museum a trove of preparatory works, architectural plans, documents and photographs related to “Wrapped Walk Ways.” Drawn from that gift, this exhibition tells the story of this breakthrough art project that brought Kansas City international attention.
On display now through January 18, 2026. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
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 Twelve Things To Do This Weekend, September 4—7 appeared first on Kansas City Magazine.
Categories
Recent Posts
GET MORE INFORMATION
