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Kansas City Connection: 9 events to kick off a busy September

By Lucas Wetzel - | Sep 6, 2015

The start of September is a bustling time in Kansas City, and in honor of the ninth month of the year, here are nine standout festivals, concerts and weekend events to help you make the most of your week.

“Pops in the Park” at Shawnee Mission Park

On Monday, The Kansas City Symphony presents its annual free concert at Shawnee Mission Park, saluting the end of summer with selections ranging from “Star Wars” to the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Gates open at 5 p.m. for the free concert, which starts at 7. Before the main concert, enjoy a performance by the Youth Symphony of Kansas City as well as an instrument petting zoo.

Visit kcsymphony.org for more details.

Itzhak Perlman and Emanuel Ax at the Kauffman Center

On Tuesday at Helzberg Hall in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the world famous duo of Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman and Ukrainian pianist Emanuel Ax will perform selections from their recent recordings of sonatas by Gabriel Faure and Richard Strauss.

Tickets range from $25 to $80 and are available at hjseries.org.

Ratatat at the Uptown

This electro-pop duo from Brooklyn is hardly a household name, but if you’ve ever tuned in to NPR and heard upbeat synth tracks and hard-hitting, syncopated percussion layered into the between-show segments, there’s a good chance you were listening to Ratatat.

On Thursday, Ratatat visits the Uptown in support of their recent album “Magnifique.” Doors for this all-ages show open at 7 p.m. and the music begins at 8.

Tickets are $25 at uptowntheater.com.

Johnson County Old Settlers Festival

From Thursday through Saturday, downtown Olathe will pay tribute to its historical roots with concerts, a carnival, auto show, ice cream socials, arts and crafts, horseshoe pitching, funnel cakes, and flower shows.

Main events include Kansas’ Largest Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, and a concert Thursday evening at 6:30 featuring Christian artist Kerrie Roberts followed by the Olathe North and Olathe South high school bands. 

Visit johnsoncountyoldsettlers.com for a full schedule.

Art Westport

Westport’s annual art fair will present artwork, crafts and jewelry from over 100 artists from the region, with abundant options for food and drink on each block.

The show runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

See artwestport.net to preview work from participating artists.

Greek Fest

From Friday through Sunday, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is hosting its 54th annual Greek Fest, which includes traditional dance performances, live music by the Hellenic Five and pastries and dishes such as grilled souvlaki, spanakopita, dolmathes and baklava sundaes.

Greek Fest will be held 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at the big tent beside the church at 120th and Wornall streets. Church tours will be available as well.

More information is online at greekfoodfest.org.


“Chalk And Walk” at Crown Center

Dozens of professional and amateur artists will turn the bricks of Crown Center into colorful chalk canvases at this weekend event, which also includes street performers, food and activities.

The Chalk and Walk runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Crown Center Square, 2450 Grand Blvd.

This alcohol-free event is free to the public. Visit kcchalkandwalk.org for more details.

Cigar Fest on the Country Club Plaza

This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kansas City Cigar Festival will host a rooftop party directly above cigar retailer Diebel’s Sportsmens Gallery at 426 Ward Parkway on the Country Club Plaza.

General admission costs $136 and includes a dozen premium cigars, lunch, two beer tickets, liquor sampling and tickets to a charity raffle. A guest ticket without the cigars is $40. Register at kccigarfestival.com.

Crossroads Music Fest

The Crossroads Music Festival began 10 years ago as a fundraiser for community radio station KKFI 90.1 and a showcase for dozens of Kansas City’s most popular local bands.

The music begins at 6 p.m. Saturday and will last long into the night at seven different stages and bars including The Brick, The Green Lady Lounge, The Tank Room and an outdoor stage at 1837 Grand Blvd. Performers include Mountain Sprout, The Organ Jazz Trio, Katy Guillen & The Girls, Spirit is the Spirit, and more.

A $15 ticket special is online at cmfkc.com or at area Vinyl Renaissance stores.

— Lucas Wetzel is a writer and editor from Kansas City, Mo. Know of an upcoming event in Kansas City you’d like to see featured in Kansas City Connection? Email us about it at kcconnection@ljworld.com.