Native exhibit

If you’re planning a visit to Kansas City over the holidays, try to make time to check out the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s Plains Indians exhibit, which runs through Jan. 11. “Artists of Earth + Sky” brings together many centuries’ worth of artifacts, from pre-Columbian ceremonial objects to modern works of art made in traditional American Indian craft styles.

The exhibit itself doesn’t take too long to walk through, but you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to absorb the intricacy, color, symmetry and beauty of many of these artifacts, especially the beaded embroidery, headdresses and elaborate feather works. Anyone interested in American Indian artwork and regional history will find much to marvel at and contemplate. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for students and free for those 12 and under.

Antique mall

Collectors of antiques, home decorations, and those looking to find unique gifts of furniture, pottery, rugs, light fixtures, linens or other vintage items should visit the Mission Road Antique Mall at 4101 W. 83rd St. in Prairie Village, which includes 50,000 square feet of retail space and items from more than 300 dealers. The Mission Road antique mall feels clean, classy and well-organized, and though I didn’t have the pocket change to pick up any fine china, I did enjoy a tasty meal at the Bloomsbury Bistro, the cafe inside the mall that is open from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Every table was occupied when I stopped in for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon for a delicious pork tenderloin sandwich. The menu items are all under $10, and the Bistro also includes an extensive dessert menu. Well worth the visit.

Classic coffee

On the Missouri side, a good place to stop in for a cup of coffee, espresso drink or slice of cake is Broadway Cafe in Westport. Famous for being the locally owned coffee shop that preceded, survived and ultimately outlasted the Starbucks on the same block, Broadway has succeeded by serving a hearty blend of roasted coffees since 1992 and roasting its own coffee since 1998. The clientele is eclectic here, the prices are low and the homemade baked goods are delicious as well. Broadway Cafe is located at 4106 Broadway and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’

Christmas-related concerts this week include the dramatic Handel’s “Messiah,” presented again this year by the Kansas City Symphony and the Symphony Chorus at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This year the Symphony Chorus will be joined by the Independence Messiah Choir to bring the total number of voices to 250.

The “Messiah” will be performed on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $24 and up at kcsymphony.org.

Puppet Nativity

Each year at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in downtown Kansas City, Paul Mesner Puppets presents “The Nativity,” a holiday pageant including live musicians, a choir and dozens of incredibly detailed, dramatically illuminated life-sized puppets. It’s a one-of-a-kind event that often sells out in advance, so get tickets now if you’re interested at paulmesnerpuppets.org.

Tickets are $11 for children and $16 for adults. Showtimes are Friday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Grace and Holy Trinity is at 415 W. 13th St. just off Broadway.

Holiday art sale

On Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., more than 30 artists and craftspeople will be hosting a small works show and holiday sale at the Hotel Phillips, 106 W. 12th St. just off Baltimore Street. Most of the artwork will be priced at less than $100, with participants including sculptors, embroiderers, painters and screen printers, many of whom graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute. Admission is free and open to the public, with free valet parking and a cash bar available.

— 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.