Steam locomotive Empress 2816 will arrive in town this weekend when Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s final Spike Steam tour stops at Union Station.
Visitors will not only be able to see the historic locomotive up close, but also learn more about the locomotive and the history of CPKC – including the role of Kansas City Southern. Mini-train rides, crafts and other activities will be available at Haverty Family Yards, along with showings of “Rocky Mountain Express” in the station’s Regnier Extreme Screen Theater.
The event will take place from 12pm to 5pm on May 18th and is free. More information at cpkcr. with.
More entertainment
Five homes and a historic storefront will open their doors to the public for the Volker Homes Tour from 10am to 3pm on May 18 ($25 to $30). www.volkerkcmo.org.
Merriam’s annual Turkey Creek Festival will bring live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and more to Antioch Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 18 (free). merriam.org.
The Water Lantern Festival at Theis Park will feature floating lanterns as well as music, food trucks and other activities from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm on May 18 ($45.99 to $55.99). www.waterlanternfestival.com.
Donna Rae Pearson of the Kansas Historical Society will present “Brown’s Women: 70th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education” at the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Public Library at 6pm on May 21 (free). kclibrary.org.
theater
“I Will Always Love You: The Music of Whitney Houston,” 7:30 p.m., May 16-18, 2 p.m., May 19, Ruby Room, MTH Theater at Crown Center ($51). musictheaterheritage.com.
“The Head of Medusa,” KCPublic Theatre, 7:30 p.m., May 16-20, Stern Theater at Charlotte Street Foundation (free – $25). www.kcpublictheatre.org.
“My Brother Is My Security Blanket,” 7:30 p.m., May 16-18, Harris Park ($25). eventbrite.com.
“The Lehman Trilogy”, Kansas City Actors Theatre, opens at 7pm on May 22; runs through June 9, City Stage ($20-$52). www.kcactors.org.
Classical music and dance
Kansas City Symphony, “Sci-Fi Spectacular,” 8 p.m., May 17-18, 2 p.m., May 19, Kauffman Center ($55-$110). kcsymphony.org.
Kansas City Women’s Chorus, “Come to Your Senses,” 7 p.m., May 17, 2 p.m., May 18-19, Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building ($15-$37). www.kcwomenschorus.org.
“Viva México! ¡Viva America!”, 8 p.m. May 17, Yardley Hall ($12 to $45). jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center.
More music
Asleep at the Wheel, 8pm May 16, Knuckleheads ($35). knuckleheadskc.com.
Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest, 6pm May 17, 5pm May 18, Linden Square ($5 suggested donation). gladstonechamber. with.
John Garcia, 6:45 p.m. May 17, Liberty Hall ($27). libertyhall.net.
Umphrey’s McGee, 7pm May 17, GrindersKC ($39.95-$95). grinderskc.com.
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “This Is Kansas City” with Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson, 8 p.m. May 17, Folly ($20-$100). kcjo.org.
Kumar Sanu and Sadhna Sargam, 8pm May 17, Midland ($29-$299). midlandkc.com.
Kansas City Folk Fest, noon to 8 p.m., May 18, Washington Square Park (free). kcfolkfest.org.
Kelce Jam with Lil Wayne, Diplo, 2 Chainz and more, 5pm May 18, Azura Amphitheater ($49.99-$109.99). kelcejam.com.
Maddie Zahm, 8pm on May 18, Madrid (US$25). madridtheatre. with.
Brand MP, 8pm, May 18, Midland ($39.50-$119.50). midlandkc.com.
Jeffrey Osborne, 8:30 p.m. May 18, Ameristar Casino ($60-$80). ameristarkansascity.com.
Eyewatering Real Estate, 8pm May 20, The Truman ($25 to $30). thetrumankc.com.
Recently announced
Kevin Hart, August 2, Starlight. kcstarlight. with
Childish Gambino with Willow, August 12, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter. with
Grupo Frontera, September 11, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com
Cameron Carpenter, Oct. 8, Kauffman Center. www.kauffmancenter.org
Vitamins String Quartet, November 7, Kauffman Center. www.kauffmancenter.org
Martin Lawrence with Chico Bean, Mrs. Pat and Benji Brown, March 1, T-Mobile Center. t-mobilecenter.com
