Summer can be one long festival if you know all the right places. Here are many we’ve found for your entertainment options.
Festivals
Carrie Nation Days, May 31-June 1, in Downtown Belton is sponsored by Broken Hatchet Brewing, named after the famous Belton resident who opposed alcohol and brandished a hatchet to alcohol serving establishments. The celebration includes 80 vendors, two nights of live music, a beer garden and food trucks.
Red Bridge Shopping Center has its Annual Summer Kick-Off on Saturday, June 8th, with its craft + fun fair featuring makers from Strawberry Swing & KC Black Owned. Family friendly activities include Bach to Rock musical instruments, balloon twisters, face painters, and pickleball at Blue Bicycle. Four food trucks plus Berries & Honey charcuterie bar, and live music from 10 am to 4 pm. Music line-up includes:
- 10 am – Erica McKenzie One Woman Band
- Noon – Garrett Childers
- 2 pm – Alan Voss & Heidi Mikhail Duo
Spring N2 Summer Shopping Event Pop-up, Saturday, June 8, noon to 4 pm, at the Elks Lodge, 515 E 99th St., KCMO The Elks Lodge is hosting an event featuring handcrafted products and one-of-a-kind treasures (just in time for Father’s Day).
Concerts
The Martin Event Space. Normally not a music venue, The Martin at 135th and Holmes, is hosting New York jazz duo Acute Inflections on June 30th from 6 – 7:30 pm. Vocalist Elasea Douglas and bassist Sadiki Pierre are on a nationwide tour promoting their soulful and jazzy sounds. The duo is described as “a velvety mix of Eryka Beclu and Billie Holiday paired with the cool grooves of 007 on bass.” For more information and tickets, visit acuteinflections.com/ and click on shows.
Grandview Amphitheater Events, 13501 Byars Road, Grandview. The Grandview Amphitheater’s Summer Events will include concert performances on June 14 and July 26. Gates open at 5 pm and shows will run from 6-8 pm. Concessions will be open. Blankets or lawn chairs encouraged.
- Reggae Night, Friday, June 14. The Amphitheater will sweep you away to the Caribbean with its Reggae Night performances. The band Jah Lion will perform from 6 to 7:30 pm followed by Deepah Reality. Free event.
- Mr. Stinky Feet, Friday, July 26. The Amphitheater will host longtime Kansas City favorite Mr. Stinky Feet also known as Jim Cosgrove. Cosgrove has been entertaining children in the area for years with his high energy songs and sing-along-activities. Admissions is free.
Check http://www.grandviewamp.com/ or the Grandview Amphitheater social media pages for updates including rain delay notices. For more information, contact sray@grandview.org 816-316-4887.
Summer Concert Series at Ward Parkway Center
Ward Parkway Center’s Restaurant Pavilion, 8800 State Line Rd., features its Summer Concert Series Friday and Saturday evenings from May 31 to July 20. Free and open to the public, the music starts at 7:00 p.m. highlighting a different local artist each night. Genres range from jazz groups such as Cartwright & Kessler to classical such as Sisters & Strings to classic rock such as Monrovia Lights. For a full list of performances, visit www.wardparkwaycenter.com/events.
Some highlighted performances are:
- May 31 – Jim Cosgrove & the Hiccups
- June 7 – Earnest James Zydeco
- July 6 – AnnaLee and the So & So’s
Sunset Music Fest at Town Center Plaza
Town Center Plaza’s Summer Concert Series returns on Thursdays, June 13, 20 and 27 at 5000 W. 119th St. in Leawood, starting at 6:00 p.m. with live music beginning at 7:00 p.m. The line-up includes:
- June 13 – Zeros opening for Stolen Winnebagos
- June 20 – Casi Joy opening for Summer Breeze Yacht Rock Band
- June 2 – Simply Turner opening for JAM
The free, family-friendly evening includes local treats and ice-cold beverages from Touring Taps. Free kids’ activities include face painting, balloon artists, and giant inflatable slides. Visit http://www.towncenterplaza.com for more information.
BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ
The name says it all: summertime. BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ at 1205 E 85th St. has been a local music scene staple since 1992. And its barbecue is purely Kansas City style. BB’s has live Blues every night and a new outdoor deck to enjoy the evening on.
Blues & Brews at Volleyball Beach
Volleyball Beach, 13104 Holmes Rd, invites you to come relax on the party deck and enjoy some local Kansas City bands as they jam out on Sunday nights through June 30. Artists hit the stage from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and include Old No. 5’s and Dylan Guthrie & the Low Pressure System. For more information, visit their Facebook page @VolleyballBeach.
RC’s/Rocking Wok Thai
Joining the Martin City live music scene is RC’s upstairs restaurant Rocking Wok Thai, 330 E 135 St. RC’s, known for its chicken dinners, is serving up music upstairs along with freshly cooked Thai food. Live music begins on Wednesdays with Papa Huey’s Jam Night. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights feature a variety of bands from the area.
You can find live music at numerous restaurants and bars in south Kansas City.