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6 Award-Winning Things To Do In Kansas City This Weekend

Sven-Sebastian Sajak
/
Wikimedia Commons

Recognition. Many seek it, some achieve it.

A popular path to being obviously appreciated is the award route – and this weekend’s entertainment lineup delivers plenty of champs.

It’s also a chance to perhaps reflect on your own accomplishments. Although you might want to leave that bowling trophy at home where it belongs. We believe you!

1. Green Day

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, Green Day continues to do its frenetic and poetic pop-punk thing. The band’s anti-authority ethos has admittedly grown more sophisticated over the last 30-plus years, encompassing the Grammy Award-winning 2004 concept album, “American Idiot,” and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that was inspired by it. Yet Green Day’s latest album, “Revolution Radio,” keeps the blistering lyrics and fierce melody lines coming from socially conscious singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool. Way to hold on to your attitude, guys.

Friday, 7 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $27.50-$87.50.

​2. Herbie Hancock

When Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Kennedy Center honoree Herbie Hancock dips into his treasure trove of jazz-funk-rock grooves, you have to wonder how he decides what to share with audiences. Hancock’s stellar resume includes visionary time spent with the Miles Davis Quintet starting in the 1960s, as well as his influence on hip-hop by way of the inventive 1983 instrumental hit, “Rockit.” No doubt, sonic surprises will ensue for the duration of the famed pianist/composer’s show at the Kauffman Center.

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $54.50-$159.50.

3. Sly’s Rock the Block Celebration

Is there a greater award than winning the people’s vote at the polls? Probably not to Kansas City Mayor Sly James, whose office will host the sixth annual downtown party in his name with help from the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department and the Kansas City Police Department. A variety of entertainments and family-oriented activities will be offered to the community, from the Lee’s Summit School of Rock Band to the College Basketball Experience Pop-a-Shot, as well as limited free food and drink for the first 1,500 attendees.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Washington Square Park, 27th Street and Grand Boulevard; admission: free.

4. Heart of America Hotdog Festival

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks, get in line! The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will again honor the American Pastime’s clearly greatest culinary accessory – the hotdog – at this year’s Heart of America Hotdog Festival. Prized wieners fresh from the grill will include the “El Maestro” (extra pico de gallo, please), along with mustard-cutting performances by funk/R&B bands Zapp, After 7 and Kansas City’s own Bloodstone.

Saturday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday, Paseo Boulevard median between E. 18th Street and Truman Road, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $20; $10 ages 6-11.

5. “The Bodyguard: The Musical”

The song “I Will Always Love You,” written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton and later performed to even greater acclaim by Whitney Houston in the 1992 hit movie, “The Bodyguard,” has garnered more than high-profile music industry awards in the country, pop and soul music categories. Experience the soulful version of this big-time crossover ditty from celebrated R&B vocalist Deborah Cox as the star of the touring stage musical version of “The Bodyguard.”

Thursday-Sunday, 8 p.m.; Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $14-$142.

6. Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers

One-time Super Bowl winners the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers meet in each team’s first contest of the 2017 NFL preseason. Will this be the year that the Chiefs finally win their second Super Bowl? Let’s hope so. Will this be the year that the 49ers win their sixth? Who cares!

Friday, 8 p.m.; Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $10-$223.

Brian McTavish is a regular arts and culture contributor for KCUR 89.3. You can reach him at brianmctavish@gmail.com

Brian McTavish follows popular culture in the belief that the search for significance can lead anywhere. Brian explains, "I've written articles and reviews ... reviewed hundreds of concerts, films and plays. And the thing is, these high arts all sprang from the pop culture of their day. Don't forget: Shakespeare was once Spielberg."
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