Look around. What do you see – really?
We get so used to our surroundings that it’s easy to take them for granted. This weekend is your chance to see some familiar things in a different way or even gaze upon a brand new item or two.
Mainly, just try looking around with fresh eyes. See where that takes you!
Maybe you’ve had some great times at Arrowhead Stadium, home of this season’s almost certainly playoff-bound Kansas City Chiefs. But have you ever been taken behind the scenes at Arrowhead to see the locker room and press box? The stadium’s guided tours will take you there, as well as other destinations not typically visited by most fans. That includes the Chiefs' sideline and the field, where countless NFL players have given it everything they’ve got. Hey, hit me, I’m going deep!
Friday, 2 and 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sunday, 10 and 10:30 a.m.; Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $30 Friday, $20 Saturday (no on-field access), $100 Sunday (limited availability, game-day ticket required).
2. Live Action Role Playing
It'll be especially nippy this weekend for local participants of Live Action Role Playing – a.k.a. LARP – when both aficionados and beginners gather outdoors to plot Medieval-era combat strategies and safely wallop each other with foam weapons. Anyone can show up and pretend to be the war-worthy Lord or Lady of their choosing. Period battle wear is encouraged, but not required. Fake blood is optional. Event organizers of this fantasy fueled sight say that the experience is “like paintball, but with padded weapons.” If you don’t have a foam sword, one will be provided. Foaming at the mouth is up to you.
Sunday, noon; Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, Kan.; admission: free.
3. ‘Sister’s Christmas Catechism’
Leave it to “nun” other than Sister Mary to get to the bottom of the first Christmas mystery: Where did the Magi’s gold go? All will be revealed in this all-ages comedic detective story led by the good Sister with the help of Starlight Theatre’s Stars of Tomorrow youth choir. Audience members who get coaxed onstage by Sister to form a living nativity scene are guaranteed to look as funny as they feel. Actually, probably even funnier.
Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Cohen Community Stage House at Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $36-$69.
4. Roasterie Holiday Factory Tours
Get in the holiday spirit by getting wide-eyed from watching how some of the best coffee you’ve ever tasted gets made at the Roasterie. Learn how Kansas City’s best-known coffeemaker does its roasting, blending and cupping (expert coffee sampling). Behold a professional brewing demo and ask penetrating questions about how java should be prepared for maximum satisfaction. Then try some free Roasterie coffee at tour’s end – ah, that’s it. Something tells me you’ll also be able to buy some of the magic beans before heading home.
Thursday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m.; The Roasterie, 1204 W. 27th St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
Just when you think Santa Claus has been co-opted into oblivion, you realize that the sight of the Man with the Presents is invincible from dilution. Maybe it’s because Santa isn’t afraid to ho-ho-ho a little at himself. Certainly, children’s laughter – and perhaps some tears from little ones who can’t quite grasp the wonderful time they’re having – will be part of the mix when Santa hits the ice with oodles of kiddie skaters in tow. Soak in the holiday scene, and be sure to bring non-perishable food items for donation to Harvesters.
Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m.; Line Creek Community Center and Ice Arena, 5940 N.W. Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $6 ($2 skate rental).
What does a kick-butt rock band look like when it tackles kick-butt country? That would be the Supersuckers, who are currently taking a break from being rock ’n’ roll road warriors to being country music road warriors. The Arizona-bred party band, led by fun-loving front man Eddie Spaghetti, is tearing up nightclubs across the land while promoting its latest album, “Holdin’ the Bag,” which includes a sweet cover of Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down).” Like hell they have!
Thursday, 8 p.m.; Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $15.
Brian McTavish is a freelance arts contributor to KCUR 89.3. You can send suggestions of events and happenings around the Kansas City metro to brianmctavish@gmail.com.