We can’t all be triumphant at once – unless we share our victories.
That’s the ticket this weekend, when winning talents and other successful allures invite each and every one of us to beat back defeat and exult in glorious achievement.
How’s that for a triumphant attitude? Feel free to pass it on!
1. Cyndi Lauper
The pop goddess of girl power in the 1980s still has pipes to die for. And on Cyndi Lauper’s latest album, “Detour,” she triumphs with a newfound country twang that wraps itself around such mighty fine standards as “Heartaches By the Number,” “I Fall To Pieces” and “The End of the World.” Well, it’s country, so you’re going to get some teardrops. But also know that the “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” girl hasn’t lost an iota of the infectious flash and bring-it-on bounce of her MTV heyday. Blues harmonica heavyweight Charlie Musslewhite opens the show.
Thursday, 8 p.m.; Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $35-$125.
2. Bryan Adams
A rock ’n’ roll stalwart from the Great White North whose hook-laden anthems propelled him decades ago to the top of the U.S. music charts, Bryan Adams at the very least is an example of the triumph of songwriting craft. At the most? Think of all those groupies! While his impressive collection of greatest hits, including “Cuts Like a Knife,” “Summer of ’69” and “Straight From the Heart,” are reason enough to catch him live, Adams’ most recent album, “Get Up,” has plenty to offer in the crunching, soaring, keester-moving department. Yes, that’s one department.
Friday, 8 p.m.; Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $39-$129.
3. The Beast and the Edge of Hell
Kansas City’s most famous haunted houses are back to scare the freckles off your face. If you don’t have freckles, you might paint a few on so something vital to your visage doesn’t get lost in the fright-filled process. Delivering unsightly sights and malevolent monsters around every dark corner, this is your chance to triumph over your deepest fear – other than forgetting your wallet. Hey, in the haunted-house world, it’s pay to slay.
Friday and Saturday, 7:30-11:30 p.m.; 1401 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $27-$65.
4. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus XTREME
Animal rights activists scored a big win getting the “Greatest Show on Earth” to go on without elephants, a policy that officially began in May for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Of course, the elephants are also happier. But it’s really a triumph for all, since the pachyderm-free attraction now leaves more time for amazing acts of human daring-do to thrill family audiences, especially in the XTREME version visiting KC. If you’re wondering, there are still tigers performing. For now.
Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 5 p.m.; Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $12-$75.
Hispanic traditions, food and music will be celebrated in this annual triumph of ethnic pride, including a concert by Sunday night headliner Diana Reyes. Not only does Reyes sing like a bird, she knows how to gracefully move on from one boyfriend to the next “Como una Mariposa” (“Like a Butterfly”). I consider that a win – as long as you’re not the ex-boyfriend.
Friday, 5-11 p.m.; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday; Barney Allis Plaza, 299 W. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
6. Bob Saget
Call it a triumph of the old “bait and switch” when anyone shows up to see stand-up comic Bob Saget work clean. That’s because he absolutely doesn’t. Sure, in the 1980s and ’90s Saget co-starred on the ridiculously wholesome sit-com “Full-House” and he served as the totally uncontaminated host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” Even so, these days when Saget gets laughs – and, for sure, he gets them – has he got a mouth on him! You have been warned. Or enticed.
Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $39.50-$55.