What makes a classic? Well, that depends on your opinion. One person’s gratifying archetype can be another’s utter dud, and impassioned arguments may ensue.
Even without classic consensus, most of us tend to seek quintessential quality in the things that interest us; the quest for which can be appreciated in a variety of events around the area that clearly aspire to be memorable. Succeed or fail, let the classic chips fall where they may.
Isn’t it great when we work together? Have yourself a classic weekend.
1. What They Did For Love: The Songs of Marvin Hamlisch and Burt Bacharach
Songwriters Burt Bacharach and the late Marvin Hamlisch were never a team, but a cavalcade of their classic tunes from the 1960s and ’70s are combined in this sure-to-please cabaret show. Anticipated selections by Hamlisch include The Way We Were (from the movie of the same name) and Nobody Does It Better (from the James Bond flick, The Spy Who Loved Me) and Bacharach songs made famous by singer Dionne Warwick, such as Alfie, I Say a Little Prayer and I’ll Never Fall in Love Again. Featured vocalists Melinda MacDonald, Tim Noland and LeShea Wright will go for it with bassist Brian Wilson, drummer Ken Remmert and piano man/emcee J. Kent Barnhart. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $34, $31 (seniors and students).
2. Judy Tenuta
Accordion-pumping comedy icon Judy Tenuta (aka “The Love Goddess”) gained celebrity in the 1980s as a wise-cracking stand-up who specialized in being totally worshiped. She was the first to win "Best Female Comedian" at the American Comedy Awards, slayed audiences on late-night TV talk shows and starred in her own absurd TV specials. Still irresistible after all these years, Tenuta asks only that fans bow down to her or else. And, yes, that includes all “stud puppets” – Tenuta’s affectionate expression for her legion of eager male slaves. It’s a classic act, if it is an act. Friday and Saturday, 7:45 and 9:45 p.m.; Stanford’s Comedy Club, 7328 W. 119th St., Overland Park, Kan.; tickets: $12-$35.
Kite-flying is a traditional children’s activity that catches the wind and raises the spirits. Don’t be left out. Families at Kite Fest 2015 can bring a picnic lunch and their own kite or two to fly. Or they can buy kites on site, along with food and drink. Other activities include kite crafting at the visitor center. Whatever you do, feel free to burst out singing Let’s Go Fly a Kite. Classic. Noon-5 p.m. Sunday; Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, Kan.; admission: $3, $1 ages 6-12.
4. Oakland A's at Kansas City Royals
Sure, you can watch it on TV, but there’s nothing like going out to Kauffman Stadium to behold red-hot Royals baseball and the return of former fan fave Billy Butler as an Athletic. We’ll never forget you, Billy, but we don’t miss you. We love you, but we also hope you strike out every time you’re at the plate this weekend. Talk about a classic conflict! Friday, 7:10 p.m.; Saturday, 6:10 p.m.; Sunday, 1:10 p.m.; Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets:
Veteran Midwest rocker Joey Skidmore calls Kansas City home, which hasn’t stopped him from fostering followers in France and Belgium. The singer/songwriter/guitarist’s latest album Joey Skidmore Now!, should continue to satisfy customers of his classic meat-and-potatoes rock ’n’ roll on both sides of the Atlantic. Catch Skidmore’s band in a fundraising concert for Academie Lafayette before it takes off on another European tour. Friday, 7 p.m.; Record Bar, 1020 Westport Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $10.
6. Kansas City Chamber Orchestra – Mozart and Haydn
The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra gets into truly timeless territory with potentially magical concert performances of Haydn’s Symphony No. 83 (The Hen) and Mozart’s Symphony No. 33 and Sinfonia Concertante, the latter featuring soloists Anne-Marie Brown on violin and Duke Lee on viola. Would you believe classic classical? Ah, go ahead. Friday, 8 p.m.; Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $15-$35 (discounts for students and seniors).
