As a famous song says, “Things will be great when you’re downtown.” And even more so this Memorial Day weekend.
Suffice it to say that downtown Kansas City will be a hub for music, art, sports and the biggest holiday party of its sort in the Midwest.
As the song says, “You’re gonna be alright now.” Just alright? Oh, I think we can do better than that.
1. Celebration at the Station
Respect and gratitude for America’s armed forces will be at the fore during the 13th annual Celebration at the Station, expected to attract 50,000 picnickers to the porch of Union Station. Expanded festivities and a succession of diverse music acts – including Irish-American folk-rockers the Elders – will culminate with the Kansas City Symphony’s explosive performance of the 1812 Overture incorporating three firing cannons. Happy. Memorial. Day. If that doesn’t put hair on your goosebumps, evening-ending fireworks should. Celebrity alert: Actor and former Chiefs player John Amos (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Good Times,” “Roots”) will provide narration for the patriotic proceedings. Sunday, grounds open at 1 p.m.; main-stage concert at 8 p.m.; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.; Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
2. Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Globally renowned artists and their fans will gather to immerse themselves in the fantasy/sci-fi/comic imagery that they love at this fourth annual confab where creativity is king. Expert lectures, panels, painting/drawing demos and portfolio reviews will especially appeal to those trying to break into the fantastic art industry. The rest of us can revel in row upon row of beautiful and bizarre original artworks, books and prints for sale. Special-guest artists include Frank Cho, Julie Dillon, Donato Giancola, Scott Gustafson, Tim Kirk, Aaron Lopresti, Karla Ortiz, Steve Rude and Mike Schulz – amazing talents all. Bring your imagination. And some mad money wouldn’t hurt, either. Friday, 3-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Bartle Hall, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: three-day $40, single-day $20, ages 11 and younger with adult get in free. Tickets also good for Spectrum awards show at 8 p.m. Saturday at Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St.
3. ConQuesT 46
Want more fantastical fun downtown? You’ve got it with KC’s longest-running science-fiction convention, jam-packed with possibility-embracing speakers, films, workshops, signings, readings and continuous opportunities for gaming. Go on, conquer a civilization. You can do it! Probing fan panels include “When Cosplay Becomes More Than Just Costumes,” “Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies: Are They Still Relevant?” and “Superhero Overload: Comic Books Are Taking Over Television and Hollywood!” If that’s a tad too tangled for you, there’s the direct appeal of “Spock Eternal” or “Parasol Self-Defense.” Oh, my. Friday, noon-midnight; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Kansas City Marriot Downtown, 200 W. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $30-$60 for adults, $25-$55 with military ID, $15-$30 for ages 6-12.
4. Josh Turner
One of the brighter lights in the generation of younger country artists, singer Josh Turner flashes a big smile, if not a cowboy hat. He’s also been embraced by the older generation, which helped him to become the second youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Like the Opry’s youngest member, Carrie Underwood, Turner knows how to make all kinds of toes tap. His broad appeal is evident in his passel of hits since 2003, including “Long Black Train,” “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Time is Love” and “Lay Low,” which Turner definitely doesn’t do with that smile. Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets:
5. AVTT Traveling Wall
The names of Americans who sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War are pondered and prayed over every day on the National Mall. A similar opportunity is available this weekend in Kansas City with the arrival of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT), an 80-percent scale replica of the 400-foot long Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Remember. 24-hour viewing from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Monday, National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th St., Kansas City, Mo. Admission: free.
6. ‘Gridiron Glory’
Treasured relics from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, make their way to KC in a traveling exhibit opening Saturday at Union Station. Among the pigskin keepsakes on display: a jersey worn by Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas and a hat worn by Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. Appropriately enough, there’s an entire room of vintage Kansas City Chiefs gems, including a jersey worn in the very last American Football League All-Star Game in 1970. Retro neato. Opens Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (continues through Sept. 7); Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $14.95 adults, $11.95 ages 3-12.
