Want to do something different? Really different? Really, really different?
Well, let’s not get too carried away. We’ve only got the weekend to work with here. And, besides, you don’t want to show up to work on Monday as Bernie if they’re expecting Hillary. (If they’re expecting Donald, I’m not sure what to tell you.)
So, instead, consider the following things to entertain or educate yourself in a different way this weekend. At least they’re totally different from each other. Baby steps, right? And then the revolution!
1. ACF Greater Kansas City Chefs Association Culinary Showcase
Everyone enjoys sharing a few small plates. But it’s a totally different treat to have 20 of Kansas City’s best chefs and their apprentices serve up their mini-specialties in one savory sitting. Not only are diners likely to discover new favorite dishes, proceeds from this event will benefit the American Culinary Federation Greater Kansas City Chefs Association and Johnson County Community College’s Chef Apprentice Program. As advanced eaters know, it’s important to keep those talented cooks coming.
Sunday, 6-9 p.m.; Hospitality and Culinary Academy Building, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park; tickets: $50.
2. The Alan Parsons Live Project
A popular progressive rocker, who, as an audio engineer, contributed to hit records by the Beatles (“Abbey Road”), Pink Floyd (“The Dark Side of the Moon”) and Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat”), Alan Parsons remains an interesting musical personality with a notable legacy. The Alan Parsons Project’s 1976 debut album, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination,” hooked concept rock aficionados with its pensive song cycle inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe. The group’s successful follow-up albums included “I Robot” and “Eye in the Sky,” whose ethereal (and prescient) title track was all but impossible to miss on radio in 1982. Let Parsons’ “live project” concert tour take you back to a different time.
Friday, 8 p.m.; Ameristar Casino, 3200 N. Ameristar Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $40-$55.
3. Big 12 Wrestling Championships
I’m going to take a wild guess and say that most of you have never attended a collegiate wrestling tournament, let alone one with the outstanding reputation of the annual Big 12 Wrestling Championships. With a total of 49 NCAA team titles and 277 individual national champs to its sweaty credit, Big 12 grappling programs tend to not disappoint. Put them all together, and it’s sure to be a thrill when 100 Big 12 athletes in 10 weight classes spill onto the mat this weekend at Sprint Center.
Saturday, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. (championship round); Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $30-$90.
It’s probably been a long time since you lost your marbles, if you ever had any to begin with. Take it easy, we’re talking about real marbles. Get them back or start collecting anew with the help of “Marble Crazy,” a contemporary art glass marble show featuring a “crazy” variety of visiting marble artists from around the nation. You can also see glass working demos and how marbles are made in a marble machine. As we used to say as kids: Cool!
Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 600 E. Front St., Moon Marble Company, Bonner Springs; admission: free.
I’ll be honest – I had no idea. Also known as the American woodcock (now you know why they call it a Timberdoodle) this little bird with a long beak takes to the skies every spring for courtship activities. Attend a 90-minute get-together to find out when and where you might be able to see this happen. And the kids get to make a take-home craft.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs, Mo.; admission: free.
6. ‘The World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour: Kansas City Train Show’
For a family-friendly introduction to model railroading, there’s no better place than the Kansas City Train Show. What’s model railroading? Exactly. Attractions at the show include 50,000 square feet of operating model railroads, model-building/skill-set seminars, hundreds of manufacturers/retailers, a free “riding train” for kids and 100 different trains for youngsters to play with. Your choo-choo is waiting.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; American Royal Complex (lower level exhibit hall), 1701 American Royal Court, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $15, ages 15 and younger get in free.
Brian McTavish is a regular arts and culture contributor for KCUR 89.3. You can reach him at brianmctavish@gmail.com.
