They say everything old is new again. Who’re they? Why, old people, of course.
But it’s true: Hang around long enough and your old tricks – or traditions, if you prefer – can strike younger generations as fresh.
Whatever your age, make it an old-school weekend with entertainment including rock and funk music grandmasters, a local dance company celebrating three decades of artistry and a day of fun-filled cowboy history and music for the whole family.
1. The Who
It’s taken a while for the Who’s current North American Tour to finally reach Kansas City. After a lengthy rescheduling process, the show that will greet true believers at the Sprint Center is still ostensibly pegged to the legendary English rock band’s 50th anniversary, which was technically in 2014 – but who’s counting? For the record, only two original members remain: Wind-milling guitarist Pete Townshend and quintessential front man Roger Daltrey. They’re not kids anymore, but they’re definitely alright.
Friday, 7 p.m.; Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $37.50-$137.50.
Cowboy singers, poets and other cowboy performers and demonstrators will evoke the 19th-century cowboy life in Kansas. Learn how to play a bit of cowboy guitar or be taught how to fling a rope at a calf – sure, you may have to imagine the critter, but it’s a start. A western swing concert by the Hot Club of Cowtown wraps up the passel of all-ages festivities.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Hot Club of Cowtown concert at 7:30 p.m.), Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kan.; tickets: $20 adults, $10 ages 16 and younger (additional for evening concert).
3. City in Motion Dance Theatre 30th Anniversary Concert
After three decades, Kansas City’s City in Motion Dance Theatre is still going strong. Among the original choreographed works to be performed at this anniversary event will be “Chakra-Centric,” a work in progress seeking to interpret the so-called “wheels of Life” or seven energy centers associated with the human body. With many friends of City in Motion expected to attend, it should be Chakra City!
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; H&R Block City Stage, Union Station, 40 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City Mo.; tickets: $15-$18.
4. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
You want the funk. You need the funk. George Clinton has the funk. Let him share it with you as only he and his longtime band Parliament Funkadelic can with a masterful groove that’s rooted in the 1970s yet always moving forward. Simultaneously primal and inventive, George and his P-Funksters are adept at pleasing old and new fans alike.
Saturday, 8 p.m.; Granada Theatre, 1020 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kan.; tickets: $35.
5. Kansas City Zoo Teacher Appreciation Day
What’s more old school than appreciating teacher? OK, maybe disparaging teacher – bad class! Fortunately, the Kansas City Zoo is taking the high road by granting free admission to teachers with ID (as well as three of their guests) on this special day honoring the dedicated men and women who strive daily to educate our youth – including, no doubt, more than a few future teachers. Keep up the good work, kids, and maybe one day you too can get into the zoo for free!
Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free for teacher.
6. Patti LuPone: “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda…played that part”
Tony-winning Broadway star Patti Lupon sings songs from old-school musicals that she’s never starred in, like “Funny Girl,” “Peter Pan” and “West Side Story,” and some she already has nailed, like “Evita” and “Gypsy,” in this evening with a diva not to be missed.
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Lied Center, University of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr., Lawrence, Kan.
