Try stopping a sneeze. You can’t.
So it goes with similarly inevitable stuff happening this weekend, including the Chiefs’ 2016 season-opener, area visual artists making their annual pilgrimage to Westport and the never-ending return of Frank, Dean and Sammy.
Don’t sneeze or you might miss out. Oh, that’s right, you can’t help but … ah-choo!
1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers
Will 2017 be the year that the Chiefs win the Super Bowl for the first time since 1970? Maybe. For certain, the team’s season-opening game against the Chargers will be filled with high hopes for Chiefs fans, who actually have ample reason to expect more than a win or two in the playoffs. The starting offense looked killer in the preseason, which I know was only the preseason, but still. Help me out, I’m looking for a lock here.
Sunday, noon; Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $45-$315.
They were the royalty of early 1960s Las Vegas and could do no wrong with audiences wowed by their extraordinary musical talent, off-the-cuff comedic chemistry and overall hipness. They were Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. – the core of the so-called Rat Pack – and although their collective sway eventually gave way to other pop-culture trends, this ring-a-ding recreation still makes aficionados of the era go a little coo-coo. Hardcore followers may wonder where tangential Rat Packers Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford are – would you believe preparing post-show cocktails backstage?
Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m.; Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $11-$110.
Co-founder of the Byrds and thereby co-inventor of folk-rock in the mid-1960s, Roger McGuinn without a doubt will perform his former band’s quintessential (and first) smash hit, Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man,” when the momentous singer/songwriter and pioneer of the electric 12-string guitar serenades the faithful. For record, McGuinn still sounds great and continues to give helpful counsel, like in “So You Want To Be a Rock ’n’ Roll Star”: “If you make the charts, the girls’ll tear you apart.” Bank on it. Join KCUR's Bill Shapiro for this special Cyprus Avenue live event.
Saturday, 8 p.m.; Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $15-$55.
It’s simply expected that the annual Art Westport will be a local crowd-pleaser, thanks to Kansas City area artists offering an eye-catching array of original drawings, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, crafts and more. Throw in tasty sidewalk cafes and live music to meander by, and you’ve got yourself a 37-year-old proven winner.
Friday, 1-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Historic Westport, Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
5. KC Beer Fest
Beer. If it’s what’s for dinner, you may have a problem. But if it’s only a few brewskies with friends during Saturday afternoon’s KC Beer Fest, then no big deal. Still, inevitably, some overly curious imbibers will be tempted to try too many of the more than 200 craft beers available for sampling. The inevitable choice: moderation or catching a safe ride back home. So think before you drink. Just call me Captain Buzzkill.
Saturday, 3-6 p.m.; Kansas City Power & Light District, 13th and Walnut streets, Kansas City, Mo.; $35, $60.
6. Vince Gill
There’s no if in love, only when. Or as venerable country music artist Vince Gill puts it in “When Love Finds You”: “Love is the power that makes your heart beat/It can make you move mountains, make you drop to your knees/When it finally hits you, you won't know what to do/There's nothin' you can say, when love finds you.” Give yourself up to love this weekend with Gill, who also does an inevitably moving cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Saturday, 8 p.m.; Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $39.50-$69.50.
Regular readers of this space may note that zombie-related activities are inevitably posted here. I can’t fight the impulse, sort of like zombies won’t be able to resist pursuing pub crawlers at this undead event. Keep in mind that nothing lasts forever, whether it’s the world or my stubborn fascination with flesh eaters. So enjoy both while you can!
Saturday, 1-5 p.m.; Martini Corner (31st and Main streets), Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $35.
Brian McTavish is a regular arts and culture contributor for KCUR 89.3. Reach him at brianmctavish@gmail.com.
