Whether you don’t give a bleep about the Super Bowl or regard America’s King Kong of sporting events as essential viewing, this weekend isn’t only about the big game.
It can also be about building dreams with young hands, laughing at hilariously insightful stand-up comedy and rooting on your favorite tough cookies on wheels. Get the pigskin-free drift?
That said … go Rams!
1. LEGOLAND 2019 All-Star Build Challenge
Kids will compete in two divisions – ages 5-10 and 11-15 – while constructing their Lego masterpieces one colorful mini-brick at a time at this year’s All-Star Build Challenge sponsored by the LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Crown Center. Create a futuristic cityscape, a statue of Bigfoot or maybe a statue of Bigfoot in a futuristic cityscape – ooh, weird and wonderful at the same time. Participants will be limited by the clock, but not their imaginations.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Crown Center Atrium, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free (online registration for participants).
2. Lisa Loeb
“The Disappointing Pancake” is just one of Lisa Loeb’s delightful songs aimed at kids, although grown-ups who bring their young offspring to the veteran singer/songwriter’s children’s concert on Saturday afternoon should hardly feel out of place. Because no matter how many trips around the sun you’ve made, fun is fun and that’s that. That evening, Loeb will delve into her 1990s hits and other ditties intended for more adult sensibilities, including her career breakout song and heart-tugging No. 1 single, “Stay (I Missed You).” You may never want to leave.
Saturday, 2 p.m. (kids show) and 8 p.m. (adults show); Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College, 12345 Johnson Dr., Overland Park, Kan.; tickets: $17-$38.
Some people are funny. Some are insightful. Some are both at the same time big-time, such as popular stand-up comic Iliza Shlesinger, who recently co-starred in the Mark Wahlberg movie comedy, “Instant Family.” Even if her name doesn’t make you crack up in anticipation of the next highly amusing observation she’ll share onstage, Shlesinger is a gifted in-one artist whose perky tone and knack for inhabiting characters consistently deliver the guffaws. A favorite topic may be relationships, including how too many women carry too much baggage filled with past romantic disappoints. Really? Don’t worry, you’ll laugh!
Friday, 7 p.m.; Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $34.50-$44.50.
4. Kansas City Roller Warriors
Did you miss opening night of the Kansas City Roller Warriors’ 2019 season? Hey, these things happen. But you can make up for it by attending the season’s second evening of female-fueled all-out local roller derby action. See the KnockOuts take on the Black Eye Susans and the Dreadnought Dorothys try to outdo the Victory Vixens. Let the titanic tussles begin.
Saturday, games at 6 and 7:30 p.m.; Memorial Hall, 600 N. Seventh St.; Kansas City, Kan.; tickets: $10-$20, ages 6-12 $5.
5. Cultivate KC Farmers & Friends Meeting
Food is the word, locally speaking, at Cultivate Kansas City’s 14th annual get-together of “farmers, growers and friends,” including anyone seriously interested in advocating and/or learning how to grow and eat healthy fare. Keynote speakers, panels and workshops will address the topic from various victuals viewpoints. And there will be two potluck meals, starting with homemade pie for breakfast. Mmm, can that be the second meal, too?
Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E. 55th St., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $5 (register online).
Get lucky or at least get buzzed at the next weekend installment of Beer Hall Bingo sponsored by Boulevard Brewing Co. Have a good time, but keep in mind that sampling too many suds and yelling “Bingo!” simply because you feel like it is not advised. In any case, you’ll be home in plenty of time to turn on the TV and start yelling, “Go Rams!”
Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Boulevard Brewing Co. Tours & Recreation Center, 2534 Madison Ave., Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
Brian McTavish is a regular arts and culture contributor for KCUR 89.3. You can reach him at brianmctavish@gmail.com.
