Summer Fun 2015: A guide to festivals, fairs and more
Most of us know all about the area’s big summer events, which started with the Celebration at the Station this past weekend and concludes with the Kansas City Irish Fest at Crown Center (Sept. 4-6) and Santa-Cali-Gon Days in Independence (Sept. 4-7).
In between we have the likes of Old Shawnee Days (June 4-7), Fiesta Kansas City (June 19-21), Riverfest (July 4), the KC Fringe festival (July 16-26) and the many county fairs in July and August.
But don’t overlook the smaller or lesser-known festivals and events that populate the area’s summer calendar.
The Kansas City Microbrews and BBQ Festival will be Saturday on the grounds of the Kansas City Museum in conjunction with the Tour of Kansas City Cliff Drive Classic Circuit Race and 5K Run.
On June 13, the Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival will bring its unique boat races, as well as entertainment, food and other family fun, to Brush Creek on the Plaza for the event’s 11th year. It is put on by the Society for Friendship With China.
Another family event is Tractor Daze & Touch a Truck on July 11 at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. City kids can explore trucks and tractors of all shapes and sizes.
If your taste runs in the area of porcine cuisine, the seventh annual BaconFest will be Aug. 22 at the Ameristar casino. It’s actually a fundraiser for the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City.
Finally, you might want to check out the Roots Festival, which will run Aug. 28-29 on the Paola Park Square. It will feature several familiar musical acts, as well as a barbecue competition, games, rides and arts and crafts.
Events and festivals
The Gala of the Royal Horses, May 28, Independence Center. IndependenceEventsCenter.com
Lawrence Busker Festival, May 28-31, Lawrence. LawrenceBuskerFest.com
Festa Italiana, May 29-31, Zona Rosa. UNICOKC.org
SerbFest, May 29-30, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. St-George-Church.org√
Kansas City Microbrews and BBQ Festival, May 30, Kansas City Museum. KCBrewsAndBBQ.com
WBFF Central USA Fitness Fashion Show, May 30, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Jim and Jamie Dutcher, “The Hidden Lives of Wolves,” National Geographic Live, June 2, Kauffman Center. KauffmanCenter.org
Old Shawnee Days, June 4-7, Shawnee Town. OldShawneeDays.org
Kansas City Swap Meet, June 5-6, Kansas Speedway. KansasSpeedway.com
Downtown Days … Streets ALive Festival, June 5-7, Downtown Lee’s Summit. LeesSummitDowntownDays.com
Jazzoo, June 5, Kansas City Zoo. KansasCityZoo.org
KCPrideFest 2015, June 5-7, Berkley Riverfront Park. GayPrideKC.org
Sugar Creek Slavic Festival, June 5-6, Mike Onka Memorial Building. SlavicFest.com
Gladstone Bluesfest, June 6-7, Oak Grove Park. GladstoneChamber.com
Midwest Tea Fest, June 6, National World War I Museum. MidwestTeaFest.com
Parrot Fest, June 6, Kansas City Live. PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Vaile Strawberry Festival, June 6, Vaile Mansion. VaileMansion.org
Wheels to Weston, June 7, Parkville. Diabetes.org
Hear Now: The Audio Fiction & Arts Festival, June 11-14, multiple venues. HearNowFestival.org
Clara Brierly Festival of the Arts, June 12-14, Downtown Peculiar. DowntownPeculiar.com
Festival on the Trails, June 12-13, Downtown Gardner. FestivalOnTheTrails.com
Greek Festival, June 12-14, St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Christian Church. StDionysios.org
“It’s Time to Heal” empowerment conference, June 12-13, Penn Valley Education Center. ITTHKC.com
Juneteenth Parade and Celebration, June 12-13, Big 11 Lake. JuneteenthKCK.com
Wine & Brew Walk on the Square, June 12, Independence Square. Eventbrite.com
Browne’s Irish Street Faire, June 13, Browne’s Irish Marketplace. BrownesMarket.com
Busker Festival, June 13, City Market. TheCityMarket.org
Cattle Baron’s Ball, June 13, Kansas Speedway. Gala.ACSEvents.org
Crown Center Antique Festival, June 13-14, Crown Center Square. CrownCenter.com
Dragon Boat Festival and Races, June 13, Brush Creek on Country Club Plaza. ChinaGardenSociety-KC.org
Scottish Highland Games, June 13-14, E.H. Young Park. KCScottishGames.org
Tonganoxie Days, June 13, Tonganoxie. TonganoxieDays.com
Westport Summer Beer Festival, June 13, McCoy’s Public House. BeerKC.com
Worlds of Fun All American Barbecue & Brew Festival, June 13-14 and 20-21, Worlds of Fun. WorldsOfFun.com
The Big Gay Picnic, June 14, Penn Valley Park. Facebook.com/OutKCFest
Dog-n-Jog, June 14, Country Club Plaza. HSGKC.org
John Brown Jamboree and Music Festival, June 17-21, Osawatomie. JohnBrownJamboree.com
Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, June 19-20, multiple venues. BigSlickKC.org
Boulevardia, June 19-21, West Bottoms. Boulevardia.com.
Fiesta Kansas City, June 19-21, Crown Center Square. FiestaKansasCity.com
Frontier Days, June 19-21, Edgerton. Frontier-Days.com
Jazz in the Woods, June 19-20, Corporate Woods, Overland Park. JazzInTheWoods.com
Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival, June 19-21, Overland Park Convention Center. KCRQF.com
“Our County’s Quilted Culture,” June 19-Sept. 4, Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum. WycoMuseum.org
Parkville Jazz/Blues and Fine Arts Riverjam, June 19-20, English Landing Park. ParkvilleRiverJam.com
Olathe Kids Free Fishing Derby, June 20, Cedar Lake Park. OlatheKS.org
Outpace Poverty Walk, June 20, National World War I Museum. OutpacePoverty.org
Urban Kids Fishing Derby, June 20, Spring Valley Park Lake. KCParks.org
VisionWalk, June 20, Theis Park. FightBlindness.org√
Wine Festival, June 20, East Valley Park, Excelsior Springs. VisitExcelsior.com
Free State Festival, June 22-28, Lawrence Arts Center. FreeStateFestival.org
Briarcliff Music Festival, June 27, Briarcliff Village. BriarcliffVillageKC.com
Out Here Now: KC LGBT Film Festival, June 25-July 2, Tivoli. OutHereNow.com
Crawfish Festival, June 26, City Market. TheCityMarket.org
Waterfest, June 26-28, Excelsior Springs. ExSpgsChamber.com
Maker Faire, June 27-28, Union Station. MakerFaireKC.com
Nanobrew Festival, June 27, Stockyards Brewing Co. BrownPaperTickets.com√
Volkerfest, June 27, Roanoke Park. KCParks.org√
Booms & Blooms Festival, July 3, Powell Gardens. PowellGardens.org
Riverfest, July 4, Berkley Riverfront Park. KCRiverfest.com
Salute! A Festival of Wine and Food, July 9-11, Lawrence. SaluteWineFest.com
Bingham-Waggoner Antique & Craft Fair, July 11, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. BWEstate.org
Tractor Daze & Touch a Truck, July 11, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. AgHallOfFame.com
Cass County Fair, July 14-19, Pleasant Hill. PleasantHill.com
KC Fringe festival, July 16-26, multiple venues. KCFringe.org
Mo-Kan Cat Club Cat Show, July 18-19, KCI Expo Center. MoKanCatClub.org
Amelia Earhart Festival, July 18, Atchison. AtchisonKansas.net
Miami County Fair and Rodeo, July 18-26, Paola. MiamiCountyKansasFair.com
Kansas City’s Big Picnic, July 19, Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park and Theis Park. KCParks.org√
Wyandotte County Fair, July 21-25, Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. WycoFair.com
Platte County Fair, July 22-25, Platte County Fairgrounds, Tracy. PlatteCountyFair.com
Christmas in July, July 25 Wyandotte County Lake. WycoKCK.org/Parks
Show N’ Shine Truck & Car Show, July 25, National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. AgHallOfFame.com
Johnson County Fair, July 27-Aug. 1, Gardner. JocoKansasFair.com
Festival of Butterflies, July 31-Aug. 2 and Aug. 7-9, Powell Gardens. PowellGardens.org
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival, Aug. 1, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. HOAHotDogFestival.com
Paint the Night Street Fair, Aug. 1, Park Place. ParkPlaceLeawood.com
Atchison County Fair, Aug. 4-8, Atchison. AtchisonKansas.net
BBQ & Fly-In on the River, Aug. 14-15, Excelsior Springs. BBQOnTheRiverContest.com
Sly’s Rock the Block, Aug. 15, Union Station. KCParks.org
Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Aug. 21-23, Swope Park. KCParks.org
Parkville Days, Aug. 21-23, English Landing Park. ParkvilleMo.org
BaconFest, Aug. 22, Ameristar. BaconFestKC.com
Buffalo Bill Days, Aug. 22-23, Leavenworth. BuffaloBillFestival.com
Chippendales, Aug. 22, Ameristar. Ameristar.com
KC Aviation Expo & Airshow, Aug. 22-23, Charles B. Wheeler Airport. KCAirshow.com
Tiblow Days, Aug. 27-29, Downtown Bonner Springs. BSEdwChamber.org
Roots Festival, Aug. 28-29, Paola Park Square. RootsFestival.org
Jazz in the Roses, Aug. 30, Loose Park Rose Garden. KansasCityRoseSociety.org
Kansas City Irish Fest, Sept. 4-6, Crown Center. KCIrishFest.com
Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival, Sept. 4-7, Independence Square. SantaCaliGon.com
Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Sept. 5-Oct. 18, Bonner Springs. KCRenFest.com
Theater
“The Full Monty,” May 28-June 14, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. METKC.org
“Judy, Barbra, Liza,” May 29-June 28, Quality Hill Playhouse. QualityHillPlayhouse.com
“MotherFreakingHood!” May 29-June 14, Goppert Theatre. MoonshineVariety.co
“Six Degrees of Separation,” May 29-June 14, Barn Players. TheBarnPlayers.org
“Shylock,” May 30-31, Lewis and Shirley White Theatre. JCCKC.org
“Tribes,” June 3-28, Unicorn Theatre. UnicornTheatre.org
“Jesus Christ Superstar,” June 4-21, Musical Theatre Heritage. MTHKC.com
“Seussical,” June 4-14, City Theatre of Independence. CityTheatreOfIndependence.org
“The Summerland Project,” June 5-21, Olathe Civic Theatre Association. OlatheTheatre.org
“The Wizard of Paws,” June 6-July 26, Martin City Melodrama. MartinCityMelodrama.org
“Camelot,” June 9-14, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
“The Princess and the Pea,” Theatre for Young America, June 9-26, H&R Block City Stage. TYA.org
“The Taste Test,” June 12-27, Just Off Broadway Theatre. BrownPaperTickets.com
“A Year With Frog and Toad,” June 16-Aug. 2, Coterie. TheCoterie.org
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, June 16-July 5, Southmoreland Park. KCShakes.org
“Once,” June 16-21, Kauffman Center. TheaterLeague.com
“Annie,” June 19-21, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
“Assassins,” June 25-28, MCC-Longview. SummitTheatreGroup.com
Barn Benefit Concert, June 26-28, Barn Players Theatre. TheBarnPlayers.org
“Our Brother’s Caper,” June 26-Aug. 15, Mystery Train. KCMysteryTrain.com
“Whad’ Ya Know?” live broadcast, June 27, Carlsen Center. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
“Pippin,” June 30-July 5, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” July 7-12, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
“Mary Poppins,” July 10-12, Gladstone Theatre in the Park. GladstoneTIP.com
“Shrek, the Musical,” July 11-26, Lewis and Shirley White Theatre. JCCKC.org
“The Addams Family,” July 16-Sept. 20, New Theatre Restaurant. NewTheatre.com
“Forbidden Broadway,” July 16-Aug. 30, Chestnut Fine Arts Center. ChestnutFineArts.com
“Mary Poppins,” July 24-Aug. 1, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
“Equus,” July 31-Aug. 15, Barn Players. TheBarnPlayers.org
“Seussical,” Aug. 7-9, Gladstone Theatre in the Park. GladstoneTIP.com
“Wouldn’t It be Loverly?” Aug. 13-30, Musical Theatre Heritage. MTHKC.com
“Bye Bye Birdie,” Aug. 20-22, Paradise Park. SummitTheatreGroup.com
“A Prairie Home Companion,” Aug. 22, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Disney on Ice, “Frozen,” Aug. 26-31, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
“The Oldest Boy,” Aug. 26-Sept. 20, Unicorn Theatre. UnicornTheatre.org
“A Murder Foretold,” Sept. 4-Oct. 24, Mystery Train. KCMysteryTrain.com
Comedy
Nick Offerman, June 4, Unity Temple on the Plaza. RainyDayBooks.com
Norm MacDonald, June 7, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
The Pump and Dump, June 10, Kansas City Improv. ImprovKC.com√
Lily Tomlin, June 13, Kauffman Center. KauffmanCenter.org
Jim Gaffigan, Aug. 3, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Hypnotist Thom Kaz, Aug. 15, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
Kevin Hart, Aug. 22, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
Visual art
“The Caretaker” by Amir H. Fallah, “A Poke Ghost and the Garden of Tearz” by Rodolfo Marron III and “The Space Between” by Mark Cowardin, May 28-Sept. 27, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. NermanMuseum.org
Prairie Village Art Show, May 29-31, Village Shops. PrairieVillageShops.com√
Thomas Arvid Art Show, Wine Tasting and Artist Reception, May 30, Prairiebrooke Gallery. PBArts.com
Liberty Arts Squared, June 5-6, Liberty Square. LibertyArtsSquared.org√
Art and Design Auction, June 6, KCAI. KCAI.edu
Plein Air Quick Paint, June 12, Kansas City Museum. KansasCityMuseum.org
Art of the Car Concours, June 28, Kansas City Art Institute. ArtOfTheCarConcours.com
“From Here to There,” July 3-31, Buttonwood Art Space. ButtonwoodArtSpace.com
Young Friends of Art Summer White Party, July 10, Nelson-Atkins Museum. SummerWhiteParty.org√
La Placita Central Avenue Market Art Fair, July 19, Bethany Park. AlcottArtsCenter.org
KC Big Picnic Art Exhibit, Aug. 7, MWE Inc. KCParks.org
“Tides & Trade Winds,” Aug. 7-Sept. 25, Buttonwood Art Space. ButtonwoodArtSpace.com
Classical music/dance
Kansas City Symphony, “Zukerman, Geller, Beethoven and Bach,” May 29-31, Kauffman Center. KCSymphony.org
Quixotic, May 29, Christ Church Anglican. ChristChurch-OP.org
Ensemble Ibérica, “Querido Mexico,” May 30, Polsky Theatre. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
Kantorei: Pulcherrima (Surpassing Beauty), May 30, St. Peter’s Church. KantoreiKC.org
Steven Spooner, “Proust Among the Nations,” May 31, Polsky Theatre. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
Kansas City Symphony, “Daphnis and Chloé,” June 5-7, Kauffman Center. KCSymphony.org
Parsons Dance, June 6, Kauffman Center. HJSeries.org
Musica Vocale, June 7, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. MusicaVocale.org
Owen/Cox Dance Group, Spring Performance: “Ludus Tonalis,” June 7, White Recital Hall. OwenCoxDance.org
Randy Newman with Kansas City Symphony, June 10, Kauffman Center. KauffmanCenter.org
Kansas City Symphony, “Shostakovich and Stravinsky,” June 11, Kauffman Center. KCSymphony.org
Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, June 12, Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. KCChamberOrchestra.org
Concept Zero, June 12, Polsky Theatre. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
Concept Zero and Project Premiere, June 13, Polsky Theatre. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
Heartland Men’s Chorus, “A Little Bit Wicked,” June 13-14, Folly Theater. HMCKC.org
Heritage Philharmonic, “Music of America,” June 13, Truman Library. TrumanLibrary.org
Symphony in the Flint Hills, Kansas City Symphony with Lyle Lovett, June 13, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. SymphonyInTheFlintHills.org
Shir Ami Ensemble, June 16, Congregation Beth Torah. ShirAmiMusic.com√
Festival on the Vine, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, Gem Theater. June 18-20. KCFAA.org
Kansas City Symphony, “Season Finale: A Hero’s Life,” June 19-21, Kauffman Center. KCSymphony.org
Te Deum Chamber Choir, June 21, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. PaulMealorConcert.BrownPaperTickets.com
Future Stages Festival, June 28, Kauffman Center. KauffmanCenter.org
Heartland Chamber Music Festival, July 24-Aug. 1, Johnson County Community College. HeartlandChamberMusic.org
Kansas City Dance Festival, July 24-25, Folly Theater. FollyTheater.org
Wichita Grand Opera, “Turandot,” Aug. 30, Yardley Hall. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
Sports
FC Kansas City at Swope Park Soccer Village. FCKansasCity.com
Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Royals.com
Kansas City T-Bones at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. TBonesBaseball.com
Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park. SportingKC.com
Hospital Hill Run, June 6, Crown Center area. HospitalHillRun.com
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series plus Grand Nationals, June 6, Lakeside Speedway. LakesideSpeedway.net
National Pro Fastpitch: USSSA Florida Pride vs. Dallas Charge, June 11-12, CommunityAmerica Ballpark. TBonesBaseball.com
Tonganoxie Library Run 5K/10K/5K Walk, June 13, Tonganoxie Public Library. TonganoxieLibrary.org
Ride the Fountains Bike Tour, June 14, throughout Kansas City. KCParks.org
KU basketball vs. Team Canada, June 23 and 26, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
WWE Raw, July 20, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
Rugged Maniac Obstacle Race, Aug. 8, Snow Creek Ski Area. RuggedRaces.com
Rivalry Run, Aug. 15, Power & Light District. TheRivalryRun.org
Kansas City Chiefs exhibitions vs. Seattle, Aug. 21, vs. Tennessee, Aug. 28, Arrowhead. KCChiefs.com
United States Modified Touring Series plus USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods & Grand Nationals, Aug. 21, Lakeside Speedway. LakesideSpeedway.net
Wipeout Run, Aug. 29, Kansas Speedway. WipeoutRun.com
Heartland Heat Triathlon, Sept. 5, Tiffany Hills Park. KCParks.org
Music
Cody Canada & the Departed, May 28, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Montgomery Gentry, May 28, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Rae Sremmurd, May 28, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Alabama Shakes with Father John Misty, May 29, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Billy Joe Shaver with Ashleigh Flynn, May 29, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Houndmouth, May 30, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Ida McBeth, May 30, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Nappy Roots with Grooms & Katie and Sav, May 30, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
The Rainmakers, May 30, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Rockfest, May 30, Liberty Memorial. RockfestKC.com
The Steel Wheels, May 30, Bottleneck. TheBottleneckLive.com
Steve Miller Band with Buddy Guy, May 30, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Wick-It the Instigator with Mouth and Andy Frasco, May 30, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Copeland, May 31, Granada. TheGranada.com
Emily Kinney, May 31, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Tame Impala with Kuroma, May 31, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
A.R. Rahman, June 1, Music Hall. Ticketmaster.com
Juicy J, June 1, Granada. TheGranada.com
Deicide with Hate Eternal and more, June 2, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Lindsey Stirling, June 2, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, June 2, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Shakey Graves, June 2, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Aaron Watson and Josh Dorr, June 4, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
The Avett Brothers with Old Crow Medicine Show, June 4, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Cracker, June 4, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
HoneyHoney, June 4, Bottleneck. TheBottleneckLive.com
King Chip with Loogey and more, June 4, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, June 5, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Ill Nino and Kittie, June 5, Aftershock. AftershockShows.com
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club with the Pale Blue Dots, June 5, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Wanda Jackson, June 5, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band with Huey Lewis and the News, June 6, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
Old 97’s, June 6, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Whitey Morgan, June 6, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Buzz Under the Stars featuring the Offspring, Radkey, Bully and the Sluts, June 7, KC Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Electric Six, June 8, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Brit Floyd, June 9, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Flogging Molly, June 9, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Mae, June 10, Granada. TheGranada.com
MarchFourth Marching Band, June 10, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Band of Heathens, June 11, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Casey Donahew Band, June 11, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
D’Angelo and the Vanguard, June 11, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Lucinda Williams, June 11, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
America, June 12, Ameristar. Ameristar.com
The Mavericks with Delbert McClinton, June 12, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Eric Paslay with Noe Palma, June 13, Kearney Amphitheater. KearneyAmphitheater.com
The Mavericks with Mike Zito, June 13, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Missouri Chainsaw Grassacre with Split Lip Rayfield and more, June 13, Crossroads KC. kccrossroads.org
PorchFest KC, June 13, multiple venues. PorchFestKC.com
Romeo Santos, June 13, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
The Melvins with Le Butcherettes, June 14, Bottleneck. TheBottleneckLive.com
MeWithoutYou with Foxing and Lithuania, June 14, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Kiya Heartwood, June 13, LikeMe Lighthouse. brownpapertickets.com/event/1473141
Tears for Fears, June 15, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Geto Boys with Loogey and more, June 16, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, June 16, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Michael Franti and Spearhead with Nattali Rize and Notis, June 16, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Belle & Sebastian, June 18, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Center of the City Fest, June 18-20, Harling’s. facebook.com/centerofthecity
Dan + Shay, June 18, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Doyle Bramhall II, June 18, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Global Summer Massive featuring Flux Pavilion, Yellow Claw and more, June 18, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Melissa Manchester, June 18, Missouri Theater, St. Joseph. MissouriWestern.edu
Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick, June 18, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Ha Ha Tonka, June 19, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Luke Bryan, June 19, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Disentomb with Cerebral Effusion and more, June 20, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Lil’ Bit of Bluegrass with Loaded Goat and more, June 20, Kearney Amphitheater. KearneyAmphitheater.com
Liverpool, June 20, Ameristar. Ameristar.com
Matthew West, June 20, St. Joseph Civic Arena. Ticketmaster.com
The Sonics, June 20, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Jeff the Brotherhood, June 21, Granada. TheGranada.com
Taake with Wolvhammer and Stonehaven, June 21, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Hugh Cornwell with Bent Knee and Jorge Arana Trio, June 22, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Jonathan Jackson + Enation, June 22, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Rob Thomas, June 22, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
The Smashing Pumpkins, June 22, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Delta Spirit, June 23, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Michael McDonald, June 23, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Tyler, the Creator with Taco, June 23, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Dale Watson with Amber Digby, June 24, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Melissa Etheridge, June 24, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Sebastian Bach with Wilson, June 24, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Widespread Panic, June 24, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Craig Wayne Boyd, June 25, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Hayes Carll, June 25, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Death Grips, June 26, Granada. TheGranada.com
Unwritten Law with Ten Foot Pole and Total Chaos, June 25, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, June 26-27, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Grind, June 27, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
Krizz Kaliko, June 27, Aftershock. AftershockShows.com
The Rolling Stones, June 27, Arrowhead. Ticketmaster.com
Ronnie Milsap, June 27, Ameristar. Ameristar.com
Red White & Boom Pop Music Festival featuring Flo Rida, Cash Cash and more, June 27, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Umphrey’s McGee, June 27, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Dark Star Orchestra, June 30, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Weird Al Yankovic, June 30, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Heartless Bastards, July 1, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Steve Earle & the Dukes with the Mastersons, July 1, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Failure, July 2, Liberty Hall. LibertyHall.net
Travis Marvin, July 2, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Gogol Bordello, July 3, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Mates of State, July 3, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Sycosis and LDorado Jonez, July 3, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, July 6, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Third Eye Blind with Dashboard Confessional, July 6, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
311, July 7, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
LakeFest featuring Eli Young Band with Easton Corbin and Cassadee Pope, July 7, Warnock Lake, Atchison. AtchisonKansas.net
Ace Frehley, July 9, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
Pat Green and Josh Abbott Band, July 9, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey, July 9, JCCC Yardley Hall. JCCC.edu/TheSeries
Rush, July 9, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
Taylor Caniff with Michael Wood, July 10, Granada. TheGranada.com
One — The Only Tribute to Metallica, July 11, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
Rock N Roll Dream Concert, July 11, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Dave Matthews Band, July 14, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Sage Francis with Loogey and Negro Scoe, July 14, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Sturgill Simpson, July 14, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Corey Taylor, July 15, Granada. TheGranada.com
Marcia Ball, July 15, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Wilco with Steve Gunn, July 15, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Tyler Farr, July 16, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Patti LaBelle, July 17, Kauffman Center. KauffmanCenter.org
Randy Rogers Band with Stoney LaRue and Wade Bowen, July 17, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Shiner with the String & Return, July 17, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Train with the Fray and Matt Nathanson, July 17, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Global Dance Festival featuring Flosstradamus, Seven Lions, Peking Duk and more, July 18, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Keith Sweat with Blackstreet, SWV and Troop, July 18, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
The Temptations, July 18, Ameristar. Ameristar.com
Cold War Kids, July 19, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Danzig with Pennywise, Cancer Bats and Hammerlord, July 19, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Jeff Austin Band with Old Salt Union, July 19, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa and more, July 21, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Van Halen with Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, July 22, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
3 Trails West, July 24, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
The Floozies, July 24, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Tim McGraw, July 24, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, July 25, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Graham Nash, July 25, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Jon Pardi with 6 Degrees West, July 25, Kearney Amphitheater. KearneyAmphitheater.com
King Britt with Liondub, July 25, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
KRBZ Buzz Beach Ball featuring alt-J, Awolnation and Taking Back Sunday, July 25, Sporting Park. BeachBallKC.com
Robert Earl Keen, July 25, Granada. TheGranada.com
R5 with Jacob Whitesides and Ryland, July 26, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Lee DeWyze with Leslie DiNicola, July 27, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
Move Live on Tour: Derek and Julianne Hough, July 27, Music Hall. Ticketmaster.com
One Direction, July 28, Arrowhead Stadium. Ticketmaster.com
Hot Country Nights TBA, July 30, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
The Lonely Biscuits, July 30, RecordBar. TheRecordBar.com
The Tallest Man on Earth, July 30, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Vans Warped Tour, July 30, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Neurosis, July 31, Liberty Hall. LibertyHall.net
Pomeroy, July 31, VooDoo. VoodooKC.com
Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean with Brantley Gilbert and Cole Swindell, Aug. 1, Arrowhead Stadium. Ticketmaster.com
Shinedown, Aug. 2, Midland. MidlandKC.com
Walk the Moon, Aug. 4, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Jake Miller with Jasmine V and Alex Angelo, Aug. 5, Granada. TheGranada.com
Phish, Aug. 5, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Bob Schneider, Aug. 6, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Hot Country Nights TBA, Aug. 6, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Clint Black, Aug. 7, Ameristar. Ameristar.com
Dave Koz, Aug. 7, Music Hall. Ticketmaster.com
Fireworks, Aug. 7, Jackpot Music Hall. Ticketmaster.com
Shania Twain, Aug. 7, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
Charli XCX and Bleachers with Børns, Aug. 8, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Chase Rice with Brian Davis, Aug. 8, Kearney Amphitheater. KearneyAmphitheater.com
10 Years with Nonpoint and the Family Ruin, Aug. 11, Granada. TheGranada.com
Def Leppard with Styx and Tesla, Aug. 11, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Trevor Hall, Aug. 11, Riot Room. TheRiotRoom.com
Idina Menzel, Aug. 12, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Jerrod Niemann, Aug. 13, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
My Morning Jacket with Hippo Campus, Aug. 13, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Paul Thorn, Aug. 14-16, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Rodrigo y Gabriela, Aug. 14, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Boz Scaggs with Booker T., Aug. 15, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
KMFDM with Chant and Inertia, Aug. 16, Granada. TheGranada.com
Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band with Lou Ann Barton, Aug. 17, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Buzz Under the Stars featuring Sublime with Rome, Rebelution, Pepper and Mickey Avalon, Aug. 19, KC Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Fifth Harmony with Common Kings, Natalie La Rose and Bea Miller, Aug. 20, Uptown. UptownTheater.com
Logan Mize, Aug. 20, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire, Aug. 21, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Foo Fighters with Royal Blood, Aug. 21, Sprint Center. SprintCenter.com
Lady Antebellum, Aug. 21, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. CricketWirelessAmp.com
Danielle Nicole, Aug. 22, Knuckleheads. KnuckleheadsHonkyTonk.com
Levee Town with Billy Ebeling & the Late for Dinner Band, Aug. 22, Kearney Amphitheater. KearneyAmphitheater.com
Spirit of KC Fest featuring Samantha Fish, the Rainmakers and more, Aug. 22, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Incubus & Deftones with Death From Above 1979 and the Bots, Aug. 23, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Hot Country Nights TBA, Aug. 27, Kansas City Live PowerAndLightDistrict.com
The Psychedelic Furs with the Church, Aug. 27, CrossroadsKC. CrossroadsKC.com
Slightly Stoopid, Aug. 28, Crossroads KC. CrossroadsKC.com
Little Big Town with David Nail and Ashley Monroe, Aug. 29, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Parmalee with State Line Drive, Aug. 29, Kearney Amphitheater. KearneyAmphitheater.com
Boston with Blue Oyster Cult and Shooting Star, Aug. 30, Starlight Theatre. KCStarlight.com
Gwar with Butcher Babies and Battlecross, Aug. 30, Granada. TheGranada.com
Summer Fun 2015
We’re previewing this summer’s entertainment. The lineup:
▪ May 7: Music
▪ May 14: Visual art
▪ May 21: Theater
▪ Today: Festivals and events
If you missed previous installments, you can find them on the entertainment page of KansasCity.com.
This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 3:00 AM with the headline "Summer Fun 2015: A guide to festivals, fairs and more."