KC events June 29-July 5: Blacklight Slide, Storytelling Conference, Joel McHale | The Kansas City Star

With temperatures forecast to return to the high 80s, this sounds like a unique way to cool off. At the Blacklight Slide, participants in inner tubes descend a slide filled with neon, glow-in-the-dark water that makes for an enlightening experience. White shirts or swimsuit tops are recommended. Admission comes with unlimited trips down the slide, a temporary tattoo, a special-edition towel and a post-slide party. 602-559-4076. blacklightslide.com/kansascitymo. $50.

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With his unruly red hair and a repertoire of catchy songs, Ed Sheeran has taken the pop music world by storm the past few years. The Brit has sold more than 22 million albums, won two Grammy Awards and became the first artist in the Billboard Hot 100’s 58-year history to have two singles simultaneously debut in the Top 10. And he’s all of 26 years old. Also on the bill will be fellow British singer/songwriter James Blunt. 816-949-7000. sprintcenter.com. Sold out.

Storytellers from around the nation will hone their craft with classes, concerts and other special events. Pushcart Prize-winning writer Naomi Shihab Nye will be the opening keynote speaker at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Rex Ellis, author and associate director of curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, will be closing keynote speaker at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. 800-525-4514. storynet.org/conference. Prices vary by event.

This fundraiser for KKFI 90.1 FM community radio will be a night of original music, film and dance, with seven sets of arts organizations performing original creations. The event will begin with a VIP reception, followed by a panel discussion on the nature of collaboration in today’s artistic world at 7 p.m. and performances at 8 p.m. 816-474-4444. kkfi.org or follytheater.org. $20-$120.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Eddie Griffin was voted class clown three times while attending Lincoln High School. He parlayed that into a stand-up comedy career that began more than 25 years ago at Stanford’s Comedy Club and an acting career that has included dozens of movie roles and his own comedy series, “Malcolm and Eddie.” He continues to travel the nation on the Comedy Get Down Tour with D.L. Hughley, George Lopez, Cedric the Entertainer and Charlie Murphy. 816-759-5233. improvkc.com. $35-$50.

As if he’s not already busy enough with his TV shows and commercials, Joel McHale has embarked on a stand-up comedy tour that will put his wry, offbeat sense of humor on full display. He is known for his role in the NBC sitcom “Community” and as host of E!’s long-running “The Soup,” and a few people might have seen him on the current CBS sitcom “The Great Indoors.” 816-283-9921. midlandkc.com. $27.50-$47.50.

The Royals will have a busy weekend as they try to overtake the Twins and continue their surge in the American League Central. Because of a rainout April 29, the teams will play twice Saturday. Plus, the series will be filled with promotions: fireworks after the game Friday, a patriotic cap giveaway for the early game Saturday and a “Raised Royal” children’s book giveaway Sunday. 800-676-9257. kansascity.royals.mlb.com. $19-$250.

What the exhibition lacks in volume, it makes up for in prestige. Recent scholarship has led to the re-attribution of Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Temptation of St. Anthony” and Albrecht Bouts’ “Christ Crowned With Thorns.” When the works entered the museum’s collection of European art, both were thought to have been done by assistants or imitators. This exhibition marks the first time the two paintings will be shown since the changes in authorship. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday. 816-751-1278. nelson-atkins.org. Free.

Thanks to a stifling defense that has allowed a league low in goals, Sporting has held first place in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference most of the season. The team has a chance to put a vise grip on that hold during a stretch featuring four of five matches at home, starting with this one against the Timbers that will be televised on ESPN. Sporting, coming off two games on the West Coast, has a club-record home unbeaten streak of 17 matches. 913-387-3400. sportingkc.com. $42-$69.

The local team has yet to find its groove during the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League season, standing at 3-3-4 with 10 goals scored and 10 allowed after a 1-1 tie Saturday at Seattle. But FC does have a seven-match home unbeaten streak, and its next opponent, the Houston Dash, had lost six consecutive matches before a 2-0 victory over Orlando on Saturday. 913-335-6146. fckansascity.com. $15-$35.

Live music and fireworks over the Missouri River are the big draws of this Independence Day celebration. The bands Flannigan’s Right Hook and Members Only will highlight the entertainment, which will take place on two stages. Food trucks, vendors, children’s bounce houses and craft activities also will be available, as will a free shuttle service to and from the River Market. kcriverfest.com. $5.

Sound of Soul Concert and Dance of Mother Earth Performance, June 30, Nelson-Atkins Museum. nelson-atkins.org

“Disney’s Camp Rock, the Musical,” June 30-July 8, Shawnee Mission Park. theatreinthepark.org

Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, June 29, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Josh Abbott Band, June 29, Kansas City Live. powerandlightdistrict.com

Dark Star Orchestra, June 30, Crossroads KC. crossroadskc.com

Reckless Kelly, June 30, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Young Dolph, June 30, Blvd Nights. ticketmaster.com

Blues Extravaganza! with Walter Trout, Marcus King and Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, July 1, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Dirty Heads with SOJA and The Green, July 1, Crossroads KC. crossroadskc.com

Byrne & Kelly, July 2, Kansas City Irish Center. irishcenterkc.org

311 with New Politics and the Skints, July 3, Crossroads KC. crossroadskc.com

Train with Natasha Bedingfield, July 3, Starlight. kcstarlight.com

Jessica Kincaid, July 1-Sept. 17, Kansas City Public Library-Central Library. kclibrary.org

International Miniature Paintings and Sculptures Art Show, July 3, Miami County Historical Museum. artkc.com/heartland_art_guild.htm

Parked — Food Trucks, Fireworks, Music & Fun! June 30, Stump Park, Shawnee. cityofshawnee.org

Sausomecon, June 30-July 2, KCI Expo Center. sausomecon.com

Booms & Blooms, July 1, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org

Great American Family Campout, July 1, Shawnee Mission Park. jcprd.com/special_events/campout.cfm

My Revelation Carriage Classic, July 1-2, Longview Horse Park. cdsgkc.org

Kansas City T-Bones vs. Sioux Falls, July 3-5, CommunityAmerica Ballpark. tbonesbaseball.com

Dan Kelly, dkelly@kcstar.com