KC events Oct. 19-25: NASCAR, ‘Dirty Dancing’ onstage, ‘Picasso’ at the Nelson | The Kansas City Star

With barely two months remaining before the big day, it’s not too early to think about Christmas shopping. And, with dozens of retailers selling everything from accessories and apparel to home décor and jewelry, there isn’t much a shopper won’t find at the Holiday Mart. Proceeds will support community projects sponsored by the Junior League. Noon-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22. Tickets are $8-$50 (special events, including Ladies Night Out on Friday, require special tickets) through jlkc.org; prices increase $4 starting Oct. 19.

Kansas City will be one of only five stops for New York Times No. 1 best-selling fantasy/romance author P.C. Cast as she travels the country promoting her new novel, “Sun Warrior.” Cast, a native of Illinois, is known for her “Goddess Summoning,” “House of Night” and “Partholon” series. The appearance will be a benefit for Friends of KC Animals. eventbrite.com/event/35205427381. Free; donations accepted.

The idea is simple enough. The denizens of a small-town pub in rural Ireland tell tales and exchange banter, which eventually includes discussions of a young woman who has recently moved into a nearby haunted house. She arrives at the pub, and the local men tell stories trying to impress the young woman, but her own story tops them all. The drama, written by Conor McPherson, won the Laurence Olivier Award for best new play of 1997-98. Runs through Oct. 29. 816-569-3226. Tickets are $30 through metkc.org.

The North American tour of the hit musical will bring the romantic story of Baby and Johnny to Lawrence for one night only. Popularized by the 1987 movie version starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze and remade for TV earlier this year, “Dirty Dancing” features the hit songs “Hungry Eyes,” “Be My Baby” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” 785-864-2787. Tickets are $21-$55 through lied.ku.edu.

Comedians know they’ve made it when they land small parts in big movies. Hannibal Buress did just that with last year’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Baywatch.” The Chicago native also is a cast member on Comedy Central’s “Broad City” and co-host of Adult Swim’s “The Eric Andre Show,” and his standup special, “Comedy Camisado,” is streaming on Netflix. 785-843-2787. Tickets are $35 through lawrenceartscenter.org.

This exhibition will explore Pablo Picasso’s fascination with African and Oceanic art. It will feature 170 works, with more than 60 paintings, sculptures and ceramics by the 20th century Spanish master and other pieces that were part of his personal collection. Many works will be on view in America for the first time. Runs through April 8. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday. 816-751-1278. Tickets are $10-$18 through nelson-atkins.org; free for 12 and under.

Born and raised in Bloomington, Ind., Joshua Bell made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1985 at age 17 with the St. Louis Symphony and has since become one of the world’s most celebrated violinists. He has recorded more than 40 CDs, earning a Grammy Award and the Avery Fisher Prize, given annually to an American musician for outstanding achievement in classical music. Joining him in the Harriman-Jewell Series concert will be Italian pianist Alessio Bax. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-415-5025. Tickets are $30-$85 through hjseries.org.

More than 10,000 runners are expected to take part in four races (5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon), with the marathon attracting about 2,000. Its course will wind past landmarks such as the National World War I Museum, the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Waldo, Westport and 18th and Vine. Fireworks will kick off the races, and the after-party will include live music, free food and local beer. Registration is $40-$120 through sportkc.org/marathon; prices increase to $45-$135 at late registration Oct. 19-20 at Union Station.

Owen/Cox will team with the People’s Liberation Big Band, with which it has performed “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” in recent years, for “In the Rompus Room.” They will present two world premiere dance works to music by Brad Cox, P. Alonzo Conway and Matt Otto; the program will also feature Louis Andriessen’s “Workers Union.” Johnson County Community College. 913-469-4445. Tickets are $25 through owencoxdance.org.

For those who have never visited Cave Spring (aka William M. Klein Park), this will be a great time to check out the 36-acre nature area tucked away at Gregory Boulevard and Blue Ridge Boulevard. Hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns carved by students, artists, community groups and others will line the trails through woods. There also will be games, food trucks and the Raytown Fire Department promoting fire safety. Shuttle parking will be available at Raytown Crossings Shopping Center. 816-659-1945. cavespring.org/pumpkins-on-parade-2017. Free.

The Gershwin Big Band led by Michael Andrew, former headline singer and bandleader at the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center, will bring 20th-century American composing icon George Gershwin’s music to life in this new program. The performance will include hits from Broadway, Hollywood, opera and American standards. Johnson County Community College. 913-469-4445. Tickets are $29-$45 through jccc.edu/theseries.

Two new names will be among the contenders when the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series comes to Kansas Speedway for the sixth of 10 playoff races. Martin Truex Jr. held a healthy lead entering this past weekend’s race at Talladega, but 25-year-old Kyle Larson and 21-year-old Chase Elliott were among those in hot pursuit. Also, NASCAR qualifying, 5:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and ARCA Racing Series, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 ($10-$15); NASCAR Infinity Kansas Lottery 300, 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 ($40-$80). 866-460-7223. Tickets are $29-$139 through kansasspeedway.com.

Chen Guang, piano, Oct. 22, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

“Silent Tears,” SBG Production Company, Oct. 20-21, Just Off Broadway Theatre. squareup.com/store/sbg-production-company

Kevin Heffernan and Steve Leme, Oct. 19-21, Kansas City Improv. improvkc.com

Boris, Oct. 19, Granada. thegranada.com

Hoodie Allen, Oct. 19, The Truman. thetrumankc.com

Janet Jackson, Oct. 19, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com

Junior Brown, Oct. 19, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Almost Kiss and KC/DC, Oct. 20, VooDoo. voodookc.com

Julia Haile, Oct. 20, Greenwood Social Hall. eventbrite.com/event/38203553858

Little River Band, Oct. 20, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com

Needtobreathe, Oct. 20, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, Oct. 21, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

Brett Young, Oct. 21, The Truman. thetrumankc.com

Kelley Hunt, Oct. 21, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

The Afghan Whigs with Har Mar Superstar, Oct. 22, RecordBar. therecordbar.com

The B-52’s, Oct. 22, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Beach Boys, Oct. 22, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com

Los Angeles Azules, Oct. 22, Crossroads KC. crossroadskc.com

Lany, Oct. 24, The Truman. thetrumankc.com

Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets, Oct. 25, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

International Sculpture Conference, Oct. 25-28, Marriott Plaza. sculpture.org/kc2017

“Invasives — Plants Gone Wild,” Oct. 19, Kauffman Conference Center. mggkc.org

“Remembering Muted Voices: Conscience, Dissent, Resistance and Civil Liberties in WWI,” Oct. 19-22, National WWI Museum. theworldwar.org

Glow: A Jack-O-Lantern Festival, Oct. 20-21, Powell Gardens. powellgardens.org

Lenexa Chili Challenge, Oct. 20-21, Old Town Lenexa. lenexa.com

Psychical Research Society Annual Psychic Fair, Oct. 20-22, Kansas National Guard Armory, Kansas City, Kan. prskc.org

Pumpkins and Mums Fall Festival, Oct. 21, Hall of Waters Historic District, Excelsior Springs. visitexcelsior.com/fallfestival.html

Dogtober Fest, Oct. 22, Kemper Outdoor Education Center. makeyourdayhere.com

Sue Lowell Gallion for “Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat,” Oct. 19, Rainy Day Books. rainydaybooks.com

Wade Davis for “Everest: Majesty and Peril,” Oct. 20, Kansas City Public Library-Central Library. kclibrary.org

Robert J. Shiller at Truman Medal for Economic Policy Award Luncheon, Oct. 23, Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch. trumanlibraryinstitute.org

Lakeside Speedway, World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, Oct. 20. lakesidespeedway.net

Guns N Hoses Charity Boxing, Oct. 21, KC Convention Grand Ballroom. kansascitygunsnhoses.com