KC events Nov. 30-Dec. 6: Astronaut Scott Kelly, Canadian Brass, KU basketball
Mavericks vs. Kalamazoo and Quad City
7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2, at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
The Mavericks started the season barely keeping their heads above water, which was to be expected considering they played 13 of their first 18 games on the road, including seven of their first eight. They were 4-4 at that point but have gradually regained their footing. This week they began a stretch during which they will play eight of nine games at home and should be able to improve their standing in the Central Division of the ECHL. 800-745-3000. Tickets are $16-$55 through kcmavericks.com.
Canadian Brass with Kansas City Symphony, “Christmastime Is Here!”
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Helzberg Hall
The Symphony will kick off a busy December with the first of five holiday-themed events. This one will feature a concert with guest conductor Douglas Droste and the Canadian Brass, a quintet consisting of a trombone, tuba, French horn and two trumpets. They will play classic carols and sacred music along with fun Christmas tunes such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Kauffman Center. 816-471-0400. The concert is sold out, but call 816-471-0400 to be put on a waiting list. kcsymphony.org.
“The Nativity,” Mesner Puppet Theater
Opens 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral
Back for the 30th holiday season, the Mesner Puppet Theater will bring the story of Christ’s birth to life using 7-foot puppets that move through the aisles of the historic cathedral. More than 40 puppeteers will perform with live musical and choral accompaniment under the guidance of Mesner artistic director Mike Horner. Also, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1; 2 and 5 p.m Saturday, Dec. 2; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. 816-235-6222. Tickets are $12-$17 through mesnerpuppets.org.
Scott Kelly
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Unity Temple on the Plaza
A veteran of four space flights and commander of the International Space Station on three expeditions, including one that lasted a year, Scott Kelly set the record for the total accumulated number of days spent in space in 2015. He will appear for his memoir, “Endurance: My Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery.” 913-384-3126. Tickets are $30 through rainydaybooks.com.
Tallis Scholars
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Founded in 1973, the Tallis Scholars have established themselves as one of the world’s leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music. Their performance of “Commemorating 500 Years of Heinrich Isaac” will honor the Flemish master who was one of the most prolific composers of Renaissance Europe. The local choir Te Deum will provide a warm-up concert at 6:30 p.m. 816-561-9999. Tickets are $35 through chambermusic.org; 17 and under free.
Heartland Men’s Chorus, “Packages With Beaus”
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Folly Theater
The Heartland Men’s Chorus, an all-volunteer choral group that regularly performs with more than 150 singers, promises nontraditional holiday entertainment with “familiar carols, choral classics and hilariously zany twists on adored holiday music.” Joining the chorus will be Well Strung, a string quartet. Also, Dec. 10 with Claybourne Elder at Yardley Hall. 816-931-3338. Tickets are $15-$67 through hmckc.org.
Pendleton Heights Home Tour
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Pendleton Heights Neighborhood
Featuring five historic homes, this annual event is among the most popular of the many area holiday home tours. Helping set it apart from the others are an artist market featuring the works of local creative folks and food trucks such as Derr’s Wiener Wagon and Chicken Mac & Cheese. The artist market will be at 319 Park Ave., where tours will begin. Tickets are $12 through pendletonheights.org; $15 at door.
“The Sarah Play”
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Lewis and Shirley White Theatre
This production combines religion, education and entertainment. Putting stories of the biblical matriarch Sarah in conversation with contemporary realities in Kansas City, “The Sarah Play” is about women in love, hate, rivalry and faith. It was created by The In(heir)itance Project as part of a national series during workshops with local clergy, artists, community members and interfaith groups. Jewish Community Campus. 913-327-8054. Tickets are $13-$23 through thejkc.org.
“Brain Candy Live!”
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
Adam Savage, former co-host of the Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters,” and YouTube star Michael Stevens have created a stage show that will appeal to anyone with a sense of wonder, curiosity and fun. Their “Brain Candy Live!” will feature special toys and tools as well as mind-blowing demonstrations in an interactive theatrical experience. 816-283-9921. Tickets are $38.50-$68.50 through midlandkc.com.
Cirque Musica Holiday
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
With multiple productions touring the world and an entire family of shows, Cirque Musica is known for blending many of the world’s greatest cirque performers with symphonic music. Its holiday show, “Believe,” will consist of feats of strength, skill and grace performed to musical favorites of the season. 816-442-6100. Tickets are $24-$89 through silversteineyecentersarena.com.
“Les Miserables”
Opens 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Music Hall
Even if you have previously seen this epic story of love, courage and redemption based on Victor Hugo’s book, you might want to check out “Les Miz” again. The 25th anniversary production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical comes direct from a 2 1/2 -year return to Broadway. Also, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. 816-421-7500. Tickets are $38-$142 through broadwayinkc.com.
Washington vs. Kansas
8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Sprint Center
Fresh off a trip to Florida for the Hoophall Miami Invitational, the highly ranked Kansas basketball team will meet the Washington Huskies in the Jayhawks’ only regular-season game in Kansas City. The Huskies will be looking to regain some national prestige after losing to Providence and Virginia Tech at Madison Square Garden in the 2K Classic in mid-November. 816-949-7100. Tickets are $34-$154 through sprintcenter.com.
Also this week
Classical music and dance
Conservatory Choirs: A Season for Giving, Dec. 2, Visitation. conservatory.umkc.edu
Midwest Chamber Ensemble, Holiday Brass, Dec. 3, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. midwestchamberensemble.org
Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra Christmas Concert, Dec. 3, Arrupe Hall. rockhurst.edu
TubaChristmas, Dec. 4 and 8, Helzberg Hall. kcsymphony.org
Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, “Saint Nicolas!” Dec. 5, Unity Temple on the Plaza. kcchamberorchestra.org
Theater
“The Judy Garland Pill Popping Christmas,” Late Night Theatre, Dec. 1-23, Missie B’s. latenighttheatre.com
“Sunset Baby,” Dec. 1-16, KC MeltingPot Theatre. kcmeltingpot.com
Comedy
Dale Jones, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Kansas City Improv. improvkc.com
Music (rock, pop, jazz)
Chad Prather, Nov. 30, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Damien Escobar, Nov. 30, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Chris Lane, Dec. 1, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Whitechapel, Dec. 1, Granada. thegranada.com
American Vinyl Holiday Concert, Dec. 2, Ameristar. ameristar.com
Ashley Davis with Lúnasa, Dec. 2, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
Hollywood Undead, Dec. 2, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Dec. 2, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
Making Movies, Dec. 2, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Tech N9ne with Krizz Kaliko, Dec. 2, Granada. thegranada.com
Lúnasa with Ashley Davis, Dec. 3, Drexel Hall. irishcenterkc.org
The Night the Buzz Stole Xmas featuring Phoenix, Y God Y and more, Dec. 3, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Periphery, Dec. 3, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Roberto Tapia, Dec. 3, Blvd Nights. ticketmaster.com
Ubuntu Conscious Music Festival, Dec. 3-4, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Kodak Black, Dec. 4, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com
Voces8, Dec. 4, Gano Chapel. eventbrite.com/event/36611999476
The Wood Brothers, Dec. 4, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
K-LOVE Christmas, Dec. 5, Connection Point Church. klove.com/events/christmas-tour
Thrice and Circa Survive, Dec. 5, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Ekali with Medasin and Judge, Dec. 6, RecordBar. therecordbar.com
Home Free, Dec. 6, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Walker McGuire, Dec. 6, Folly. follytheater.org
Visual arts
First Fridays in the Crossroads, Dec. 1, Crossroads Arts District. kccrossroads.org
Events/festivals/etc.
Great Kansas City Pet Expo, Dec. 2-3, KCI Expo Center. greatkcpetexpo.com
Nutcracker Tea Party, Dec. 2-3, Ritz Charles. artsandrec-op.org/public-arts/nutcracker-tea-party
Strawberry Hill Holiday Homes Tour, Dec. 2, Kansas City, Kan. eventbrite.com/event/37003397157
Visit from St. Nicholias, Dec. 2, Shoal Creek Living History Museum. shoalcreeklivinghistorymuseum.com
Book talks
Khizr Khan for “Hardcover An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice,” Nov. 30, Unity Temple on the Plaza. rainydaybooks.com
Caroline Fraser for “Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder,” Dec. 5, Mid-Continent Public Library-Woodneath Library Center. mymcpl.org or rainydaybooks.com
Sports/recreation
Kansas City Comets (indoor soccer) vs. Cedar Rapids, Dec. 3. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. cometsindoorsoccer.com
UMKC men’s basketball vs. South Dakota, Nov. 30. Municipal Auditorium. umkckangaroos.com
This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "KC events Nov. 30-Dec. 6: Astronaut Scott Kelly, Canadian Brass, KU basketball."