KC events Nov. 15-20: Holiday Boutique, Christmas in the Sky, Naked Magicians
Holiday Boutique
10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15-17, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Overland Park Convention Center
This event isn’t just about shopping for Christmas presents, although there will be ample opportunities for that, including products by local artisan designers. The Festival of Trees, with more than 100 decorated trees and wreaths, also will raise funds for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau via a silent auction throughout the weekend. There will be a special shopping period 5-9 p.m. each of the first three evenings: Opening Night, Girls Night Out and Saturday Night Out. Tickets are $12 through kcholidayboutique.com; $14 at door.
Kansas City Aerial Arts Performance Company, “Ascension”
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15-17, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at City Stage Theater
Kansas City Aerial Arts, a professional company of aerialists, contortionists and performers, will collaborate with the dancers of Kansas City Contemporary Dance to tell a story filled with raw emotion and honest portrayals of life. “Ascension” will be the first professional and self-produced show of Kansas City Aerial Arts, formerly Lucia Aerial, and will feature silks artist John Hernandez of Portland, Ore. 913-271-6918. Tickets are $15-$35 through kansascityaerialarts.com.
“Othello: The Remix”
Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Gem
From the minds of Gregory and Jeffery Ameen Qaiyum — also known as GQ and JAQ, the Q Brothers — comes a retelling of William Shakespeare’s classic play that transforms the protagonist into a rising hip-hop star. “Othello: The Remix” had its world premiere at London’s Globe Theatre in 2012, then toured the world before playing off-Broadway in 2016-17. Runs through Dec. 1. 816-663-9966. Tickets are $40 through brtkc.org; tickets for students ($15) and seniors ($30) available at door.
“Last Fan Standing”
8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at Liberty Hall
A traveling game show hosted by Bruce Campbell of the “Evil Dead” movie series and the TV show “Burn Notice” will stop in Lawrence and test attendees’ knowledge in areas such as science-fiction, fantasy, superheroes and horror. All audience members will answer a series of multiple-choice questions, and those with the fastest correct answers will advance to the podium rounds, from which will emerge the “Last Fan Standing.” 785-749-1972. Tickets are $30-$85 through libertyhall.net.
“A Christmas Carol”
Opens 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Spencer Theatre
This will be the 38th year for Kansas City Repertory Theatre to present the stage version of the holiday classic by Charles Dickens, but the production always changes from one year to the next. Director Marissa Wolf will add her personal touches to the story of cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge. Local actors Mark Robbins, Gary Neal Johnson and Walter Coppage will play Dickens, Scrooge and Jacob Marley, respectively. Runs through Dec. 30. 816-235-2700. Tickets are $38-$87 through kcrep.org.
Ararat Shrine Circus
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus shut down in 2017 after operating for nearly 150 years, but the Shrine Circus (founded in 1906) continues to tour the nation. It played Municipal Auditorium for 79 years before moving to Silverstein Arena. The Shrine Circus presents a traditional three-ring show, complete with trapeze artists, clowns, elephants and other animals. Also, 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. 816-442-6100. Tickets are $12-$45 through silversteineyecentersarena.com.
Kansas City Symphony, “Mozart, Bach and Schubert’s Ninth”
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 16-17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Helzberg Hall
The Kansas City Symphony Chorus and the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City will join the symphony for an evening that will range from sublime choral works to a grand symphony. After Mozart’s “Ave verum corpus” and Bach’s “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht” will come John Adams’ “On the Transmigration of Souls” commemorating the events of 9/11, and the finale will be Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great.” Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-471-0400. Tickets are $25-$85 through kcsymphony.org.
The Naked Magicians
7 and 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Cohen Community Stage House
Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne are magicians from Down Under, and the Australians will live down to that descriptor when they perform their tricks and illusions without pants — or any other clothes. The Naked Magicians, who appeared on Season 12 of “America’s Got Talent,” disrobe gradually as they entertain the audience with their humor as much as their magic. Starlight Theatre. 816-363-7827. Tickets are $37-$97 through kcstarlight.com.
“Wild Kratts” Live 2.0
1 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Brothers Chris and Martin Kratt, the masterminds behind the hit PBS show, will be on stage and the rest of the “Wild Kratts” team will be on screen as they entertain kids with stories of adventure while educating them about the animal kingdom. The television show, in which the Kratt brothers play animated versions of themselves, has been on the air since 2011. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-994-7222. Tickets are $29.50-$49.50 through kauffmancenter.org.
The Priests
7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Yardley Hall
If three tenors from Texas can become a successful musical act, why not three priests from Northern Ireland. The Priests — Eugene O’Hagan, Martin O’Hagan and David Delargy — became international sensations in 2008 when their debut album was released in more than 40 countries. It was the fastest-selling debut for a classical act in the United Kingdom and sold more than a million copies in Ireland alone. 913-469-4445. Tickets are $29-$75 through jccc.edu/theseries.
Hall of Fame Classic
6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 19-20, at Sprint Center
Without Kansas, Kansas State or Missouri, the annual Hall of Fame Classic men’s basketball tournament will lack a major local draw this year. But the field will include regional teams Missouri State and Nebraska, which will meet at 6 p.m. Monday before Texas Tech plays Southern Cal at 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the losers will play at 6 p.m. and the winners will battle for the championship at 8:30 p.m. 816-949-7100. Tickets are $10-$150 through sprintcenter.com.
Christmas in the Sky
5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Longview Lake Beach
Jackson County’s holiday season will get under way with a bang — hundreds of them, actually. After performances by singers and dancers and the arrival of Santa Claus, a fireworks display synchronized to holiday music will begin at 7:30 p.m. Then visitors can drive through the thousands of lights and dozens of animated displays that make up Christmas in the Park. Christmas in the Park will run through Dec. 31. makeyourdayhere.com. Free.
Also this week
Classical music and dance
Fall Opera: “Mozart’s La finta giardiniera,” Nov. 15-18, White Recital Hall. conservatory.umkc.edu
William Baker Festival Singers, Thanksgiving Concert for Human Need, Nov. 16, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. festivalsingers.org
Lyric Opera of Kansas City, “High Fidelity Opera,” Nov. 17, Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building. kcopera.org
Theater
“Rex Dexter and the War of the Worlds.” Nov. 16-17, MTH Theater at Crown Center Stage 2. mthkc.com
Musical Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 19-20, MTH Theater at Crown Center. mthkc.com
Comedy
Guy Torry, Nov. 15-18, Kansas City Improv. improvkc.com
Steven Briggs and Jimmy Roberson, Nov. 16-17, Clint’s Comedy Stop. clintscomedystop.com
B Simone, Nov. 21, Kansas City Improv. improvkc.com
Music (rock, pop, jazz)
Generation Axe, Nov. 15, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Marc Broussard, Nov. 15, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Steven Curtis Chapman, Nov. 15, Folly. follytheater.org
Wade Bowen, Nov. 15, Granada. thegranada.com
High on Fire with Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust and Haunt, Nov. 16, Riot Room. theriotroom.com
John Prine with Conor Oberst, Nov. 16, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com Lee Josh Turner, Nov. 16, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Lucero with Strand of Oaks, Nov. 16, Madrid. madridtheatre.com
Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza, Nov. 17, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu
David Crosby and Friends, Nov. 17, Liberty Hall. libertyhall.net
Folly Frolic featuring Oleta Adams, Nov. 17, Folly. follytheater.org
G Herbo with Southside and Queen Key, Nov. 17, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Lee Rocker, Nov. 17, Yardley Hall. jccc.edu/theseries
Myles Kennedy & Co., Nov. 17, VooDoo. voodookc.com
TLC, Nov. 17, Ameristar. ameristar.com
Celeste Barber, Nov. 18, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Goatwhore with The Casualties and more, Nov. 18, Aftershock. aftershockshows.com
Blac Youngsta, Nov. 20, Granada. thegranada.com
Lil Yachty with Bhad Bhabie, Nov. 20, The Truman. thetrumankc.com
Tribute to Aretha Franklin by Danielle Nicole Band, Nov. 21, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Twenty One Pilots, Nov. 21, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com
Unearth and Fit For An Autopsy, Nov. 21, Aftershock. aftershockshows.com
Events/festivals/etc.
“Last Fan Standing,” Nov. 15, Liberty Hall. libertyhall.net
Best Little Arts & Crafts Show in Independence, Nov. 16-17, Sermon Center. visitindependence.com/event/best-little-arts-crafts-show-independence
International Festival: The World Underground, Nov. 16, Park University. park.edu
Nutcracker Tea Party, Nov. 17-18, Overland Park Sheraton. artsandrec-op.org/public-arts/nutcracker-tea-party
Holidays Come Alive, Nov. 17, Union Station. unionstation.org
Northern Lights Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 18, Zona Rosa. zonarosa.com
Visit the Fairy Princess, Nov. 18-29, Zona Rosa. zonarosa.com
Book talks/lectures
“An Evening with Neil Gaiman,” Nov. 19, Lied Center. hallcenter.ku.edu
Food
iTap Sour Beer School: Kettle vs Oak. 6 p.m. Nov. 15. $15. International Tap House, 403 E. 18th. brownpapertickets.com/event/3818176
Wine dinner featuring GKC Cellars. Nov. 20. $132. Jasper’s Ristorante, 1205 W. 103rd. jasperskc.com, 816-941-6600
Chef Jasper Mirabile Jr. 11 a.m. Nov. 15. Free. Kansas Memorial Union, Malott Room, 1301 Jayhawk, Lawrence. frenchitalian.ku.edu, 785-864-9250
“My Plate: Healthy Eating Habits for Disease Prevention.” 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15. Free. Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central, Kansas City, Kan. mountosb.org/ministries/keeler-womens-center, 913-906-8990
“Thanksgiving Cooking.” 6 p.m. Nov. 16. $75. L’Ecole Culinaire, 310 Ward Parkway. lecole.edu, 816-627-0100
Beaujolais nouveau party featuring beef stew with fettuccini. 4 p.m. Nov. 15. $25. Westport Café And Bar, 419 Westport. westportcafeandbar.com, 816-931-4740