Kansas City is reopening from COVID-19: Here are your latest entertainment options
We have entered a new era in the COVID-19 crisis.
Stay-at-home orders are being eased, allowing some businesses and venues to reopen with restrictions, but all major events have been canceled or postponed. No professional sports events, plays, concerts, festivals or anything else that attracts large crowds.
So we can finally leave the house, but many of the reasons to do so have vanished.
There are places to see and things to do, however.
We’ll now spotlight some of those in this space, while continuing to list events that have moved from the real world to the virtual world as well as online activities for those more comfortable remaining at home.
In the upcoming week’s real-world category, the highlight is that the National WWI Museum and Memorial will reopen to members June 1 and to the public June 2. Hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with two sessions daily – 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2‑5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance at theworldwar.org.
On the virtual side, TEDxKC 2020 has become a streaming event, with talks and performances scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. June 2. Among the talks’ topics are the intelligence of nature, new 3D display innovations and solving the homeless problem. Performers will include folk/pop duo Barnaby Bright and singer/songwriter/storyteller Jessica Paige. Tickets ($20) are available at tedxkc.org.
Here are five more real-world activities:
▪ B&B Theatres Twin Drive-In, Independence. “Grease” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” are scheduled for May 28 ($20 per car). bbtheatres.com/location/twin-drive-in.
▪ Powell Gardens, 30 miles east of Kansas City. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday; timed tickets must be reserved online ($4-$10). powellgardens.org.
▪ Shawnee Town 1929. Grounds (with self-tours) and museum store open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 15-person limit through June 7, then a 45-person limit; guided tours will resume June 23 ($3-$5). facebook.com/shawneetown1929.
▪ ZipKC, Bonner Springs. Ziplining and hiking tours available; reservations required. zipkc.com.
▪ Weston. Most of the quaint town’s shops and businesses are open, though some have limited hours. (Note: O’Malley’s Pub, Holladay Distillery and McCormick on Main remain closed.) westonmo.com.
Here are five more online ways you and your family can spend your coronavirus-induced stay-at-home time:
▪ Watkins Museum of History, Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, American Jazz Museum and Jackson County Historical Society are uniting for a virtual museum day with videos and live streams for teachers, families and others, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 29 at bit.ly/virtualmuseumdaykc.
▪ Strawberry Swing will hold its first virtual craft fair, with more than 100 makers/artists/crafters/small businesses, live music and DIY classes, noon-4 p.m. May 30-31 at thestrawberryswing.org.
▪ The NEKC Chamber and Northeast Arts KC are seeking line drawings for a coloring booklet showing safety measures on prevention and social distancing. The deadline is May 31. Submit images (limit of three) to rebeccakoop@nekcchamber.com. (More information at northeastartskc.org.)
▪ KC SuperStar, a Jewish Community Center fundraiser in its 11th year of recognizing the best high school singing talent in the region, will put performances by its semifinalists online, and the public can vote for the top 10, June 1-10 at kcsuperstar.org.
▪ Author Howard Blum will present his new book, “Night of the Assassins: The Untold Story of Hitler’s Plot to Kill FDR, Churchill, and Stalin,” 6:30 p.m. June 3 at youtube.com/user/kclibrary (more information at rainydaybooks.com/howardblum).
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 12:35 PM.
