Want to get outdoors around Kansas City? Take in an old movie. It might be free
Tired of being stuck in the house and watching old movies on television?
Well, you can get out of the house and watch old movies now, too — many for free. They are showing at the area’s two drive-in theaters, as well as on other big screens at outside venues. All start at dusk or thereabouts.
Most Kansas City area indoor theaters plan to start reopening in July as Hollywood starts providing new movies. But the Screenland Armour in North Kansas City is partially open now, showing retro movies.
Outdoors, the Boulevard Drive-In in Kansas City, Kansas, is open Friday through Sunday evenings, charging $10 per person (kids 11 and under are free). “The Avengers” is slated for June 26, “Zootopia” for June 27 and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” for June 28. See boulevarddrivein.com/wordpress.
The B&B Twin Drive-In in Independence shows two films most nights throughout the week, charging $20 per carload. “Zootopia” and “Jurassic Park” are scheduled for June 26-July 2. See bbtheatres.com/twin-drive-in.
Meanwhile, area parks and recreation departments will present free movies, most in a drive-in format, throughout the summer. This weekend’s schedule:
June 26:
“Toy Story 4,” Gregory O. Grounds Park, Blue Springs; bluespringsgov.com.
“Sonic the Hedgehog,” Stump Park, Shawnee (preregistration required; sold out); facebook.com/events/stump-park.
“Jumanji II,” Grandview Amphitheater; grandviewamp.com.
“Playing With Fire,” Macken Park, North Kansas City; nkc.org.
June 27:
“Aladdin,” Jesse James Park, Kearney; kearneyfirehouse.org.
Here are six more in-person activities to consider for the next week:
▪ Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead usually opens for the season April 1, but COVID-19 postponed that. Now the family attraction in Overland Park is set to open July 1. Admission is $3. See opkansas.org and click “recreation.”
▪ The area’s two major comedy clubs will present live shows with social-distancing protocols: Greg Hahn, June 25-27 at the Comedy Club of Kansas City (tables $40-$175), and Andrew Schulz, June 26-27 at the Kansas City Improv ($35; all but one show sold out as of June 23). thecomedyclubkc.com and improvkc.com.
▪ The Doug Talley Quartet will play during North Kansas City’s Friday in the Park at the Festival Pavilion in Macken Park, 11:30 a.m. June 26 (free). nkc.org.
▪ Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag will perform before a limited-capacity audience at the Uptown Theater, 8 p.m. June 26 ($12). uptowntheater.com or facebook.com.
▪ A Garden Concert, a socially distanced picnic with music by Ensemble Iberica, will take place at Howard’s Grocery in Northeast Kansas City, 7 p.m. June 27 ($250 per four-person blanket). eventbrite.com.
▪ The Kansas City Automotive Museum in Olathe is open for self-guided tours, which must be booked at least 48 hours in advance; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday ($6-$9). kansascityautomuseum.com.
Here are five online ways you and your family can spend your coronavirus-induced stay-at-home time:
▪ Victor & Penny From Home will feature the swing-infused folk-jazz duo in a livestreamed free concert presented by the Folly Theater, 7 p.m. June 25 at facebook.com.
▪ Alex Countee of TV station Fox4 will discuss “How Do I Become a Meteorologist?” during a Kansas City Public Library/Linda Hall Library event on Zoom, 2 p.m. June 26. Register at eventbrite.com; more information at lindahall.org.
▪ Academy Award-winning filmmaker and University of Kansas film professor Kevin Willmott will participate in a Q&A about the Netflix movie “Da 5 Bloods,” his latest collaboration with director Spike Lee, on the Free State Festival Facebook page, 6:30 p.m. June 26 at facebook.com/freestatefestival; more information at lawrenceartscenter.org.
▪ The Leawood Stage Company will perform “The Importance of Being Earnest” as part of its summer play reading series, 7 p.m. June 26 at facebook.com/leawoodstageco.
▪ Westport Center for the Arts will present a livestream concert with soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson and pianist Robert Pherigo, 7 p.m. June 26 at facebook.com.
