After months away, Sporting KC and Union Station model trains return
When last seen at Children’s Mercy Park, Sporting Kansas City defeated the Houston Dynamo 4-0 on March 7 to improve to 2-0. It looked as if it might become a juggernaut.
More than five pandemic-shattered months later, the soccer team finally returns for its second home match of the season — again against Houston.
Sporting will play the Dynamo at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 before real fans, although the club says attendance will be limited to 14% of the stadium’s capacity.
This will be the first of three home matches during the first phase of the team’s continued MLS regular season, which begins Aug. 21 at Minnesota. Admission to the home matches will be limited to season ticket holders via lotteries, with no single-game tickets sold. All games will be televised on Fox Sports Kansas City.
During the MLS Is Back Tournament in July at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Sporting went 3-2.
Here are seven more in-person activities to consider for the next week:
▪ The Model Rail Experience on the north end of the Grand Plaza in Union Station reopened this week for the first time since March. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday (free). More information, unionstation.org/venues/model-train-gallery.
▪ “Resilience, Reflection, Rebuilding: Artists Respond to Covid-19” is on view at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Jan. 22. jcprd.com.
▪ Charlotte Street Foundation #ArtWhereYouAreAt grant recipient Stefanie Noll will present “Green,” a multimedia performance combining dance, music and film, to a limited audience, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20-22 at Greenwood Social Hall ($50). eventbrite.com.
▪ Spotlight 2020: Charlie Parker, a monthlong citywide celebration, will continue with a full week of events, including the Gerald Spaits Quintet featuring Charles Perkins and Jack Lightfoot, 4:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at Gem Theater ($15), and Bird Boot Camp Finale Sax Salute to Charlie Parker, 4 p.m. Aug. 22 on the streets of Jazz District (free). spotlightcharlieparker.org.
▪ The public can participate in Chalk the Walk, connecting the Englewood Arts District to the Independence Square with sidewalk chalk art, 5 p.m. Aug. 21 through noon Aug. 23; in conjunction with the district’s Third Friday Art Walk, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 21. englewoodstation.com.
▪ The local dance/performance group Quixotic will present “Twilight Soirée,” 8:30 p.m. Aug. 21-22 on the rooftop of the Westin Crown Center ($50-$65). Limited tickets available at tickets.vendini.com. More information, quixoticfusion.com.
▪ LeMonad(e) Park, the new outdoor space of Voltaire and RecordBar at 1628 Wyoming, will feature The MGD’s, of Tree and PopSkull Rebels at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 and Emmaline Twist, Other Americans and Dan Jones and the Squids at 7 p.m. Aug. 22. Tickets ($15-$140) available at eventbrite.com/event/115126807380 and eventbrite.com/event/114222396262. More information, therecordbar.com/calendar.
Here are six online ways you and your family can spend your coronavirus-induced stay-at-home time:
▪ Physicist Emily Martin of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and astronaut Janet Kavandi will discuss “Making Space: Pioneering Women in Aerospace” via Zoom, 7 p.m. Aug. 20. Register at eventbrite.com. More information, lindahall.org.
▪ The Ethnic Enrichment Festival held annually at Swope Park has gone virtual and will stream music, dancing, cooking, crafts and other activities at 6 p.m. Aug. 21, 22 and 23 at facebook.com/ethnickc. More information, eeckc.org.
▪ The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival will provide a fun and illuminating journey through some of William Shakespeare’s most famous works with “Shakespeare at Home,” 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at facebook.com/mcpl360. More information, mymcpl.org.
▪ India Fest from the India Association of Kansas City will take place virtually, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 23. More information, iakc.org.
▪ “Let’s Dance,” MTH Theater at Crown Center’s Musical Monday and Tuesday celebrating dance musicals, will stream on Vimeo, Aug. 21-25 ($25). musicaltheaterheritage.com.
▪ Local young adult author Adib Khorram will mark the release of “Darius the Great Deserves Better” by joining author and editor Natalie C. Parker in conversation at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 (free; $19.78-$27.28 with autographed cards and book). Order admission at eventbrite.com. More information, rainydaybooks.com.
