A Bird centennial: How KC will celebrate jazz legend Charlie Parker’s 100th birthday
Jazz great Charlie “Bird” Parker was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 29, 1920, and grew up across the state line, establishing his reputation here before moving to New York City to become a legend.
The 100th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated in Kansas City and beyond, with many local events taking place in person despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
A sunrise ceremony will kick off the daylong activities of “Spotlight: Charlie Parker” at 6:15 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Charlie Parker Memorial Sculpture on the north side of the American Jazz Museum.
Other highlights will include an 18th & Vine Jazz Walking Tour at 9:30 a.m. and Lonnie McFadden performing at 7 p.m. at the Ambassador Hotel Parking Garage. For the full schedule, see spotlightcharlieparker.org.
Also:
▪ The premiere of “Bird Not Out of Nowhere,” a documentary from Kansas City PBS, will air at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 on Channel 19.
▪ A quintet from the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will present a drive-in concert of “Basie to Bird to Bobby” at 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at Plexpod Westport Commons ($25-$45). kcdriveinconcerts.com.
▪ The 92nd Street Y in New York City will stage a 24-hour virtual celebration, “Now’s the Time — Celebrating Bird at 100,” starting with a screening of Clint Eastwood’s award-winning biopic “Bird” at 6 p.m. CDT Aug. 28. For access to all the events, go to 92y.org/charlieparker.
Other in-person entertainment
Here are five more in-person activities to consider for the next week:
▪ Musicians from the Kansas City Symphony will present two free Neighborhood Concerts: 7 p.m. Aug. 27 in the parking lot of The Campground Restaurant and Bar, 1531 Genessee, and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 in Macken Park, 1002 Clark Ferguson, North Kansas City. kcsymphony.org.
▪ Works from recent bachelor of fine arts graduates of the Kansas City Art Institute will be on display in the annual BFA Exhibition running Aug. 28-Sept. 19 at the H&R Block Artspace. Noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday with timed tickets. kcai.edu/artspace.
▪ The lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial will be busy all day Aug. 29. The annual Living the Great War program, with historians sharing their knowledge and collections, will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (free). Then, Jazz on the Lawn: A Modern Picnic will feature the jazz band Grand Marquis, food trucks and more, 5-8:15 p.m. ($45-$100 for up to four attendees; $35-$80 for members). theworldwar.org.
▪ Downtown Bonner Springs will be the site of a Maker’s Fair, with area crafters showcasing handmade items, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 29. facebook.com.
▪ Tom’s Town will play music from the golden era of Kansas City jazz as part of Lenexa’s Outdoor Concert Series, 5 p.m. Aug. 30 in the Grand Pavilion at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (free). lenexa.com.
Going virtual
Here are six online ways you and your family can spend your coronavirus-induced stay-at-home time:
▪ Author Kimberly Hamlin will discuss her book, “Free Thinker: Sex, Suffrage, and the Extraordinary Life of Helen Hamilton Gardener,” 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at youtube.com/user/kclibrary. More information, kclibrary.org.
▪ “Shadowball: The Negro Baseball Leagues,” led by Emmy Award-winning storyteller Bobby Norfolk, will kick off State of Stories, a series from the Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library and the University of Missouri Extension Community Arts Program that presents free public programs commemorating the Missouri Bicentennial, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at facebook.com/mystorycenter. More information, mymcpl.org.
▪ The Kansas City Ballet’s 10th annual KC Dance has gone virtual, with free performances, classes, demonstrations and more, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 29 at kcballet.org.
▪ The Mid-Continent Public Library’s Crown Crafted Concert Series will present singer/songwriter Laura Noble at 1 p.m. Aug. 29 and ukulele loop artist Eems at 6 p.m. Aug. 29, both at facebook.com/mcpl360. More information, mymcpl.org.
▪ The popular Mr. Stinky Feet (aka Jim Cosgrove) will perform a live fundraising concert from the new Wonderscope Children’s Museum, which is scheduled to open in the fall 7 p.m. Aug. 29 (suggested donation $20; ticket holders can access concert video for 48 hours after event). wonderscope.org/concert.
▪ Participants in the virtual Head for the Cure 5K can run (or walk) whenever and wherever they want, then share their experiences in the fight against brain cancer on Facebook Live or YouTube at 8 a.m. Aug. 30. headforthecure.org.
