There’s still a Plaza Art Fair this weekend. Here’s how it’s adapting to the pandemic
The 89th Plaza Art Fair is down but not out.
Because of COVID-19, the immensely popular event that traditionally covers nine blocks and draws hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors to the Country Club Plaza the third weekend of September has been replaced by a reimagined art fair.
Windows and storefronts throughout the historic shopping area will showcase works through Oct. 5. Meanwhile, from Sept. 25 to 27, there will be artist popups, other live events and menu specials in Plaza restaurants.
The Plaza also will hold four live but virtual concerts (Olivia Fox, 6 p.m. Sept. 25; NuBlvckCity, 7 p.m. Sept. 25; Eems, 6 p.m. Sept. 26; Nicole Springer, 7 p.m. Sept. 26) that will stream at facebook.com/countryclubplaza and on other Plaza social channels.
Here is one other hybrid event:
▪ Danielle Nicole (blues) and Sara Morgan (country) will perform together, playing ballads and harmonies, at 8 p.m. Sept. 25, in person at Knuckleheads ($39.50-$350 for table of four) and via livestream ($20). knuckleheadskc.com.
Here are five in-person activities to consider for the next week:
▪ The Kansas City Art Institute has opened its KCAI Gallery: Center for Contemporary Practice with “Revolution in Our Lifetime, An Exhibition in Three Parts” featuring works by Emory Douglas, the African American Artists Collective and KCAI students, Sept. 23-Dec. 5 (visitors must schedule a time and complete a health-screening form). kcai.edu/kcai-gallery.
▪ A special exhibition, “Silk and Steel: French Fashion, Women and WWI,” will run Sept. 25-April 11 in the Wylie Gallery at the National WWI Museum and Memorial ($6-$10; $13-$21 for combo ticket with admission to museum). theworldwar.org.
▪ Comedy clubs have been among the few entertainment venues that have operated through most of the pandemic, and the Kansas City Improv will bring one of the nation’s top comedians to town when Kansas City native Eddie Griffin returns this weekend, 7 and 10 p.m. Sept. 25-26, 6 and 8:45 p.m. Sept. 27 ($48; sold out except for late Sept. 27 show). improvkc.com.
▪ The StoneLion Puppets will invade the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial for “Puppets A Glow-Go!,” a drive-through experience with dancing flowers, glowing mermaids, dragons and giant illuminated puppets, 7:30-10 p.m. Sept. 25-26 (free; enter from Main Street and exit down Kessler Road). theworldwar.org.
▪ Local band We the People will perform a drive-in concert at Plexpod, 8 p.m. Sept. 25 ($25-$35). kcdriveinconcerts.com.
Here are five online ways you and your family can spend your coronavirus-induced stay-at-home time:
▪ For those who are intrigued by owls, naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw will present “Great Horned Owls: Hiding in Plain Sight,” 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at facebook.com/mcpl360. More information, mymcpl.org.
▪ This weekend will be your last chance to watch the 2020 Royals, whose short season will end with four games at Kauffman Stadium against the Detroit Tigers, 7:05 p.m. Sept. 24-25, 6:05 p.m. Sept. 26, 2:05 p.m. Sept. 27, all televised on Fox Sports Kansas City. mlb.com/royals.
▪ Davyeon Ross, co-founder and president of ShotTracker, and Sherry Lumpkins, principal consultant at Blue Symphony, will answer the question, “How Do I Become a Computer Scientist?,” 2 p.m. Sept. 25. lindahall.org.
▪ The 30th annual PeaceWorks KC Art Fair (formerly Unplaza Art Fair) is going virtual in 2020 with a livestreaming show and artists’ booths for video chat interaction, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26-27. peaceworkskc.org/art-fair.
▪ “Milo the Magnificent,” a Jim Henson Foundation Grant-awarded production by puppetry duo Alex & Olmsted (Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas), will livestream via Zoom, 2 p.m. Sept. 26. olathelibrary.org.
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
