Entertainment

Kansas City things to do: ‘Van Gogh Alive’ debuts, long-closed KC Museum reopens

By Dan Kelly
“Van Gogh Alive,” an immersive exhibition of Van Gogh’s works presented by the Starlight Theatre and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, will run Oct. 23-Dec. 31 at Starlight.
“Van Gogh Alive,” an immersive exhibition of Van Gogh’s works presented by the Starlight Theatre and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, will run Oct. 23-Dec. 31 at Starlight. Nelson-Atkins Museum

The first of two immersive-experience Vincent Van Gogh exhibitions coming to Kansas City will open at the Starlight Theatre this weekend.

“Van Gogh Alive,” presented by Starlight and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, will show projected images of Van Gogh’s works throughout Starlight’s 12,000-square-foot stage. Entry times will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 23 through Dec. 31; tickets ($29.99-$60) are available at kcstarlight.com.

“Immersive Van Gogh” will visit Dec. 1-Feb. 6 at a yet-to-be-announced location.

The Kansas City Museum, which has undergone a $22 million renovation, will reopen Oct. 21.
The Kansas City Museum, which has undergone a $22 million renovation, will reopen Oct. 21. File photo

Three for free

▪ After years of renovations, the Kansas City Museum will reopen to the public starting Oct. 21, 10 am.-8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. kansascitymuseum.org.

▪ “Art of Illusion: Photography and Perceptual Play” will open at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Oct. 22; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays-Sundays and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays; runs through April 25. nelson-atkins.org.

▪ Sonia De Los Santos and The Okee Dokee Brothers will star in “Somos Amigos: Songs on Common Ground” as part of the Kids Jam Series at the Midwest Trust Center’s Yardley Hall, 11 a.m. Oct. 23 (reservations required). jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events.

Your eyes might be fooled by works in the exhibition “Art of Illusion: Photography and Perceptual Play,” which will run Oct. 22-April 25 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum.
Your eyes might be fooled by works in the exhibition “Art of Illusion: Photography and Perceptual Play,” which will run Oct. 22-April 25 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Nelson-Atkins Museum

Music

▪ The Kansas City Symphony will perform some of cinema’s greatest hits during “The Music of John Williams” at the Kauffman Center, 8 p.m. Oct. 22, 7 p.m. Oct. 23 and 2 p.m. Oct. 24 ($25-$92). kcsymphony.org.

The music of legendary composer John Williams will make up the program for the Kansas City Symphony’s concerts Oct. 22-24 at the Kauffman Center.
The music of legendary composer John Williams will make up the program for the Kansas City Symphony’s concerts Oct. 22-24 at the Kauffman Center. Matt Sayles Invision/AP

\▪ Kansas City Jazz Orchestra with Hanover, Germany, Big Band, 8 p.m. Oct. 22, Yardley Hall ($35-$45). jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events.

▪ A Cowtown Revival with Danielle Nicole Band, Other Americans and more, 7 p.m. Oct. 23, Folly ($40-$60). follytheater.org.

Danielle Nicole and her band will perform Oct. 23 during A Cowtown Revival at the Folly.
Danielle Nicole and her band will perform Oct. 23 during A Cowtown Revival at the Folly. File photo

▪ “‘Yesterday and Today’ — The Interactive Beatles Experience,” an all-request show, will take place at Yardley Hall, 7 p.m. Oct. 24 (25-$35; online tickets sold out). jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events.

“Yesterday and Today” is an all-request Beatles experience show, without the typical Beatles costumes.
“Yesterday and Today” is an all-request Beatles experience show, without the typical Beatles costumes. Midwest Trust Center Series

▪ Midwest Chamber Ensemble, “New Sounds for Strings,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection ($17; students free). midwestchamberensemble.org.

▪ Pink Martini featuring China Forbes, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Kauffman Center ($47.50-$87.50). kauffmancenter.org.

▪ Black Violin, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Kauffman Center ($36-$66). kauffmancenter.org.

More entertainment

▪ “Dark Forest,” a multimedia walk-through installation featuring the performing arts troupe Quixotic, will take visitors through the woods at Powell Gardens, 7 p.m. Oct. 22-24 and 28-31 ($28). powellgardens.org.

▪ The weekend calendar will include a wide spectrum of comedians: social media star Trey Kennedy, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Uptown (sold out, uptowntheater.com; 82-year-old comedy legend Tom Dreesen, 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Kansas City Improv ($46, improvkc.com) and Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran Ron White, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Americstar (sold out, ameristarkansascity.com).

▪ Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre will present “The Weir,” a drama set in a bar in rural Ireland, at the Warwick Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21-23, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28-30, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 ($15-$54). metkc.org.

▪ Theatre for Young America will present “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” at City Stage, 10 a.m. Oct. 22; runs through Nov. 6 ($10-$12). tya.org.

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