August day-by-day calendar for Kansas City
August will be a funny time in Kansas City, and we’re not talking about the weather.
We will have visits from some of the top comics in the business, starting Aug. 1 with Wendy Williams, who is better known as a talk-show host.
Two days later, Jim Gaffigan will perform at Starlight Theatre. He’s also made his mark as a comic actor and an author.
Perhaps the hottest comedian going, Kevin Hart, will have two shows Aug. 22 at the Sprint Center. His late show has been sold out for quite a while, but tickets remained for his 7 p.m. show as of last week.
Finally, August’s comedy comet reaches its zenith Aug. 28 with the Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival at Starlight.
Aziz Ansari of “Parks and Recreation” fame is billed as the star, and his “very special guest” will be Amy Schumer. She has her own show on Comedy Central as well as her first starring movie role in this summer’s “Trainwreck.” They will be joined by a slew of other comics.
Bottom line: There’s a good chance somebody who makes you laugh will be in town next month.
Aug. 1
Wendy Williams: Daytime talk-show host is known to be a bit more frank when she performs live onstage. 8 p.m., Midland, 1228 Main.
Info: $79-$196; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921
2
Summerfest Chamber Music Concert: This will be the last performance of the four-week classical music extravaganza. 3 p.m., Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway.
Info: $10-$30; summerfestkc.org, 816-235-6222
3
Jim Gaffigan: Comic has made a living making fun of his weight and his family. 8 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road.
Info: $46-$69; kcstarlight.com, 816-363-7827
4
“The Addams Family” (runs July 16-Sept. 20): Musical features Morticia and Gomez and their kooky kids. 7:35 p.m., New Theatre Restaurant, 9229 Foster, Overland Park.
Info: $36-$59; newtheatre.com, 913-649-7469
5
Phish: Devoted fans get a rare chance to see their favorite band in Kansas City. 7:30 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road.
Info: $65; kcstarlight.com, 816-363-7827
6
Digital Ally Open (through Aug. 9): Watch professional golfers in the first round of the Web.com event. 7 a.m., Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate, 14225 Dearborn, Overland Park.
Info: $10; digitalallyopen.org
7
Shania Twain: This concert is part of the country star’s first North American tour in more than 11 years. 7:30 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand.
Info: $46-$136; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000
8
Gay Marriage Equality Day: Fifteen couples will receive free weddings, complete with floral arrangements. Noon-6 p.m., Missie B’s, 805 W. 39th.
Info: Free; missiebs.com, 816-561-0625
9
Kansas City Comic Con (runs Aug. 7-9): Semi-famous stars will be on hand, and there will be lots of games and contests. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Bartle Hall, 301 W. 13th.
Info: $30; kansascity-comiccon.com
10
Royals vs. Detroit (through Aug. 12): The Tigers still might pose a challenge in the American League Central. 7:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way.
Info: $9-$75; kansascity.royals.mlb.com, 816-921-8000
11
Theory of a Deadman: We Are Harlot and Lullwater will perform with the Canadian quartet. 8 p.m., Midland, 1228 Main.
Info: $22-$25; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921
12
Idina Menzel: Can you hear “Let It Go” in your head yet? 8 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road.
Info: $25-$55; kcstarlight.com, 816- 363-7827
13
“Forbidden Broadway” (runs July 16-Aug. 30): Cabaret-style musical comedy features parodies of big shows and stars. 8 p.m., Chestnut Fine Arts Center, 234 N. Chestnut, Olathe.
Info: $22-$25; chestnutfinearts.com, 913-764-2121
14
Missouri State Fair (runs Aug. 13-23): On this, the second day of the fair, you can check out all the exhibits and then take in a concert by Def Leppard, Styx and Tesla. 7 a.m. gates open, 7 p.m. concert, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia.
Info: $2-$10 gate admission, $50-$65 for concert; mostatefair.com, 800-422-3247
15
Sly’s Rock the Block: Folks will party in the parking lot to celebrate Mayor’s Nights programs. 4 p.m.-midnight, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing.
Info: Free; kcparks.org
16
Jackson County Triathlon: Participants can choose between a triathlon and a duathlon or can compete in a relay triathlon. 7:30 a.m., Longview Lake Beach, Lee’s Summit.
Info: $105-$150; jacksoncountytriathlon.com
17
Jimmie Vaughan and The Tilt-A-Whirl Band featuring Lou Ann Barton: Blues rock guitarist, who is the older brother of the late, legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan, will have plenty of company on stage. 8 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester.
Info: $20; knuckleheadshonkytonk.com, 816-483-1456
18
T-Bones vs. Amarillo (through Aug. 20): The home team will begin a three-game series against the Thunderheads. 7:05 p.m., CommunityAmerica Ballpark, 800 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.
Info: $6.50-$16; tbonesbaseball.com, 913-328-5618
19
Sporting Kansas City vs. San Jose: The boys won’t have another match on their home pitch for a month, so you might want to take advantage of this one. 7:30 p.m., Sporting Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kan.
Info: $41-$275; sportingkc.com, 913-387-3400
20
Fifth Harmony: Girl group finished third on “The X Factor” in 2012. 7 p.m., Uptown, 3600 Broadway.
Info: $25-$55; uptowntheater.com, 816-753-8665
21
Chiefs vs. Seattle: It’s only an exhibition game, but it’s still real football. 7 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium, I-70 and I-435.
Info: $35-$290; kcchiefs.com, 816-920-9300
22
Kevin Hart: The funny little guy’s late show sold out quickly, but as of last week tickets remained for the early show. 7 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand.
Info: $49.50-$125.50; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000
23
Ethnic Enrichment Festival (runs Aug. 21-23): Representatives of more than 60 cultures will sell their native foods and crafts and will perform ethnic music and dances. Noon-6 p.m., Swope Park, Meyer Boulevard and Swope Parkway.
Info: $3; kcparks.org
24
“The Gin Game” (runs Aug. 12-30): Two residents of an assisted-living facility trade barbs and insights in this Pulitzer-winning drama. 7:30 p.m., H&R Block City Stage, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing.
Info: $12-$40; kcactors.org, 816-361-5228
25
Charlie Parker Celebration (runs Aug. 20-29): This event will take place at multiple jazz venues over 10 days, with performances at Jazz — A Louisiana Kitchen and Cafe Trio scheduled on this date. Times TBA.
Info: Prices TBA; kcjazzalive.org or americanjazzmuseum.org
26
“The Oldest Boy” (through Sept. 20): A new season opens at the Unicorn with this play about an American boy whom Tibetan monks believe to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. 7:30 p.m., Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main.
Info: Season-ticket packages, $39-$224; unicorntheatre.org, 816-531-7529
27
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” (runs Aug. 13-30): For anyone who loves the music of Lerner and Loewe. 7 p.m., Musical Theatre Heritage, Crown Center, 2450 Grand.
Info: $13-$58; mthkc.com, 816-221-6987
28
Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival: Amy Schumer and Aziz Ansari are the biggest names, but there will be plenty of other funny folks. 5:15 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road.
Info: $29.50-$149.50; kcstarlight.com, 816-363-7827
29
Wipeout Run: The TV show “Wipeout” comes to life, and you can be a participant. 7:30 and 11:30 a.m, Kansas Speedway, 400 Speedway Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.
Info: $64-$74; wipeoutrun.com/kansascity
30
Jazz in the Roses: Stop, smell the flowers and listen to Grand Marquis play swinging blues and roots. 4:30 p.m., Loose Park Rose Garden, 52nd and Summit.
Info: Free; kansascityrosesociety.org
31
“Disney On Ice” (runs Aug. 26-31): Mickey and Minnie will be hosts, with appearances by your favorite Disney characters. 7 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand.
Info: $30-$110; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000
This story was originally published July 26, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "August day-by-day calendar for Kansas City."