This weekend in Kansas City: ‘Tomas and the Library Lady,’ KC Chorale, KC Garden Symposium, ‘Roof of the World’

Anyone considering the purchase of one of the vacant houses that Kansas City is selling for a dollar each might first opt to make a $75 investment in Thursday’s luncheon at the Gallery near the Power & Light District. Egypt Sherrod, the speaker of the event sponsored by the Black Archives of Mid-America, is celebrated for her real estate expertise. Sherrod’s appearances on the TV programs “Flipping Virgins” and “Property Virgins” and for her 2015 book “Keep Calm … It’s Just Real Estate: Your No-Stress Guide to Buying a Home” demonstrate the Atlanta-based entrepreneur’s levelheaded guidance. As the CEO of a real estate company, Sherrod counsels both first-time homebuyers of modest means and wealthy clients.

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. The Gallery, 61 E. 14th St. 816-221-1600. blackarchives.org. $75.

The choral ensemble Chanticleer was enchanting listeners years before the Kansas City Chorale began accumulating Grammy Awards. Founded in 1978, the San Francisco-based male group has explored an impressive range of the a cappella repertoire. Chanticleer may be best known for its interpretations of Renaissance music, but the highlight of Thursday’s “Over the Moon” program is a contemporary piece. “Three Moon Songs,” a work Chanticleer commissioned from the exciting young composer Nico Muhly, will demonstrate the vitality of classically based choral music. Selections created in the 15th and 16th century will satisfy traditionalists in the audience at the expansive concert by the celebrated group.

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. Lied Center, Lawrence. 785-864-2787. lied.ku.edu. $20-$35.

Dedicated readers know that books are capable of transporting them out of their everyday lives. In addition to expanding the horizons of readers, books can serve as a temporary escape from challenging situations. In “Tomás and the Library Lady,” a child of migrant workers feels isolated until he discovers that he has access to a wealth of information and entertainment at a library in Iowa. Just as a kindly German immigrant teaches Tomás to read in English, the members of the audiences at the youth-oriented Coterie theater will pick up a bit of Spanish at the 55-minute production and are likely to gain insights into the difficulties faced by itinerant workers with limited English skills.

Thursday, Feb. 25-March 18. Coterie theater. 816-474-6552. thecoterie.org. $15, $11 for seniors and students.

An agricultural tradition for 55 consecutive years, the Western Farm Show has served as a durable education and entertainment platform for generations of families. Many people first attended the event as members of Future Farmers of America. About 3,000 members of the FFA will receive career guidance and learn about the latest developments in agribusiness on Friday. Farmers and ranchers will carefully peruse the offerings of more than 500 exhibitors, but visitors who don’t have any interest in animal husbandry or crop yields will find plenty of diversions. A Taste of Home Cooking School will give demonstrations. More than 100 drivers will vie for $62,000 in prize money in tractor pull competitions on Friday and Saturday.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, and Saturday Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. American Royal Complex. 816-561-5323. westernfarmshow.com. $8 per day. Tickets to Friday’s championship pull are $22. Tickets to Saturday’s championship pull are $27.

Mark Watney, the character played by Matt Damon in the 2015 film “The Martian,” doesn’t stop delivering witty quips in spite of his dire predicament. Stranded on Mars when an interplanetary expedition goes awry, Watney suggests that “I’m going to have to science the (stuffing) out of this” if he’s to survive. The multimedia “Two Astronauts, One Stellar Night” presentation will examine the scientific veracity of the film. A pair of former astronauts — Steven Hawley, a professor at the University of Kansas, and John Grunsfeld, the associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA — will chat with accomplished journalist Lynn Sherr about the depiction of future space exploration in “The Martian.”

Thursday, Feb. 25. Liberty Hall, Lawrence. 785-749-1972. libertyhall.net. Free, advance tickets are available at the Lawrence Public Library.

“Roof of the World,” a new play written by D. Tucker Smith and directed in its world premiere by Kansas City Repertory Theatre artistic director Eric Rosen, is a historical romance set in the Victorian era that examines the global battle to control the territory that would later become Afghanistan. Rosen has suggested that the “breathless, glorious play” contains “the sweep of an epic love story.”

Friday, Feb. 26-March 27. Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s Copaken Stage. 816-235-2700. kcrep.org. $25-$59.

Dan Hinkley, one of the world’s foremost horticulturalists, will make a return appearance to the Kansas City Garden Symposium on Saturday. The title of his presentation, “Exploring Zone 6 Around the World — Plant Exploration in Northeast Turkey, Northern Japan and South Korea,” is an indication that the commonly held perception of expert gardeners as cloistered loners is unfounded. “Coloring Outside the Lines: Making the Most of Color in the Garden,” a talk by acclaimed garden designer Lucy Hardiman, is among the more conventional offerings at the event. While the appearances by the celebrity speakers are certain to be fascinating, attendees are likely to pick up many of the most insightful tips from other locally based gardeners.

8:20 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. 913-302-4234. gardensymposium.org. $89.

The Kansas City Chorale and its artistic director, Charles Bruffy, collected another Grammy Award earlier this month and had previously won Grammys in 2008 and 2013. Hometown audiences will be able to share in the excitement of the latest victory at concerts on Sunday and Tuesday. “Sláinte! The Music of Ireland” is dominated by arrangements of traditional Irish fare, including “The Flower of Maherally,” and compositions by celebrated contemporary choral composer Michael McGlynn such as “Sí do Mhaimeo Í,” a piece that is sure to summon the Irish spirit in every audience member.

2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at Visitation Catholic Church, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Leawood United Methodist. 816-444-7150. kcchorale.org. $30, $25 for seniors, $10 for students.

The recent loss of two longtime members hasn’t diminished the appeal of AC/DC. Rhythm guitarist and band co-founder Malcolm Young is struggling with dementia, while drummer Phil Rudd is entangled in legal troubles. Even at premium prices, every seat was claimed for the Sprint Center concert, which was rescheduled this week from Monday to Sunday so lead singer Brian Johnson could attend a funeral. It’s not the first time the Australian ensemble has overcome adversity. Gravel-voiced lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980. AC/DC became even more popular after replacement vocalist Johnson sang on hits like the sports arena staple “Hells Bells.” Original guitarist Angus Young, one of the most iconic figures in rock, will be the main attraction at Sunday’s spectacle.

7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. Sprint Center. 816-949-7000. sprintcenter.com. $93-$137.50.

“Harlem’s Rattlers and the Great War: The Undaunted 369th Regiment and the African American Quest for Equality” is a study of a group of soldiers who performed valiantly in World War I. The book co-written by New York University professor Jeffrey T. Sammons was published by the University of Kansas Press in 2014. Sammons will focus on the role of a white officer during his appearance at the Park University Spencer Cave Black History Month Lecture. Native Kansan George S. Robb was awarded a Purple Heart after fighting with the 369th Infantry in spite of having been injured twice during a 1918 battle against German troops.

7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29. National World War I Museum. 816-888-8100. theworldwar.org. Free, RSVP recommended.

A few commentators have suggested that obese people are the last subset of individuals that it remains socially acceptable to ridicule. “The Whale,” a play about the struggles of a morbidly obese shut-in in Idaho named Charlie, examines the bias. Playwright Samuel D. Hunter said that “a large section of the audience has been culturally trained to put him at arm’s length and to judge him and reject him.” Theater critic Scott Brown called a New York production of “The Whale” “an outsize, gothic scenario in tender miniature.” The Kansas City debut of the 2012 play is directed by Sidonie Garrett and features prominent Kansas City actors including Phil Fiorini and Cinnamon Schultz.

Wednesday, March 2-March 27. Unicorn Theatre. 816-531-7529. unicorntheatre.org. $27.50-$37.50.

With low gas prices and the onset of spring, potential car buyers may be inclined to pull the trigger on the purchase of a new vehicle. There’s no better place to get started than the Kansas City Auto Show. Ranging from Acura to Volvo, 34 manufacturers will show off more than 500 new cars and trucks. Visitors can kick the tires on luxury vehicles including Cadillac and Maserati, iconic brands like Ford and Chevrolet and best-selling models from Honda and Kia. Toyota and Ford are participating in an on-site test drive program. Food trucks and a beer garden will provide sustenance. Children can burn off energy at an interactive Lego attraction in a Kids Korner area.

5-10 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, March 3, Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Bartle Hall. kcautoshow.com. $11 per day, $6 for children 8-12. Five-day passes are $30.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 4:00 AM with the headline "This weekend in Kansas City: ‘Tomas and the Library Lady,’ KC Chorale, KC Garden Symposium, ‘Roof of the World’."