Our day-by-day guide of things to do in February
The Sprint Center plays host to enough events in February that you could take in a different kind of experience there every week of the month.
The “Sesame Street” crew ends its three-day run Feb. 1 at the Sprint Center. Then come the monster trucks (Feb. 6-8), Barry Manilow (Feb. 12), the bull riders (Feb. 21-22) and the motorcycle riders (Feb. 28-March 1).
Another theme for February is a resurgence of theater productions.
Among the many shows opening are The Mystery Train’s “The Art of Murder” (opens Feb. 6), New Theatre Restaurant’s “Forever Plaid” (opens Feb. 19), the Kansas City Broadway Series’ “The Book of Mormon” (opens Feb. 24), Kansas City Actors Theatre’s “Crimes of the Heart” (opens Feb. 25), Quality Hill Playhouse’s “Broadway and Back” (opens Feb. 27) and Barn Players’ “Catch Me If You Can” (opens Feb. 27).
There are so many shows we couldn’t include them all in our day-by-day February calendar (for more, go to Events.KansasCity.com or check Preview each week).
Here’s a guide highlighting one event for each day of this month.
Feb. 1
Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Florez: The Harriman-Jewell Series will celebrate its 50th season with a gala concert featuring two of the world’s most prominent opera singers, Prairie Village native DiDonato and Peruvian tenor Flórez. 2 p.m., Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway.
Info: $250-$5,000; hjseries.org, 816-415-5025
2
Iowa State at KU men’s basketball: In the likely event that you can’t get tickets to this game between two of the Big 12 Conference’s top teams, the showdown will be on ESPN. 8 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse, 1651 Naismith Drive, Lawrence.
Info: Tickets went on sale Jan. 28; kuathletics.com, 785-864-3141
3
Pierce The Veil: This San Diego band will be joined by Sleeping With Sirens and Mallory Knox. 7 p.m., Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway.
Info: $29.50-$36.85; uptowntheater.com, 816-753-8665
4
“Mary Stuart” (through Feb. 8): You might know her as Mary Queen of Scots, and she was not one to be trifled with. The play depicts her final days. 7:30 p.m., Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main.
Info: $15-$27; metkc.org, 816-569-3226
5
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art: Two exhibitions will open this day: “Mapping Coyote Black” by Natalie Ball and “Its Honor Is Here Pledged” by Gina Adams; both will run through May 13. Reception and lectures, 6-8 p.m. JCCC, 12345 College, Overland Park.
Info: Free; nermanmuseum.org, 913-469-3000
6
Kansas City Golf Show (runs Feb. 6-8): As if the chance to buy new equipment wasn’t enough, you can also test your skills at putting, driving and chipping. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College, Overland Park.
Info: $10-$12; kansascitygolfshow.com
7
“Disney Junior Live On Tour — Pirate and Princess Adventure”: Starring characters from Disney Junior’s hit series, “Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” this show might appear to be just for kids. Umm, it is. 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m., Independence Events Center, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence.
Info: $20-$60; independenceeventscenter.com, 816-795-7577
8
Monster Jam (runs Feb. 6-8): With football season over, monster trucks can take the place of monster humans for your Sunday afternoon fun. 2 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand.
Info: $14-$52; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000
9
“Teacher from the Black Lagoon & Other Stories”: The Folly Kids’ Series presents a musical revue based on contemporary children’s books. 10 and 11:30 a.m., Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th.
Info: $6; follytheater.org, 816-474-4444
10
Brasil Guitar Duo: International sensations Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora will perform traditional Brazilian works. 7:30 p.m., Lied Center, 1600 Stewart, Lawrence.
Info: $11-$30; lied.ku.edu, 785-864-2787
11
“50 Shades! The Musical Parody” (runs Feb. 10-15): You’ve read the book, you can watch the movie starting Feb. 13 and you can check out this musical satire with original music. 7:30 p.m., Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage at Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Drive.
Info: $35-$80; kcstarlight.com, 816-363-7827
12
Barry Manilow: If you’re too young to remember this singer, he was sort of the Justin Bieber of his day — without the tattoos, dance moves or legal entanglements. 7:30 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand.
Info: $19.75-$129.75; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000
13
Chinese New Year Celebration: Kick off the Year of the Sheep with performances by acrobats, dancers, singers and drummers as well as art demonstrations. Chinese food will be available for purchase. 5 p.m., Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak.
Info: Free; nelson-atkins.org, 816-751-1278
14
Mardi Gras Street Festival: So, it’s Valentine’s Day and you’re looking for something different to do. Why not celebrate Mardi Gras? There will be a 5K, pub crawl, Cajun cookoff and entertainment. 11 a.m., Kansas City Live! Block, 14th and Grand.
Info: Free; powerandlightdistrict.com
15
Rodney Carrington: If you’re wondering what kind of humor this Texas comedian favors, two pieces of information: He recorded an album called “Morning Wood,” and he wrote a song called “Momma’s Got Her Boobs Out.” 8 p.m., Midland, 1228 Main.
Info: $28.50-$48.50; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921
16
Fairy Tale Village (runs Feb. 7-May 3): Kids can visit the Snow Queen in her ice palace, sit in Cinderella’s magic carriage and stroll with Little Red Riding Hood. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Crown Center Shops, Level One, 2450 Grand.
Info: Free; crowncenter.com, 816-274-844
17
Jason Isbell: A singer-songwriter from Alabama and former member of the Drive-By Truckers, Isbell will perform with Damien Jurado. 8 p.m., Uptown, 3700 Broadway.
Info: $25-$68; uptowntheater.com, 816-753-8665
18
Folk Alliance International Conference and Fair (runs Feb. 18-22): Speakers, exhibits, concerts and more will run at two sites, with more than 75 artists performing, including Ray Wylie Hubbard. Westin Crown Center, 1 E. Pershing, and Sheraton Crown Center, 2345 McGee.
Info: Prices vary; folkalliance.org
19
“Forever Plaid” (runs Feb. 19-May 3): Enjoy dinner followed by a musical revue featuring some of the biggest hits of the 1950s. 6 p.m., New Theatre Restaurant, 9229 Foster, Overland Park.
Info: $41-$54; newtheatre.com, 913-649-7469
20
Celtic Thunder: Not to be confused with Celtic Woman, this group consists of men singing Irish music. 7:30 p.m., Midland, 1228 Main.
Info: $50-$75; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921
21
“Silent Night” (also Feb. 25 and 27 and March 1): The Lyric Opera of Kansas City will perform a Pulitzer Prize-winning opera that focuses on real events of the Christmas Eve truce during World War I. 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway.
Info: $30-$155; kcopera.org, 816-471-7344
22
“Peter and the Wolf, Live!”: The Kansas City Symphony will perform a musical tale with a twist — mascots from area sports teams will be featured. 2:30 p.m., Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway.
Info: $10-$35; kcsymphony.org, 816-471-0400
23
Hozier: His full name is Andrew Hozier-Byrne, and he’s a 24-year-old Irish singer-songwriter. His “Take Me to Church” is nominated for a Grammy as Song of the Year. 8 p.m., Liberty Hall, 644 Massachussetts, Lawrence.
Info: $25 (sold out); libertyhall.net, 785-749-1972
24
“The Book of Mormon” (runs Feb. 24-March 8): This Kansas City Broadway Series production isn’t what the title suggests it might be. The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical comes from the politically incorrect creators of “South Park.” 7:30 p.m., Music Hall, 13th and Central.
Info: $35-$83; theaterleague.com/kansascity
25
Ariana Grande: Pop star who got her start as a teen idol on Nickelodeon will appear with special guest Rixton. 7:30 p.m., Independence Events Center, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence.
Info: $29.50-$78.35; independenceeventscenter.com, 816-795-7577
26
“Crimes of the Heart” (runs Feb. 25-March 8): Kansas City Actors Theatre will present this dark comedy about the odd but lovable Magrath sisters of Mississippi. 7:30 p.m., Carlsen Center Polsky Theatre, 12345 College, Overland Park.
Info: $33; kcactors.org, 913-469-4445
27
“Broadway and Back” (runs Feb. 27-March 29): Music from Broadway musicals that became movies (or vice versa) will get your toes tapping. 7:30 p.m., Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W. 10th.
Info: $31-$34; qualityhillplayhouse.com, 816-421-1700
28
Arenacross (also March 1): OK, watching motorcycles race around a dirt course filled with dirt jumps inside an arena isn’t for everyone. But if you like that kind of thing … 7 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand.
Info: $12-$52; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000
This story was originally published February 1, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Our day-by-day guide of things to do in February."