This Week in KC: KC Weddings Spectacular, Invicta Fighting, the Kansas City Championship, Martin Lawrence and Dolly Parton

You might know Craig Robinson from his time as a regular on “The Office,” from his roles in the movies “Pineapple Express,” “Hot Tub Time Machine” or “This Is the End,” or maybe even from his appearances in this season’s “Mr. Robot.” But the Chicago native and former music teacher got his start in show business doing stand-up comedy, and he’ll bring his act to town for five shows this weekend. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 29; 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 30; 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Kansas City Improv. 816-759-5233. improvkc.com. $30-$40.

The story of “The Elephant Man” is a familiar one, based on the life of a real man named Joseph Merrick (John Merrick in the play) who struggled to cope with severe deformities. Set in 19th-century England, the play follows Merrick’s development from a freak-show specimen to a darling of English aristocracy thanks to the assistance of young physician Frederick Treves. The original Broadway production opened in 1979, and there have been several revivals since. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 29 (through Aug. 14). Barn Players Community Theatre. 913-432-9100. thebarnplayers.org. $18.

Mixed martial arts is a big thing now. Bouts are regularly televised, and the sport’s popularity appears to have surpassed that of traditional boxing. Invicta is an all-pro, all-female series that will bring one of its shows to Kansas City. Headlining will be a strawweight matchup between Alexa Grasso (7-0) of Mexico and Jodie Esquibel (5-1) of Albuquerque. Also on the card will be Irene Aldana (6-2) of Mexico against Taila Santos (13-0) of Brazil in a bantamweight bout. Friday, July 29. Scottish Rite Temple. invictafc.com. $30-$100.

It hearkens back to the good old days when a golf tournament has a simple name such as the Kansas City Championship. This three-day tournament will attract female golfers from around the world trying to move up to the LPGA Tour. 7:30 a.m. Friday-Sunday, July 29-31 (pro-am Wednesday-Thursday). Staley Farms Golf Club. 816-349-9959. kcchampionship.com. Single day, $10; weekend pass (Friday-Sunday), $15.

What with Dollywood Theme Park, Dixie Stampede, books, movies and other endeavors, Dolly Parton is as much of an enterprise as an entertainer. But she still sings, and she has taken her country music act on the road this summer with her first major U.S. and Canadian tour in more than 25 years. The woman who gave us “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Islands in the Stream” and “9 to 5” released a double-disc album, “Pure & Simple,” earlier this year. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 29. Sprint Center. 816-949-7000. sprintcenter.com. $49-$129.

How much beer could a beer mug chug if a beer mug could chug beer? Find out at the KC Nanobrew Festival, which will provide unlimited tastings of locally crafted beer. More than 150 home-brewed beers are expected, along with local breweries, beer-related vendors, food vendors and other stuff. Admission will include a souvenir glass, a $5 food voucher and entertainment. 2-6 p.m. Saturday, July 30. Berkley Riverfront Park. kcnanobrews.com. $35.

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures isn’t just for kids. In fact, the museum’s newest exhibit will appeal to art lovers and little-thing lovers alike. With more than 16,000 individual pieces, “Treasures of the Kings” consists of three miniature room settings highlighting royal furniture of France’s Louis XV and Louis XVI. The exhibit is on long-term loan from Ede & Ravenscroft, the oldest tailor in London. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 30 (through 2020). National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. 816-235-8000. toyandminiaturemuseum.org. $5.

It has been four years since Martin Lawrence embarked on a stand-up tour and more than a year since he died (at least according to an internet hoax that fooled thousands of folks). Lawrence got his start in big-time comedy as host of HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” before appearing in many movies, including “Bad Boys” and “Big Momma’s House,” and starring in his own sitcom, “Martin.” Now he’s returning to his roots, at least temporarily. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30. Sprint Center. 816-949-7000. sprintcenter.com. $35-$125.

More than 100 students, faculty and guest artists will focus on chamber music at the nine-day Heartland Chamber Music Festival, which will present five free concerts that are open to the public. Other than the concerts, the festival will take place at the Johnson County Community College’s Carlsen Center. The Faculty and Guests Concert will open the festival, which is a partnership between Heartland Chamber Music and JCCC’s Performing Arts Series Arts Education Program. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Other concerts Aug. 4-6, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. heartlandchambermusic.org. Free.

June is the most popular month for weddings, but it’s never too early to start planning. This bridal event, billed as Kansas City’s largest, will attract the area’s top professionals to provide wedding and honeymoon ideas. It will include two bridal fashion shows (at noon and 3 p.m.) and $20,000 in prize giveaways. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Overland Park Convention Center. kcweddings.com. $10 online, $12 at door.

When Peter Vermes, coach of Sporting KC, saw that his team’s schedule included an afternoon game in late July, he wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of playing in the heat of the day. But at least his team will be accustomed to the near 100-degree temperatures. A team from Portland, Ore., on the other hand, is likely to be in for a shock. Let’s see who is still standing at the end of 90 minutes of play. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Children’s Mercy Park. 913-387-3400. sportingkc.com. $20-$280.

Most residents of Johnson County are hardly the agrarian type, but JoCo actually has more working farms than a lot of counties in Western Kansas (and nearly five times the farms of neighboring Wyandotte). But almost all county residents were aggies when the county officially organized in 1857. So the annual county fair traditionally has horses, poultry, hogs and other livestock, as well as a greased pig contest and a rodeo. For those who don’t have rural roots, the fair also will feature amateur flat-track racing, live entertainment and two big Saturday events — a parade and a demolition derby. 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1 (through Aug. 6). Gardner. jocokansasfair.com. Carnival arm band, $25; most Main Event Arena events, $5-$12; most other events, free.

If you’re looking for a reason to head downtown on a Wednesday evening, this is it. The streets will be closed to car traffic so visitors can walk freely from place to place as they eat, drink, listen to music and check out the art. The event, which occurs each month during the summer, is located on 14th Street between Main and Walnut streets. This summer’s final Urbana is scheduled for Sept. 7. 6-10 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 3. Power & Light District. powerandlightdistrict.com. Free.

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 8:30 AM with the headline "This Week in KC: KC Weddings Spectacular, Invicta Fighting, the Kansas City Championship, Martin Lawrence and Dolly Parton."