This week in Kansas City (besides Taylor Swift): Jazz Walk of Fame inducts two greats
Taylor Swift is getting plenty of headlines for her concerts in Kansas City this weekend.
But meanwhile, singing legend Dionne Warwick is expected to be on hand when she and Kansas City native Burt Bacharach are inducted into the American Jazz Walk of Fame at the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District this weekend.
Warwick and Bacharach, who died Feb. 8, represent the ninth group of Walk of Fame inductees immortalized with 30-inch bronze medallions in the sidewalks on 18th Street. They collaborated on songs such as “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and “Walk on by.” Warwick also will be among those honored at the 46th Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 3.
The free induction ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. July 8, followed by a concert at 7 p.m. at the Gem featuring Will Downing and Avery Sunshine singing many of Warwick’s songs. Tickets ($70) and more information at americanjazzwalkoffame.org.
More entertainment
▪ Exhibits in the Kansas City Museum’s Corinthian Hall will reopen after being closed since January because of damage from an HVAC failure, July 6 (free; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday). kansascitymuseum.org.
▪ As the real Taylor Swift returns to Kansas City for two sold-out concerts at Arrowhead Stadium, 6:30 p.m. July 7-8, “Laser Taylor Swift” will return for three days to the 360-degree dome in the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. July 6-7 and 6, 7 and 8 p.m. July 8 ($10; $5 for Union Station members). unionstation.org.
▪ Spandita Malik, a photographer from India, will open “Jāḷī — Meshes of Resistance” at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, reception 6-9 p.m. July 6; runs through Feb. 25 (free). kemperart.org.
▪ New Theatre and Restaurant will present the musical “Dreamgirls,” opens 6:30 p.m. July 6; runs through Sept. 10 ($39.50-$71.75). newtheatre.com.
▪ The Teddy Bear Picnic at Swope Park will include music, storytime, ice cream and a teddy bear health clinic, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 7 (free; registration requested). kcparks.org.
▪ Comedian Heather Land, known for her sarcasm and her online videos, will perform at the Uptown, 8 p.m. July 7 ($35-$65). uptowntheater.com.
▪ “Legally Blonde the Musical,” directed by Nikki Snelson, who played Brooke Wyndham in the original Broadway production, will run at Starlight, 8 p.m. July 7-13 ($15-$100). kcstarlight.com.
More music
▪ Eugene Friesen and Henrique Eisenmann, 7:30 p.m. July 7, 1900 Building ($30). 1900bldg.com.
▪ NB Ridaz, 8 p.m. July 7, 7th Street Event Center ($40). eventbrite.com.
▪ Keller Williams & The Keels, 9 p.m. July 7, Knuckleheads ($29.50). knuckleheadskc.com.
▪ Summerfest Chamber Music Concert Series, “Rhapsodies,” 7:30 p.m. July 8, White Recital Hall, and 3 p.m. July 9, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church ($10-$28). summerfestkc.org.
▪ Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, 8 p.m. July 8, Knuckleheads ($35-$50). knuckleheadskc.com.
▪ Sparks, 8 p.m. July 8, Midland ($37.50-$85). midlandkc.com.
▪ Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 8:30 p.m. July 8, Ameristar ($50-$105). ameristarkansascity.com.
▪ Gogol Bordello, 8 p.m. July 11, The Truman ($30-$60). thetrumankc.com.
Festivals
▪ Bingham-Waggoner Antique and Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 8, Bingham-Waggoner Estate (free). bwestate.net.
▪ Cass County Fair, July 11-16, Pleasant Hill (free; some events $6-$13; carnival wristband $27). casscountyfairmo.com.
▪ Wyandotte County Fair, July 11-15, Kansas City, Kansas ($5-$10; carnival wristband $30). wycofair.com.
