KC Weekend August 4th thru August 6th, 2006

It looks like we're going to have a decent weekend in ol' KC, weatherwise. With that in mind, plan on getting out and enjoying some of the great activities available to you!

Aug 4 7PM to 9PM It's the last "First Friday" of the summer for the Crossroads Art District. Be sure to get out and enjoy the art, the food, the music, and the atmosphere, with about 10,000 of your best friends!

Aug. 4-5 Magic and balloon artistry will be performed by Geen Hernandez from : 6-9 p.m. at the Bob Evans Restaurant, 1704 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. (913-299-1278)

Aug 4-5 “Summer Skies” planetarium show of seasonal astronomical sites. 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4 and 11; 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Aug. 5. Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, 3218 Gladstone. $4. Ages 5 and up. (816-483-8300) www.unionstation.org/planetarium.cfm

Aug 4-5 FRUIT AS ART: Exhibit. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific, Independence. $5. www.bwestate.org (816-461-3491)

Aug 3–5 Powell Gardens presents “The Mazes”, ten mazes and labyrinths designed by local architects, artists and the community at large. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50, Kingsville. $3-$8 garden admission; ages 4 and under, free. www.powellgardens.org (816-697-2600)

Aug 4 Cool off at the Big Chill Ice skating party with live D.J., music, lights and games. Sponsored by Ice Midwest and Hen House. 7-9 p.m. Ice Midwest, 12140 W. 135th, Overland Park. $7 admission, $3 skate rental Ages 11-15. Security guards and skate guards provided. www.IceMidwest.com (913-851-1600)

Aug 5 Don’t miss Professor Protein and the Food Groupies, a puppet show performed by Kraig Kensinger, puppeteer. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.at the Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E. Winner, Independence. $5. www.hazelle.org (816-833-9777)

Aug 5 Join in the fun of Clown Day at Crown Center! Performances by clown groups; including balloon animals, face painting, clowning around. 11a.m.Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level One, 2450 Grand. Free. Activities begin 11 a.m., stage show begins noon. www.crowncenter.com (816-274-8444)

Aug 3-5 The International Plastic Modelers’ Society holds it’s National Scale Model Convention. Scale model enthusiasts and vendors; models including cars, jets, figures, tanks, boats, etc.; There will be a vendor room, seminars, and make-and-take activity for kids (on Saturday from 1 to 3PM) Hyatt Regency Crown Center, 2345 McGee. www.ipmsusa2006.org (913-341-1039)

Aug 4 The Kansas City String Quartet Distinguished faculty concert. 6 p.m. Aug 4. Kauffman Foundation. Free. www.kcstringquartet.org (816-363-7689)

Aug 4-6 “Anything Goes” , 8:30 p.m. at the Gladstone Amphitheatre in Oak Grove Park. Chairs/blanket may be placed in park after 3 p.m. Free. www.gladstonetip.com (816-436-7277 or 816-436-2200)

Aug 3-6 “Bye Bye Birdie” will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Shawnee Mission Park, Theatre in the Park. $4-$6; ages 2 and under, free. www.theatreinthepark.org (913-312-8841)

Aug 5 Explore Liberty’s Architectural Heritage on a walking tour led by Ken Robinson. Walking tour is free to the public. Begins at 10AM at the Garrison School, 502 N. Water Street.

Aug 4 The Summit Fest Blues and Jazz festival 7-10:30 p.m. Downtown Lee's Summit. Free.

Aug 6 Blue Sunday with Howlin’ Steve and the Soul Shakers and the Reba Russell Band 5-8 p.m. at the City Market.

Don't forget it's Tax Free Weekend! If you need to buy clothing, computers, software, and other "qualifying items", you can save a few bucks by purchasing this weekend! Details here

There you have just a few ideas of things going on in our great city! Get out there and enjoy some stuff. As for me, I'll be judging BBQ at the UMB Smokin' Vault BBQ competition on Saturday. Yum!

posted by B.G. Roberts @ 8:21 AM