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Published February 17th, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Above image credit: "Dracula" performed by the Kansas City Ballet in 2014. (Courtesy | KC Ballet)Kansas City Ballet’s “Dracula” opens this weekend at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and The Black Box Theater has quite the plan for an on-stage production of its own, come Sunday evening.
Away from the stage, New York style pizza, live music and Irish WinterFest 2022 could make for quite the weekend.
11 a.m. – 9 p.m. You can find the freshest slice in town just north of the river at North Kansas City’s recently-opened Pizza Tascio, 1111 Burlington St. The New York style pizzeria makes its goods available by the slice or full pie, offering more than a dozen 18-inch specialty pizzas. Sides include cheesy breadsticks and salad. The slices are confirmed foldable.
Starry rooftop nights are returning to Hotel Kansas City, 1228 Baltimore Ave. Reservations are open for Starlight Snow Chalet tables atop the Kansas City skyline. Guests in search of a drink can pick from Reyka Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Makers Mark or Patron Tequila experiences in the private rooftop space, available for parties of two to eight. A welcome cheese board and family plates are included in the reservation. Tickets are available at $125 per person.
8 p.m. Local rockers The Republic Tigers will play a hometown show Friday night at recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd. The crowd can expect fresh stuff from the indie rock group. In 2020, the band released “Mind Over Matter” after it was previously set aside by a former label way back in 2012. Friday night, The Republic Tigers will be joined by fellow area artists Westside Local and Kat King. Tickets are $10.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lakeside Nature Center of KC, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., will provide the chance for children to experience wildlife up close and personal on Saturday. All About Babies is a full day of lessons in wildlife babies and features both owl and possum interactive encounters. Naturalists will lead a discussion on reuniting baby animals with their mothers, plus a nature-themed craft. The event is free to attend.
5:30 – 9 p.m. Shake the seasonal blues with the unofficial “kick-off to the Irish Season” at Drexel Hall, 3301 Baltimore Ave. Irish WinterFest 2022 will feature local musicians and Irish dancers from the Driscoll School Irish Dance, a food truck, plus pints, snacks and whiskey pours. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children under 12 get in for free.
7 – 9 p.m. Village KC’s third-annual fundraiser event, Young Gifted, + Black is a celebration of local Black youth entrepreneurs and creatives. Saturday’s event will provide the chance to learn more about the space, shop at local youth vendor booths and enjoy poetry, music and art. Appetizers and desserts are included with the $10 ticket. Village KC, 3737 Troost Ave., is a nonprofit organization that focuses on holistic health, college and career prep and creating recreational opportunities for middle school and high school students in the greater Kansas City area.
9:30 – 10:30 p.m. The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St., is the venue for the inaugural Tirade Tournament. Local comedians have advanced to the next round with sights set on becoming the “Midwest Rant Champion,” pulling random topics from a hat and ranting for 90 seconds, completely improvised on the spot. Audience members should prepare for painfully awkward or side-splitting hilarity — either way you can be there to laugh along. Tickets are $10.
12:30 p.m. This weekend’s chance to throw things at strangers is provided by the Kansas City Dodgeball Club. The group is inviting anyone out to Free Coed Dodgeball at Roanoke Park 3716 E. Roanoke Drive. Partly exercise and partly entertainment, the games go down at the park’s tennis courts. Don’t forget to bring water.
2 p.m. Dracula by Kansas City Ballet is back at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. KC Ballet’s take on the Bram Stoker classic horror tale features an original score, elaborate set design and costumes, and beautifully haunting choreography. Tickets to Sunday’s matinee start at $34.
7:30 p.m. If “where The Red Queen, Glinda, Dorothy, Alice and White Rabbits roam” sounds like the place to be, Somewhere Over the Rabbit Hole at The Black Box Theater, 1060 Union Ave., is calling your name. Part gala, part show, part experience, the evening will feature music from DJ Lady Severe, special appearances from local performing artists, secret rooms and hidden surprises. Themed attire is strongly encouraged. VIP cocktails and early 7 p.m. entrance tickets are available for $50. General admission is $25.
Flatland contributor Clarence Dennis also is a social media manager for 90.9 The Bridge.
