Weekend Possibilities | KC Fashion Week, Wrestling and Jim Jefferies More Than March Madness

If your March Madness bracket is busted early, or basketball isn’t really your thing, the first official weekend of spring has plenty to offer.

There’s the NCAA Wrestling National Championships at T-Mobile Center, KC Fashion Week runway shows, a plant sale and a record store pop-up on the horizon.

Friday, March 22

11 a.m. & 7 p.m. The mats are down and the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships are underway at T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd. The 330 top wrestlers in Division I will compete in Kansas City across multiples sessions each day, so be sure to check schedules online in advance. Tickets are available starting at $43, plus tax and fees.

5 – 9 p.m. It’s Cruise Night at The Atomic Cowboy in Overland Park, 7101 W. 80^th St. Check out classic cars in the parking lot before filling up on Atomic Cowboy’s award-winning menu, featuring selections from Denver Biscuit Co. and Fat Sully’s NY Pizza. For those 21 and older, the recently opened Overland Park spot serves a tasty selection of craft cocktails.

7 p.m. It’s Kansas City Fashion Week and tickets are still available for the Friday Evening Runway Show at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. Models will strut their stuff in looks from designers and stores like Any Old Iron, Cherish the Furs, Guajardo Studio and Laura Citron, to name just a few. Doors open at 6 p.m. Reserve your spot starting at $45.

7 – 9 p.m. The 18^th & Vine Arts Festival Documentary premieres Friday night at Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18^th St. The evening will showcase the impact of the 2023 festival in the historic district. In addition to the doc screening, achievements and key contributors from the community will be honored. Audience members will also get a sneak peek at plans for the 2024 festival. Tickets are $10.

Saturday, March 23

8 a.m. Manor Records’ Meet the Neighborhood Record Store Pop-up will be set up inside Blackhole Bakery, 5531 Troost Ave., Saturday. The local record store and music label has plans to open a store and music lessons space near the bakery in the spring and is encouraging neighbors to come out and say hello.

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Garden season is just around the corner and KC Farm School’s, 4223 Gibbs Road, first Plant Sale of the year is prepared to set you up for success. Shop spring vegetables, herbs, flowers and native plants, plus soil mix and compost. A handful of local vendors will be set up with lunch options if you’re hungry. Organizers recommend bringing a bucket or wheelbarrow if you plan to buy compost.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, will host an Intro to Turkey Hunting session Saturday. Beginners will have the chance to explore the basics of hunting the bird, including turkey calling, scouting, equipment, techniques and more. The program is intended for adults and families with children over the age of 9. Anyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

7 p.m. Australian comedian, actor and writer Jim Jefferies brings his Give ‘Em What They Want Tour to The Midland Theatre, 1228 Main St., Saturday night. You may know Jefferies from the FX sitcom “Legit” or “The Jim Jefferies Show” from Comedy Central. Tickets are available starting at $49.75, plus tax and fees.

Sunday, March 24

Noon – 4 p.m. If you believe in enjoying good beverage and book, carve out some time Sunday for the Adult Book Fair at East Forty Brewing, 1201 W. Main St. The Blue Springs brewery is teaming up with Bliss Books & Wine to set up a mini bookstore in the taproom for the afternoon, where you can sip, shop and mingle with fellow readers. The Adult Book Fair is free to attend.

6 – 10:30 p.m. Femme Fest 4 is on the books for Sunday evening at Haskell University’s Tommaney Library, 2450 Creek Ave., in Lawrence. This year’s festival will feature an all Indigenous-led lineup of performers, headlined by Black Belt Eagle Scout. The live music event is designed to create an inclusive and accessible environment to amplify the artistry of Indigenous women and femmes. Tickets are $15. Haskell and KU students get in for free.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.