Weekend Possibilities | KC Restaurant Week, Taylor Swift and Kids Yoga A Belly Full of Fun

The second full weekend of 2023 features a Taylor Swift-inspired pop-up in North Kansas City, a celebration of the Chinese New Year and hundreds of special menus for KC Restaurant week.

Good luck deciding where to eat.

Friday, Jan. 13

5 – 8 p.m. It’s basically Christmas for the freaky Crossroads boutique Black Rose, 1739 Oak St. Stop by the space for a Friday the 13^th Pop-Up Market, where guest vendors will be set up and fictional serial killer Jason Voorhees will be sneaking around for selfies on his big day. The pop-up is free.

6 – 11 p.m. Just Another Pop-Up to Burn, the latest immersive pop-up bar experience from Vignettes, 2376 Armour Road, is open and ready for the “Swifties.” Make a reservation to sing or dance along to a Taylor Swift cover band while sipping on specialty cocktails like “The Cardigan” or “Lemon Drops on My Guitar.” Tickets are $5 per person. You must be 21 or older.

7 p.m. Kansas City alternative singer-songwriter Kat King is dropping a new single Friday and Big Mood Natural Wines, 2020 Baltimore Ave., Suite 102, is ready to celebrate with a Release Party. The single, “Going South,” will debut during King’s set following opener Joanna King. Tacos Valentina is on the menu. Drinks at the bar are donation-based. You must be 21 to enter.

Saturday, Jan. 14

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. There is a Genealogy Open House coming to the Kansas City, Kansas, Main Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Saturday morning for anyone interested in looking further into their family history but might not know where to start. The program will use FamilySearch software to start building family trees and provide instructions on searching for information in the large database. Saturday’s session is the first of a two-part program. You must sign up online in advance.

2 – 3:30 p.m. Press Play is an organic storytelling opportunity organized by community members and the NIDO social club. The weekly open mic in the Westside, 706 W. Pennway, is a structured, sober storytelling space where speakers tell a tale off the top of their heads on a provided topic. Saturday’s focus is “animals,” so drum up a few ideas and sign up for a spot behind the mic. Press Play is free to attend.

It’s KC Restaurant Week once again, which means it’s time to decide where to eat. Hundreds of local spots are taking part in 2023, offering multicourse menus assembled especially for the occasion. Whether you’re on a mission to try something new or support an old reliable spot, multiple pricing tiers are designed to make the 10-day eating extravaganza accessible to whoever is hungry. We recommend sifting through participating restaurants online before making a move.

7 – 9 p.m. The Year of the Rabbit has arrived and the 2023 Chinese New Year Gala at Johnson County Community College’s Yardley Hall, 12345 College Blvd., has big plans for the occasion. Before the onstage portion of the evening, booths will be set up around the theater lobby showcasing an array of Chinese cultural traditions like Tai Chi, paper cutting, facepainting and family friendly games. The night’s performances will feature traditional Chinese dance, music and more. Tickets are $18. Kids under the age of 9 get in for $5.

Sunday, Jan. 15

9 a.m. Preschool to early elementary children are invited to Kids Yoga Sunday morning at Full Circle Yoga KC, 4327 Troost Ave. Instructor Chelsea Medlock will lead the hour-long class covering the basics and introducing children to mindfulness, body awareness and balance. Kids yoga passes are $18. Be sure to register online.

1 p.m. Monster Jam wraps up its weekend in Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Sunday afternoon with one final competition. Watch as world-class drivers show what they can do behind the wheel of a 12,000-pound monster truck. Speed and skill challenges, plus motocross events await. Tickets start at $20 plus taxes and fees.

1 – 2:30 p.m. Fans of Disney’s “Frozen” will have the chance to skate alongside beloved characters Elsa and Anna Sunday afternoon at The Rink at Zona Rosa, 8731 N Stoddard Ave. A $14 pass includes hot chocolate and a s’more making kit. Skate rentals are $5. Be sure to make a reservation online in advance.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.