Weekend Possibilities | Mavs Hockey, Johnny Cash, Illusions All Kinds of Slapstick

Kansas City, you have a first-place hockey team.  

The KC Mavericks seek to build on a historic run this weekend against the Utah Grizzlies. If you’re taking a break from sports, there are tribute bands, art classes and brewery events worth checking out. 

Friday, Feb. 23 

3 – 10 p.m. Celebrating five years, City Barrel Brewing Co.’s, 1740 Holmes St., Week of Rad rolls into the weekend with all sorts of fun and games (and beer). The brewery is dropping new beers every day of the week, offering lottery ticket-type City Barrel scratchers, plus games like putt-putt, a football toss and a hockey shootout, to name a few. There is no cover. 

5:30 p.m. Teen Night at the Museum of Illusions Kansas City, 30 W. Pershing Road, will make for a mind-bending night to remember. The museum in Union Station is packed with optical illusions, holograms and jaw-dropping installations that will certainly teach a lesson or two on vision, perception and how the human brain works. Admission is $10 for teens and $15 for adults who want to tag along. 

8 p.m. Iconic tunes played like you have never heard them before will fill the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Friday night. Symphonic Genesis and Phil Collins from the Kansas City Symphony and guest conductor Stuart Chafetz will feature many of the hits from the band and Collins’, like “Sussudio” and “In the Air Tonight.” Tickets are available starting at $55, plus tax and fees. 

Saturday, Feb. 24 

10 a.m. – Noon The February Sketchwalk led by Urban Sketchers Kansas City will visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 1616 E. 18^th St. Honoring Black History Month, the group returns to the museum for the first time since 2019, providing local artists of any skill level the chance to draw inside or outside of the museum. Admission is free during February, courtesy of the Kansas City Royals. 

Noon – 4 p.m. If drawing isn’t your thing, make your masterpiece with Sculpting Birds at InterUrban ArtHouse, 8001 Newton St. With more than 20 years of experience, sculptor Glenn Lavezzi will lead the class in creating a proportional and realistic clay bird. All tools and materials are provided. The class is $145. 

2 p.m. Wild Life at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., will give kids the opportunity to explore local wildlife on a hike led by expert guides. All ages are invited to wander around the 100-acre natural preserve outside of Lawrence, Kansas, learning about the plants and animals that call the wetland, woodland and prairie habitats home. The day ends with s’mores around a campfire. Be sure to dress for the conditions. The event is free. 

8 p.m. Knuckleheads Saloon, 2715 Rochester Ave., has plans to celebrate “The Man in Black” ahead of what would be his 92^nd birthday with a night of live music from Church of Cash. The tribute band prides itself on honoring the soul behind Johnny Cash tunes, performed in his legendary musical style and tone. Tickets are $20. Anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Sunday, Feb. 25 

Noon Indulging is the plan to wrap up the weekend at East Forty Brewing, 101 S.W. 12^th St. Visit the Blue Springs brewery for a Girl Scout Cookie Pairing, while supplies last. A flight of four perfectly paired East Forty brews and cookies will be on the menu, plus newly released chocolate, caramel and coconut brown ales. Troop 5776 will be around selling full boxes of cookies. The event is free. 

3 – 6 p.m. Local music lovers can support KC Folk Fest with Sunday’s FunRaiser event at Music Theater Heritage, located in Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd. The happy hour(s) will have a silent auction, raffle, KC Folk Fest swag and a cash bar. Singer-songwriters Stephonne, Petit-Solo & Klara and Mikal Shapiro will perform on stage.  All proceeds support the 2024 KC Folk Fest. 

4:05 p.m. The Kansas City Mavericks will take on the Utah Grizzlies Sunday evening at Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy. Sitting atop the ECHL, the first-place Mavericks are enjoying their best season in franchise history. Tickets are available starting at $19, plus tax and fees. Be sure to check out family four-packs, rink-side seating and suite options online ahead of time. 

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.