Weekend Possibilities | Sunflowers, Vintage Chiefs Market and ‘Little Women’

If you thought summer flew by, sign up for nighttime ziplining at Zip KC. Don’t feel the need for speed? Take it slow this weekend with a trip to see sunflowers, vintage Chiefs shopping or yoga with a view.

Friday, Aug. 11

4 – 8 p.m. It’s Sunflower Festival season at KC Pumpkin Patch, 13875 S. Gardner Road. Celebrate the arrival of the yellow giants just a few miles outside of Olathe with an evening on the farm fit for the entire family. A ticket grants access to dozens of outdoor games and activities, unlimited selfie time with sunflowers and the KC Wine Co. bar for those 21 and older. Admission is $14.95, plus tax and fees.

8 p.m. If you are down to close out the summer with an impromptu road trip, Friday night’s Ben Folds concert in the historic Salina, Kansas, Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe, should be worth the drive. Folds’ tour follows the release of his first studio album in eight years, titled “What Matters Most.” Tickets to the show are available starting at $69, plus tax and fees. Doors open at 7 p.m.

9:30 p.m. Adrenaline seekers can start the weekend off by zooming through the dark with Zip KC’s, 12829 Loring Road, Night Flight Tower Tour. The Bonner Springs zipline operation is lighting its treetop adventure park after hours with over 4,000 lasers, strobes and LEDs for the occasion. Groups of up to seven can fly for $109.

Saturday, Aug. 12

8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Yoga at the Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd., is sending an open invitation to start Saturday with a stretch, serenity and a scenic view of the Kansas City skyline. Led by a professional instructor, the morning offers an intermediate and foundational class back-to-back in the theater’s Brandmeyer Great Hall. A $10 ticket includes a yoga session and a souvenir to take home. Bring your own mat.

10 a.m. Get out of bed and head to Hip-Hop Brunch at Society, 2050 Central St., for what should be an insightful and inspiring conversation for anyone who loves the genre. Part restaurant and bar, part art gallery and event space, Society is inviting musician J. McGee and film critic and producer Shawn Edwards to the space for a pair of presentations while you chow down on brunch. DJ High Eye Q will be in the house to take listeners through 50 years of hip-hop.

Noon – 3 p.m. Need some new Chiefs swag ahead of football season? Saturday’s Gnarly Market by vintage shop Gnarly Hussle, 6317 Raytown Road, will be set up with a team of local vintage vendors for a special Chiefs drop before Sunday’s preseason kickoff. Stop by to flip through quality resale vintage pieces and enjoy tunes from local artists Indra, Phantom Sam and Sewing Circle.

3 – 9 p.m. Vine Street Brewing Co., 2010 Vine St., is releasing a new beer and is throwing a party Saturday to celebrate. Stop by the new brewery for a fresh pour of the “Steel Fountains,” a refreshing and flavorful hoppy amber wheat, plus live music and art by Warren Harvey. The beer release is free to attend.

Sunday, Aug. 13

9 a.m. Why wait until Wednesday? There’s an 816 Day: For the Love of the City celebration Sunday in the 18^th & Vine District. The free party will have a kids zone, food trucks, art vendors, community resources and plenty of live music from local talent, including a special horns and brass performance.

3 – 7 p.m. McGregor’s Butcher & Bistro, 11300 W. 135 St., is open and serving up “fine food and friendly vibes” in Overland Park. The new restaurant and butcher shop concept offers brunch, lunch and dinner selections, in addition to quality cuts of meat to take and prepare at home. Chef’s dinner features currently include a steak, cioppino and blackened red snapper. Reservations are recommended.

7:30 – 10 p.m. “Little Women” opens this weekend at The Black Box Theatre at The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave. Directed by Cara Hampton, the local production is based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic tale of the March sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy growing up during the Civil War. Tickets are available starting at $18. The production runs through August 20.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.