Weekend Possibilities | Boulevard’s Oktoberfiesta, Sound of Kansas City Festival and KC Underground Film Fest

A couple of rescheduled events, beer happenings and the city’s first socially distant drive-up music festival mark this mid-October weekend in and around Kansas City.

Friday, Oct. 16

4 – 11 p.m. Lifted Spirits Distillery in the Crossroads, 1734 Cherry St., has plans for a “Basic Witch Party” on Friday night. Get in the spooky spirit with cocktails made with Lifted Spirits’ whiskey, gin, vodka and more. Food will be courtesy of SAUCED. Costumes are encouraged.

7 & 9:30 p.m. Boulevard Drive-In, 1051 Merriam Lane, will host the premiere of “Summer in Hindsight,” a feature-length film by the West 18th Street Fashion Show spotlighting “local designers and the creative process during the global pandemic and cultural revolution” this summer. The film is directed by Khitam Jabr and stars Kansas City musician and actor Calvin Arsenia. Tickets for back-to-back showings of the film are still available. Be sure to check online for full pricing tiers.

7 p.m. Apologies to the faint of heart, the 1859 Jail in Independence, 217 N. Main St., is opening its doors for Haunted Ghost Tours throughout the Halloween season. A ticket will get you an informative tour of the spooky 160-year-old jail, as well as a trip to the Marshal’s Home and Museum, plus a covered wagon ride around the Independence Square. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 7 and up. Masks are required.

Saturday, Oct. 17

8 a.m. Whether you’re an avid disc golfer or just looking for a reason to get out of the house, the 38th Annual Kansas City Wide Open should be worth checking out. Disc golf pros and average joes alike will play two days of tournament action across three local courses at Swope Park, Waterworks Park and Kessler Park. Feel free to bring a chair, blanket or a picnic and enjoy the action. Be sure to check online for tee times.

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Kansas City Jazz Alliance is bringing free big band tunes to the Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane. The afternoon of music will include 45-minute sets from the KC Middle School All Stars, KC High School All Stars, and New Century. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs, though some patio seating is available.

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. If beer is your thing, make plans to pull through Downtown Parkville Saturday afternoon to pick up a Parkville Brewpass. In lieu of the Parkville Microbrew Festival, Brewpasses are available for purchase online and available for pick up this Saturday. The pass will grant you six weeks of access to beer tastings and discounts at 23 local breweries, including Casual Animal Brewing Co., Apex Aleworks, River Bluff Brewing, Cinder Block Brewing and more. Passes are available for pickup at Pocket Park at 1st and Main streets. or the American Legion, 11 Main St. Passes are $40.

6 – 10:30 p.m. The rescheduled KC Underground Film Festival kicks off this weekend and runs through the end of October at the Film Row Art Screen, 1818 Wyandotte St. The film fest will screen feature-length, mid-length and short films — ranging from local to international works — completely free and outdoors. Just be sure to bring your own chair. Donations are appreciated.

Sunday, Oct. 18

11 a.m. The annual Oktoberfiesta mashup is back this weekend at Boulevard Brewing Co., 2534 Madison Ave. The Oktoberfest-Dia de Los Muertos crossover event will feature food specials and plenty of Bob’s 47 served in take-home steins all weekend long. Sunday’s events include kids crafts from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a Fiesta Garten featuring Polka & Fiesta tunes from DJ Jabberock 1 – 4 p.m. and a Masskrugstemmen stein-holding contest at 1:30 p.m. There is no admission fee.

Noon If you miss live music, pull up to the southeast lawn of Liberty Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Sunday for The Sound of Kansas City, an all-day socially distant festival featuring local artists like Calvin Arsenia, Back Alley Brass Band, Larsen and many more. Each ticket will grant drive-up access to a 10X10 parking space, so bring your own crowd. Our friends at 90.9 The Bridge will be live at the festival streaming the performances on-air. Tickets accommodating four attendees start at $75. Masks are required.