Weekend Possibilities | THUNDERGONG!, GloWild and Monet

Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armisen and friends come to Kansas City in the name of hilarity and charity.

Friday, Nov. 11

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. GloWild, a lantern festival like no other, is at the Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive, through the end of the month. Best viewed after dark, a GloWild special admission ticket will take visitors along a one-mile route lined with massive illuminated animals, local landmarks, botanicals and more made of steel and silk. Exploring the full route takes a little over an hour. Zoo and GLoWild combo tickets are $35-$37.

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Take in works by Claude Monet and some of history’s most famous Impressionist artists like never before at Monet & Friends Alive from Starlight Theatre and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Reserve a time to visit Starlight, 4600 Starlight Road, where the masterpieces will be brought to life by big and bright projection, plus sound and even fragrance. Tickets are $5 for adults and $30 for children ages 13 and older.

2 – 10 p.m. Award winning artists and studios will be represented at this weekend’s three-day Carnival of Ink Tattoo Convention at the KCI Expo Center, 11730 N. Ambassador Drive. Convention-goers can schedule a tattoo session with artists from around the world, take in some live performance art and connect with fellow ink enthusiasts from the Midwest and beyond. Single day passes are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Saturday, Nov. 12

Noon – 4 p.m. There’s a chance to pick up some locally made goods ahead of the holidays Saturday afternoon at the Kaw Point Maker Market, 1 River City Drive. The day’s schedule includes pre-market hours yoga starting at 11 a.m., a Manor Records listening lounge, live DJ appearances, plus plenty of time to poke around local vendor booths. Food trucks will be there for the hungry. 

1:30 – 4:30 p.m. The Color Purple The Musical is now showing at the Warwick Theater, 3927 Main St. The musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from author Alice Walker features a mood-boosting score made up of tunes from multiple genres, set to an inspiring story of hope and the celebration of life. Tickets start at $44, plus tax and fees.

5 – 7 p.m. The holiday season centerpiece returns to Legends Outlets, 1843 Village West Pkwy., Saturday with the annual Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony. Join the celebration as the 45-foot tree goes up in the center of the shopping center and coordinated LED light shows usher in the Christmas spirit. Activities around the tree include music from Mr. Stinky Feet, festive photo stations, face painting, prize giveaways and more. The ceremony is free to attend.

7:30 p.m. Kansas City’s funniest fundraiser returns in-person Saturday night at Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd. THUNDERGONG!, a one-night-only live music and comedy show benefitting Steps of Faith Foundation is hosted by Kansas City’s own Jason Sudeikis and will feature performances from comedian, writer and actor Fred Armisen, actors Will Forte and Brendan Hunt, local rockers Hembree and more. General admission tickets are $69, plus tax and fees.

Sunday, Nov. 13

Noon – 4 p.m. Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, 720 N. 4th St., is hosting a Pysanky Ukrainian Egg Decorating Class Sunday afternoon. Instructor Irene Thompson will lead the lesson on the European tradition of hollowing out an egg and decorating the shell with Ukrainian folk designs. The class is $40 per person, all supplies are provided. 

4 p.m. This year marks the 25th year of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and Sinfonia of Kansas City and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., is celebrating with a free Anniversary Concert. Enjoy the afternoon of music by reserving a ticket online in advance at no cost.

7:30 p.m. Country music icon Carrie Underwood’s Denim & Rhinestones Tour comes to the T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Sunday evening. Arrive in time to check out opener Jimmie Allen. It’s the three-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year’s first show in Kansas City since 2019. Tickets are available starting at $35, plus tax and fees.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.