Weekend Possibilities | Art Course, Microbrew Fest, Parade of Hearts

The schedule is full of art, beer and brunch this weekend. If you aren’t afraid of a little rain in the forecast, there’s a music crawl in Lawrence and the Great Wind Festival in Leawood.

Friday, April 26

10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Book your tee time for the Art Course at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St. Smack in the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, the artist-designed mini golf course’s uniquely challenging nine holes are inspired by pieces out of the museum collection. Reservations are required. Adult tickets are $18. Children ages 4 to 12 can play for $12. Refreshments are available at The Country Club Bank Terrace Snack Bar.

4 p.m. – Midnight Kansas City’s newest Italian joint – The Wise Guy – is open for business in the historic former Rieger Hotel building, 1924 Main St. Salads and starters like mozzarella sticks, meatballs and bruschetta hover within the $9 to $15 range. Further down the menu, sandwiches like the fried mortadella, house pizzas, pasta dishes and entrees like the pesto salmon are available for $16 to $34. The kitchen is open until 11 p.m. There’s a happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

5 – 11 p.m. Westwood neighborhood bar The House, 2707 W. 47^th Ave., is throwing a Spring Kickoff Party Friday night. The cozy home-turned-drinking establishment is linking up with its neighbor, Lulu’s Noodle Shop, to serve Thai barbeque plates to go along with yard games, frozen cocktails and Fairway Creamery ice cream. DJ Superwolf will bring the tunes. There is no cover.

Saturday, April 27

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Whether you are an avid musician, a local music lover or are just looking for a day outdoors, the inaugural Downtown Lawrence Music Crawl is this weekend. Live music, open mics and jams, workshops and more are scheduled for five separate locations around downtown Lawrence and Massachusetts Street. Be sure to check out the Music Crawl map and full schedule of events online in advance. The Music Crawl is free and open to all ages.

Noon Tickets are still available for the Downtown Brunch Walk throughout the KC Live! Block, 1300 Grand Blvd. Participating venues like Sinkers Lounge, Johnny’s Tavern, Bristol Seafood and Blade & Timber, to name just a few, are each offering a small brunch plate and cocktail during the walk. Keep an eye out for local vendors in between stops. Reserve your spot on the walk for $40. You must be 21.

Noon – 4 p.m. The Peculiar Winery, 20709 Harper Road, will host its Annual Crawfish Boil Saturday afternoon and there will be plenty to go around. Reserve your spot for a timed entry and you’ll get two pounds of crawfish, potatoes, corn and sausage to enjoy along with Peculiar’s wine, beers and slushes. Vibes will be provided by live zydeco and Cajun music. Tickets are $40.

1 – 5 p.m. Parkville Microbrew Fest at English Landing Park, 8701 McAfee Park, is celebrating 20 years with handcrafted brews, live music, food and more Saturday. More than 70 homebrew clubs and breweries will be pouring in the park this year. A 20^th anniversary glass for unlimited tastings comes with your ticket. Tickets are $49.20, plus tax and fees in advance. Expect to pay $60 at the gate.

Sunday, April 28

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. A day of art, crafts, music, food and drinks await in Wanderfest KC 2024 in the Tower East District, E. 31^st Street and Gillham Road. The grassroots festival supporting neighborhood business invites guests to pick up a guide map to help explore participating businesses, art shows, experiences and makers booths. Collect stamps throughout the afternoon and enter to win a raffle at Cherry Pit Collective before you head home for the chance to win locally made goodies.

2 – 6 p.m. Wrap up the weekend with the Great Wind Festival at Ironwoods Parks Amphitheatre, 14701 Mission Road. The free festival will have hands-on science activities for kids that will teach about wind power, a kite-making station and space to fly them, live music, food trucks and yard games. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic. Make sure to register in advance.

Come Monday, all 101 masterfully crafted Parade of Hearts installations will be in place around Kansas City. The public art experience is a celebration of the heartland by local artists, who create their own unique heart that will be on display through the summer. Check out the Parade of Hearts map online for a “heart hunting” guide and this year’s artist bios.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.