Weekend Possibilities | Big 12 Basketball, Open Season Expo and Off-Roading

Between the return of college basketball to the T-Mobile Center and live music outdoors, spring in Kansas City is so close you can taste it.

Friday, March 12

College basketball returns to Kansas City this week as the T-Mobile Center will once again host the Big 12 Men’s Championship Tournament. The action opens Wednesday afternoon and runs through Saturday’s championship game. KC Live! at the Power & Light District is inviting fans to hangout and watch games at Hoop Central. The watch parties will have socially distanced tables and contactless ordering available. Reservations are recommended for groups of four or more. 

6 p.m. There’s nothing like kicking off the weekend with live music at Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Ave. Get down to the East Bottoms bar and multi-stage concert venue for a Friday night set from Reverend Horton Heat. The Dallas group is touring on its 12th studio album “Whole New Life.” Tickets start at $24.50.

7 – 8:30 p.m. Whether you are ready to make it big, or just there for the laughs, Friday night’s Stand Up Comedy Open Mic at Apex Aleworks in Independence, 4356 S. Noland Road, should serve up a good mood. Get there early to sign up and enjoy $2 off flights for a little liquid courage. Apex picks one comic per open mic to perform at the brewery’s monthly Comedy Showcase.

Saturday, March 13

9 a.m. Itching for a little off-roading? Regardless of experience, Kansas Rocks is taking those interested in taking their rocket off road on guided tours just an afternoon’s trip from downtown Kansas City in Bourbon County. Kansas Rocks Recreation Park in Mapleton, Kansas, has trails ranging from green to black when it comes to difficulty. The tour is $50 per car per day.

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cinder Block Brewery, 110 E. 18th Ave., is celebrating Snake Saturday with a socially distanced party in the taproom. The Northland brewery will have specialty drinks, including car bombs made with Cinder Block’s own Irish stout. Show up between noon and 3 p.m. for live music and bites from Andy’s Macaroni truck. Oh, and wear green.

Just across downtown, the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship is set for four days of ball at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St. If you have the chance to check out Texas, the No. 5 seed is led by junior standout Charli Collier, who is a current frontrunner to be selected at No. 1  overall in the upcoming WNBA Draft. Tickets are still available at either $10 or $20 per seat in a pod seating structure to ensure social distancing.

12:30 – 5 p.m. The spring equinox isn’t technically until March 21, but don’t tell the crew at Dirty Girl Adventures. The group is taking the adventurous on a guided five-hour trek through the 1800-acre KU Field Station just outside of Lawrence, 350 Wild Horse Road. Hikers will have the chance to explore native prairie and old-growth Kansas forests full of native species. Be sure to sign up for the hike in advance. The hike is $35 for non-members. Club members pay $25.

Sunday, March 14

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Summer Moon Coffee is now open in Overland Park, 9127 Metcalf Ave. Spring forward, then swing by the Texas-born coffee shop with a focus on woodfire roasted beans for a cup — or two — or a bag of beans to go. Summer Moon offers 19 different varieties of coffee from all over the world, so good luck with that decision.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The first-ever Open Season Sportsman’s Expo wraps up Sunday at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6100 College Blvd. The three-day expo will treat hunting, fishing and outdoor enthusiasts to new products and learning experiences, ranging from trick shooting exhibitions to meet and greets with industry experts. One-day adult tickets are $10. Be sure to check online for a full list of vendors/exhibitors and ticket price options.

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Kansas City’s next superstar might just step on stage Sunday night at Riverpark Pub and Eatery in Parkville, 2 Main St. No seriously, School of Rock Parkville and Lee’s Summit are joining forces for Spring Fever, an exhibition concert featuring three 60-minute real-life rock show performances from area School of Rock students. Admission is free.