Weekend Possibilities | Dinosaurs, Owl Prowl and Big Games

There’s a little something for everyone this weekend in Kansas City.

While sports fans wait for Sunday, there’s a night at the opera, First Fridays, plus tacos and margaritas to consider.

Friday, Nov. 3

5 – 8 p.m. If a little chilly weather won’t keep you from celebrating First Fridays in the Crossroads, be sure to swing by the Art For All Opening Reception at the Kansas City Artists Coalition, 3200 Gillham Road. The annual show will feature work from members who create across all mediums. The event will be held in the Main and Snap Space Galleries. The opening reception is free.

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Homegrown Easy, a group focused on gardening “the way grandma did it,” will host a Canning & Planning session ahead of the winter months. Join the discussion at Plexpod Westport Commons, 300 E. 39^th St., for tips and tricks when it comes to naturally preserving your harvest, pickling and more. Canning & Planning is free.

7 p.m. The Harriman Jewell Series at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12^th St., has special plans to wrap up Halloween and Dia de los Muertos celebrations Friday night. Bring the whole family for Disney Pixar’s Coco in Concert, where the 20-member Orquesta Folclorico Nacional de Mexico will play the movie’s Oscar- and Grammy Award-winning soundtrack live throughout the screening. Tickets are available starting at $12.50, plus tax and fees.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Noon – 5 p.m. Kansas City Taco & Margarita Fest will take over Hy-Vee Arena, 1800 Genessee St., Saturday. The indoor party will have a variety of area tacos and margaritas available for purchase, plus local shopping and live entertainment. There’s a VIP option available that will get you early entry, two margarita drink tickets and a T-shirt. General admission is $10. VIP packages are $49.

1 – 4 p.m. Don’t throw out your jack-o-lanterns just yet. The annual Pumpkin Smash at Cultivate KC, 300 E. 39^th St., provides a fun and environmentally friendly way to discard old pumpkins and gourds. The free event is open to all ages and supplies tools for smashing. There will be live music and Big Rip Brewing Co. on tap.

7 – 8:30 p.m. If after-hours bird watching sounds like a hoot, reserve your spot for Saturday’s Owl Prowl at Ernie Miller Nature Park, 909 N. KS-7. A guide will lead the group in a discussion about the three species of owls that frequent the area before a stroll through the park and an attempt to call in a few nocturnal neighbors. Dress for the weather. The Owl Prowl is $9 for Kansas residents and $10 for out-of-state folks.

9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Larger-than-life dinosaurs have taken residency at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. Jurassic Quest will wow dino-loving kiddos with massive, moving animatronic beasts, activities like fossil digs and dinosaur training sessions and epic photo opportunities. Ticket prices and experiences vary. Be sure to check out the options online in advance.

7:30 p.m. KC Lyric Opera’s The Sound of Music debuts Saturday night at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Ave. You can be among the first to check out the large-scale performance of the Broadway classic that will run through Nov. 12. Tickets are available starting at $48, plus tax and fees.

Sunday, Nov. 5

8 a.m. The Chiefs kick off against the Miami Dolphins approximately 4,716 miles from Kansas City at 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday morning and it’s a big one. The Peanut, 6409 N. Crosby Ave., is opening its doors early to host a Watch Party for the battle for the top spot in the AFC featuring a brunch menu, plus deals on bloody marys, mimosas and beer buckets. Doors open at 8 a.m. sharp, so be sure to arrive early to ensure seating.

4 p.m. In other football, there’s another big game happening in our own backyard Sunday evening, as Sporting Kansas City will look to eliminate St. Louis City from the MLS Playoffs at Children’s Mercy Park, 1 Sporting Way. Eighth-seeded Sporting shocked the top seed in St. Louis in game one of the three-game series, winning 4-1 last Sunday night. Resale tickets to see the rivals square off are available online. Prices vary.

Clarence Dennis is audience and digital content strategist with Flatland.