Weekend Possibilities | Lunar New Year at Nelson-Atkins Museum, ‘Let Me Explain My Blackness’ Comedy Show, Valentine’s Pop-Up

Pounce into the Year of the Tiger with a Lunar New Year celebration at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, laugh and learn a thing or two at The Bird Comedy Theater, or poke around Strawberry Swing’s Pop-Up with your Valentine in mind.

Friday, Feb. 4

10 a.m. – 9 p.m. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., is once again Celebrating the Lunar New Year with exhibits and activities both virtual and in-person throughout the museum. Weekend celebrations will include a Chinese lunch from Rozzelle Court Restaurant, hands-on Japanese textile exhibits, take home art projects, a scavenger hunt through the museum exhibits and dynamic dance performances recorded and available online. The Nelson-Atkins Museum is free to visit.

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., in Lawrence, Kansas, is providing the opportunity for the next generation of bird watchers to foster a passion for nature and outdoor experiences. The Young Birders’ Club provides binoculars and a guide to participants, though birders are welcome to bring their own equipment. The club is reserved for ages 8-18. Registration is $5.

5 – 8 p.m. In-Between, an exhibition by Kansas City Art Institute and the AAPI Association, opens Friday night at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore Ave. The exhibit includes work by nine featured artists depicting the balancing act many members of the Asian American population experience in “inheriting and assimilating with a multitude of intersectional identities as a group and as individuals.” The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 5

10:30 a.m. – Noon Nuestro Legado, a series of programs coming to the Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., focuses on the history of Latinos on the Santa Fe Trail. Meaning “our legacy,” Nuestro Legado will feature a discussion outlining the legacy of Latinos along the route led by esteemed New Mexico historian Dr. Gene T. Chávez and relating to current museum exhibits. The program is free to attend, however space is limited.

7 p.m. Old-school television is coming to Stray Cat Film Center, 1662 Broadway Blvd., Saturday night. Get tickets for 16mm Showcase: The Groove Tube and settle in for back-to-back screenings of 1960s Dark Night and Boy Wonder adventures and a sci-fi classic from writer Harlan Ellison — all projected on the big screen from 16 mm film. Tickets are $7.

9:30 – 10:30 p.m. The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St., will stage Let Me Explain My Blackness: I Have More Things to Say Saturday night. The sketch comedy show will feature acts that delve into everyday experiences of Black people as a sequel to the 2019 “Best of Fringe” show at Kansas City’s annual Fringe Festival. Proof of vaccination is required and masks are encouraged. Tickets are $10.

Sunday, Feb. 6

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The first pop-up of the year from The Strawberry Swing is Sunday. Stop by The Truman, 601 E. Truman Road, for The Valentine’s Pop-Up, featuring more than 30 local makers and vendors who just might have the perfect gift for that special someone. There will be tacodillas by Sugar Skull Grill if you get hungry. Proof of vaccination and masks are required.

2 p.m. Memphis The Musical is now showing at The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City’s Lewis and Shirley White Theater, 5801 W. 115th St. A co-production with The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City, the award-winning musical tells the story of forbidden love born in the 1950s Memphis music scene. Proof of vaccination or a negative test is required to attend. Tickets start at $14.

2 – 4 p.m. There’s love in the air at Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery, 11000 South Woodland St. The Olathe, Kansas, winery is teaming up with Cake Loft for a full day of Valentine’s Cookie Decorating. The class includes all of the necessary supplies, ingredients and instructions. Tickets are $40 and include a $5 voucher towards a wine or beverage of choice.

Flatland contributor Clarence Dennis also is a social media manager for 90.9 The Bridge.