Weekend Possibilities | Vintage Revival, KC’s eSports Expo, and New Year’s Resolution Rush

You made it through the holiday season and into the next decade. Now that resolutions are in place, it’s time to fill up the first weekend of that brand new calendar. From a vintage shopping spree to an improv match at Comedy City, there are plenty of ways to welcome the new year.

Friday, Jan. 3

8:30 a.m. First Friday weekend in the West Bottoms means Vintage Revival at Bella Patina, 1320 W. 12th St. The vintage and antique store offers 25,000 square feet of vendor space full of furniture, art, clothing and more. There’s made-from-scratch breakfast on the third floor, plus plenty to eat and drink across the vintage district. Be sure to check online for full weekend hours.

If you would like to further explore the West Bottoms food scene, check out EJ’s Urban Eatery, 1414 W. 9th St. The “Meat and Three” spot changes its menu items weekly and offers specialty brunch options on the weekend, like the Bearnaise sauce breakfast ribs or old-fashioned shrimp and grits.

2 p.m. The Kansas City eSports Expo kicks off Friday afternoon and runs all weekend long at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. Gamers are getting three days of console and virtual reality freeplay, plus tournaments, cosplay and much more. Ticket prices vary, so be sure to check online for day or weekend passes, plus info on tournament registration.

Saturday, Jan. 4

2 p.m. The Tolkien Society of Kansas City is inviting fellow fans of the writer to sit down for a round of Tolkien Trivia at KC’s only dedicated board game pub Pawn and Pint, 613 Walnut St. Teams of six will be quizzed on their knowledge of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Tolkien’s personal life and more, so brush up! The event is free.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Kansas City Curling Club is inviting newbies to the Line Creek Community Center and Ice Arena, 5940 N.W. Waukomis Drive. for Learn to Curl, a 90-minute lesson covering the rules of the game and fundamentals of sliding a stone and sweeping.  Registration starts at $30 for individuals, though discounted group rates are available.

5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. If learning to curl isn’t in the cards, Comedy City at the Uptown Theater, 411 Valentine Road, has two Major League Improv matches lined up to make you laugh. All ages are welcome to watch and participate in suggesting scenes as The Sharks face off against The Jets in on-stage improv. Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for kids. 

Sunday, Jan. 5

8 – 10 a.m. Start 2020 off on the right foot and register for the Resolution Rush North KC 5K at Berkley Riverfront Park, 1892 River Front Drive. The New Years-themed run welcomes all members of the family and includes a costume contest, post-race food, free kids dash and more. Participants who want to kick it up a notch can sign up for the 10K. Registration starts at $35. Prices increase after Friday evening.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Get over to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., and see Golden Prospects before it’s gone. The California gold rush daguerreotypes exhibit takes a closer look at when gold was discovered, thanks to the daguerreotypists who were there. The exhibit ends Jan. 26.

1 p.m. Make a day out of Sunday’s trip to the Nelson and get tickets to see Pain and Glory at the Tivoli at the Nelson-Atkins. The critically acclaimed film by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar tells the tale of a film director (Antonia Banderas) looking back on his work and life. Tickets are $10 and $7 for members.