Kansas City Entertainment

There is never a dull moment in Kansas City. Whether youre a theatre lover, a bar fly or club buff, you will find plenty to keep you busy in this vibrant Midwest metropolis. Charming and classy, yet avant-garde, is a good description for the popular Country Club Plaza and Westport areas, two contemporary districts that play host to entertainment seekers. A few notable places to spend the evening are the Beaumont Club, which has pool tables, dartboards, a dance floor, as well as country dance lessons.

Nightlife

There are plenty of bars in Kansas City to keep you entertained in the evenings. The 75th Street Brewery, the first in Kansas City, has TVs and live entertainment. For the musically-inclined, several jazz nightclubs are scattered throughout the city. The Blue Room is both a club and a museum in the 18th and Vine District, featuring local jazz artists on Mondays and Thursdays through Saturdays. Though not mandatory, some of the patrons will be in tuxedos and designer gowns. For a more informal performance, try The Club at Plaza III. There is also the Knuckleheads Saloon, housed in a funky two-story Wild West type of building, which features live music in a relaxed atmosphere.

Theatre and music

Kansas Citys performing arts community boasts a variety of beautiful theatres offering an array of theatrical, musical and dance productions performed by both local and touring artists. The Folly Theater, Kansas Citys only surviving 19th century playhouse, is a 1,100-seat theatre and a member of the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, the theatre offers a wide range of music and drama performances.

The Kansas City Symphony is a stunning national orchestra. This 78-musician company offers an energetic and imaginative season featuring internationally acclaimed guest musicians and conductors. Dance programmes are presented year-round throughout the community by the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, City in Motion Dance Theatre, Williams Henry Dance Theatre, and the Conservatory Dance Ensemble at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Festivals

The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is held each July in South Moreland Park, next door to the beautiful grounds of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Professional classic theatre celebrates the works, spirit and time of William Shakespeare. Other annual festivals in Kansa City include:

• St. Patricks Day parade
  Commencing at the corner of Pershing Road and Main Street, this parade proceeds towards Grand Boulevard and then to 14th Street. The biggest exhibit of pride of the Irish Culture, the patron Saints feast day is the largest one day event that takes place in Kansas City. The streets are paraded with floats of Irish music, flags, placards and pots of gold.
• Kansas City Renaissance Festival
  Each year, around 180,000 Renaissance Festival revellers come from all over the Midwest to experience the majesty of a fully functioning recreation of a 16th century European village. Gypsy dance lessons, incredible juggling performances and archery tournaments are just a handful of the many activities to be enjoyed. Phone: +1 800 373 0357; website: www.kcrenfest.com
• Annual Grinter Fest
  Formerly the Applefest, this fundraiser, held on the grounds of the historic Grinter House has been celebrating living history for over 30 years. With profits benefiting the Kansas Museum of History, patrons can spend the afternoon immersed in the days of old, taking lessons in quilting and spinning as well as experiencing the encampments of some of the regions native peoples.