Category: Arts and entertainment

Library in the Park today at Huron Park

The annual Library in the Park celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Huron Park, which is next to the Main Library at 625 Minnesota Ave. There is no charge to attend.

The event today will include a book giveaway.

Featured author Kristy Nerstheimer, a teacher, will sign copies of her children’s book, “The Greatest Thing: A Story About Buck O’Neil.” O’Neil was a first baseman and manager for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues Baseball. Later he became a baseball scout and eventually, the first African American coach in Major League Baseball.

Local musicians are expected to perform during the Library in the Park event.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will not include a taco contest this year. Instead, popcorn and paletas (a Mexican frozen treat made from frozen fruit juices) will be provided free to those who attend.

COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at the Library in the Park event. For an appointment, visit https://kckpl0925.timetap.com. The vaccination clinic is in conjunction with Heart to Heart International.

This year, Library in the Park will feature a large book and movie sale. Hundreds of used books and movies will be for sale. Books will be $5 a bag, with the bag provided by the library, and all individual items will be $1 each. The sale will be cash only.

Also, there will be library program tables, to-go crafts for kids, teens and adults, and a storywalk.

Free parking for the event will be in the City Hall Health Center lot behind the park, the UMB Bank lot to the east of the park and on the street in front of the Main Library.

Amphitheater in Bonner Springs asking concert-goers to arrive early for COVID protocols

The Azura Amphitheater, formerly Sandstone, in Bonner Springs is asking concert-goers to arrive early on Wednesday, Sept. 22, for the concert by Glass Animals. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours is required.

A mandatory COVID-19 screening will be in place for fans, according to the announcement. The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Glass Animals has mandated a COVID-19 protocol for fans attending the concert. Fans need to get to the venue and be in line for entry much earlier than usual, as the screening process will take more time, according to the announcement.

All fans attending the concert must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the show in order to enter the venue, according to the announcement. It can be a physical paper copy or a snapshot on their mobile device, along with a matching photo ID.

Proof of vaccination must show that fans are fully vaccinated, and are 14 days past the final dose of the vaccine.

Proof of negative COVID test must be taken within 72 hours of the show, and must be professionally administered by a physician, clinic or pharmacy. At-home or self-administered test results will not be accepted, according to the announcement.

See more at https://www.facebook.com/azuraamp.

Shakespeare, Western-style, to take over the Alcott Saturday and Sunday

A hilarious, barefootin,’ hollerin’ and laughing version of Shakespeare will be performed Saturday and Sunday at the Alcott Arts Center’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production.

“The Merry Wives of Windsor” has been transformed into a western for this production, according to Chris Green of the Alcott Center, 180 S. 18th, Kansas City, Kansas.

She’s been hearing all the hilarity during the rehearsals, and “I just can’t wait to see this,” she said.

The admission charge is a $10 donation, and those attending need to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.

The play starts at 5 p.m. on the west lawn of the Alcott. Performances will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and 25-26.

The director, Bethany Phillips, also put together last year’s show, “The Best of Shakespeare,” Green said. This weekend’s production will include community actors from all over the metropolitan area.

In conjunction with the play, the Alcott will have art galleries open, she said, including one during intermission.

Darryl Woods, a Wyandotte High School graduate, will show some abstract artwork. Woods is mainly known for his sports drawings of the Chiefs, as well as superheroes and Star Wars paintings, and will offer something different this weekend, she said.

Other artwork from Alcott’s collection also will be on display, she said.

Green said there will be social distancing outside. If people are sitting with others who are not normally in their group, they should wear masks, she said. Masks must be worn inside the building at all times, she said.

The Alcott is not yet ADA accessible. On Saturday and Sunday, the restrooms will not be available.

For more information on the production, visit https://www.alcottartscenter.org/ or call 913-233-2787.