Category: Arts and entertainment

Saturday events

There is a heat advisory in effect from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County. In the event of inclement weather, call or contact the sponsoring organization to see if the event will be held.

Family story time planned
 Family story time will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 29, at the craft room, Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. This program is geared to ages 2 to 6. There will be a story, dancing and singing. For other library programs, visit www.kckpl.org.

Constellation art project to be Saturday
A star constellation art project is planned from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Main Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. First, there wil be a presentation about the stories about constellations. Then children will create their own constellations using sidewalk chalk.

Writing time offered at library
“Come Write In,” which offers writing time to writers, will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the West Wyandotte Library, Conference Room C, 1737 N. 82nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. Writers may brainstorm, write and work toward their word goals. Writers may drop in.

KCK Street Blues Festival to be Saturday
The KCK Street Blues Festival will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Lavender’s Circle L Ranch, 3924 N. 49th Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. Several musicians are in the lineup, including Danny Cox, who will perform at 5 p.m. Other performers will include Jameson and Jim Mair, Ricky Dotson, James Rush and Bobby Adams, Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams, Jaisson Taylor and Brandon Hudspeth with D.C> Bellamy, Joe Miquelon, Kent Rousch and Vine Street Rumble, Gayle Price, Stranded in the City, Andre Reyes Sr., and Linda Shell’s Blues Thang featuring KC Kelsey Hill, Ron Teamer and Big John Amaro. Tickets to the KCK Street Blues Festival on Saturday are $15 at the gate. For more information, visit https://www.kckblues.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/KCK-Street-Blues-Fest-449797298438662/.

Benefit event planned
A benefit for the Police Athletic League will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 29 at Holy Family Hall, 513 Ohio Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets are $15 and include a wine tasting, sausage sandwich and live music by the Brian McCarty Band.

Bonner Blast to be Saturday night
The Bonner Blast will be from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Kelly Murphy Park at 129 Elm St., Bonner Springs. This event is sponsored by the Bonner Springs Parks, Recreation and Senior Center and the city of Bonner Springs, Kansas. A Little Miss and Mister Firecracker Pageant and ice cream social will begin at 8 p.m. Pre-registration for the pageant is available at Bonner Springs City Hall. A City Band Concert will be at 8:30 p.m. at the park. The fireworks display will be about 9:45 p.m. Those attending should bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/853831741644931/.

Well-known blues artists to appear at KCK Street Blues Festival Saturday

This year’s KCK Street Blues Festival features a lineup of well-known local and regional blues artists performing at the Lavender ranch on June 29.

Well-known musician Danny Cox has been named the “king” of the festival this year, and will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday at the event, according to Neil Henriksen, who is helping to promote the event.

Danny Cox

Henriksen said Cox plans to start his performance with four people on stage, then they will be joined on stage by the Vine Street Rumble, a 14-piece orchestra with a lot of brass, creating rich and powerful music.

When asked what part of the festival fans shouldn’t miss, Henriksen said, “all of it.” Fans can expect quality music throughout the festival. The festival is a tribute to the heritage of blues music in the Kansas City area.

The 13th annual KCK Street Blues Festival will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Lavender’s Circle L Ranch 3924 N. 49th Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.

Henriksen said a highlight of the event will be the presentation of a lifetime achievement award for 40 years of blues promotion to Roger Naber, to take place at 7 p.m. at the electric valley stage.

There will be two stages for the festival this year, one on a hilltop for acoustic performances and another in the valley for electric performances, he said.

The acoustic hilltop stage lineup includes Jameson and Jim Mair, national anthem, 1:30 p.m.; Ricky Dotson, James Rush and Bobby Adams, 1:45 p.m., tribute to Winston Holmes and Lottie Kimbrough, part 1, at 2:30 p.m.; Katy Guillen and Stephanie Williams, 2:45 p.m.; tribute to Winston Holmes and Lottie Kimbrough, part 2, at 3:45 p.m.; and Jaisson Taylor and Brandon Hudspeth with special guest D.C. Bellamy, 4 p.m.

The electric valley stage lineup includes Danny Cox, Living Heritage Tribute Show with band leaders Joe Miquelon, Kent Rousch and Vine Street Rumble, 5 p.m.; Gayle Price, national anthem, 7 p.m. Roger Naber, lifetime achievement award for 40 years of blues promotion, 7 p.m., Priscilla Bowman tribute, 7 p.m.; Stranded in the City, with special guest Andre Reyes Sr., 7:30 p.m.; and Linda Shell’s Blues Thang featuring KC Kelsey Hill, Ron Teamer and Big John Amaro, 9:30 p.m.

New this year, according to Henriksen, is a pre-festival party from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday at the same location. It will celebrate Millage Gilbert’s 81st birthday, with his band performing on the acoustic stage. The event will include the same rules, and those attending may bring coolers and lawn chairs.

Henriksen said through the years, the event’s supporters have tried to keep it low-cost and festive, with fans bringing their own lawn chairs and coolers.

Dawayne Gilley promoted the KCK Street Blues Festival during the Ethnic Festival in April at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Gilley has worked to keep the KCK Street Blues Festival going through the years. (File photo)

Originally a true street festival, the location was changed to a site with a somewhat rural backdrop, but it still has a small street festival feel to it, according to Henriksen. It will be the fourth year the event has been held at the Lavender ranch location, where the Missouri River can be seen from the top of the hill, he added. The location is one mile west of I-635 and one mile north of Leavenworth Road.

Henriksen said Frank Lavender has made a lot of improvements to the property, including a roof above the stage and additional parking. A VIP section has been created for the event, as well, he added.

This year’s event will have many vendors, including barbecue, chicken, fish and healthy foods vendors, he said. In addition, there will be jewelry vendors, a face-painting booth and other vendors.

Tickets to the KCK Street Blues Festival on Saturday are $10 each in advance or $15 at the gate. Advance ticket sales online are scheduled to end on Thursday evening.

For more information, visit https://www.kckblues.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/KCK-Street-Blues-Fest-449797298438662/.