Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
Ok, Winter- enough!
It was bad with the record dumping of snow in January, but the KC area just got hit again, with only a few inches, but enough to put us past the season average, and which made the streets annoyingly slick again. We’re already seasonally depressed from our Chiefs getting schooled in a one-sided championship game.
The good things are hopes being high for the Royals which start Spring Training any day now, continued preparations for next year’s World Cup, and the concert season getting very busy, starting in March. Meanwhile, some great choices in comedy, live theater, and different genres, to help keep you warm this coming week!
Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from February 16th to 22nd:
(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16
The Simon and Garfunkel Story, Feb 16, Lied Center- Lawrence, $19-$55
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
is an immersive concert-style theatre show that chronicles the journey shared by the folk-rock duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Using huge projection photos and original film footage, the show features a full live band performing all the hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound” and many more. This sounds similar to the Johnny Cash live tribute show we caught last year.
It tells the story from their beginnings staring out as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the 60s to their initial split in 1970. It culminates with the famous reunion show, The Concert in Central Park in 1981, in front of more than half a million fans. We saw the real duo together live on their final 2003 Old Friends Tour, which still remains a very memorable show.
Fences, Through Feb 22, KC Melting Pot Theater, $21.50-$32.50
Fences explores the complexities of family, race, and identity in 1950s Pittsburgh. Troy Maxson, a former baseball player turned sanitation worker, struggles to reconcile with his past while navigating the challenges of fatherhood and marriage. Based on the modern classic play by August Wilson (who may have come up with the genesis of this while living in our former homebase of St Paul, MN). (And catch the Denzel Washington/Viola Davis movie version too, if you haven’t!)
KC Melting Pot Theatre (KCMPT) is a theater company that celebrates African American theater. The company's mission is to create inclusive theater experiences that explore the contributions of African American artists.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 17
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18
Dereck Joubert and Beverly Joubert, Filmmakers: Wild Africa: On the Brink, Feb. 18, Kauffman, $45-$68
Part of their ongoing Changemaker Speaker Series, South African Beverly Joubert and her partner Dereck are both world-class filmmakers, documenting Africa for more than three decades, shining light on its big cats, elephants and rhinos.
On stage, through memorable videos and images, they’ll show the interdependence of wildlife and wild places, and the many clever ways they have stepped in to make a difference, whether by partnering with local communities to find a sustainable path to coexistence or doing what’s never been done before. 
Beetlejuice (Broadway Touring), Feb 18-23, Music Hall, $60-$150
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetl...oops! Almost said it three times- the frantic ghost-with-the-most leaps from the screen to the live stage for a Kansas City engagement downtown at the Music Hall.
Based on Tim Burton’s beloved films, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, expect a load of fun, laughs, and a touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O! For ages 13+ and plays through the weekend.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19
Califone (acoustic), Feb 19, Lawrence Public Library, free (Registration required)
Tim Rutili has been making music under the Califone moniker since 1997. This is his first appearance in Lawrence in almost a decade. A sound description is that “Califone plays a robust mix of experimental music with roots in blues, Appalachian folk, psychedelia and pop, while always staying uncompromisingly Califone: textured music that favors the subtle and intimate. When the songwriting is at its best, the results can be extraordinary. Rutili’s lyrics may only occasionally flirt with straightforwardness, but they brim with memorable details that work with the music to set evocative moods.” The newest album was 2023’s Villagers, but he’s since released a companion record as well.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20
Septicflesh with VLTIMAS, Ex-Deo, Feb 20, Granada- Lawrence, $28
The Greek symphonic death metallers Septicflesh have embarked on a headlining run of North America and have recruited VLTIMAS (ex-Morbid Angel) and Ex Deo (Kataklysm) to open, dubbing it all the ‘Modern Primitive In North America Tour‘.
As an added bonus, Septicflesh will be selling their forthcoming EP “Amphibians” on the tour exclusively ahead of its March worldwide release.
Vltimas is the multinational quintet featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), out in support of their second album, Epic, which came out last March via Season Of Mist and recent single, “Mephisto Manifesto”.
Vocalist Vincent says: “We are teaming up with our metal brothers SepticFlesh and Ex Deo for Vltimas‘s first-ever North American tour next month. We look forward to sharing our strength and misery with our friends and fans. This indeed will be EPIC!”
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21
High Kings with The Elders, Feb 21, Kauffman Center, $43-$63
Out on their Step It Out World Tour related to their latest album released in June 2023, The High Kings’ The Road Not Taken album has achieved over 14 million streams. It has reached the number one position for independent albums in Ireland, number one in Folk, number two across all genres, and number two in singer-songwriter in the US. Additionally, it has topped charts on Amazon Germany and number one on iTunes in Germany, Belgium, and Holland along with a selection of top five chart positions worldwide.
Area favorites The Elders remain one of the top Celtic-rock bands in the US after a quarter-century because of their timeless sound. Their fans feel connected to the band because of their passion, melodies, unique harmonies, unparalleled musicianship and songwriting.
That songwriting began in 1998 when Norm Dahlor and Brent Hoad moved back from LA to Kansas City to play Irish music. From an Emmy Award-winning DVD to an induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame to a PBS concert televised nationally, The Elders are still going strong.
Aziz Ansari, Feb 21, The Midland, $49.75-$79.75
He’s back! Aziz Ansari is an award-winning actor, director, writer and comedian. He co-created, writes, directs, and stars in the Netflix original series Master of None (which has won two Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Writing).
This October, he will release the film Good Fortune which he wrote, directed, and costars with Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen. He is best known for co-starring in NBC’s Parks and Recreation” and for being one of the few headlining comedians ever to sell out Madison Square Garden.
In 2019, he released his 5th stand-up special for Netflix entitled “Right Now” directed by Spike Jonze and his latest special “Nightclub Companion” is now streaming on Netflix.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22
Sebastian Maniscalco, Feb 22, T-Mobile Center, $49.50-$195
The Chicago comedian is extending his largest arena tour to include an arena stop at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The “It Ain’t Right” Tour highlights the absurdities of modern life like nonexistent manners, soaring prices, and the chaos of spending every waking moment on social media. His unique take on the shamelessness of modern life promises a night of laughter at the world's many wrongs.
The comedian told the New York Post, “Comedy is something people are yearning and thirsting for, especially with a political campaign on the horizon and people so divided,” he added. “My comedy is rooted in family and observation, and I’ve always believed that if people are coming to a comedy show, they want an escape from the world news, the killings, the politics — this, that, and the other thing. That’s what I pride myself on.” 
Sullivan King, Feb 22, The Midland, $39.50
The producer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter is out on his upcoming Chaos Will Bring Peace Tour which started in late January in Nashville with support from Yookie, Grabbitz, and RZRKT. His unique live show is a display of shredding guitar riffs, vocals, DJ-ing, and diving into the pit
Defying genre norms by blending metal and electronic dubstep, King has continued to release music that fans can anticipate hearing on his upcoming tour, including high-profile remixes for rock titans Asking Alexandria and From Ashes to New.
National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity? Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]
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