Today

• Kansas City Ballet: The Nutcracker | Wed., Dec. 3-Fri., Dec. 24 | Times vary | The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | $64+ | The iconic ballet returns to the stage for another magical season. 🩰
• Ugly Christmas Sweater Party | Fri., Dec. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | The Truman, 601 E. Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO | $35+ | A festive, open bar party benefiting Operation Breakthrough. 🎉
• ‘Tis the Season Art & Craft Show | Fri., Dec. 3- Sat., Dec. 4 | Times vary | The Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 N.W. Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO | Free | 100+ booths filled with unique holiday finds.

Saturday

• Tech N9ne | Sat., Dec. 4 | 8 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland | $35+ | “Strange New World 2021 Tour” with Rittz, King ISO, Maez301, and Jehry Robinson. 🎤
• Mavericks vs. Steelheads | Sat., Dec. 4 | 7:05 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $25+ | Guests are encouraged to bring new, wrapped teddy bears to toss out onto the ice after the Mavs score their first goal.
• Champagne and Chandeliers | Sat., Dec. 4 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty St., Independence, MO | $25+ | An evening of appetizers and champagne while touring the historic Vaile Mansion. 🥂

Sunday

• Chiefs vs. Broncos | Sun., Dec. 5 | 7:20 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium | $104+ | Kansas City takes on Dever with home-field advantage. 🏈 
• James Taylor | Sun., Dec. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | T Mobile Center | $59+ | The iconic singer/songwriter brings his All-Star Band to Kansas City. 🎵

Monday

• Canadian Brass Holiday Concert | Mon., Dec. 6 | 7 p.m. | The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | $43+ | Listen to the sounds of the holiday season featuring classics and new music. 🎺

Weather

• 67º | Mostly sunny | 1% chance of rain
• KC has a new record high for Dec. 2. The temperature yesterday got above 70º — the previous record that was set in 1953. The record high for all of December is 74º. ☀️

Open

• The first Dutch Bros Coffee in the metro is now open — at 1800 Prairie Crossing in Legends Outlets. The Oregon-based chain sells coffee, nitrogen cold brew, smoothies, freezes, teas, and a private-label Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink. Just look for the blue windmill. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Ranked

• Three metro businesses made Forbes’ “America’s Largest Private Companies” list. Companies were picked by revenue, number of employees, and ownership. JE Dunn Construction is No. 111 ($4.1 billion), Hallmark Cards is No. 129 ($3.5 billion), and Black & Veatch is No. 147 ($3 billion). (Kansas City Business Journal)

Sports

• Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is No. 2 in Pro Bowl votes. He leads Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady — only second to Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. This would be Kelce’s seventh consecutive Pro Bowl. (FOX4) 
• Chiefs kicker Tommy Townsend is the AFC’s Special Teams Player of the Month for November. The second-year player averaged the most yards per punt — at 54.9 yards. Special teams coach David Toub said it was “the best performance by a punter that I’ve ever had.” 
• The Royals signed new pitcher Taylor Clarke to a one-year contract. The righty comes from a three-year MLB career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing only one home run in his last 36 relief appearances. 

Development

• UMKC wants to restore + reopen the Epperson House — a century-old mansion on campus. The Tudor-gothic structure was built in 1919, donated to the university in 1942, and closed in 2010. It was also featured in “Unsolved Mysteries” as one of the top five haunted US houses. 
• Two 100-year-old apartment complexes along the state line are about to get a face lift. Muehlebach and Bakers Corner apartments are now owned by The Tiehen Group. The management company is planning to make major structural improvements on issues with the roofs, plumbing, electrical, wood rot, and security. (Kansas City Star)

List

• Hey Google, find comfort food near me. Joybird released a list of “The Most Popular Crockpot Dish in Every US State.” True to KC form, Missouri searched most for brisket. On the other hand, Kansas is really into meatloaf. DYK: the Crockpot is a KC invention. 

Watch

• Local twins are making big moves on social media — as a dance duo. Luke and Paul run TwinSauce, a dance, comedy, and travel vlog. With ~105,000 followers + 3.4 million likes on TikTok, the two celebrate their authentic personalities and hope to inspire others to do the same. (Starland News)