Sip and stroll at the Plaza Art Fair. | Photo by Plaza Art Fair
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month.
Concerts
Paul Simon | Saturday, April 26 | 8 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $250+ | The legend. The icon. The man who brought us “Graceland.” Catch this Rock & Roll Hall of Famer in a intimate setting.
Plan a night out
An Intimate Evening with Lidia Bastianich | Sunday, April 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Lidia’s | $135+ | The beloved chef, author, and television host shares a multi-course dinner inspired by her signature Italian cuisine, with an intimate in-person talk + raffle to follow.
Operation: Gatsby | Thursday, April 10 | 6-8:30 p.m. | National WWI Museum and Memorial | $25 | Guests are invited to throw on their glad rags for an evening of live jazz and lots of giggle water for this Roaring ‘20s-style party celebrating 100 years of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel.
PBR Teams Missouri vs. The World | Thursday, April 24 | 7:45 p.m. | T-Mobile Center | $30+ | Watch KC’s Outlaws and Missouri’s Thunder take on the best bull riders from around the world in a high-energy showdown.
Seasonal events
Fountain Fest 2025 | Saturday, April 19 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Mill Creek Park | Free | This event marks Fountain Day, the official turning on of Kansas City’s fountains, a tradition that brings the community together to celebrate KCMO’s art, culture, and history.
Greenhouse and Plant Propagation Tour | 2-4 p.m. | Diana Eisman Community Greenhouse, KCK | $10 | Learn about the basics of greenhouse design and gain hands-on experience with sowing + transplanting vegetable crops from Cultivate KC.
Bison & Bourbon | 6-8 p.m. | Parlor | $75 | Indulge in the rich flavors of bison prepared in various ways, paired perfectly with a selection of fine bourbons enjoyed on its patio overlooking the Crossroads.
Wednesday, April 2
Molly Healey with Lyal Strickland | 7-9:30 p.m. | Waldo Pizza | $25 | Experience orchestral folk music and Americana storytelling during this intimate show in the Tap Room as part of the beloved Waldo Folk showcase.
Thursday, April 3
Teacher Workshop: Picturing Nature | 5-7 p.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | $6 | View the special exhibition, “Survival of the Fittest: Picturing Wildlife and Wilderness,” and learn how early 20th-century artists’ depictions paralleled scientific developments.
Paint & Sip — Easter Bunny | 6-8 p.m. | Creative Culture, Westport | $35 | Hop into the spring season with an instructor-led workshop helping you build your painting skills while enjoying the night out — plus, purchase crafty milkshakes there or bring your own beer + wine.
Friday, April 4
Big Read Storytime with Rebekah Taussig | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Kansas City Public Library, Plaza | RSVP | Contribute to a collaborative art project inspired by “We Are the Scrappy Ones,” ask Taussig questions after she reads, and get a free copy of the Big Read 2025 book while supplies last.
🎟️ Even Regina George couldn’t resist this Broadway lineup
Presented by Starlight Theatre
From the high school drama of “Mean Girls” to the soulful rhythms of “Ain’t Too Proud,” Starlight’s Broadway lineup has something for everyone | Photo provided by Starlight Theatre; Jeremy Daniel
Kick off with “Mean Girls” in May, rock out with “School of Rock” in June, groove to “Ain’t Too Proud” in July, enjoy the magic of “Frozen” in August, and end the season with “Life of Pi” in September.
More solar-powered compost bins are sproutingup across KCMO. KC Can Compost is adding five new food scrap receptacles this month, free for residents — just download the app and sign up first. Ready to start composting? Our guide has all the dirt. (Startland News)
Concert
Break out your banjos and suspenders, Mumford & Sons is back in town at Azura Amphitheater on Thursday, July 24. Fans of the folk rockers can sign up for the band’s presale until tomorrow at 10 a.m., which then goes live Thursday, April 3. (Kansas City Star)
Travel
Want to get out without going too far? Consider keeping your roadtrip inside state lines with Midwest Living’s week-long interary for a spring adventure in southern Missouri. Bounce around Lake of the Ozarks, Springfield, Central Missouri State Parks — including Editor Maddie’s fave, Johnson’s Shut-Ins — and Hermann.
Mailbag
We asked for your Kansas City lore, and Reader Tony C. delivered: Sweeping skylines, riverfront vistas, and the aroma of roasting coffee from the Folgers Coffee Plant as you pass The Majestic and The Quaff on Broadway. What KC smells, sounds, or sights define the city for you?
Civic
Curious who tops JoCo’s payroll? County Manager Penny Postoak took home $376,180 in 2024, followed by Mental Health CMO Sobia Shaffie at $315,663. Want to see the full list of $100K+ earners? The Kansas City Star has the receipts.
Development
The Plaza’s new owners promised big changes — but so far, it’s all behind the scenes. Leaders cite updated lighting + landscaping, new security, and “strategic closures” as evidence of the work underway. Read where the project stands now, including the possibility of a Trader Joe’s, in KCBJ’s breakdown.
Sports
Peter Vermes, the longest-tenured MLS head coach and longest-serving manager worldwide, has resigned from Sporting Kansas City after taking the reins in 2009. Now, Sporting Legends Hall of Honor inductee Kerry Zavagnin will take over for the club — hopefully leading them out of its current no-win season. (FOX4)
Plan Ahead
Celebrate connection and progress at the Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon on Friday, April 11, in the Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center. This year’s theme, Connecting Communities, highlights the people and projects shaping the future of downtown KC. Secure your seat.*
The Buy
The Buy
Cute heeled raffia slides, dressy enough for warm-weather events and neutral enough to elevate everyday outfits.
You might have already heard of him from your Gen Z relatives, but internet darling, podcaster, and comedian Caleb Hearon is always shouting out his native Kansas City. The latest subject of his Midwest evangelizing? Screenland Armour.
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