This week in Kansas City: Black dolls exhibition, early Fourth of July celebrations
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures will offer an exhibition of historical significance when “Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls From the Collection of Deborah Neff” opens this weekend.
Neff, a Connecticut lawyer, has assembled what is considered the world’s best collection of Black dolls. The exhibition will feature 135 handmade dolls dating as far back as 1850, as well as period photographs and paintings.
“Portraits of Childhood” will run June 29-March 3; an opening reception at 6 p.m. June 28 is sold out. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Monday, and admission is $5-$10. More information at toyandminiaturemuseum.org.
Fourth of July celebrations
(Through July 3. Check back on Sunday for more Fourth of July events.)
▪ Bonner Blast, 5 p.m. June 27, Kelly Murphy Park, Bonner Springs. llchamber.com.
▪ Parked!, 5:30 p.m. June 28, Stump Park, Shawnee. shawnee-ks.com.
▪ Spirit of America Celebration, 6 p.m. June 28, Recreation Park, Raymore. raymore.com.
▪ Flags 4 Freedom, 7 a.m. June 29 through July 6. Merriam Marketplace. merriam.org.
▪ Independence Days, 3 p.m. June 29, Lansing High School. lansingks.org.
▪ Lights on the Lake, 5 p.m. June 29, Osawatomie City Lake. osawatomielotl.com.
▪ Fireworks in the Park, about 9:45 p.m. July 2, Pierson Park, Kansas City, Kansas. turnerrecreation.org.
▪ Red, White & Blue Springs, 3 p.m. July 3, Blue Springs South High School. bluespringsgov.com.
▪ Legacy Blast, 6 p.m. July 3, Legacy Park, Lee’s Summit. cityofls.net.
▪ Liberty Fest, 6 p.m. July 3, Capitol Federal Sports Complex, Liberty. thelibertyfest.com.
More entertainment
▪ Producer/director Hugo Ximello Salido will be on hand for a screening of the new documentary “Muxe: The Language of Art & Culture” in Atkins Auditorium at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 7 p.m. June 28 ($10-$13). nelson-atkins.org.
▪ Theatre in the Park will present the Cole Porter musical “Anything Goes,” 8:30 p.m. June 28-30, July 3 and 5-6 ($7-$10). theatreinthepark.org.
▪ Music Theatre Kansas City’s production of “Suessical The Musical” will run at B&B Shawnee, 7 p.m. June 28, 2 and 7 p.m. June 29, 2 p.m. June 30, 7 p.m. July 5, 2 and 7 p.m. July 6, 2 p.m. July 7 ($12-$20). mtkc.org.
▪ Comedian Becky Robinson, aka the “Entitled Housewife,” will appear at the Ameristar, 8:30 p.m. June 28 ($40-$95). ameristarkansascity.boydgaming.com.
Music
▪ Country Stampede featuring Chris Janson (June 27), Riley Green (June 28) and Jon Pardi (June 29), gates open 3 p.m. June 27, 1 p.m. June 28-29, Azura Amphitheater ($79-$299). countrystampede.com.
▪ Bob Wills Texas Playboys, 8 p.m. June 27, Knuckleheads ($35-$55). knuckleheadskc.com.
▪ Mat Kearney, 8 p.m. June 27, Madrid ($35). madridtheatre.com.
▪ That Mexican OT with Maxo Kream and Drodi, 8 p.m. June 27, Midland ($39.50-$45). midlandkc.com.
▪ Lyle Lovett, 8 p.m. June 28, Uptown ($49.50-$59). uptowntheater.com.
▪ Dark Star Orchestra, 6:30 p.m. June 29, Grinders KC ($35-$85). grinderskc.com.
▪ Parker McCollum with Corey Kent, 7:30 p.m. June 29, Starlight ($22.50-$74.50). kcstarlight.com.
▪ Danielle Nicole Band, 8 p.m. June 29, Knuckleheads ($30-$50). knuckleheadskc.com.
▪ JJ Grey and Mofro, 8 p.m. July 2, Knuckleheads ($40-$60). knuckleheadskc.com.
▪ Ensemble Iberica, “La Fuente del Flamenco,” 7 p.m. July 3, MTH Theater at Crown Center ($45-$50). ensembleiberica.org.
Recently announced
▪ Hunxho, Loe Shimmy, Blakeiana and more, Sept. 6, Azura Amphitheater. azuraamp.com
▪ David Spade, Oct. 12, Midland. midlandkc.com
▪ Sesame Street Live!, Oct. 17, Cable Dahmer Arena. cabledahmerarena.com
▪ The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Nov. 8, Ameristar. ameristarkansascity.com
▪ The Texas Tenors, Dec. 13, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org
