Weekend Possibilities | Dua Lipa Dance Party, Harry Potter House Party and Seltzer Fest at Bar K Hot Time in the City

Parties left and right, live music across multiple genres, along with hard seltzer and whiskey tastings have August’s final weekend looking strong.

Just stay healthy out there.

Friday, Aug. 27

3 – 7 p.m. The fourth Friday of the month means Shop Collective will be set up in the Livestock Exchange Building in the West Bottoms, 1600 Genessee St. A dozen vintage and artisan makers will have studio space in the historic building. Stop by to peruse the limited selection and feel free to pop in to the Golden Ox Cafe for a happy hour beverage.

4 p.m. The 2021 Kaw River Roots Festival is stacked with folk, bluegrass and roots and blues acts, both local and legendary. Friday’s set of music on the Kaw River in Lawrence, Kansas, starts at 5 p.m. at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 East 6th St., and rolls into Saturday with performances from Travelin’ McCourys, Opal Agafia, Julian Davis and more. Single day tickets are $50. Two-day general admission tickets are $85.

7 – 11 p.m. Ain’t no party like a witch and wizard party. Pawn and Pint, 613 Walnut St., is inviting muggles to its Harry Potter House Party. The interested can expect cosplay, trivia, specialty drinks and a little friendly competition between the Hogwarts Houses. The party is free to attend. Don’t worry about jumping through Platform 9¾, Pawn and Pint has a perfectly good front door.

8:30 – 10:30 p.m. Dua Lipa, so hot right now. Friday night’s Let’s Get Physical: A Dua Lipa Dance Party at The Black Box, 1060 Union Ave., should get the people going. Local artist Ashley Jones will perform Dua Lipa’s hit record “Future Nostalgia” backed by a full band. All you have to do is dance. Tickets are $20.

Saturday, Aug. 28

9 a.m. – Noon If classic cars and coffee are some of your favorite things, Caffeine & Chrome by Gateway Classic Cars is the event for you. Pull up to the group’s meeting place in Olathe, 1202 South Lone Elm Road, for complimentary donuts and coffee, plus conversation and connections with fellow car enthusiasts. There is no admission fee.

10 a.m. – Noon Heading back to the classroom isn’t all that bad. That’ll be the energy on display at the Back-to-School Kids Event this weekend at Ward Parkway Center, 8600 Ward Pkwy. Join the party for inflatables, family fun and activities and a set from local legend Mr. Stinky Feet. If you get hungry, there’s plenty of lunch options across the Ward Parkway Restaurant Pavilion.

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Billed as the “fizziest and furriest” event of the summer, Bar K’s Seltzer Fest, 501 Berkley Pkwy., will tickle taste buds Saturday afternoon with a selection of more than a dozen different hard seltzers. A ticket includes hard seltzer and canned cocktail tastings, a commemorative Bar K tasting cup, live music, vendor swag and giveaways, not to mention plenty of pups. Bar K members can get in for $25. Non-members will pay $45. You must be 21 or older to attend.

2:30 – 6 p.m. Spots are filling up for the 2021 Kansas City Summer Whiskey Tasting Festival. Whiskey lovers are uniting at Levee Bar & Grill, 16 W. 43rd St., just north of the Country Club Plaza to taste four different brands of the liquor. General admission tickets include two hours of tasting, 15 tasting tickets, plus additional food and drink specials. VIP packages are available for anyone interested in the long haul, plus more tasting tickets and other goodies. GA passes start at $45.

Sunday, Aug. 29 

4 – 8:30 p.m. It’s coming home. Join the celebration Sunday evening in the 18th & Vine Jazz District, 1722 E. 17 Terr., as Grand Marshals Lonnie McFadden and Mayor Quinton Lucas parade through the streets of Charlie Parker’s former home with his famous Grafton saxophone, as it returns to Kansas City following its display at Disney’s EPCOT. After the homecoming parade, there’s a free party In The Yard of the American Jazz Museum with food trucks, music and activities for all ages.

7 p.m. Martina McBride will take the stage Sunday night at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., and tickets are still available. The Grammy-nominated and award-winning artist will set up in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre with more than 25 years of touring under her belt. Tickets are available starting at $46.