Weekend Possibilities | Sporting KC Opener, True/False Film Fest and KC Wine Fest Springing Forward in Style

Spring forward with soccer, movies, wine and more during March’s first weekend. 

Friday, March 6

11 a.m. Make a day trip (or two) to Columbia, Missouri, for this weekend’s True/False Film Fest. The four-day festival starts Thursday and runs through the weekend with a focus on creative placemaking through film, shorts, art exhibits, live music and more. More than 50 full-length and short films leave audience members to guess whether the story is true or false. Festival passes vary.

6 – 10 p.m. Rochester Brewing and Roasting Company, 2129 Washington St., is the venue for The 10th Annual Expressions Art Exhibition opening reception. The Expressions exhibit showcases the work of artists with disabilities and provides a space for networking with the local creative community. The reception will give art-goers the opportunity to meet all 17 artists and learn about their work, all while enjoying live painting and music. Light refreshments will be available. The exhibition will remain on display at multiple venues through February 2021. The event is free. 

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Kansas City Symphony is making a special appearance at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven. The special quartet concert will include one of the composer’s most famous pieces, Opus 132. The concert is free, though a ticket is required.

Saturday, March 7

9 a.m. Register by Friday, March 6, at 11:59 p.m. for The Storybook 5k in Olathe, 127th Street and Blackbob Road. The 5k run/walk encourages participants to dress up as their favorite storybook character and dash in support of Open Minds Child Development Center and early childhood education. Bring along a few new or gently used books to donate and don’t forget the 50- to 200-yard kids run starting at 10 a.m. Registration is $38 for adults and $10 for the little ones.

1 – 3:30 p.m. A few spots remain for Introduction to Middle Eastern Cooking at The Culinary Center of Kansas City, 7920 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park. An instructor will teach attendees how to properly use spices like za’atar and sumac, yogurt, labneh, tahini and more. Then, cook alongside Chef Dana Holland, preparing Fattoush, (a roasted salad), Musabaha (a traditional hummus), Kofta (middle eastern meatballs) and more. Registration is $60.

1 – 9 p.m. Whether wine is your thing or you’re willing to give it a shot, Saturday’s KC Wine Festival at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, will do the trick. Pick from over 150 wines from all over the world, with food from gourmet food trucks, live music and more. Pick from two three-hour sessions, the first of which offers a VIP early 1 p.m. entry, which will offer shorter lines and more exclusive pours. Tickets to KC Wine Fest are $55 (GA) and $65 (VIP). You must be 21 or older to attend. 

7:30 p.m. Soccer season is back. Coming off a 3-1 win in Vancouver, Sporting Kansas City returns to Children’s Mercy Park, 1 Sporting Way in Kansas City, Kansas, for the 2020 home opener against the Houston Dynamo. The 18,000-seat stadium should be rocking with the rival Dynamo in town, as the KC club looks to start the season on a high note after missing the postseason in 2019. Tickets start at $38, plus fees. 

Sunday, March 8

5 – 7 p.m. Wait until the stars come out for Full Moon Hike at the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, 909 N. Hwy 7. Recommended for children ages eight and older, the quiet walk will be led by a naturalist, who will guide park guests by moonlight through the shadows, while keeping an ear out for owls or other nocturnal critters. Reserve spots for the whole family for $5 (Johnson County residents) or $6 (non-residents). The hike happens even if it’s overcast.

According to South of Summit Taqueria & Tequila, 516 W. 75th St., tacos are the answer. If you agree, try lunch or dinner in the vibrant, but cozy space full of live cactus and succulents. The new Waldo concept’s menu, brought to you by the owners of the neighboring Summit Grill, offers shareable plates like the Queso Fundido or Ceviche, plus plenty of traditional mains and tacos that range from mushroom to cheese curds and beyond. And let’s just say the tequila list long.