Weekend Possibilities | Thundergong!, Pig & Swig and the Kansas International Film Fest

There are about 48 hours between leaving work on Friday and the time you start thinking about work once again on Sunday night. Weekend Possibilities is your roadmap for food, drinks and fun for the perfect Kansas City weekend.

Friday, Nov. 8

5:20 p.m How about Friday night at the movies? The Kansas International Film Festival kicks off this weekend at the Glenwood Arts Theater in Overland Park (3707 W. 95th St.). The  week-long fest will screen independent and classic cinema from all over the world, so find a short or feature-length film that suits your fancy and get your tickets. Full event passes, individual movie tickets, previews and a full schedule are available online. 

6 – 8:30 p.m. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St.) is putting on a Teens Open Mic Night designed for the exploration of art and ideas by those aged 14 to 19. Feel free to either perform or just watch and enjoy snacks and beverages. Participants can bring a band or perform as a group if necessary. The event is free.

Saturday, Nov. 9

3 – 6 p.m. Pig & Swig is taking over Power & Light District (1330 Grand Blvd.) Saturday afternoon, showcasing local barbecue flavors, bourbon, whiskey and bacon for those aged 21 and up. Attendees will use tokens to taste select bourbons and whiskeys, while traveling around P&L with a “passpork” to pick barbecue and bacon from joints like Plowboys, Jazzy B’s, Chop’s, Nikki G’s, County Road Ice House and more! You can also expect live music, yard games and lessons on bourbon. General admission tickets are $35. VIP tickets are $65. 

6 p.m. Actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer Jason Sudeikis is returning to his hometown for Thundergong! — a benefit night of comedy, music and entertainment for Steps of Faith Foundation. He’ll be joined onstage at the Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway) by fellow comedians and actors like Will Forte, Fred Armisen, plus musical acts like Wynnona Judd, The Get Up Kids and many more. Tickets for the one-of-a-kind event are still available and start at $55. 

6:30 p.m. It’s local Latin music’s time to shine at Knuckleheads Garage (2715 Rochester Ave.). The Kansas City Latin Music Summit will feature members of 10 local bands together as a 15-piece Latin music super group. Promoted by the Columbian Cultural Association, the extraordinary night of music will serve as a fundraiser for 90.1 KKFI community radio to demonstrate the power of collaboration between genres. Be sure to check online for a full list of participating artists. Tickets are $20. 

7 – 10 p.m. The 5th Annual Socks and Hops is coming to City Market (20 E. 5th St.) for a night of beer and bites. Try top local brewery and chef pairings from Crane Brewing and Wilma’s Good Food, Torn Label Brewing and Taqueria Vegana, Double Shift Brewing and Bay Boy Sandwiches and many more, all for a good cause. The event is in support of Swope Health’s Healthcare for the Homeless, so be sure to bring a new pair of warm socks to be distributed to local communities in need. Tickets go from $45 to $75. 

Sunday, Nov. 10

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Louisburg Holiday Mart is back with over 100 local vendors ahead of the holiday season. Get an early jump on your shopping list or pick up hand-made holiday decor or bake sale items at Louisburg Middle School (505 E Amity St. in Louisburg) all day long. Admission is free. 

10 a.m – 5 p.m. The National World War I Museum and Memorial is honoring veterans with free ceremonies and free admission for active military and veterans all weekend long, in addition to half-price tickets for the general public. The No. 5 ranked museum in the nation, according to Yelp, is the only one of its kind to share stories of WWI from those who experienced the war firsthand. The museum holds more than 300,000 artifacts from the war and invites visitors to experience interactive exhibits that cover all aspects of WWI, plus rotating exhibits like, “The Vietnam War 1945-1975.” Check the website for a full schedule of Veterans Day events and ticket pricing.

10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Pick a time to go behind the scenes for a tour of The Roasterie (1204 W. 27th St.). The tour provides the chance to learn all about the cupping, roasting and blending processes behind one of Kansas City’s best cups of coffee. The tour and Q&A session is $5 for those 12 and up, children under the age of 12 tour for free. The Roasterie tour route is wheelchair and stroller friendly.