The weekend is almost here, and it’s time once again for our editor’s weekend calendar picks. Stop by H&R Block Artspace or Todd Weiner Gallery on First Friday, or kick off the holidays with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Symphony, or the KC Ballet’s new Nutcracker (featured in our last issue). For more ideas, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
The Santaland Diaries
December 3 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
December 4 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
December 5 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
December 6 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Kansas City Repertory Theatre-Copaken Stage
Brian Sills returns as America’s favorite irreverent elf Crumpet! David Sedaris’ hysterical tale of elfin’ woe is a hilarious send-up of his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. Featuring an uproarious soundtrack of lively Christmas music, The Santaland Diaries skewers our sentimental love of all things Christmas—the happy children, the gifts, the spritely elves and the good cheer.
The Santaland Diaries shows us the other side of what it’s like to work at Santaland, the result is merrily subversive, but always fun!
Artspace Open House
December 4 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Meet the 2015 Charlotte Street Foundation Visual Artist Fellows, Jill Downen, Rashawn Griffin, and Misha Klingman. Seasonal beverages will be served. The artspace will remain open from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for Kansas City Art Institute end of semester exhibition and sale.
Carol Zastoupil: Curls, Swirls, Whirls
December 4 – December 26
“Carol Zastoupil: Curls, Swirls, Whirls” opens with a reception from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 4 at Todd Weiner Gallery, 115 W. 18th St., and continues through Dec. 28. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to3 p.m. Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. First Fridays. For more information, 816- 984-8538 or www.toddweinergallery.com
Kansas City Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah
December 3 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
December 4 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
December 5 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00pm
December 6 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
More than 250 powerful voices make this the Messiah performance of the year! The Independence Messiah Choir joins with the Kansas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus to continue the 99-year tradition of performing Handel’s glorious Messiah. Witness this choral masterpiece in the acoustically precise Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center. It’s the perfect way to kick off your holiday season. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $13 for children.
All New Nutcracker!
December 5 @ 2:00 pm
December 5 @ 7:30pm
December 6 @ 1:00pm
December 6 @ 5:00pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney presents an all new production of this favorite holiday classic. Carney promises a traditional yet boisterous, adventurous, and reimagined production. Presented by Bank of America.
