Crown Center Announces Upcoming Events

The Crown Center has announced the following upcoming events:

May 26 - September 9
Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice™
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Created by the Minnesota Children's Museum, this interactive traveling exhibit transports visitors back in time to when the dinosaurs last roamed the land, 70 million years ago. Encounter realistic, fully touchable dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. At the Big Dig, children unearth fossils and identify them in the Field Research Station. See a smoldering volcano, dinosaur puzzles, an "icy" slide and prehistoric cave. At the photo kiosk, visitors can take a photo with a dinosaur and email a digital postcard to family and friends. The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

August 31 - September 2
Kansas City Irish Fest
Crown Center Square and Off Center Theatre. Commemorate Kansas City's proud Celtic heritage with three days of music, dancing and exhibits. The festival will feature more than two dozen locally and nationally known bands, playing traditional music and Celtic rock. Off Center Theatre will host Irish comics. $5 Friday tickets. $10 advance Saturday or Sunday tickets, $15 at the gate on Saturday/Sunday, $25 advance three-day tickets. Festival hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. 816-997-0837 or KCIrishFest.com.

September 6-30            
"Spring Awakening"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. This Coterie At Night production celebrates 20 years of protecting teens through the Coterie's award-winning Dramatic Health Education Project. With its affecting score, raging choreography and magnetic young cast, this show goes back in time to explore what's changed (and what hasn't) on the path to understanding sex. Coterie At Night Series. No one under 13 admitted. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

September 7 - October 21
"Making God Laugh"
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Home is where the heart is, and also where the laughs are! Empty nesters welcome their children home for the holidays over a period of thirty years. Family traditions are rekindled, dubious recipes are resurrected, dreams are reevaluated, ancient tensions flare and comedy abounds during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. A Kansas City premiere by Sean Grennan. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

September 8-9
Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival
Crown Center Square. Artists start with empty squares of asphalt and by the end of the weekend, these squares will be transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. No admission fee. Visit KCChalkAndWalk.org for more information. 816-274-8444.

September 10
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it's a sure to be a great time. Reservations required. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

September 12-30
"Dear America: Across The Wide and Lonesome Prairie"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Young Hattie Campbell and her friend Pepper travel in 1847 from Independence, Missouri, across the Oregon Trail with hopeful hearts. Crossing the rough prairies and rigorous mountains, the girls share joyful events and sobering realities. A fine glimpse of history on a human scale. Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 orCoterieTheatre.org.

September 29
Hallmarket
Hallmark Square (in front of the Hallmark Visitors Center). A celebration of creativity and artistic talent. Around 100 Hallmark artists, photographers, sculptors and designers will display and offer their work for sale. Browse watercolor paintings, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, photography and more. This is the artists' personal work, outside of their jobs with Hallmark. Purchases may be made by cash or check only, directly to the artist. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Hallmark Visitors Center and Kaleidoscope will be open during the event. Complimentary parking in the Crown Center garages. 816-274-5745.

October 6
Screenland Slams- "I Know Who Killed Me"
Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Sit back and laugh as three comics tear into 2007's "I Know Who Killed Me." It's like Mystery Science Theater 3000, only live, local and suited for an 18+ crowd. Showtime is 9 p.m. $10 in advance or $12 at the door. 816-545-8034 or ScreenlandSlams.com.

October 11-28
"Master Class"
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A Terrence McNally play presented by Spinning Tree Theatre. After headlining every major opera house, Maria Callas accepts an invitation from The Julliard School to conduct a series of sold-out master classes. Drop-dead funny and larger-than-life, Callas takes to the stage to instruct, reminisce and inspire. Showing Thursdays through Sundays. 816-842-9999 or SpinningTreeTheatre.com.

October 20
Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon
Washington Square Park. Races include a 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon and 5K run/walk, all starting and ending at Washington Square Park (corner of Pershing Road and Grand Boulevard), site of the finish line festival. 7:05 a.m. For registration information, visit KCMarathon.org.

October 27
Spooky Fun Halloween Puppet Shows
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. StoneLion Puppet Theatre presents "The Boneyard Jamboree," a fantastic, non-scary Halloween marionette show for audiences of all ages. The show features Martians, ghosts, skeletons and the pumpkin man. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

October 30 - December 30
"SHREK The Musical"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Shrek is the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey, a feisty princess and a cast of fairy tale misfits. It's a story of adventure, friendship and ogre love that's bringing ugly back! Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

November 1
Arrival of the Mayor's Christmas Tree
Crown Center Square. The first sign of the holiday season arrives at Crown Center, the culmination of a journey from Oregon. The 100-foot-tall tree arrives at 9 a.m. on November 1 and is put into its stand at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, November 2. 816-274-8444.

November 2
Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening Day
Crown Center Square. Kansas City's only public outdoor ice skating rink opens for its 40th season of great skating fun. Enjoy complimentary skating from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on opening day! Regular admission is $6, or complimentary for those over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. Hours through January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. Hours during February and March: noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. 816-274-8411. (The rink is open until March 10, 2013.)

November 2 - December 23
"Nuncrackers - The Nunsense Christmas Musical"
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. With the winnings from Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, the Sisters of Mount St. Helens are on the verge of taping their first-ever Christmas TV special! And nothing goes as planned, resulting in an uproariously funny spoof of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet, zany renditions of classic Christmas carols, a send-up of The Village People, a Catholic home shopping network, and more! Starring Debra Bluford and Kenny Remmert. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

November 3
Screenland Slams- "Tremors"
Screenland Crown Center, Level 3. Sit back and laugh as three comics tear into Kevin Bacon's "Tremors." It's like Mystery Science Theater 3000, only live, local and suited for an 18+ crowd. Showtime is 9 p.m. $10 in advance or $12 at the door. 816-545-8034 or ScreenlandSlams.com.

November 17
"Spectrum"
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Belly Dance United produces innovative US-style bellydance shows breaking away from what is considered "traditional" bellydance by incorporating comedy, acting, modern dance and other ancient dance traditions. 573-864-4710 or bellydanceunited.com.

November 19
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of musical theater hosted by Tim Scott, featuring KC's finest actors and singers. You never know who will show up, and you never know what songs will be sung, but it's a sure to be a great time. Reservations required. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

November 23
Santa's Arrival at Crown Center
Crown Center Shops, Grand Boulevard entrance. Santa Claus arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to kick off the holiday season. Perry the Penguin, Casey Bear and other costume characters help greet Jolly Ol' St. Nick. Join Santa as he makes his way to Crayola Christmas Land, where he resides through December 24. No admission fee. 10 a.m. 816-274-8444.

November 23
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Crown Center Square. The 100-foot-tall Mayor's Christmas Tree, one of the nation's tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. Mayor Sly James and a celebrity guest will flip the switch to light the tree. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the city's less fortunate. Program begins at 5:30 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

After the holidays, the wood from the Mayor's Christmas Tree is made into commemorative ornaments, which are sold the following year to benefit the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund.

November 23 - December 31    
Santa's Crayola® Christmas Land
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Children can play on super-sized Crayola® products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 23 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area is open through December 31. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 23 - December 31
Santa's Gingerbread Village
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Three locomotives travel through a Santa's gingerbread village in the North Pole, all created by the chefs at The Westin Kansas City hotel. See the reindeer stable, Santa's sleigh garage, the elves' dorm, a doll, rocking horse, and ball factory, and even Mr. & Mrs. Claus' home. No admission fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 26 - December 14
Weekday Holiday Choirs
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 130 area school, church and community choirs perform during weekday lunch hours and weekday evenings. No admission fee. 816-274-8444 orCrownCenter.com/Choirs.

December 1, 8, 15
Musical Fun For Kids 
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Enjoy holiday music for kids and families on three Saturdays in December. The lineup: The La La's (December 1), Dino O'Dell & The T-Rex All-Stars (December 8), The Doo-Dads (December 15). Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

December 6-23
A Spectacular Christmas
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Musical Theater Heritage's holiday show features a sackful of classic Christmastime songs from movies and musicals. It is funny, heartfelt, and sentimental, and features many of KC's best-loved local performers. The performances will move you, and it's perfect for the family at Christmastime! 816-842-9999 or MTHKC.com.

January 11 - February 24, 2013
"The Hound of the Baskervilles"
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A wildly funny adaptation of the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story of mystery and suspense. An ancient family curse, a spectral hound and a deranged killer on the loose. One after another, the male heirs of the Baskerville family are being knocked off. Sherlock Holmes, the "greatest detective of all time", sends Dr. Watson to the countryside in order to prevent more bloodshed, and naturally, mayhem of various kinds ensues. A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

January 22 - February 21, 2013
"Number The Stars"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Based on the Newbery Medal winning book by Lois Lowry. During World War II, the Johansen family faces soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs and the loss of loved ones to help their neighbors, the Rosens, escape across the ocean to safety in Sweden. Based on true actions during the Holocaust. Part of the Coterie's Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 orCoterieTheatre.org.

February 23 - March 10, 2013    
"Tell-Tale Electric Poe"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. One actor and one musician performing Poe stories and poems with musical lines and retorts from a reactive electric guitar! Horrifying and humorous, this sublime creation blends old with new, and includes three famous Poe poems and two short stories dramatized ("Pit and the Pendulum," "Tell-Tale Heart"). Part of the Coterie's Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

March 7-24, 2013    
"Slashdance"
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. A world premiere Coterie At Night presentation, directed by Ron MeGee. "Flashdance" meets the cannibalistic hoards! Alexis Bowens is a welder by day, dance by night. Nothing's going to stop her dream of getting into a real dance company, not event a giant herd of fast-moving, virus-infecting human cannibals!(PG-13 production. No one under 13 admitted.) 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

March 8 - April 21, 2013
"Life Could Be A Dream"
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. In a time before "American Idol", The Crooning Crabcakes enter the talent search hosted by the Big Whopper Radio competition in hopes of realizing their dreams of making it to the big time. Trouble comes in the form of Lois, who arrives to put some polish on the group-and hilarious heartaches ensue! Featuring "Stay" (just a Little Bit Longer), "Earth Angel," "Unchained Melody," "Only You," and more than 20 other doo-wop hits. A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

April 9 - May 24, 2013
"Bud, Not Buddy"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. It's the Great Depression, and times could be hard for Bud after the loss of his mother. But nothing can stop Bud (not "Buddy") from finding the man he believes to be his father-jazz composer and musicIan Herman E. Calloway. Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

April 24-25, 2013
Young Playwrights' Festival
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Featuring a collection of works by the city's best young writers. The rich and varied theatrical writings which emerge from a year-long process are forged into an ambitious festival of script-in-hand stagings utilizing professional actors. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

May 10 - June 23, 2013
"Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage"
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Miss Abigail, the most sought-after relationship expert to the stars (think Dr. Ruth meets Emily Post), and her scrumptious sidekick, Paco, share with you their outrageously funny advice and "how-to's" on dating, mating and marriage! Learn a thing or two ... like how to have a perfect kiss (it's all about lip position)...what you should and should not talk about on a date (don't mention your troll doll collection)...and how to let a man think he wears the pants. You'll be laughing about love all night long! A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

May 25 - September 8, 2013
Curious George™: Let's Get Curious!
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Children have more fun than a barrel of monkeys at this exhibit as they explore familiar buildings and locales from the Curious George™ book series and television show on PBS KIDS. Activities invite visitors to learn like George - through curiosity, experience and mischievous fun! The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. No admission fee. 816-274-8444. (Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Company and used under license. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All rights reserved.)

May 25-26, 2013
Jiggle Jam Family Fest
Crown Center Square. Returning for a sixth fantastic year, featuring national and local children's entertainers. Many kids activities to enjoy. Call 816-997-8511 or visit KCJiggleJam.com for more event hours and ticket prices.

June 1, 2013
HospitAl Hill Run
Crown Center Square. This premier Kansas City road racing event is nationally recognized by Runner's World magazine. Races include a 13.1-mile half marathon, 10K race and 5K run/walk, all starting and ending at Crown Center Square. 7 a.m. For registration information, call 816-274-8444 or visit HospitalHillRun.com.

June 8-9, 2013
Crown Center Antique Festival
Crown Center Square. The festival's 13th year will feature pottery, china, toys, linens, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, books and much more. More than 100 booths. Regular festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

June 18 - August 4, 2013
"Lyle the Crocodile"
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. What a croc! Loveable Lyle livens up a summer's day. The Primm family is surprised to find a crocodile in the tub. The multi-talented Lyle quickly becomes part of the family, but a nasty neighbor, Mr. Grumps, has it out for the reptile. Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

June 21-23, 2013
Fiesta Kansas City
Crown Center Square. Celebrate Hispanic culture at this 14th annual event, which features great music, food, dancing and exhibits. Sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. Check FiestaKansasCity.com or call 816-472-6767 for event hours and ticket prices.

July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2013
July Puppet Show Series
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. A Crown Center tradition continues with performances from the region's most exciting puppeteers. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

July 12 - August 25, 2013
"The Bikinis - A New Beach Party Musical"
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Back together after 20 years - four best friends are bringing back the sun, fun and all the great songs they sang down on the boardwalk...all to raise money for the good folks at Sandy Shores on Florida's Gold Coast. Filled with such hits as "It's In His Kiss", "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", "Heat Wave", "Under the Boardwalk", "These Boots are made for Walking", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "When Will I Be Loved", "I Will Survive", "It's Raining Men" and many more. A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

 

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