THE WITCHES, Friday Night Flicks Set For Crown Center In '09

Crown Center Schedule of Events
April - December 2009

Through April 19
Backwards In High Heels
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. This biographical musical dances through the extraordinary life of Ginger Rogers. The evening glides and swirls through such memorable standards as "Fascinating Rhythm," "Change Partners," "Embraceable You," "A Fine Romance" and "We're in the Money." A wonderful tribute, a wonderful evening of music and dance! A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or AHTKC.com.

Through April 26
70 Years of Oz Oh My! exhibit
Crown Center Shops Showplace, Level 1. There's no place like Crown Center to celebrate the 70th anniversary of America's favorite movie, "The Wizard of Oz." Trace Dorothy's footsteps through the Land of Oz, from the moment her house plops down in Munchkin Land until she clicks her ruby red slippers to return to Kansas. Along the yellow brick road, families can tour the enchanting world of the Munchkins, meet up with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, locate the Wizard in Emerald City, and sneak inside the Wicked Witch's eerie castle. A portion of the exhibit showcases decades of Oz memorabilia from local Oz enthusiast, Jane Albright. Open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Closed Easter Sunday, April 12. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

April 4, 11, 18, 25
Wizard of Oz costumed characters
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion appear at Crown Center, posing for photos and visiting with fans every Saturday in April. No admission fee. Noon to 4 p.m. 816-274-8444.

April 4, 5, 10, 11
The Easter Bunny visits Crown Center
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. The Easter Bunny greets children at Crown Center. A professional photographer will be taking pictures for a fee and visitors are welcome to bring their cameras. Noon to 4 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

April 14 - May 17
Roald Dahl's The Witches
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. They are completely bald, always wear wigs, have curved fingernails hidden by gloves, no toes but force their feet into narrow, fashionable shoes. Who are they? The Witches, of course! Can a brave boy and his grandma foil The Grand High Witch's monstrous plan? Roald Dahl reveals the ghastly truth about these horrible creatures! Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 or coterietheatre.org.

April 18
Fringe Short
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An evening of one-act plays, with all proceeds benefiting the KC Fringe Festival operations. 8 p.m. Call 816-516-4750 or visit KCFringe.org for more details.

April 20-30
Spring Choir Performances
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Local choirs will entertain Crown Center visitors each weekday. 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

April 25
Magic and Music
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Magician Devin Henderson and Mr. Stinky Feet (Jim Cosgrove) perform. 10 a.m. Tickets are just $5. Call 816-842-9999 or visit AHTKC.com for tickets.

April 27
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. It's a traditional day off in the theater world but many singers drop in anyhow for one of Musical Theater Heritage's cabaret nights. Tickets are just $10 or complimentary for MTH season ticket holders. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

April 29-30
Young Playwrights' Festival
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. The Coterie's Young Playwrights Roundtable features the city's best young writers in a bold and striking writing project. 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 the finest actors, directors, and designers to make this a special experience about quality writing by young people. A highlight in the Coterie's season. Part of the Coterie's Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 or coterietheatre.org.

May 1-10
Mother's Day Gift Wrap Offer
Crown Center Shops Customer Service, Level 2. Spend just $50 at any Crown Center shop, restaurant or theatre during May 1-10 and get one complimentary gift wrap. Simply take your receipts to Customer Service by May 10, during regular shopping hours, to redeem. 816-274-8444.

May 1-17
The Heart Gallery: Through Our Children's Eyes
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Crown Center partners with Missouri Children's Division of Jackson County to host the Missouri Heart Gallery. The gallery consists of 100-150 photos (16" x 20" size) of children waiting for adoptive homes. The exhibit is open during regular shopping hours. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

May 7-24
The Taffetas
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. It's the 1950s, and the fabulous decade comes alive again when four singing sisters from Muncie, Indiana make their national television debut. Tight, four-part harmonies will pay tribute to some of the greatest girl groups and hits of the era. Join Musical Theater Heritage for a fantastic evening. Call 816-842-9999 or visit AHTKC.com for tickets.

May 8-10
Fiesta Kansas City
Crown Center Square. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at this ninth annual event, which features great music, food, dancing and exhibits. Sponsored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. Festival hours are 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday; Noon to 11 p.m., Saturday; Noon to 10 p.m., Sunday. No admission fee. Check www.hccgkc.com or call 816-472-6767 for more information.

May 8 - June 21
Unnecessary Farce
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. This laugh-out-loud comedy has everything one can hope for in a modern-day farce: two likeable cops operating way out of their league, a supposedly crooked mayor with impeccable timing, his innocent-acting wife, a shy accountant with a penchant for dropping her drawers, a nervous double agent who'd like to get IN those drawers, a Scottish hit man whose brogue gets thicker the angrier he gets, two adjoining hotel rooms, simmering sexual tension and eight doors a slammin'. A Kansas City premiere. 816-842-9999 or ahtkc.com.

May 16
Heart of America Jaguar Concours d'Elegance
Crown Center Square. Jaguar owners from around the region will display their cars and have them judged for awards in many classes. Presented by the Heart of America Jaguar Club. 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

May 23-24
Jiggle Jam Family Fest
Crown Center Square. Returning for a second fabulous year, featuring national and local entertainers and many kids activities. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. Children tickets cost $8 in advance or $10 at the gate. No admission fee for children under 2. Tickets for parents and others cost $5.Call 816-997-8511 or visit kcjigglejam.com for more information.

May 23 - September 7
The Art of the Brick (An Art Adventure with LEGO® Bricks)
Crown Center Shops Showplace, Level 1. The exhibit consists of approximately 30 artworks created solely from LEGO® blocks, by artist Nathan Sawaya. The amazing designs include Lennon Tribute, Apples, Infinity, Sunflower and Globe, ranging in size from 20 inches to 78 inches. Open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day hours are noon to 5 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

June 6
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 6
Reach Movement
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Experimental dance comes to life with Reach's dancers and choreographers exploring the boundaries of performance art. 8 p.m. Call 888-271-8349 or visit ReachKC.org for more details.

June 13-14
Crown Center Antique Festival
Crown Center Square. The ninth annual festival will showcase pottery, china, toys, linens, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, books and much more. More than 150 dealers. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. No admission fee. Complimentary appraisals in the Crown Center Shops Atrium from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. (One item per person.) 816-274-8444.

June 19
The Chef's Taste of Summer Series
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Experience great new summer recipes from Crown Center's Executive Chefs, as they show off their creative culinary skills to help spark up your summer meals. Martin Heuser of The Westin (June 19), Frank Majowicz of the Hyatt Regency (July 17) and Debbie Gold of the American Restaurant (August 21) will appear. Events begin at 12 noon. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

June 19-20
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 Friday and Saturday. No admission fee. Visit www.kcchalkandwalk.org for more information.

June 23 - August 2
U:BUG:ME
The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Live rock musical for kids! Life isn't easy when you're a bug. Pico the Fly knows all about it: his best friend, clever Esteban the Earwig, discovers a revolutionary way to harvest soil, but things get thorny when the buddies enter Queen Bee's Annual Competition. The Ant-Hill Band rocks the show with hilarious songs! Part of the Coterie's Elementary/Family Series. 816-474-6552 or coterietheatre.org.

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14
Friday Night Flicks
Crown Center Square. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs, sit under the stars and take in a classic movie on a huge outdoor screen. The 2009 lineup: "The Sandlot" (July 3), "Men in Black" (July 10), "The Karate Kid" (July 17), "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (July 24), "Mamma Mia" (July 31), "The Wizard of Oz" (August 7), "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (August 14). No admission fee. Concessions will be available. Movies begin at approximately 9 p.m. 816-274-8444.

July 4, 11, 18, 25
July Puppet Show Series
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Piccadilly Productions (July 4), Paul Mesner Puppets (July 11), StoneLion Puppet Theatre (July 18) and the Clement McCrae Puppets (July 25) perform. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

July 10 - August 23
Are We There Yet? A Family Survival Guide
American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. This merry musical romp includes everything from hysterical family car trips and mothers praying for hits at their sons' baseball games, to fathers sitting through ballet lessons and the joy of sex after 60! 816-842-9999 or ahtkc.com.

July 17
The Chef's Taste of Summer Series
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Experience great new summer recipes from Crown Center's Executive Chefs, as they show off their creative culinary skills to help spark up your summer meals. Martin Heuser of The Westin (June 19), Frank Majowicz of the Hyatt Regency (July 17) and Debbie Gold of the American Restaurant (August 21) will appear. Events begin at 12 noon. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

July 19-26
KC Fringe Festival
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Now in its fifth year, the KC Fringe Festival is a city-wide celebration of local, regional and national artists. Visit KCFringe.org for details about events to be held at the Off Center Theatre. 816-516-4750.

July 27
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of Broadway with Musical Theater Heritage. Tickets are just $10 or complimentary for Musical Theater Heritage season ticket holders. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

August 1
Clown Day
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Crown Center becomes "Clown Center" for this all-smiles event. Bring the kids and see performances by area clown groups that will tickle your funny bone. Enjoy balloon animals, face painting and general clowning around from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stage show from noon to 1 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

August 13-30
Big River
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Musical Theater Heritage. Winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book. This fantastic show is based on Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Call 816-842-9999 or visit AHTKC.com for tickets.

August 21
The Chef's Taste of Summer Series
Crown Center Shops Atrium, Level 1. Experience great new summer recipes from Crown Center's Executive Chefs, as they show off their creative culinary skills to help spark up your summer meals. Martin Heuser of The Westin (June 19), Frank Majowicz of the Hyatt Regency (July 17) and Debbie Gold of the American Restaurant (August 21) will appear. Events begin at 12 noon. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

August 21
Free Friday Night Concerts- Eddie Money
Crown Center Square. Eddie Money brings his vault of hits to Crown Center, including "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Baby Hold On," "Think I'm In Love" and "Take Me Home Tonight." Opening act at 8 p.m., followed by Eddie Money. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

August 28
Free Friday Night Concerts- Jo Dee Messina
Crown Center Square. Jo Dee Messina, owner of nine #1 singles, performs at Crown Center. Messina was the first female country artist to have three multi-week #1 songs from the same album ("I'm Alright.") Opening act at 8 p.m., followed by Jo Dee Messina. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

September 4-6
Kansas City Irish Fest
Crown Center Square. 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. Festival hours are 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 10-12
KC Improv Festival
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. More details coming soon to KCImprov.com.

September 18-20, 25-27
Alice in Wonderland
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Bellenwhissle Productions. Tickets are just $5.50 and available at AHTKC.com or 816-842-9999.

September 26-October 11
33rd annual Heart of America Quilt Festival
Crown Center Shops Showplace and Atrium, Level 1. The Greater Kansas City Quilters Guild presents this showing of 150 beautifully crafted quilts, wall hangings and decorative items. The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday - Wednesday & Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday & Friday; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.

October 10
Crown Center Pumpkin Patch
Crown Center Square. This annual benefit features 30,000 pounds of pumpkins piled high for a cause-Children's TLC. Visitors can pick out a pumpkin to take home in time for Halloween. This one-day event is packed with children's games, activities, entertainers and music. The StoneLion Puppets provide a special Halloween performance in the Crown Center Shops at noon and 2 p.m. Event hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. No admission fee. Tickets for pumpkins and games sold separately. 816-274-8444. (Rain date is October 11.)

October 16-31
Mall of the Dead
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Coterie After Dark. It's 1978, the day after "Night of the Living Dead" (but 10 years later)! Four refugees hide in an abandoned shopping center, only to find that zombies seem to lurk around every mannequin. A pale 'Sid Vicious' beauty joins the motley crew of survivors, as does her best friend Donna (the perfume counter girl.) As the audience arrives, like the characters in the play, they experience the invasion of Crown Center by attacking zombie hoards, whose undead instinct has led them "back to the mall." 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org.

November 5
Arrival of the Mayor's Christmas Tree
Crown Center Square. The first sign of the holiday season arrives at Crown Center, the culimination of a journey from Oregon. The 100-foot-tall tree arrives at 9 a.m. on November 5 and is put into its stand at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, November 6. 816-274-8444.

November 6
Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening Day
Crown Center Square. Kansas City's only public outdoor ice skating rink opens for its 37th 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 under age 5. 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. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in February and March. 816-274-8411. (The rink is open until March 14, 2010.)

November 16
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An impromptu evening of Broadway with Musical Theater Heritage. Tickets are just $10 or complimentary for Musical Theater Heritage season ticket holders. 816-221-6987 or MTHKC.com.

November 27
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. 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 27 - December 31
Santa's Crayola® Christmas Land
Crown Center Shops Showplace, Level 1. Children can play on super-sized Crayola® products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 27 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area remains open through December 31. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 27 - December 31
Santa's Gingerbread Village
Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Three locomotives travel through a Santa's gingerbread village in the North Pole, all created by the chefs at The Westin Crown Center and Hyatt Regency Crown Center hotels. See the reindeer stable, Santa's sleigh garage, the elves' dorm, a doll, rocking horse, and ball factory, and even Mr. & Mrs. Clause's home. Three tracks of garden scale trains from Hall's Station help deliver the magic of Christmas. No admission fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

December 3-20
"Spectacular Christmas"
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Presented by Musical Theater Heritage. Like a visit from old friends. After having so much fun together last season we just have to do it again! You can be sure that the show will put you in the holiday spirit with your favorite songs of the season. Call 816-842-9999 or visit AHTKC.com for tickets.

December 5, 12, 19
Musical Fun For Kids
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Enjoy holiday music for kids and families on three Saturdays in December, featuring Jim Cosgrove, Mr. Stinky Feet & The Hiccups (December 5), The Doo-Dads (December 12) and Dino O'Dell and the Veloci-Rappers (December 19). Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. 816-274-8444.