The Pitch's 2023 summer guide to the best events of KC (and beyond)

(L to R) Lana Luxx, Jenna Stanwyck, Karmella Uchawi, Dirty Dorothy, Genewa Stanwyck. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Welcome to The Summer Guide! What we have here is meant to be an extensive list of really cool events in the metro and surrounding areas, organized into thoughtful categories so readers can stay connected to the vibrant sanctuary that is our city. We wanted the June issue to feel like stepping into a better version of a Midwestern summer. A parallel universe. The way things should be. And we think we’ve accomplished that.

All photos by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Pro nails. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

JuneteenthKC Film Festival, Screenland Armour

JuneteenthKC 6th Annual Cultural Parade, 18th & Vine District

Juneteenth National Independence Day: The Story Behind Our Newest Federal Holiday, Harry S. Truman Historic Site

BlaKCK MarQet Juneteenth Festival, 1801 Quindaro Blvd. (KCK)

3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration, Harmon Park (Prairie Village)

Juneteenth: A Black Roots Reunion, Burcham Park (Lawrence)

Juneteenth Twilight Parade & Festival, Haymarket Square (Leavenworth)

4th Annual Advocacy & Awareness Peace March & Rally: A Juneteenth Celebration, Thompson Park (Overland Park)

JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival: The Homecoming, 18th & Vine District

The festival will be returning for its 12th year in the historic 18th & Vine District. With performances from Gospel Jubilee, Kim Keys & Loc’d, Sir Charles, and many more, JuneteenthKC's festival will highlight Black artists at the American Jazz Museum Atrium hosted by Black Space Black Art. Admission is free and includes family activities such as face painting and pony rides. You can download the mobile app for the festival to stay up to date on the vendors and event lineup.

Juneteenth Celebration, Downtown Lawrence

"Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom" Dinner, Documentary and Discussion, 20 E Gregory Blvd.

Lana Luxx. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Pride Kickoff NEON Party w/ VCMN, Lucia

Lawrence PRIDE, Downtown Lawrence

Out with the Current, Children's Mercy Park

KC Rainbow Tour Launch Party, Kansas City Museum

Queer Bar Takeover, J. Rieger & Co.

Trixie Mattel, KC Live!

NUBIA: A Brave New World Tour, The Folly Theater

Hot Pink: But I’m A Cheerleader, Screenland Armour

Friday Night Lights: Super Queeroes, Gaels Public House & Sports

KC PrideFest 2023, Frank A. Theis Park

OUTside Voices KC: True Colors, Community Christian Church

Royals Pride Night, Kauffman Stadium

6th Annual Pride Bar Crawl, John's Big Deck

Deja's PRIDE Cabaret, Maceli's Banquet Hall & Catering

Disney PRIDE in Concert, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Immerse yourself in a Disney-inspired multimedia celebration of LGBTQIA+ life and love at Disney PRIDE in Concert. Featuring the Heartland Men's Chorus, the family-friendly concert will draw inspiration from classic Disney films like The Lion King and Mary Poppins, as well as modern sensations like Coco, and Zootopia. Along with the 150-member chorus, the show will feature a 25-piece orchestra, accompanied by animations from Disney and Pixar films and personal stories from chorus members connected to the meaning in their musical selections.

2023 Pride Celebration, Warren Place Venue (Gardner, KS)

Pride on Vine 3, 18th and Vine District

Independence Pride ‘23, Englewood Arts District

People's Pride, West Bottoms

Ragazza Pride Brunch, Ragazza

Queer Bar Takeover, The Black Box

Jinkx Monsoon: "Everything at Stake," The Folly Theater

The feast. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Osawatomie's Lights on the Lake 2023, Osawatomie, KS

Stars & Stripes Celebration, Knuckleheads

Mozingo 4th of July Celebration, Mozingo Lake Recreation Park

Independence Day, Baldwin City Golf Course

Red, White & Blue Springs, Blue Springs South High

Smithville Fireworks Show, Smith's Fork Park

Mahaffie's Independence Day, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

#5 Patriotic Concert in the Park, Indian Creek Rec Center

Red, White and BOOMbox, Kansas City Live Block

SummerFest 2023, Douglas County Fairgrounds

Red, White and Baseball, Kauffman Stadium

4th of July Fireworks, DeSoto Riverfest Park

Stars and Stripes Picnic, National WWI Museum and Memorial

4th of July Celebration, Platte County Courthouse

Lenexa Freedom Run, Lenexa, KS

Community Days Parade, Lenexa, KS

CarrollTON’S of Fun Day, Carrollton Recreation Park

Stilwell KS 4th of July Parade, Stilwell, KS

Star Spangled Spectacular, Corporate Woods Office Park

Platte City 4th of July, Platte City, MO

Ward Parkway Four on the Fourth, Ward Parkway

July 4th Fireworks, College Boulevard Activity Center

Family Fun Nights- 1860s Fireworks, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

The Queens. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Beartooth & Trivium, Uptown Theater

All Time Low, The Midland

RadFest Volume I, Lemonade Park

Radkey presents RadFest Volume I at Lemonad(e) Park. The first volume of RadFest includes a taste of rock bands Radkey, The Phantastics, The Many Colored Death, Drop a Grand, and more. The bands’ origins range from Columbia to St. Louis, and of course, Kansas City, providing crowd members a variety of sounds from across the region. Advance tickets are $25 and $30 at the door. The concert is 18+, and minors can attend with an adult. Doors will open on 1628 Wyoming Street at 4:30 p.m Show starts at 6 p.m.

Shakey Graves, The Truman

ILLENIUM, Azura Amphitheater

Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears, Knuckleheads

Summer Concert on the Lawn, Kansas City Museum

Luke Combs, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Taylor Tomlinson, The Midland

Raytown Live!: Package Band, Greenspace in Town Center

Nintendo Rave, Granada

Blues Fest, Legacy Park Amphitheater

Weezer, Azura Amphitheater

Nickel Creek with Special Guest Gaby Moreno, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Dancefestopia: Yellow Brick Road, AURA

Gov't Mule, Grinders KC

Dillon Francis, Kansas City Live Block

Coors Light and Mix 93.3 host music producer Dillon Francis and special guest Rossy at KC Live! Dillon Francis (aka DJ Hanzel) is best known for hit songs like "Get Low, Bun Up the Dance" and his work with Skrillex, Calvin Harris, A-Trak, DJ Snake, and other popular EDM artists. Electronic artist Rossy is from Liberal, Kansas, and is currently on tour. Her sound combines elements of classical music and trap, making Rossy and Francis a dynamic electronic pair. Doors will open at 7 p.m. at Kansas City Power & Light District on 110 E. 13th St. The event is 21+.

Matchbox Twenty, Starlight

Summer Concert Series: Madisen Ward, Crossroads Hotel Kansas City

Intocable, The Midland

Jonathan McReynolds: "My Truth" Tour, The Madrid

#IMomSoHard: Ladies’ Night, Liberty Hall

Fall Out Boy – So Much For (Tour) Dust, Azura Amphitheater

Dirty Heads, Grinders KC

Alesana, recordBar

Pallbearer, recordBar

Kansas City Reggae Music/Jerk Festival, Berkley Riverfront

Young The Giant with Milky Chance, Starlight

Between the Buried and Me, The Truman

Taylor Swift, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

For those lucky enough to secure tickets, Taylor Swift is bringing her record-breaking Eras Tour to Arrowhead Stadium for two unforgettable nights. With a three-hour set that takes you through Swift's entire musical career, it's safe to say that she is doing it like nobody else. You officially have bragging rights. Swift has been in the game for over a decade now and hasn't been on tour since 2018, so she's making up for lost time with four albums never performed live.

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, Knuckleheads

Raytown Live!: Brass Rewind, Greenspace in Town Center

Gogol Bordello, The Truman

Summer Concert on the East Lawn, Kansas City Museum

Killer Queen – A Tribute to Queen, Uptown Theater

Foreigner, Starlight

Shania Twain: Queen Of Me Tour, T-Mobile Center

The Backseat Lovers, Grinders KC

Ann Wilson of Heart & Tripsitter, Uptown Theater

Death Grips, The Midland

YUNGBLUD: The World Tour, Uptown Theater

Kansas, The Midland

An Orchestral Rendition of Dr. Dre: 2001, The Truman

Goth Babe, The Truman

The Front Bottoms, Grinders KC

Ween, Grinders KC

Ed Sheeran, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Orville Peck, Uptown Theater

Famed for performing faceless in his signature fringed mask and cowboy hat, South African country music artist Orville Peck will be gracing KC with his presence late this summer. Peck has broken boundaries in the music industry by gaining a fanbase without showing his face while also speaking about his experience as being an openly gay man in the country music scene. His music stays true to classic country themes of longing and heartbreak but incorporates subtle themes of Peck's experience with his own sexuality and masculinity. If you haven't gotten into Orville Peck yet, the song "C’mon Baby, Cry" from his latest album Bronco is a great introduction. Don't miss Peck's performance at the Uptown Theater on Saturday, Aug 5. Tickets start at $35.

Ben Folds, Uptown Theater

Spitalfield, Encore Room

Q104's Yallapalooza starring Parker McCollum, Azura Amphitheater

horsegirl, The Bottleneck

Raytown Live!: Lucidity, Greenspace in Town Center

Bully, The Bottleneck

The Wallflowers, Uptown Theater

Sylvan Esso, The Midland

Billie Joel & Stevie Nicks, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Trey Kennedy, The Midland

Incubus, Azura Amphitheater

Weyes Blood, The Truman

The Black Keys, Starlight

Taking Back Sunday, Kansas City Live Block

Goo Goo Dolls with O.A.R., Starlight

Zach Bryan, T-Mobile Center

The Mega-Monsters Tour: Gojira, Mastodon & Lorna Shore, Azura Amphitheater

Tash Sultana, VooDoo Lounge

Poppy & PVRIS, The Truman

A full spread. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

BASEketball (25th Anniversary), Screenland Armour

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Theatrical

Strays, Theatrical

The Flash, Theatrical

Elemental, Theatrical

The Blackening, Theatrical

Extraction 2, Netflix

South Beach Shark Club, VOD/Digital

No Hard Feelings, Theatrical

Asteroid City, Theatrical

Follow director Wes Anderson into an eerily bright desert town in the 1950s for a space-inspired comedy drama. The film will tell the tale of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention's interruption by earth-shattering events that result in danger for attendees. The cast includes Brian Cranston, Tom Hanks, and Hong Chau—but that is just the beginning of the long list of top-tier actors featured in the film.

Rise, Disney+

Free State Festival, Various locations

R.A.D.A.R.: The Bionic Dog, VOD/Digital

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Theatrical

Ruby Gilman, Teenage Kraken, Theatrical

Harold and the Purple Crayon, Theatrical

Insidious: The Red Door, Theatrical

Joy Ride, Theatrical

The Out-Laws, Netflix

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, Theatrical

Theater Camp, Theatrical

Barbie, Theatrical

The highly-anticipated Barbie live-action movie will feature heartthrobs Margot Robbie as the iconic namesake plastic doll, and Ryan Gosling as Ken, her love interest. Barbie is directed by Greta Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of Lady Bird (2017), and will follow Barbie on her adventure through the human world after she is expelled from BarbieLand for not being perfect enough. The film boasts a $100 million production budget and a star-studded cast, including Will Ferrel, Dua Lipa, Issa Rae, Helen Mirren, and more.

Oppenheimer, Theatrical

They Cloned Tyrone, Netflix

Once Upon a Time in Uganda, VOD/Digital

Happiness For Beginners, Netflix

Haunted Mansion, Theatrical

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Theatrical

Meg 2: The Trench, Theatrical

Gran Turismo, Theatrical

The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Theatrical

Heart of Stone, Netflix

Back on the Strip, Theatrical

Blue Beetle, Theatrical

Please Don't Destroy, Theatrical

The Hill, Theatrical

White Bird, Theatrical

They Listen, Theatrical

Lift, Netflix

Vacation Friends 2, Hulu

The Equalizer 3, IMAX

Abstract art. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Midwest Design and Furniture Fair, Overland Park Convention Center

Sugar Creek Slavic Festival 2023, Mike Onka Memorial Hall

Sexhibition: Rated Art, Weinberger Fine Art

Weinberger Fine Art and Habitat Contemporary present the second, sensually immersive experience of Sexhibition: Rated Art. The sexy safe space welcomes you to erotic works of art through visuals, music, and performance. Artists including Gerry Trilling, Winton Kidd, Jared Horman, and many more contribute to its creation. Featured performances are provided by R&B artist Stephonne Singleton, performance art collective Quixotic, and DJ Rico Dejoia. Cellar Rat, Aquesto Estila de Vida tequila, and Boulevard Brewing Co. will offer drinks to quench your thirst while Shroom catering settles your appetite with sweet treats. The 18+ event starts at 7 p.m.

Open Art Night, Henry's Upstairs

Concert & Movie Night, Hyde Park

Downtown OP Art Fair, Downtown Overland Park

Art Garden KC, Berkley Riverfront Park

KC Children's Urban Book Fair, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center

KantCon 2023, Overland Park Convention Center

816 Day: For The Love Of The City, 18th & Vine District

The day the city honors itself is back this year on Sunday, August 13, starting at 9 a.m. In the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, this is a celebration the whole family can enjoy with everything from fitness and health, live music performances, dance, fashion, art, and more. This year they will highlight "The Horn Section" with performances by musicians who specialize in horns. There will be vendors, food trucks, a kids’ play zone, DJs, and more.

The 44th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Swope Park

The Great Balloon and Puppett Glow, National WWI Museum and Memorial

Kaw River Roots Festival, Downtown Lawrence

Red hot, primordial green. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Festa Italiana, North Park at Zona Rosa

Global Neighbors & Flavors Fest, Lenexa Public Market

Bamboo Penny's Thai New Year Celebration, Park Place

Hy-Vee SummerFest, Belton Memorial Park

Vaile Mansion Strawberry Festival, Independence, MO

Don't Make Them Wait Food Truck Festival, Douglas County Fairgrounds

Boulevardia 2023, Grand Boulevard at Crown Center

Kansas City's beer, food, and music street fest of the summer is returning for its ninth year the weekend of June 16 and 17. "Boulevardians" will be able to sip on Boulevard Brewing Co. beer and Quirk seltzers, indulge in a variety of cuisines, and enjoy a robust entertainment line-up including local, regional, and national artists. Friday night performances will feature John Isbell and the 400 Unit, The War and Treaty, and The Beths, to name a few. You can catch Surfaces, Grandson, K.Flay, and Big Freedia onstage Saturday night. The two-day fest has something for everyone, including a Podcast Stage, silent discos, and Taps and Tastes—a beer and food-tasting event featuring more than 50 national and international craft breweries. Get tickets and more information at boulevardia.com

KC Bier Company Giveback Event, Kansas City Bier Company

Great Lenexa BBQ Battle, Sar Ko Par Trails Park

Happy Basset's 3rd Annual BBQ Competition, Happy Basset Barrel House

Northland Vaccination Clinic, 5340 NE Chouteau Trfy.

Golden Health Presents Brunch, Dip and Sip, 100 Northeast Tudor Rd. (Lee's Summit)

Health Fair, St. Pauls’ Episcopal Church KCK

Dog Days, Powell Gardens

Music Bingo for a Cause: I Support the Girls & No Shame, Servaes Brewing Co.

2023 Pitch Golf Tournament, Painted Hills Golf Club

1st Annual Ride for Mental Health, Sandy's Restaurant (Blue Springs)

Yoga + Wellness + Mimosa, Colonial Gardens

July Wellness Weekend at the Historical Downtown Liberty Farmers Market, Liberty Square

Under the Stars: A Wellness Retreat, The Elms Hotel & Spa

The Elms Spa Annual Back to School Charity Event, The Elms Hotel & Spa

It's corn. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Wichita Riverfest, Wichita, KS

Wine in the Wild, Sunset Zoo (Manhattan, KS)

Sedalia Hot Air Balloon and Kite Festival, Missouri State Fairgrounds (Sedalia, MO)

Downtown St. Joseph Sculpture Walk, Allied Arts Council (St. Joseph, MO)

Wichita Taco Fest, Wichita, KS

Sunflower Music Festival, White Concert Hall (Topeka, KS)

Anime Festival Wichita 2023, Hyatt Regency Wichita

Kaw Valley Wine Rally, Wellsville, KS

3rd Annual BBQ Competition, Topeka, KS

2023 Country Stampede, Heartland Motorsports Park (Wakarusa, KS)

49th Anniversary of the Ozark Music Festival, Puzzle Pieces Smoke Emporium (Sedalia, MO)

Jenna Stanwyck. // Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

Hot Girl Summer & Summertime bundle, Effing Candle Co.

Hot Girl Summer (with notes of watermelon lemonade) is the latest candle drop from Effing Candle Co. For a limited time, get four candles for $100 as part of the Summertime Bundle with featured scents: Hot Girl Summer, You Effing Matter, A Ray of Effing Sunshine, and Rooftop Margarita. Available at effingcandleco.com

May Flowers Collection, MADE MOBB

MADE MOBB, a local apparel brand based in KC, has teamed up with Lily Floral Designs to launch its latest collection called "May Flowers," featuring a range of tees adorned with vibrant floral prints, patterns, and a simple yet powerful message: "Give Your People Flowers While They’re Here." Available online and in stores.

Batch #17 Chili Oil, J Chang.Kitchen

Each batch of J Chang.Kitchen chili oil is uniquely hand-made, hand-bottled, hand-labeled, and hand-packed by James Chang and his family. All batches are gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free and contain no additional additives or preservatives. Batch #17 has a heavy emphasis on garlic and can be ordered online at jchangkitchen.square.site