Calendar

December 01

GO: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Wylie Gallery, 2 Memorial Drive, KCMO. $10. Through April 3, 2022. WHERE YOU WANT TO BE IN DECEMBER

ANOTHER ANGLE

Most people tend to think of pulling a device from their pocket and snapping a quick photo as a recent phenomenon. But as Snapshots, the newest exhibit at the World War I Museum shows, it’s really not.

The 1914 Vest Pocket Kodak may be smaller than most modern mobile devices, but it allowed documentation of the first World War in a new way. Snapshots was developed and designed entirely inhouse by the museum’s collections team and features over three hundred photographs. The exhibition will be at the museum until April 3.

Some of the images depict the brutalities of war, like death. Those images are hidden behind a dark gray wall in the back of the gallery. Much of the exhibit, however, shows soldiers outside of the trenches and offers depictions of everyday life. In several photographs, soldiers are playing games, swimming or dancing. Those photographs remind us that, in some ways, the young soldiers of WWI were tourists in new countries.

“Imagine a young soldier from Kansas or Missouri who is traveling overseas for the first time,” says Karis Erwin, a museum spokesperson who helped assemble the show. “They’re really seeing the world in a way that they hadn’t before. They’re seeing new cultures and new religions. I love that we get to see the world as they saw it.”

The exhibition, in part, juxtaposes photographs from soldiers documenting their travels with well-known, widely circulated photographs. Among them is an image of an unmasked soldier clutching his neck as his comrades continue crossing in a field behind him. It’s a staged photograph, yet it became one of the most famous images of WWI.

“These photographs,” Erwin says, “transform the way we look at war.” —MARY HENN

December

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO THIS MONTH

Winter Magic

November 2–January 2

Cruise down the hill along Swope Park’s Oakwood Drive, and enter a world of holiday lights and cheer. The Winter Magic experience takes you through one completely LED-covered mile of the park as you move through their twelve themed holiday light displays. Load your group up in a car, van or bus and enjoy a drive complete with a lighted canopy, toy workshop, stained glass nativity, spinning trees, zoo animals and more. Tuesday, November 2–Sunday, January 2. Various Times. Swope Park, 8400 Blue River Road, KCMO. $20-$40.

The Grisly Hand

December 3, 9 pm

Local Americana act The Grisly Hand is playing the Ship to support the release of their new music video and third single from their upcoming album. Singer-songwriter Lauren Krum says “On The Same Side” was about her gratitude for community after the loneliness of quarantine, which is reflected in the video—shot and edited by local musician Clarke Wyatt—and shows the band performing at an intimate gathering in the Westside neighborhood. Friday, December 3. 9pm. The Ship, 1221 Union Ave. $10.

A Christmas Carol

November 19–December 26

Create new holiday memories with a timeless Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol from Kansas City Repertory Theater. The show will run for more than a month this year at UMKC’s Spencer Theater, giving you plenty of time to schedule a night out with the family and Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge himself. Friday, November 19–Sunday, December 26. Times vary. Spencer Theater, 4949 Cherry St., KCMO. Prices vary.

The Nutcracker

December 3–24

The Kansas City Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker is one of the quintessential productions of the year. Get immersed in the costumes, sets and enchanting melodies of Tchaikovsky as you and the family join the Nutcracker, Sugar Plum Fairy and the evil Mouse King on their journey through this epic holiday classic at the Kauffman Center. Friday, December 3–Friday, December 24. Various times. The Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. $42. 4 Tech N9ne December 4, 8 pm Are you even from KC if you don’t like Tech N9ne, the genius behind major bangers like “Caribou Lou” and “Hood Go Crazy”? Tech N9ne is doing a show at The Midland early this month with Rittz, King ISO, Maez310 and Jehry Robinson. If only Boulevard would bring back Bou Lou for the concert, amiright? Saturday, December 4. 8 pm. The Midland, 1228 Main St., KCMO. $35–$45.

Chiefs vs. Broncos

December 5, 12 pm

The Chiefs have three home games in December as they look to make a playoff push in a crowded AFC. This game against the division rival Broncos is the easiest on the slate and should be a great time to tailgate and cheer. Sunday, December 5. Noon. Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, KCMO. $105.

David Sedaris

December 6, 7:30 pm

Regarded as a master of satire and social critique, David Sedaris is a frequent guest on NPR and a humor writer whose work regularly appears in The New Yorker. Sedaris typically toured for a few months each year, engaging audiences with humor that’s only gotten drier since he decamped to live in West Sussex. After debating whether to read from his forthcoming collection of pandemic essays on his just-launched tour or to avoid the subject altogether, he’s settled on a middle ground. Monday, December 6. 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre, The Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. Ticket prices vary. 16 Old Crow Medicine Show December 16, 8 pm “Headed down south to the land of the pines, and I’m thumbin’ my way into North Caroline…” You know the words. You scream-sing them when the song comes on in a crowded bar and you’re a few brews deep. Familiar fun, right? Imagine that live. Old Crow Medicine Show is coming to Uptown Theater, so get ready to strain your vocal chords. Thursday, December 16. 8 pm. Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. $35–$75.

Handel’s Messiah

December 10-12

The Kansas City Symphony and the Symphony Chorus are back at the Kauffman Center to bring you their performance of Handel’s Messiah. Enjoy the rapturous sound of nearly two hundred instruments and voices in the beautiful Helzberg Hall, and let the sound of Handel’s choral masterpiece enchant you into the holiday spirit. Friday, December 10–Sunday, December 12. Various times. The Kauffman Center, 1601 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. $28.

Taylor Tomlinson

December 11

If self-deprecating humor is your thing, then you might have seen Taylor Tomlinson’s recent Netflix special, Quarter-Life Crisis. If you didn’t see it and self-deprecating humor is still your thing, you

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TransSiberian Orchestra

December 29

For a quarter century, this progressive rock group has been focused on their unique spin on the holidays, brought into the world via their album Christmas Eve and Other Stories. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will return to the T-Mobile Center with hard rock twist on holiday classics, along with plenty of pyrotechnics and lasers for this multi-sensory anniversary experience. Wednesday, December 29. 3pm and 8pm. T-Mobile Center, 1407 Grand Blvd, KCMO. $46 can catch Tomlinson live at the Uptown this month. Saturday, December 11. 7 and 9:30 pm. Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. $28–$138.

Lindsey Buckingham

December 15, 8 pm

The very best Fleetwood Mac songs are either by Lindsey Buckingham (“Go Your Own Way,” “Second Hand News”) or about him (“Silver Springs,” “Landslide”). The legendary singer is out on his own for this tour—he also wrote “Holiday Road” from National Lampoon fame— which comes to the Uptown just before everything gets Christmassy. Wednesday, December 15. 8 pm. Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd., KCMO. $35–$275.

Walker Hayes

December 18, 5 pm

Country singer-songwriter Walker Hayes recently gained fame for his new single, “Fancy Like,” which became an overnight TikTok sensation and birthed a dance trend. The Alabama native will showcase his artistic talents at a twenty-one-and-older concert at Grain Valley’s MO Country. Saturday, December 18. 5 pm. MO Country, 401 S. Outer Road E., Grain Valley. 21+. $20.

Christkindlmarkt at The Campground

MARKET: GOODS

Five holiday markets where you can snag local gifts this season

BY SHAYLA GAULDING

THE PANDEMIC THREW a wrench in many people’s holiday shopping. What used to be trips to stores and markets with the family to find the perfect gift turned into Amazon wish lists and online gift cards. This year, Kansas City is back, with holiday markets full of some of the best local artisan and crafters around bringing you unique and personal gifts for the people you love. We’ve cultivated a list for you so you can find the best of what’s local this holiday season.

Holiday Swing at Merry Market Strawberry Swing is one of the biggest and best organizers of local arts and crafts events, and this year’s Holiday Swing at City Market features almost a hundred local makers. Plus, there will be food, entertainers and holiday lights. On your way, you can catch KC Streetcar’s Holiday Jam live music series and hop off at any of the City Market shops or meet the Kansas City Museum’s Fairy Princess.

“Shopping local and handmade is so important,” says Katie Mabry van Dieren, owner of Strawberry Swing. “Our artists are highly curated, and you’re sure to find something for everyone, including kiddos, pets and significant others.” Weekends at City Market in KCMO, Friday, November 26 to Sunday, December 19. Fridays 4–8 pm, Saturdays 9 am–8 pm and Sundays 9 am–4 pm.

Christkindlmarkt at The Campground The Campground in the Stockyard District is holding its second annual Christkindlmarkt, modeled on the uber-successful Chicago version. It’ll be similar to the first round of Christkindlmarkt, with hot drinks, street food, festive music and vendors. But this year, the event will feature The Campground’s latest project, their patio renovation, which they’re intending to look like an urban forest. “We rezoned our front parking lot as an official patio extension, which will be outfitted with landscaping reminiscent of a campsite a la Wes Anderson,” owner Christopher Ciesiel says. The Campground, Thursday, December 9–Sunday, December 12 and Thursday, December 16–Sunday, December 19, 5–9 pm.

Madison Place Elementary Holiday Market The Madison Place Elementary Holiday Market, hosted by the Olathe elementary’s PTO, aims to unite families and support local businesses. The market will feature local vendors, an auction, raffle and concessions.

“We have quite a few parents with small businesses participating and lots of local vendors offering everything from clothing to holiday items to gifts, and we’ll have hot cocoa and photo ops throughout the school during the event as well,” says PTO president Katy Porterfield. “What better way to show some holiday spirit than to support the people you and your kids interact with every day.” Madison Place Elementary in Olathe, Saturday, December 4, 9 am–1 pm.

’Tis the Season Art & Craft Show Hosted by Images by Davenport, this show in Lee’s Summit includes more than one hundred vendors selling art, quilts, ceramics, candles, home decor, jewelry, food and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance on Saturday, and customers can help spread holiday cheer through donations to the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City.

“We are excited to give local artists and crafters the opportunity to share their passion and creations with others—especially after all five of our shows were canceled in 2020,” says Wanda Davenport of Images by Davenport. The Pavilion at John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit, Friday, December 3, 11 am–7 pm and Saturday, December 4, 10 am–4 pm

Heritage Holiday Mart 2021 The Heritage Holiday Mart in Liberty will feature over one hundred booths with local artisans and crafters selling everything from decor, apparel and home goods to pet and baby gifts and food.

New this year is a limited-access, by-ticket-only shopping event on Friday, December 10 in addition to the free, public shopping event on Saturday. Heritage Middle School in Liberty, Friday, December 11, 9 am–4 pm. Open to the public.