Join us for the FREE opening night reception on Thursday, August 6 from 7 – 8:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks and view fine art in a beautiful setting.

In the 1930s, the WPA Federal Art Project employed artists to design beautiful travel posters to inspire Americans to discover and visit their National Parks. The Parks & Green Spaces Art Project recreates the spirit of the WPA era by commissioning local artists to illustrate majestic perspectives of the state’s outdoor and unique spaces. The “See Kansas” and “See Lawrence, Topeka and Eudora” series all invite viewers to explore and discover the beauty of Kansas.

Posters, postcards and information: WWW.PARKSANDGREENSPACES.COM

Come view the new installation at Prairie Village City Hall's R.G. Endres Gallery.

This SEE Kansas exhibition features many local artists you'll recognize and many that will be new for you to discover.

In the 1930s, the WPA Federal Art Project employed artists to design beautiful travel posters to inspire Americans to discover and visit their National Parks. The Parks & Green Spaces Art Project recreates the spirit of the WPA era by commissioning local artists to illustrate majestic perspectives of the state’s outdoor and unique spaces. The “See Kansas” and “See Lawrence, Topeka and Eudora” series all invite viewers to explore and discover the beauty of Kansas.

Posters, postcards and information: WWW.PARKSANDGREENSPACES.COM

Come view the new installation at Prairie Village City Hall's R.G. Endres Gallery.

This SEE Kansas exhibition features many local artists you'll recognize and many that will be new for you to discover.

The concert opens with one of the Baroque's most dazzling showpieces: Corelli/Geminiani's La Folia, a set of variations that has captivated audiences for centuries, its theme endlessly inventive and full of fire. Telemann's brooding, atmospheric Concerto for Bass Viola da Gamba follows, with guest soloist Tess Roberts who returns bringing a rare and luminous voice to this seldom-heard gem.

KC's own Trevor Stewart is featured in Vivaldi's Recorder Concerto in C Major — a KC native and ensemble favorite equally at home on recorder, chalumeau, as clarinet, And the evening reaches its radiant finale with Vivaldi's Concerto for Four Violins — four soloists blazing together with the full KC Baroque ensemble in a perfect last flourish of the summer sky.

Katy Guillen & The Drive’s sophomore album Make That Sound has been making big waves in the indie music scene since its release last fall. Glide Magazine describes it as “a relentless rock vibe, combining Wet Leg’s modern edge and Courtney Barnett’s knack for guitar-based hooks,” and Rainbow Rodeo declared, “It’s raw, it's tight, and it's utterly compelling.” The last half of 2025 saw the band touring relentlessly on the new record with dates across the Midwest and Northeast, as well as a tour down the West Coast supporting British guitar legend Robin Trower. This year the band will take the new album to more cities across the country, including a tour through Alaska.

Join us Saturday evenings for Pottery & Pinot, a beginner-friendly pottery experience designed for adults (21+). Bring your favorite wine or beverage and enjoy a relaxed, creative evening while our instructors guide you through a different hand-building project each week. Projects include mugs, planters, vases, wall pockets, and seasonal designs.

No experience is necessary, and we provide all the clay, tools, glazes, and instruction you’ll need. At the end of the evening you’ll glaze your finished piece, and we’ll kiln fire it for pickup approximately two weeks later. Whether you’re planning a date night, celebrating with friends, or simply looking for a creative way to spend your Saturday evening, Pottery & Pinot is a fun and memorable experience.

The ability to write songs that feel both modern and ancient is a rare gift. It requires an arcane art—weaving traditional influences so thoroughly into the music that they become the warp and weft of entirely fresh creations.

Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler — The Black Feathers — possess just such talent. After discovering a profound musical chemistry while collaborating on various projects, they became life partners and bandmates in 2012.

In their musical world, Americana, folk, and acoustic indie rock sensibilities coexist effortlessly. Hughes’ driving guitar work perfectly buoys the kind of breathtaking harmonies usually only heard in family bands. Their music captures a listener’s interest, while their undeniable stage chemistry keeps audiences riveted.

With a loyal following in the UK, The Black Feathers are spreading their wings across the US, performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Kate Wolf Music Festival, and AmericanaFest. They have also earned prestigious official showcases at International, North East Regional, and Far-West Folk Alliance conferences.

Neo-traditional folk duo ROXIE & THE MOON KING opening.

Formed in 2012, Found a Job - A Tribute to Talking Heads is an 8-piece band that primarily performs music from albums released during Talking Heads' Expanded Heads era ("Remain in Light," "Speaking in Tongues," and "Stop Making Sense").

The ensemble also covers songs outside of that era including radio hits such as "Road to Nowhere, " "And She Was," "Take me to The River," "Once in a Lifetime," and "Burning Down the House."

Currently the band plays 2+ hours of music, complete with choreography a la the classic concert movie "Stop Making Sense."

The Giggle Time Children’s Program is a beloved community tradition in Overland Park designed to get toddlers and young children moving, laughing, and learning. The program hosts a diverse rotation of high-energy performers including popular regional musicians like Mr. Stinky Feet, the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, and various storytellers and magicians. Each session is built around the "giggle and wiggle" philosophy, encouraging active participation from the kids rather than just passive listening. Because the program is free and requires no pre-registration, it serves as a flexible, low-pressure outing for parents and caregivers. The venue shifts with the seasons to take advantage of the weather: events are typically held indoors at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center during the cooler months and move outdoors to Roe Park in June and August. It’s a great way for local families to connect while introducing children to the performing arts in a fun, accessible environment.

Dates and Performers:

Sept. 2 - Richard Renner

Oct. 7 - Mr. Stinky Feet

Nov. 4 - Priscilla Howe

Dec. 2 - StoneLion Puppet Theater

Join us for the FREE opening night reception on Thursday, September 3 from 7 – 8:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks and view fine art in a beautiful setting.

Get set for the 2026 KC Music & Arts Festival at Lenexa-Shawnee, September 5 at beautiful Theatre in the Park. Enjoy 9 straight hours of CMA, Grand Ole Opry, and Billboard Top 10 artists performing live, plus an Arts & Crafts Marketplace and the Heartland Food & Beverage Garden.

September 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
FREE Admission and FREE Parking. See the exciting festival activities here: https://kcmusicfestival.com/

This annual concert series takes place in September at Leawood City Park, by the Aquatic Center. Events will start at 6:30 p.m.

The 2026 Performers

September 11: The Sons of Brasil

September 25: Betsy O & The Hollaback Boys

Performance Details

The Sons of Brasil: This quintet specializes in Brazilian jazz and has been performing in the Kansas City metropolitan area since 1991. This jazz group invites you to sample their unique sounds, which stem from their love and admiration of "musica bem brasileira." Featuring Stan Kessler, founder and prominent jazz musician in the KC music scene.

Betsy O & The Hollaback Boys: This acoustic band blends pop, rock, country and bluegrass alongside original roots music. This unique group thrives on energy from their crowds, surprising rhythms and original arrangements to truly shine. Betsy O & The Hollaback Boys have been playing in Lawrence, Kansas.

The family-oriented Lenexa Spinach Festival is packed with food, music, entertainment, hands-on activities and craft vendors. Experience the World’s Largest Spinach Salad, learn about our history, or submit your favorite dish to our recipe contest. There’s plenty to do for everyone in the family!

This culinary listing was populated by ArtsKC staff.  If you have questions about this listing, please contact the business directly. Interested in being highlighted in future culinary guides? Contact us at go-biz@artskc.org.

"Our minds are tireless editors. According to neuroscientists, each time we touch our memories, we change them. When we recollect, we rewrite. Certainly with art we shape and reshape our the story of our memories. And yet, even knowing we can’t quite render them precisely, we can’t stop trying to nearly capture the ineffable moments of our life."

~Traci Brimhall

Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.

𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗮
Lori Stanziola (she/her) is a Kansas City based artist specializing in fine art printmaking. Drawing on her experience as a designer, Lori revels in the use of graphic shapes and patterns to create richly layered works from hand carved blocks. Her work depicts patterns, contrasts and rhythms present in land, flora and food that serve to evoke emotions and shared experiences. Lori was the featured artist for Lawrence Art in the Park in 2021, was chosen as the featured print artist for Smoky Hill River Fest in 2024, and her work/booth was awarded Best in Show at the 2026 Prairie Village Art Show.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹
Traci Brimhall is a university distinguished professor of creative writing at Kansas State University, as well as the 2025 Poet-in-Residence at the Guggenheim and the current poet laureate of Kansas, where her initiatives have centered on uniting the state’s agricultural roots with the literary arts. She is the author of five collections of poetry, most recently Love Prodigal (Copper Canyon Press, 2024). Her nonfiction debut, The Grief Artist, will be published by Sarabande Books in 2026.

State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is State of the Arts the biggest exhibition on the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC) calendar? Several reasons stand out, including the exhibition's competition aspect. The PVAC receives hundreds of applications each year, guaranteeing a wide range of artistic styles and subject matter, all entered in hopes of winning the $1,000 Best in Show award. The juried competition also selects Merit awards worth $750 each. The turnout for this show is always strong, boosted in part by the chance to vote for the $250 People's Choice award. An important part of State of the Arts' appeal is its diversity, with stunning florals hanging near traditional depictions of Kansas City landmarks, feet away from daring landscapes, incisive portraits, and abstract pieces that provoke images and feelings in the mind of the viewer. The R.G. Endres Gallery, in Prairie Village City Hall, fills every year for this event, and this year's 20th Anniversary edition is likely to be the biggest ever, with 𝟮𝗗, 𝟯𝗗, 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆/𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 artworks juried in from the area's finest artists.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 1. the inclusion of photography and poetry/prose 2. a theme: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲: 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
For the first time (or at least in a long while) we have a THEME for State of the Arts. In honor of our 20th Annual State of the Arts, we present the theme of RECOLLECTIONS.

𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍… 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. — 𝑅𝑜𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 "𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠"

Selected artists interpreted this theme in their own ways.

State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October.

Why is State of the Arts the biggest exhibition on the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC) calendar? Several reasons stand out, including the exhibition's competition aspect.

The PVAC receives hundreds of applications each year, guaranteeing a wide range of artistic styles and subject matter, all entered in hopes of winning the $1,000 Best in Show award. The juried competition also selects Merit awards worth $750 each. The turnout for this show is always strong, boosted in part by the chance to vote for the $250 People's Choice award.

An important part of State of the Arts' appeal is its diversity, with stunning florals hanging near traditional depictions of Kansas City landmarks, feet away from daring landscapes, incisive portraits, and abstract pieces that provoke images and feelings in the mind of the viewer.

The R.G. Endres Gallery, in Prairie Village City Hall, fills every year for this event, and this year's 20th Anniversary edition is likely to be the biggest ever, with 𝟮𝗗, 𝟯𝗗, 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆/𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 artworks juried in from the area's finest artists.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲:
1. the inclusion of photography and poetry/prose
2. a theme: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲: 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
For the first time (or at least in a long while) we have a THEME for State of the Arts. In honor of our 20th Annual State of the Arts, we present the theme of RECOLLECTIONS.

𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍… 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.
— 𝑅𝑜𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 "𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠"

Selected artists interpreted this theme in their own ways.

Join us for an afternoon presentation, with speaker Liz Kelley, as she shares her experience and stories as a former 'Golddigger' on The Dean Martin show and touring the world with Bob Hope's USO shows.

September 20: 1 p.m., Leawood City Hall, - Oak Room

Unwind with an evening of curated wines, thoughtfully paired bites, and a relaxed, upscale atmosphere at the Lodge at Ironwoods. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply looking for a unique night out, this event offers a welcoming and social environment to sip, savor, and connect!

September 20: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge, Ironwoods Park 

Advance registration is required. Must be at least 21 to participate.

What to expect: The Lodge Wine Experience invites guests to explore a selection of wines guided through a tasting-style experience, featuring a variety of reds, whites, and seasonal selections. Each wine will be paired with complementary light bites designed to enhance flavor and elevate the tasting experience.

The Overland Park Fall Festival is a long-standing tradition that transforms the historic Downtown district into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly celebration of local culture. Spanning over Friday and Saturday during the last weekend in September, the event anchors its festivities around Thompson Park and along Santa Fe Drive, featuring an artisan fair with roughly 100 regional makers selling everything from handmade ceramics and jewelry to custom apparel. A major highlight is the integration of the nationally-ranked Overland Park Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning, where attendees can shop for seasonal produce alongside a diverse lineup of food trucks offering festival staples like kettle corn, street tacos, and funnel cakes.

Beyond the shopping and food, the festival is a hub for live performance, utilizing multiple stages to host a mix of local bands, folk artists, and high-energy headliners. Families are a primary focus, with a dedicated schedule of children’s entertainment that often includes the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, interactive science demonstrations, and "meet-and-greets" with popular characters.

To ease the congestion of the tens of thousands of visitors, the city typically provides a free shuttle service from nearby locations like Shawnee Mission West High School, ensuring the event remains an accessible, community-driven way to welcome the autumn season.

Dates and Times:

Friday September 25, 2026 - 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Saturday September 26, 2026 - 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

The MTC Kids Jam concert series is specially designed with families in mind! Join us in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities, followed by an hour-long concert..

Over the past decade, Joanie Leeds has won first place in the USA Songwriting Competition, an Independent Music Award, a GOLD Parents’ Choice Award, NAPPA GOLD Award, Family Choice Award, and is a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Finalist and International Songwriting Competition Finalist.

She has performed at venues nationwide, including Lollapalooza, Clearwater Festival, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Wolftrap, and Levitt Pavilion. Her music has been featured in the New York Times, People Magazine, Parents Magazine, Billboard, and The Washington Post, and played on radio stations and risen to #1 on Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live.

Gomez received critical acclaim upon the release of his debut album Rule The World (2013, New West Records); and his subsequent EP, Me and Joe (2017, Brigadoon Records), contained a freshly minted classic, “Make It Me,” which has gained over 4 million listeners on Spotify alone. As a budding performer, Gomez apprenticed in the rarefied musical micro-climate of northern New Mexico, where troubadours like Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard helped foster a Western folk sound both cosmic and country.