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6 Debatable Things To Do This Weekend In Kansas City

Nate "Igor" Smith
/
Wikimedia -- CC
Going to see Ron Jeremy do standup? Definitely debatable.

Should you?

That’s the lingering question when considering some of this weekend’s, shall we say, more debatable activities – things that might feel good or be otherwise stimulating, yet also challenge everything from waistlines to moral judgements.

Not to worry. Much. It’s only the weekend. Isn’t that when you’re supposed to let it all hang out?

1. Monster Jam

The mob wants what it wants, including the sight and sound of enormous vehicles ferociously vying for supremacy in a wild variety of crowd-pleasing events. Besides making dirt fly while doing wheelies and doughnuts, expect these mechanical beasts to take out whatever obstacles may be put in their way. What does it say if this is your brand of public entertainment? What does it say if it’s not? Don’t rush to answer – that could say something, too! Regardless, the Monster Jam awaits those bold enough to be cheering observers of motor mayhem.

Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $12-$52.

2. Red Dress Dash

Males in dresses may not yet be the norm – if I’ve missed something, forgive me – but a red dress will be standard attire for both sexes at the Red Dress Dash, sponsored by the American Heart Association in honor of National Wear Red Day. For daring to sprint, jog or saunter for four blocks in a “look at me” red dress, the first 400 registered participants will not only get stares but also a t-shirt and a goodie bag. Everyone, regardless of chosen attire, can horse around in photo booths or enter a dance contest. Kids can also have their faces painted – red, something tells me.

Friday, 5-8 p.m.; Power & Light District, 13th Street, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.

3. Chocolate Crawl for a Cause

Too much chocolate can make your bathroom scale the enemy, but who can say no to free samples derived from the scrumptious production of the cocoa bean? Certainly, no one will protest who’s involved in this ninth annual chocolate crawl promoting Downtown Lee’s Summit, where balloons guide shoppers to chocolate giveaways while supplies last. The first 750 in attendance will receive a chocolate bar, a downtown map and a wristband good for discounts, in return for a donation of winter clothes or cash to help Lee’s Summit Social Services. Chocolate guilt be gone! Or not.

Saturday, starts at noon; along Main Street in Downtown Lee’s Summit, Mo.; admission: free.

4. ‘How to Steal a Picasso’

So it’s come to this, has it? Theater that teaches audiences how to steal? Well, not quite, so maybe you can cop to the plot of this world-premiere stage farce written by William Missouri Downs without incriminating yourself. The comedy is pegged to the robbery of a $50 million Picasso painting, and the show’s criminally funny cast is led by prized Kansas City actors Walter Coppage as Otto, a lifelong struggling artist who finally wins a big award, and Kathy Barnett as Belle, Otto’s bizarrely silly wife. Who dunnit? Follow the laughter.

Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.; Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.; tickets: $37.50, $40.

5. ‘Snakes: What’s for Dinner?’

Call me squeamish, but watching snakes slowly wrapping their jaws around an unlucky meal isn’t on my must-see list. But I’m merely the messenger here, which is why I’m happy to share that captive snakes will be fed for all to see, as they are every other Friday, at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Center. What will our slithering friends be served for dinner? You can imagine, although I’d rather not.

Friday, 3 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs, Mo.; admission: free.

6. Ron Jeremy with Dante and Rebekah Kochan

Not to be too blunt, but it’s a porn world. Actually, it’s obvious, since anyone with a smart phone can get unlimited access to X-rated entertainment – a technological reality that would have been difficult to conceive of only a generation ago. Other than ourselves (and Steve Jobs), who do we have to thank/blame for this? Well, one of the more ubiquitous stars of porn since the late 1970s is in town this weekend to host a stand-up comedy show. That would be Ron Jeremy, who takes pride in his “legendary” status in the industry and can be counted on to crack autobiographically inspired one-liners while emceeing performances by Dante (NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” ABC’s “America’s Funniest People,”) and the humorously inclined horror-movie scream queen Rebekah Kochan. Not for everyone, I suppose. But then what is?

Thursday, 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:45 and 9:45 p.m.; Stanford & Sons Comedy Club & Restaurant, 7328 W 119th St., Overland Park, Kan.; tickets: $10-$35 ($75 show and dinner package for two).

Brian McTavish follows popular culture in the belief that the search for significance can lead anywhere. Brian explains, "I've written articles and reviews ... reviewed hundreds of concerts, films and plays. And the thing is, these high arts all sprang from the pop culture of their day. Don't forget: Shakespeare was once Spielberg."
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