Everything old can’t be new again … or can it?
Events aiming to revive the past will give it a try this weekend by capitalizing on the feel-good vestiges of such throwback things as baby-boomer music tastes and the traditional farm life.
Enjoy yesterday today. Or should that be today yesterday? Thank goodness, tomorrow will take care of itself!
1. Rock ’n’ Roll Dream Concert
They’re gone, but not forgotten. Heck, some of them are even still at it. I’m talking about classic rock acts from the 1970s and early ’80s, whose once-upon-a-time sound still appeals to both old and new fans. Tributes to Alice Cooper (Strictly Alice), KISS (Almost KISS), LynyrdSkynyrd (Edge of Forever) and Pat Benatar (Fire & Ice) will take customers of the Rock ’n’ Roll Dream Concert where they want to go – and the bands wouldn’t mind a detour to the souvenir t-shirt stand. Saturday, 7 p.m.; Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, Kan.; tickets: $15.
2. Tractor Daze & Touch-a-Truck
Sure, people can see a photo of a neat old farm truck or tractor on their smartphone. But their searching fingertips can’t truly experience it unless exposed to the real thing – metal, rubber, glass and even crop dust. The whole family can get tactile with America’s agricultural past at Tractor Daze & Touch-a-Truck, where all manner of trucks and farming equipment (and farm animals) will be available for hands-on interaction. Check out the “Smokey and the Bandit” replica automobile and look out during such heads-up farm games as the buffalo chip toss. Try doing that on your mobile device. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, 630 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, Kan.; admission: $5, one child (ages 3-14) free with each paid adult.
3. The Phantoms of the Opry
Classic country, western and swing music is the specialty of the Phantoms of the Opry, a Kansas City band that happily corrals the harmonious spirits of Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and other revered talents from the golden age of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Hands will clap, toes will tap and cowboy hats will be doffed out of respect for what’s come before and continues to please, courtesy of the group’s male and female vocalists accompanied by old-timey instrumentation, including steel guitar. Sa-lute! Saturday, 8 p.m.; Harry’s Country Club, 112 Missouri Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
4. Bingham-Waggoner Antique & Craft Fair
The grounds of the historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate will host more than 100 antique dealers and crafts folk hawking their wares at this 28th annual throwback event, where cool collectibles always abound. Whatever you might take home with you, enjoy an old-fashioned lemonade while you’re taking it all in. There will also be mansion tours and a noon performance by the Spirit of Independence Community Band. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Bingham-Waggoner Estate, 313 W. Pacific Ave., Independence, Mo.; admission: free.
5. Artisan Day 2015
A new tradition gets underway with the first annual Artisan Day, a chance to learn how things were – and still are – done by hand, from beekeeping to home brewing. Vendors will sell locally made artisan products and live demos will include blacksmithing. Lawn games, crafts for kids and tours of the historic Alexander Majors House are part of the plan. And there will be alpacas. Just because. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Alexander Majors House Museum, 8201 State Line Road, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: free.
6. Sand Cinema
Sand is old – lots of teeny-tiny rocks that have been around long before we ever came along. But everyone can have a new time on the old sand at Sand Cinema. This weekend, families will sprawl on beach blankets and lawn chairs to be entertained by “The Lego Movie” on a big screen – between trips to the concession stand, of course. The more things change. Friday, 9 p.m.; Longview Lake Beach, 11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City, Mo.; admission: $5 per car.
