The KC All Stars to Headline "Paint the Night" Concert at Park Place in Leawood

The City of Leawood, Kansas will come to life tonight as Park Place is hosting the 2012 "Paint the Night" concert featuring the winner's of KMBC-TV's "Best Band in Kansas City" award, The KC All Stars. The KC All Stars are headlining the concert and will take the stage around 9pm. This massive street festival will have over 5,000 people in attendance and will be one of the biggest outdoor concert events of the year.

The Park Place Concert Series, founded in part and produced by Adam Blue Productions is an annual outdoor large scale concert held at the all new Park Place shopping district in Leawood, Kansas located at 115th and Nall. The concert has grown in size every year as it attracts Leawood residents and Southern Overland Park residents alike.

The KC All Stars have created a massive following in the Kansas City, Leawood and Overland Park areas and they have won the "Best Band in Kansas City" award for three years in a row. Members of The KC All Stars attribute their success to hard work, attention to the fans, and the fact that the band is young, energetic and have the ability to perform hit songs from every generation from Motown, to 70's Funk, to the hits of the 80's, to 90's hip hop all the way up to today's modern hits. "Always give the crowd what they want" is the band's motto, and tonight at Park Place's "Paint the Night" concert in Leawood, that is just what they intend to do. The weather for the concert should be very tolerable compared to the weather that Kansas City has recently experienced, with temperatures in the mid to low 80's when The KC All Stars hit the stage around 9pm.

Paint the Night, a Park Place Concert in Leawood, Kansas featuring The KC All Stars by Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

X Factor Auditions Kansas City now Online Tryouts

If you didn't make the recent Kansas City tryouts for the X Factor at Kemper Arena, we found another way for you to try out for the X Factor.  Kansas City News was just sent this press release from X Factor Producer Jason Trawick:

The newest popular television sensation the X Factor is looking for solo singers ages 12 (as of January 1, 2012) and up, girl groups, duos, boy bands or vocal groups of any combination including Kansas City bands. ANY type of music is welcome - pop, rock, rap, country, R&B, alternative, hip-hop...you name it! With a prize of a $5 MILLION DOLLAR RECORDING CONTRACT, on the X Factor, we're not playing around. Why not audition? What do you have to lose? If you missed the audition for the X Factor in Kansas City you can audition online and it takes no more than 10 minutes, and could change your life forever!

There are 3 ways to audition:

1. ONLINE! From the comfort of your own home/bedroom/bathroom/wherever you sing. Go here:

https://auditions.thexfactorusa.com/

Be sure to get your X Factor Audition in before the APRIL 15th DEADLINE!

2. In Person at one of our open auditions in

Kansas City, MO – Kemper Arena March 14th (X Factor registration March 12 &13)

Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center March 22nd (X Factor registration March 20 & 21)

San Francisco, CA – Cow Palace April 20th (X factor registration April 18 & 19)

Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum     May 1st (X Factor registration April 29 & 30)

Providence, Rhode Island – Dunkin Donuts Center May 10th (X Factor registration May 9)

For more info go to: http://www.thexfactorusa.com/auditions

3. At your Local Mall in a MyStudio Booth:

Although there is not one located in Kansas City, you can travel to one of the following MyStudio Booths to audition for the X Factor:  Hawaii, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Pheonix, Nashville, New Jersey and New England  Go here: http://mystudio.net/xfactor2012/aboutxfactor.aspx  for more information about exactly where and when.

Here at Kansas City News we are going to give you the phone number to one of the actual producers of The X Factor!  Who loves you more than us?  Let them know by email (maggie.xfactor@gmail.com) or call them at 818-748-1240 if you have questions, concerns or problems auditioning.  The X Factor also asked us to tell Kansas City residents to feel free to share this information with anyone you think might be interested in auditioning. In the X Factor producer's experience, a recommendation by a friend, co-worker, teacher or family member to audition is where real undiscovered talent comes from. Wouldn't it be great if a talented singer or group of singers (remember, we're looking for ages 12 and up and groups!) from the Kansas City area auditioned and went ALL THE WAY to the $5 million prize!?

Best of luck from the producers of the X Factor and all of us here at Kansas City News.

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Kansas City News Headlines Friday September 30th, 2011

The American Royal BBQ 2011 - Kansas City News
The 2011 Contest and Kansas City event is under way this evening as over 100,000 people will pass through this year's American Royal BBQ 2011. Tickets are available to purchase at the gate but remember, just because you get into the event doesn't mean that you can get in to any of the parties and tents that are there. The tents and private areas are by invitation only, and are all just like small private parties. Some will have Kansas City DJs for entertainment, some will have live bands such as the Bayer Tent who will be featuring Spike Blake and Honky Tonk Rodeo. The American Royal will run through Sunday, October 2nd and will feature the "World Series of BBQ" contest. American Royal BBQ prizes are as follows:

Grand Champion:
Trophy & $10,000!

Automatic Return Invitations to American Royal Invitational Contest for next five years.

Reserve Grand Champion:
Trophy & $5,000

Second Runner-Up:
Trophy & $2,500

Third Runner-Up:
$1,250

Fourth Runner-Up:
$750

For each of four categories:

1st Place...................Trophy & $1,000
2nd Place.....................Ribbon & $500
3rd Place......................Ribbon & $400
4th Place......................Ribbon & $300
5th Place......................Ribbon & $250
6th -10th Places.........Ribbons & $100
11th -15th Places.....................Ribbons

The Zeros LIVE! at The Power and Light District - Kansas City News
If you don't feel like fighting the crowds at The American Royal BBQ 2011, you can head down to the Power and Light District and catch The Zeros, Kansas City's favorite 80's tribute band. The Zeros put on a great show, performing only "new wave" 80's music, none of the idiotic 80's hair band music. The Zeros hit the stage around 10pm and will rock until they shut the place down. The Power and Light District is losing momentum as it's owners, Cordesh Inc. continue to evict businesses in the district including the most recent closing of Raglan Road Irish Pub in September.

DUI Checkpoints in Kansas City - Kansas City News

Waldo Rapist Bernard Jackson Receives 18 Life Sentences - Kansas City News
It all started in 1977 when Bernard Jackson was convicted of his first rape at the age of 19. 6 years later, Jackson was released and he continued to torture, rob and rape women in the Waldo area until 1985 when Bernard was convicted of rape again and sentenced to 30 years. Jackson was then paroled in December of 2008, and was subsequently charged with additional rapes that occurred after his 2008 release. Bernard Jackson, a.k.a. the Waldo Rapist was sentenced today to 18 consecutive life sentences by assistant district attorney Ted Hunt for the rapes that Jackson committed back in the 1980's in light of new evidence that has been analyzed. Bernard Jackson's attorney, Carie Allen looked like some kind of bad joke today, her hair was fried out and she actually was seen laughing out loud several times during the case, yes, Carie, murder and rape are very funny topics, and your client is a ghetto stank piece of shit that belongs in jail - FOREVER.

Diana Exhibit at Union Station Sets Record

Diana, A Celebration, recently closed at Kansas City's Union Station setting attendance records. Officials thought they might sell 75,000 tickets, but attendance turned out to be over 105,000 - more than 10,000 in the exhibit's final weekend. Organizers are ecstatic about the final attendance figures, and financially it was a badly needed infusion of money into the complex. The break even point was around 60,000 tickets, so you do the math at $10 - $23 per ticket.

The Diana exhibit and the recent Dinosaur exhibit were both financially beneficial for Union Station as it continues to on a path to fiscal viability. 2010 saw the largest surplus dollars the Station has ever seen with more space leased, cost cutting measures and exhibits that were popular with the paying public.

Union Station currently has an exhibit of roller coasters from 1980 Worlds of Fun. basically miniature models that will bring back memories for those my age. The exhibit is free and runs through August 11.

The Art of the Chopper opens June 24th. It is the "first comprehensive collection of custom motorcycles created explicitly for contemporary art." The exhibit will run through September and features more than 30 motorcycles. Tickets range from $9.50 for children and seniors to $12.50 for adults.

Lee's Summit Downtown Days This Weekend

Friday kicks off this year's Downtown Days in Lee's Summit. Downtown Days is an annual festival held at the beginning of summer in Downtown Lee's Summit, MO. The event is free, and live entertainment will be provided, but don't worry you will have plenty of chances to spend money as well - carnival rides, vendors selling food and other items.

Live music this year includes Oklahoma based pop-rock band Sownds, and local classic rock band Flashback on Friday night. Clint Martinez Band, Four Roads Crossing, and the Kansas City Drum Tribe (hippies beating on drums and playing with fire - what could be cooler than that?) perform on Saturday night.

New for 2011 is the 3 on 3 basketball tournament - this takes place on Saturday and you can still register here. Also new is the Happy Hour for all you lushes out there. $2 off beers from 4:30-6:30PM on Friday only. A Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned Bar-B-Q contest will also be held on Friday with winners announced on Saturday.

Prepare for Rapture, Saturday at 6PM

Religious nutburger and all around fun guy Harold Camping (pictured at right) has predicted the Rapture to begin at 6PM local time this Saturday, May 21st - followed by the fiery end of the world Oct 21. Camping predicted the same thing back in 1994, inaccurately since we do still exist. It sure makes my posts about future Kansas City Events somewhat useless.

All believers will be instantly transported to the Kingdom of Heaven. The good news for us heathens is that according to Camping there is no eternal damnation in the fires of Hell. Instead we will be treated to five months of "horror and chaos beyond all description" and "all graves will be thrown open" ala Zombieland. Sounds like a helluva party! After which, total annihilation of all living things on October 21st, and that's it. So at least we got that going for us.

Don't worry, we here at Kansas City News will keep blogging (at least through Saturday) to give you something to do while you wait for the "earthquake such as was not since men were put upon Earth". So, go ahead and max out your credit cards Kansas City, the end is near - Harold Camping guarantees it! Of course his church is still taking donations, just in case.

Farm Aid 2011 Will be Held in Kansas City

Representatives from the State of Kansas, Livestrong Sporting Park, and Farm Aid were in Kansas City, KS yesterday to officially announce the 2011 Farm Aid Concert will be held at the venue. For 26 years the Farm Aid organization has been raising money to promote and provide support services for small family farms. Their goal is to see the family farm thrive because they believe the small farm provides better quality food, and promotes the survival of the American small town.

Farm Aid started in 1985, one of several benefit concerts inspired by the epic Live Aid of earlier that year. Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young started Live Aid and have been going strong ever since. A benefit concert has been held nearly every year since 1985 and the organization has raised more than $39 million according to their website. Dave Matthews has also been very active since 1995 and a member of the Board of Directors since 2001. Farm Aid has been by far the most successful of the benefit concerts in terms of longevity.

This is the first concert scheduled for Livestrong Sporting park. It will seat 25,000 for the event, and tickets go on sale May 20th. You can get tickets before they go on sale to the general public if you become a member of Farm Aid. The cost is a $50 donation to the organization - it is an annual membership. Tickets to the show range from $29-$149 - unfortunately you have to use Ticketmaster to purchase your tickets.

Freedom Festival Planned For July in Kansas City

It's name will be similar to the Libertarians' annual Freedom Fest, but this will not be a political rally. Kansas City will see the return of a summer festival at Penn Valley Park. Most people should remember the annual Spirit Festival that was held every July for nearly 20 years. The last Spirit Fest was in 2003 - headliners were the Wallflowers, Quiet Riot, and Dennis DeYoung. I'll bet that was a hell of a show! Heck, I might have been there, couldn't tell you for sure.

Anyway, the new incarnation will be called Freedom Festival, and while details are scarce at this time, it will be similar to the Spirit Fests of the past. The dates for the event are July 29-31, 2011. It looks as if they have some corporate sponsors lined up, prices are set ($10, children under 12 free), but no entertainment has been announced at this time. Kansas City News will keep you updated when new information becomes available.

Toy Story 3 on Ice at Sprint Center This Weekend

Woody, Buzz, and all their friends are appearing at the Sprint Center this weekend. Toy Story 3 on Ice opened Wednesday night and continues through Sunday with 2 shows each day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Good tickets are still available at Ticketmaster, or as I suggest, avoid the fees and go to the Sprint Center box office.

I attended Thursday night's show with my four year old daughter. Luckily, the crowd was not too large - getting concessions and finding our seats was a breeze. Also, there was no line for the men's restroom like there was at the women's - no surprise at a children's event. I was surprised to notice that beer was served during a kid's show, although as old and grouchy as I am it probably would have improved my mood. I ordered a $4 bottled water at the concession stand and was told I could not have the cap!?! Apparently a water bottle cap can be used as a weapon - Of course the three year old sitting in front of me had a 2-foot long plastic sword that flew towards my face every 3 minutes, and that was OK.

Anyway, as far as the show goes, it was actually quite good. The scenes were short and varied enough to keep a small child's attention for the nearly 2-hour (including intermission) show. My daughter was excited every time a new character appeared on the ice - many even dropped in from overhead. Some of the highlights include the Army men number near the beginning of the program, and my daughter REALLY liked the Barbies.

The kids really seemed to enjoy the show , and that's what's important anyway. The tickets are reasonably priced, and if you can stomach the ludicrously priced food and toys ($22 for a Buzz Lightyear Spinning toy) - or you can avoid buying any of these items - I recommend taking your little one to Toy Story 3 on Ice.

Princess Diana Exhibit Opens Today at Union Station in Kansas City

At the same time her son will be getting married to Kate Middleton, Princess Diana's famous wedding dress will be on display right here in Kansas City. Diana: A Celebration opens today at Union Station near downtown Kansas City. The exhibit will run until June 12 and is open daily except for Mondays. On display will be photos and memorabilia from the Princess's life from childhood to wedding to her life after her marriage to Prince Charles.

There are more than 25 dresses worn by Diana in the exhibit, the most famous being her wedding dress that was seen by 750 million people worldwide on her wedding day. The gown requires a display case 25 feet long. Other items include Bernie Taupin's handwritten lyrics to "Goodbye England's Rose" and various tiaras and home movies.

This exhibit will be an important one in Union Station's 2011 financial year. Attendance of 60,000 plus would be break even for the show - a better showing could make for a financial windfall badly needed for the complex. The exhibit sold over 95,000 tickets in it's recent showing in Grand Rapids, MI - which was more than expected. After it's stay in Kansas City, the items will return to the Althorp Estate, Diana's ancestral home.

Prices range from $10 for Union Station Members to $23.50 for adults. Available at the door.

Keith Sweat, Rick Springfield and the Weekend in Kansas City

80's icon Rick Springfield will be performing Saturday night at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City. The show starts at 8PM, tickets can be purchased here - prices range from $30 - $80.

You know, whenever I think of Rick Springfield I always think of the movie "Boogie Nights" with Mark Wahlberg and John C Reilly - the scene where they are at the drug dealer's house getting ready to rob him. "Jesse's Girl" is blaring on this guy's stereo - the Asian guy's in the background lighting firecrackers in the living room, and everybody is coked out of their minds. What a great scene in a great movie - if you haven't seen it, rent it tonight.

Keith Sweat, 90's R&B star, will be performing at Municipal Auditorium on Saturday night at 7PM. Tickets are on sale here. Prices range from $40 - $60.

The Nutcracker - The Kansas City Ballet's annual performance of The Nutcracker starts Saturday evening and runs through Christmas Eve at the Music Hall. Two shows every Saturday and Sunday, with more performances as we near Christmas, information and ticket info can be found here. Ticket prices range from $25-$95.

If you can brave the weather on Saturday and like to run, Kansas City parks and Recreation is holding it's annual Kris Kringle 5K in Swope Park. Runners can register up until 9:30AM on Saturday morning, race starts at 10AM. It will be bitter cold, so bundle up!

Kansas Speedway Buzz and Other Weekend Events

Kansas Speedway Buzz and Other Weekend Events

It's race weekend here in Kansas City again. The Nationwide Series-Kansas Lottery 300-race takes place on Saturday, with the Sprint Cup -Price Chopper 400- Race on Sunday. Sunday's race is the third in the "Chase for the Cup" series of ten races that determines the winner of the Sprint Cup. This is the second NASCAR event weekend held at Kansas Speedway this season, but the only Sprint Cup race. Tickets are still available at the Kansas Speedway website here. Be sure to check out the Legends while you are out at the speedway this weekend.

Leawood's First Annual Fall in the Park Festival

Leawood City Park (106th & Lee Blvd)

Leawood will be holding their 1st Annual Fall Festival today (Friday October 1st) from 5:30pm - 8:00pm. This event is primarily for kids with inflatables, pumpkin painting, hayrides, cake walk, etc. Admission is Free, but a $5 wristband can be purchased per child for unlimited activities. A Screening of Ghostbusters on a 16X18 foot screen will take place at 8PM after the activities.

Louisburg Cider Fest

Louisburg Cider Mill (3 miles west of US 69 on K68 in Louisburg)

Another Family Event is the Cider Fest - Saturday and Sunday - 9AM-5PM. Pancake Breakfast in the Morning followed by Barbeque dinner in the afternoon. Moonwalk and Pony Rides for the Kids, Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. There is a charge for the activities and food, but parking is free. For more information contact the Cider Mill at 913-837-5202.

Kansas City Juggling Festival

16200 E Hwy 40, KCMO

From time to time, I like to highlight some of the more offbeat events around Kansas City. It doesn't get much more off-beat than the Kansas City Juggling Festival. Starting at 5PM on Friday, there will be continuous juggling until Sunday afternoon. Saturday afternoon many "World Records" will be attempted, with a public show and raffle on Saturday evening. Registration is $10 for jugglers, and $5 for non jugglers.

Prairie Village Jazz Festival This Saturday

Prairie Village Jazz Festival This Saturday

This Saturday, September 11, Prairie Village will celebrate it's first ever Jazz Festival. The fun kicks off at 3PM at Harmon Park, 77th and Mission, Prairie Village. It's the park with the water tower, you can't miss it. Parking is available at the Prairie Village Pool Complex, or Shawnee Mission East High School. The event in FREE.

The schedule is as follows:

Killer Strayhorn - 3:00-3:50

A local five piece mainstream jazz ensemble.

Sons of Brasil - 4:10-5:00

Kansas City Jazz with a Brazilian Flavor - be prepared to dance.

David Basse and Orchestra 2010 - 5:20-6:10

Basse is a local musician that has appeared on A&E's City Confidential, CBS Sunday Morning, and All Things Considered.

Eldar Djangirov Trio - 6:30-7:20

Born in the Soviet Union, Eldar moved to the US at a young age and was a true child prodigy on the piano. He spent his formative years in Kansas City, soaking up the extensive jazz history of this town. Now, at age 23, he is a veteran of the music business having worked with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis , and Herbie Hancock.

The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra w/Miguel "Mambo" DeLeon - 7:50-9:00

The Jazz orchestra is a Kansas City tradition - "Mambo" DeLeon is a vocalist and percussionist with a salsa flavor.

Vendors will be on hand to serve food and drinks including wine and beer. No coolers or outside alcohol is allowed, but pets are as long as they are leashed and under control.

Megadeth and Slayer invade Kansas City Monday Night

Megadeth and Slayer invade Kansas City Monday Night

Lock up your daughters, Kansas Citians - Megadeth, Slayer, and Testament will destroy Kansas City metalheads tonight at Sandstone Amphitheatre. The carnage begins at 7PM, Monday August 23rd, but for those of you who simply cannot wait to pay $8 for a beer, the doors open at 5:30. Both Megadeth and Slayer released new albums in 2009, so look for a pounding mix of new material and ear numbing classics.

Original Bassist Dave Ellefson rejoins Megadeth this year after an 8-year hiatus, rested and ready to deliver throbbing baselines and ominous backing vocals. Slayer's lineup has remained largely unchanged. These four guys have been Reigning Blood since 1981. After the annihilation on Monday night at Sandstone, fans who haven't had enough can follow the American Carnage Tour to Denver on Wednesday night.

Dave Mustaine, front man for Megadeth, will also be pimping his new book today at 12:30PM at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Times have sure changed, 20 years ago the only way Dave would have seen 12:30 is if he was still awake from a previous night's drinking binge!