How to avoid monotony in Kansas City

A look at area entertainment during the holiday break

information by art salazar

Homer’s

This coffee house, located off 80th and Metcalf, in downtown Overland Park, offers free live music every Friday and Saturday. On Dec. 21 it will host a Christmas concert with the Brian Roland Band and Kristen May will perform.

The New Earth Coffeehouse

Located at 40th and Walnut in Westport, this Christian coffeehouse slogan is “Where the music never stops, even if you want it to.” They will have Waterdeep concerts on Dec. 27 and 28 costing $10 each. They will be closed after that until after winter break.

IMAX

If you want to see movies in a big way, the Kansas City Zoo’s IMAX is showing Star Wars Episode II until Dec. 24. On Christmas Day the Lion King will be playing.

The Blue Room

This jazz house, located 1600 E. 18th Street, has a full schedule planed over winter break and it costs only $5 to get in. This season’s schedule is as follows

Dec. 23: Matt Kane plays 7p.m.- 11p.m.

Dec. 26: Logan Richardson Quintet plays 7 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Dec. 27: Everette DeVan Quartet plays 8 p.m.- 12:30 a.m.

Dec. 28: Lester “Duck” Warner plays 8:30 p.m.- 12:30 a.m.

Dec. 30: Louis Neal Big Band plays 7 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Midland Theatre

The Midland Theater, 1228 Main St., will have the timeless stage play “The Nutcracker” throughout December. It is an opportunity for a family event or just a solitary outing.

Schedule is as follows

Dec. 21: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Dec. 22: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Dec. 27: 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 28: 2 p.m.

Crown Center

With a vast number of shops and eateries, Crown Center, located at 7450 Grand, in Kansas City, Mo., is a  diverse place to spend some time during winter break. When walking around Crown Center, people can view the March of Teddy Bears, which are large fiberglass teddy bears artistically decorated like the cows in the Cow Parade. The American Heartland Theater will perform the play “Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas” until Jan. 5 and the Coterie Theatre will preform “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” until Dec. 31. The Ice Terrace will be open 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m.- 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in December. In January it will be open 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.

The Country Club Plaza

Located east on Shawnee Mission Parkway to Ward Parkway, the Plaza has many activities to offer over winter break. Looking at the lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, choirs, and a variety of shops and restaurants, the Plaza is an ideal place to spend a day and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Nelson-Atkins Museum

The Nelson-Atkins Museum, located at 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, Mo., offers the beauty of art and culture from around world in a centralized place. On Dec. 27, the free World Music Concert Series will start at 7 p.m. in the Atkins Auditorium. The music will be from the Caribbean Islands and will provide a fun after-Christmas concert.

Snow Creek

If students want to travel, but not too far, Snow Creek, located in Weston, Mo., is a great getaway with all-day passes starting for $33 and lessons staring at $12. Since Kansas is not a place that is fit for skiing, Snow Creek can be a fun winter escape. More information can be found in their website www.skisnowcreek.com.