Dick Gregory Tribute
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at Kansas City Improv
On the night the legendary comedian and activist was scheduled to perform at the Improv, the comedy club instead will pay tribute to Dick Gregory, who died Aug. 19 at the age of 84. Featured comedians will be Mark Gregory (Dick Gregory’s nephew) and Jay Phillips. Dick Gregory appeared frequently in Kansas City, including as recently as last summer. 816-759-5233. Tickets are $15 through improvkc.com.
Johnson County Old Settlers
Noon-10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; in downtown Olathe
With a carnival, arts and crafts, ice cream social and live music, Old Settlers has all the ingredients of a traditional fall festival. What sets it apart are a parade (10 a.m. Sept. 9) billed as the largest in Kansas and an event called Gabfest (noon Sept. 9), in which folks gather to tell tall tales. Other highlights are a flower show (1 p.m. Sept. 8) and an antique car show (9 a.m. Sept. 9). johnsoncountyoldsettlers.com. Free (except for carnival).
Royals vs. Minnesota
7:15 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Sept. 7-8; 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10; at Kauffman Stadium
Even the most optimistic Royals fans must be realizing by now that the boys in blue probably are not a team of destiny in 2017. But they aren’t dead yet. If they could beat the Twins, whom they are chasing for the second American League wild-card spot, four consecutive times, they still might have a chance. But time is running out; after this seven-game homestand, the Royals have only six more home games this season. Also, vs. Chicago White Sox, Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 11-13. 800-676-9257. Tickets are $12-$200 through kansascity.royals.mlb.com.
Art Westport
1-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10; at Westport District
Kicking off the unofficial autumn arts season will be the 38th annual Art Westport, which is limited to local artists. The best painters, sculptors, photographers and ceramists from the Kansas City area will line the streets of historic Westport to showcase their original art, jewelry, fine crafts and more. Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. westportkcmo.com. Free.
“Between the Lines”
Opens 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Spencer Theatre
Who hasn’t read a book and imagined himself or herself becoming part of the story? In this world premiere play presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, 17-year-old Delilah doesn’t have to imagine: the handsome hero in her favorite book really does start talking to her. From that point, romance, adventure and humor ensue, and Delilah learns some important life lessons. Runs through Oct. 1. 816-235-2700. Tickets are $25-$81 through kcrep.org.
“Grease”
Opens 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Starlight Theatre
So the performers might look a bit old to be in high school. (Olivia Newton-John was 29 when the movie was filmed, and she was a huge hit.) With “Grease,” what really matters is the fun music and the relationship between new girl Sandy Dumbrowski and greaser Danny Zuko. Interesting fact: Including the musical’s original Broadway run in 1972 and revivals in 1994 and 2007, “Grease” has been nominated for 11 Tony Awards but hasn’t won any. Runs through Sept. 14. 816-363-7827. Tickets are $14-$142 through kcstarlight.com.
Kansas City Symphony, Screenland at the Symphony
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
The Symphony will begin its new season with “Star Trek Into Darkness” Live. For those unfamiliar with the Screenland at the Symphony format, director J.J. Abrams’ 2013 movie will play on the big screen while the Symphony re-creates Michael Giacchino’s score live. In case you’re not a Trekkie, this is the flick in which Benedict Cumberbatch portrays a supervillain. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center. 816-471-0400. Tickets are $35-$80 through kcsymphony.org.
“The Vietnam War”: An Evening With Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
Ken Burns calls “The Vietnam War” his most ambitious project, and that’s saying something coming from the filmmaker responsible for documentaries such as “The Civil War” and “Baseball.” Burns and partner Lynn Novick will be on hand for a first look at their documentary, and fans will see clips from the 18-hour series that will premiere Sept. 17 on PBS. 816-283-9921. Tickets are $35-$80 through midlandkc.com.
Rugged Maniac 5K Obstacle Race
10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Snow Creek Ski Area
The Rugged Maniac isn’t so much a race as a survival contest. Organizers promise at least 25 obstacles on the mud-filled 5-kilometer course near Weston, where competitors will jump over fire, climb walls, cross cargo nets and crawl through pipes, among other physical tests. As part of the event, there also will be a mechanical bull, beach volleyball and beer. In fact, each entrant will receive one beer to go with a T-shirt, medal and photo. Entry is $79-$100 at ruggedmaniac.com/events/kansascity.
Kenny Broberg
4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Folly
Park University graduate student Kenny Broberg, the silver medalist at the recent 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will present his first major local concert at the historic Folly Theater. Broberg, a native of Plymouth, Minn., studies at Park’s International Center for Music under Stanislav Ioudenitch, who won the 11th Cliburn event in 2001. 816-474-4444. Tickets are $20-$50 through follytheater.org.
U2
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Arrowhead
It has been 30 years since the superstar rock band that formed in Dublin in 1976 released its most popular album, “The Joshua Tree,” and this tour celebrates that anniversary. U2, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, will play the album in its entirety in front of the largest video screen ever used on a tour. Beck will open. 800-745-3000. Tickets are $35-$365 through ticketmaster.com.
“A Lie of the Mind”
Opens 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at H&R Block City Stage Theater
Just six weeks after the death of playwright Sam Shepard, Kansas City Actors Theatre will present his 1985 off-Broadway play that won both the Drama Desk Award and the New York Drama Critic’s Circle Award for best play. The story of two Montana families linked by an act of violence is marked by Shepard’s trademark dark humor. Runs through Oct. 1. 816-361-5228. Tickets are $15-$40 through kcactors.org.
Also this week
Classical music and dance
Dance in the Park, Sept. 9, Roanoke Park. kcparks.org
Theater
“A Night on the Town” with Jeremy Watson, Sept. 7-9, Musical Theater Heritage. musicaltheaterheritage.com
“Valley of the Dolls,” Late Night Theatre, Sept. 8, Folly. follytheater.org
Music (rock, pop, jazz)
Dancefestopia, Sept. 7-10, La Benite Riverfront Park. dancefestopia.com
Buzz Beach Ball featuring Snoop Dogg, Weezer, Foster the People, Run the Jewels and more, Sept. 8-9, Children’s Mercy Park. beachballkc.com
Busta Rhymes, Sept. 9, Crossroads KC. crossroadskc.com
KKFI Crossroads Music Fest, Sept. 9, RecordBar. kkfi.ticketfly.com
Kurtis Blow and Grandmaster Dee, Sept. 9, Ameristar. ameristar.com
Prairie Village Jazz Festival, Sept. 9, Harmon Park. pvkansas.com/jazzfest
The Schwag, Sept. 9, Granada. thegranada.com
Ying Yang Twins with John Price, Sept. 9, Riot Room. theriotroom.com
Venom Inc with Goatwhore, Toxic Holocaust and the Convalescence, Sept. 10, Riot Room. theriotroom.com
Seu Jorge, Sept. 11, Liberty Hall. libertyhall.net
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Sept. 13, Uptown. uptowntheater.com
Bobby Rush, Sept. 13, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com
Visual art
“Surfaces: 10 Years of Illumination” with Quixotic, Sept. 8, Nelson-Atkins Museum. nelson-atkins.org
Events/festivals/etc.
Belton Fall Festival, Sept. 8-9, Main Street, Belton. mainstreetbelton.org
Gala of the Royal Horses presents Carousel of Dreams, Sept. 8, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. silversteineyecentersarena.com
Grain Valley Fair, Sept. 8-9, Grain Valley Community Center. grainvalleyfair.com
Greek Festival, Sept. 8-10, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. annunciationkc.org
Kansas State Fair, Sept. 8-17, Hutchinson. kansasstatefair.com
KC West Bottoms haunted houses, Sept. 8-Nov. 4, West Bottoms. kcwestbottoms.com/hauntedhouses.htm
Beerfest, Sept. 9, Power & Light District. kcbeerfest.com
Carnival for CASA, Sept. 9, Paradise Park. jacksoncountycasa-mo.org
Heritage Antique Show, Sept. 9-10, Overland Park Convention Center. heritageeventcompany.com/event/overlandparkantiqueshow
Independence Uncorked Wine Festival, Sept. 9, Bingham-Waggoner Estate. independenceuncorked.com
Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival, Sept. 9-10, Crown Center Square. kcchalkandwalk.org
Swift Mile street festival, Sept. 8-9, North Kansas City. theswiftmile.com
Kansas City Cigar Festival, Sept. 9, Diebel’s roof. kccigarfestival.com
Lenexa Spinach Festival, Sept. 9, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. lenexa.com
Lost Arts Fair, Sept. 9, Harris-Kearney House. westporthistorical.com
Midwest Tea Festival, Sept. 9-10, Ararat Shrine Temple Auditorium. midwestteafest.com
Missouri Baptist Children’s Home Apple Festival, Sept. 9, First Baptist Church, Raymore. mbch.org
Sprint Family Fun Days, Sept. 9, Power & Light District. powerandlightdistrict.com/familyfun
Summer Fest, Sept. 9, Grinter Place. kshs.org/event/kansas-city-grinter-place-summer-fest/19905
Jewish Culture Fest, Sept. 10, Jewish Community Center. jewishculturefest.com
Book talks
Jon Kukla for “Patrick Henry: Champion of Liberty,” Sept. 7, Kansas City Public Library-Central Library. kclibrary.org
Bruce Campbell for “Hail to the Chin: Further Confessions of a B-Movie Actor,” Sept. 9, Alamo Drafthouse. bruce-campbell.com/booktour-kansascity
Sports/recreation
FC Kansas City vs. Chicago, Sept. 9. Swope Soccer Village. fckansascity.com
Women’s Triathlon & Duathlon, Sept. 9, Kill Creek Park. jcprd.com/special_events/jcprdwomenstri.cfm