KC events Feb. 15-21: Planet Comicon, Symphony's 'Harry Potter,' | Kansas City Star

Named to Time magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2013, George Saunders has long been considered one of the best short-story writers in the English language. He will appear for his first novel, the Man Booker Prize-winning and No. 1 New York Times best-seller “Lincoln in the Bardo,” which is now published in a softcover edition. 816-701-3400 or 913-384-3126. kclibrary.org or rainydaybooks.com. Free.

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This is a different kind of show for the Kansas City Ballet, which will give audiences the chance to see tomorrow’s sought-after choreographers today. Emerging choreographers, including Kansas City Ballet company dancers Christopher Costantini and Michael Davis, will present new arrangements in an intimate venue. The Ballet’s Second Company will open the performances. 816-931-8993. Tickets are $41 through kcballet.org.

For those who aren’t Potter fanatics, this movie from 2002 is the second installment in the film series and follows Harry’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Symphony, with guest conductor Jeffrey Schindler, will perform John Williams’ complete score while the film is projected on the big screen. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-471-0400. Tickets are $90 through kcsymphony.org.

The Silverstein website bills this matchup as Rivalry at the Rink. The University of Kansas Hockey Club labels it the Border Showdown. And the Mizzou Club Ice Hockey calls it the Border War. Whatever the name, it will be a big game in the season finale for both teams, who continue to play each other despite the discontinuation of the football and basketball series. KU beat Mizzou 12-2 and 9-4 earlier in the season. 816-442-6100. Tickets are $16-$26 through silversteineyecentersarena.com.

Born in Japan, acclaimed pianist Mitsuko Uchida is now a full-fledged Brit. In fact, she’s a dame, having been honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2009. In addition to performing internationally, she is the artistic director of the Marlboro Music School and Festival in New Hampshire. She last appeared on the Harriman-Jewell Series in 1992. 816-415-5025. Tickets are $30-$85 through hjseries.org.

Rock icon Alice Cooper is the big-name celebrity expected for the 19th annual Planet Comicon, the region’s largest pop culture and comic book convention. In addition to comic books, exhibitors will come from the worlds of fantasy, sci-fi and superhero television and film. Dozens of other celebrities are scheduled, including actors Pom Klementieff, Sonequa Martin-Green, John Cusack and Danny Trejo. 816-598-5334. Tickets are $25-$199 for three-day passes and $8-$41 for daily passes through planetcomicon.com.

This marks the Störling Dance Theater’s 11th annual presentation of “Underground,” which tells a unique tale of the Underground Railroad. Production on “Underground” began in 2004, and it took four years to complete the original music, costumes, choreography and design. The local troupe expects to begin touring with the show this year. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-994-7222. Tickets are $25-$70 through kauffmancenter.org.

The Kansas City Chinese School North, which meets each Saturday to educate children on the Chinese language and culture, will play host to a kid-centered celebration of the Year of the Dog. Activities will include writing spring festival couplets, cutting Chinese characters, folding Chinese lanterns, practicing Chinese calligraphy and learning brush painting. Tickets are $5 for children through chinese.best4future.org; $7 at the door; parents free.

The author of the best-selling novel “Call Me By Your Name” will be on hand for a screening of the movie adaptation, followed by a book signing. The book and the movie, which is nominated for four Academy Awards, tell the story of a romance between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents’ mansion on the Italian Riviera. 913-642-1133. Tickets are $10-$29 through fineartsgroup.com.

Ventriloquists normally don’t embark on national tours, especially 13-year-old ventriloquists. But then there’s Darci Lynne Farmer. She won over the judges — even Simon Cowell — and the nation with her talent and enthusiasm last fall while winning NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and she’s now on a tour that began with five cities but was expanded to 16 because of the demand for tickets. 816-283-9921. Tickets are $25-$35 through midlandkc.com.

This exhibition is an extra reason to check out one of the city’s best free attractions, where visitors can discover the Hallmark story through an array of exhibits. “Pop Art — Then & Now” will feature artists who were key figures in the 1960s movement, as well as subsequent artists who were influenced by them. Included will be works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday through June 16. 816-274-3613. corporate.hallmark.com/about/hallmark-cards-company/hallmark-visitors-center. Free.

Even if you’ve seen the movie 15 times, the story of Maria and the von Trapp family never seems to get old. This is a new touring production of “The Sound of Music,” which features a Tony, Grammy and Academy award-winning score with familiar tunes such as “My Favorite Things,” “Maria,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. 785-864-2787. Tickets are $21-$55 through lied.ku.edu.

Dublin Irish Dance: Stepping Out, Feb. 18, Lied Center. lied.ku.edu

Midwest Chamber Ensemble, “Vieux Amis — Nouveaux Costumes,” Feb. 18, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. midwestchamberensemble.org

Musica Sacra, “Works of Leonarda and Purcell,” Feb. 18, Arrupe Hall. rockhurst.edu/center-arts-letters/musica-sacra-kansas-city/concerts

Ricercar Consort, Feb. 18, Village Presbyterian. chambermusic.org

Kansas City Symphony, “Sounds Relaxing,” Feb. 20, Kauffman Center. kcsymphony.org

Ensemble Iberica, “Guitarra Flamenca,” Feb. 21, Polsky Theatre. ensembleiberica.org

Sean Brennan, Feb. 20-24, Stanford and Sons. stanfordscomedyclub.com

Kayzo, Feb. 15, The Truman. thetrumankc.com

Whiskey Myers, Feb. 15, Granada. thegranada.com

Asleep at the Wheel with Lindi Ortega, Feb. 16, Knuckleheads. knuckleheadskc.com

Brad Paisley with Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell, Feb. 16, Sprint Center. sprintcenter.com

Demetria McKinney with London Savoy, Feb. 16, VooDoo. voodookc.com

Jeezy, Feb. 16, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Cyrille Aimee, Feb. 17, Folly. follytheater.org

Hembree, Feb. 17, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

In This Moment with DED, New Years Day and P.O.D, Feb. 17, VooDoo. voodookc.com

Moon Taxi, Feb. 17, The Truman. thetrumankc.com

Charles Williams Trio, Feb. 18, Polsky Theatre. jccc.edu/theseries

NF, Feb. 18, Uptown. uptowntheater.com

Peter Cetera, Feb. 18, Kauffman Center. kauffmancenter.org

Brockhampton, Feb. 21, The Truman. thetrumankc.com

Fred Morrison with KC St. Andrew Pipes & Drums, Feb. 21, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. eventbrite.com/event/42286450913

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Feb. 21, Madrid. madridtheatre.com

R.Lum.R, Feb. 21, RecordBar. therecordbar.com

Talib Kweli with Niko Is and more, Feb. 21, Riot Room. theriotroom.com

Kansas City Folk Festival, Feb. 18, Westin Crown Center. kansascityfolkfestival.org

Tayari Jones for “An American Marriage,” Feb. 21, Mid-Continent Public Library-Woodneath Library Center. mymcpl.org or rainydaybooks.com

Kansas City Mavericks vs. Indianapolis, Feb. 16-17; vs. Florida, Feb. 18. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. kcmavericks.com

Kansas City Comets (indoor soccer) vs. Harrisburg, Feb. 17. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. cometsindoorsoccer.com

UMKC men’s basketball vs. Chicago State, Feb. 15. Municipal Auditorium. umkckangaroos.com

KC Golf Show, Feb. 16-18, Overland Park Convention Center. kansascitygolfshow.com

This story was originally published February 13, 2018 12:28 PM.