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 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City has a lot to celebrate in 2007. There are 11 metro-area attractions commemorating significant milestones this year. For more information about these and other attractions, go to VisitKC.com.
150TH ANNIVERSARY:
City Market (summer 1857)
25 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, Mo., 816-842-1271 www.kc-citymarket.com
Kansas City's oldest continuously operating business, the City Market, is home to one of the largest farmers' markets in the Midwest. The buildings surrounding the open-air market house more than 30 shops and restaurants that are open year-round, including the Arabia Steamboat Museum. The Market will kick-off its 150th season the weekend of May 12 with monthly special events, culminating in October during City Market's annual Harvest Festival.
125TH ANNIVERSARY:
Jesse James' assassination (1882)
Jesse James Farm & Museum, 21216 James Farm Rd., Kearney, Mo., 816-628-6065 www.jessejames.org
Referred to as both America's Robin Hood and a cold blooded killer, the outlaw Jesse James attracts worldwide fascination. The Jesse James Farm and Museum features the world's largest display of James family artifacts. The infamous outlaw was born at the farm home in 1847 and lived there until his early teens. He later moved to St. Joseph, Mo., where he was shot and killed in 1882. In remembrance of his death, the Farm & Museum will host a black powder shoot and two lectures on April 7.
50TH ANNIVERSARIES:
Truman Presidential Museum & Library (July 1957)
500 W. Highway 24, Independence, Mo., 816-268-8200 www.trumanlibrary.org
One of only 11 U.S. Presidential Libraries, the Truman Presidential Museum & Library recounts the life and times of America's charismatic 33rd president, Harry S. Truman. Harry and his wife, Bess, are buried in the museum's courtyard. Several prominent speakers will visit the museum during its 50th year, including former President Bill Clinton and Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and Truman biographer) David McCullough.
Kansas City Ballet (1957)
Music Hall, 301 W. 13th Street, Kansas City, Mo. 816-931-2232 www.kcballet.org
The versatility and depth of the Kansas City Ballet takes center stage as the company continues to hone its reputation as one of the best mid-sized ballet organizations in the nation. The ballet will celebrate five decades of dance with an entire season of work never before performed by the company. Crowning the 50th anniversary season will be the evening-length ballet Romeo and Juliet, one of the most popular ballets in the world.
The Lyric Opera of Kansas City (1957)
The Lyric Theatre, 1029 Central Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 816-471-4933 www.kcopera.org
The nationally acclaimed Lyric Opera is the largest performing arts group in the Kansas City area. One of the few opera companies to offer performances in English, the Lyric Opera uses both local and nationally known talent during its spring and fall seasons. In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the Lyric Opera's 2007-2008 season will be its most ambitious and expensive schedule to date, with production costs estimated at $5.7 million.
25TH ANNIVERSARIES:
Oceans of Fun (1982)
4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., Kansas City, Mo., 816-454-4545 www.worldsoffun.com
Oceans of Fun is the region's largest tropically-themed water park, with more than 60 acres of wet and wild adventures. A million-gallon wave pool, seven water slides, two special children's areas and an assortment of water sports and activities are featured in this ocean paradise. The park's 25th anniversary season runs May 26-Sept. 16.
Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City (October 1982)
5235 Oak Street, Kansas City, Mo., 816-333-9328 www.umkc.edu/tmm
Housed in a renovated 1911 mansion on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City features 33 rooms filled with antique toys, dollhouses, marbles and scale miniatures dating from the mid-1800s to the present. This April, the museum will unveil a new temporary exhibit, What Does It Mean to Be an American Girl?, featuring dolls and stories from the popular toy line.
20TH ANNIVERSARIES:
American Heartland Theatre (April 1987)
Crown Center, 2450 Grand St., Kansas City, Mo. 816-842-0202 www.ahtkc.com
Nestled inside Crown Center, the American Heartland Theatre is committed to providing Kansas Citians with live performance theatre on par with New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The company offers a variety of programming from favorite classics to the best of Off-Broadway. Two shows remain in the theatre's 20th anniversary season: A Dog's Life (March 2-April 22) and Bunk Bed Brothers (May 4-June 17).
Paul Mesner Puppets (July 1987)
1006 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 816-756-3500 www.paulmesnerpuppets.org
Beginning its 20th season in October, Paul Mesner Puppets is Kansas City's address for unique puppetry and entertaining performances. The organization also specializes in performing tours and puppet-making workshops. The 2007-2008 performance schedule will be announced later this spring.
15TH ANNIVERSARY:
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (1992)
Southmoreland Park, 47th & Oak, Kansas City, Mo. 816- 531-7728 www.kcshakes.org
A summer tradition in Kansas City, the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival presents professional theatre in Southmoreland Park. This summer, the free outdoor festival will showcase William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet (June 18-July 8).
10TH ANNIVERSARY:
American Jazz Museum (September 1997)
1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo., 816-474-VINE www.americanjazzmuseum.com
Located in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District, the sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form come to life at the first museum in the country devoted exclusively to jazz. The museum also houses the Blue Room, a working jazz club, and The Gem Theater, a modern 500-seat performing arts center.
-- KC --
Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention
& Visitors Association
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American Jazz Museum, Charlie Parker sax
Caption: The American Jazz Museum tells the story of this American art form with artifacts such as a Charlie Parker saxophone.
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Jesse James Farm Home, grave and home
Caption: This home where Frank and Jesse James grew up features Jesse's original gravesite.
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Oceans of Fun
Caption: Oceans of Fun, located next to Worlds of Fun, is one of the Midwest's largest water parks.
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Truman Presidential Museum & Library
Caption: Independence, Missouri is home to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library.
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