Crown Center Announces Calendar of Events Through Aug. 2014, Feat. CURIOUS GEORGE & KANSAS CITY IRISH FEST

From now to August 13, 2014, the Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri, will host a range of different events, from CURIOUS GEORGE to the KANSAS CITY IRISH REP.

Through September 8
CURIOUS GEORGE: Let's Get Curious!
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Sponsored by 3M and created by Minnesota Children's Museum together with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. Based on the familiar characters in H.A. and Margret Rey's classic stories and inspired by the animated television series on PBS KIDS, visitors can operate wheels to help George climb a building, sort and weigh fruits and vegetables at the produce stand, use science skills to putt a hole of mini golf, have their picture taken with the rocket from George's space adventure and much more. The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

August 30 - September 1
Kansas City Irish Fest
Crown Center Square and Off Center Theatre. Commemorate Kansas City's proud Celtic heritage with three days of music, dancing and exhibits. The festival will feature more than two dozen locally and nationally known bands, playing traditional music and Celtic rock. Off Center Theatre will host Irish comics. $5 Friday tickets. $10 advance Saturday or Sunday tickets, $15 at the gate on Saturday/Sunday, $25 advance three-day tickets. Festival hours:Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 816-561-7555 or visit KCIrishFest.com for ticket information.

September 7-8
Kansas City Chalk & Walk Festival
Crown Center Square. Artists start with empty squares of asphalt and by the end of the weekend, these squares will be transformed into magnificent pieces of artwork. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. No admission fee. Visit KCChalkAndWalk.org for more information, or call 816-274-8444.

September 9
Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An intimate evening of musical theatre starring KC's finest performers. These shows always sell out! Reservations required. Call 816-221-6987 or visit MTHKC.com.

September 17 - October 5
Red Badge Variations
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Inspired by Stephen Crane's classic Civil War novel, "The Red Badge of Courage," and the experiences of combat soldiers today, five young Americans spend a year deployed at a remote military outpost and confront the defining experience of their lives. The play, a National Endowment for the Arts award-winning world premiere, commemorates the 150th anniversary and the Civil War and explores the same archetypes depicted in Crane's masterpiece. A Coterie Sparks series production intended for preteen and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

September 20
SCREENLAND ROASTS: TOP GUN
Screenland Crown Center, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. The crew of comedians from Fire Roasted Films mercilessly skewers the Tom Cruise classic "Top Gun." Remember Mystery Science Theater 3000? It's like that...but live, local and uncensored. Call 816-545-8034 or visit FireRoastedFilms.com.

September 28
Hallmarket
Hallmark Square (in front of the Hallmark Visitors Center). A celebration of creativity and artistic talent. Around 100 Hallmark artists, photographers, sculptors and designers will display and offer their work for sale. Browse watercolor paintings, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, photography and more. This is the artists' personal work, outside of their jobs with Hallmark. Purchases may be made by cash or check only, directly to the artist. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.The Hallmark Visitors Center and Kaleidoscope will be open during the event. Complimentary parking in the Crown Center garages. Call 816-274-5745 for more information.

October 4 - November 2
CARRIE: THE MUSICAL
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Based on Stephen King's best-selling novel, don't miss a newly reworked and fully re-imagined vision of this gripping tale. Call 816-842-9999, or visit EgadsTheatre.com for more information.

October 5, 12, 19, 26
October Puppet Show Series
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. A Crown Center tradition continues with performances from the region's most exciting puppeteers. The lineup: Paul Mesner Puppets (October 5), Bob Kramer Marionettes of St. Louis (October 12), Clement McCrae Puppet (October 19), StoneLion Puppet Theatre (October 26). Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

October 9-27
DRACULA: THE JOURNAL OF JONATHAN HARKER
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Sent to Castle Dracula to deliver property deeds to the infamous Count, Jonathan Harker finds himself witness to increasingly horrific sights, as his journal entries begin to reveal, until he becomes captive of an undead creature of the night. A one-actor tour-de-force thrill ride, closely adhering to Bram Stoker's original "Dracula" novel. A Coterie Sparks series production intended for preteen and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

October 19
Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon
Washington Square Park. Races include a 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon and 5K run/walk, all starting and ending at Washington Square Park (corner of Pershing Road and Grand Boulevard), site of the finish line festival.7:05 a.m. For registration information, visit KCMarathon.org.

October 31
Arrival of the Mayor's Christmas Tree
Crown Center Square. The first sign of the holiday season arrives at Crown Center, the culmination of a journey from Oregon. The 100-foot-tall tree arrives at 9 a.m. on October 31 and is put into its stand at approximately 10 a.m. on Friday, November 1. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

November 1
Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening Day
Crown Center Square. Kansas City's only public outdoor ice skating rink opens for its 41st season of great skating fun. Enjoy complimentary skating from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on opening day! Regular admission is $6, or complimentary for those over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. Hours through January: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundaythrough Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday. Hours during February and March: noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. Call 816-274-8411 for more information. (The rink is open until March 9, 2014.)

November 8-23
TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Egads Theatre Co. presents this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, the story of an English girl whose romantic misadventures take her from New York City to Hollywood and back again. Call 816-842-9999 or visit EgadsTheatre.com for more information.

November 12 - January 5
THE WIZ
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. This Tony Award-winning timeless classic is a multicultural view of Oz with a soulful twist. Based on The Coterie's acclaimed 2011 staging, described as "an event so unique and imaginative it's in a class by itself" (The Kansas City Star), Dorothy and three friends ease on down a fabulous yellow brick road. A Coterie Shines series production intended for elementary and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

November 25
Musical Theater Heritage's MUSICAL MONDAY
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. An intimate evening of musical theatre starring KC's finest performers. These shows always sell out! Reservations required. Call 816-221-6987 or visit MTHKC.com.

November 29
Santa's Arrival at Crown Center
Crown Center Shops, Grand Boulevard entrance. Santa Claus arrives in a horse-drawn carriage to kick off the holiday season. Perry the Penguin, Tip from Crayola and other costume characters help greet Jolly Ol' St. Nick. Join Santa as he makes his way to Crayola Christmas Land, where he resides through December 24. No admission fee. 10 a.m. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

November 29
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Crown Center Square. The 100-foot-tall Mayor's Christmas Tree, one of the nation's tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. Mayor Sly James and a celebrity guest will flip the switch to light the tree. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the city's less fortunate. Program begins at 5:30 p.m. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

After the holidays, the wood from the Mayor's Christmas Tree is made into commemorative ornaments, which are sold the following year to benefit the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund.

November 29 - December 31
Santa's Crayola Christmas Land
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace. Children can play on super-sized Crayola products, while waiting to tell Santa all their holiday wishes. Santa is in residence November 29 through December 24. The Crayola Christmas Land play area is open through December 31. No admission fee. Photos with Santa are available for a fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Open10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 816-274-8444.

November 29 - December 31
Santa's Gingerbread Village
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Three locomotives travel through a Santa's gingerbread village in the North Pole, all created by the chefs at The Westin Kansas City and Sheraton Kansas City hotels. See the reindeer stable, Santa's sleigh garage, the elves' dorm, a doll, rocking horse, and ball factory, and even Mr. & Mrs. Claus' home. No admission fee. Open during Crown Center Shops holiday hours. Closed Christmas Day. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

December 1 -19
Holiday Choirs
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Beautiful music fills the halls of Crown Center, as more than 130 area school, church and community choirs perform on weekdays and Sundays. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 or visit CrownCenter.com/Choirs.

December 5-22
A SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. Musical Theater Heritage's holiday show features a sackful of classic Christmastime songs from movies and musicals. It is funny, heartfelt, and sentimental, and features many of KC's best-loved local performers. The performances will move you, and it's perfect for the family at Christmastime! Call 816-842-9999 or visit MTHKC.com.

December 7 and 14
Musical Fun For Kids
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. Enjoy holiday music for kids and families on the first two Saturdays of December. The Doo Dads perform December 7, followed by Dino O'Dell & the T-Rex All-Stars on December 14. Shows at noon and 2 p.m. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

December 23
Steven's Big Birthday Bash
Off Center Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 3. This promises to be a highly entertaining affair, as Egads Theatre Co. throws its benefit bash at Off Center. 816-842-9999 or EgadsTheatre.com.

January 28 - February 23
AFFLICTED: THE DAUGHTERS OF SALEM
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. A world premiere from the playwright of the nationally-produced, Coterie-commissioned hit play, "The Wrestling Season," comes this story of the Salem girls - Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott and Betty Paris - and the crucible of events that led to the contagious Salem Witch Trials. Amongst the girls, allies are found, promises made and broken, power taken...deep in the woods of Puritan New England. A Coterie Sparks series production intended for preteen and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

February 1 - May 4
75 Years of Oz, Oh My!
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace . There's no place like Crown Center to celebrate the 75th anniversary of America's favorite movie, "The Wizard of Oz." Trace Dorothy's footsteps through the Land of Oz: from the moment her house plops down in Munchkin Land until she clicks her ruby red slippers to return to Kansas. Along the yellow brick road, families can tour the enchanting world of the Munchkins, meet up with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, as well as locate the Wizard in the Emerald City and sneak inside the Wicked Witch's eerie castle. This children's exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Closed Easter Sunday. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

February 25 - March 9
I WAS A TEENAGE IMMORTAL: GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Sully is a girl who dresses all in black, skulks around in corners, writes short poems about pain and silence, and bites her nails to the quick. Derrick dreams of starting a band called The Immortals, but he can't get anyone else to join. Sully catches Derrick playing music all by himself after hours at school. There, a pantheon of Greek Gods is summoned to the high school auditorium, forever changing the lives of the two loners who called them. A world premiere musical, this Coterie Sparks series production intended for preteen and older audiences. 816-474-6552 or TheCoterie.org.

April 8 - May 18
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. This award-winning musical, based on ABC-TV's educational animated series and directed by Ron MeGee, teaches history, grammar, math, science and government through clever, tuneful songs, instructing a whole new generation to "Unpack Your Adjectives" and meet up at "Conjunction Junction" to add some "Interjections!" A Coterie Shines series production intended for elementary and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17
Coterie Ignites SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Pull on your PJs and get a complimentary bowl of cereal as The Coterie makes Saturday night feel likeSaturday morning again, with a special rockin' Coterie Ignites edition of "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" Host Ron MeGee has special treats in store if you wear retro gear or pajamas! Sing-along, mayhem and '70s madness. Coterie Ignites performances are intended for audiences ages 13 and older. Showtime is 9 p.m. 816-474-6552 or TheCoterie.org.

April 12-13 and 18-19
The Easter Bunny visits Crown Center
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. The Easter Bunny greets children at Crown Center. A professional photographer will be taking pictures for a fee and visitors are welcome to bring their cameras. Noon to 4 p.m. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

May 4
Young Playwrights Festival
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Rich and varied theatrical writings evolve from a year-long process by our city's most gifted young playwrights who have emerged from The Coterie's Young Playwrights Roundtable. See a collection of new plays forged into an ambitious festival of script-in-hand readings staged by professional artists. A Coterie Writes production intended for teenage and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

May 24 - September 7, 2014
Super Kids Save the World
Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Showplace . Developed by The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum. Super kids become super heroes when given the power to go green! Based on the children's book "George Saves the World by Lunchtime," the exhibit's big message is Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle. In the Garden, kids pick fresh vegetables before selling them in The Farmer's Market. They can sort and hang laundry in the House, sell funky clothes at the Re-Use Charity Shop and use their scientific skills to learn about solar power and bio-fuel in the Research Lab. Kids can also explore the Recycle Center, equipped with a conveyor belt and recycling truck, then fill up the tank of a real Smart Car. The exhibit is open during Crown Center Shops regular shopping hours. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. No admission fee. Call 816-274-8444 for more information.

June 7
HospitAl Hill Run
Crown Center Square. This premier Kansas City road racing event is nationally recognized by Runner's World magazine. Races include a 13.1-mile half marathon, 10K race and 5K run/walk, all starting and ending at Crown Center Square. 7 a.m. For registration information, visit HospitalHillRun.com.

June 17 - August 3, 2014
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
The Coterie, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Part of The Coterie's acclaimed Lab for New Family Musicals, this is the world premiere of the theatre for young audiences version, based on the Broadway production of the MGM motion picture. Take a fantastic adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. The sensational songs include "Truly Scrumptious," Toot Sweets," "Hushabye Mountain," and the Oscar-nominated title song. A Coterie Shines series production intended for elementary and older audiences. Call 816-474-6552 or visit TheCoterie.org.

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