Open Spaces 2018: A Kansas City Arts Experience Announces Artist Lineup for “The Weekend” Oct. 12-14

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 9, 2018) – Open Spaces KC is pleased to announce a lineup of 11 recording artists slated to perform during “The Weekend” in Swope Park Oct. 12-14. Prominent headliners in the lineup include Kansas City, Kan. native Janelle Monáe, The Roots and Vijay Iyer. All performances will take place at Starlight Theatre in Swope Park, with tickets scheduled to go on sale Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m.

This announcement comes just weeks after over 45 local, national and international performing artists representing a range of disciplines and genres was made. In May, 42 Exhibition artists whose visual concepts will be installed in Swope Park and throughout the City were also announced.

“The Weekend will be stacked with several high-profile performances, particularly our headliners Janelle Monáe, The Roots and Vijay Iyer, who is one of the biggest names in contemporary jazz,” said artistic director Dan Cameron. “We’re proud to welcome all of these recording artists to Open Spaces and look forward to collaborating with each artist to present powerful performances to the Kansas City community and surrounding region.

Below is the full Weekend performance lineup and schedule:

Friday, Oct. 12

6 p.m. - Red Baraat

7:30 p.m. - The Soul Rebels

9:15 p.m. - The Roots

Saturday, Oct. 13

4:30 p.m. – Sankofa Danzafro

6 p.m. – McFadden Brothers

7:30 p.m. – Marcus Lewis Band

9:15 p.m. – Janelle Monáe

Sunday, Oct. 14

4:30 p.m. – Innov Gnawa

6 p.m. – DakhaBrakha

7:30 p.m. – Hermon Mehari Quartet

9 p.m. – Vijay Iyer

Four tiers of tickets will be available for The Weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances, ranging from $39.50 and $99. Sunday tickets will be available for either $20 or $50, depending on seating location. Open Spaces is also offering a full Weekend ticket package for $350, which includes premium front section seating to all 11 performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We are thrilled to continue building on the momentum of Open Spaces with the announcement of these exceptional performances. It’s an exciting opportunity for Kansas City and the incredible line-up of artists participating in the event is a testament to the success of the public-private partnership behind it. We look forward to showcasing our region during this time,” said Mayor Sly James.

In addition to The Weekend, Open Spaces will offer numerous opportunities to take in a dance or music performance, sample food offerings, enjoy family activities and browse through the pavilions at The Village in Swope Park. In the weeks to come, additional information will be shared about Expanded Field visual artists and Makers Pavilion participants. A complete calendar listing of all activities will be available at OpenSpacesKC.com and on the OpenSpacesKC app in the coming weeks.

The nine-week, citywide celebration of contemporary visual and performing art will happen on a scale not previously seen in Kansas City, with a multi-disciplinary focus unseen in the country. In addition to highlighting the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, creativity, innovation and wide array of artists and artistic practices, Open Spaces is meant to spark new ideas and initiatives that can transform and connect the City and public spaces through the arts. For nine weeks, in spaces both familiar and new, its parks and urban spaces, its galleries, performance halls and outdoor stages — Open Spaces will transform Kansas City into a living cultural tapestry into which the best of the world’s collective imagination can be woven.

About Open Spaces 2018

Open Spaces 2018: A Kansas City Arts Experience is a two-month multi-platform arts event that aims to attract cultural visitors and bring significant visibility to Kansas City. The event showcases renowned local, national and international artists, with a hub of activity in Swope Park and a network of additional venues extending throughout Kansas City. Open Spaces 2018 is led by internationally-recognized curator Dan Cameron and backed by a public-private partnership that includes the City of Kansas City, Mo. and the Office of Culture and Creative Services, KC Creates, and a Founders Circle collaboration of large donors and arts leaders led by Scott Francis. For more information, visit openspaceskc.com.