JACOB LAWRENCE AND THE LEGEND OF JOHN BROWN
Through June 16
Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas in Lawrence will exhibit this recently acquired portfolio of prints by acclaimed Black modernist Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000). The artist drew inspiration for his Legend of John Brown series—which includes consideration of Brown’s time in Kansas, where Brown first employed violence in his quest to rid the country of slavery—from research he conducted at the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library. spencerart.ku.edu, 785/864-4710
FROST FEST
February 16–18
Embrace winter in Brookings, South Dakota, on the third weekend of February, when attractions offer deals and winter-themed indoor and outdoor activities during this 10th annual event. Find Frost Fest activities at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Art Museum and more. visitbrookingssd.com/business/frost-fest, 605/692-7444
KANSAS SILENT FILM FESTIVAL
February 23–24
The silent film era is back for two days this winter, thanks to the folks bringing back the Kansas Silent Film Festival for its 27th year at Washburn University’s White Concert Hall in Topeka. Though the movies may be silent, they’ll be accompanied by live music, just as the originals were back in the day. Even better, admission to the films is free. kssilentfilmfest.org
KANSAS CITY CURRENT
March through October
The gates open at the world’s first stadium purpose-built for a women’s professional team. CPKC Stadium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri’s Berkley Riverfront Park is home to the Current, whose National Women's Soccer League regular season runs March through October. kansascitycurrent.com, 913/374-0233
B-29 DOC PULL A PLANE
March 9
Witness the ultimate tug-of-war competition—humans versus a 40-ton warbird—at The B-29 Doc Hangar, Education & Visitors Center in Wichita, Kansas. Tickets also include STEM activities and cockpit tours of Doc, a 1945 Boeing bomber restored to airworthiness. pullaplane.com, 316/260-4312
SIOUX EMPIRE SPRING ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
March 15–16
Shop for handmade items from nearly 200 artists and crafters from 15 regional states. Held in the Expo Building at W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the twice-a-year event also features food trucks and fun activities for the entire family. blackincevents.com, 605/332-6004
CHUCK WAGON GATHERING
March 23
Explore the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, to see a variety of working chuck wagons from across the region as they prepare some of their favorite dishes. This free annual event includes cooking demonstrations, food samples, live music, performers and other cowboy fun for the whole family. ctokmuseum.org, 405/375-5176
APRIL FOOLS-A-PALOOZA
April 1
Plan on a full day of art and events in the Main Street area of Lucas, Kansas. Tour studios and museums, meet artists, and shop art. The Grassroots Art Center, DADA Muse’Um, Roadside Sideshow Expo and the Garden of Eden folk art attraction are among the organizations participating. lucaskansas.com/april-fools-a-palooza, 785/525-6288
FORT WASHITA RENDEZVOUS
April 3–7
Visit this former military post in Durant, Oklahoma, to learn about life in the mid-1800s when the fort was active. See lifestyle demonstrations, storytellers in period dress and cultural performances such as Chickasaw stomp dances. chickasawcountry.com/events/fort-washita-rendezvous, 580/924-6502
REINING IN THE ARTS
April 6
This free family- and pet-friendly festival happens in and around the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Oklahoma. Take an art stroll inside the center, and watch music, dance, cowboy poetry, historical interpretations and more on two outdoor stages. onthechisholmtrail.com, 580/252-6692
FORKS, CORKS & KEGS FOOD, WINE AND BEER FESTIVAL
April 12–13
Travel by trolley to tasting venues throughout downtown Deadwood, South Dakota (you must be 21 or over to participate in this ticketed event). Each stop offers a chef’s creation paired with beer or wine. The evening ends with the grand tasting, offering dozens of beer and wine varieties and light bites. deadwoodwinefest.com, 800/344-8826
’89ER CELEBRATION
April 16–20
This 95th annual festival commemorates the Land Run of 1889 and the birth of the town of Guthrie, Oklahoma. It starts with a chuck wagon feed and culminates with free admission to the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and a parade billed as the state’s oldest and largest. Also enjoy a carnival, car show, rodeo, and a variety of contests and shows. 89erdays.com, 405/282-2589
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
April 25–28
Celebrate culinary, visual and performing arts at this four-day jubilee at Bicentennial Park in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Indulge on International Food Row, watch performers on three stages, and peruse works from more than 140 artists. artscouncilokc.com/festival-of-the-arts, 405/270-4848
ARBOR DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION
April 26–28
Visit the Nebraska farm credited as the birthplace of Arbor Day in the 1870s. Play, learn, taste and shop all things trees on Arbor Day Farm’s 260-acre campus in Nebraska City. Take a guided orchard tour, participate in hands-on activities, and explore the farm’s Tree Adventure, Apple House Market, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion and more. arbordayfarm.org, 402/873-8717
