What's up, KC? Did you miss us? We took a few days off, but we're back with a fresh batch of shows, things to do, and at least one reason to start looking ahead to October already.

Enter to win a pair of VIP tickets to Botanical Brewfest at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens on October 17. Craft beer, live music, food trucks, and an afternoon wandering the arboretum sounds like a pretty solid way to spend a Saturday.

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Joy Oladokun has one of those voices that somehow gets better live. If she's been on your list for a while, here's your chance to finally cross her off. She plays The Granada on November 6. Tickets drop tomorrow.

• This lineup is basically electronic music history. Paul Oakenfold and The Crystal Method are bringing decades of dance-floor classics to The Madrid on October 2. 

• Carolyn Wonderland can shred a guitar, belt the blues, and steal the whole show before you know what hit you. See the Texas powerhouse at Knuckleheads on September 18.

• A heads up for Parker McCollum fans: tomorrow's show has been rescheduled to September 12 at Morton Amphitheater. Tickets are on sale now if you didn't already have plans.

• Plus other just announced shows from John Waite, From King & Country, and more!

KANSAS CITY FOR $25 OR LESS

Turns out, $25 can still buy you a pretty good night in KC. Catch live music at The Rino, grab a spot at The Ship's hip-hop reunion, wander a Summer Concert on the Lawn at the Museum of Kansas City, or discover your next favorite band at Warehouse on Broadway, all without draining your checking account.

THIS WEEKEND

The Best Experiences Sound Better in Another Language

The best summers are the ones packed with experiences you actually connect with. Imagine navigating a new city like a local, ordering off-menu, and actually understanding the conversation happening at the table next to you. All it takes is 10 minutes of Babbel a day: a quick lesson, a podcast, or some conversation practice in between sidequests.

The Babbel Method is designed to fit any lifestyle — learn your way, at your own pace. Start now and you could be having real conversations in a new language within 3 weeks, just in time for wherever the summer takes you. Start Babbel today and make every experience this summer worth talking about.

LOCALS ONLY

• Avoid I-70 if you can this weekend. Both directions between 23rd Street and the U.S. 40/31st Street interchange will be closed from Friday through early Monday for bridge work. If you're heading to a show, plan a little extra travel time.

• Whether you're showing up in full cosplay or just hunting for your next manga haul, AnimeVerse Fest is taking over the KCI Expo Center this weekend with vendors, gaming, panels, and more.

FEATURED