DANCING IN THE STREET: MUSIC OF MOTOWN
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Stuart Chafetz, guest conductor
Chester Gregory, vocals
Darren Lorenzo, vocals
Crystal Monee Hall, vocals
There “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to keep you away from Helzberg Hall when the Kansas City Symphony kicks off our 2026/27 Pops Series with this show! This soulful and high-energy program celebrates the iconic sound of the Motown era. You’ll hear hits from Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and more, with songs like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “My Girl” and “Superstition.” Dynamic guest vocalists paired with your Kansas City Symphony will have you dancing in the street!
CLOUDS IN MY COFFEE: THE MUSIC OF JONI MITCHELL, CAROLE KING AND CARLY SIMON
Friday, February 12, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, 2027 at 2 p.m.
Ted Sperling, guest conductor
Morgan James, vocals
Bryonha Marie, vocals
Shayna Steele, vocals
Travel back to the era of suede and fringe, bell-bottoms and bare feet, and experience the soundtrack of a generation. Join your Kansas City Symphony to celebrate the heartfelt honesty and pure passion of trailblazers Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon, whose music has shaped culture and inspired generations. Turn up the transistor radio in your heart and relive all your favorites, including “Both Sides Now,” “I Feel the Earth Move” and (we bet you’ll think this song is about you) “You’re So Vain.”
Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon will not appear at these concerts, but you’re invited to sing along!
TROPICAL ROCK FOR FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE: JIMMY BUFFET AND FRIENDS
Friday, March 12, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 13, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 14, 2027 at 2 p.m.
Jason Seber, guest conductor
Travis Birch, vocals/guitar
Chris Blem, vocals
Scott Coulter, vocals
John Boswell, piano
Here are some little songs they wrote… you might want to sing them note for note! Join your Kansas City Symphony for a tropical toast to the vibrant music of Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, The Beach Boys and other sunny favorites. Soak up the island vibes with beach-party classics such as “Come Monday,” “Fins,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Kokomo,” “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Brown-Eyed Girl.” It’s your Jamaican vacation, starting right here!
THE VOICE OF WHITNEY: A SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION
Friday, April 16, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 17, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 18, 2027 at 2 p.m.
Daniel Wiley, David T. Beals III associate conductor
It’s been more than 40 years since Whitney Houston rocked the world stage with her record-breaking debut album, and the Kansas City Symphony is thrilled to honor her spellbinding, unrivaled legacy. Featuring a captivating blend of original studio vocals and newly remastered recordings, this tribute pairs Whitney’s treasured voice with reimagined orchestrations of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Higher Love,” “I Will Always Love You” and many more of her most enduring hits. How will you know it’s a night like no other? Because the music plays alongside never-before-seen videos, historic performance footage and intimate interviews. Through it all, Whitney tells her own story — in her own voice.
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
Friday, May 21, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 22, 2027 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 23, 2027 at 2 p.m.
George Daugherty, guest conductor
Whether you were introduced to opera’s magic on Saturday mornings courtesy of a certain Wascally Wabbit or you’re intrigued by animated arias, you won’t want to miss this presentation of “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony.” Now in its 36th season, this hare-raising concert celebrates everyone’s favorite wisecracking, carrot-chomping cartoon legend. Enjoy the Kansas City Symphony’s live performance of the original scores of “Baton Bunny”, “The Rabbit of Seville”, “What’s Opera, Doc?”, “Corny Concerto”, “Long-Haired Hare” and other memorable classics. Watch more than a dozen beloved Looney Tunes scenes, plus a special short celebrating Bugs’ 86 years, come alive on the big screen in Helzberg Hall. It’s an ear-resistible masterpiece, all the way through to the final “Th-th-that’s all, folks!”
Looking forward to this incredible season?