The Power & Light shows: Adults only

Above: The Dogs aren't so young anymore, but they still hunt.

A reader wondered whether the free shows at the Kansas City Power & Light District were strictly 21-and-older. I thought not. But I checked with one of the district's PR people. The verdict: Yes, 21-and-older. But they are considering making the country shows 18-and-older. So leave your kids at home or locked in the car.

The district's music series start this weekend. The lineup: 7 p.m. Friday: Three Dog Night (above) with Dr. Hook; 7 p.m. Saturday: Vertical Horizon with Josh Gracin; 11 a.m. Sunday: the Armies Rock Band celebrates Armed Forces Day (and it's also game day for the Kansas City Brigade). The rest of the lineup is below.

PS: For the record, never lock your kids in the car, unless they're 21-and-older.

The Thursday night Hot Country Nights series begins on May 29, with a show by Dierks Bentley. It continues through Sept. 4. The lineup (in order): Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Craig Morgan, the Kansas City Country Revue, Jake Owen, Luke Bryan, the Kansas City Country Revue, Ashley Monroe, David Lee Murphy, the Kansas City Country Revue, Jason Michael Carrol, Whiskey Falls, the Kansas City Country Revue, TBA, Sarah Buxton.

The Wednesday night Rock the Block series begins June 4 with a performance by Shiny Toy Guns. The rest of the weekly schedule (in order): Seven Mary Three, Say Anything, the Kansas City Rock Revue, the Bravery, the Pat McGee Band, Meridian West, the Home Grown Revue, Finger Eleven and another "big-name" band to be announced. Once the Rock the Block Series ends, Wednesdays will become Home Grown nights and feature local bands.

The district has scheduled two other series: The Kansas City Blues Society Blue Series, a Sunday series that runs from Aug. 2 through Aug. 30.

It is also scheduling a Tuesday night District Rhythms series, which will feature national, regional and local R&B acts. The first show in this series will be Sept. 2 and will feature a big-name, big-label recording artist. Details will be announced soon.

Comments

[aj]

You would think they might want to include as many people as possible considering they are trying to get a lot of people downtown. Especially, if they insis on booking bands that should really be playing free friday night concerts at crown center. I'd love to be able to show my kids what their grandparents listend to.

[Tim Finn]

I agree. The casinos have to deal with the 21-and-older limit, too, and it hurts attendance at some shows. On the other hand, the risk is high and the consequences rough if someone underage sips a beer and gets caught.

[Stacey]

Thanks for getting the answer Tim. Hopefully they do decide to change the country concerts to 18+. My favorite is there 6 days before my 21st birthday and I think I might cry if I has to miss it, haha.

[The Big Lead]

Is there going to be a Wilco review? I know there was a lot going on last night...

[Jeff]

Although I agree that the age limit should be changed to 18, the KC Live - er, "Living Room" as they call it - is really just a glorified outdoor bar/lounge, and no place to take your children.

As to the person who said "I'd love to be able to show my kids what their grandparents listend to", let them download your tunes on their iPods!

Also, each time I have been to the P&L, the place is packed like Cancun on Spring Break, so I do not think there is any danger that the concerts will be under-attended.

[Tim Finn]

No Wilco, sorry. If I could have been there, I would have. (Plus we caught them back in October.) If someone wants to e- mail me a revew, I'll post it: tfinn@kcstar.com

We will have an M.I.A. review within minutes.

[Pat]

They never have a problem with filling that place. I live down in the area and it is difficult to even go there casually for a drink or a show. 21 and over is a great idea because even though it's a great family event, it is very crowded and could actually be dangerous for younger patrons

[Tim Finn]

Definitely don't want little kids in there. But the 16- to 20-year olds will be interested in some of those bands, like Shiny Toy Guns.

[SidTripp]

So is Vertical Horizon/Josh Gracin at 11 am or 7 pm like acording the power and light website?

[Tim Finn]

Tonight's show starts at 7 p.m. The 11 a.m. show cited above is Sunday's show.

[smartman]

The P&L District has become the new hotspot for the under 21 fake ID crowd. According to one underage "kid" I spoke with...."they don't check id's as (hard) in the P&L as they do in Westport or on the Plaza." Liquor Control....do your job before one of these kids gets assaulted, raped or killed...God knows their parents aren't looking our for them.

[pellboy]

The P&L district is pretty much setup for 'adults only' during evening hours as it should be. The free concerts are in place(and subsidized) simply to try and lure people down to the area to patronize those businesses and hopefully have some of them come back when there isn't a special event to attract them.

I have two young children myself and if you wish to enjoy some music with them, there are several free or low cost options in way more kid-friendly settings where you can take them. And in most cases, you'll see acts far superior to those that will be playing the P&L. Just during the month of June alone, you can see national acts like Rodney Crowell and Delbert McClinton at the Olathe Parks series...high-quality blues by Michael Burks, Larry Garner and the legendary Hubert Sumlin at the Gladstone Bluesfest and the Average White Band and the Fab T-Birds in Corporate Woods, all FREE of charge with kids welcome. Not to mention Parkville's annual event, the return of the KCK StreetFest, Rhythm & Ribs at 18th & Vine and the KC Ribfest (excellent lineup btw)down at the American Royal.

No excuses, people. Pack up the kids and get entertained!