The Band Oasis known for their engaging sound and classic “soul music” interpretations, The Band Oasis takes the stage for the May “Live Music Fridays” programing performing noted R&B hits with a modern “twist”. Don’t miss this truly special evening as The Band Oasis honors yesterday’s soul music legends while celebrating today’s chart-topping icons.

Call (816) 513-0700 to RSDVP

An internationally celebrated, award-winning poet, recording artist, book publisher, activist, cultural arts curator, and film maker, Jessica Care Moore is Detroit, Michigan’s Poet Laureate.

Care Moore’s highly acclaimed book “We Want Our Bodies Back” won the American Literacy Association Black Caucus Poetry Honor and her recently published children’s book, “Her Crown Shines” honors the journey of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and is a tribute to legacy, leadership and self-love.

She works, teaches and lives in the tradition of Harlem Renaissance and Black Arts movement writers and has recorded her poetry with Hip Hop legends such as Common, Nas, Talib Kweli, The Last Poets, and the late Roy Ayers.

Join us for a powerful gathering celebrating community, through poetry, music and creative expression.

RSVP to (816) 513-0700

Willmott will discuss his career and work as a screenwriter, director, film maker and educator. Award-winning films written and directed by Willmott include Ninth Street, CSA-Confederate States of America, The Only Good Indian, Battle for Bunker Hill, Jayhawkers and Destination Planet Negro.

Willmott received an Academy Award and BAFTA (the British Academy Award) for co-writing the feature film BlackKKKlansman with Spike Lee and is Professor Emeritus in the Media and Film Studies Department of Kansas University.

Free Admission

Limited Seating - RSVP to Attend at BruceRWatkinsCHC@kcmo.org or call (816) 513-0700 by Wednesday, April 8th.

Known as Kansas City’s premier cover party band, this stellar group of Musicians led by powerhouse vocalist Niome, perform high energy music from the 80’s to 2000’s featuring hits from noted groups/artists such as The Gap Band, Kool & the Gang, Dobbie Brothers, The Dazz Band, Chaka Khan, Prince, Teena Marie, Tina Turner, and the Temptations, just to name a few.

An evening with The Musicology Band promises to be a “masterclass” of Funk, R&B, Pop, Rock, Motown, and Blues music - full of rhythm and fun!

Call (816) 513-0700 to RSVP

Tyrone “Inkwell” Gethers Jr., is a freelance writer and author of two poetry collections, “Assorted Emotions: A Book of Poetry and Prose” and “Love/Lost!" and the author of “Gems of Confection: An Interactive Journal of Aphorisms”.

Tyrone is the founder of Obsidian’s Pen- a place where wrtiters can feel free to create in a space that is safe…”where we, writers of color, can feast upon banquets of ideas and practice.”

He is also the host of The Source of the Inkwell on KUAW Radio: (Knowledge, Understanding, And Wisdom) - a Community Broadcast Project of the Black Family Technology Awareness Association.

Listen, Join-in, Enjoy Libations, Art and More!

RSVP to (816) 513-0700

Enjoy Music, Art, Libations and More!

Asa Barnes has deep gospel, R&B, and soul roots which he displays in his music performances on national and local stages. A two-time American Idol “Hollywood” finalist, as well as the 2024 Kansas City People’s Choice Award recipient for Best Male Vocalist, Asa uses his vocal expertise to engage and captivate his audience.

Don’t miss this special night of rhythm and music with Asa Barnes and Band.

RSVP (816) 513-0700

Come. Enjoy Family Breakfast.

Live Entertainment, Photos with Santa and a Toy Give-Away !

This is a FREE event for families with children, ages infant to 14 years.

Seating is limited. RSVP by Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at (816) 513-0700

Children must attend with parent to receive a gift. One gift per child.

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & State Museum 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64130

brucewatkinscenter.com kcparks.org

A Kansas City, Missouri native and avid lover of all things art, Gie Santana is a thrilled Space Weirdo who believes you can totally create your own planet through your passion. Santana enjoys embracing the artistry of creative writing, poetry, dance, and live music.

Santana has 8 publications to date, which include 3 self-published books - Mirrored Images, Cupcake Dragon and most recently a beloved children’s book titled Abracadabra What Will YOU Be? in dedication to her son. She is also one of two phenomenal Poets-In-Residence at Sherri’s Executive Lounge and one third of Tres Collective Poetry Group

Taking the stage together, these gifted artists share their love of music and lyrics with an expressive, heartfelt show that features a variety of styles from R&B, Neo Soul, Jazz and Gospel.

Don’t miss what promises to be a truly memorable evening of soulful renditions showcasing the powerful vocals of Charmelle Cofield combined with the artful showmanship of Sean Tyler.

Sean and Charmelle, powerhouse entertainers- an unforgettable music experience!

Unique Hughley is a poet, composer, and screenwriter from Kansas City, Missouri, whose work bridges art, and activism. A graduate of Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, Unique published the bestselling debut book Monkey in the Grass at just 18, which sold over 1,000 copies on its first day.

They have performed in sold-out venues, competed in Louder Than a Bomb, and brought their words into sacred and transformative spaces—from Unity Temple, where they’ve led workshops on poetry as spiritual practice, to Branson jail, where they’ve helped incarcerated individuals find healing through self-expression.

The Spoken Word is hosted by Glenn North. Listen Join-In, Enjoy Libations, Art, and More!

Ed Rollins Jr., a pillar of the Kansas City poetry and spoken word community for over 20 years, is the founder of 4HISWILL, the premier platform dedicated to showcasing Christian artists.

Rollins is commited to using his voide to “speak light to this darkened world through uplifting messages.” His work continues to inspire, encourage, and elevate audiences both within and beyond the faith-based arts community.

Special Guests from the 4HISWILL Crew;

1. Keisha “K-Brooklyn”Burns

2. LaQuisha “Star” Harvey

3. Shari “Purpose”Hall

4. John “Hypocrace” Lewis

5. Brandon “Amazyn” Nelson

Kim Keys is an Arkansas native with deep gospel, R&B, and soul roots. Now in Kansas City with her own band, Kim has been captivating audiences and was named Best Female Vocalist at the 2022 Kansas City People’s Choice Awards and continues to receive nominations for her unmatched talent. With her signature blend of church-infused, old school, and contemporary R&B vocals, Kim’s music moves the heart and stirs the spirit.

Known as “your favorite poet’s favorite poet”, John “Hypocrace” Lewis has been in the poetry community for 10+years. He represented Kanas City along with his team “FTW” in the national poetry slam in 2015, 17, and 18. He is current slam master of “The Regulators”, ranked 5th in Midwest region and 16th in Southern region. He is the host of “I Am Hypocrace Presents” and creator of “Spoken Easy”, a prohibition-style open mic. John was a 2021 and 2022 finalist for the Kansas City People’s Choice Awards, winning the 2022 award, along with being the Sponsored Artist of the Year for Poetry for Personal Power. He hopes to learn more as he engages more audiences and further builds his brand of poetry.

Join us for insightful and up-front conversations with the noted Kansas City community leaders, role models and “change agents”, as they share their perspectives on life, living, and “changing the game” so, everyone can “play to win”.

Known widely in the community as “Dr. Marj”, Marjorie Williams served for 12 years (2000-2012) as the first African American superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District. She founded the Marste Group which serves schools, districts and businesses throughout the country. She continues to contribute to the education and literacy of students and adults through multiple professional and charitable organizations such as the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation, the Black Archives of Mid-America, the Calvin C. Wainwright Memorial foundation and the Sister Circle of Greater Kansas City, just to name a few.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear firsthand from this dedicated community advocate, family and youth mentor, and servant leader as she shares her thoughts and insights on the change that is needed for future community growth and prosperity.

The Delynia Jannell Ensemble has performed at noted Kansas City music venues such as the American Jazz Museum’s Blue Room Club, Johnnie’s Jazz Bar in the Power and Light District, Lonnie’s Reno Club and on stage at the Kansas City Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Known for her soulful singing style, Delynia Jannell’s musical inspirations include Yolanda Adams, Whitney Houston, Kim Burrell and Jill Scott, just to name a few.

A gifted song stylist with a truly unforgettable voice, Delynia Jannell and her band perform a dynamic mix of rhythmic and soulful R&B, Jazz, Blues, and Neo Soul songs to create an unforgettable music experience.

A published author, Victoria is a full-time student and lover of literary activism. She strives to make her poetry a space for Black and Brown children to see themselves. Her work focuses largely on the idea of becoming - as a young Black woman, the are of healing, and the often-strange act of coming into oneself. She will one day open a publishing company focusing on Black literature, media production and archiving.

Rex Purefoy, “Hollywood Cowboy”, Collection & History of Cowboys

Noon - We start inside of the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center & State Museum, 3700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64130

1:00-3:00 Outside Activities Horseback Riding at the Spirit of Freedom Fountain sponsored by The Giddy-Up Riders of Kansas City

1:00-3:00 Inside Activities * Western Face Painting * Western Caricature Drawings * Fancy Rope Tricks * Rope Twirling Contest * Information Booth & Western Children’s Books sales by the author, Trae Venerable * Free Photo Booth * Refreshments

For more information call, (816) 513-0700

As President and General Manager of Carter Media (KPRS 103 FM, KPRT 1590 AM and RNB 106.9FM) in Kansas City, Michael Carter leads the oldest existing African American family-owned radio station in the United States that was founded by his grandfather, Andrew “Skip” Carter in 1950.

Growing up in the family radio business, Michael made his DJ debut at the age of eight! As an adult, he worked for several years as the vice president and was named president in 1987 by his grandfather. Since 1995, KPRS-FM has been a top-rated Kansas City radio station

Don’t miss the opportunity to see and hear firsthand from this dedicated, civic-minded, radio industry professional and successful businessman as he shares his thoughts on creating legacy and continuing the journey started 75 years ago by his grandparents, Andrew and Mildred Carter.

1:30-3:30 Saturday, June 14, 2025

One of the most sought-after singer/musicians in the Kansas City area, Kevin “Church” Johnson is described as a “mixed plate of old school soul music combined with a millennial twist of spicy and sweet barbeque”.

Johnson and Trio masterfully blend his soulful style of singing with incredibly versatile drum work, bass lines and keys. Don’t miss what is sure to be a truly memorable evening of classic Soul, R&B, Hip Hop and Jazz music.

Call (816) 513-0700 to RSVP

Melissa Ferrer Civil (&), (she/they) is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Kansas City, Missouri. Rooted in the practical and the possible, their spoken word poems and songs are mostly responses to the world around them and their own internal journey

Melissa is the founder of the arts and organizing event series “A Nation in Exile” and is a Charlotte Street Studio Resident and a Heartland Arts KC Fellow.

Listen, Join-in, Enjoy Libations, Art and More !

Embrace African Musical & Textile Tradition

Join us for a hands-on textile class and drumming experience.

Free, open to the public. All ages are welcome.

Sign up for the textile class (816) 764-8678 or cecelia.brueggemann@dnr.mo.gov

Spaces are limited.

2-2:45 Hands-on textile class with Ashlynn Bonds

2:45-3:15 Refreshments

3:15-4: West-African drumming with the Traditional Music Society

Will Matthews & “Thrill”

Kansas City native and Grammy Award winning guitarist, Will Matthews, is featured with his band “Thrill” showcasing their unique style of rhythm and blues music.

Cherayla is an entertainer who has been performing since elementary school. She is Midwest born, but greatly influenced by the East Coast as she called Harlem home for seven years. She has been singing professionally for over fifteen years and has been a featured vocalist in an off-Broadway play and won Amateur Night at the Apollo a few times

Listen, Join-In, and Enjoy Libations, Art, and More!

Bring family and friends to view the Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight Exhibit (organized by the Smithsonian Institution)

Learn about the history of the African Americans in flight, such as, the heroic Tuskegee Airmen, aviators Bessie Coleman and Willa Brown, fighter pilot Chappie James, astronauts Mae Jemison and Guion Bluford, just to name a few!

Meet Hot 103 JAMZ! Radio Hosts (On-Site 1-3 pm)

Prizes, Refreshments and More!

Noted Kansas City singer/songwriter, T.J. Hooker-Taylor, son of blues legend Johnnie Taylor, upholds his musical legacy performing soul-stirring, crowd-pleasing renditions of his father’s songs, “Who’s Making Love”, “Cheaper to Keep Her”, and “Disco Lady”, as well as new, original songs.

Call (816) 513-0700 to RSVP

Mark your calendar to enjoy the music, art, libations and more !

Darcus Gates is an award-winning vocalist and recording artist. She is an accomplished entertainer and dynamic performer. For over 30 years, she has called states of Las Vegas “home” before returning to Kansas City, her “true home” . She opened her signature nail salon and day spa, as well as hosting her “Darcas After Dark” music series highlighting Kansas City R&B and jazz artists.

Special Guest, Brandon “Amayzn” Nelson is a spoken word artist known for his impactful down to earth, high-energy delivery.

He is also a vocalist, radio personality, mentor, host and competitive poet , winning many competitions.

Listen, join-in, enjoy libations, art and more at this free event.

Enjoy Music, Art, Libations and More!

The James Ward Band is a contemporary smooth jazz band, whose show consists of a combination of Latin, R&B, Fusion, Funk, Jazz and Gospel music styles.

The JWB ahs a world class sound of it own and is recognized as one of the most sought-after bands in he Kansas City area.