Upcoming Events
Friday, August 7, 2026 at 7 PM
In(SITE): Give the Drum Machine Some!
Charlotte Street's annual In(SITE) series with Brandon Draper showcasing Kansas City's drummers and percussionists returns on Friday, August 7th 7pm at the Charlotte Street Stern Theater. This performance is in celebration of the drum machine. The curated performances features Kansas City 's top music producers, beat makers and finger drummers. A special musical tribute to KC's own legendary drummer, James Gadson, will be performed by DJ JOC MAX. The development of drum machines has transformed music production from simple automated accompaniment into a versatile and expressive form of musical performance. Early drum machines were designed to provide rhythmic support for musicians, but continued advances in electronic sound generation, digital sampling, and music technology expanded their creative potential. As these devices evolved, they became widely adopted across numerous musical genres, valued not only for their precision and convenience but also for their distinctive sounds and performance capabilities. Modern hardware instruments and digital audio workstations now enable producers to create realistic, dynamic rhythms through live performance techniques such as finger drumming, blending human expression with digital technology. Today, drum machines are no longer viewed solely as substitutes for live drummers but as essential instruments that have significantly influenced contemporary music creation and performance. — In(SITE) is a multidisciplinary performance series curated by Patrick Alexander that highlights local, regional, and national acts at pivotal points in their practices. Each performance showcases contemporary works that push boundaries, take risks, and demonstrate excellence in performing arts.Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 PM
2027 Generative Performing Artist Awards Info Session @ Charlotte Street
Want to learn more about the application process for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards? On Thursday, August 13 from 6-7 PM we'll be hosting an info session specifically for the Visual Artist Awards at next year's exhibition host, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art! Since 1997, Charlotte Street’s Visual Artist Award has supported over 100 outstanding visual artists living in Kansas City through annual, unrestricted cash awards, with a total of $751,500 now distributed directly to visual artists. These competitive awards recognize locally based artists who are creating outstanding artwork and show great accomplishment and promise. These awards provide financial support, critical attention, and increased exposure for these artists with the aim of fostering their continued artistic and professional development. The winning artists are further recognized with a professionally curated exhibition of their work at a high profile, non-profit local art venue as well as a printed brochure featuring color reproductions, commissioned critical essay, and related promotion. Next year's venue is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art! Through the Awards program, Charlotte Street seeks to contribute to the vitality of Kansas City’s art community and to enhance Kansas City’s desirability as a place for artists to work and live. — Can't make it to the info session? A digital recording will be made available on Charlotte Street's website and YouTube channel after the event. An info session for the Visual Artist Awards is being held on Thursday, August 13 from 6-7 PM at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (4420 Warwick Blvd, KCMO 64111). — Applications for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards and the Generative Performing Artist Awards are open now on Submittable (bit.ly/charlottestreet-apply). Deadline for applications is Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:59 (Central Time Zone). In order to be considered, artists must reside within 80 miles of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and have lived in this area for at least one year and must not be a full time student.August 13 through August 15; Showings @ 7 PM Each Night
Wordlessly
Tickets are required for this performance; tickets are available through Eventbrite here.
When we say love, what do we mean? Step into the circle and explore the many shades that word contains in an hour of exceptional dance.
Is the love we feel for our parents different than the love we feel for our siblings? For our friends? For our lovers? For a pint of Ben and Jerry’s? For a favorite sweater? And if that love is different, why do we use only that one word: love? Each movement of Wordlessly explores a different facet of this concept.
The show is set to a score by Joey Weisenberg, a musician, singer and composer who explores ancient and traditional Jewish melodies. Joey is a prolific composer of Nigunim: melodic, non-lyrical tunes sung in group settings. In lieu of lyrics, a nigun uses non-lexical syllables, like “lai-lai-lai” or “dum-dai-dum." Having emerged in the 18th century as part of the Chassidic movement, nigunim are a fundamental part of Ashkenazi Jewish culture. They are often sung around the table, or at festivities and celebrations.
Thus it all comes together: dance in a circle, to wordless melodies. Nigunim, like dance itself, serve as a universal language with which to examine love. And it all happens universally, the audience surrounded by dance and music.
Through her company Yonah Dance Theatre, Liat Roth has brought together 12 Kansas City-based dancers for an unforgettable evening of dance. You won't want to miss it.
Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 PM
2027 Visual Artist Awards Info Session @ Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Want to learn more about the application process for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards? On Thursday, August 13 from 6-7 PM we'll be hosting an info session specifically for the Visual Artist Awards at next year's exhibition host, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art! Since 1997, Charlotte Street’s Visual Artist Award has supported over 100 outstanding visual artists living in Kansas City through annual, unrestricted cash awards, with a total of $751,500 now distributed directly to visual artists. These competitive awards recognize locally based artists who are creating outstanding artwork and show great accomplishment and promise. These awards provide financial support, critical attention, and increased exposure for these artists with the aim of fostering their continued artistic and professional development. The winning artists are further recognized with a professionally curated exhibition of their work at a high profile, non-profit local art venue as well as a printed brochure featuring color reproductions, commissioned critical essay, and related promotion. Next year's venue is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art! Through the Awards program, Charlotte Street seeks to contribute to the vitality of Kansas City’s art community and to enhance Kansas City’s desirability as a place for artists to work and live. — Can't make it to the info session? A digital recording will be made available on Charlotte Street's website and YouTube channel after the event. An info session for the Generative Performing Artist Awards is being held on Wednesday, August 12 from 6-7 PM at Charlotte Street (3333 Wyoming St, KCMO 64111). — Applications for the 2027 Visual Artist Awards and the Generative Performing Artist Awards are open now on Submittable (bit.ly/charlottestreet-apply). Deadline for applications is Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:59 (Central Time Zone). In order to be considered, artists must reside within 80 miles of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and have lived in this area for at least one year and must not be a full time student.Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 9 AM–2 PM
Workshop Work Party — Volunteers Needed!
Help Charlotte Street clean out and fix up our workshop space!
We'll be having a work party to clean out, haul away, and organize the workshop space the way we know best—as a party! From 9 AM–2 PM we'll be in there toiling away, getting at the grime, and beautifying the space. Join us and we'll provide coffee, snacks, and pizza (alongside our immense gratitude).
All skill and ability levels welcome.
🛻 Folks with trucks your assistance would also be greatly appreciated! 🛻
Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 3-5 PM
Digital Prairie Opening Reception
Join us on Saturday, May 23 from 3–6 PM for the opening of Digital Prairie! This group exhibition curated by Steve Gurysh and Poppy DeltaDawn that brings together artists working across craft, computation, music, and ecological practice to examine the intertwined relationships between technology, landscape, and human intervention.
Digital Prairie features the artists Colette + Jeff Bangert, Raven Chacon, Poppy DeltaDawn, Steve Gurysh, Michael Jones McKean, and Jeanine Oleson.
Learn more by visiting the Digital Prairie exhibition page.Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 7:30-9:00 PM
ProdoLAB—August 2026
ProdoLAB is a bimonthly experimental platform in partnership with musician/composer Eddie Moore that pairs Kansas City time-based artists, producers, and musicians to collaborate on a new piece for a one-night-only showcase at Charlotte Street. Each performance is followed by a Q&A session with the artists.Friday, August 28 & Saturday, August 29, 2026; Showings @ 7 PM Each Night
Cold Gravy Bowl II: The Coldest Bowl ft. True Lions & The Matchsellers
Tickets are required for this performance; tickets are available through Eventbrite here.
CGB2 is Amus Biskit’s bluegrass tv program sponsored by Gravé Brand Gravy, performed by True Lions & featuring insane special guests!!!
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A sequel to the 2024 stage production, COLD GRAVY BOWL II continues the surreal saga of country showman Amos Biskit, whose onstage accident unleashed chaos between worlds. Blending live music, drag, and theatrical spectacle, True Lions return with a wild, satirical sequel exploring fame, greed, and damnation—set to a raucous soundtrack that reimagines bluegrass through heavy, genre-bending performance.
Saturday, September 5, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 PM
Artist Market—September 2026
Charlotte Street hosts a quartely pop-up vendor market featuring a curated selection of Kansas City’s creative entrepreneurs and organizations. Come join us and explore a breadth of offerings for sale, from ceramics to books, wearables, prints, as well as local resources. The rotation of vendors, resources, and performers changes for each iteration. Check back here soon to see who we will have offerings from!Interested in participated in Charlotte Street’s Artist Markets for 2026? Fill out the 2026 Artist Market Interest Form.