Join us as we celebrate the life,
the music, and the iconic legacy
of Kansas City’s own:

Charlie “Yardbird” Parker!

Here are the 2023 Events!!!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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Jazz Storytelling – Celebrating the Life of Charlie Parker 10:00 am
Jazz Storytelling – Celebrating the Life of Charlie Parker @ AJM @ Jay McShann Pavilion
Aug 7 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Jazz storytelling to assist children with celebrating the life of Charlie Parker. The event will take place at the American Jazz Museum outside on the Jay McShann Pavilion. RSVP is required, https://americanjazzmuseum.org/event/jazz-storytelling-charlie-parker-birthday-celebration
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Charles Perkins & Gerald Spaits (Audio-Only) 12:00 pm
Charles Perkins & Gerald Spaits (Audio-Only) @ Polsky Theater
Aug 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Charles Perkins & Gerald Spaits (Audio-Only) @ Polsky Theater
Click for additional details.
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ARC Student Jazz Jam Session 3:00 pm
ARC Student Jazz Jam Session @ 424 Lounge
Aug 15 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
ARC Student Jazz Jam Session @ 424 Lounge
The ARC Student Jazz Jam Session program realizes the integration of Kansas artists into a music fieldwork educational setting in an actual working community jazz venue – the family-friendly and superbly appointed, 424 Lounge in Leavenworth,[...]
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Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: Gerald Spaits Quintet Feat. Charles Perkins & Jack Lightfoot 4:30 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: Gerald Spaits Quintet Feat. Charles Perkins & Jack Lightfoot @ The Gem Theater
Aug 21 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: Gerald Spaits Quintet Feat. Charles Perkins & Jack Lightfoot @ The Gem Theater
Kansas City’s own Charlie “Yardbird” Parker was born August 29th, 1920. To commemorate his centennial birthday, the American Jazz Museum presents a mini music series in the Gem Theater! Doors open at 4:00 pm with[...]
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Bird Boot Camp 9:00 am
Bird Boot Camp @ American Jazz Museum / GEM Theater
Aug 22 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bird Boot Camp @ American Jazz Museum / GEM Theater
Charlie “Bird” Parker was born in Kansas City, Kansas and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri – his artistic innovations would ultimately lead him to worldwide musical acclaim. This undisputed and universal acknowledgement as an[...]
Bird Boot Camp Finale Sax Salute to Charlie Parker 4:00 pm
Bird Boot Camp Finale Sax Salute to Charlie Parker
Aug 22 @ 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Bird Boot Camp Finale Sax Salute to Charlie Parker
Following Bird Boot Camp on August 22nd, students will take to the streets of the Jazz District for a sax salute to Charlie Parker! Guests are invited to the Jazz District to enjoy the performance.[...]
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: #SearchingForCharlieParker, An Ode to Bird feat. Houston Smith & Morgan Faw 4:30 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: #SearchingForCharlieParker, An Ode to Bird feat. Houston Smith & Morgan Faw @ The Gem Theater
Aug 22 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: #SearchingForCharlieParker, An Ode to Bird feat. Houston Smith & Morgan Faw @ The Gem Theater
Kansas City’s own Charlie “Yardbird” Parker was born August 29th, 1920. To commemorate his centennial birthday, the American Jazz Museum presents a mini music series in the Gem Theater! Doors open at 4:00 pm with[...]
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Brunch with Millie Edwards & Dan Sturdevant 10:00 am
Brunch with Millie Edwards & Dan Sturdevant @ The Phoenix
Aug 23 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
 
Mark Slimm’s RSS Trio Live & Streaming 8:00 pm
Mark Slimm’s RSS Trio Live & Streaming @ Black Dolphin
Aug 23 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Black Dolphin Covid Rules & Schedule: 1. Masks must be worn at all times at tables and everywhere within the building. No Exceptions. 2. Briefly lift mask to drink then immediately replace mask. 3. $5 Entry[...]
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Jazz Meetup Featuring Bram Wijnands and Special Guests 5:30 pm
Jazz Meetup Featuring Bram Wijnands and Special Guests @ KC Bier Co
Aug 24 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Jazz Meetup Featuring Bram Wijnands and Special Guests @ KC Bier Co
Every August, local jazz advocacy organization KC Jazz Alive celebrates the life of Charlie Parker, the pioneering jazz saxophonist who called Kansas City home. This year we celebrate the 100th Birthday of Charlie Parker and[...]
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Ken Lovern’s OJT Live & Streaming 8:00 pm
Ken Lovern’s OJT Live & Streaming @ Black Dolphin
Aug 26 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Black Dolphin Covid Rules & Schedule: 1. Masks must be worn at all times at tables and everywhere within the building. No Exceptions. 2. Briefly lift mask to drink then immediately replace mask. 3. $5 Entry[...]
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Charlie Parker Day Proclamation by Mayor Lucas 3:00 pm
Charlie Parker Day Proclamation by Mayor Lucas @ City Hall (YouTube)
Aug 27 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Mayor Quinton Lucas will read the official proclamation of Charlie Parker Day on August 27th at 3pm. This will be live streamed through KCMO’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na_tBfzGSbw
Kansas City Museum Session World Premier 8:00 pm
Kansas City Museum Session World Premier @ Virtual
Aug 27 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Museum Sessions is a digital series of music that explores the sounds and stories of Kansas City one song at a time. Tune in at https://www.facebook.com/kansascitymuseum/  The series is presented and produced by UNESCO Creative[...]
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Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: Will Matthews Organ Trio 4:30 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: Will Matthews Organ Trio @ The Gem Theater
Aug 28 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: Will Matthews Organ Trio @ The Gem Theater
Kansas City’s own Charlie “Yardbird” Parker was born August 29th, 1920. To commemorate his centennial birthday, the American Jazz Museum presents a mini music series in the Gem Theater! Doors open at 4:00 pm with[...]
Literary Tribute to Charlie Parker, Jr. featuring Yusef Komuntakaa in conversation with Sascha Feinstein and Glenn North 7:00 pm
Literary Tribute to Charlie Parker, Jr. featuring Yusef Komuntakaa in conversation with Sascha Feinstein and Glenn North @ Bruce R Watkins Cultural Heritage Center (Virtual)
Aug 28 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Literary Tribute to Charlie Parker, Jr. featuring Yusef Komuntakaa in conversation with Sascha Feinstein and Glenn North @ Bruce R Watkins Cultural Heritage Center (Virtual)
Event will be streamed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BRWCHC/  Poetry event hosted by Glenn North, Director – Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. Featuring Yusef Komunyakaa with Sascha Feinstein and Glenn North. Sponsored by the African American[...]
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Charlie Parker Sunrise Ceremony 6:15 am
Charlie Parker Sunrise Ceremony @ Charlie Parker Memorial Sculpture
Aug 29 @ 6:15 am – 7:15 am
Guests will assemble at 6:15am at the Charlie Parker Memorial Statue. Sunrise will take place at 6:45am. African drumming will be performed to bring up the sun on Parker’s 100th Birthday. Music will be led[...]
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: 12-Hour Jam (Virtual) 7:00 am
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: 12-Hour Jam (Virtual) @ The Gem Theater
Aug 29 @ 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Charlie Parker Centennial Mini Series: 12-Hour Jam (Virtual) @ The Gem Theater
Celebrate Bird’s birthday with a 12-hour jam session in the Gem Theater! You must register, even for the free sessions. Social distancing will be required between parties. Masks will be required. Session 1 (free) 7:00am[...]
Early Bird: Charlie Parker at 18th & Vine Walking Tour 9:30 am
Early Bird: Charlie Parker at 18th & Vine Walking Tour @ 18th & Vine - Start at Jay McShann Pavilion
Aug 29 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Early Bird: Charlie Parker at 18th & Vine Walking Tour @ 18th & Vine - Start at Jay McShann Pavilion
Self-guided Walking Tour Descriptions Self-guided Walking Tour Map  Get your tickets TODAY for a walking tour of one of Kansas City’s most historic neighborhoods; 18th & Vine Jazz District! August 29, 2020 is the 100th[...]
The Life and Art of Robert Graham: an interview with Steven Graham 1:00 pm
The Life and Art of Robert Graham: an interview with Steven Graham @ Virtual
Aug 29 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
This interview was recorded on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Charlie Parker, Jr. Steven Graham, son of the late sculptor Robert Graham, joins Anita Dixon and Jacob Wagner for a[...]
“Bird: Not Out of Nowhere” Documentary Screening by KCPT 7:00 pm
“Bird: Not Out of Nowhere” Documentary Screening by KCPT @ Streaming
Aug 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
"Bird: Not Out of Nowhere" Documentary Screening by KCPT @ Streaming
https://www.kansascitypbs.org/local-shows/bird-not-out-of-nowhere/  As the world celebrates the centennial of Charlie “Bird” Parker’s birth, this film looks back at the twenty-one years Charlie spent at home in Kansas City and on his long-lasting impression on Kansas City[...]
Lonnie McFadden 7:00 pm
Lonnie McFadden @ The American Reserve (at Ambassador Hotel)
Aug 29 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Lonnie McFadden @ The American Reserve (at Ambassador Hotel)
The American Reserve brings you some of the best Kansas City musicians accompanied by soulful cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. Bask in the refreshing weather as you relax and enjoy the romantic ambiance brought to you[...]
Basie to Bird to Bobby – Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (Quintet) Drive-In Concert 8:00 pm
Basie to Bird to Bobby – Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (Quintet) Drive-In Concert @ Plexpod
Aug 29 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Please join KCJO5, a small group from the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, as we bring some great music to you: Drive-In style! You might be aware that Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Bobby Watson all[...]
Kansas City Museum Sunset Session Watch Party 8:00 pm
Kansas City Museum Sunset Session Watch Party @ Virtual
Aug 29 @ 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The Museum Sessions is a digital series of music that explores the sounds and stories of Kansas City one song at a time. The series is presented and produced by UNESCO Creative Cities – Kansas City and[...]
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12th Street Jump Radio Broadcast 12:00 am
12th Street Jump Radio Broadcast @ KCUR 89.3
Aug 30 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
There will be a Charlie Parker-themed show on KCUR from 12am – 1am on Sunday, August 30th. This will feature Bobby Watson. The broadcast is from 2017.
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