December 7 Weekend Preview

Since Christmas season has officially been kicked off, there are plenty Yuletide things to do this weekend. You have "The Nutcracker" playing at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts until December 23, the Whoville Holidays at the City Market this Saturday starting at 10:00a.m. There is also Santa's Wonderlands at various places around the KC area (Gillham Park {Friday} Penguin Park {Saturday}, and Longview Tract {Sunday}) and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be putting on two shows at the Sprint Center on Sunday (3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.). You can also go ice skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace or the Kansas City Ice Center (3 miles west of I 435 at Shawnee Mission Pkwy in Shawnee). Also, NHL21 will be celebrating on Saturday the opening of the KC area’s newest outdoor rink in Burlington Creek (just off I29 & 64ST). There will be free skating, skating lessons, skate with Santa and bring a canned good for Harvesters! Farmland will be providing delicious hot dogs for $1. By the fire pits! The Holiday Festival is from 6-9PM. Go to KCIce.net for more info.
If you want to give your kids a treat there’s nothing like sitting down to pancakes with St. Nick. Breakfast With Santa returns to the T-Rex Café on Saturdays and Sundays through December 23. There’s a breakfast buffet, caroling and Santa. Call 913-334-8888 to make a reservation. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. The buffet costs $7.99 for children 4-10 years old and $12.99 for adults.The 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off is this Sunday, December 9th at Shark Bar! Registration begins at Noon, the competition begins at 3pm. The $5 cover charge at the door includes admission and chili tastings for guests. The chili competition is limited to the first 50 contestants who enter. Prizes will be awarded for the Top 3 winners with a $500 cash prize for 1st place! Judging criteria: Aroma, Color, Consistency, Taste and Aftertaste.
There are no major movies being released this week (next Friday The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes out so be prepared for crowds next weekend). The Alamo Drafthouse always has something cool for movie lovers and this week is no different. They kick things up to eleven with a special pre-screening of Django Unchained!!! All you have to do to see this monumental film before Christmas Day is buy a ticket to this Friday’s showing of Jackie Brown!!! That’s right; if you make a deal with Jackie Brown you get Django for FREE!!!! If you miss out on tickets to this amazing event, don’t worry because they will have a few extra tickets to giveaway on Facebook and Twitter!
That’s not all, for those of you that enjoy the fine dining portions of the Alamo experience they have two tasty events just for you!!! First up, this Sunday they ask that you join them for Dinner Party: Home Alone! Not only will you get Kevin’s favorite treats, but they’ll be served with style! They have popcorn dusted with their parmesan herb blend, their homemade crust pizza topped with spicy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, artichokes, portabella, shallot, prosciutto, and sundried tomatoes finished with parmesan and romano and fresh basil, A 6 cheese macaroni with whole wheat penne in a luscious sauce of white cheddar, manchego, asiago, parmesan, romano and cheddar, and to top it all off a Marshmallow Sundae!! Home Alone is just the beginning, because these holiday food and film experiences happen every Sunday in December!!! Just check out Drafthouse.com for more information!  
If explosions are more your thing, then get ready for one of the most explosive Christmas movies ever created!!! That’s right Thursday December 13th, they are showing DIE HARD with in theater pyrotechnics!!! You’ll be screaming yippee ki-yay all night long because this bad boy is also in 35mm!!
There are no sporting events in Kansas City on Friday but you have two options on Saturday. The Missouri Rhythm, Kansas City’s entrant in the American Basketball Association, battle the Underground Streetball All-Starz at Grandview Christian School.
The Mavericks are back home after being on the road the last four games. They host the Quad City Mallards at the IEC. The first 2,500 fans to the game will receive a free puck courtesy of Santa Fe Glass.
On Sunday afternoon the Comets take on the Chicago Soul at the Independence Events Center. It's Comets Military Appreciation Day where the Comets players will be wearing military-themed uniforms which will be auctioned-off immediately following the game! All military (veterans and those currently serving) get a free ticket to the game with any ticket purchase.  As with every home game there will be a post game autograph session on the field and a post game party immediately after at Strikerz Entertainment Center.
The Topeka RoadRunners are in Springfield, Illinois this weekend to battle the Jr. Blues on Friday and Saturday. There will be a watch party for both games at Blind Tiger Brewery.
Also, there are a couple of events next Wednesday you should give a look. Your favorite Mavericks' players will be at Hope House (19677 East Jackson Drive, Independence, Missouri, 64057) calling bingo, selling bingo cards and good luck charms, and posing for pictures with their fans! Food and drink will be available at family-friendly prices. Tickets are $15 Adults/$10 Kids (under 12). Your ticket gets you one reuseable bingo card. Additional bingo cards are available night of for $5 each.
For more info go to http://www.hopehouse.net/bingo-mavericks
Wine can be overwhelming. That’s why you should always accept help, especially if it comes with the chance to sip some free wine. Le Creuset (4549 West 119th Street, in Leawood) hosts a free wine tasting from Lukas Liquor on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There also will be wine-accessory demonstrations and special pricing on wine-related gifts.
Have a great weekend everyone.