The amazing arts and culture scene in Kansas City is about to get even better with the grand opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the region’s newest premier destination for world-class music, theater and comedy. This stunning 285,000 square-foot facility, which began as a mere sketch on a napkin, has finally been brought to life by renowned architect, Moshe Safdie. The Center’s two performance venues—the 1,800 seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre and the 1,600 seat Helzberg Hall—are two distinct, acoustically autonomous structures that are together housed by an elaborate overarching shell. The Center’s sleek and dramatic architecture, alterable stage designs, and exceptional acoustics make for an unparalleled performing arts experience.

Come join the grand opening celebration of the Center, which begins on Friday, September 16th, with a special gala, paying tribute to the late Muriel McBrien Kauffman. The evening will feature a range of performances from the three resident companies—Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Headlining the evening is world-renowned Spanish tenor, Placido Domingo, in his first ever appearance in Kansas City. The celebration will continue on Saturday, the 17th, in Helzberg Hall, headlined by violinist Itzhak Perlman and Grammy Award winning Jazz singer and pianist, Diana Krall. Finally, on Sunday, September 18th, the Kauffman Center will welcome the community to enjoy a series of short, family-friendly performances throughout the afternoon in both halls, as well as tours of the Center, including sneak peeks of the backstage area, a rare treat for performing arts enthusiasts.

“We can hardly wait to welcome the Kansas City community into the Kauffman Center and invite individuals and families from across the region to take part in our opening,” said Jane Chu, President and CEO of the Kauffman Center. “This is a great moment that we’ve all been waiting for.” Indeed, you don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event.