Now in its fourth year, Celebrate AMERI’KANA is a celebration of the myriad backgrounds, cultures, languages, and sounds that have shaped American music, bringing Grammy-winning artists to Kansas City to perform at the FREE festival alongside youth performers from the Art as Mentorship’s year-round mentorship programs.
‘26 ACTIVITIES
DRUM CIRCLE - COPA DE CALLA FÚTBOL
WATER TOYS - ARTMAKING
OBSTACLE COURSE - INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
INTERNATIONAL FOOD & DRINK - NOMADA BAR TENT
REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE TICKETS!
Celebrate AMERI’KANA
Small Business Passport
FEATURED PERFORMER:
Founded by Enrique Chi, the Latin Grammy-nominated band serves as the primary platform for Chi’s creative mission. Rooted in the rich tradition of Latin folk music, MAKING MOVIES aims to revive its rebellious spirit and channel it for the present day.
Their donation of a concert each year and commitment to the Northeast neighborhood are part of the festival’s core identity.
MERCH
Shop exclusive, local merch at the festival!
2026 designs and partners TBD
Thank you to our sponsors!
‘24 RECAP
GET INVOLVED
VOLUNTEER FORM
MERCADO VENDOR FORM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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A: Celebrate AMERI’KANA is free to attend. However, you can purchase a VIP ticket and help Art as Mentorship sustain its free youth music programming. Visit this link to purchase a VIP ticket and learn about VIP perks.
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A: VIP Includes:
- Access to the air-conditioned Celebrate AMERI'KANA VIP Lounge
-Exclusive VIP shade tent with great stage views
- Unlimited refreshments from KC’s finest breweries and distilleries
-FREE music programs and festival for your community
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A: Concourse Park - 200 Benton Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64123
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The line-up includes Making Movies, RADKEY, Austin music legends Gina Chavez & Rosie Flores, The Freedom Threedom, The Salvation Choir, Audri Page, Teri Quinn & Landon Hambright, and more!
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A: You can park on Benton, Gladstone (south of the bridge), or Benton north of the roundabout (towards KC museum). However, we highly encourage festival goers to use methods of public transportation, such as: biking, walking, buses or rideshare apps to make it to the festival. Please be responsible with alcohol consumption.
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A: If you would like to film or photograph the festival, or would like to interview an artist performing, please contact Gabrielle Stanley (gabrielle@artasmentorship.org).
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A: The festival will be from 3pm-9:30pm
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The following activities will be happening at the festival:
*Arts activities for all ages including chalk, bracelet making, tie dying, painting, coloring, and more
*Lifesize puppets
*Sass-a-Brass Bring Your Own Instrument parade and jam
*Soccer with Rygoku and professional players
*Water Toys in the fountain
*Live Music at two stages
*Drum Safari drum circle
*Bouncy House, Obstacle course
*Instrument Petting Zoo
*Yard Games
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A: We will be releasing a full list of vendors soon! If you are interested in being vendor, please fill out THIS FORM.
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A: If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer form HERE.
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A: Alcohol will be available to attendees 21+ in the NOMADA bar tent.
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A: Yes! A free KC Water Bar will be on the premises. Bring your own reusable water bottle!
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A: There will be a few shade tents, with misters & fans, and the fountain at the park will be turned on and available for kids and adults alike to jump in to cool off! But all are welcome to bring their own umbrellas or any additional items to help beat the heat.
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A: If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact Gabrielle Stanley, gabrielle@artasmentorship.org
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CELEBRATE AMERI’KANA
Celebrate AMERI'KANA Music & Arts Festival is Kansas City's most vibrant and festive day of music, bringing together national, local, and youth performers and artisans to celebrate the BIPOC musicians and the diverse Kansas City arts community.Following the migration of American music from the port cities of the Gulf of Mexico and up the Mississippi river, Celebrate AMERI’KANA showcases the diversity and cross-pollinated nature of American music—the particular alchemy of blues, zydeco, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, and son jarocho. The festival is both a celebration of our shared musical lineage and a reminder, in this time of division, that music transcends all barriers and boundaries. The festival builds upon the success of previous Carnaval and AMERI’KANA festivals. The 2023 festival is transitioning to a free event in Concourse Park in the Historic Northeast neighborhood, making Celebrate AMERI’KANA even more accessible in one of Kansas City’s most diverse communities. Celebrate AMERI'KANA supports Art as Mentorship, a Kansas City non-profit that empowers young artists to write their own success stories.
July 27, 2024, Celebrate AMERI’KANA joined 17 other cities in the Arts for Everybody campaign pushing this message to the nation. Read more about that in NY TImes Article - HERE.
Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.