---
title: "Charlie Parker Day Celebration | American Jazz Museum"
description: "Bird's 106th birthday at 18th & Vine — live music at the Bird Lives statue, biographer Chuck Haddix, guest artist Willie Cole, trivia, and an instrument petting zoo. Saturday, August 29, 10 am–3:30 pm. Free and open to the public."
canonical: https://americanjazzmuseum.org/exhibits-events/charlie-parker-day/
---

the american jazz museum

# Charlie Parker Day Celebration

Bird's 106th birthday at 18th & Vine — live music at the Bird Lives statue, biographer Chuck Haddix, guest artist Willie Cole, trivia, and an instrument petting zoo. Saturday, August 29, 10 am–3:30 pm. Free and open to the public.

![Charlie Parker Day Celebration — poster title in yellow lettering over a red background, with a saxophone silhouette and two sketched birds in flight.](/_astro/charlie-parker-day-2026.BWfAtzBq_1tvggH.webp)

**August 29, 2026 – August 29, 2026**

Charlie Parker was born in Kansas City on August 29, 1920, and learned his horn in the clubs of 18th & Vine. On Saturday, August 29, the American Jazz Museum celebrates Bird’s 106th birthday where his story began — a full day of live music, conversation, deep listening, and family fun, all **free and open to the public**. (Want to walk the museum’s galleries while you’re here? Regular admission applies — and _Saxophone Supreme_, the Charlie Parker exhibit, closes the very next day.)

## The day at a glance

*   **10:00 am — Saxophone Salute.** A 30-minute outdoor concert of Bird’s tunes at the _Bird Lives_ statue, featuring Steven Martin, Roger Wilder, Ben Tervort, Kenny Watson, and friends.
*   **10:30 am — Instrument petting zoo** _(sponsored by B.A.C. Horn Doctor)_. Open 10:30 am–12:30 pm and 1:30–3:30 pm. All ages welcome — try a wind instrument for the first time, or pick one up again after years away. Every instrument is properly sanitized between players.
*   **11:00 am — “Bird in Kansas City” with Chuck Haddix.** The author of _Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker_ on Parker’s Kansas City years and the city’s mark on his life, with audience Q&A. Mr. Haddix also co-curated _Saxophone Supreme_, the museum’s Charlie Parker exhibit — it closes August 30, so this is your last Saturday to see it (regular museum admission).
*   **12:30 pm — “Listen In” session.** The debut of a new museum program devoted to deeper listening: slowing down with great records, rebuilding the listening skills our culture has let slip, and letting the music spark creativity in everyday life.
*   **1:30 pm — “Ornithology” trivia.** Test your Charlie Parker knowledge solo or as a team. Answer 7 of 10 correctly to earn entry into a second raffle drawing — three winning tickets take home a prize bag from the museum’s Swing Shop.
*   **2:15 pm — Guest artist: Willie Cole** _(sponsored by B.A.C.)_. A panel conversation with the acclaimed sculptor behind _Ornithology_, the flock of birds built from alto saxophones soaring over Concourse B at KCI — a work assembled right here in the 18th & Vine district. His art lives in the collections of MoMA, the Met, and the Whitney; today he talks about his work and his lifelong relationship with jazz.
*   **3:30 pm — Raffle winners announced.** One paid-raffle winner takes home a mini _Ornithology_ statue donated by B.A.C. Horn Doctor.

## Raffles

Two ways to win: raffle tickets are **$5 each**, with the winning ticket earning a mini _Ornithology_ statue — or play the trivia challenge, where 7 of 10 correct answers earns free entry into a second drawing for one of three Swing Shop prize bags.

**Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 10:00 am–3:30 pm** American Jazz Museum · 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 Free and open to the public. Museum gallery entry, including the _Saxophone Supreme_ exhibit, requires regular admission.

[All exhibits](/exhibits)