Chopper Rock

There aren’t many places where known traitors can fraternize in public without inviting scorn, but the Tarpeian Rock Festival provides an especially inhospitable habitat for turncoats. Named for the cliff from which ancient Romans tossed the treasonous, the event offers a lower-elevation hazard: the drag strip at the Kansas City International Raceway (8201 South Noland Road, 816-358-6700). During the festival, the strip is open to
all motorcyclists donning helmets and protective jackets. The “rock” in the name refers to the heavy-yet-melodic musical stylings of local bands such as Red Line Chemistry, Sidewise, One Degree Difference, Ares to the Ninth, Life in Jersey and National Fire Theory.
The festival begins at 10 a.m., with
bands performing from noon to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $20 for daredevils willing to brave the strip.