New Garment District Concert Series Planned–After Virus Fears Calm

A new monthly concert series at Garment District Place that will feature local musicians and students from the Crossroads Preparatory Academy is in the works once the all-clear is given for public health restrictions prompted by the coronavirus endemic.

Organizers of the “Garment District Grooves” concert series had hoped to begin in April, but the debut has been pushed back at least a month due to restrictions on public gatherings.

It will be held on the third Wednesdays of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park, nicknamed “Thimble Park,” at Eighth and Broadway.

The new event is being organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association along with Crossroads Charter Schools, the Downtown Council, the KC Parks and Recreation Department and the KC Museum at the Historic Garment District.

Jared Campbell, DNA president, said the event is intended to remember the late Harvey Fried, a longtime civic leader and downtown advocate who passed away in 2018.

Harvey Fried (Photo from Downtown Council)

Fried was co-founder of the Historic Garment District Museum and president of the Historic Garment District Association.

“There used to be a concert series that Harvey organized,” Campbell said. “This is a way to honor him.”

During much of the 20th Century, Kansas City was one of the nation’s largest centers for clothing design and garment manufacturing.

The Historic Garment District is defined as the area between 6th and 11th streets from Washington to Wyandotte streets.

At one time, a dozen major clothing manufacturers operated in that area. Many of the historic brick buildings have since been renovated into residential and office space.

The concert series plans to have students from the nearby Crossroads Preparatory Academy perform for the first half hour followed by professional musicians.

Organizers plan to have a food truck available during the event. The Historic Garment District Museum at 801 Broadway also will be open.

Campbell said the monthly concert series is planned to last through October.

(Editor’s note: Beginning in December 2019, CityScene KC has become a paid subscription publication)