Arts & Entertainment
B&B Mainstreet Theater Reopening Soon With James Bond
(Updated Sept. 30: The B&B Mainstreet Theater will get an early debut, opening today with shows beginning at 4:30 p.m. Operator received earlier than expected approval from KC Health Department.) By Kevin Collison The newly rechristened B&B Mainstreet Theater expects to open, appropriately, in time to screen the new James Bond movie “No Time to…
Royals Owner Says Downtown Ballpark ‘One Option,’ Balks at Details
By Kevin Collison Royals owner John Sherman reaffirmed his interest in a potential downtown ballpark at a much-anticipated press conference Tuesday, but balked at providing details regarding when a decision would occur and possible sites. In fact, Sherman joked about the social media hype that preceded what was mostly an announcement about key management changes…
‘Ruthelle’s’ Returning to 18th & Vine
By Kevin Collison Adam Jones, who’s redevelopment portfolio include the Westside and West Bottoms, is going east to the 18th & Vine District with an artsy project featuring barbecue and soul food along with a dollop of local jazz culture. He’s renovating a small two-story building at 1819 Vine into a restaurant and night club…
Game On for College Basketball Experience–Coaches Group, Too
By Kevin Collison The College Basketball Experience adjoining the T-Mobile Center is reopening Thursday with plenty of hoopla after going dark 17 months due to Covid and other challenges to getting its game back on. The CBE, which opened in 2007, features two floors dedicated to fully physical interactive exhibits and the history of men’s…
Kauffman Center, Folly, Midland, to Require Covid Vaccinations
By Kevin Collison Downtown’s cultural crown jewel, the Kauffman Center, will require patrons to show proof of vaccination for Covid-19 beginning Sept. 6, joining other venues requiring immunization since the pandemic resurged several weeks ago. “We feel that this measure, hopefully a temporary one, will allow us to welcome audiences safely back into the Kauffman…
World-Class Sculpture Shattered at Bartle Hall Plaza by Errant Driver
By Kevin Collison Jun Kaneko, a world-renowned sculptor, has works displayed publicly throughout the country and internationally, but last Thursday Kansas City apparently became the first where one was destroyed. One of the seven, large ceramic works making up his “Water Plaza” installation in the plaza south of the Bartle Hall Grand Ballroom was shattered…
Fringe Fest Getting ‘Back Off Ground’ with High-Rise Fundraiser
By Kevin Collison After a Covid shutdown that disrupted Fringe Fest, forcing the edgy, annual arts festival to lay off employees and go virtual, the organization, according to its executive director, is ready to “get back off the ground to being a live festival again. Literally. For the first time in its 16-year history, Fringe…
816 Day to Cap Downtown Scavenger Hunt
This year’s 816 Day scheduled for Monday (Aug. 16) is trying something new, a downtown scavenger hunt paired with Bingo aimed at helping businesses and attractions coping with the Covid pandemic. “We’re encouraging people to get out and visit local restaurants and other establishments,” said Jared Campbell of the Downtown Council. “We’re focusing not only…
Arts Asylum Relocating from Downtown to East Brookside
By Kevin Collison The Arts Asylum, a downtown Kansas City cultural destination for 10 years, is closing later the year and relocating to new space in the Brookside neighborhood, a move partly prompted by the lingering Covid pandemic. “We thought we were on an upswing and with a new season starting we were ready to…
Power & Light Exec Transitions To New Job After Dozen Years at Helm
(Updated Feb. 9, 2022: Nick Benjamin is no longer employed by the Cordish Cos. When asked specifically about his departure, a Cordish spokesperson issued this statement: “The Power & Light District remains under the strong leadership of John Moncke and his senior leadership team. We expect a banner year for the District in 2022 including…