Arts & Entertainment
KC Art Institute Toasts New Era with Residence Hall Opening
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Art Institute celebrated a remarkable six-year turn around Wednesday at the grand opening of its new Barbara Marshall Residence Hall, part of a $30 million construction boom at the venerable campus. The 223-bed residence hall, student center and dining hall replaces an obsolete dorm built in 1972 and symbolizes…
Walnut Street Reopening in City Market After 30 Year Absence
Work is well underway on reconnecting Walnut Street through the City Market with completion expected in May. The city project will reopen Walnut as a two-way street from Third to Fifth streets on weekdays, and is intended to not only improve traffic flow, but make it a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The street will be closed…
New Royals Owner Talks About Downtown Baseball, East Village
By Kevin Collison While cautioning it’s early in the game, John Sherman, the new owner of the Royals, has no problem talking up the economic benefits of downtown baseball and says he’s already being lobbied on possible sites. “Baseball creates more economic opportunity in denser areas versus suburban areas or less dense areas,” Sherman said…
Boulevardia Says Bye to Bottoms, Cruising to Crown Center Next June
By Kevin Collison Six years after launching at a hot, dusty parking lot in the West Bottoms, Boulevardia is moving up to Crown Center next June, occupying the same user-friendly territory that’s made Irish Fest a major entertainment event. Organizers say the decision to relocate the street festival that’s become a regular Father’s Day weekend…
WyCo Considers $2M Share in West Bottoms Bridge Entertainment/Trail Project
By Kevin Collison It’s show me the money time for an ambitious proposal to convert the old Rock Island Railroad Bridge over the Kaw River into a West Bottoms recreation and entertainment destination. Flying Truss LLC, the developer behind the concept, has reached a tentative agreement with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County for $2…
Downtown Toasts Holiday Spirit(s) with Pop-up Bars
By Kevin Collison The Crossroads Hotel is celebrating the end of its first full year of operation by joining the downtown holiday pop-up bar trend pioneered by Rockhill Grille last year. “We were looking for something to do to create a ton of energy and fun,” said Jeremy Bennett, the hotel lifestyle director. “We wanted…
The Arts Asylum Opens Satellite Gallery in Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The Arts Asylum has longed for a presence in the Crossroads, and has finally found its opportunity beginning this First Friday thanks to a financial services business that welcomes creativity. Premier Financial Partners, an eight-employee firm that opened on the ground level of the Campbell Lofts building four years ago, has agreed…
Pigwich Finishes First Year in City Market on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners’
By Kevin Collison Local Pig and Pigwich are closing out their first year in their new City Market digs on a high-profile note courtesy of Guy Fieri. The restaurant and butcher shop will be featured this Friday (Nov. 29) at 8 p.m. on Fieri’s popular show on the Food Network, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” “We’re…
‘Rock the Red Kettle’ Kicks Off Downtown Holiday Season
By Kevin Collison The downtown holiday season kicks off Friday at the Power & Light District with the fourth annual Rock the Red Kettle, a concert benefiting the Salvation Army. The free, all-ages concert at the Kansas City Live! stage is part of a series of holiday events at venues throughout downtown including Crown Center,…
ArtsBlock Creating a Cultural Haven on Independence Avenue
By Kevin Collison ArtsBlock, a new project near downtown on Independence Avenue, more than lives up to its name by offering places for artists to live and work, as well as an exhibition gallery and art class space for kids. The 38-unit apartment building is part of what’s called The Paseo Gateway redevelopment area on…