Arts & Entertainment
New 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City Wraps Hospitality Around Art
(Updated July 31: AccorHotels, a French firm, has acquired 21cMuseum Hotels, paying $51 million to purchase 85 percent of the firm. 21c founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson will retain a 15 percent ownership share. AccorHotels owns 4,000 hotels throughout the world making it the largest hotel group outside the United States.) By Kevin…
Savoy Bar and Restaurant Reopens Blending Old and New
By Kevin Collison One of downtown Kansas City’s best-known landmarks, the Savoy Grill, reopened last week with the historic furnishings of the original bar intact and a contemporary makeover to the adjoining dining room. “It was a design challenge, taking a beloved space and updating it for contemporary use,” said Molly Swyers, chief brand officer…
Folk Alliance Relocating to Crossroads Arts District
By Kevin Collison The Folk Alliance International is relocating its offices from the River Market to the new Crossroads Westside apartment development and opening a small performance space there as well. The nonprofit, which moved its headquarters here from Memphis in 2013, was offered space in Crossroads Westside in a special deal to fulfill a pledge…
Union Station Evolves with Imaginative Dinosaur Exhibit
By Kevin Collison It’s a matchup display any dinosaur-crazy kid would enjoy and 125 million years later, part of a major, new exhibition that heralds an imaginative programming approach by Union Station. In this corner, weighing in at 4,000 pounds and stretching 15 feet long, Kosmoceratops, a fancy- shielded omnivore. And the challenger, at 2,200…
Sequence Climb Bringing ‘Bouldering’ to Crossroads
By Kevin Collison Graham Hess has seen how light rail galvanized Salt Lake City’s downtown, and when Kansas City started its streetcar, he knew downtown was the place to pursue his business dream. He and his wife, Dara, are planning to open Sequence Climb, a “bouldering gym” and cutting-edge fitness center in a West Crossroads…
UMKC Seeks Conservatory Proposals, Potential Downtown Site Survives Close Call
By Kevin Collison UMKC officially has restarted its pursuit of a new combined Conservatory of Music and Dance and Theater Department facility, and has set a July 24 deadline for responses to what’s now described as a $100 million project. The university released what’s called a request for interest (RFI) this week, and in an…
Boulevardia Celebrates Fifth Year in Bottoms with Bou Lou and Tech N9ne Too
Boulevardia is back for a fifth year in the West Bottoms June 15-16 and this year’s festival includes a performance by Tech N9ne paired with a new collaborative beer he’s created with Boulevard Brewery. The event, located in the Stockyards District of the Bottoms, has grown to become a huge Father’s Day weekend attraction. It includes…
Pending Sale of Crossroads Building Housing YJ’s Stirs ‘Hate Mail’
By Kevin Collison The pending sale of the building housing longtime Crossroads favorite YJ’s Snack Bar has stirred up strong passions, prompting the expected buyer and current owner of the property to speak out. “There’s so much misinformation out there,” said Spencer Sight, whose father Dan Sight has a contract to buy the building on…
Monster and Music Greets Streetcar Riders Thanks to Art in the Loop
By Kim Mueller Streetcar riders are discovering an extra surprise this summer: a Stranger on a Train riding a Party Car. The soft sculpture monster created by local artist Megan Karson is one of seven art installations, two art performances and eight musical presentations on the streetcar line that started last week as part of…
Two Light Art Evokes Kansas City Cool
By Kim Mueller One hundred years after leaving Kansas City, Ernest Hemingway’s spirit returned when Two Light apartments opened its doors earlier this month. Images of the famous author as well as other celebrated Kansas City residents are immortalized in the tower’s artwork decorating its floors, walls and ceilings. Upon entering the recently-opened luxury apartments‘…