Arts & Entertainment
Mayor Hosting Rock the Block Celebration Saturday at Washington Square Park
The sixth annual “Sly’s Rock the Block” celebration, a free, family-oriented event, will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington Square Park. The event is held to recognize the end of city summer programs and the beginning of a new school year. It will feature live music, cultural performances and other…
Crossroads Arts District Celebrating the Eclipse with Solanoir Street-Art Festival
The Crossroads Arts District is living up to cosmic form with a five-day, street-art celebration of the upcoming total eclipse called Solanoir. Thirty street artists from around the country and the world have been invited to paint murals on two dozen buildings around the downtown district. The festival begins Wednesday and its celestial culmination occurs…
Crossroads First Friday to Include Kids Scavenger Hunt, Rooftop Party, Sporting KC Flip Cup and Yes, Art
By Kevin Collison Today’s First Friday in the downtown Kansas City Crossroads Arts District continues a growing trend of not just being a festive place for adults to congregate but families as well. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., “C is for Crossroads,” an event promoting literacy for younger kids, will kickoff this month’s First…
Hyundai Uses Downtown Kansas City Skyline in National Commercial–Sort of
In a weird mash-up, Hyundai is using the Kansas City skyline, with a few more buildings thrown in for good measure, in a national television commercial for its Sonata model. The spot opens with heavy freeway traffic in the foreground but there’s no mistaking the core downtown skyline in the background: One Kansas City Place,…
13th Annual KC Fringe Festival Offers Late Night Gathering at New Outdoor Venue at Union Station
The 13th Annual KC Fringe Festival continues tonight through July 30 and is using the new Haverty Family Yards outdoor venue next to Union Station for its “Late Night at the Fringe” event. Tonight and Saturday, from 9 p.m. to midnight, the annual arts event is hosting what it calls a chance to “hang out…
Civic Leader Warren Erdman Speaks Out on UMKC Downtown Conservatory Funding Veto: ‘I Played Every Card We Had’
By Kevin Collison Warren Erdman, the leader of the local effort to obtain state money for the proposed UMKC Downtown Conservatory, warned today that any alternative funding plan in response to the Gov. Greitens’ veto last week should not place a “severe” strain on UMKC. “The governor decided not to go in that direction, and…
UMKC to Seek Alternative Funding for Downtown Kansas City Conservatory; Gov. Greitens Vetoes Legislation for Matching State Money
Despite overwhelming support from the Missouri Legislature, Gov. Eric Greitens has vetoed state funding for the proposed $96 million Downtown UMKC Conservatory project. “Today, Governor Eric Greitens vetoed a bill that would have asked Missouri taxpayers to pay for a new building for dancers and art students in Kansas City,” according to a statement released…
Union Station Kicks Off New Outdoor Entertainment Venue Backed by Great Downtown Kansas City View
By Kevin Collison Union Station kicked off its new Haverty Family Yards outdoor entertainment venue last weekend with a soulful performance by Anderson East and his band backed by rolling freight trains and a dramatic view of downtown Kansas City. The inaugural show Saturday night attracted about 350 people to the grassy field next to…
Tech N9ne to Kickoff New Indoor Concert Venue in Crossroads this September; First Foray Outside Nashville for Operators
By Kevin Collison A couple of veterans of the Nashville concert scene are opening a new indoor venue in the Crossroads called The Truman, and have chosen a local music icon to kick off their series, Tech N9ne. Chris Cobb and his partner, Josh Billue, have a good feeling about opening their first venture outside…
Kansas City Museum Opening Downtown Exhibition Space in the Historic Garment District
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Museum is opening downtown exhibition space this summer in the 800 Broadway building in the heart of the Historic Garment District. The 3,300 square-foot space on the first floor of 800 Broadway will feature both displays and programming beginning Aug. 16, according to a release from the museum. Hours…