IN Kansas City December 2023 by KC Media

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Concerts are held in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

! N U F T A H W , OH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Thursday & Friday, Dec. 14-15 at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

BLAINE KRAUSS, vocalist ALLEGRO CHOIRS OF KANSAS CITY, CHRISTY ELSNER, founder and director KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY CHORUS, CHARLES BRUFFY, chorus director Festive fun for your family! Kansas City’s grandest holiday concert returns as the Symphony and Symphony Chorus present unique musical arrangements of cherished Christmas carols, songs of the season, plus exciting guest vocalists for a healthy dose of Christmas cheer. And, an early visit from Santa! Tickets start at $35 for adults and $25 for children.

Kansas City Symphony Holiday Tradition

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Friday & Saturday, Dec. 1-2 at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. ROBERTO KALB, guest conductor KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY CHORUS CHARLES BRUFFY, chorus director Witness one of the KC Symphony’s most beloved holiday traditions! Featuring the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and some of America’s most accomplished soloists, Handel’s Messiah includes the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus” and sweeping solos portraying one of the greatest stories ever told. Handel’s glorious choral masterpiece will bring hope and joy to your Christmas season. Tickets from $30 for adults and $20 for children.

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Contents DECEMBER 2023 70 74

62 Features 58

IN CONVERSATION WITH TRISTIAN GRIFFIN The choreographer and leader of the Tristian Griffin Dance Company discusses growing up in Kansas City, how dance came into his life, and what sparks his creativity.

GRAND OPENINGS

Departments 20

ENTERTAINING IN KC

OUR MAN IN KC

ARTS & CULTURE IN KC

LOOK IN KC

WOMEN’S HEALTH IN KC

HIGH DRAMA

LIVING IN KC

A Fairway cottage shines at Christmas with a sparkling tree and fresh flowers galore.

FLAVOR IN KC

FACES IN KC

104

MY ESSENTIALS IN KC

FOODIE’S HOLIDAY WISH LIST Read this and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Everyone knows the best things come in small packages. Who wouldn’t want to find these under the tree?

IN EVERY ISSUE

On the cover Everything you need to know to have a very Happy Holiday!

DECEMBER 2023| 12 | INKANSASCITY.COM

EDITOR’S NOTE

INKANSASCITY.COM

THIS MONTH IN KC

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Editor’s Note

Season’s Greetings

Vol. 6 | No. 12 DECEMBER 2023

Editor In Chief Zim Loy Digital Editor Liz Schroeder Art Director Alice Govert Bryan photo by jenny wheat

ost all the changes in my life are reflected on this page because I consider this my personal message to you. In the 27 years I’ve been producing magazines, I’ve written 25 December holiday editor’s note columns. (There were a couple of years there when I was between titles.) That’s a lot of summoning up Christmas spirit, even when I wasn’t in the mood. In all probability, you haven’t read that many of them. If you had, you would have seen some repetitive themes: I’m not decorating my home for the holidays this year. I am decorating my home for the holidays this year. And lots of reminiscing about Christmas in Iowa when I was growing up. So, in essence, there’s nothing new under the sun. December has always been a time of celebrating with family and friends. Many religious scholars agree that even before recorded history, it was the time for pagan feasts welcoming the return of the sun at the winter solstice. Just know that this year, I hope that you are honoring the holiday that means the most to you, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another of your choosing. So yes, I’m celebrating with family and friends this month. And no, I’m not decorating my home for the holidays. It seems a waste of tinsel and evergreens for the enjoyment of just my furry companion, Major, and me. But for you, in this issue we have plenty of ideas for food, gifts, décor, and events to honor the season, no matter whether you greet friends with . . .

Contributing Writers Judith Fertig, Cindy Hoedel, Cody Hogan, Damian Lair, Patricia O’Dell, Jenny Vergara Contributing Photographers Karli Cadel, Corie English, Tristan Grambling, Aaron Leimkuehler Publisher Michelle Jolles Media Director Brittany Coale Senior Media Consultants Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Josie Rawlings Business Consultant Chad Parkhurst Newsstand Consultant Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net

Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com

Advertising Questions: bcoale@inkansascity.com

Distribution Questions: mjolles@inkansascity.com

Magazine Subscriptions:

Mail: IN Kansas City Subscriptions PO Box 292374, Kettering, OH 45429 Phone: 888-881-5861 Email: SUBS@inkansascity.com

Subscribe Online:

. . . Happy Holidays! . . . Merry Christmas! . . . Hanukkah Sameach! or . . . Habari gani!

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IN Kansas City is published monthly by KC Media LLC

Zim

118 Southwest Blvd., 2nd Floor Kansas City, MO 64108 816-768-8300 | inkansascity.com Annual Subscriptions are $19.95

DECEMBER 2023 | 14 | INKANSASCITY.COM

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season, and barbecue from Q39 makes the perfect holiday surprise for your friends (or yourself ). Indulge in classic Kansas City flavors with a $100 gift card to Q39, and end this year on a tasty note.. Enter by December 31 at inkansascity.com/ the-magazine/enter-to-win. Good luck!

Stuff your stockings. While

gifts aren’t strictly necessary, they can make the holidays feel fun and festive. We’re all about shopping small, so we rounded up our favorite stocking-sized tchotchkes, knick-knacks, and other sentimental gestures from Kansas City’s makers and boutiques. From jewelry to decor and one-of-a-kind finds, let’s support local shops. Whether showing appreciation for a friend or finding a unique treasure for a family member, these gifts are sure to delight your special someone and create a local connection to the city we all know and love. Find the full list at inkansascity.com.

FACEBOOK

Holiday cards for hope. Harvesters is bringing back Recipes for Hope for another year—a way to spread good food and holiday cheer through pre-made seasonal tribute cards. The themed cards feature unique messages alongside a recipe from a local chef, and this year’s chefs are Bradley Gilmore from Lula’s Southern Cookhouse, Scott Martinez of Hope Faith, and Pam Liberda of Waldo Thai. We’re featuring Liberda’s Thai spicy pork recipe, a delicious way to engage in philanthropic gift-giving. You can feed someone experiencing food insecurity this holiday season, and all it takes is writing a holiday card. Find the recipe at inkansascity.com.

@inkansascitymagazine

Photography philanthropy. This holiday season, we’re highlighting the ways our community works together to support and uplift good causes. Local photographers, including Lindsay Lack and Kasi Orr, have been donating their time and expertise to KC Pet Project, bringing flair and personality to each adoptable dog’s photo—with adorable results. We spoke to the Lack and Orr about cute dogs, their tight-knit volunteer community, and why it’s important to give something back. Read the interview at inkansascity.com. Need a social roster refresh? Discover the most comprehensive calendar in the metro—art galleries, dance, theater, social events, and music, music, music at inkansascity.com/events

DECEMBER 2023 | 16 | INKANSASCITY.COM

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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER subscribe at INKANSASCITY.COM (under The Magazine tab)

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This Month IN KC

December

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE by Liz Schroeder

A Charlie Brown Christmas Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts December 5 kcjo.org

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve T-Mobile Center December 16 t-mobilecenter.com

Holiday Harmonies Folly Theater December 16 follytheater.org

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra infuses seasonal classics with rock flamboyance, adding lasers and pyrotechnics to this holiday performance. First performed in 1999, The Ghosts of Christmas Past was conceived by Paul O’Neill and is back to celebrate the band’s 20th year on the road.

Two internationally acclaimed barbershop choruses, Central Standard and Vocal Standard, are back for their annual holiday show. Both groups will perform a captivating variety of a cappella music, both secular and non-secular.

DECEMBER SPOTLIGHT A lovable boy and his beagle explore the meaning of the season alongside Vince Guaraldi’s timeless music. Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s new arrangement puts the spotlight on big band music and vocal stylings from special guest Lee Langston.

A Very Merry Christmas Pageant Midwest Trust Center December 10 jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center

The Nightmare Before Christmas KC Symphony Concert Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts December 21-24 kcsymphony.org Fans of this Tim Burton classic will love seeing it like never before—projected on the big screen at Helzberg Hall and accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony playing Danny Elfman’s iconic and darkly charming score.

Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City invites you to a fabulous (and competitive) holiday extravaganza. Chorus members compete in a pageant filled with drama, laughs, high-energy dance numbers, and holiday spirit.

A Merry Menagerie 1725 Holmes Road December 16 freedomband.com Give the gift of music this season with a performance from the Mid-America Freedom Band. Fall back in love with holiday favorites like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Philip Sparke’s Carol of the Shepherds. For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com DECEMBER 2023 | 18 | INKANSASCITY.COM

S TA R K C A R P E T S . H A R R I S FA B R I C S

Celebrate your home.

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Entertaining IN KC

Making the Most Out of Work Parties

MERRILY OFFERS TIPS FOR PLANNING AND ATTENDING JOBRELATED HOLIDAY GATHERINGS

by Merrily Jackson photo by Corie English

‘‘W

Email me with your entertaining questions, dilemmas, or triumphs at mjackson@inkansascity.com

DECEMBER 2023 | 20 | INKANSASCITY.COM

hat I don’t like about office Christmas parties,” Phyllis Diller once said, “is looking for a job the next day.” We all know the type of party she was talking about—that’s what makes the joke funny—but the drunken, debauched office party is pretty much a thing of the past. It’s obvious we’ve experienced a major cultural shift towards responsible drinking. Like it or not, however, the holiday work party is most definitely not a thing of the past. At its best, it can be lots of fun and a great tool for team building, boosting morale, facilitating networking, recognizing great work, and strengthening all kinds of relationships, especially for employees

_INKC - December 2023 (DelBrenna x XMAS)OUTLINES.pdf

CMY

11/14/23

12:07 AM

Entertaining IN KC

Because Life Ain’t Always a Party MOST PEOPLE like to help those less fortunate during the holiday season. Make it easy for employees to do so by setting up an area at your party where they can donate nonperishable food items to be donated to an area food pantry. Here are a few worthwhile possibilities: Harvesters, the Community Food Network 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 816-929-3000 Della Lamb Food Pantry 500 Woodland Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 816-842-8040 St. Charles Food Pantry 704 Northeast Shady Lane Drive, Kansas City, MO 816-468-5153 Shawnee Community Services 11110 West 67th Street, Shawnee, KS 913-268-7746

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who work mostly from home. At its worst, it can be something everyone dreads. During my 40-plus year career, I have attended and helped plan many work-related gatherings, large and small, some terrific, some not so much. With the holiday party season upon us, I offer the following pointers for making the most out of work parties. DON’T JUST SHOW UP Some people enjoy the opportunity to mix and mingle with their co-workers outside the confines of business. But there are many valuable, highly productive workers who would prefer a root canal to socializing with the gang from work. If you fall into this category, you still should probably attend the work party unless you have a justifiable conflict. Look at it as part of your job, put on your happy face and go. This goes for everyone: do a little advance preparation. Find out who else has been invited. Is it more than just your department or work team? Knowing who will be there and having an idea what to talk about will benefit your experience tremendously. Stay long enough to say at least a word or two to everyone there, assuming there is not a cast of thousands. With a large crowd, interact with as many people as possible, especially key people like your boss. You should remain at the event for at least an hour or you will not fool anybody into thinking your attendance is anything more than obligatory. On the other hand, don’t overstay your welcome if you’re having fun. This is not the place to party ’til the wee hours. MORE ABOUT BOOZE Libations still have a well-established place in off-hours work gatherings because they relax us and get the conversation flowing. Most adults are moderate drinkers. In a crowd, however, and especially if there is an open bar, there are always a few who can’t drink without getting blotto. An employer may be liable for an intoxicated employee’s conduct if the employee leaves a company-sponsored social gathering and causes an accident. If you are hosting a large, company-sponsored function, drink tickets (two or three per person) aren’t a bad idea. Another approach is to start closing down the bar an hour or so before the party ends. It’s important to serve protein-rich foods and have plenty of nonalcoholic options. Offer to Uber home anyone who looks inebriated. NICE WAYS TO CELEBRATE In my corporate life, division parties usually involved a group luncheon somewhere interesting, followed by an activity, such as bowling or seeing a show together, and then the kindly offered opportunity to take the rest of the afternoon off. At other jobs, my boss would take our team to lunch at a nice restaurant. It was hard to complain about the intrusion into my personal life. The rarest, most gracious holiday parties I’ve attended have DECEMBER 2023 | 23 | INKANSASCITY.COM

CRESTWOOD SHOPS 55TH & BROOKSIDE BLVD. hudsonandjane.com

Entertaining IN KC been hosted by a boss at his or her home. I don’t remember what was served, just that they had me over. I say this knowing not everyone is comfortable hosting a gathering at home. But I am saying it. There is nothing like home hospitality. (Email me for my favorite cocktail party recipes and not-fancy-but-filling buffet recipes. Not that you would be expected to actually cook.) A FEW IDEAS FOR STEPPING OUT If you normally hold your company party surrounded by desks, computers, and piles of work to be done, it’s tough for your staff to get into the holiday spirit. When budget and work duties allow, definitely move the party to a more festive site. If you don’t want to go the hotel or restaurant route, consider a bowling alley, art gallery, museum, country inn, ice rink, Topgolf, or other nontraditional venue. Or pile the gang onto a chartered bus, serve refreshments, and tour the Country Club Plaza and surrounding residential holiday light displays. Whatever you decide, you’re always going to get “constructive criticism” from one corner or another. Understand you’re never going to please everyone. DRESS TO IMPRESS, BABY Keep your guard up when deciding how to dress for an office party. If

the event is immediately after work, business casual attire is probably appropriate. (Would it be so wrong to bring back business attire, and the respect it conveys?) It’s always better to overdress than underdress. You might be among the legions who work mostly from home and have seen coworkers only on a Zoom call. This is your chance to actually meet them in person. Treat it like the occasion it is. If it is after hours, stay true to your company culture. Unless you work for a hip ad agency or media company, this is not the time to hike up your hem and drop your neckline. If you aren’t certain what to wear, check with a coworker whose taste and judgment you trust. Make sure that what you wear reflects well on you professionally. BE THANKFUL Don’t forget to thank the hosts of your holiday office party, as well as any of the people who worked to plan the event. No festive occasion comes off without hard work, and planning it is often a thankless job. A verbal thank you is sufficient, an email acceptable, but a handwritten note makes you stand out—and conveys a deeper level of warmth and sincerity.

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Wishing you peace and comfort this season. CA L L U S TO D I SC U SS LO CA L M A R K E T ACTIVI T Y 816. 2 8 0. 27 73 TOM S UT H ER KE VIN BRYA N T BECK Y LOBODA H EIDI PET ER K AT H ER IN E GR EGG K AT HY GR EEN SA N DY PA LM ER CA ROLIN E H A R R IS CH R IST I CL A R K VERGA R A J ULIE CON N OR

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Our Man IN KC by Damian Lair dlair@inkansascity.com : @damianlair #OurManINKC

ArtSmash

Damian Lair at the Kemper Gala.

a winding, staggered buffet. The dinner at the gala is always excellent, and the sliders OVERHEARD and farrow dish were standouts this year. “What color? I Following dinner, I returned to the know ALL the museum for a quick tour of the latest feacolors.” tured exhibition, Julie Blackmon: A Life in Frame. It is a survey, focusing on the last decade of the artist’s photography. Julie Blackmon’s subject is the conflation of art and life—particularly everyday life in Springfield, Missouri, where she is based. The works on view show scenes depicting family, community, and landscape deeply rooted in her Midwestern heritage. Blackmon uses her surroundings to engage broader ideas of social and political issues, gender issues, family dynamics, and art historical references. While Blackmon’s work celebrates the visual vernacular of an area of the country that many dismiss as culturally unremarkable, she positions it in conversation with a wide range of artistic references—including 17th-century Dutch painters. The result is a uniquely playful and critical examination of the modern family, feminism, and other social and political issues. Her work was recently acquired by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC and is on view at the Kemper through January 7. Do yourself a favor and check it out. It is one of my favorite photography exhibitions in memory. Nearby, and inspired by Blackmon’s works, gala guests were posing for photos in a living room scene designed to invoke a Blackmon setting. The results were clever and inspiring. Additionally, photographer

DECEMBER 2023| 26 | INKANSASCITY.COM

PHOTO BY JEFF EVRARD

his year’s annual Kemper Gala supporting the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art was designed around the collision of light and layers, art and ideas, people and places, and philanthropy and fashion—an ArtSmash, if you will. With a slightly pared-down aesthetic, the focus was shifted to guests and their ensembles. Supporters were encouraged to dress in a restricted (though hardly restrictive) black-and-white palette. I’ve likely said this before—and if so, it’s worth repeating—but a fantastic and simple way to elevate a party’s look and feel is to give people a clear, interesting, and achievable assignment for wardrobe. Guests provide an eye-catching, ever-present (and free) fourth dimension to the event. Kemper guests certainly got the memo and obliged, wearing black-and-white in unison. Well done, cochairs Katrina Revenaugh and Jasmine Thompson. We were greeted with glasses of welcome champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres against the backdrop of the latest addition to the annually rotating atrium project, which was established in 2016 as a series of commissioned works by emerging and mid-career Hispanic and Latinx artists. The soaring atrium space provides an opportunity for artists to push their work into ambitious areas of exploration in subject and/or scale. This year’s atrium project iteration is So the roots be known by New York-based artist Sarah Zapata. It combines sculptural and textile techniques using familiar materials, such as acrylic yarn and natural fibers, and traditional art forms, including weaving, coiling, sewing, and latch hooking. The work articulates the intersections of Zapata’s plural identities: the daughter of a Peruvian immigrant; a first generation American born in Texas; and a queer woman raised in an evangelical household. In part, this installation pays homage to Womontown, a group of primarily queer women who established a revolutionary community in the Longfellow neighborhood of Kansas City in the late 1980s. Zapata’s use of abstracted tulip forms and shades of lavender draw inspiration from the Womontown banner while simultaneously evoking histories of queer resistance, as the color lavender came to be associated with gay and lesbian communities in the mid-20th century. Textile pieces are draped, suspended, and slumped along the wall, suggesting the many flags, banners, and quilts collaboratively constructed with the ambition of shaping better futures through solidarity. Following lively conversation in the museum atrium, we made our way to the grand outdoor tent. Live music surrounded us as dinner was served. Instead of the buffets of years’ past, organizers opted for a food station setup by Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. Proving that old habits die hard, guests lined up in orderly fashion to reimagine the stations into

Knotty Reindeer Games (Stock #13418)

Our Man IN KC Jeff Evrard was capturing guests in portraits that took on color, based on subjects’ movement. Check out my spectacular version on page 26. Per tradition, the evening capped off with dancing—though this time hosted in the Café Sebastienne courtyard. With the glass ceiling offering a view of the stars and reflecting the massive light-up dance floor below, it was the perfect space for a late-night dance party. Andre’s Confiserie Suisse provided a chocolate sculpture of the museum’s logo, with staff on hand to chip away and offer to hungry dancers. Local entertainer Lana Luxxe dazzled guests with her Taylor Swift-inspired performances. Finally, the lucky raffle winner, Rachel Sexton, took home a Dale Chihuly glass piece donated by museum cofounder, BeBe Hunt. Talk about a score! . SPOTTED: Honorary Chairs Erica & Lorin Crenshaw and Andrea & David Feinberg, Mary Kemper Wolf, Georgia Wolf, Karen & Jack Holland, Bunni & Paul Copaken, Ann Baum, Ursula Terrasi & Jim Miller, Emily & Wesley Fehsenfeld, Lauren Blazer, Ada & Dr. Kevin Koch, Lynn Carlton, Anna Marie Tutera, Jan Kyle & Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, Dan Meiners & Dave Brinkerhoff, Dan Nilsen, Amy Embry, Julie Anderson Clark & Vince Clark, Paetra & Gino Serra, Geri Higgins, Kat McDaniel & John Ditch, Katherine Holland, Jess Blubaugh, Betsy Lummis, Phoebe Lummis, Scott Heidmann, Ken Petti, Qiana Thomason, Hilda Fuentes & Allan Gray II, Melanie & Chip Miller, Tammy & James Edwards, Richard Lara & John Rufenacht, Dia Wall, Darron Story, Alicia & John Beck, Will Gregory, Ryan Hiser & David Tran, Joni & Jordan Johnson, Paul Gutiérrez, Crissy Dastrup, Shanita McAfee-Bryant, Courtney González, Annalene Caruso, Stephen Albanese, Taylor Gozia, Kellen Whaley, John Schreiner & John Escalada

were an inventive fusion dish, and I’m told, a preview of her forthcoming restaurant concept. I can say no more! Pam was paired with artist and KCAI assistant professor Andrew Mcilvaine, whose blueand-white paintings offered a sense of serenity. Finally, a hat tip to Cody Hogan at Lidia’s whose gnudi with brown-butter sage sauce (embellished with gold leaf ) knocked the socks off my previous attempts at this difficult-to-nail pasta. And my most-beautiful-dish award recipient? Easily, Celina Tio of The Belfry, whose pistachio cake with katsura, vanilla, and pistachio creams was layered to mimic a landscape, which was inspired by the Debbie Barrett Jones ombre textile artwork. In addition to the food/art fusion, a silent auction offered numerous items that caught my attention. I let my bids go on both the Harold Smith pair of paintings and the Linda Lighton banana peel ceramic sculpture, but I won the pool house stay-cation donated by friends Cori & Matt Culp—a super fun idea, and one I’m looking forward to cashing in next summer. Another novel auction item was a dinner hosted at the home of Pam & Gary Gradinger, replicating the dinner Pam served to James Beard (!) in her home in 1974. Bon appétit! SPOTTED: Cochairs Bunni Glasberg & Robb Gann, Sue & Lewis Nerman, Sharon & John Hoffman, Helen & Frank Wewers, Linda & Topper Johntz, Judy & Don Culp, Karen Jungmeyer, Frances Baszta, Lee Page, Kim Weinberger, Katie Van Luchene & Jerry Foulds, Katrina Revenaugh, Amina Hood, Sara Noble, Lorene Chanel, Keith Goldman, Crista Cavanaugh, Chris Sumner, Chadwick Brooks

DADA FUN HOUSE

ART + FOOD = ARTFARE AMONG THE MORE INVENTIVE and unique events on the busy autumn social calendar is ArtFare, a benefit for the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), organized by the Vanderslice Committee. Each year, the event committee pairs KCAI artists and local chefs to collaborate in awakening and thrilling the senses via the combination of culinary and visual arts. Local restaurants represented this year included The Restaurant at 1900, Affäre, Room 39, JR Rieger & Co., and Taco Naco. My unofficial top award for bites went to Ted Liberda of Buck Tui. His Thai smoked pork belly with a seasoned jasmine rice, panang curry barbecue sauce, and pickled vegetables was dynamite. It was HOT inspired by the equally stunning ceGOSSIP: ramic works of Nathan Neufeld. My runner-up prize would Who (in good spirits) surely go to Pam Liberda, of broke his back during Waldo Thai. Her Thai-inspired pre-gala prep? “Thai-quitos”—fried pork spring roll, pico de gallo, tiger cry salsa verde, cojita cheese, and crema—

FOR REASONS I can’t seem to unravel, I had not yet attended the annual and much-talked-about gala benefiting Charlotte Street. Charlotte Street is an organization that provides annual cash awards, project-based grants, special commissions, and studio space to visual and generative performing artists, with the objective of cementing Kansas City as a dynamic home for artists in various career stages. For this year’s gala, the event’s 10th anniversary, I finally made my move, due to the early invitation from gala chairs Kim Klein and David Wayne Reed. The Dada Funhouse theme was inspired by Luna Luna—a little-known, functional amusement park inhabited by rides (works of art themselves) designed by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Salvador Dalí, Keith Haring, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, and others in Hamburg, Germany, in the late 1980s. Charlotte Street described its version as an “absurdist creative carnival for the ages” —and indeed it was. Like a traditional carnival, there were eye-popping attractions at every turn. The evening began with a VIP pre-party in a space thoughtfully imagined by Lisa Schmidt Interior Design. The experience was made complete with drinks, bites, and the fantastic opportunity to be costumed and styled by designers and makeup artists. Charlotte Street artists provided masks and other surreal costume accessories that patrons could wear and keep, face painting, and there was even an airbrush tattoo artist on hand. As the party revved up, the space quickly filled with guests who

DECEMBER 2023| 28 | INKANSASCITY.COM

clearly understood the attire assignment. Many— like the carnival rides that served as inspiration—were walking works of art. I can definitively say that I’ve never witnessed such creativity on the part of gala guests. One reason, perhaps, is Charlotte Street’s aggressively accessible working artist ticket, available for just $35, which broadens the umbrella of who might otherwise attend. Brilliant. Inside the carnival tent, there were cuisine and cockCostumed greeter at Charlotte Street Gala. tails from Baba’s Pantry, The Bite, Devoured Pizza, Julita’s, Learn Your ABVs, Lucky Boys, The Prospect KC, Room 39, Succotash, and Swoon Cookie Crafters. I grabbed some snacks before trying my hand at some of the carnival games for which we were provided tickets upon entry. On my final spin of the prize wheel, I scored a beautiful Assouline book donated by Pam DiCappo at Jorgy. Occurring simultaneously, were captivating cabaret performances by Stephonne, Stephanie Roberts, and Johanna Winters on a stage creation by Luke Rocha. The party continued with surprise experiences scattered throughout Charlotte Street’s incredible (still-new) space. Fortuneteller Vanessa Aricco provided readings for those willing to wait in the very popular line. There was a weird and wonderful cabinet of curiosities, designed by Renee Cinderhouse, that was ripe for exploring and selfie-taking. Virtual carnival rides provided the full amusement park experience without the physical coasters. The brave and willing participated in a cabaret karaoke showcase, followed by a dance party in the main gallery (complete with a very surreal eyeball balloon drop) guided by DJ Violet Dream. And the best way to arrive at the downstairs dance party? By slide, of course—designed by Hufft. If this event is not on your regular rotation, pencil it in for next year.

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Arts & Culture IN KC

hat a life the actor’s career can be, with a range of roles, costumes, and personas that challenge and stretch a performer’s range from young/old, male/female, good/bad, and everything in between. With a B.F.A. from Stephens College and an M.F.A. from UMKC, Chioma Anyanwu has gained voice and acting chops in a wide variety of projects, from the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival to Godspell at Starlight. She has taught theater and directed productions at Avila. Last year, Anyanwu played Mrs. Cratchit in KCRep’s beloved A Christmas Carol. The Charles Dickens classic, written in 1843, features the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Through visits from three ghosts—Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come—Scrooge has a chance at redemption. But will he take it? He will if The Ghost of Christmas Past, Anyanwu’s role this year, has anything to say about it. It’s a pivotal—and universal—part, as the Ghost begins to break through Scrooge’s iron shell, reminding him of the importance of love, friendship, and laughter. A Christmas Carol runs from Nov. 21- Dec. 24 at Spencer Theatre, PAC Center, on the UMKC campus. For tickets and a chance to sit in the Glitter Row for an up-close moment with The Ghost of Christmas Present, visit kcrep.org/event/achristmas-carol-2023.

by Judith Fertig

photo by Karli Cadel

Chioma Anyanwu ACTOR ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS

DECEMBER 2023| 34 | INKANSASCITY.COM

INKC: The Ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of the love, friendship, and laughter from his past so that, hopefully, he can redeem his miserly, bitter, bah-humbuggy self. What do you hope to bring to the role? Chioma Anyanwu: If I’m honest, I’m not quite sure what I hope for! As the Ghost of Christmas Past, I guess I would hope to bring something new besides just being new to the role. I’ve always been more focused on being truthful to the world that the director has created and less concerned with what I want to offer. I think what an actor hopes for can change several times through the course of a rehearsal process,

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Arts & Culture IN KC so I try not to get married to my own personal ideas too much but try to honor what is truthful for the story. INKC: How did your family come to Columbia, Missouri? And how

did you get interested in acting? CA: Both of my parents are Nigerian immigrants. My father came

to the States in the mid 1970s to attend University of Wisconsin in Whitewater, then went on to get his master’s degree in the 1980s from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. My parents found themselves in Columbia because they found a sense of community with other immigrants, so he commuted by car to Jefferson City for class each day. I was actually an athlete as a child. I was a competitive gymnast for over seven years. I ended up quitting around age 14 due to a back injury. I dabbled in a couple of other sports like volleyball and lacrosse, but nothing really excited me like gymnastics. My older sister, Ogechi Anyanwu, asked me to come see her in her high school musical, South Pacific. I didn’t like it! The music was beautiful, but the production was long, and I felt that the men had the best musical numbers in the show. Some months later, she invited me to the spring musical she was performing in, Anything Goes. That show was really the catalyst for my curiosity about a career as an actor. The pursuit came just a few years later after being cast in my first production at a professional theater. I performed in the ensemble of Jesus Christ Superstar at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre when I was 16; that’s where the serious pursuit began. I was sold.

INKC: When you teach acting, what do you hope your students understand? CA: When I taught at Avila, I hoped for several things for my students, but two of the big ones are: My students walk away understanding how important the “self ” is. Themselves. Individually. In my graduate program at UMKC, they would remind us “you are enough.” As actors I feel that we oftentimes get stuck in what we think a director may want from us in order to be cast, and we end up overlooking what we already have: ourselves. And secondly: Theater can be therapeutic, but it shouldn’t be therapy. I wanted to discourage the idea that actors needed to draw from raw, personal trauma to achieve an emotional release onstage—anger, grief, sorrow, etc. If you cannot shed that emotion once you leave the stage, I advise against using it at all. INKC: Is there a traditional Nigerian dish that you or your family makes? Where do you go in Kansas City for a taste? CA: I love fufu! (A starchy dish made from cassava and rolled into a ball, usually served with soup). My favorite soup for it is egusi soup—nutty and spicy—but one of my other favorites is peppa soup, a very spicy, brothy soup with meat and vegetables. It sounds very simple, but I can assure you that the flavor is anything but! Last one: jollof rice with fried plantain and black-eyed peas; it will change your life. If you want to try Nigerian food, I’d say Fannie’s is the place, at 41st and Troost. They had things on the menu that I hadn’t had since I was a kid.

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AN INTIMATE HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH PARK ICM AFTER A SELLOUT for its first-ever holiday concert last year, Park International Center for Music returns with more music to make spirits bright. According to Steven McDonald, music director of the Park ICM Orchestra, the program will include “a variety of Christmas pieces both familiar and less well-known and serves as an elegant companion and contrast to the music presented by other fine ensembles” in the Kansas City area. Some highlights of the program include the English Renaissance tune Greensleeves, best known in America as the song What Child Is This? British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves alternates between major and minor keys, creating a mood of wonder and mystery. Skater’s Waltz by French composer Emil Waldsteuffel evokes an afternoon’s skate on a chilly winter day. Alessandro Scarlatti’s Christmas Cantata references the Sicilian shepherd’s dance, whose rhythm mimics the rocking of a cradle. And another gift for you: The concert is free, with a reservation. For more information and to make a reservation, visit icm.park.edu.

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THE NUTCRACKER FROM THE KANSAS CITY BALLET IN A TREASURED TRADITION, Kansas City Ballet leaps anew into the holiday classic The Nutcracker at Kauffman Center, from December 1 through 24. Choreographed by Devon Carney, this production was hailed by the Washington Post as “positively oozing charm.” You might also add wit. Exuberance. With fabulous costumes and grand sets. With every telling and dancer’s pirouette, this Victorian-era tale by E. T. A. Hoffman becomes richer and more enchanting. When the music and the story are familiar, you can let yourself drift along in Clara’s colorful dream or notice details that you hadn’t before. And if you’ve never been to Kansas City’s The Nutcracker, this is your year. If you liked photographing yourself in a Barbie-doll box for the movie, you’ll love taking a photo with a live ballerina or at some of the other selfie photo stations. For more information and tickets, visit kcballet.org.

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Arts &Culture IN KC by Judith Fertig

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS AND HERE’S YET ANOTHER holiday musical experience, more on the gourmet cheeseburger side than the perfectly plated Michelin-star dish. On Thursday evening, December 7, at Yardley Hall at the Johnson County Community College Midwest Trust Center, the Tony Award-nominated musical Million Dollar Quartet Christmas rolls into town. In a reimagined time not so long ago but before they were legends, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley meet up with a few gal pals to sing and celebrate. It’s December 1956 and nobody knows whether rock-‘n’-roll is a fad or a revolution. What ensues is an evening of chart-topping, you-knowthem-by-heart songs including Santa, Baby; Blue Christmas; Run, Run, Rudolph; Ring of Fire; Go Tell It on the Mountain; Chantilly Lace; and more. You can also order dinner to enjoy before the musical. More info and tickets can be found at jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center.

DECEMBER 2023| 40 | INKANSASCITY.COM

BACH ARIA SOLOISTS’ HOLIDAY CONCERT ON SATURDAY EVENING, December 9, the Bach Aria Soloists will perform their magic at their beloved Holiday Concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City. With a program that “warms the heart and soothes the soul,” the concert combines the sounds of the season with intimate chamber music arrangements. Guest vocalist Lindsay Lang joins the artistic directorfounder violinist Elizabeth Suh Lane, Grammy-winning soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson, multi-talented Elisa Williams Bickers on harpsichord/organ/piano, and acclaimed cellist Hanna Collins. The program highlights include Händel arias and duets, Bach Arioso: Alto aria Gott soll allein BWV 169, In the Bleak Midwinter, Bach Sonata for Violin and Klavier, Wexford Carol, and traditional carols. Visit bachariasoloists.com for more information and tickets.

DECEMBER 2023| 41 | INKANSASCITY.COM

SPONSORED CONTENT

By Judith Fertig

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THE PROS AND CONS OF GRANITE COUNTERTOPS have long been a staple in modern

kitchens and bathrooms, revered for their durability and aesthetic appeal. As one of the most popular countertop materials, granite is often compared to other options like marble and quartz. However, before you maake a substantial investment in granite countertops, it’s essential to understand both their advantages and disadvantages. We’re going to break down the pros and cons of granite countertops, so you can make an informed decision for your next renovation project.

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4 PROS OF GRANITE COUNTERTOPS 1. DURABILITY Granite is one of the hardest natural materials available for countertops, making it highly resistant to scratches and wear. This durability ensures a long lifespan for your investment. Granite is similar to marble in its overall durability and longevity. 2. UNIQUE BEAUTY No two slabs of granite are exactly alike, offering a unique pattern and color scheme for each countertop. This one-of-a-kind beauty adds a bespoke touch to any kitchen or bathroom. 3. LOW MAINTENANCE Unlike some other countertop materials, granite is relatively easy to maintain. A simple wipe-down with mild soap and water is often enough to keep it looking pristine. 4. RESALE VALUE Granite countertops are often cited as a desirable feature in real estate listings, enhancing the resale value of your home. Their universal appeal makes them a wise investment for those planning to sell their property in the future.

4 CONS OF GRANITE COUNTERTOPS 1. COST While granite countertops are a long-lasting investment, they come with a higher upfront cost when compared to other materials like laminate or tile. 2. WEIGHT Granite is a heavy material, requiring robust cabinet bases to support its weight. Ensure your existing or planned cabinetry is strong enough to bear the load. 3. LIMITED RESISTANCE TO HEAT Although granite is generally heat-resistant, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to discoloration or cracking. Always use trivets or heat pads when placing hot items on the surface. 4. POROSITY Granite is a porous material, which means it can absorb liquids and become stained if not sealed properly. Regular sealing is required to maintain its appearance and functionality.

GRANITE VS. OTHER COMMON COUNTERTOP MATERIALS When weighing your countertop options, it’s useful to compare granite to other popular materials like marble, quartz, and laminate. MARBLE: While marble offers unparalleled elegance, it is more prone to scratching and staining compared to granite. QUARTZ: This engineered stone offers a more uniform look and is non-porous, making it easier to maintain. However, it lacks the unique, natural veining that granite offers.. LAMINATE: A budget-friendly option, laminate is easy to install but lacks the durability and high-end feel of granite. Laminate also doesn’t maintain the same resale value as a natural stone. Each material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, but granite often strikes a balanced note between beauty, durability, and maintenance needs.

PARTNER WITH A LOCAL LEADER IN GRANITE COUNTERTOP INSTALLATION We’ve unpacked the various pros and cons of granite countertops, from their durable nature and unique aesthetics to their cost and maintenance needs. Ultimately, the choice of countertop material should align with your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences. If you’re considering a countertop installation or a complete kitchen or bathroom remodel, look no further than Karin Ross Designs. Our expert team has over 25 years’ experience and offers tailored solutions that suit your specific needs, ensuring a seamless and satisfactory remodeling experience. If you think you might be ready to take your bathroom or kitchen countertops to the next level, reach out to Karin Ross today to speak with an expert member of our team.

Look IN KC

Fashion BY Liz Schroeder

All Wrapped Up COAT AND SCARF COMBOS TO WRAP YOURSELF IN THIS WINTER

Marlene coat, $998, available in black and camel. Galway extra-long scarf, $155, available in cream and black. Both from Peruvian Connection (Crestwood Shops).

Sophie Rue Cardine jacket, $368. Rag & Bone Holly scarf, $325. Both from Clairvaux (Shops at Fairway and Hawthorne Plaza).

aby, it’s getting cold outside. While you riffle through your closet for your coziest coats to brave the elements, consider bundling yourself up in style with a wrap coat and scarf. Finding the perfect coat and scarf combo is all about the shape. The loose feel of wrap coats invites extra comfort into your life while still looking effortlessly sophisticated. Update your winter wardrobe with the polish of these beautiful (and reliable) wrap coats and scarves, featuring high-quality natural fibers that balance aesthetics and function with ease.

Sophie Rue Millie trench coat, $280. Arctic Fox scarf, $39. Both from Dear Society (Crossroads).

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Look IN KC Beauty

Byredo’s Eleventh Hour has notes of ban timmur, bergamot, carrot seeds, rum, and wild fig, with base shades of cashmere woods and tonka bean, $205–$290, at Nordstrom.

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Parfums de Marly’s Athalia parfum boasts a highly floral, woody, and musky olfactory signature, $335, at Luna by Ulah.

Warm Winter Fragrances

Maison Margiela’s Replica Jazz Club eau de toilette is a rich, unisex cologne with vibrant pink pepper, warm rum, smoky tobacco leaf, and sweet vanilla, $85–$160, at Sephora.

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W Maison Louis Marie’s Boes de Balincoart parfum is a woody, spicy fragrance for women and men, $93, at Clairvaux.

inter scents are all about comfort and warmth, evoking images of nights by the fire or cuddling up in your favorite chunky knits. Amber, vanilla, tobacco, sandalwood, or patchouli can all provide a sensual foundation for cold-weather fragrances, often accompanied by the warming notes of cardamom, cinnamon, or clove. Spritz your sweaters or scarves to leave the seasonal scent lingering, and breathe it in every time you slide into cozy mode or slip into something seductive and spicy to warm up those cold winter nights out. Pro tip—natural fibers wear fragrance particularly well!

Tom Ford Black Orchid eau de parfum has a warm floral scent, $155–$225, at Ulta Beauty.

Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum is an ode to the noble leaf with top notes of bergamot, bay leaves, black tea, and fig, $99–$322, at Nordstrom.

Yves Saint Laurent’s Libre Le Parfum is a bold and long-lasting floral scent enriched with fresh lavender, orange blossom, and rare warm saffron, $110–$179, at Sephora.

Fireside Story perfume oil has a smoky bouquet with a vanilla undertone, $33–$50, at For Strange Women Perfume. DECEMBER 2023| 46 | INKANSASCITY.COM

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Look IN KC Wellness

by Liz Schroeder

A New Way to Snack: Bite-Sized Exercise

nacking feels unavoidable in the winter, whether we’re going back for seconds at a holiday party or cuddling up on the couch with a movie and our favorite comfort foods. But there’s a new way to snack—and it’s all about movement Exercise snacks are the perfect way to integrate movement into your daily routine, especially if you’re living your busiest life right now. Many of us are moving less than ever, so small bursts of exercise throughout the day can make a big difference. Convenient and effective, short, simple exercise snacks have been found to offer similar benefits to longer and more sustained workouts. Better still—they require no outside equipment or schlep to the gym. The concept of exercise snacking is like high-intensity interval training or alternating between exercise and rest (and then repeating). But instead

of signing up for an hour-long workout class over lunch, spend two minutes exercising with a resting period of an hour or more in-between. The short time commitment means they fit into the spare moments of your day, wherever you might be. No need to make exercise snacks highly structured—see them as an opportunity to add some fun to your day. Dancing is highly aerobic and good for the whole family. Stuck on a long phone call or finish up a meeting a few minutes early? That’s a perfect time to get outside for a walk or do a few squats. Consistency is key with exercise snacking, as one two-minute exercise every so often will do little to impact your health. Instead, set an alarm to get up and move once every hour. Try out a 30-second plank while the oven heats up or bust out some lunges while brushing your teeth. Then cozy up with popcorn and a feelgood movie—you earned it. DECEMBER 2023| 48 | INKANSASCITY.COM

EXERCISE SNACKS • Stair climbing • Jumping jacks • Squats • Lunges • Jumping rope • Pushups • Mountain climbers • Plank • Bear crawls • Walking in place • High-kneed running in place

Women’s Health IN KC presented by AdventHealth

by Liz Schroeder

Cold Weather Dangers PROTECTING CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH WITH DR. MICHELLE DEW

he winter brings many things to look forward to, with holidays, nights by the fire, and time with loved ones, but cold weather can affect our bodies in dangerous ways. Michelle Dew, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with AdventHealth Medical Group and medical director of Women’s Heart Care at AdventHealth, sees this in her practice throughout the winter. “Exposure to cold air is more work for the heart and results in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can strain the cardiovascular system,” Dew says. “With cold-weather tasks such as clearing ice or snow, some patients’ hearts can experience a real challenge with the extra exertion.” Our lives and schedules also change in the winter with holiday diets, lack of sleep, and Seasonal Affective Disorder all challenging our cardiovascular health. When the weather grows cold, we often seek extra warmth and comfort from our food and drink, especially through baked goods and other holiday treats. While Dew understands the difficulties of living a busy life, she advocates keeping meal preparation a priority. She encourages patients to skip drive-through options as their deep-fried and high-fat ingredients are not designed to sustain our bodies with longterm energy and can lead to higher cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and risk for disease. As for the holiday treats? Dew recommends moderation: taking only one cookie or cutting that piece of pie in half. “Make sure you plan for eating throughout the day with protein-heavy small meals which will keep you more satisfied and thus less likely to binge on the easily available sweet treats.” Whether drinking to relax or celebrate, many people turn to alcohol to warm up in the winter, and there have been mixed messages about how much is too much. So what’s the truth? “We know alcohol has relaxation effects on the endothelium (the lining of the blood vessels) and this is considered a good thing from a cardiovascular standpoint,” says

Dew. “But I think we can all appreciate the slippery slope with alcohol and as humans, we tend to think, ‘If one is good, then wouldn’t six be better?’ The answer is absolutely not!” Though the occasional alcoholic drink should be tolerated by most of us without any long-lasting cardiovascular effects, current recommendations from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend no more than one drink daily for women and no more than two for men. And no, saving them up for the weekend or the big game is not a good plan! Exercise is important year-round, but it can be easy to become more sedentary in the winter. “Our bodies were designed to walk,” says Dew. No doubt walking outdoors becomes less convenient as the weather turns, but Dew promises “if properly outfitted with a hat, gloves, and coat, three or four minutes into a cold-weather outdoor walk, you will warm up just from the exercise.” If you have bad knees or difficulty walking, a stationary bike or arm-crank machine is great, too. Dew emphasizes to her patients that any exercise works. “Shorter days and weather changes can upset the body’s circadian rhythm, disrupting hormones such as serotonin and melatonin, which contribute to sleep, mood, and feelings of well-being,” says Dew. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has been linked to this changing of the seasons. According to Dew, depression has a well-known link to traditional cardiovascular risk factors for heart disease. “A person with a diagnosis of depression is 40 percent more likely to have cardiovascular disease or metabolic problems,” she says. Depression can translate into less healthy habits, including less exercise and poorer food choices, but light therapy can be a real boost to our moods and energy, especially since Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with SAD. “Whether sitting in a sunny window or with a sun lamp or UVB bulb, light allows our body to make Vitamin D,” says Dew. “However, these are unlikely to provide enough Vitamin D, so we do regularly recommend oral supplementation.” How else can we protect our hearts this winter? Routines are key to staying healthy and battling the winter blues. Dew recommends getting regular exercise four to five times a week. “While it may be difficult to fit in this dedicated time, having a workout partner can help keep you accountable. This could be a loved one or an office partner over lunch!” Weekly meal preparation can ensure you select heart-healthy menu items, and a regular sleep schedule is paramount. According to Dew, “Studies show heart disease is more common in people who do not get enough sleep. Try to aim for at least seven hours every night. You will notice better thinking, less fatigue, and even better moods—just ask your family!” Light therapy, talk therapy, and medication can also help you feel your best.

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Michelle Dew, MD, FACC

Offering wholeperson care for every age and every stage

Our whole-person approach to health and wellness ensures you have the tools and support you need. From preventative care and routine screenings to disease management and illness, we’re here to serve your health needs.

To find a primary care physician who’s just right for you, visit AdventHealthKC.com/PrimaryCare.

AdventHealthKC.com

Living IN KC by Patricia O’Dell

The Way Home

f you are continually enchanted by stories of people rescuing homes and bringing them back to life, don’t miss Our Way Home: Reimagining the American Farmhouse.. After living in Brooklyn for a decade, Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill, principals in the New York-based architecture and design firm Hendricks-Churchill, discovered Ellsworth, an 1800s New England farmhouse and made it their own through a combination of personal expression and respect for the house. The interiors reflect the couple’s well-defined and personal aesthetic combined with a dedication to ensuring it works for their family and the way they want to live. The home’s finishings are clean and simple, but include rich colors, patterned fabrics, antiques, and contemporary furniture. Reading the story of their renovation is an inspiration in honoring a home, and an invitation to trust yourself to make it completely your own. DECEMBER 2023 | 52 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Above, left: A vintage Italian desk in the primary suite. Above, right: In the kitchen, the cabinets are finished in Farrow & Ball’s De Nimes blue. Above, inset: Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill.

interior photos by chris mottalini. hendricks/rafe photo by theo columbe

NEW BOOK CAPTURES PERSONAL JOURNAL OF CREATING HOME

interior photos by chris mottalini. hendricks/rafe photo by theo columbe

EXPANDING CONVIVIALLY NEW COLLECTIONS EXUDE ORGANIC BEAUTY CONVIVIAL established a reputation for beautiful, classic dinnerware and vases that do not shout, but that are at home serving dinner for one or 12 and holding our botanical friends with grace and beauty. The company has expanded its selection to include new vases, flatware, glasses, and linens. As with their original creations, the new selections have clean lines and great textures. The handblown stemless glassware and pitchers have a texture that mimics gently moving water. Linen napkins in olive, sand, and white have the casual elegance of a treasured shirt or trousers and will likely age with the same grace. The Minimal Brass flatware has a champagne finish, with only a hint of warm brass, where the Organic Brass is bolder, like a glamorous blonde. These new collections deliver a sophisticated look at a reasonable price and are great long-term investments for a first home, or updates for those looking to refresh their tables. shopconvivial.com

Organic medium glass, $14.

Organic brass flatware, $42 for set of 3.

SORRY, RUDOLPH. With 18 sparkling lights, our Mariana chandelier makes every holiday glow. OVERLAND PARK 10530 Marty St. 913.642.1500 Mon-Fri 9 to 6 | Sat 10 to 5 Item #581842

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Linen napkins available in three colors, $29 for set of 2.

Living IN KC by Patricia O’Dell

Great and Gracious Guests GIVE THANKS BEFORE AND AFTER EVENTS

t takes a lot of work to host an event. While the host or hostess has chosen—likely enthusiastically—to invite their friends to celebrate together, the effort deserves a thoughtful thank you. A bottle of wine or beautiful confection isn’t necessarily a thoughtless gift, but if time and budget allow, try to make it personal in some way. Choose wine you’ve enjoyed together, but pair it with New Map France; Unforgettable Experiences for the Discerning Traveler from Stuff in Brookside. Or if you know your host’s favorite treat is Annedore’s Dark and Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Balls,

New Map France, $35.95, from A Store Named Stuff.

place them in a Sophie Conran canister from Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities that could be reused. What could be better than taking a cooking class together at Billie’s Grocery? “NYE Small Bites & Apps” with the chef Cherokee Town would be a blast. Perhaps include the invitation with a lacquered wood tray that would be perfect for serving the results. This type of gesture takes a little more consideration, time, and resources, which is what your host has invested as well. Your gift will be a lasting reminder of your appreciation.

NYE Small Bites & Apps class on December 29 at 5 p.m., $125, at Billie’s Grocery. Sophie Conran medium canister, $53, from Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities. Necessities

Annedore’s Dark and Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Balls, $16.95, from Annedore’s Fine Chocolates.

Lacquer wood trays, $48 each, from West Elm.

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FAVORITE FOLLOW

HAPPY HABITAT TIME TO COZY UPBEAUTIFULLY KARRIE DEAN’S Happy Habitat Instagram feed is a constant source of inspiration. Her bold cotton throws are a good weight whether you’re struggling with the chill of your roommate’s thermostat choice or the actual chill outside. Her pieces look great, launder well, and always bring life to a room. Whether it’s Totem in greens, Desert Flower in dove, Reverse Black linen or Triple Triangles in ochre for your little ones, they cozy things up and won’t let you down during long winters indoors. happyhabitat.com

Totem – Greens, $185.

PET APPROVED

Desert Flower – Dove, $185.

CARPET| LUXURY VINYL FLOORING | HARDWOODS

Reverse – Black/ Linen, $185.

12619 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS kcwholesalecarpetstores.com

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The World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze

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L E G E N D S F I E L D, K A N S A S C I T Y, K S TICKETS ON SALE NOW EnchantChristmas.com

DECEMBER 2023 | 58 | INKANSASCITY.COM

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Tristian Griffin words by Cindy Hoedel

rowing up a shy kid in a South Kansas City neighborhood with a rich mix of ethnicities, Tristian Griffin learned that when language was a barrier, he could communicate through “movement language.” Today the celebrated dancer and choreographer behind Tristian Griffin Dance Company takes movement language to new heights, creating and performing works across the country. Griffin didn’t take up dance until age 11, but by freshman year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, his talent was obvious to dance teachers. A summer dance intensive at Virginia School of Arts led to a full year at boarding school there, with coursework in the mornings and studio work late into the night. After graduating from Raymore-Peculiar High School, Griffin earned a BFA in ballet from Texas Christian University and began his professional career at Garth Fagan Dance Company in Rochester, New York, where he performed at Lincoln Center. He has danced as a guest artist with companies around the country, including Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. More than 15 professional companies and arts organizations have commissioned works by him. His full credits are at tristiangriffin.com and he posts videos and photos of his choreography on Instagram, @tristian_griffin. Griffin is currently choreographing in Newport, Rhode Island, and San Diego. He also teaches at University of Kansas. He spoke with IN Kansas City by phone recently from Denver, where he was working with one of his dancers on a commission for Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

photo by Tristan Grambling

What is your earliest memory of dance? I asked my mom, “Did I dance ever as a little kid?” and she was like, “No. All you said was that one day you would change the world. You kept saying that, but you never showed any interest in anything in particular besides Power Rangers.” I started dancing with my brother when I was 11 or 12. He was 8 or 9. We were blessed with good genes. We have photogenic faces. So we did modeling, and we were advised by our modeling agency to pick up talents because it’s not enough to be just a model. So we took singing lessons and dance lessons. Singing didn’t work out. [Laughs] Dance for some reason—I just felt a pull toward it. What was the pull? I was able to express myself without having to use words, because I really don’t like speaking, especially public speaking. But I can display what I mean through movement. I can do that all day long. It didn’t come fully into focus until I met this wonderful woman, Michelle Hamlet-Weith, who is still my mentor to this day. She recruited me to come to her dance school my freshman year at St. Thomas Aquinas. She said, “You’re very talented. You need to drop everything and dedicate your life to this. If you want to do that, I will train you.” I played football at Aquinas, I played basketball. I’m a nerd, especially when it comes to history and science, so I was taking AP courses. I ended up having to dial back a lot to spend more hours in the studio versus

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in the library and on the field. That’s when I started this journey and really dedicated my life to dance. Kansas City has a lot of high-profile dance companies. Where do you situate Tristian Griffin Dance Company in the Kansas City dance scene? Unfortunately, I feel like the Kansas City dance community has pulled themselves into different regions. What do you mean by that? I feel that most dance companies in Kansas City understand their voice and the client and they stick with that. They don’t intersect with other companies or communities to expand their audience or their impact. Tristian Griffin Dance Company tries to push the envelope by collaborating with people like [artist] Jose Faus, [poet] Glenn North, [musician] Calvin Arsenia, [artist] Debbie Barrett-Jones. These people represent different art forms and different communities. I’ve done a program called Palimpsest through Charlotte Street Foundation, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, as well as Lawrence Arts Center. I’ve done three renditions where I’ve pulled in six to seven featured collaborating artists. It’s a smorgasbord of communities and cultures intersecting. I want the audience to come to TGDC expecting to be transformed through hearing stories that are outside their world.

bel that is thrown onto people who venture outside of Black dance companies. Dancers working with a ballet company or a contemporary company might even be asked, “Why aren’t you pursuing Black dance?” And when you choreograph a work and it doesn’t have the themes of Black dance, they ask, “Why aren’t you choreographing Black dance?” So you get boxed in. What do people mean when they say Black dance? It’s a precondition. It’s expectations. It’s assumptions. If you really want to dissect it, Black dance has foundation pillars. When someone asks, “Are you a Black dance choreographer?” they are looking for those themes in the work. An interviewer told Bill T. Jones that he was one of the most successful Black choreographers, and he said, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I’m not just a Black choreographer. I am Black and I do choreograph, but don’t limit my art to my race or ethnicity. It transcends that.” I feel the same way. I am not saying I’m disclaiming or trying not to be a part of the African-American community. I am saying that our success should not be limited based upon our race, based upon our culture. It’s a beautiful thing to say I’m the first Black person to do da-da-da, but what if I’m the first person generally to do da-da-da? That to me holds more power. If someone is the first at something or the best at something in general, I don’t see the significance of adding “Black” in there.” It almost diminishes it. Yeah. You don’t hear people saying “the first white person” to do something. It just sounds weird. So why is that accepted for Black people?

‘‘

I’m interested in elevating minority or marginalized stories to be heard and seen. And also, I just want high-caliber art. I want to show the best of my ability, my dancers’ abilities, and my collaborating artists’ abilities. I won’t sacrifice the quality for the sake of collaborating or for the sake of being in an avant-garde space.”

What themes spark your creativity? I’m interested in elevating minority or marginalized stories to be heard and seen. And also, I just want high-caliber art. I want to show the best of my ability, my dancers’ abilities, and my collaborating artists’ abilities. I won’t sacrifice the quality for the sake of collaborating or for the sake of being in an avant-garde space. As a Black choreographer, do you feel pressure to conform to other people’s expectations of Black traditions in dance? Oh, gosh, yeah. What is Black dance? That is a stigmatizing la-

When you talk about the foundational pillars of Black dance, are they thematic or movement-based? I would say thematic, which ultimately leads you to movement that streams into the works that are called quote-unquote Black dance. What’s an example of that? Oh, you’re getting me into hot water. I think the number one thing you see in Black dance is struggle. I can confidently say that from my experience and conversations, but there’s not a book out there called “Black Dance” that you can read. You often cast dancers who do not have the so-called “ideal ballet body type.” Is that becoming more widely accepted or do you feel it is still a struggle? It’s still a constant struggle unfortunately. It’s really a barrier that exists in all forms of dance but particularly in ballet. I don’t cast people because, “Oh, this will be great—they don’t have the ballet body.” No. I want to see three things in a dancer: One, do they bring the movement across on the stage, like break the fourth wall? Are they willing to work with me and the other company members, are they collaborative? And then, are they going to represent TGDC outside the studio? I believe in branding and not just a dancer existing in the studio. If a dancer is doing something crazy outside the studio, that reflects poorly on me.

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The Art of Letting Go choreographed by Tristian Griffin.

If they are teaching and they decide not to show up for work, that ultimately gets back to TGDC.

photo by rayn bruce

You wear two hats. You’re a choreographer but you still dance. How do you balance the two? I am old bones. Dancers age like dogs. We age about five years a year. Our bodies dwindle very significantly. So I’m kind of towards the end of my dance career. Now I’ve made it a mission to only accept roles that fulfill me. Before I just did things because it was a paycheck or an opportunity. As a shy person, what motivates you to get up on a stage in front of people? I’m able to transform. It’s like Kansas City Ballet’s Jekyll and Hyde, where two people exist inside one body. I’m shy but when I go onstage, I can transform into this other person who is demanding of their space and does not shy away from hundreds of people looking at them. I actually use that as fuel. You’ve had the opportunity to travel widely. What keeps you in Kansas City as a home base? Kansas City’s home. Most of my family is in Kansas City, and I am very

close to my family. But I find myself needing a beacon, a place I can always feel at home. And Kansas City is very easy to get to and leave from. Versus being bicoastal, which is greater distances and higher costs of living. What creative ideas are rolling around in your head for future works? I just did a residency at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts, where I was able to create a duet from scratch. You have two mentors who advise you throughout the residency, so I was really able to refine my idea. The duet talks about the themes of identity, masculinity, and delicateness between males, specifically Black and Brown males. Those cultures put up barriers so that your true identity is not able to surface. I want to showcase the duet in Kansas City. Thinking back to telling your mom you were going to change the world, what is the change you would most like to bring about? Making space for liberation. I don’t have to fight the fight to liberate people, but I think creating work that creates the space for people to talk about dismantling and reconstructing and healing.

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Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity.

rand G Openings EVERYONE KNOWS THE BEST THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES. WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO FIND THESE UNDER THE TREE?

photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

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HOLIDAY BLUES Vintage 18K white-gold necklace with white diamonds and blue topaz drops, $26,000, from Lilliane’s Jewelry (Ranchmart).

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EYE CANDY Anna Maria Cammilli 18K gold with diamonds ring, $15,560, from TIVOL (Country Club Plaza and Hawthorne Plaza).

ROCKS OF AGES Custom-designed 18K whiteand yellow-gold earrings with emeralds and round, brilliantcut diamonds, $18,000, from Ruback Fine Jewelry (downtown Overland Park).

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ALL THAT GLITTERS 18K white-gold oval chainlink necklace set with 660 round, brilliant-cut diamonds, $27,499, from Meierotto Jewelers (North Kansas City).

SHIMMER AND SHINE Sloan Street 18K yellow-gold marquise blue topaz and blue diamond earrings, $6,175, from Mazzarese (Parkway Plaza).

BUZZY Elizabeth Locke gold cushion “Bee” earrings with diamonds and side gold dots, $6,950, from Halls (Crown Center).

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STUNNING SLINKY Links 1974 necklace in gold, grande, $2,699, from DelBrenna Jewelry (Crestwood Shops).

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WORDS BY Jenny Vergara

Foodie’s Holiday Wish List READ THIS AND FIND THE PERFECT GIFT FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST

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s someone who loves and is endlessly curious about food, I can always come up with good gifts to give to fellow foodie friends this time of year because they are things I know I would love to get as a gift myself. If you have a food lover in your life who you need to shop for this holiday season, I got you. I put in the time, did the research, and have the receipts to ensure that every gift on this list would both delight and surprise a food lover in your life. This wish list goes above and beyond the normal suspects. There are culinary tools, books, food and drink products, and food experiences—a little of everything for you to consider. Feel free to bundle a couple of these ideas together to make your gifts your own. There are items from small, independently owned shops, restaurants, and businesses located here in Kansas City. If you think about it, how can we say we care about eating locally grown or made food and not care about shopping locally as well. It all supports more good food and drink people in Kansas City. Finally, if you cannot find anything on this list that will work for your friend in food, consider a gift card from a local brewery, distillery, restaurant, coffee shop, or bakery, or a combination of gift cards to places you love and want to share with others. I know the local businesses would appreciate your support, especially during the holidays. Happy holidays, and here’s to a delicious new year.

CHRISTOPHER ELBOW ADVENT CALENDAR Let the countdown begin! Christopher Elbow’s annual advent calendar has arrived ready for you to give to the chocolate lover in your life. The beautiful box contains 24 smaller presents, each featuring a different signature bonbon, malt ball, pate de fruit and other confections made right here in Kansas City. Open and eat one per day for a sweet treat every day until Christmas for $150. elbowchocolates.com

LITTLE DIPPER COFFEE CUPPING SPOONS Bon Appetit magazine named it their favorite cult spoon a few years back, and in fun colors like rose gold and rainbow, it’s easy to see why! Specialty coffee veteran Umeko Motoyoshi moved from Oakland, California, to Kansas City in 2020 and brought along a love of coffee and a successful online business selling beautiful coffee cupping spoons. As a professional coffee taster who cups coffee over and over throughout the day, Motoyoshi created a spoon with a deep base and solid weight that fits like a glove in your hand. Sold as individual spoons or in a set of six in colors, you might need to buy the set just so you don’t have to pick. $9 each or $39 for a set of six. umeshiso.com

CHARCUTERIE CLASS AT SALUMI ROSE With a cute Waldo storefront where they hold group classes, Salumi Rose is the perfect gift experience for the friend who lives on cheese and cured meats. Learn how to make beautiful, shareable charcuterie trays like you see online at your own home. Owned by two friends, Alice Arredondo and Kris Beckman, its signature workshop is $75 per person and includes a bamboo hardwood board you will burn with your own design along with a box of charcuterie, so you can practice what you learned in class at home. Using a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies, your gift recipient will learn how to make their platter the prettiest at any party. salumirose.com

VACMASTER SV5 TOUCH SCREEN SOUS VIDE COOKING IMMERSION CIRCULATOR Kansas City-based VacMaster makes a state-of-theart water immersion circulator that you’ll see many local chefs using in their restaurant kitchens to cook and hold items at a consistent temperature, resulting in uniform doneness and creating ideal texture and superior flavor for meat, seafood, and much more. Sleek and compact with a user-friendly touchpad, VacMasters were designed specifically with the professional chef and commercial kitchen in mind, but because of its convenient size and ease of use, it’s perfect for a home cook, too. $316 vacmasterfresh.com

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TAPPECUE TOUCH MEAT MONITORING SYSTEM If you have a barbecue pitmaster in your house, they need Tappecue. Monitor meat in a grill or smoker from anywhere using a cell phone and the Tappecue monitoring system. Invented and brought to market in Kansas City in 2013, Tappecue is used by barbecue and grilling enthusiasts across the country who love the set-it-and-forget-it convenience. Simply purchase the Tappecue device, download the app and monitor the temperature of what you are grilling or smoking on your phone using a wi-fi connection and a probe in your meat. It’s not limited to grills or smokers but is also suitable for ovens, air fryers, and more for $149. tappecue.com/touch

JUDE’S KANSAS CITY RUM CAKE

KANSAS CITY: A FOOD BIOGRAPHY BY ANDREA BROOMFIELD As a professor of English at Johnson County Community College, Andrea Broomfield, a culinary historian and author, has written several books about the dishes served in the Victorian era in Great Britain. Yet she’d never written about the food that came from a place much closer to home—her hometown, to be exact. From its earliest days, Kansas City was in the business of provisioning pioneers and traders headed west, and later supplying the nation with meat and wheat. The new book also explores how politics, race, culture, gender, immigration, and art have forged the city’s most iconic dishes—from chili and steak to fried chicken and barbecue. You won’t be able to put it down. $42 on Kindle or $47 for a hard copy on Amazon.

For over a decade, Craig Adcock and his wife, Teresa, have been making, quite simply, the best rum cake in Kansas City. Adcock is also the owner of Table Ocho, a private dining experience in Lenexa, Kansas, but this time of year he is a rum cake runner. Jude’s Kansas City Rum Cakes uses only premium ingredients, the finest rum (he’s now making his own), and pecans sourced from a small orchard in Missouri. This rum cake is light and soft, melting like butter in your mouth, with just the right amount of rum and the crunch of local pecans. The cakes come vacuum-sealed and will stay fresh for 15 to 25 days; they also freeze very well. Available in large, small, mini, and teaser sizes that range in price from $27 to $75. Order online at judesrumcake.com. FRESH MOZZARELLA CLASSES FROM THE MOZZARELLA MADAM GOZNEY ROCCBOX GAS PIZZA OVEN After winning a Gozney Roccbox portable, gas-run pizza oven in an online contest, Jhy Coulter has become one of their biggest fans, even serving as a brand ambassador for them. She recommends the Roccbox as the perfect portable outdoor pizza oven for its quick cook times and consistency. She’ll be upgrading next year into a full-fledged restaurant space called Orange by Devoured, which will be located on 31st Street in the Made in Kansas City flagship building. Coulter has plans to upgrade from her Roccbox pizza oven to a Gozney Dome S1 restaurant grade, gas-fueled, one. Get a Gozney Roccbox for $499 at The Kansas City BBQ Store, a local shop owned by Jeff and Joy Stehney. The Stehneys also own Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. thekansascitybbqstore.com DECEMBER 2023| 72 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Fresh mozzarella is creamy, silky, and darn delicious, but it can be a little tricky to learn how to make it yourself. That’s why you need the Mozzarella Madam to show you the tips and tricks it takes to make fast and consistent fresh mozzarella at home. Kamille Rouser made a name for herself pulling mozzarella tableside at Lazia restaurant inside the Crossroads Hotel, but now she’s taking her skill to the people, by hosting two-hour long mozzarella classes for at least six people starting at $650 at your home or office to teach what she has learned. The packages include an assortment of meats, sweets, and treats, in addition to a flavor station where you’ll create your own cheese flavor using a variety of balsamic vinegars, extra-virgin olive oils, and seasonings. You and your guests will also leave with your own cheese ball to enjoy throughout the week. She can also add wine or cocktail packages to any class. Makes a great foodie family gift that you can all do together. Email her to plan your own cheesy gift at: mozzmadamkc@gmail.com

LE PETIT CHEF EXPERIENCE AT HOTEL PHILLIPS Gift the cutting-edge culinarian in your life with tickets to Kansas City’s first animated dining experience. Le Petit Chef is a new dining experience at Hotel Phillips that has also been popping up at restaurants and event spaces across the globe entertaining diners from Dublin to Dubai. Using state-of-the-art 3D mapping technology, guests will follow Le Petit Chef, the world’s smallest chef, an animated character who brings you a world of flavor projected right onto your own dinner plate. Choose between the classic five-course menu or a vegetarian menu for $139 per adult plus tax and tip. There is also a kid’s menu (for ages 6-12) for $99 per child. Note that the animation is built around the classic menu and will be the same for all three menus. lepetitchef.com/kansascity

POPCULTURE POPCORN Justin and Melody Woo are the couple and flavor masters behind Popculture popcorn. A chef and a dietitian respectively, they bought an existing popcorn business in 2017 and have since then been using their collective culinary talents to create almost 50 flavors of popcorn, all of which can be sampled from their “tasting wall” located inside their storefronts in Parkville and downtown Overland Park. Pick your favorite holiday container and have them fill it with your favorite flavors, such as caramel apple, cinnamon toast, and sour cream and cheese, or mix and match colors and flavors to create your own signature blend. popculturekc.com

D.I.Y. KANSAS CITY “BOTTLED-IN-BOND” STRAIGHT WHISKEY TASTING The term bottled-in-bond has been around for more than a century in American distilling, but it recently has taken on a new meaning in Kansas City. We now have three different distillers in Kansas City making a straight whiskey with this craft designation, and that calls for a little DIY taste test for your favorite whiskey lover. For a whiskey to be labeled bottled-in-bond it must be aged for four years, bottled at precisely 100-proof, and it must be made by one distiller at a single distillery in one season and aged in a bonded warehouse. Create a three bottle gift pack by shopping at a local liquor store near you for a bottle of Union Horse Distilling Co. Reserve straight bourbon whiskey, Rieger’s straight bourbon whiskey from J. Rieger & Co., and Ben Holladay Missouri straight bourbon whiskey from Holladay Distillery in Weston.

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KUFUKAA APRONS An apron is an important part of the uniform when working in a restaurant. Anita Koul understands that, which is why she is obsessed with making them, with help from her army of refugee immigrant creators she hires in countries like Kenya, Taiwan, and Qatar. She started her Kansas Citybased online business to focus on making premium restaurant-kitchen aprons that can now be seen in professional restaurant kitchens across Kansas City. Recently available to the public, these attractive aprons feature a modern cut and colorful patterns printed on a durable poly-cotton fabric that won’t wrinkle. Kufukaa (pronounced kuh-foo-kuh) is a Swahili word that means “evolving” in English, and that is exactly what this program is doing. Aprons range from $55 to $65 each. kufukaa.com.

Simon Pearce handcrafted glass trees on the coffee table echo the main tree. The club chairs are upholstered in a silk-and-velvet Brunschwig and Fils fabric. Left: Chuck Matney, left, and Todd Holland-Matney next to a display of vintage gilded mirrors.

High Drama A FAIRWAY COTTAGE SHINES AT CHRISTMAS WITH A SPARKLING TREE AND FRESH FLOWERS GALORE

he home of Chuck Matney and Todd Holland-Matney embodies a happy blend of form and function. Chuck, the lead florist and manager of The Little Flower Shop in Westwood, brings the form, the design sense, and many of the collections. But it all must function, and that’s where Todd shines. “I make sure the lights stay on, the bills get paid, and everything works,” he says with a laugh. After all, for every gourmet cook (Chuck), there needs to DECEMBER 2023 | 74 | INKANSASCITY.COM

words by Judith Fertig photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

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Above: Casablanca lilies (Chuck’s favorite flower) are the central display on the gilded carved-wood coffee table and lend a delicious fragrance to the room. Right: An antique French perfume poster hangs above the sofa topped with a Scalamandre silk tiger-print pillow flanked with a pair of pillows upholstered with vintage Oriental rug pieces. Opposite: If you look closely, you’ll spy Jackie O, Queen Elizabeth, and Cher tucked amongst the branches of the vintage aluminum tree. A trio of Karl Blossfeldt photos hang next to the fireplace.

be an appreciative diner (Todd). Win, win. “We met at First National Bank,” Todd recalls, whose banking career now includes Community America Credit Union. When the two got serious and started looking for a home together in 2017, they found this place on a quiet, tree-lined street. “I don’t like walking directly from the front door into a room,” says Chuck, and this house had a small vestibule. It was also close to the shop, where Todd also works part-time, and it had a good flow. But there was one catch. Before they moved in together, Chuck said to Todd, “I must have full control over how the house looks, if you’re okay with that.” Todd was okay with that. And so today, their home gives evidence of their favorite mantra: Less is best, but more is better. Dark wood floors, custom white plantation shutters, a neutral palette, DECEMBER 2023 | 77 | INKANSASCITY.COM

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Above, left: The kitchen is home to much of Chuck’s 30-year collection of silver. Above, right: A Williams Sonoma bar cart holds vintage silverand-glass barware. Left: William Yeoward salt and pepper cellars, Waterford wineglasses, and Vietri handpainted champagne flutes surround each placesetting. Opposite: In the dining room, the silverleaf chandelier was a gift from a client. Surrounding the table are antique French steel garden chairs mixed with acrylic Louis Ghost chairs.

the gleam of silver and mirrors, and eye-catching displays of religious art go from room to room. When they’re not working or going out with friends, they love to scout Gilham House Antiques or Glenwood Antique Mall for another irresistible find. Once they agree on a pleasing arrangement, it tends to stay that way. “I don’t like to move things around a lot,” says Chuck.

The living room, painted in Sherwin Williams’ Hammered Silver, features a baby grand piano in the corner, a gift from Chuck’s mother. The piano also displays long, metallic casket pulls—from Chuck’s family’s funeral home. John Derian paperweights, stacks of coffee-table books, and silver objects always give you something to look at. Painted antique wood santos and gilded halo-like sunbursts

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Above: In the primary bedroom, an antique sunburst mirror from George, A Lifestyle Store hangs above the bed. A hand-painted chest holds a collection of mercury-glass vases surrounding a mercury-glass lamp. Opposite: A comfy sofa nestles against windows looking onto the small private garden in the sitting room. The bottom level of the coffee table displays a collection of vintage match strikers.

also draw the eye. Chuck designed the sofa and reupholstered his mother’s French provincial armchairs in a striped silk. Todd sourced the handsome throw pillow in a Scalamandre animal print. For the holiday, a vintage tree is loaded with witty ornaments from the shop. Various characters make an appearance, including Jackie O, Elton John, Cher, Julia Childs, Elvis, Iris Apfel and many more. Special Christmas décor is tucked in amongst the objets d’ art that are gathered throughout the home. Chuck found the dining room table, with its weathered wood top and Lucite and metal base, in Atlanta. To the vintage metal chairs surrounding the table, Todd added the Louis Ghost chairs that can be pulled up to the table for extra seating or placed against the wall to

hold books. A large, framed mirror propped against a wall bounces light around the room. The chandelier over the table was repurposed from a former design client. Leslie Brett, who owns The Little Flower Shop with her husband and Royals Hall-of-Famer George Brett, gave the couple an antique cupola from a church. Fastened to the wall upside-down, it functions as a floating console table. Leslie’s mother, Rosemary Davenport, gifted the couple a hand-painted Vietri champagne flute for their wedding, plus one each year for their anniversary, now four in all. The flutes take pride of place on the table with napkins, placemats, Simon Pearce glass, and William Yeoward salt cellars from the shop. In the sitting room, located just off the dining room, Todd brought

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high drama continued

An angel santos, crowned with a gilded sunburst mirror, looks down on a vintage coffee service Chuck discovered at an estate sale.

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THE IT LIST Antiques

Pat Postans Antiques at Gilham House Antiques gilhamhouseantiques.com

Flowers The Little Flower Shop thelittleflowershop.com

a modern midcentury cowhide and chrome chair, an early gift to Chuck, to the mix. A dinner, memorable for all the wrong reasons, prompted a redo of the kitchen. “I cooked steak au poivre for George Brett’s birthday,” recalls Chuck. “We didn’t realize that when I flambéed the cognac, the kitchen caught fire. We just kept smelling something burning. It wasn’t until dessert that we actually saw flames.” After the fire was out and the crisis had transformed into a funny story, they kept the basic footprint of the old kitchen, but added Carrara marble counters and backsplash, painted the cabinets black and added new hardware. They also installed a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher with drawers; it delights practical Todd because it saves space and can handle smaller loads. A Ruggable rug in an animal print can go in the washing machine, another win for form and function. The primary bedroom, painted a dark Iron Ore (Sherwin Williams), exudes elegance and calm. Silvery lamp bases with black shades, mirrored side tables, and moody colors continue the conversation of the rest of the house, but more quietly. When George Brett officiated at the couple’s wedding in December 2019, he requested they vow to “make the necessary adjustments in your personal lives in order that you may have a harmonious relationship together.” And if their house is any proof, they have done just that.

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Flavor IN KC

In the Kitchen

CELERY ROOT

BY Cody Hogan

PHOTOS BY Aaron Leimkuehler

s a professional chef, I’m always looking for new dishes or ways to put a spin on familiar ones, especially those that I can share with home cooks. On a recent trip to the western Mediterranean coast, I enjoyed a refreshing cool-season salad built around familiar flavors but with less familiar ingredients prepared in unfamiliar ways. As a bonus, the salad is unusual and special enough to grace any holiday table and resilient enough to spend several hours on a buffet without suffering. This dish is all about textures. It’s based around celery root, a wonderfully aromatic root vegetable too often neglected by home cooks, perhaps because of its rather unglamorous, even daunting, appearance. For this salad, almost all the preparation can be done several days ahead of serving (taking away a little of the stress on a busy day), and it even benefits with ten minutes or so of resting time after dressing and before serving. In addition, many of the ingredients can be adjusted to the needs of your own dining companions and their tastes (different fruits, nuts, cheeses, etc). I hope you will make this salad a part of your celebratory meals this season, bringing a little something new yet still comfortingly familiar to your holiday gatherings. Celery Root, Apple, and Walnut Salad This recipe, a symphony of textures and aromas, will generously feed four to six people as a salad course, although on a buffet it would mostly likely serve up to 15. Delicious on its own, it would make a substantial entrée salad with the addition of leftover roast chicken, ham, or turkey. Begin by vigorously and thoroughly scrubbing a grapefruit-sized

celery root root, being careful to get into the little knobby crevices where the small roots protrude, and grit will imbed itself. I like to use a brush for this task, like the one I was gifted from Pryde’s Kitchen and Necessities several years ago (and although it looks like a potato, it scrubs all types of vegetables equally well). To achieve the resilient silken texture of the salad I experienced in Marseille, France, you must cook the celery root. The inspiring version I had in France was made with roasted celery root, but I found it easier and less time consuming to poach the celery root. To poach, place the root in a pot just slightly larger than it is, fill the pot with enough water to submerge the root (the root may float, in which case putting a small lid or plate on top of it to weigh it down will help it cook evenly.) Bring the water to a boil, then turn it down to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes to an hour (the time depends on the size, age, and water content of the celery root). It should be tender enough to pierce with a knife but still meet resistance—you do not want it to be mushy. Take the root out of the water and put it in the fridge to cool (for ease of slicing) while preparing the rest of the salad ingredients. (Tip: if allowed to cool overnight the job of slicing will be much easier.) My inspiration salad was made with poached quince, a fruit that is a bit of a mystery to many Americans (read more about quince in my article here inkansascity.com/eat-drink/recipes/in-the-kitchenquinces. If you are interested in preparing them, they are most reliably found at the Price Chopper in Roeland Park during the winter months). As an alternative, I suggest poached apples (3 apples total, but set 1 apple aside to use raw for crisp textural contrast). To poach the apples,

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In Your Pantry

OTHER CELERIES peel 2 firm cooking apples (Gala was my choice for testing and they performed extremely well), then quarter and core them. Place them in a small pot with 2 cups of apple cider (or apple juice), ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. Bring it to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until the apples are just becoming tender. Remove the apple wedges to a bowl to cool. Raise the heat under the poaching liquid and reduce it to a syrupy ½ cup in volume. Pour the reduced syrup back over the apples until ready to serve. Lightly toast a generous handful of walnuts (pecans would be a lovely substitute) and reserve. My salad was garnished with sprigs of peppery watercress (watercress can be found in Asian and more adventurous grocery stores at this time of year). Arugula, equally refreshing but with a less toothsome texture, would make an admirable substitute. Whatever the green, rinse and dry it. Have a nice chunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano cheese (although many different cheeses would be lovely here) and some extra-virgin olive oil at the ready. You now have everything assembled for your salad and the hard part is accomplished. This can all be done a day or two in advance, which frees you from prep on the day of serving. When ready to serve, drain a few tablespoons of the apple cider syrup into a large wide bowl. Taste the syrup—it most likely needs more apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness. Add a tablespoon or two of vinegar and a slightly larger volume of the olive oil. Season with a generous pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Whisk the dressing until creamy looking. Examine your celery root. If you see any bits that seem to have really thick skin or some dirty looking spots, trim that off. Otherwise, cut the celery root into two or three chunks, and with a vegetable peeler or the thin slicer attachment of a food processor (or a very sharp knife if you have some knife skills), slice the celery root as thinly as possible. When finished, using your hands or tongs, toss and massage the slices in the dressing so that every single surface is coated with vinaigrette. Thinly slice or cut into matchsticks the reserved raw apple and add it to the bowl. Add the poached apple wedges (cut in half if the apples were large), the walnuts, the cleaned watercress, and toss everything again to coat. Taste a few bites for seasoning, adjusting salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. Shave in the cheese and toss lightly. Transfer everything to a serving platter and garnish with more shavings of cheese. Enjoy with friends and family, while adding a bit of Mediterranean flair to your holiday table.

UNLESS YOU’RE ON SOME TRENDY FOOD CLEANSE, you probably almost never think about celery. The plant itself is extremely versatile and plays many unseen or unmentioned roles in cuisines across the world. There are three forms of cultivated celery (Apium graveolens for plant geeks): the common stem celery which we see every day (variety dulce), root celery or celeriac (var. rapaceum), and leaf or soup celery (var. secalinum). Read on for ideas for using the lesser-known celery products.

Soup/Leaf Celery Mostly commonly found as “Chinese” celery in Asian groceries or farmers markets, this variety most resembles celery in the wild. The stalks of this celery are thinner than cultivated Western celery and are frequently crushed before cooking. Its delicious bitter-peppery qualities lend it to quick pickling and sautés. Let it be the star in a stir-fry with garlic, red pepper, and ginger, or allow its flavors to harmonize with other vegetables and serve over rice. It is the easiest variety for home gardeners to cultivate.

Celeriac AKA celery root, this intimidating knobby ball tastes wholly of celery and is wonderful both raw and cooked. Shaved paper thin it is delicious combined with lemon, raw mushrooms, cheese, and arugula in a salad, or try it shredded and dressed with mustard and mayo in the classic French remoulade. It’s also delicious as a roasted vegetable, mash, purée, or made into a soup. If the root ball has any green stems or leaves attached, don’t discard them. Although fibrous and generally inedible, they make a wonderfully aromatic addition to stock or broth.

Celery Seed and Salt Celery seed, mostly harvested from soup celery or wild celery, conveys the aromas of celery to dishes without the distraction of celery fibers and crunch. Countless versions of potato salad would be impossible without it. Celery salt is simply whole celery seed ground with salt which makes for an instant addition of flavor when your soup or sauce needs a little something extra. Due to the presence of naturally occurring nitrites in celery and sea salt, many “naturally” cured meats are made possible with their addition. As for a good Bloody Mary—it would be impossible without it.

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Flavor IN KC

Casa de Valores

BY Jenny Vergara

In Your Cocktail

STOCK HILL

hen Bread & Butter Concepts CEO Alan Gaylin first opened Stock Hill in 2016, his goal was not only to be the best steakhouse in Kansas City, but the best in the Midwest. The following year, Thrillist crowned Stock Hill one of the best in America, putting the restaurant on its Best Steakhouses in America list where it has stayed year after year. Yet, quality steaks and seafood are not the only thing for which Stock Hill is known. Its bar, which recently rebranded to “The Lounge at Stock Hill,” has always delivered the same high level of ambience, service, drinks, and food as the restaurant itself.

With ceilings that soar 25 feet in the air, guests will find the circular bar sophisticatedly sexy as there’s room for 34 to sit in the round. The old Hollywood glamour of that bar has drawn people in for years to enjoy a cocktail for happy hour or for a nightcap after an evening out. With the new rebrand, the space is still stunning. Both the food offerings from the executive chef, Jacob Hilbert, and drinks from the exceptional bar team have been updated to suit a diner who wants more than a handful of nuts or casual snack at the bar. You should consider it your golden opportunity to treat yourself to the same quality steak and seafood offered in the restaurant at a fraction of the price. Although Stock Hill is known as a luxurious a la carte steakhouse

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with caviar, wagyu beef, and lobster on the dinner menu, the new bar menu can be a way to enjoy the same quality ingredients as more affordable, everyday, culinary luxury. A pricey $125 wagyu steak on the dinner menu is a splurge for sure, but you can find the same beef on the bar menu in the form of wagyu beef bites served with a spicy bulgogi glaze, cabbage slaw, and chive pancakes for only $22, and while you can find a decadent whole-baked rock lobster on the dinner menu for $69, you can sample the same sweet meat tucked inside their buttery lobster roll on their bar menu for only $28. This leveling up of the food menu at the bar demands a solid cocktail program that excels in serving the classics. Martini, anyone? Additionally, there is a seasonal cocktail menu full of fall fruit and winter flavors with cocktails such as Smoking Hill 2.0, which tastes like an old fashioned, but with a hickory-smoke bubble hovering over the surface. For a perfect nonalcoholic drink, “Not a Breakfast Shot” sips like a silky, fall-flavored treat in a glass. If agave spirits are more your thing, two years ago Husayn Sultani, a bartender at Stock Hill, decided to create a drink that highlighted both mezcal and tequila in the same cocktail, mixing them with warming spices and tropical citrus notes. The result was Casa de Valores, a drink that is still asked for by name on the Stock Hill lounge menu, but now you can make at home. The spiced sherry syrup the drink calls for would also be delicious over pancakes or ice cream and will keep in the fridge. stockhillkc.com

Casa de Valores 1.5 ounces Del Maguey ‘Vida’ Mezcal .5 ounce Luna Azul Anejo .5 ounce spiced sherry syrup* dash Bittermans Tiki bitters dash Bittermans Peach bitters Fill a shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Stir quickly for about 20-30 seconds. Grab a rocks glass, add one large cube, such as a cube from Fountain City Ice, or small cubes if that’s all you have, and strain over ice. Garnish with an orange peel you have flamed with a lighter. *Spiced Sherry Syrup 16 ounces Alvear Amontillado Medium-Dry Sherry 1 pound granulated sugar 1 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg 4 whole allspice berries 2 cinnamon sticks 4 whole cloves Add sherry and all spices to a pan and bring to a light boil. Add sugar and stir until sugar has dissolved. Cool mixture and strain to remove the spices. Keep in the fridge.

Designing Your Dreams

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Flavor IN KC by Jenny Vergara

VITA’S PLACE

In Culinary News

AFTER VISITING the cozy wine bars in New York City, Ryan and Jenny Sciara, the couple behind Underdog Wine Co. in the Crestwood Shops, came back with a plan to create a small neighborhood wine bar like ones they had seen in the Big Apple. Vita’s Place, named in honor of Ryan’s grandmother, is now open around the corner from their existing wine shop. John O’Brien, owner of Hammer Out Design, was brought in to help give the space a lived-in feel, which can be seen in the quality woodwork and built-ins created from repurposed farmhouse doors found in the Hudson Valley and anchored by O’Brien’s signature white globe lights, which instantly give the space a sense of time and place. Chefs Dave Crum of Arrowhead Specialty Meats and Nate Feldmiller of Broadway Butcher Shop designed the more than a snack, less than dinner, food menu that has been paired with an international list of around 200 wines, with 30 available by the glass. Vita’s Place also offers a few cocktails and a selection of vermouths. Welcome to your new favorite place to pop in for a glass of wine. vitasplace.com

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Flavor IN KC BY Jenny Vergara

In Culinary News

CITY BARREL BREWERY A FAMILIAR FACE can now be found in the kitchen at City Barrel Brewery in the Crossroads. After working as the culinary director for FairWave Coffee Collective, Stuart Aldridge, a former partner in Broadway Butcher Shop, has taken the job as chef de cuisine at the popular brewery. Aldridge had been a regular at the brewery for years, and even started his own line of fantastically flavored potato chips called Stoobie Snacks that he made and sold at the brewery. That tasty side hustle in the kitchen soon turned into a full time offer to join the team in October, with new hours of operation. City Barrel in the Crossroads is now closed on Sundays, with the kitchen and brewery now open Monday through Saturday, with happy hour from 3 – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. citybarrelbrewing.com

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Flavor IN KC BY Jenny Vergara

MOON BAR

In Culinary News

HAVING MADE my reservation at Moon Bar, a new cocktail pop-up that serves Asian-influenced sips and snacks, we arrived at Cafe Cà Phê on a Sunday evening as instructed, to find the windows of Jackie Nguyen’s cheerful Vietnamese coffee shop covered in moody gray curtains with the words “Moon Bar” printed across the front. Saranya Hubbard came to Kansas City in 2020 after bartending in Bangkok, Thailand, and quickly decided that there was room here to show off her Japanese bartending-style cocktails and accompanying bar snacks. She and her husband, Zach, who is also a bartender, opened Moon Bar as a pop-up until they find a spot to open her dream concept, a tearoom-by-day, cocktail bar-by-night spot. The menu changes with each pop-up and is heavily influenced by a wide array of traditional and not-so-traditional Asian ingredients and flavors. Watching her work quietly behind the bar making each drink with calm, exacting precision, you can’t help but feel cared for and catered to. Her cocktails are exceptional, well-balanced, and one of a kind. With pop-up dates scheduled into the new year, check moonbarkc.com to subscribe to her email list for future invites or follow on Instagram @moonbar.kc.

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Flavor IN KC

Reservation for One

BARBACOA

by Jenny Vergara

photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

roost Avenue has been known as the racial and economic dividing line in Kansas City after decades of segregation. But now, with help from city and neighborhood leaders working with local developers, Troost is ready to write a new page in the history books, as the area is slowly developing a delicious and diverse array of food and drink spots. Over the last five years, a slew of new restaurants, smoothie spots, bars, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, bakeries, and more are finding both sides of Troost Avenue—from north to south—an affordable and accessible area interested in attracting food businesses ready to put down roots and enhance its already diverse, eclectic, and welcoming community. Barbacoa is the latest restaurant to open at 55th Street and Troost Avenue, in a spot that Justin Clark first put on the map in 2019 when he opened his casual dining spot, Urban Café, there. He later closed that location to focus on opening a restaurant by the same name inside the new Kansas City airport. The trio of talent behind Barbacoa, the Spanish word for “barbecue,” started their Mexican barbecue journey in 2017 with the launch

of Taco Tank, an original food-truck concept that served tacos and burritos generously filled with smoky barbecue meats. Roman Raya Jr. ran the food truck nights and weekends while holding down a full-time job. Reopening after Covid, Raya quit his day job and brought Madeline Buechter and his brother Phil Raya as co-owners. Today, in addition to Barbacoa, they still operate the Taco Tank inside the Iron District in North Kansas City. For their first sit-down, full-service, casual-dining restaurant, they are keeping things pared back and simple by focusing on traditional Mexican-style barbecued meats along with smoked and grilled vegetables and turning those ingredients into fresh, creative dishes. The smoke and fire influence touches every dish at Barbacoa, including those on the dessert and the cocktail menus. Roman is the executive chef for Barbacoa, Phil is the sous chef, and Madeline is the bar manager, where she can be found behind the bar shaking up delicious drinks and keeping an eye on the dining room that seats 40. The original interior has been refreshed. Banquettes that once flanked the walls have been removed and replaced with dark wood and black ta-

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bles and chairs. It instantly gives the place a more pulled together, upscale appearance that highlights the original terrazzo floor. Paired with dark, moody teal-hued walls and a swipe of terra-cotta paint behind the bar, the restaurant feels sophisticatedly simple—perfect for a casual, yet modern, Mexican concept. Within the ten dishes on the dinner menu, the reasonable prices, and the ample portion sizes, what stands out is this is not your typical Mexican-American mash-up menu. There are no free chips and salsa to start. Nothing is smothered in cheese or sour cream. There are no burritos or enchiladas on the dinner menu. Instead, it’s clean, modern Mexican cuisine that spotlights the ingredients and simple preparations. Each dish balances the forward flavors of the smoked meat and charred vegetables. We ordered the elote as an appetizer, but it would have made for a fine vegetarian entrée or even a salad course. It came with five crispy, deep-fried masa fritters, perched atop a plate of grilled corn kernels drizzled with a tangy, smoked-mustard sauce reminiscent of a remoulade and sprinkled with fresh queso fresco. It was devoured by the time the entrées arrived. The tinga de pollo, a crispy corn tostada piled high with shredded chicken smothered in a smoky chile rojo sauce, is topped with avocados, queso fresco, cabbage, and pickles. The toppings were fresh and plentiful, but since the toppings were chilled, the entire dish got cold quickly. It was a small price to pay for such an appetizing plate presentation, and I ate my second one the next day for lunch. At $24, the smoked carnitas was one of the highest priced dishes on the menu, which I still found completely reasonable for this neighborhood spot. The plate was simple and unadorned—with chunks of smoked and confit pork shoulder next to fresh pico de gallo and garlic crema along with three Yoli tortillas—designed to assemble your own tacos. The meat was rich, but stuffed into a tortilla coupled with the tomato, onion, and cilantro flavors of the pico de gallo and drizzled with the outstanding garlic crema that cut the fat of the meat, it was my favorite dish of the night. The creamy coconut flan we ordered for dessert was gone in four bites. A delightful arroz con leche, the traditional Mexican rice pudding dish, is a specialty of the house. It had all the sweet flavors of the warming spices tucked inside a puck of deep-fried white rice with golden, crunchy edges that was topped with a scoop of High Hopes vanilla ice cream and showered with pistachios. It was soft and crunchy all at once. The drink menu has a smattering of wines and a few beers, with a much longer list of cocktails. For the traditionalist, there’s a margarita and a paloma, but I ordered the Royal Medicine, their version of a gimlet, which is made with coconut oil-washed gin, lime, blackberry liqueur, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. It tasted like a blackberry smash; perfect with the food I ordered. Barbacoa could become a serious neighborhood hang, with a Mexican brunch menu that looks especially inviting. The service at Barbacoa was professional, friendly, and casual. Although we don’t live in the neighborhood, we were greeted at the door by a server who made us feel instantly like we belonged. Something as simple as that makes all the difference when a neighborhood restaurant treats everyone who comes in, not just their bread-and-butter regulars, like family and welcomed guests. To be treated with kindness and care is something we could all use a little more of these days, and I felt that good vibe at Barbacoa. barbacoakc.com

A spectacular, contemporary venue with transformable reception spaces and a magnificent courtyard. 1900bldg.com (913) 730–1905

Modern-American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. Chef Duerr and team present elegant fare and carefully curated menus for a variety of special occasions.

DECEMBER 2023 | 95 | INKANSASCITY.COM

therestaurantat1900.com (913) 730–1900

1900 Building 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway Mission Woods, Kansas

Avoid the ides of March & Join us for an evening in Rome

February 10, 2024 at the intercontinental hotel

Patron Levels & Tickets at

kcshakes.org/gala

honorary chairs

Jim & Diana Cusser

founder’s award

Honoring Jim & Merrily Jackson

COOKING IS A CELEBRATION OF DETAILS The Hestan team spent years working alongside America’s most celebrated chefs, reinventing restaurant kitchens with award-winning innovation. Now they’ve reimagined your home kitchen. More power. More control. More inspiration. Hestan products are built to meet the needs of the most demanding home chefs, and that could be you. This traditionally styled full Hestan kitchen features built-in Ensemble Refrigeration and Wine Storage, an undercounter Ice Machine, Refrigerator Drawers and a Dishwasher. The 48” Dual Fuel Range and Hood are shown in Hestan’s exclusive “Paciﬁc Fog,” one of 12 available colors.

DISTRIBUTED BY

AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCAL RETAILERS Alexander and Ray’s TV & Appliance alexraytv.com 14105 Marshall Drive, Lenexa, KS 66215 | kcfda.com | 913.888.8028

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Faces IN KC presented by The Kansas City Museum

Announcement of JewelHouse by Summer Wheat

photos by brendan cook

ON NOVEMBER 2, Kansas City Museum, Kemper Museum of

Contemporary Art, and The Mint Museum hosted an event at New York’s Bergdorf Goodman presented by the Wells Fargo Foundation to launch a Rizzoli Electa monograph by artist Summer Wheat and to announce JewelHouse—a monumental, site-responsive contemporary artwork and groundbreaking architectural intervention designed by Kansas City-based International Architects Atelier and Summer Wheat that will reimagine the Kansas City Museum’s former Beaux-Arts Conservatory. Youth programming for JewelHouse is in development through a collaboration between Kansas City Museum and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. To learn more, visit kansascitymuseum.org/jewelhouse.

For more photos go to inkansascity.com/photos. DECEMBER 2023| 98 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Spotlight KC Attractions not to miss in december

A Christmas Carol at KCRep

Boulevard Brewing Co. Tours & Recreation Center

Don’t miss KC’s favorite holiday tradition! Tickets are selling fast, get yours today at KCRep.org.

Savor beers & beverages, shop for unique locally-made gifts, enjoy a merry pop-up bar, brewery tours, and seasonal special events.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Kansas City

Kansas City Carriages

Celebrate the season at the ULTIMATE Indoor LEGO® Playground Dec. 1st–Jan. 1st. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansas-city

Looking for a great way to experience the Country Club Plaza lights? Call and make your reservations. kccarriages.com

@AttractionsKC @gkcaattractions

Faces IN KC

Cultura Fest THE NERMAN MUSEUM’S Cultura Fest celebration took place on Saturday, Oct. 14. This event, hosted by the Nerman Museum, honored Latine arts and culture through crafts. It featured Taqueria La India and Pink Taco food trucks; live mural paintings by Andrew Mcilvaine, DinKC, and It-Ra Icons; a Lowrider Car and Bike Showcase with selections by the Olathe Leadership Lowrider Bike Club; printmaking by Viva La Tinta; and performances by Los Bailadores de KC, Jessica Ayala, SouLuna, Grupo Folklorico Alma Tapatía, and Lucha Libre by Kansas City Xtreme Wrestling. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/photos. photos by susan mcspadden

10 DAYS. COUNTLESS MENUS. ONE GREAT CAUSE. Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Savor and save with multi-course menus at hundreds of the region’s hottest restaurants – all with a portion of proceeds benefitting Kanbe’s Markets. Mesob

Pigwich

Founding Partners

For menus, reservations and more, visit KCRestaurantWeek.com • #KCRW2024

Platinum Sponsors: J. Rieger & Co. / Stella Artois / Unshackled Wines Simi Wines / Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Wines

DECEMBER 2023| 100 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Presented by

SLEEP THROUGH HOLIDAY STRESS Plant-powered gummies for fast-acting, long-lasting sleep.

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DECEMBER 2023| 101 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Faces IN KC Bingo and Brews for Beds ON NOVEMBER 9, Sleepyhead Beds held their 12th annual Bingo & Brews for Beds. Guests enjoyed eight rounds of bingo, delicious food and libations, and both live and silent auctions. Funds raised help support the operations of Sleepyhead Beds, distributing gently used beds and bedding along with new pillows to children in need (and their immediate families). They’ve provided over 30,000 beds to the KC community since 2010, improving the quality of life for children and families and helping the environment by sanitizing beds and keeping them out of landfills. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/photos. PHOTOS BY ALLISON SUE BUSH

MAKE ROOM FOR ALL OF YOU

CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN CONSULTATION 9 1 3 . 8 8 8 .1 1 9 9 OVERLAND PARK

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DECEMBER2/25/23 2023| 102 | INKANSASCITY.COM 9:02 PM

A Very Special Thank You to 2023 Owl Friends • Amelia McIntyre

• Corliss Chandler Miller

• Helen Hamshaw Hatridge

• Kim Shaw

• Roxann R. Holland

• Angela Galamba

• Cornelia Watkins Fuson Long

• Holly Pauling Smith

• Kristi Miller

• Roxie Jerde

• Barbara K. Nelson

• Courtney Howell Vialle

• Jean D Wagner

• Libby Gessley

• Sandy Johnson

• Barclay Ross

• Cynthia Andrews

• Jennifer Fales

• Lisa Wetzler

• Susan Archer

• Becky Butcher Bublitz

• Debra Parmet

• Jennifer Hart

• Margaret Bruce

• Susan Sight

• Beth Bahner

• Dianne Hogerty

• Jennifer J. Crow

• Mary Cordill

• Valerie Chaloud

• Carol K. Clark

• Eleanor Brown

• Jennifer Whiteside

• Mary Kay Zawatzki

• Nan Vail

• Carole Vaughan

• Ellen Harker

• Jill Perfect

• Nancy L. Jackson

• Erik Bergrud

• Carolyn Langdon

• Ellen Merriman

• Julie Larsen

• Pat Colloton

• Kimberlee Ried

• Cela Sullivan

• Gina Thornton

• Karen Williams

• Patricia Meads

• Mary Atterbury

• Cheryl Wetzler

• Ginny Shackelford

• Kay Johnson

• Rise Strasser

• Christine Fischer

• Harriet Brazil

• Kay Lutjen Patterson

• Robbi H. Grogan

Fleur-de-lis Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors

• Kristen and Andrew Brought • Katherine and Ryan Fowler

KAPPAHOMESTOUR.COM Wednesday, December 6, 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m

DECEMBER 2023| 103 | INKANSASCITY.COM

My Essentials IN KC

by Liz Schroeder

MELISSA HICKMAN COMPOSER.MUSICIAN.EDUCATOR.

C photo by kaelyn head

hristmas is Melissa Hickman’s favorite time of the year. Medical researcher by day and songwriter and jazz pianist extraordinaire by night, Hickman has released four new solos through her music company, NbG Music, to celebrate the season—from upbeat pop beats to jazzy holiday tunes. “Music composition has always been my passion and most of my pieces have a sacred theme,” she says. “I believe everyone has unique God-given abilities, but it’s up to each individual to recognize and develop those talents for the greater good.” Hickman was born in Kansas City and loves being back in her hometown. “Kansas City is the best kept secret in the country,” she says. “I love all the culture we have here, but the best part is that you can enjoy all the amenities that come with a major city, but drive 30 to 45 minutes in any direction and find yourself surrounded by fields and wildlife.” What’s next for Hickman’s hometown musical talents? NbG is expanding in 2024, to include a new recording studio, educational program, and group classes to teach basic jazz chord progressions and improvisational skills to adults. We can’t wait! nbgmusic.com

Melissa’s essentials... MAKING MUSIC: My favorite jazz venues are

CAFÉ STOP:

The Piano Room and The Phoenix, but I also love the Kauffman Performing Arts Center and the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra.

I’m just your basic coffee drinker, but I do enjoy going to PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans in Platte City. The Honey Oat Milk Latte is the right blend of sweetness (honey sweetener) with the nondairy creaminess of oat milk.

SHOP SMALL: I highly recommend the Missouri Bluffs Boutique in Weston. It’s a beautiful store with a wide assortment of what the owners describe as “artistic” women’s clothing.

LOCAL MAKER: My

favorite local maker is probably B.A.C. Musical Instruments. Mike Corrigan, the “horn doctor,” creates custom instruments for any level of musician. I’m a trumpet player, and owning one of his instruments is definitely on my bucket list.

DINING OUT: The Weston Trio and the linguini

and fresh seafood at The Avalon Cafe in Weston are my favorites, but I’d also recommend the Sunday brunch. The simple white tablecloths and intimate dining rooms (with fireplaces) lend themselves to an elegant and simple time when dining was an experience to be savored. SELF-CARE SESH:

Bijin Salon and Spa in Prairie Village offers a full range of services at an affordable price. DECEMBER 2023 | 104 | INKANSASCITY.COM

UNDERRATED GEM: The Reef in

the Executive Hills area off Tiffany Springs and I-29. The highlight is the monthly dinner and show performed by owner John Woodruff who does impressions of musicians, singing their signature songs. The Reef ’s dimly lit atmosphere is reminiscent of the Kansas City supper clubs of the 70s with a modern twist.

feel at home, AWAY FROM HOME

Once you’ve brought family together for the holidays, the biggest challenge is keeping everyone cozy! If you want guests to enjoy all the comforts of a home away from home, start with NFM’s huge selection of sectionals and living-room furniture. nfm.com

1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 800-407-5000

FURNITURE ❘ FLOORING ❘ APPLIANCES ❘ ELECTRONICS

SCULP TED CABLE AVA I L A B L E AT

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10/18/23 5:39 PM