IN Kansas City July 2021 by KC Media

Eleven Kansas Citians Making a Difference

FRENCH CHIC IN A FAIRWAY HOME

JULY 2021 | INKANSASCITY.COM

INNOVATORS AND INFLUENCERS ISSUE

AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH

PAT

METHENY FOOD DELIVERY GOES GOURMET

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Radiation Oncology

Bhaswanth Dhanireddy, MD

Michael Hughes, MD

AdventHealth Cancer Center Shawnee Mission is honored to be a certified member of MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a program of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Our relationship means you have access to pioneering evidencebased guidelines, treatment plans and best practices developed by MD Anderson. With regular peer reviews and treatment collaboration with MD Anderson physicians and researchers, you now have access to leading expertise close to Radiation Oncology

home. Together, we’re bringing nationally recognized care to our community to overcome cancer.

To learn more, visit Bhaswanth Dhanireddy, MD

Michael Hughes, MD

CancerCareKC.com.

4500 W 119th St, Leawood, KS 66209 (913) 312-1660 www.diamondsdirect.com

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IN-HOUSE IN-HOUSEJEWELRY JEWELRYREPAIR REPAIR VERY VERYFINE FINECUSTOM CUSTOMWORK, WORK,FABRICATING, FABRICATING, STONE STONESETTING, SETTING,RING RINGSIZING SIZING&&REPAIR, REPAIR, CHAIN CHAINREPAIR, REPAIR,&&ANY ANYAND ANDALL ALLJEWELRY JEWELRYREPAIR REPAIR - -REPAIRS REPAIRSDONE DONEIN-HOUSE IN-HOUSEBY BYEXPERIENCED, EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONALJEWELERS JEWELERS - -MANY MANYREPAIRS REPAIRSDONE DONEWHILE WHILEYOU YOUWAIT WAIT

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MIMI DWE DWE STST ’S’SLARGE LARGE STST

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VINTAGE VINTAGEWATCHES WATCHES LARGE LARGEINVENTORY INVENTORYOF OFVINTAGE VINTAGEWATCHES WATCHES

COIN COINBUYER BUYER&&WHOLESALER WHOLESALER

WE WEBUY BUYGOLD, GOLD,DIAMONDS, DIAMONDS,JEWELRY JEWELRY&&MORE MORE

SPECIALIZING SPECIALIZINGININLARGE LARGEQUANTITIES QUANTITIES BANKS, BANKS,ESTATES ESTATES&&COLLECTIONS COLLECTIONS

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BUYING BUYINGALL ALLCOINS, COINS,CURRENCY CURRENCY&&BULLION BULLION

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I-35 I-35&&ARMOUR ARMOURRD RD 1900 1900DIAMOND DIAMONDPARKWAY PARKWAY NORTH NORTHKANSAS KANSASCITY, CITY,MO MO64116 64116 MJEWELRY.COM MJEWELRY.COM (816) (816)453-1111 453-1111

SINCE 1919

WE’RE OPEN

TH E A N N UAL BR O O K SI DE J U LY 8 - 1 0 | T H U R S DAY - S AT U R DAY

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A KC FAVORITE A favorite Kansas City destination for over 100 years, Brookside oﬀers unique shopping, dining and services from favorite businesses like those featured here.

ART ANNUAL – SAVE THE DATE One of Kansas City’s favorite outdoor events – the 35th Brookside Art Annual happening September 17th through 19th. New date, same great show.

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Design Dream Team

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Kansas City’s Ultimate Design Resource Kansas City’s Ultimate Design Resource Kansas City’s Ultimate Design Resource Kansas City’s Ultimate Design Resource

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816.363.5300

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Contents

JULY 2021

62 82 Features 62

IN CONVERSATION WITH PAT METHENY The internationally renown jazz performer talks about growing up in Kansas City, the metro’s current music scene, and his newest project.

Departments

SPECIAL DELIVERY Five food delivery companies that are introducing fun, convenience, and a little passion into our mealtimes.

FRENCH EVOLUTION C’est si bon in a Fairway home.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY Highlighting eleven creative, generous, hardworking Kansas Citians who made an impact on our town in the past year.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN KC

ENTERTAINING IN KC

OUR MAN IN KC

ARTS & CULTURE IN KC

BEHIND THE MUSIC IN KC

LOOK IN KC

LIVING IN KC

FLAVOR IN KC

112

MY ESSENTIALS IN KC

IN EVERY ISSUE

On the cover Ten of the eleven innovators and influencers making a difference in Kansas City. Check out their names and their contributions in the feature beginning on page 66. Photo by Tom Styrkowicz.

JULY 2021

| 12 | INKANSASCITY.COM

EDITOR’S NOTE

INKANSASCITY.COM

Welcome to Summer Kansas City Style

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AndAnd follow And follow follow Cathy Cathy on Cathy on Facebook Facebook on Facebook andand Instagram and Instagram Instagram (@CathyMaxwellKC) (@CathyMaxwellKC) (@CathyMaxwellKC) for for details details for details on on on Kansas Kansas Kansas City-area City-area City-area listings, listings, listings, home home advice, home advice, advice, andand more! and more! more!

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fa.ml.com/groupone Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S a registered registered investment SIPCproducts and a wholly ownedmanaged, subsidiary oforBofA Corp. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &Fenner Smith&Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certainadviser, investment products sponsored, managed, distributed provided by companies that arethat are Pierce, Smith Incorporated (alsoisreferred to as broker-dealer, “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certainMember investment sponsored, distributed or provided by companies affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&SFDIC is a and registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, adviser, MemberMember SIPC andSIPC a wholly of BofA Corp. affiliates Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, investment and aowned wholly subsidiary owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Banking products areofprovided by Bank of America, N.A., Member a wholly owned subsidiary ofregistered BofA Corp. BankingBanking productsproducts are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC andFDIC a wholly of BofA Corp. are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member and aowned wholly subsidiary owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned| subsidiary of BofA Corp. The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. MAP3058310 AD-06-21-0182 | 471089PM-0720 | 06/2021 Banking products areBank of America provided by Bank of America, N.A., reserved. Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rightsAllreserved. MAP3058310 | AD-06-21-0182 | 471089PM-0720 | 06/2021 © 2021 Corporation. rights MAP3058310 | AD-06-21-0182 | 471089PM-0720 | 06/2021

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Editor’s Note

Vol. 4 | No. 7 JULY 2021

Making A Difference

Editor In Chief Zim Loy

Art Director Alice Govert Bryan Digital Editor Michael Mackie

Zim

JULY 2021

| 16 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Contributing Writers Kelsey Cipolla, Judith Fertig, Timothy Finn, Cindy Hoedel, Cody Hogan, Merrily Jackson, Damian Lair, Rachel Murphy, Patricia O’Dell, Katie Van Luchene photo by aaron leimkuhler

hat’s quite a collection of your friends and neighbors on our cover. There are so many we had to use a gatefold to introduce you to our inaugural Innovators and Influencers. Our idea—to honor ten “people of the year” making a difference in Kansas City—has been brewing for a while. We had, in fact, planned to launch it last year. Well, you know how that went. So, we pivoted. (Be honest. Every time you see the word pivot, don’t you hear Ross repeatedly yelling, “Pivot! Pivot!” in the classic Friends episode when the gang was trying to take a sofa up a steep flight of stairs?) Anyway, with all the challenges faced in the last year, now seemed like a most opportune time to introduce it. We quizzed those knowledgeable in each of the ten categories for their suggestions, and then we winnowed that down to the 11 you see here. (We had planned for a nice, round, ten honorees, but one couple made the cut.) It’s definitely long-form journalism, about twice as long as most of our features. But when you start reading, I think you’ll be engrossed in their backstories and how they’ve dealt with adversity and obstacles. Our contributor, Katie Van Luchene, took on the task of writing the piece with no small amount of trepidation, but she was certainly up for it. In one of the many emails we traded back and forth to concept the feature, she typed, “P.S. I’ve fallen in love with some of these folks, especially ones I didn’t know about before this assignment. Thank you for getting me involved.” I know I’m asking a lot for you to read all ten profiles, but please do take the time. I think you’ll fall in love with some of them too. And we have plenty more to entertain you. Kelsey Cipolla’s feature, Special Delivery, focuses on five new food delivery services that have opened in Kansas City in the past year. Most of the owners launched their business looking for a healthier work-life balance and were given the opportunity to do that when the pandemic upended the restaurant industry. I’ve already ordered from several of them, and they’re now on my regular rotation for dinner. Although Pat Metheny is a world-renowned jazz musician, the Kansas City native isn’t known as a “Kansas City jazz musician.” His nuanced take on the Kansas City jazz scene makes for a terrific read. There’s an exceptional French-influenced home in Fairway that I’ve admired for years. Finally, the homeowner acquiesced to my continued pestering and allowed us to feature it in this issue. It’s stunning, and I think you’ll agree. I hope you’ll find this issue an entertaining mix of things you want to read and things you need to read.

Contributing Photographers Corie English, Aaron Leimkuehler, Anna Selle, Tom Styrkowicz Graphic Designer Eva Tucker Copy Editor Craig Magnus Publisher Michelle Jolles Media Director Brittany Coale Senior Media Consultants Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Missy Nance Newsstand Consultant Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com

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Doggone amazing! This month, Gail’s PowerSports is giving

one lucky entrant the chance to win a Kuryakyn Pet Palace (dog not included)—the ultimate home away from home for your pooch. Take your favorite four-legged family member on the road trip of a lifetime with the safest and most versatile pet carrier available. Updated styling, amenities, plus additional ventilation and internal space for your fur baby makes it ideal. Plus, it offers an internal frame with rigid structural support for peace of mind knowing your pet is protected. Enter to win by July 31 at inkansascity.com/the-magazine/enter-to-win. Good luck!

Art attack. We asked retiring Kansas City Art Institute president Tony Jones to choose his favorite piece of artwork. Out of all the pieces in his collection, Jones picked a painting called Hither & Thither by artist Doug Kemp. “It’s packed with the city-life energy of these characters escaping toward the outer edges of the frame,” he says. Read the story at inkansascity.com.

And live from KC. We chatted up

the Saturday Night Live comedian Alex Moffat ahead of his upcoming performance this month at The Comedy Club of Kansas City. (And congrats on your 100th SNL show in May, Alex!) Read the story at inkansascity.com.

Down on the Boulevard. Boulevard

Fritter-rifﬁc. Our friends at Slap’s BBQ have whipped up a delectable corn fritter to serve at your next outing. Their yummy recipe will come in handy to celebrate National Corn Fritter Day on July 16th. Find the recipe at

inkansascity.com/eat-drink-recipes.

Get thee to an outdoor patio—stat! ‘Tis the season. From

happy hours to the local restaurant scene, we’ve got the city’s most comprehensive dining guide on patio-friendly spaces for you to check out! Find it at inkansascity. com/eat-drink/dining-guide

JULY 2021

| 18 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Brewing Company founder John McDonald is Kansas City’s ultimate beer brah. We chatted up the newly re-retired McDonald to find out his stomping grounds, go-to locales, and other sundry items. Read the story at inkansascity.com.

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Women in Business by

IN KC

Michael Mackie

photo by

Vivian Nazzaro

Mindy Corporon

CORPORON MADE A LIFE-ALTERING PROFESSIONAL PIVOT AFTER THE DEATH OF HER FATHER AND HER SON

nimaginable tragedy thrust Mindy Corporon’s family into a very reluctant spotlight back in 2014. A gunman at Overland Park’s Jewish Community Center murdered her father and teenage son: William Corporon and Reat Underwood. Within a day, the hate crime made international headlines. At the time, Corporon had no idea that interview requests were flooding in (including The Today Show) or that the White House had recently made a condolence call. She was just mindfully trying to hold it together after finding both her father and son in the parking lot. “I was, like, why—why? I had no comprehension how broad it had gone. I didn’t know the White House had called or other countries were calling. The intimacy of the parking lot was still where I was,” she says. “When I showed up at the vigil and saw all those people, I was shocked. I thought what are they all doing here?” In May, Corporon’s poignant new book, Healing A Shattered Soul: My Faithful Journey of Courageous Kindness after Trauma and Grief of Domestic Terrorism was released. After years of journaling and writing, the book came out on the same day the murderer who killed her dad and son died in prison while on death row. “I think it’s a message from God,” she says. The book is a very personal look at the horrific events of that day and what transpired— told from the perspective of Corporon, her nuclear family, and the first responders who desperately tried to help. “It was cathartic. And it was very JULY 2021 |

important to me to share that—as a white Christian family— we became a target without meaning to become a target,” she says. “It was part of my healing process.” Corporon also says she penned the book to pay homage to the key people who were there that day and helped throughout the aftermath. “Trauma touches so many people when it happens, so I wanted to share those stories and intertwine the mental health aspect as well,” she says. In 2018, Corporon started her newest endeavor, a company she named Workplace Healing. As she was gradually exiting her previous CEO job, Corporon felt compelled to inspire change in corporate America. “I started feeling this responsibility as a CEO who had been so traumatized, that maybe, in a new position, I could help other CEOs and managers understand how to reintegrate their employees after a life disruption—anything from a divorce to a cancer diagnosis,” she says. According to Corporon, corporations typically dictate employees leave their personal life (or crises) at the door. “And that’s not who we are as humans. That has been the corporate culture for way too long,” she says. “Workplace Healing is creating specific content to help managers, supervisors, and directors so they know what to say, when to say it, and understand how important it is to act when someone has had a life disruption.” The company recently began a technology build-out phase as they continue to grow and nurture their clients with their 24/7 on-demand content and in-person visits. Corporon says many employees are still reeling after 2020’s pandemic upheaval. Her company’s goal is to ensure corporations find the delicate balance of head and heart in the workplace after a co-worker or employee has experienced a life disruption—anything from a family crisis to a catastrophic medical diagnosis and beyond. The company has steadily grown and evolved—much like its founder. “I didn’t know in the first few months after they were murdered that everything I do professionally would be different,” she says. “Everything I do is new now. It was like a meteor hit where I was and blasted me to a new place and different space. And I leaned into it.” Corporon says her entrepreneurial spirit has come in handy over and over again—including starting her Seven Days-Faith Always Wins Foundation. The 501c3 organization—which operates year-round—benefits medical initiatives, performing arts, and religious understanding. “I like helping people feel valued. I like empowering people,” she says. “I wanted to build a company where humans can help other humans reintegrate back in the workplace. I’m running everything myself from the ground up and it’s been hard, but I am enjoying where I am now. And I’m thankful for the skills I had in the past that help me now. I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m happy where I am.” workplacehealing.com

22 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Know Your Worth

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. POWER IS PERSONAL. Whether it’s a path to security, a gateway to your dreams or the road to being your own boss, we have the people and resources to empower you. Learn more at UMB.com/WXW

HOME IS

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compass.com Compass Realty Group is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Entertaining

IN KC

Ten Things I Wish I’d Known, as a New Bride, About Entertaining OUR DIVA OF DINNER PARTIES SHARES HARD-EARNED NUGGETS OF WISDOM

Merrily Jackson

photo by

Corie English

t’s wedding season, and here comes … lots and lots of brides. Isn’t it marvelous that people can actually have big weddings again? I remember being a new bride, enchanted at the thought of inviting people over for drinks and dinner, putting to use all our shiny new gifts. But there were things I had to learn the hard way. Here, then, are my most valuable “learnings” (as we used to say at Hallmark) about hosting parties. If you’re a regular reader of this column: first, bless you and your progeny and secondly, be forewarned some of what follows might sound familiar. But repetition is the mother of learning, right? #1. COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF JOY That wisdom, attributed to Teddy Roosevelt, is so relevant for those of us who want to have our friends over. There will always be someone with a nicer house, a newer kitchen, better culinary skills. Don’t measure yourself against others, focus on what you do have, and build your party on that. All you really need are working bathrooms, a dining table, and a decent sound system.

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

JULY 2021 |

26 | INKANSASCITY.COM

#2. WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT YOU ARE RELAXED My friend and fellow writer Steven Stolman says “control freaks have terrible parties.” It’s so true! Once guests arrive, relax, remember how much people appreciate being invited to your home, and let nothing “harsh your mellow,” as the kids say. If you are having a great time, your people will, too.

MCCROSKEYINTERIORS.COM 913-282-1161 • info@mccroskeyinteriors

Entertaining

IN KC

The Perfect Summer Party Drink

My friend Bess Kerr Eickhorst gave me this recipe, which brings together tart and sweet, floral, and fruity. The recipe serves two, but you can make and refrigerate batches of the first three ingredients ahead of time. Then all you need to do is add the prosecco and garnish to each individual drink. THE GEMINI COCKTAIL

4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice, strained

3 ounces St-Germain elderberry liqueur

2 ounces vodka

Ice cubes

Prosecco

Grapefruit slices or rind twists

Tarragon (optional)

Mix grapefruit juice, St-Germain, vodka, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into 2 chilled glasses. Top with prosecco. Serve each with a grapefruit slice or twist and a sprig of tarragon.

JULY 2021 |

28 | INKANSASCITY.COM

#3 THE BEST WAY TO RELAX IS TO HAVE AS MUCH DONE AS POSSIBLE IN ADVANCE I feel so much better if, when the doorbell rings, I have everything ready and my kitchen counters freshly windexed. Bonus points for having an empty dishwasher. (Who’s the control freak now?) Being organized takes planning. You’re only as good as your lists. I start with my menu — even if I’m only serving drinks and snacks—from that, I make grocery and liquor-store lists, and, most importantly, a detailed to-do list that will evolve as party day unfolds. I try not to go down any bunny trails not related to the party until I have everything checked off on my to-do list. Then I have guests help me with easy, last-minute things, like julienning basil or grating Parmesan. #4 A GOOD PARTY IS NOT ABOUT THE FOOD You want to serve food that tastes and looks delicious, but the fare should be secondary to the feeling of hospitality you create (more in learning No. 5). Don’t feel you need to do anything startlingly nouvelle or original. For a dinner party of more than four, I find it’s best to make— rather than an entrée and several fussy sides—a big, idiotproof, make-ahead pot of something yummy you serve over rice or noodles. Email me for my Shrimp Caneel with Creamy Lemon Rice recipe (adapted from Beyond Parsley), the perfect summer dinner party main course. I’ll also throw in my Spaghetti and Meatballs for a Crowd, excellent for the cooler months. Make it a communal event. Ask guests to bring an appie or salad or dessert while you make the main course. You could also do a taco night or build-your-own pizza party (Trader Joe’s has awesome fresh dough!); assign ingredients/toppings to the guests. Email me for handy lists of taco ingredients and pizza toppings. Or don’t cook at all. It’s perfectly fine to serve store-bought, restaurant-bought, or to call a caterer.

127th & Metcalf

#5 THE SENSE OF HOSPITALITY YOU CREATE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HAVING A REDONE KITCHEN OR NEW PATIO FURNITURE Greet your guests with robust enthusiasm, even if you saw them that afternoon. Enthusiasm really is contagious, and it sets a joyous tone for the whole gathering. Plop drinks in the hands of new arrivals; introduce people around. Be bold with your guest list. Invite people from different groups. I’m always astonished at how quickly people find common ground. You also create a hospitable atmosphere by having good smells, cozy lighting, and wonderful music. Read on. #6 OLFACTORY SENSE IS THE SENSE MOST CONNECTED TO MEMORY AND EMOTION, SO MAKE YOUR HOUSE SMELL DIVINE It’s marvelous to have something delicious-smelling like bread or brownies baking in the oven when guests arrive, but that’s not always possible when you’re doing make-ahead food. I love scented candles and deploy them everywhere except the kitchen and dining room. Some of the heavy floral ones can be nauseating, though, so I test a new scent before burning it for company. JULY 2021 |

Fabulous Selection & In Home Design 127th & Metcalf AreaRugDimensions.com 29 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Entertaining

IN KC

My friend Ursula Terrasi of Terrasi Living on the Plaza has developed a dreamy candle line called Sempre Beve. Her Limoncello scent is my absolute favorite for summer. I also like Mixture and Pickwick candles; all three brands are made locally. #7 THE RIGHT LIGHTING CAN WORK MAGIC IN YOUR HOME When I first started entertaining, I would light up my house like a surgical suite. Gradually I learned low, romantic lighting makes my house look better, as well as me and my guests. Put everything possible on a dimmer switch. If you don’t have dimmers, turn off your overhead lights, and put 15 watt (or LED equivalent) bulbs in all your lamps. You will like how your rooms look. In my column last month, “Gay Guys Really Do Have the Best Parties,” you’ll find very specific Smart Home lighting tips from my friend and master party planner, Dan Nilsen. You can never have too many candles, especially on your table during a dinner party. #8 MUSIC ADDS ENERGY TO ANY GATHERING It’s so easy to have music at your party, especially if you have Alexa, Apple Music, Spotify or Pandora. If you don’t know how to stream music in your home, go find a 12-year-old (like, literally!) to set you up. As the 12-year-old will tell you, any streaming service can create a station for you based on one artist you particularly like. CC_PrintAd_Saul-Steinberg_IN-Kansas-City_Half-Page_7-5x4-75_0621.pdf

Everyone thinks they personally have the best taste in music, and I am no exception. For parties I especially like Ray Charles, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and, not that incongruously, the soundtrack to Big Little Lies, Season 1. You never want the music so loud it drowns out conversation. Live music trumps everything. If you have budget for it—and a tuned piano—hire a piano player. A solo jazz guitarist is also a great option; all they need is a chair and an electrical outlet, and they’re in business. #9 FRESH FLOWERS: MORE IS MORE! A vase full of fresh blooms can make even the humblest room come alive. If you have means for it, call Chuck Matney at The Little Flower Shop, Studio Dan Meiners, or Trapp & Co. My favorite source for budget flowers is Trader Joe’s. They get fresh product in every morning, and you can call them and reserve flowers in advance. Or clip some greenery from your yard. Greenery in a vase can be just as pretty as flowers. #10 ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL HAVE A FIGHT WITH YOUR SPOUSE THE DAY OF THE PARTY Pretty much every couple I know squabbles while getting ready for a party; but we all get over it and move on. It’s worth the strife because having a party is really fun. Keep your eyes on the prize. 2

6/15/21

10:17 AM

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30 | INKANSASCITY.COM

Compass Realty Group is a licensed real estate broker in Missouri and Kansas and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

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Our Man BY

IN KC

Damian Lair

dlair@inkansascity.com

: @damianlair #OurManINKC

All Aboard!

Damian Lair enjoys a cocktail at the Conductor Club in Union Station.

id you know there’s a secret bar in Union StaGiven the smallish bistro tables, I would not recommend my aption? Well, I didn’t—until recently. You check in proach of ordering 75 percent of the menu all at once. Our poor little taat Pierpont’s host stand, where they will direct you ble could not quite accommodate my hungry eyes. That said, we enjoyed to a special elevator that whisks you up one level. every bit of what I selected, particularly the tartare which comes with Perched above the station’s expansive grand hall a beef fat butter candle in the center that—you guessed it—eventually was a view of Union Station I’d never before experienced. smothers the plate in silky, melted butter that’s perfectThere, you’ll find the Conductor Club. ly absorbed by the accompanying focaccia, ready for OVERHEARD Based on a rotating theme concept, the ambience is stacking with the raw steak and relishes. Totally genius. “Well, he’s got Scooby in perpetual flux. Past iterations centered around holidays Also—and you heard it here first—the next verDoo over here on his (most recently Valentine’s Day and Christmas), but on my sion of the club will be a Willy Wonka theme, which case. And I’m solving trip the space had undergone a complete Tiki Bar renoI am positively screaming for. I have the perfect round mysteries left and right.” vation. Every element from the décor to the music to the spectacles for the occasion. The switch will happen in kitschy, tiki drinkware was on theme. I started out with late summer. Reservations for the Conductor Club the Hula Girl (watermelon-basil vodka, herbal liqueur, can be made via Pierpont’s (yes, that pile of food we maraschino, lemon, and soda) but thereafter spotted the snacked on was prepared there as well). Book a ticket, flaming Scorpion Bowl (for two) and quickly downed and choo choo your caboose over to check it out. Hula so I could add a fiery tiki cauldron to my Instagram story content. All about the Gram. My bestie got to sip with me, via a second straw, as if we were Lady and the Tramp slurping on I HEARD IT ON THE RADIO spaghetti. How romantic. As for the bev, it contained what must have been 45 varieties of rum, cognac, allspice, crème de banana, and mango. Among my favorite causes and parties of the year (yes, even virtualAnd speaking of spaghetti, did I mention the club has a light-bites ly) is KCUR 89.3’s Radioactive. Last year, I was tuning in from the menu? Everything is shareable. Order a few, and you can check dinner balcony of a mountainside retreat, dining on a gourmet dinner. This off your list. You know I love to sample, so we got the fried Hawaiyear it was from my sofa, with pizza. P.S., did you know you can have ian pickles, tiki teriyaki meatballs, Hamachi ceviche, charcuterie board, Joe’s Pizza in Westport delivered to your doorstep with Uber Eats? steak tartare, crab cakes, annnnd French fries. I did not, until this day. They even include honey for drizzling across JULY 2021 |

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INTO INTO A A NEW NEW

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IN KC

your pepperoni. Swoon. With Joe’s in hand, the evening kicked off with familiar KCUR personalities dancing in the studio. Best moves, hands down, go to newcomer, Hartzell Gray. Paul Nyakatura emceed with gusto, dressed in a track-suit tuxedo. The spring class of KCUR interns (belonging to the paid internship program that the event exclusively supports) interviewed Ailsa Chang, host of the venerable All Things Considered. Ailsa talked about how after graduating from Stanford Law and landing a plum firm job, she abruptly quit and became an intern (yes, at age 30) at her local San Francisco NPR station. A fateful step that ultimately catapulted her to national fame and praise. She also talked about how reporting changed during the pandemic, and what it’s like to cover tough, emotional news topics. She left us all with her belief in the importance of finding a job you love that fulfills, challenges, and broadens your world. “Be a student of life.” Later, station general manager Sarah Morris gave a heartfelt tribute to reporter Aviva Okeson-Haberman, who was abruptly killed earlier this year by a stray bullet that entered her apartment. A former station intern, it was announced that the internship program would be named in Aviva’s honor. Finally, we all raised a glass to reporter Chris Haxel for the announcement earlier in the day that his podcast “No Compromise” was just awarded a Pulitzer Prize (the station’s first). Amazing work—and again, entirely free to the public, due to generous donations collected through efforts like this. Ready to support the station and party with your favorite public-radio nerds in person? Well, mark your calendar, because on June 10, 2022 we’ll be having one heck of a good time as we make up for these past two years apart. I can’t wait.

TRANQUILITY AND TESTIMONY With the temporary closing of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art during the pandemic, it may have been a while since you’ve wandered its hallowed halls. As of this writing, you’ll still need to reserve a ticket online (it took me two minutes), and I can say that stepping back into the museum after a year away felt so superb. Though I made the rounds to check in with old friends—Rothko, Caravaggio, Kehinde Wiley, and Deana Lawson to name a few—I visited on this day with two particular agenda items in mind. First, I wanted to experience Monet Water Lilies: From Dawn to Dusk. Through January 2022, the museum has moved its Claude Monet masterpiece to a HOT room all its own, complete with an imGOSSIP: mersive sound and light installation that provides visitors with a new way to exWhen he’s not playing perience the massive painting. There’s bridge at K-triple-C, a ten-minute program (runs on repeat) who’s wishfully that emulates the rise and fall of daypreparing for a second light, complete with chirping birds and act as a cabaret star? delicate pond water ripples. If you’re looking for several minutes of meditation-inJULY 2021 |

Friday Night Blues by Harold Smith.

ducing solitude—this is your place. Or, if a trip to France wasn’t in the cards this year, OVERHEARD take a virtual visit to Monet’s Giverny at a “Our only museum that is always free to the public. means of Second, I wanted to see the new excommunicating hibit, Testimony: African American Artists is via Venmo.” Collective. I was lured by the marketing materials I’d seen (marketing works!) featuring a captivating painting, whose creator I immediately guessed: Harold Smith. I had the great privilege and fortune of both meeting and working with Harold on a life-altering project last year, and I can report that he is as humbling as his works of art. This exhibit, of which Smith is a part, assembles works from a variety of media—painting, photography, jewelry, textile, film, and spoken word—all sharing a similar origin story. Each work is from an artist belonging to the African American Artists Collective (AAAC) based here in Kansas City. The organization endeavors to increase visibility of Black artists, and it builds exhibits and mentorship opportunities in that pursuit. The exhibit is a collection of works by more than 35 artists, each providing their personal “testimony” of the Black experience. In addition to Smith’s Friday Night Blues, which captures the shifting topics of discussion at these time-honored Friday get-togethers, I was also particularly drawn to Jason Wilcox’s Survivor, Michael Brantley’s A Seat at the Table, and Alton “AT” Webb’s DeadDeadNDead. Like the Wiley painting around the corner, this exhibit is a course-corrective step on the journey to ensuring that people of all races can explore a museum of international importance and see images of, and works created by, people who look like them. Such has not always been the case. The exhibit is also an indication of how seriously the museum takes its responsibility of being a welcoming space for all people, as well as its role in a community that’s as diverse as the 42,000 artworks it shelters. You have through March 2022 to visit. And on your way, don’t miss Smith’s recent untitled addition to the museum’s permanent collection, just down the corridor. It’s quickly making its way onto my list of old friends who require regular visits.

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BAMBOO & BREAKFAST You know the tide is shifting when you begin hearing about restaurants opening, HOT not closing. One of the best parts of GOSSIP: writing this column is that I’m often invited to serve as “practice” for Who nearly died new restaurants approaching their when stumbling upon opening day. This month, I had the a dead body in the opportunity to visit two. Lake of the Ozarks? The first: Bamboo Penny’s at Park Place in Leawood. A concept of chef Penny Mufuka, this tropical Thai restaurant is both comfortable and delicious— traditional Thai cooking with a stroke of contemporary panache. They say, “This is where ‘mild, medium, or hot’ isn’t a question of preference, but a test of one’s courage,” and I found that to be quite true. Only the brave could contemplate the unmentioned “Thai hot.” While there, I started with the Summer Fizz cocktail, crafted with cucumber vodka and lime. I nibbled on the summer rolls (lump crab meat, cream cheese, cucumber, bean sprouts, cilantro, and mint, wrapped in soft rice paper), and the moo tod (crispy pork bites tossed with garlic Thai spices and herbs)—highly recommend this one. For entrées, I tried the panang duck (crispy half-duck served with curry sauce) and the pad Thai à la Penny. The pad Thai was easily the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The entire rice noodle entrée comes gift-wrapped in a golden egg crepe. You have to see it. And it was as scrumptious as it was stunning. Upon spying what others were ordering, I wish I’d also tried the gorgeous pineapple fried rice (served in a halved, hollow-cored pineapple). If you’d prefer to drink your dinner, the establishment also boasts a Polynesian-inspired rooftop bar, the “Bamboo Room,” complete with retractable roof. What a perfect place to spend the rest of the summer. I also had the opportunity to visit the newest outpost of Shack in Lee’s Summit. Now their fourth location (in addition to Lenexa and two in Overland Park), and I hear more are on the way (wink), they hardly needed any practicing. My rule: cocktails first. I was alerted by friends to order one of the “boozy shakes,” so I did. I chose the Captain Crunch (rumchata, spiced rum yogurt and crushed Cap’n Crunch), telling the waiter how I’m not really a milkshake person but would try it anyway. Gone. I can see why they’re so popular. Something else I’m not: a breakfast person. So, very funny to be previewing a breakfast-centric restaurant (though they have a smaller lunch menu). Even funnier is that I found myself wanting to order everything. I somehow limited my selections to the big crunch French toast (encrusted with corn flakes and powdered sugar), the country-fried steak, the tostada salad (because you know—health), and the chili cheese dirty fries. I loved it all. Also, a special shoutout to the owners’ sense of humor in naming menu items. A few of my favorites: “Why the French hate us,” “Please dad, don’t buy that Affliction T-shirt,” and “I had a salad for lunch.” Before leaving, I grabbed a Sharpie and scribbled my name across the wall, as is encouraged. It was a blank canvas on my visit, but with lines often around the corner at Shack locations, it won’t be blank for long.

So, KC—where do you want to go? XO JULY 2021 |

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Arts & Culture

IN KC

Clark Morris

EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIMAN-JEWELL SERIES, ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS by

Judith Fertig

lark Morris wears two hats and wears them well. He is the vice president for advancement at William Jewell College in Liberty and also the executive and artistic director for the Harriman-Jewell Series, a performing-arts presenter of international renown. In 1965, the Series’ first performance introduced Patricia McBride and Edward Villella of the New York City Ballet to Kansas City audiences. A newbie operatic tenor, who eventually bloomed into the Luciano Pavarotti we all knew and loved, debuted in Kansas City through the Series in 1973. Discovery, quality, and variety remain the tenets of the series, founded by the late, great Richard Harriman and Dean Dunham, Jr. For the past 30 years, Morris has been at the helm, discovering new talent while maintaining the quality and variety that Kansas City audiences have come to expect. Morris grew up in Savannah, Missouri, and debated at William Jewell, where his fraternity advisor was Richard Harriman. Little did he know that he was preparing for his life’s work: spotting talent, negotiating contracts, managing financials, JULY 2021

photo by

Corie English

and calming pre-performance jitters. Find the details of the 2021-22 Harriman-Jewell season at hjseries. org. Read on for the talent he wishes he had. . . INKC: In college at William Jewell, you started working with Richard Harriman in the Fine Arts Program that eventually became the Harriman-Jewell Series. What are some important lessons you learned from him—about finding talent, running a successful program, dealing with creative personalities, or working with people? Morris:I was extraordinarily fortunate to get to work with Richard and be mentored by him at Jewell and then for the first 20 years of my professional life. Richard had exceptional taste and a refined style, yet he valued all people and taught me to treat everyone with dignity and grace. One of the most important lessons from Richard that has served me well in dealing with artists and working in the performing arts is to always be calm and don’t let the circumstances of the moment overcome the value of the people around you. An artist or an agent may be tense,

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but if you maintain a graceful and calm disposition, it tends to put them at ease and then they enjoy working with you. Richard understood that artists are under pressure to put it all on the line on the stage and if he could remove any stressors, it increases the likelihood of an enjoyable performing environment for the artist and for the audience. Richard became well known around the world by making the show about the art and not about him.

Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center, and being able to present Joyce DiDonato’s latest project, Eden, a thrilling artistic creation that we’ve co-commissioned with the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan. We also will continue our mission of debuting artists to Kansas City, such as countertenor Anthony Roth Constanzo and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. I’m looking forward to being in the hall with these artists and with our audience.

INKC: Do you have a not-ready-for-primetime performance talent,

INKC: You have nurtured the Harriman-Jewell series for 30 years

maybe bongo drums in the car or singing in the shower? Morris:[Laughs] I can sing well enough to not embarrass the people around me in church or at a concert when the artist invites the audience to join in. Dancing is where I am woefully under-talented and any attempts for my body to move in an artful way are hilarious and often dangerous. I have a special appreciation for humans with the gift of movement and I love dance because it is so far from my giftedness. My wife has this dream that we will take dance lessons, and I remind her that she does not have an eye for future talent.

as it has nurtured a love of musical culture in Kansas City. How has the Kansas City area nurtured you back? Morris: I love Kansas City and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. My wife and I have been proud to raise two boys here and have so many good friendships and neighbors. We love food, and of course, barbecue, I’m a Big Green Egg convert and smoke meats trying to duplicate the divine from the likes of Joe’s Kansas City and Q39 and all the other exceptional Kansas City joints. The Restaurant at 1900 is one of the more recent spots that nurtures my soul with outstanding cuisine in a cultured and stylish environment. I’m passionate about the Chiefs and Royals; I think Patrick Mahomes and Salvador Pérez are good representatives of our Kansas City community to the world. I appreciate the Nelson and the American Jazz Museum and the WWI Museum and so many other special experiences right here in our town. I know I’m blessed to be nurtured by so many good people, to witness their love for each other and for this community. Thank you, KC. I can never repay all you’ve given me.

INKC: After missing in-person performances during the pandemic, Kansas City arts lovers are eagerly anticipating the new season of the Harriman-Jewell series. Can you preview a few highlights for us? Morris:Kansas City, I’m right with you and can’t wait to get back in the concert hall next season. I couldn’t be happier with the lineup we have, beginning in October with the exceptional violinist Joshua Bell with pianist Alessio Bax, performing in our opening gala performance in

JULY 2021

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Arts & Culture by

IN KC

Judith Fertig

BILLIE HOLIDAY AT SUGAR HILL: PHOTOGRAPHS BY JERRY DANTZIC IN APRIL 1957, Decca Records sent photographer Jerry Dantzic to photograph Billie Holiday during a weeklong run of performances at Sugar Hill nightclub in Newark, New Jersey. The 56 images he took record an intimate and unexpected look at the jazz icon, perhaps disputing or at least shading the usual tragic narrative that accompanies her legacy. The photographs document a significant period in Holiday’s life, just two years before her death at the age of 44. Developed collaboratively by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Jerry Dantzic Archives, the exhibition shows the consummate jazz artist at the height of her star power, with all its accompanying elegance, complexity, and humanity. Dantzic’s discreet, respectful, and artful approach, using only available light, helped forge a bond of trust between him and Holiday. The resulting series of images captures her enthralling audiences while on stage, but also tender moments with her close family and friends, and relationships with fans she encounters on the street. The exhibit runs through August 1, 2021, at The American Jazz Museum in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. For tickets and times, visit americanjazzmuseum.org

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TO THE BEAT OF YOUR HEART ART IS GOING IMMERSIVE. There is the immersive Monet waterlilies at the Nelson, immersive Van Gogh debuting in December, and now a new immersive art experience activated by your heartbeat. Yes, your heartbeat. Pulse Topology at Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art features an upside-down landscape of mountains and valleys made from thousands of suspended light bulbs that mirror the pulse of visitor participants, creating a “we are one” experience. Media artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer works at the intersection of architecture, technology, and performance, exploring themes of human connection. Presented for the first time at Kemper Museum, Pulse Topology is the latest work in Lozano-Hemmer’s Pulse series, comprised of projects that use heart-rate sensors to create interactive audiovisual experiences from participants’ biometric information that we project into the world. kemperart.org

JULY 2021

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Arts & Culture by

IN KC

Judith Fertig

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Apothecary by Jane Booth.

THE SUMMER INVITATIONAL at Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art is up until August 21, revealing an impressive cadre of contemporary artists. The lineup features 20 artists, including Annie Herrero, John Ferry, Patty Carroll, Tom Huck and Jane Booth. Booth, whose works on canvas, paper, and wood/metal/ rubber are in over 600 private and corporate collections, takes inspiration from the vistas around her Spring Hill ranch. Says Booth, “I start each morning in the studio, sitting on a sofa looking out big glass doors to the southeast, overlooking a field of mixed grasses with a small spring-fed pond in the center. The pond is a constant, but different every day. Sometimes the wind blows across, rippling the water. When it’s still, the water is reflective. It freezes, sparkles in the sun, and thaws.” sherryleedy.com.

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HOT LATIN NIGHT GO ON UP to Howard’s Farm & Kitchen in the Historic Northeast for an outdoor concert experience—with chef-prepared fine food and Latin music by Ensemble Ibérica. The event takes place in their garden on July 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with each picnic blanket preset according to your reservation. Ensemble Ibérica’s Son Havana: The Music of Cuba features guitarist Michael McClintock leading the way with traditional folk music, with Bruno Bessa vocals, Coleen Dieker on violin, Beau Bledsoe on guitar, John Curry on percussion, and Forest Stewart on bass. Chef Craig Howard accompanies the music with from-scratch, fresh, organic fare locally grown—in his own urban acre and from surrounding farms. Tickets available at ensembleiberica.org.

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Behind the Music

IN KC

Members of Frogpond, (left to right) Justine Volpe, Heidi Phillips, Kristin Thompson Conkright, and Michelle Bacon.

Heidi Phillips

Timothy Finn

or Heidi Phillips, life in a small town 70 miles southeast of Kansas City was about as carefree as it gets. The middle of three children, all girls, she was raised in Chilhowee, Missouri, by attentive parents who encouraged their daughters to pursue their passions and interests, whatever they may be. And so they did. Phillips initially discovered sports as her main interest. Then music became a priority, starting in junior high, when she started playing the drums and then moved on to guitar. By the time she enrolled in college in Warrensburg, she’d been in a couple of bands, including one that performed at a famous Westport bar long before Phillips was old enough to drink adult beverages legally. While in college, Phillips would start the all-female band Frogpond, a relatively modest endeavor at first that steadily became something bigger than anticipated. Frogpond would get attention from some record labels and national media, including an article in the now-defunct Musician magazine and some high-stakes notices from members of two popular bands, R.E.M. and Everclear. Frogpond tried to navigate the usual rough and unpredictable waters of the music industry that most bands in its situation faced. After JULY 2021

photo by

Anna Selle

releasing two well-received albums and going through a few changes in personnel, their music environment changed and so did the band’s prospects. So in 2000, Phillips decided it was time to end the Frogpond story. A couple of decades later, however, she’s decided it’s time to revive the band, resurrect the old songs, and write some new ones. Concurrent with that decision: the digital release of Count to Ten, the beloved and very scarce and difficult-to-find Frogpond debut released in 1996. Phillips has formed another version of Frogpond, and once again it is an all-female quartet geared up to re-create the energy and dynamics that Phillips had in mind when she started the band more than 25 years ago. Phillips recently answered questions about her upbringing in rural Missouri, the music that shaped her life, the joys of creating and performing music, and the prospects of restarting her first big band. What was your childhood like? Heidi Phillips: I was born in Clinton, Missouri, and raised in Chilhowee, population 238 at the time. My family environment was pretty typical: raised by my mom and dad, who are still happily married. I have two sisters—I’m the middle child. Went to school and played what sports were available—basketball and softball.

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In the summers we’d go to the lake almost every weekend. My parents were scuba divers. OK, maybe this part isn’t typical—they would enter spear-fishing competitions. They put on their gear and sit on the bottom of murky lakes and spear fish. They would win by weighing in with the most pounds of fish. And my sisters and I would just hang out on the boat all day. My parents were always very supportive and encouraged us to find our passion in life and follow it. They taught me moral core values. At the time, especially early teens, I think I was bored a lot. But looking back, I feel like I’m happy to have had that type of experience and upbringing.

well enough. I got introduced to R.E.M. because another friend bought it and didn’t like it and said, “Here. This sounds like something you’d like.” He was right. I think what drew me to both of those bands were the melodies and singers’ voices. Both bands in their own ways had this great, infectious energy.

When did music enter your life? What are your earliest memories of music? HP: My dad is a huge Jimmy Buffet fan, so I pretty much grew up on him. Back then, I knew the words to every song. We also listened to Jim Croce, CCR, Don McLean. I remember them the most. The first song I remember falling in love with was Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust. I had this awesome little red record player that had disco lights on the front that would change colors when the record played. I loved that song. I would go to my sister’s room and listen to her records, too— Captain & Tennille’s Love Will Keep Us Together and Mickey by Toni Basil, and others.

HP: When I finally found music, that was pretty much it, but also bas-

Who were your first favorite bands/artists? What drew you to them? HP: U2 and R.E.M. My friend gave me a [home-recorded] cassette tape

of U2’s Joshua Tree. It sounded pretty rough, but I could hear the songs

What was the first album you owned? HP: One of my first full-length albums was Duran Duran’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger. Growing up, what were your interests other than music? ketball and softball. When I was younger: playing in the woods, watching TV, playing video games—we had an Odyssey—hanging out with friends, bugging my sisters. You know, all the regular stuff. When did you first consider becoming a musician and performing live? HP: I played saxophone in sixth grade. My sister played it, as well; she was in seventh grade. It worked out that we could both use the same instrument that year. But when I got to seventh grade, because we only had one saxophone and my sister was farther along, I switched to percussion. I learned to read drum music and play snare drum, mainly. That led me to wanting to play the whole kit, so I began that when I was 13 or 14 years old. By the time I was 15, I had a “band” with my friend who played guitar and taught me how to play some chords on an acoustic guitar my mom bought me for $14 at a garage sale. I loved that guitar.

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Behind the Music

IN KC

It was stolen out of our bus in Chicago in 1997. What about songwriting? HP: I started writing songs when I was 15. The Frogpond song Sleep is one of those. It’s a bit different on the recording, but the basics of it were written then. I kept writing in my bedroom until I started Frogpond when I was 20, that would have been 1993. Frogpond was the first band where I sang, played guitar, and wrote the songs. At the time I was really inspired by girl-led bands like Throwing Muses, Belly and the Breeders and thought, “Wow. How much fun would that be?” Tell us about projects that preceded Frogpond. HP: My first real band was Keely Zoo, based in Warrensburg. I was 16 years old, and my guitar-player friend Scott O’Hara auditioned and became part of that band. They needed a drummer, so I tried out, and they let me in. It was a pretty awesome experience. Scott wrote original songs and we mostly played originals. We did do a cover of Bauhaus’s Bela Lugosi’s Dead. We played the Hurricane [now the Riot Room] once. They let me play, but I had to leave right after because of my age. We also played The Shadow [in Westport]. After Keely Zoo, I played drums in a band called Winter Harvest, which had that alt-rock sound. Both bands were great experiences and great fun. Talk about the start of Frogpond and how it evolved into the band

that recorded Count to Ten. HP: Frogpond started in 1993 in Warrensburg, where I went to college. Those female-led bands were my inspiration for starting an all-girls band. The original members were two friends and me: Gigi Holmes and Julie Hicks (now Lober). I had never fronted my own band, so I was very apprehensive about being the lead singer. Ultimately, my desire won out over my fear. I played guitar and sang; Gigi played bass; Julie played drums. Neither of them had ever played instruments before, and because I had drum and guitar experience, I showed them what I knew to get started. It was the first time I had ever played electric guitar. I bought my first electric from a friend, a Fender Squier Strat that my friend had put Humbucker pickups in. I still have it. I began writing, and before we knew it, we had a handful of songs and started playing—just shows in and around Warrensburg. The lineup changed from there, and we became a four-piece: Julie and Gigi left for different reasons, and I remained. It became me, Megan Hamilton on drums, Tawni Freeland on guitar, and Annie Steinbrunn on bass. And shortly after that, you got your first break: The band got noticed. HP: We recorded a demo at Red House Studio in Lawrence. Dawn Debias, a rep from Columbia Records, often checked in with the studio to see what new bands had been recording and if anything might pique her interest. She heard us and wanted to meet us. I remember getting a phone call on the pay phone outside my dorm

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room. Dawn was calling to see if we could meet with her. We met at Country Kitchen in Warrensburg. We were so nervous, I think all four of us shared one side of French fries. She was super nice and is still one of my best friends. Anyway, things just kind of rolled from there. We got accepted into SXSW, played a showcase show at The Electric Lounge, and were courted by a few other labels. Eventually we signed a Sony contract with Relativity Records. Pretty much as soon as we signed, the label decided to become a rap label. Most of the alternative bands on the label were dropped, but a few of us got moved over to Columbia. Our Lady Peace was one and a couple of others along with us. We weren’t really happy with the situation. The reason we signed with Relativity was to build a grassroots following that would allow us to grow along with our fan base. Columbia just seemed too big and fast for us. Meanwhile we had more member changes: Justine Volpe replaced Annie Steinbrunn, and Kristie Stremel took Tawni Freeland’s place. You had to make a significant choice when it came to selecting a producer because two famous people were interested. HP: We had played a show at the Hurricane when R.E.M. was in town. One of their crew members ended up at our sound check and told Mike Mills about us. He came to the show and liked us and asked us if we wanted to come to (the R.E.M.) show at Sandstone the next night. Of course we said yes. We ended up playing their end-of-tour wrap party in Atlanta. Also, we met Art Alexakis from Everclear. Long story short, it came down to either Mike Mills or Art producing Count To Ten,

which we’d negotiated to come out on Tristar Records. In the end we went with Art. He had the idea to go to Madison, Wisconsin, and record at Smart Studio, where a lot of cool bands recorded. Nirvana’s Nevermind was recorded there. What do you remember about that experience? HP: I think the first or second day we were there, it started to rain like crazy and ended up flooding the main room of the studio. So we ended up recording in the upstairs room, which was smaller, but it worked. Everything was kind of a whirlwind. The process of recording was very quick. The main thing I remember is because of the flooding, our tour manager, John, was helping save reelto-reels of bands from the flooded basement. It all happened really fast. Where did that sound come from—brash, dynamic, groovy, hardedged, poppy? HP: From bands I was listening to at the time. And from my inexperience at playing guitar. That’s what kept the songs simple and more focused on melody. I was just having fun and enjoying the act of singing and playing. The dynamics came from me really liking that feeling of going from quiet to loud, like The Breeders’ Cannonball and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. I really connected to that format. It was simple and something that made sense to me, as opposed to more complex musical tools, like key changes and layering. Have you developed a method to songwriting?

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Behind the Music

IN KC

HP: Songwriting has always been a mystery to me. My process is pretty simple and has remained pretty much the same. If I feel like writing, I’ll pick up the guitar and start playing. If something catches my ear, I’ll start to think of a concept that matches my mood. I write the lyrics and melody at the same time. If nothing comes to me, I put the guitar down. I’ve learned that if it’s not coming easily, don’t force it, because I’ll just end up with something that feels and sounds forced.

Frogpond went through more personnel changes, moved up to Columbia Records, put out another very good record and then called it a day. What were you feeling when it was all over? HP: I was disappointed, to say the least. It was a long and difficult road, and we did the best we could. The decision to end it was one that was made for reasons other than the actual music. We just felt like we were beating our heads against a wall and getting nowhere. Financially we were getting to a point where it was becoming too much of a risk to continue. As the leader, I felt like I had a responsibility to the other members not to put their futures in any further jeopardy, so I decided it was time. You pursued other music projects after Frogpond. How was your approach to those different? You and Danny Krause worked so well as a pair of singers/songwriters. Any plans for more of that? HP: In Abileen, the band I started after Frogpond, I approached writing differently. While in Frogpond I would receive quite a bit of feedback from people regarding my songwriting. In general people would comment on the simplicity of it, or I would be critiqued for not having a

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bridge or being kind of a lazy lyricist, I suppose, by sometimes repeating the first verse in the third. With Abileen, I pushed myself to be a more complex songwriter, I still tried to write instinctively, but to think more critically about the songs. My most recent project with Danny was more acoustic-driven, and I agree, Danny and I work well together. I think our writing styles and voices complement each other. We don’t have current plans to collaborate, but I’m open to it. Danny’s a great songwriter.

Count to Ten celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, and it also became available digitally for the first time. Describe what that was like, knowing it could be heard again by anyone anywhere. HP: It felt great. The even cooler part about it is the timing. I’ve had people come up to me over the years and ask how they can listen to it, and I would tell them, “Only if you have a CD because it’s not available digitally.” I’d been in contact with Sony about some other things and asked about a digital release. They were very kind to look into it and make it happen. It just happened to coincide with the reformation of Frogpond and was a great way to announce that and the upcoming album. It just feels right. What was it like hearing those songs again? I felt like they defy the passage of time, like they sound contemporary or timeless—not of a specific era or moment or trend. HP: Thank you! It’s been fun to hear them recently, though I’d listened to them now and again throughout the years. For me, they are always with

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me because I wrote them. It would only take me a moment to remember how to play them, and I remember all the lyrics already. But like I said, they’re always with me. You have re-formed the band with Justine and two new members who are well-known in this music community, Michelle Bacon and Kristin Thompson Conkright. Frogpond is an all-female quartet again. Was that a sole intent when you decided to restart the band? HP: Yes it was. It didn’t start that way but was a last-minute realization. Michelle had invited me to sing a song with The Band That Fell To Earth [a David Bowie tribute band] right before Covid hit. I sang the song The Man Who Sold The World. They have a lot of female members, and the feeling I had when I got on stage to sing that night prompted the decision. It just felt right, like that’s the type of energy we wanted. Compare what that is like now compared to 25 years ago. How much has gender politics changed in the music world since then? HP: We’ve only just begun and haven’t even played a show yet, so I’m not sure if I can compare now to 25 ago years yet. But I do know that there seem to be a lot more female musicians today, and I think it’s still as empowering as it was 25 years ago. I think gender politics is an ever-changing landscape. What can you tell us about the new album and songs? HP: It’s called TimeThief. I feel like the songs are a good mix between the first and second Frogpond album (Safe Ride Home). I went back to my basics, didn’t overthink and went with my gut. So I think whatever

JULY 2021

songwriting skills I’ve picked up over the years were implemented in a more natural way. A release date in mind? Live shows? HP: Our album-release show is set for Novemer 27 at RecordBar. We have a couple of other under-the-radar shows planned just for practice leading up to that. Talk about Kansas City as a music culture/community. What has been your experience as, now, one of its long-time contributors? HP: I love the Kansas City music scene. It’s always been so vibrant, even when the trends change it keeps the energy. I think it’s even better now with organizations like the Midwest Music Foundation. It feels like a community of people that have each other’s backs. I’ve always had that feeling about it. I have great respect for the community and feel honored to be a part of it still.

WANT MORE TIMOTHY FINN? Check out his weekly online-only content at inkansascity.com. Every Wednesday the website publishes his list of Top 5 Notto-Miss Concerts in the metro. Every week you’ll ﬁnd his revered, rollicking, reasoned reviews and commentary. Email Timothy Finn at tﬁnn@inkansascity.com

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Look

IN KC

Fashion

Rachel Murphy

Be the Trend You Want to See Sydni Russell and her daughter, Mila.

ho says that style is limited to grownups? There’s a new boutique that’s serving up pure cuteness for the under two set, with a side of fashion for moms as well. And it’s all from one of Kansas City’s own, Sydni Russell. Many may know Russell as the partner of one of the more outspoken Kansas City Chiefs players (his nickname rhymes with moneyradger), but Russell is making waves on her own. Her new children’s boutique, Jill Marie Boutique, opened in May at Zona Rosa. Not only is the boutique a welcome addition to the center as a bastion of all things adorable for toddlers, but it is also the first minority-owned establishment there. Russell first started designing clothing after the birth of her second child, Mila. While her 7-year-old son, Tyrann, had a great role model in his father, Russell wanted to be a role model for her daughter as well. She had an eye for design, and in October of 2020, she took the leap and created the online version of Jill Marie Boutique. After several pop-ups, she took the next step to open a brick-and-mortar storefront. The line, which includes both girls’ and boys’ clothing and unisex options, focuses mainly on baby sizes. Still, Russell is currently working on expanding the collection to include toddler and youth sizes and more adult pieces. She also carries several Mommy and Me pieces so that you can match your little in style. While her bestsellers are her printed T-shirts featuring Kansas City motifs, Russell’s fashion aesthetic is decidedly subtle. Demure ruffles line rompers and pastels and neutrals dominate pieces that will look chic by the pool or on a playdate. While the color stories may be toned down compared to the usual bright hues seen on kids’ apparel, Russell’s pieces are anything but overly precious. These are clothes meant to be lived in. Since its late May opening, Jill Marie Boutique has seen steady traffic, and Russell is excited to give local parents different options. “Sometimes you just want your kids to look a little chicer, you know? I just keep thinking, ‘what would I want my daughter to wear?’ So, if you want to take a cute picture or match your outfit when you’re going out, I’m trying to create that option,” says Russell. With an ever-expanding collection, the short set is about to look a bit more stylish. Visit Jill Marie Boutique at Zona Rosa Town Center or online at shopjillmarie.com. JULY 2021 |

Dulce De Leche rufﬂed onesie, $35.90

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Safari tee, $17.90; Safari shorts $17.90.

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Moving you in the right direction

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Look

IN KC Beauty

Rachel Murphy

The Look on Main Street Hibiscus & lavender salt scrub, $8 Coffee and Shea Butter Body Scrub, $8

Brightening serum, $20

Emergency skin relief, $12

Rose clay mask, $12

hen it comes to skincare, Ashleigh Klukow, founder and owner of Main Street Apothecary, wasn’t always a saint. But while she once dabbled in the artificial ingredients popular in glittery products, her 33rd birthday was a wake-up call. “When I was little, I loved birthday or Christmas presents of those awful little gel glitter products. Now that I’m older, I just need to take care of my skin,” she says. Her tactic? Make her skincare products herself. And the idea caught on. Klukow has always dreamed of owning her own business. So when she lost her job in March of 2020, she decided to take a leap and pursue her ambitions. Since she had already experimented with making her own skincare products, it was easy to turn her market research to her friends and family. Their enthusiastic response to her organic skincare gave her the confidence to open

her Etsy store in May of 2020. A year later, Klukow is turning her market research into a thriving online business. Her products are made on demand, using organic ingredients like organic calendula oil, lavender, and French clay. Her line includes a brightening serum that harnesses the power of a proprietary blend of essential oils, along with witch hazel, squalene oil, and hemp-seed oil. One of her sugar body scrubs has already been picked up for a subscription box, so the word is out. Those natural ingredients speak to Klukow on a personal level. “Some of my best sellers are my sugar scrubs, but I really love my rose clay mask. I put it on weekly. I love the smell of rose, and my skin is so bright afterward. I love it and my serums,” says Klukow. Find Main Street Apothecary on Facebook or Etsy at Main Street Apothecary KC. JULY 2021 |

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Ashleigh Klukow, founder and owner of Main Street Apothecary

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Look

IN KC

Wellness

Come On Move Your Body by

Rachel Murphy

f you’re cautiously coming out of your social shell, you’re not alone. If you’re coming out with a few more pounds than when you went in, you’re definitely not alone. But hitting the iron paradise isn’t for everyone. If you’d rather samba than squat, dance fitness may be the perfect solution for melting some pounds while having fun. Dance fitness classes aren’t exactly new. You can still go to the grandmother of all legwarmer workouts at Jazzercise studios around the city. But if you want something a little different, there are new options to explore too. Here are our favorite ways to feel the beat and lose weight.

WERQ Remember Zumba? Trends come and go, but dancing to of-the-moment music in a way to get your heart going is forever. WERQ is the evolution of that ideal. But instead of practicing your cha-cha steps to Enrique Iglesias, WERQ will challenge you to get low to Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj. Much like Zumba, you can find WERQ classes all over town at various gyms and fitness studios, all pumping up the jams and the self-confidence as instructors welcome all body types and skill levels to this infectious cardio workout. Find classes at werqfitness.com.

DANCE FIT FLOW If your image of a dance studio involves teenagers in spandex and sequins with no real evidence of bones, then a dance studio could be intimidating. Dance Fit Flow wants to change that. This Crossroads dance studio is for adults only—and not just adults that used to dance. Their class offerings are accessible to anyone that wants to move their body. You’ll find a wide variety of classes, from salsa fusion to musical theater to jazz-funk. Some classes are dance-focused, and some are fitness, using dance as their medium. All of their classes are focused on creating an environment that’s comfortable for dancers of any experience level. See their schedule at dancefitflow.com.

AKT DANCE Remember when we all looked at Britney Spears and thought, ‘I could have those abs and that rhythm?’ Well, the AKT workout is the way you get it. AKT is a dance workout that’s more than just cardio. Rather than just doing dance choreography to high-tempo music, AKT incorporates circuit training, toning, and interval training, with new routines every three weeks to keep things fresh. It promises hair whipping end results. Sounds like Britney circa 2001. For this challenge, head to the newly opened AKT Leawood, where you can find Dance, Bands, Tone, and Circuit classes. Sign up at theakt.com/ location/leawood.

JULY 2021 |

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WEPLAY

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Living

IN KC BY

Patricia O’Dell

Reuse and Refresh DUSTIN SWARTZ AND DARREN KILLEN REFINE REPURPOSING AT GREEN DOOR ANTIQUES

ver the last year, many people rediscovered the joy of being at home, and updates and renovations indoors and out continue to abound. Green Door Antiques, a hunter-and-gatherer favorite owned by Dustin Swartz and Darren Killen, is a go-to spot for interesting finds, including antique and vintage furniture, old flags, and barware. But one of their inventory mainstays is architectural salvage. While their space at Bottoms Up at 13th and Hickory in the West Bottoms is ever-changing, there is a consistent inventory of old finials, basins, and urns. “It’s something we always look for,” Swartz says. “But it has to be interesting.” Besides their own sourcing and trips to Round Top, the sprawling outdoor antique show in Texas, he says people bring them items as well. He and Killen are discerning in their selections. “It’s great to have unusual things,” he says. “But we focus on items that can be used in a practical way.” “We only buy things we love,” Killen adds. “If we wouldn’t take it home, we won’t buy it.” To this end, many of their finds end up in gardens as stepping-stones, planters, or interesting focal points. “We take things out of their original intent,” Swartz says. “We have an old olive-oil collector in our garden and tractor parts in our peony bed.” Green Door Antiques is open Saturdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and the first weekend of the month Friday through Sunday. For more information, and a great follow, you can find them on Instagram at @thegreendoorantiques.

JULY 2021 |

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GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY! WHO SAYS KIDS SHOULD HAVE ALL THE FUN? CALL YOUR FRIENDS YOUNG AND OLD, LIGHT THE GRILL AND PLAY SOME GAMES! THESE YARD GAMES WILL LIVEN UP ANY CROWD.

THE HOME TEAM

IF MEMORY SERVES Testing your guests’ memories will be fun for the young and old alike. Jumbo memory game, $26.99, from Brookside Toy and Science.

Go big or go home! Royals and Chiefs fans can show their hometown pride with giant dominos—these measure 3.5 inches by 7 inches. Or play this 3-foot-tall Victory Four game featuring the logo of your favorite team. Kansas City Chiefs yard dominoes, $49.99, from nﬂshop.com; Kansas City Royals 3-foot Victory Four game set, $199.99, from mlbshop.com.

Join the Counter Culture

WE’RE HOOKED Nothing looks easier than the hook and ring-toss game, but anyone who’s stood on a sandy beach or restaurant courtyard and tried to swing the ring onto the hook may tell you differently. The good news is that the components are just a trip to the hardware store away. Instructions widely available online.

Manufactured right here in Kansas City, our standard and custom-sized cultured marble products are available in more than 40 colors. Use them as a countertop with built-in, drop-in or vessel bowls, a shower base with wall set and bathtubs to create a style uniquely your own.

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JULY 2021 |

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Living

IN KC BY

Patricia O’Dell

Farm Living is the Life

n the design world, Christopher Spitzmiller is best known for his ceramic lamps with gem-like glazes that grace the tables of homes designed by the best designers in the business. These jewels have had a supporting role in images of the Oval Office for the last three administrations. But Spitzmiller is not all work and no play. As a way to escape the frenetic energy of New York City, where he keeps main residence and studio, he purchased Clove Brook Farm in upstate New York and has been lovingly restoring and enhancing the property in a thoughtful and engaging way. JULY 2021 |

It was not an overnight transformation, but a slow and steady process of updating the house, plotting the magnificent gardens, designing the pool and pool house. Spitzmiller shares his story in his new book, A Year at Clove Brook Farm – Gardening, Tending Flocks, Keeping Bees, Collecting Antiques and Entertaining Friends. Lacking bravado, Spitzmiller shares his intention, his second guessing, and the gracious results. This book is a don’t-miss for traditional design lovers and those who believe an escape outside the city and their regular life may be the answer to everything.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEMMA & ANDREW INGALLS COURTESY OF RIZZOLI NEW YORK.

ADVICE FOR GRACIOUS LIVING

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEMMA & ANDREW INGALLS COURTESY OF RIZZOLI NEW YORK.

Cooling Off KEGS AND COOLERS of beer may be typical Independence Day accoutrements, but when my partner told me he loved me for the first time on the 4th of July, we were drinking Champagne. Now there’s no going back. With so many good, approachable sparkling wines available, why not put a bottle on ice to go with your fireworks? Liven things up further with a cooler that’s outside the box.

127th & Metcalf

Enamel utility bucket, $36, homesongmarket.com.

Provençal terracotta vase, $135, Pear Tree Antiques (Crestwood Shops).

Glazed stoneware face ceramic, $30, Stuff (Brookside).

Open to the Public Free Financing Full Service Installation -or- Carry Out Large terazza pot, $38, Golden & Pine (The Shops of Prairie Village).

JULY 2021 |

KCWholesaleCarpet.com 61 | INKANSASCITY.COM

JULY 2021 |

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words by

Cindy Hoedel

photo by

Jimmy Katz

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Pat Metheny

nternational fame found the Lee’s Summit native early. Improvisational guitarist and composer Pat Metheny got his first guitar at age 12, and by 15, he was gigging with Kansas City’s premier jazz musicians. At 17, the summer after his junior year at Lee’s Summit High School, Metheny performed his own compositions with the Kansas City Philharmonic (precursor to the Kansas City Symphony). At 18, he went to University of Miami to study music and, instead, became their youngest ever music teacher. At 19, he became the youngest teacher ever at Berklee College of Music in Boston and played on jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius’ album Jaco. At 21, Metheny released his debut album, Bright Size Life. He has said the first eight notes of that record—instantly recognizable to anyone in Kansas City who was listening to music in the ’70s—set up everything that has followed over the next four-plus decades of his career. Those eight notes, most critics agree, also changed the trajectory of jazz music, though it took a while for audiences to catch up. Bright Size Life sold fewer than 1,000 copies upon release in 1975, but today sales number around 700,000, and the title track is included in the Smithsonian’s anthology of landmark jazz recordings. At 23, Metheny formed a band with pianist Lyle Mays, bassist Mark Egan, and drummer Danny Gottlieb and released Pat Metheny Group, containing the exuberant, melodic Phase Dance, another instantly recognizable tune that Metheny often opened shows with. At 25, Metheny got his first Grammy nomination, at 27, his first win— out of 20 Grammys to date in 12 different categories. In another feat, the Pat Metheny Group won seven times for seven consecutive records. Three of Metheny’s albums have sold more than a million copies: Secret Story, Still Life Talking, and Letter From Home. This year, he received a Grammy nomination for From This Place, and released his 47th album, Road to the Sun. In a lengthy phone call with IN Kansas City from the New York City home he shares with his wife, Latifa, and kids Nicolas, 22, Jeff, 20, and Maya, 12, the 66-year-old master of improvisation converses the way he plays, listening

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intently, often hooking his response to a subordinate word rather than the direct line of inquiry, moving an idea in a different direction without breaking the connection. Metheny uses phrases such as “you know,” “I mean,” and “kind of ” profusely to augment and diminish meaning. To edit them out would feel like removing sharps and flats from musical notes—better to sink into his thoughtful musings on how Missouri continues to influence his music; the unique power of improvisational music to manifest its time, and why he rarely plays in Kansas City. When was the last time you performed in Kansas City? That’s a good question. It’s been a while. I don’t know. Maybe ten years ago. Why is that? [Laughs] You know, that’s a really good question, and I don’t know. You know, Kansas City’s a really great sports town. [Laughs] St. Louis has always been fantastic, and Denver’s always been great, I mean, over the 40-some years of playing gigs all over the place. But, you know, Kansas City, it’s a tough place. Not just for me, for people who hang in kind of the general zone that I hang in. Even though we have a reputation as a jazz city. I think the reputation that Kansas City has as a jazz place was more connected to the Pendergast era. That’s what historically led to the reputation, and, you know, that’s a long time ago. I think that to the degree that it has been useful to highlight that, that happens. But in terms of actual support for the music, it’s always been challenging, at least since the early ’70s. I have to say, I was very lucky to get a bit of the last part of what was a kind of golden era in the post-Pendergast era, when there was this kind of now-legendary Kansas City Jazz Festival that happened every April where you could count on seeing four or five of the best players that were out there. There was a very rich local scene at that time with some unbelievable players. Those were the musicians that, you know, when I was 15, 16, 17 years old, I got to play with, and I learned how to play from being on the bandstands in Kansas City. And that kind of changed throughout the ’70s and sort of diminished, and I would say by the ’80s it had gotten down to just a handful of places. The thing that happened with the Blue Room and the [American Jazz] Museum there, it still to me has enormous potential. And people like Bobby Watson, Logan Richardson—you know, great musicians who have had national and international careers that have moved back to Kansas City—have done fantastic work at keeping the level of musicianship high, but the support—or maybe support isn’t the right word— the kind of, let’s say, intense listening [by the audience] that is found all over Europe, New York, LA, those kinds of places, for this kind of music has always been elusive for Kansas City musicians. The irony is that, to this day, some of the best musicians I have ever known are Kansas City musicians, and there’s a bunch of them that are still there. So, it’s great you guys have this magazine. So that’s cool. It’s going to help a little. Do you get back to Kansas City often? Yeah, my brother, Mike, still lives out there. My parents both checked out a couple years back now, so that has changed things. It used to be I would be going out there all the time as they were getting older. You often talk about being from Missouri. You seem proud of it, even though you’ve been gone a long time.

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It’s such a big part of me, you know. I carry around this 17 years of peace and quiet, you know, that has served me really well in what has turned out to be quite an intense life of traveling everywhere and living in New York. I’ve always got that Missouri thing sort of at the core that I can always go to. And I think it’s been really informative for me in terms of the geography of the landscape out there, that thing about there being a lot of space around things. That’s kind of an abstract connection to music, but it’s different than if you grow up in New York City, like my kids have. They have a different sense of space and of activity. For me, I do like both, I have to say. By the time I had spent, you know, those first 17 years there, I was definitely looking for more activity and a denser kind of landscape. It’s been really useful for me to be able to kind of shift back and forth between the real open kind of thing and then this more intense, dense kind of thing that has defined a big part of my life since. You’ve got a new record out that’s been called a move towards classical music. What was the inspiration for it? Well, you know, when people start talking about styles of music… Do you hate that? No, it’s not that I hate it—it just doesn’t line up for me with the way that I have always thought about what music actually is. The question of what genre this or that project is has been an ongoing one for me, and you can see from the list of people that I have played with, it’s kind of all over the place, but at the same time, most people can usually tell it’s me, regardless of the setting, which, to me, was always kind of a goal. So that’s my first response. The second response, regarding the new project: There is a rift between written, notated music versus non-written music, meaning improvised music or rock ‘n’ roll type music where you’re just playing, as opposed to, like, you’re going to write every note down, and you’re going to expect a musician to play exactly what you wrote. A big chunk of my life has been really right in the middle of that. I’ve written lots of notes for lots of really great musicians, but it’s almost always been to set up an environment for those musicians and myself to eventually get to a place where we’re going to then improvise on that. This project is the first one I’ve done where there is no improvising. Every bit of it is written on the page. That seems like a big deal. Was that a goal you had? Well, it’s not really that different from anything else I’ve ever done, in the sense that I’ve always written lots of music. I know I’m known as a guitar player, but my main job really over all these years has really sort of been bandleader, and a bandleader who writes most of the music. In this case, the specialty of the LA Guitar Quartet and soloist Jason Vieaux is to play written notes with no improvising. For me, the goal has always been to try to write music and set up playing situations for whoever I’ve invited along with me on that part of the journey that take advantage of what they do best—in parentheses I would put “and avoid what they don’t do as well”—and, to me, that’s always been what I’ve done right from the beginning. How was the process of writing scores for non-improvisational musicians different? In this case, the LA Guitar Quartet had been wanting me to write a piece for them for years, and I was on a vacation with my wife and kids, and we had a nice spot where I could kind of go off by myself for a few hours really early in the morning, and this idea showed up, and I

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thought, “Well, this would be good for those LA Guitar Quartet guys.” And each morning I would [work] for three or four hours, and by the end of the week, I had a pretty elaborate sketch for a 30-minute piece. And over the next year or so, in-between tours and projects, I did the heavy lifting part of it, which is to write the score. And even though, yes, I am kind of a guitar player, those guys are playing an instrument that is about as different from what I play as a clarinet—I mean, it’s a very different language. But I do know the geography of the instrument so, you know, at a certain point, I finished the score, got it to those guys, they worked on it—it’s kind of a hard piece—they premiered it a couple of times, and then we recorded it. Also, I had been a fan for many years of Jason Vieaux, and I really just wanted to write something for Jason. He is, quote-unquote, a classical guitar player, but he can discuss music in the broad sense in a kind of very similar way that I think too, and he also is really, to me, one of the great Bach interpreters, on any instrument, around today, and Bach is my favorite composer for written material for sure. So, you know, I wanted to write a piece for Jason. It took me a little while to get it together, I sent it to him, and he had to practice it a lot because it—especially the third movement—is very difficult to play. Why is Bach your favorite? You know, for me, there is a quality of music that is quantifiable: good notes. For me, there is a higher concentration of good notes in just about any four bars of any Bach anything, than you can find almost anywhere else. It’s stunning, the level of quantifiably detailed, diligent, correct, good note work that is at play in his music. You describe yourself as a professional improviser. But are there any songs you’ve ever recorded where when you listen back to them, you feel like, “OK, is that particular version is the best expression of what I was trying to convey?” Or, is every version you’ve ever done kind of like all your children and it’s impossible to have a favorite? [Pause] Well, you know, it’s funny how musicians are mostly regarded by the recordings that they’ve made and left behind. I mean, even I do that. It’s like, “Oh, yeah, I remember that era was about that band and that record,” and you almost even think of the album cover. The truth is, most of my life and the main destination for what I’ve done is gone, because it’s a one-time thing: In Joliet, you know [laughs], on February the 17th in 1986, or whatever. For me, the destination was always to play. And even if you record it, you don’t really, you can’t really capture it. So, if you have a favorite musician that is an improvisor, you may have their record, but that’s not it. You have to go see them live, that’s where it’s at. That’s the product, let’s say, the performance. It’s kind of like, here we are in springtime—all these flowers are blooming and they’re going to look great for a week or so, and that’s it. I have a whole bunch of favorite musicians, Milt Jackson, Wes Montgomery. and Freddie Hubbard—they’re not on the planet anymore—and we can have Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson festivals, and we can play their tunes and all that but, no, it’s gone. That was it. And bringing it back to this current project, one thing I would have to say that is interesting: 100 years from now, four guitar players will be able to play The Road to the Sun, and it’s gonna be very, very close to what my intention was, and that’s the beauty of Western music notation, is there’s a kind of permanence to it. JULY 2021 |

But on the other hand, I’ve also written hundreds of tunes, many of which have lots and lots of notes, almost as many as these pieces, but they will require a certain level of skill and fluency for the improvisors of the future that will never be quite the same as what my thing is. Just like, as much as people would love to try to play like Charlie Parker and can go to school for four years and can transcribe every solo [of his], they will never, ever be able to do that, because it has to do with the way people walked and the way they talked and that Tom Pendergast was the [boss] of Kansas City, and a lot of stuff was going on illegally, and all of that made that sound what it was. It’s the same way right now, here we are in this weird time of the world that is affecting us improvising musicians in ways that we can’t even imagine and that will be impossible to recreate even five or ten years from now. What improvisers are able to offer is a kind of millisecond-by-millisecond reporting on a time that is very particular, and as time moves on, the sound of that time changes. It’s a sad but beautiful transient thing that’s unique to improvised music, that ability to manifest a particular time. Is the improvisation that happens when you are in a room with just musicians jamming different than the improvisation that happens when you are onstage in a club in front of an audience? That’s a really interesting question. It’s got a lot of mystery around it. It’s something I’ve thought about, studied, I even take a lot of notes about why this night was really great and that night maybe not so great, and it may be even that you’re playing in the same room four nights in a row, and the second set of the third night was really amazing. Why was that? Was it the audience? Was it what you ate that day? Was it because you did this or did that? You know, honestly, it’s very difficult for me, even after doing thousands of gigs, to know. The kind of attention that an audience brings does influence the way you play, and, you know, it’s funny, going back to the Kansas City thing, when I was playing gigs coming up in Kansas City, it was the exact opposite of what my life is like now, in terms of crowds. I mean, you know, the crowds now, when I play a concert, you can hear a pin drop. Every person is on the edge of their seat listening to every note. When I was playing at, like, the Landmark Club at Union Station in Kansas City, I mean, you could barely hear what we were playing. It was like, you know, loud. Everybody was talking and yelling, but in the midst of all that, if you played some hip stuff, everybody would go, “Yeah!” It was like the music and the kind of social event were way more connected. And, so, you know, I can’t say that when people are really quiet and they’re all listening that that’s necessarily a better kind of listening. It’s a different kind of listening. One thing I will say, having done it for a really long time now, I am aware of the audience. I really appreciate that that guy took a shower, and he had to go pick up his girlfriend, and then they had to wait in line to buy the tickets, and then they had to come down the aisle and find their seats, and I really appreciate all that. And, as for me, I’m gonna make sure I got a really great band and that we rehearsed and we know the tunes and set up and do sound check and all that. But to me, once the music starts, once we’re in that zone, my attention and responsibility go completely to the music. And, yes, I hope that guy in the third row likes it, but if he doesn’t, well, I don’t really care. And I don’t mean that in a snotty way. I just feel like my responsibility has been fulfilled by doing the basics. Once we’re playing, it’s all about the music.

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Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity.

Making a Difference IN KANSAS CITY WORDS BY

Katie Van Luchene

PHOTOS BY

Tom Styrkowicz

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he Kansas City metro has tens of thousands of fascinating citizens within its population of 2.34 million. Talented, passionate people are drawn here—or remain in this vibrant, 15-city region—for the arts, sports, music scene, and its generosity, both in spirit and philanthropy. Distilling those numbers to highlight just nine individuals and one couple was quite the editorial trick. Some made the list based on career

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excellence; a few for how they deftly pivoted during the pandemic to serve the needs of others. Like true creatives, two of our profiles could have starred in more than one category, bridging charity and music, art and fashion and technology. Savvy readers of IN Kansas City magazine will recognize a few names; those who have thrilled us with runway shows, building designs, a smokey

cocktail or colorful mural over the past few years. But we guarantee you’ll discover some new faces including a hip-hop artist who had to pause an interview to speak with folks representing Billie Eilish and Leonardo DiCaprio. And so, with great pride, we introduce you to the inaugural People Making a Difference in Kansas City.

Left to right: Niki Lee Donawa, Ryan Maybee, Matthew Hufft, AY Young (seated on ﬂoor), Stedmond Ware, Chris and Angie Long (seated on bench), Danielle Lehman, Michelle Bacon (back row), Peregrine Honig. Not shown, Jason Harrington.

TECHNOLOGY

AY YOUNG

aking a difference is in AY Young’s DNA. Growing up in Kansas City’s Ivanhoe neighborhood, he’d witness then-mayor Emanuel Cleaver or business owner James B. Nutter meeting with his parents, Alan and Yolanda Young. Since moving into the shirtwaist-style house in 1987, the couple had been instrumental in clearing out crime and illegal dumping while raising four children. The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, where Alan still serves as housing director, is an example of what grass roots commitment can do to an area. Today the Young Family Farm raises produce to help nurture the body; prayer vigils take care of the soul. AY still helps plant trees and take down fences in the neighborhood. That is, when he’s not on a call with Billie Eilish’s tour manager or texting environmental leader Paul Hawken, who nominated him to be one of 17 of the United Nations Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals—the only one representing the United States. How did AY go from performing music on the streets of the Country Club Plaza to performing at President Biden’s inauguration and appearing on a poster with Jane Goodall for Real Leaders magazine’s 70 Environmental Leaders You Should Know? Power, that’s how. A sustainable, solar-powered battery used to fire up the 800 and counting concerts he’s performed around the world. The Battery Tour started in 2012 when the young artist wanted to plug in his keyboard, speakers, and microphone to bring his music to the streets. Thanks to funding and grants from Arts KC, the Kauffman FastTrac,

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and the Charlotte Street Foundation, AY developed an energy box— about the size of a suitcase—that stores solar energy in batteries. The device has been distributed in over 17 countries, including Haiti and Honduras, where villagers can power up laptops and cell phones without walking miles to charging stations. That renewable energy is matched by AY’s personal life force that’s joyful, passionate, driven, and compelling. People have a hard time saying no to him, including corporate leaders at T-Mobile, Amazon, Sony Pictures, and others. These Fortune 500 Companies—along with influential world leaders and big names in the music industry—are getting involved with AY’s massive initiative, Project 17. The project’s first step is an album of 17 songs, each representing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, gender equality, and climate action. AY is reaching out to other artists to choose an initiative that speaks to them. “I’m excited that Tech N9ne is officially on board for Track 1, No Poverty,” he says. “We’re also working closely with Global Citizen, Drake, Coldplay, and others.” AY will also launch a kid’s album to “reimagine the 17 SDG songs by some of the best family artists in the world, with Grammy-winning artist Red Grammer at the forefront,” he says. AY has a saying: Everyone is an Outlet for Change. Talking to him, there’s little doubt he’ll reach that goal. To plug into the movement, visit batterytour.com.

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SPORTS

ANGIE AND CHRIS LONG

alking through the stands at Legends Field during the Kansas City National Women’s Soccer League home opener, Angie and Chris Long must have felt like rock stars. Wearing the team’s teal-and-red colors, it took a long time to make their way up the stairs as fans wanted to shake their hands, introduce them to soccer-loving kids, and get a selfie with the franchise owners. Chris recalls that May 26 evening. “We’ve just been thrilled by how this community has embraced the team,” he says. As for seeing the town turn teal to celebrate the inaugural season—from the lights at Union Station to fountains taking on a blue hue—Angie said she got goosebumps. But for this couple, founders of Palmer Square, a $15 billion asset management firm, the rock-star status stops there. While they join other local business leaders who have either kept or brought sports teams to Kansas City, including Ewing Kauffman, the Glass family, and John Sherman, Angie and Chris brush off the comparisons. But they do see a correlation between a successful business and a sports team. “With a company, you have to put the client first,” Angie says. “And with the team it’s the players and fans first.

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“It’s up to us, along with our partner, Brittany Matthews, and the coaches, to put out the best product possible. That means giving our fans an exciting, family-friendly experience every time, while coordinating outreach programs to introduce these fantastic players to the community.” The couple sees their role as a chance to foster interest in not just the NWSL, but in girls and women’s sports in general. Sports has played a big part in their lives; they both excelled in team sports in high school and while at Princeton. That competitive spirit has filtered down to their four children. As a family, they’ve participated in a 5K for Brain Injury Association, and Chris’s Twitter account notes he’s on track to be the least impressive athlete in the Long household. The fact that they’ve set up that household in Kansas City—when they have the resources to live anywhere in the world—was an easy choice. Angie grew up in Kansas City, attending Shawnee Mission East High School, and can’t imagine a better place to raise a family. “The schools, the neighborhoods, the arts: you can have it all here,” says Chris. Add one more element to that mix: a community with a nationally recognized enthusiasm for sports, which now includes the young Kansas City NWSL team. kcwoso.com.

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POLITICAL ACTIVISM

DANIELLE LEHMAN

ee a need, fill a need. It’s the motto of most successful entrepreneurs. But Danielle Lehman laughs at hearing the title used in her case. “I think of an entrepreneur as someone who makes money. Most of my work has been projects that fix an immediate problem. I’m just happy to help, even though I don’t make a dime.” Her revenue stream comes from Boxer & Mutt, her web development and branding company. Her first follow-the-need program was Curbside KC, an on-line database of restaurants offering take-out food and delivery when the pandemic closed their doors. “I’d come to know and love these chefs and owners through my Open Belly Podcast and my heart was just breaking for them and their staffs.” Within days, Danielle had incorporated hundreds of restaurants to the database, then began adding breweries, wineries, distilleries, and liquor stores that offered curbside pickup as well. Danielle also handled pro-bono marketing for a fundraising initiative developed by Anna Petrow to help stranded service workers. Sales of “KC Runs on Hospitality” tees, sweatshirts, and totes designed by Frank Norton, along with community partner donations, helped raise more than $68,000.

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The pandemic and social unrest also brought another problem to light—the ability to have mail-in voting ballots notarized. In August 2020, she launched Curbside Notary, a free “the notary is in” pop-up situated outside local restaurants and coffee shops. The benefit was twofold: voters felt safe getting ballots notarized and the eateries enjoyed increased sales. “I couldn’t have made it happen without the help of local companies like Hufft,” Danielle says. “One of the architects there, Brad Kingsley, saw what I was doing on social media and contacted me offering to help.” Hufft fabricated movable A-frame structures for the volunteer notaries. Danielle hosted three seasons of Open Belly podcasts, which were on hiatus during the pandemic when traveling was out of the question. One of the last podcasts features Jackie Nguyen of Cafe Cà Phê, Kansas City’s first mobile Vietnamese coffee shop. “I’m watching her cult following take off,” says Danielle. As a host, Danielle’s passion for the food and her natural storytelling talent come through. Alyssa Broadus and Chris Dolt provide beautiful photography. At a time when restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are just getting back on their culinary feet, chances are Danielle will be there to help fill the need and fill the seats.

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ARTS

JASON HARRINGTON

if Raf Giraffe, Jason Harrington’s street-artist handle, has a goal to turn Kansas City into a mural-art mecca. Take a stroll around the Crossroads Arts District, and you might say he’s already made it. There’s rarely a wall not adorned by eye-popping images. At its heart is Art Alley, between 17th and 18th streets near Locust and Cherry, the central location for Solanoir, a series of events Jason organized with his wife, artist Ami Ayers Harrington, and artist Mark Allen, to coincide with the 2017 solar eclipse. But things only heated up after that for Jason. He invited Matt Abbott, a Crossroads developer, to the mural-rich Wynwood Art District in Miami and convinced the visionary to let him paint 20 of his buildings back home. “Murals offer several benefits to building owners,” Jason says. “One is that where murals go up, there’s less destructive tagging. And the art naturally draws people into the neighborhood. Stores, bars, and restaurants get more traffic.” Based on the success of Solanoir, that same year Jason organized SpaySeeMo, an annual graffiti arts festival, which continued with an ever-expanding array of adorned walls around the district. Viewers came

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to watch and engage with the artists and took selfies in front of their favorite displays. Despite the pandemic, the 2020 festival had 28 painters creating 22 new murals in three days. “We’re on pace for an even more exciting 2021 fest,” Jason says. “It’ll be held September 22 through the 26th and we’re collecting walls right now and talking with artists. “With last year being more restrained for crowds, I think the September event will be a big draw from around the country.” In the meantime, Jason and Ami are traveling the world to create art and help launch similar festivals, including California’s SpraySeeLA taking place July 27-31. Back home, he’s excited to see that murals are a big part of Visit KC’s new video showcasing the best of the metro. “We have some of the country’s best museums,” Jason says. “But street art is interactive, approachable and the fact it’s often not permanent adds to its interest.” The sprayseemo.com website has festival information and a map to make it easy to view as many murals as possible. It also has a “Support the Festival” link to help pay for paints, provide accommodations for visiting artists and rent walls that aren’t being commissioned by building owners.

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ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN

MATTHEW HUFFT

hen Matthew Hufft learned that the architectural firm that bears his name appears in two other sections of this article—for fabricating the Curbside Notary kiosks and Birdie’s storefront for West 18th Street Fashion Show—he wasn’t surprised. “That’s one thing I love about this community,” he said. “We pull together. We help where needed.” That spirit is at the forefront of two of his firm’s massive projects with Community Builders of Kansas City: The Rochester and The Office at Overbrook. Both developments will serve Kansas City’s Blue Parkway corridor, starting with The Rochester, the first market-rate multifamily development east of Prospect Avenue. The 64-unit residential project is named for Rochester “Chuck” Gaston, CBKC’s founder. “I never had the privilege of meeting him,” says Matthew, “but I do know about his passion for the area where he grew up—the East Side. “He spent his career literally building communities, and we’re trying to honor his legacy by making this design warm and inviting. There will be lots of spaces for families to gather and kids to play. The apartments will feature exceptional finishes and amenities, in-

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cluding stainless-steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, and a fitness center.” The four-story structure is on target to be completed in 2022. Hufft was also awarded the Offices at Overlook project by CBKC. This mixed-use, 11-acre property will transform the corner of Swope Parkway and Chestnut Avenue. Plans include a three-story office building with private tenant roof terraces along with shared conference/meeting spaces for companies and organizations within or nearby the structure. People living in the 155 apartment units will enjoy a walking trail and outdoor event plazas. Matthew describes the overall development as a village. “Working on the design for Offices at Outlook has been a real honor,” Matthew says. “Everyone on the project team uses the word ‘transformative’ often, and that’s what it will be for this corridor. We’re designing a site with great attention to landscaping and ways to enhance meaningful indoor and outdoor uses.” This work is happening at the ideal time, according to Matthew, who founded his firm 16 years ago. “During 2020, we knew we wanted to recommit ourselves even more to inclusive, community-based projects. We’ve made a pledge to do better, and we will.”

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MUSIC

MICHELLE BACON

ith live music returning with a vengeance this summer, Michelle Bacon finds herself juggling more than just drumsticks. She plays drums for Frogpond and bass for Other Americans, Katy Guillen & The Drive and The Band That Fell to Earth, an annual benefit celebration of David Bowie’s music she hopes will return next January at recordBar. But when it comes to making a difference, Michelle would rather be known for her work as content manager for The Bridge (90.9 FM), the listener-supported, Kansas City-based National Public Radio affiliate. She finds her role to be a perfect fit. “As a musician, it’s been really important to highlight the many talented, independent artists in the area,” she says. “Through my work here I’ve been able to help amplify diverse voices and magnify issues in the overall industry, including gender disparities and mental-health care.” But Michelle doesn’t just introduce these musicians to listeners. The Bridge also gives her an outlet for writing and producing, focusing on issues that are sometimes universal but often very personal. For instance, she produced a series in 2018 called Turning the Tables, which addressed issues of not just being a woman in a male-dominated industry, but also a woman of Asian ancestry. More recently, Michelle co-authored an article for Flatland that addressed hate crimes against

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Asian Americans and the Pacific Islander communities. The piece provided an opportunity for nine Kansas City residents to express their feelings and their fears. As for Michelle, she is over her fear of performing on stage; something she never considered as a shy, introspective youngster. At the start of her music career, playing drums provided a barrier to the audience. “They won’t be looking at me at the back of the stage,” she thought. But that reticence is gone when she pulls a guitar strap over her head. Suddenly she’s in constant motion, her long, dark hair dancing, fingers flying over the strings. Is it a case of play like no one’s watching? With a laugh she says, “I get a huge rush from being able to connect with the crowd and my band mates. “And over the years I’ve worked with a lot of songwriters I admire, and there’s a sense of empowerment when I can help them carry out their creative vision to the audience.” She mentioned The Band That Fell to Earth benefit concert again, and the fact that “it’s so satisfying to perform songs that are precious to so many people, including me. “There are songs that help you get through tough times,” she says. When asked for one, there was a long pause before naming Give A Little Love by The Freedom Affair. That title alone could be Michelle’s personal anthem.

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HEALTHCARE

NIKI LEE DONAWA

he’s not a doctor, nor a nurse. But Niki Lee Donawa was definitely at the front lines of Kansas City’s Covid-19 pandemic. As chief community relations office for Truman Medical Centers and University Health, she and her team had to nimbly adjust their 2020/2021 health and wellness plans to handle the crisis. Making the situation even more drastic was the knowledge that the communities they serve were especially at risk. TMC’s Community Health Strategies & Innovations (CHS&I) team began providing essential services within a month after the virus hit. They were the first in the community to offer drive-through testing and the first to set up vaccine clinics in those ZIP codes most devastated by the disease, opening 40 sites by May of 2021. “An important element of our role during that time—as always—was to establish trust and accessibility, meeting individuals where they are,” says Niki. That accessibility refers to educational materials as well. CHS&I tailored the materials to a 5th-grade reading level or below and utilized images and multiple languages to address minority community members. Her team’s combination of strategic tools and compassionate care didn’t go unnoticed. Truman Medical Centers/University Health president and CEO Charlie Shields says, “Niki Donawa has a unique ability to connect Kansas Citians in a way that benefits everyone. For about a decade she has led a mighty team dedicated to meeting the people of this city where they are—making education, nutrition, and healthcare more accessible to them.

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“This pandemic has highlighted that hard work, as her team has been on the front lines offering tailored Covid prevention education, testing, and vaccines to the community. Her leadership and ability to bring together the people of Kansas City has been invaluable.” While the pandemic’s urgency has slowed, it’s far from over. TMC will continue to be at the forefront of care. In the meantime, Niki’s team is gearing up to provide its holistic approach to preventative wellness—several of which were on hold during the crisis. When safe to do so, TMC will once again reach out to the community. One example is the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market, which includes educating the public about proper nutrition and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables to those wouldn’t normally have access. Two other key programs are Women’s Health and the Healthy Start Initiative. The Healthy Start program helps mothers-to-be feel valued and respected. “They form bonds while they attend prenatal classes to learn about caring for their babies and themselves,” Niki says. Niki realizes she and her team couldn’t do their important work without strong partners, including Black Health Care Coalition, Guadalupe Centers, and Nurture KC. She also names three philanthropic organizations that have “contributed greatly to our vital programs including Health Forward Foundation, the Hall Family Foundation, and the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation.” Then she adds with the grace and gratitude her colleagues know well, “and too many more to name!”

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FASHION

PEREGRINE HONIG

eregrine Honig is known for the evocative names she gives the annual runway show the second Saturday of each June: Summer of Spain, Gilded Summer, Ceremonial Summer. Crowds—typically 3,000 strong, sitting, standing—come away from the spectacle of fashion, music, and extravagant sets thinking, “How can she possibly top herself next year?” The 20th year of The West 18th Street Fashion Show—Summer in Hindsight—was on schedule to do just that with a lavish 100-foot runway. And then the city shut down. Peregrine took a deep breath and said, “We’ll create a movie instead.” She wrote a screenplay depicting a musician—Calvin Arsenia, who has performed on stage the last few seasons—who wanders the city, seeking a place to share his music. The show’s title became prophetic. In hindsight, the feature-length film could only be made during a city-wide quarantine. “We filmed the scenes in these iconic spaces,” Peregrine says, “which could never have happened without an enormous production budget. Everyone we asked was completely on board and supportive.” Other yeses came from director Khitam Jabr and Jeremy Osbern, who filmed the movie. Protocols were carefully followed to maintain the safety of the entire crew. Voices behind masks echoed in vast, empty rooms of the Kansas City Museum, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, The Toy and

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Miniature Museum, and others as models glided down staircases and posed against marble walls. When the director’s cut debuted at the Boulevard Drive-In on October 16, honking cars and cheering drowned out the sounds of Calvin’s harp as models in fanciful outfits dipped and twirled in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s glorious Rozzelle Courtyard. Summer in Hindsight has—to date—won eight international awards and has appeared or will appear in 17 international film festivals. Peregrine plans to show the film at the Nelson-Atkin’s Tivoli this winter. While the pandemic is ebbing, Peregrine still wanted to cater to safety for the 2021 fashion show. Rather than the usual seating surrounding the stage, Summer Tableau became a street festival while offering social distancing. She and her team collaborated with local architectural and construction firms to create seven individual tableaus to showcase each designer’s fashions. For instance, Hufft fabricated a sexy, interactive peep show fronting Birdie’s, the lingerie shop coowned by Peregrine. What’s next for this brilliant bird? Peregrine’s first solo art exhibition is taking place now through September 12 at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph, Missouri. And of course, she’s already dreaming up next year’s West 18th Street Fashion Show.

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FOOD & BEVERAGE

RYAN MAYBEE

e’s credited with opening this town’s first modern-day speakeasy, Manifesto; launching a successful Midwest event, Paris of the Plains Cocktail Competition; representing North America in the 2012 Global Cocktail Challenge; and co-owning The Rieger Restaurant and J. Rieger & Company. But what career highlight does Ryan Maybee insist is included on his editorial tombstone? The Smokin’ Choke. He created the cocktail in 2008 using wood chips and a smoking gun device to add aromatic flavor—and a wow effect—to bourbon. “Over 11 years at Manifesto, we must have served 100,000 of them,” Ryan recalls. Now the showy process has been widely imitated throughout the cocktail world. The man himself is hard to imitate. He laughs at the title Renaissance man, but it fits. Each notch in Ryan’s career involves some aspect of Kansas City’s storied past, starting with his days as a server and wine steward at Pierpont’s in Union Station. From there he became co-owner of a wine-forward restaurant in the Crossroads before opening Manifesto in 2009 underneath The Rieger Restaurant. And now he’s co-founder of J. Rieger & Company, a distillery that reopened after a 95-year hiatus. His home is in the Historic Northeast neighborhood, and he recently had the car he’s owned since he was 19, a 1967 Chevelle, restored. It seems like everything about the six-foot-two, inked bartender/ business owner favors age. Like the 15-year-old Spanish sherry J. Rieger adds to its whisky to create a new classic American Whiskey he and

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co-founder Andy Rieger named Kansas City Whiskey. Things have come full circle with the speakeasy-style bar as well. Manifesto is closed but taking its place is The Hey! Hey! Club, a sultry, intimate lounge downstairs at J. Rieger’s distillery in the Electric Park district. Back is the secret knock vibe and hand-crafted cocktails. But there are welcome differences according to Ryan. “We serve incredible food,” he says, “and there’s room for live music.” The distillery, along with its restaurants, bars, and event spaces is fully reopened now. But during the pandemic, the J. Rieger owners and production team quickly rallied to bottle hand sanitizer instead of booze. In the meantime, Ryan and his Rieger Restaurant co-owner, Howard Hanna, turned the dining room into the Crossroads Community Kitchen to provide free meals to anyone who needed them, including out-of-work people in the hospitality industry. If he can pull himself from the past, Ryan’s future continues to look bright. J. Rieger & Company has become successful far beyond his dreams. He may help bring back the Paris of the Plains event, either as a competition or a series of training seminars. “What I loved about Paris of the Plains was bringing in some of the industry’s best talent,” he says, “not just to compete but to train bartenders. And in doing so, we showcased Kansas City as a leader in the country.” Ryan’s also proud of the local bartending talent he’s mentored over the years. Asked to name a few he…well, he chokes. “Oh, gosh, too many to mention. But Jenn Tosatto and Scott Tipton come to mind.” There will, undoubtedly, be others to come.

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NONPROFITS

STEDMOND WARE

hen an in-person meeting with Stedmond Ware couldn’t happen, he was worried his enthusiasm for Kansas City Center for Inclusion wouldn’t come through. He needn’t have stressed; the KCCI board member’s personality practically vibrated over the phone. It’s no wonder he was tapped to become board chairman shortly after the organization was founded in 2017. Stedmond discovered KCCI (inclusivekc.org) after moving to Kansas City from Mississippi in 2016 to propel his career path with North Central Regional Offices of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “I work with nonprofit organizations and foundations in the Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota areas as a federal grants officer for AmeriCorps, the largest volunteer-based grantor in North America.” Stated in stronger language, he helps alleviate poverty and build communities through financial assistance. “Strengthening communities is something that’s driven my career and not-for-profit life,” Stedmond says. “That’s at the heart of what we do at KCCI; create safe, inclusive spaces for Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ community.” The center provides education, resources, and activities “where all can bring their authentic selves and feel safe, welcome, and included,” he says. As a gay, Black man growing up in the south, Stedmond understands

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discrimination first-hand. “I made a vow early on that I would exceed all expectations placed on me,” he says. He serves as a role model for people dealing with self-doubt and oppression. “I want to let people know we see you, we hear you, we celebrate you.” KCCI’s recent move to 3740 Broadway provides the space needed for support group meetings, computer labs, and a resource library. The building also hosts space for KC Care Health Center, which provides free and confidential rapid-response HIV testing. Ongoing programs include Queer Voices Book Group, a monthly book club in partnership with the Kansas City Public Library, and Inspired Scribes Creative Writing Group to give authors and writers a chance to develop skills and share their artistic work with others. “We’re doing so much to provide a light for the LGBTQ community,” Stedmond says, “but there’s so much more to do. We’re volunteer based with one employee. “We’d like to create stronger partnerships with organizations like the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce to tap into job openings, for instance. By working together with other resources, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” he says. There’s strength in numbers, starting with one young man from Mississippi with big dreams matched by a big heart.

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words by

Kelsey Cipolla

Special Delivery

FROM PIZZA TO CHINESE FOOD TO GROCERIES, DELIVERY IS NOTHING NEW WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD—OR SO WE THOUGHT. BUT A GROWING NUMBER OF LOCAL BUSINESSES DO MORE THAN FERRY FOOD FROM POINT A TO POINT B:

Beloved-On the Go

THEY CREATE EXPERIENCES

beloved-onthego.com

THAT CAN INTRODUCE FUN, CONVENIENCE, AND A LITTLE COMPASSION INTO MEALTIMES. POSTMATES BETTER WATCH ITS BACK.

For chef Bryan Sparks, cooking isn’t just preparing food—it’s about creating memories. When restaurants shut down due to Covid-19 precautions, Sparks realized he needed to make a professional shift that would provide more work-life balance so he could keep sharing moments with his 2 1/2-year-old. “I spent a good chunk of that quarantine with my daughter six days a week, which is something that I hadn’t been able to do in the past,” he says. “I left quarantine realizing I needed to do something that was more than just work, work, work.” The result? Beloved-On the Go, a meal-delivery service that provides chef-driven, health-conscious meals to customers’ doorsteps every week. Sparks changes up the menu based on what’s in season and available from local farmers, but offerings always include individual breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are JULY 2021 |

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ready to be heated and enjoyed, as well as proteins and sides in bulk that can be mixed and matched to create meals. Sparks also accommodates dietary and allergy needs. Since Beloved launched in March, it’s built up a base of loyal customers who order regularly. While the initial success may have been the result of people clamoring to fill the void for restaurant-quality food created by safety concerns, Sparks posits it may also indicate a shift. “Throughout the pandemic, I think people have reshaped their priorities, and the traditional ‘go to work, come home, cook dinner, put the kids to bed, go to bed’ model doesn’t exist anymore,” he explains. “I think people are trying to live in the moment a little bit more fully, and our service allows you to do that while still feeling like you’re getting that kind of cherished dining-room table experience without having to do the dishes afterward or clean up the sauté pans.”

Zero Zero

zero-zero-pasta-kc.square.site

Mitch Fagan has been a pasta fan his whole life. In high school, he started experimenting with making fresh pasta by hand, and in college, he got even more serious about cooking, opening a restaurant in his apartment at one point. Now a third-year medical student, Fagan decompresses by cooking every night—and not just for himself. After fielding requests from friends, his pasta creations are available for delivery via Zero Zero, a business he launched with his girlfriend, Leah Steinberg, in early May. The company is named for the finely ground Italian flour traditionally used to make pasta, and each week, the couple crafts a different variety sold by the serving and delivered fresh—or in the case of stuffed pastas, individually quick frozen—to customers around the KC metro on Thursdays. Zero Zero also sends out a recipe pairing the pasta with a regional sauce and wine suggestion as well as an email newsletter to help provide some educational context. JULY 2021 |

Zero Zero’s first featured noodle was pappardelle, but Fagan says the goal is ultimately to introduce customers to less familiar shapes and hyper-regional offerings he had a chance to discover during a 2019 trip to Italy. That includes noodles such as scialatelli, a short, thick pasta that originates from Amalfi. Closer to home, he admires local restaurants such as Farina, Antler Room, and Corvino. “They all make incredible, incredible homemade pastas and those have really inspired me,” Fagan says. Balancing medical school and a side hustle making pasta might seem like a tall order, but Fagan seems unphased, noting that his current schedule typically has him working traditional hours. The bigger challenge may be keeping up with orders. Fagan and Steinberg set a goal of delivering 20-25 orders each week at the six-month mark; less than a month after launching, they found themselves way beyond that. “It’s been pretty crazy,” he admits. “We’re growing quickly.”

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Yippee Café yippeecafe.com

More Than a Meal morethanamealco.com

Being a new parent is tough. But for Mitch and Emmalyn Case, the stress of first-time parenthood was compounded by Emmalyn’s preeclampsia, which necessitated a C-Section and left her with high blood pressure after their son’s birth. Friends and family helped out immediately after the baby was born, but it was in the months that followed that the family struggled. “We were blessed to have friends who dropped off really simple ingredients, and honestly, I thought that they had bought those from some sort of meal-kit service,” Mitch recalls. “When I went to them to ask where I could buy some more, they said, ‘Well, we just kind of made these ourselves.’” That experience inspired the couple to create More Than a Meal, a company that allows customers to send meal kits with slow cooker or Instant Pot-ready ingredients to people in need of support. Meals can be purchased by companies, who make

up a large portion of More Than a Meal’s client base, as well as individuals. Customers choose how many meals to send and then provide contact information for the recipient, who is prompted to choose their meals and preferred delivery day and time. Ingredients for dishes like Southwest quinoa chili and beef teriyaki with broccoli and pineapple are prepped by the catering company More Than a Meal works with, Terrace Catering, packaged and dropped off at the recipient’s selected time. Each kit includes three to four servings, which usually feeds two adults and a kid, along with a personalized, handwritten note. Seeing the love conveyed through those messages is one of the most rewarding parts of the business for Mitch, who views them as a sign that the meals delivered are living up to the company’s name. “It truly is more than just food to sustain somebody,” he says. “It’s taking care of somebody that you value most.” JULY 2021 |

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As Covid-19 upended the food service industry, Mike Archibald had a secure job as the production manager at Alchemy Coffee & Bake House in Lawrence. But despite his privileged position, Archibald felt something was off. He was in search of a creative outlet when his main importing partner got in touch about an experimental batch of beans too small and expensive to be the right fit for Alchemy. Archibald bought them himself and sold them via his personal Instagram in two days. That experience led him to start Yippee Café, what he describes as a “a really zany, bright-colored, over-designed subscription service that uses the color palette of country music to celebrate cool producers and fun coffee.” Archibald buys green coffee from producers around the world, roasts the beans, packages them and ships the coffee to subscribers around the U.S. In addition to connecting people with a product they likely wouldn’t otherwise find, Archibald also considers himself an evangelist for producers he highlights. One of his favorites? The Peralta family, which operates a handful of farms in Nicaragua. Since launching Yippee Café in July 2020, Archibald left his job at Alchemy to focus on the business fulltime. He now roasts roughly 100 pounds of coffee each month, and Yippee’s coffee is served at Front Range Coffeehouse & Provisions in Fairway, as well as at John Brown’s Underground and Mass St. Fish House & Raw Bar in Lawrence. A year in, Archibald admits he’s till figuring out how to run Yippee Café as a business—but he also likes putting the customer experience ahead of profit margins. “I want it to be like you’re spending $20 on something that when you open it, when you brew it, there’s no question that this thing has value,” he explains. “Instantly, without reading the information that I put on the bag, without being sold that this coffee is good, your interaction with it immediately is like, ‘Damn, this is really unique and cool.’”

Kravin’ It KC Kitchen kravinitkc.com

Kravin’ It KC Kitchen is far from your typical catering operation. The brainchild of chef Bradley Gilmore, his wife, Brittany Socha Gilmore, and longtime collaborator chef, Brandon West, Kravin’ It was born out of the trio’s desire to serve chef-driven meals without sacrificing their lives (not to mention holidays and weekends) to the service industry. To ensure the business was able to provide that balance, Kravin’ It offers a wide range of options, including catering packages and boxed lunches, heat-and-eat family meals delivered twice per week, and specialized food packages for holidays and events. It was during Thanksgiving last year that the company made its first big push, ultimately selling 150 family feasts. “We sold so many meals that the kitchen I had wasn’t big enough to prep it in, so I called my buddies who are the chefs at Sporting KC, and we got to use the Sporting KC kitchen to launch this Kravin’ It KC delivJULY 2021 |

ery program with heat-and-eat meals,” Bradley recalls. Now Kravin’ runs out of its own kitchen creating dishes designed to delight. Options include the Meals in Minutes menu, which features fan favorites, such as jerk chicken thighs with black-eyed peas, mustard greens, and creole tomato sauce; and Klean Eats, a more health-focused lineup boasting soups, salads, grain bowls, and more. So far, Kravin’ It has found success with its diverse array of offerings, but the company isn’t done yet. Earlier this summer, it launched a virtual food hall, bringing together ten of its own concepts, each serving unique dishes, under one name where guests can order any of the available items. And the Gilmores and West are considering other ideas to keep growing. “We’re not just going to be a meal delivery service,” Bradley says. “We’re going to be a whole package of all kinds of great food delivered, served any which way.”

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In the formal living room, Biedermeier chairs and a wingback chair—newly upholstered in a gray mohair—that Peter inherited from her grandmother flank an antique sofa.

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French Evolution C’EST SI BON IN A FAIRWAY HOME

WORDS BY PHOTOS BY

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Judith Fertig Aaron Leimkuehler

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Above: The French Deco fireplace in the study is flanked by custom bookcases and holds a Tom Corbin sculpture. Above, right: Homeowner Heidi Peter. Right: An orchid arrangement from Studio Dan Meiners sits atop the 18th-century table in the home’s foyer. Opposite, clockwise from top: The facade painted in Sherwin Williams “Creamy” sets off the home’s original slate roof. Hydrangea and severely trimmed Bradford Pear trees border the pool. Schumacher black-andwhite fabric panels frame the loggia.

hen a house gets it right the first time, it can easily embody the changing tastes of successive owners. This Fairway home, whose classic French bones have stood the test of time, has gone through three style evolutions. And it’s ready for a fourth. In 1937, Kansas City architect Arthur Kriehn designed and built a scaled-down French chateau with a slate roof as his residence in Fairway. Kreihn was known primarily as a church and school architect with Felt, Dunham & Kriehn/Architects. Eventually, the

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Above, left: A Venetian Murano chandelier hangs over the Williams Sonoma glass-topped table in the sunroom. Above, right: Just off the kitchen, a cozy seating area is flooded with light from a series of Palladian windows. Below: In the kitchen, the massive island countertop is stainless steel. Surrounding countertops and backspash are statuary marble.

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18th-century steel engravings of classic architectural details collected by Peter’s father line the walls of the dining room. Roman shades in a Fortuny fabric have been used in Peter’s last three homes and will also be reused in her next project. Flower arrangement from Studio Dan Meiners.

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Top, left: A vintage Hermes scarf, a gift of Peter’s sister, adds a touch of color to the primary bath. The floor, tiled in dolomite, is accented with stainless-steel inlay. Bottom, left: The glam primary closet is a veritable hall of mirrors. Brushed brass Greek-key hardware accents the cabinetry. Opposite: In the primary bedroom, Doug Wells designed the custom upholstered bed trimmed in orange cording. Flower arrangement by Studio Dan Meiners.

sun porch would afford a view of the Old Mission United Methodist Church, which he also designed. The chateau’s kitchen was tiny, the rooms formal, reflecting the taste of the era. Until the next owners moved in. They enclosed the screened-in sun porch and added a large kitchen wing with a heated terracotta floor onto the back. They celebrated a bravado French style with vivid Provençal colors, Directoire wallpaper, and a boho spirit throughout. They painted the exterior salmon with turquoise shutters, a look that would be right at home in Nice. Until Heidi Peter and her daughters, Sara and Grace, moved in. Peter, a real-estate professional at LocateKC with ReeceNichols, knows good bones when she sees them. “I love symmetry,” she says. Almost eight years ago, when she first saw this house, she also fell in love with the architectural details—the custom hardware on the doors, the cherry floors in a chevron pattern, the generous windows—and the desirable location so near the Plaza. Preferring a more pared-down aesthetic—“I love everything to feel fresh,” she says—Peter had the exterior painted in Sherwin Williams’ Creamy and the first floor interiors in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. She laid her beloved Oushak rugs on the floors, hung Roman shades in Fortuny fabric at the windows, dressed the rooms with cherished antiques and family silver. The daughter of German artist Harald Peter, who worked for Hallmark, Peter hung her father’s art and framed menus from trips back to Munich. She found the perfect location above the mantel for a child’s portrait by Mary Cassatt, an American Impressionist, which she shares with sister, Liesl, and brother, Hans. Three years ago, she started collaborating with Doug Wells

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french evolution continued

LOOKING AHEAD IN KC

Arts & Culture...

coming in our August issue

The first-floor powder room walls are sheathed in French antique mirror glass. A Carrara marble sink is poised on a custom-made Lucite base accented with unlaquered brass fittings.

to advertise, contact Brittany Coale at 816.768.8308

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of Wells Interior Design on the primary bedroom suite. “Doug brought me out of my comfort zone,” she says, which is what good designers do. “I have pushed her a little bit,” admits Wells, who is also collaborating on Peter’s next project. “Heidi brought me in because I can reinvent spaces and have a pretty good eye for what she wants. And we’ve worked together before. I’d say her style is classic and refined, French, modern yet comfortable,” he says. “She tends toward traditional. I reimagined spaces and brought

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LOOKING AHEAD IN KC

Fall Fashion...

coming in our September issue

THE IT LIST

Interior Design Wells Design Studio wellsdesignstudio.com

Flowers Studio Dan Meiners danmeiners.com

Landscaping Arcadian Gardens 816-645-9591

in a little more glam. Now she has a boutique feeling in bed, bath, and especially the closet.” Working as her own general contractor, Peter says, “I’ve touched every surface,” even the original door hardware, substantial and gorgeous again after refinishing. “Hardware is the jewelry of the house,” she maintains. Upstairs, the primary bedroom in creamy whites gets a punch of color from a favorite signature orange Hermes scarf hung from special brackets her sister-in-law found; another Hermes scarf hangs in the adjoining spa-like primary bath with its sculptural soaking tub, quietly luxurious. The custom door with the Lucite and metal doorknob presages Peter’s new shift towards Hollywood Regency. Peter streamlined and updated the newer kitchen with marble and stainless steel, making it a wide-open gathering spot. Ian Byrne of Byrne Custom Woodworking seamlessly blended old and new. The original kitchen is now a cozy study with booklined shelves. Peter worked with Patrick Kappelmann of Arcadian Gardens to add privacy around the sunroom windows and landscaping around the pool. But all good things must come to an end, and it’s time for another adventure. Peter has sold this house and found another home that she wants to take in that Hollywood Regency direction. “I live in my dream home on my dream block. It’s hard to leave,” Peter says. But the house with good bones will continue to evolve ... with a new family.

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inkansascity.com

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Flavor

IN KC

In the Kitchen A CELEBRATION OF SUMMER FRUIT BY

Cody Hogan

PHOTOS BY

uring my first year of professional cooking, I was tasked with making a summer dessert for a small buffet and was fortunately given a relatively foolproof recipe from celebrity pastry chef Emily Luchetti to follow. It was for a summer pudding, a classic British dessert of cooked fruit layered with bread soaked in the fruit juices, chilled, and served topped with whipped cream. It really is the essence of simplicity and can be stunning if the fruit is excellent. My inaugural pudding was a complete success. I was brilliant (even though following someone else’s recipe.) That sweet memory has persevered through the years and my variations on the theme have been many. The summer pudding is closely related to the trifle, tiramisu, and the Italian zuppa inglese—really any layered dessert where something acts as a sponge soaking up syrupy liquids, served with a dairy element. As a pastry chef, after years of making traditional coffee and chocolate flavored tiramisu, the evolution to a fruit-flavored version seemed only logical. I call the following recipe a tiramisu because that word to most humans is like a high-pitched whistle for dogs. It really grabs their attention. I hope the memory of my first summer pudding triumph will inspire you to make some version of your own. Summer Fruit Tiramisu When writing this recipe, I had a surreptitious goal—using a long-neglected trifle dish bought years ago at an estate sale. Finally, justification for my purchase! The proportions are enormous—great for a party or brunch buffet, but you could easily halve this recipe and still have plenty for 6 to 8 people. You could also make a single portion or two if that’s all you need or all the fruit you have. There are three essential components to this dessert: cooked, sweetened fruit, some type of cake, and a creamy filling. For a behemoth confection you will need several quarts of fruit, and because the fruit is cooked, you could successfully use frozen fruit if you have a summer fruit windfall and want to freeze it for later. Whatever is delicious and available will work—berries of all types, peaches, nectarines, plums. Only the most perfect, intensely flavored and velvety of melons could work here, so I would not use those—they never improve with cooking. First set aside some of the most beautiful berries to use as a garnish on top of the finished dish. Then, begin by heating the fruit with a generous sprinkling of sugar or drizzle of honey so that the fruit begins JULY 2021 |

Aaron Leimkuehler

to release its juices. I sometimes cook different-colored fruits in different pots, so their colors don’t blend together, and you have more of a rainbow effect with the layers. Regardless, cook the fruit for about 15 minutes, tasting and adding a bit more sugar if needed. If the fruit is lacking in acidity and seems a little flabby, add a little lemon juice to brighten up the flavors. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool. If you like your fruit boozy or if it needs a little more perfume, add a splash of brandy, kirsch, vie. or other eau de vie For the “cake” layers, use what is easiest or what you have in the pantry already (see In the Pantry). For the lightest rendition, try using ladyﬁngers, but you could very successfully use other absorbent conveyances like sponge or pound cake, little shortcakes. For the filling, madeleines, stale brioche, or shortcakes begin by slowly whipping about 2 cups of cream sugar. When it begins to thicken, with ½ cup of sugar add 2 pounds of mascarpone cheese and a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract or a summer fruit brandy or an eau de vie like kirsch or even limoncello (as you used earlier with the fruit). If that seems like too much cream and mascarpone—said nobody, anywhere, ever—you are correct. It is a lot, possibly more than you need. But the perfect peach, the elusive black raspberry, and those other splendid summer delights you found at the market should be enjoyed in excess—so you need balance with the creamy layer. Continue whipping the cream-mascarpone mixture until it begins to thicken like soft whipped cream, but not to the point that it becomes grainy (at which point the texture suffers irreversibly). For the construction, begin by putting a ladle of the fruit juices in the bottom of your vessel. Top this with a layer of ladyﬁngers or sponge cake, cutting or tearing as needed to completely cover the bottom of the dish. Top with a layer of fruit and juices. With the back of your spoon or ladle, press down on the fruit and sponge cake to encourage the absorption of the juices. Spread a few spoonfuls of the cream mixture over the fruit layer—enough to completely cover the layer. Then cover the cream layer with another layer of cake followed by fruit and juices, pressing lightly after each addition. Continue layering until you run out of ingredients or space in your vessel, piling everything up in a glorious heap, and gilding with the reserved glamour berries. In an ideal world, you would refrigerate this for a few hours before serving, allowing the cake to absorb juices and the filling to firm up slightly. Good luck waiting. If you made the complete amount and you are only feeding two people, it will keep for several days in the refrigerator. Serve for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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In Your Pantry

YOUR HOME SHOULD INSPIRE YOU.

SPONGY ALTERNATIVES After a trip to the fresh market for spectacular seasonal fruit, sumptuous summertime desserts can be assembled in no time if you have one of these time saving staples in your pantry.

Savoiardy The quintessential layering, soaking, and dunking pastry cookie—delicate, egg-based, and feathery light. AKA ladyﬁngers (the English), loeffelbiskuits (spoon biscuits—the Germans), bizcochos de Huevo (sponges of egg—the Spanish) and boudoirs (bedroom cookies —oh, the French).

Bakery Pound Cake The impulse purchase pound cake that landed in your freezer during lockdown could have you minutes away from a show-stopping dessert. Sauté slices of cake in butter and layer with jam, fresh fruit, whipped cream and/or melted chocolate. Eat it right away or allow the ﬂavors to meld for a while. Don’t forget a splash of brandy or limoncello to take it over the top.

Wafer Cookies Store-bought wafer cookies can provide a wonderful crunchy texture to assembly line-inspired desserts. Set out a selection of wafers (pick the ﬂavor to go with your theme), whipped cream, ice cream, pastry cream, chocolate sauce, poached fruit, berries, nuts and jams and let your guests have fun doing all the work. Be sure to use a good brand like Loacker.

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Good Bread When you think about it, bread is just cake that’s not really sweet. Add some sugar and you’re practically back to cake. Bread can be soaked and layered with fruit juices, sweetened coffee or ﬂavored syrup to make homey and satisfying treats. Try toasting slices of chewy artisan bread and layering them in a baking dish with juicy ripe summer plums or peaches. Top with sugar, dabs of butter, and a dusting of cinnamon, and bake like a fruit-ﬁlled lasagna for an unforgettably delicious summer.

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Patrick A. Pearce Jr. direct 816.804.4383 ofﬁce 913.744.4702 patrick@BashCoSIR.com

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Flavor

IN KC

In Your Cocktail THE WELL by

Kelsey Cipolla

photo by

Corie English

White peach sangria.

ummer’s hottest spot to grab a drink? A rooftop bar, where cool cocktails, warm sun, and a gorgeous view combine for a departure from the everyday. And in a city with a growing number of sky-high destinations, The Well Bar, Grill & Restaurant looms large—literally. While it’s not the tallest bar in town, the Waldo mainstay’s rooftop deck is a much-loved, spacious spot for locals from around Waldo and throughout the rest of the metro drawn to its laid-back atmoJULY 2021 |

sphere, daily specials, and that all-seasons patio, decked out with big umbrellas for shade and string lights for ambience—not that it needs it. Whether it’s a summer afternoon or after dark, the deck has the feel of a cheerful party that just needs enough food and drinks for it to keep going indefinitely. Luckily, sustenance is available in the form of bar favorites like burgers, served at The Well in variations that range from classic, veggie, and Southwestern and span from early mornings (the bacon and egg-

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topped Good Morning) to last calls (the bacon, caramelized onion, and gouda mornay-adorned Late Night). The restaurant also offers up what just might be the city’s most decadent ode to the Chiefs’ quarterback with the Mahomes, a towering sandwich piled with fried mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled ribeye, Swiss, jumbo tater tots, crispy onion rings, cheese curds—and yes, ketchup. (Fitting, since The Well is an ideal spot for catching a game on one of the many TVs). For the less indulgent, there are plenty of salads, sandwiches, and wraps available, too. Patrons will likely associate the term “well” at a bar with the most frequently used liquors in mixed drinks, and there’s certainly an approachability to this Well’s boozy beverages, which include specials every day of the week, from discounts on craft drafts on Mondays to $6 bloody Mary’s during Sunday brunch service. In addition to a respectable number of beers on tap, The Well offers a long list of bottled craft beers from Kansas City breweries and others around the country. Plus, guests can put (lowercase) well drinks to the test during happy hour Monday through Friday, when they’re available for $3.50, which will also get you a local craft draw. Among The Well’s signature cocktails, you’ll find two takes on the margarita, a horsefeather made with Tom’s Town Distilling Co. bourbon, and an old fashioned crafted using brown sugar and KC smoked bitters. Perennial summer favorites are also represented, from a refreshing cucumber mojito to white peach sangria. The Well’s version is available by the glass or pitcher, but if you want to make it at home, we’ve got you covered with this refreshing twist fit for a crowd—a frozen, fruity cocktail that will keep you cool as temperatures heat up. The summer flavor forecast is looking just peachy. waldowell.com

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

White Peach Sangria Frozen Pitchers 12 6 30 12 12

ounces Ketel One Botanical Peach ounces peach schnapps ounces Moscato ounces soda ounces Sprite

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. therestaurantat1900.com (913) 730–1900

Mix ingredients into a pitcher with slices of peaches, oranges, and cherries. Freeze for 4 hours. Scoop into a glass and serve with a slice of orange, slice of peach and a maraschino cherry garnish.

1900 Building 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway Mission Woods, Kansas

Note: It is important that you don't use too much alcohol, or the batch will not freeze properly.

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Very VeryWell WellKC KC

ggo oo do d t ht hi n i ng gs s g gr orwo w h he reer .e . Very Well KC, a new healing arts collective located in the heart of Very Well KC, a new healing arts collective located in the heart Downtown Overland Park, brings locals a healing experience unlikeof Downtown Overland Park, brings a ahealing experience any other. This charming spacelocals houses group of healers, unlike any other. This charming space houses a group of healers, practitioners and coaches committed to treating their patients and practitioners and coaches committed to treating their patients and members holistically, while practicing with a whole person members holistically, while practicing a whole person approach. Owners, Emily Hart and Stephaniewith Simon, sat down to approach. Owners, Emily Hart and Stephanie Simon, sat down answer a few questions, giving a glimpse into the soul behind this to answer a few questions, giving a glimpse into the soul behind this new collective. new collective.

a few sauna sessions, and like What types of services does thea idea of wellness workshops, few sauna sessions, and like Very Well KC offer? What types of services does wethe have a membership that's idea of wellness workshops, Very Well KC offer? Stephanie (S): When brainstorming perfect for that too. You can find we have a membership that's what types of(S): services wanted Stephanie Whenwe brainstorming all perfect of our memberships on our for that too. You can find to what provide at VWKC, we decided types of services we wanted website at verywellkc.com. all of our memberships on our to to letprovide the people come to and at VWKC, weusdecided website at verywellkc.com. letto it let develop organically. the people come Ittoreally us and What inspired Very Well KC? worked out beautifully. We've let it develop organically. It really What inspired Veryfor Well KC? E: It's been a hard year a lot created a space that is truly a oneworked out beautifully. We've for a lot of year different stop shop for self care we a one- of people, E: It's been hard for a lot created a space that and is truly reasons. We are couldn't be happier of people, for a communal lot of different stop shop for self with carethe and we people; designed toaneed variety of services we offer. We reasons. We are communal couldn't be happier with the positive human interaction, have everything from chiropractic people; designed to needcare variety of services we offer. We love. We wantinteraction, Very Well KC and pediatric care to aesthetician human care have everything from chiropractic andpositive place people. services, talk therapy, lifeaesthetician to be andthat love. We for want Very Well KC and pediatric care to When you share space with likecoaching, work and to be that place for people. services,energy talk therapy, lifereiki minded similar healing. We also have a physical Whenindividuals you share on space with likecoaching, energy work and reiki paths as your own, healing can therapist a nutritionist, and a minded individuals on similar healing.(me!), We also have a physical be maximized. We want every nurse practitioner that specializes paths as your own, healing can therapist (me!), a nutritionist, and a to know that in nurse pain management be maximized. Wewherever want every practitioner and thatmedical specializes person you are on your healing journey, weight loss. She also does botox person to know that wherever in pain management and medical you are safe and welcomed here and dysport. Then, we have yoga you are on your healing journey, weight loss. She also does botox Well KC. and meditation classeswe throughout you are safe and welcomed here and dysport. Then, have yoga at Very theand week as well. We really have a at Very Well KC. meditation classes throughout little bit of everything. the week as well. We really have a little bit of everything. Does Very Well KC offer memberships? Does Very Well KC offer memberships? Emily (E): We sure do! We have a variety memberships, fora Emilyof(E): We sure do!created We have Owner Owner people who want to experience variety of memberships, created for Emily Hart Stephanie Simon different healing modalities and make Owner Owner people who want to experience Emily Hart Stephanie Simon it adifferent part of their every day lives.and If you healing modalities make want yoga, we have a it aunlimited part of their every day lives. If you membership for that. If you want want unlimited yoga, we have aa fewmembership yoga classes, formixed that. Ifwith you want a few yoga classes, mixed with

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