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JUNE 2022 | INKANSASCITY.COM
MEN’S ISSUE
EXCLUSIVE Q+A
ROB RIGGLE
KC NATIVE AND BIG SLICK COFOUNDER
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5/16/22
5:21 PM
The Best
Watering Holes
We’ll Show You Around Springfield! Whether it’s enjoying a refreshing beverage at one of the many local craft breweries or cruising down a scenic water trail on a kayak, we love our city and know the best places to eat, drink and play. See you in Springfield, Missouri!
Point your smartphone camera at this QR code to find out more about things to do in Springfield.
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Contents JUNE 2022 66 84
Features 66
IN CONVERSATION WITH ROB RIGGLE Big Slick returns live this year, and the cofounder reveals its origins and talks about his unconventional path to Hollywood.
70
MAN UP! We scoured the city for the very best Father’s Day gifts.
76
A FOUR-SPORT CITY Hope is revived for NBA and NHL major league teams to return to Kansas City.
On the cover
Departments
80
NEW BREWS Kansas City’s craft brewing scene continues to grow with a wave of spots opening this spring and summer. We caught up with the owners of three new beer destinations to get a first taste.
84
EYE ON THE PRIZE A business executive-turned-antiques dealer is inspired to fill a Prairie Village 70s contemporary with his singular vintage and antique finds.
Kansas City’s own Rob Riggle. Photo by Sean Hagwell.
JUNE 2022
70 80
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22
ENTERTAINING IN KC
28
OUR MAN IN KC
34
ARTS & CULTURE IN KC
44
BEHIND THE MUSIC IN KC
48
LOOK IN KC
54
MEN’S HEALTH IN KC
58
LIVING IN KC
98
FLAVOR IN KC
114
FACES
120
MY ESSENTIALS IN KC
IN EVERY ISSUE 14
EDITOR’S NOTE
16
INKANSASCITY.COM
20
THIS MONTH IN KC
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Editor’s Note
For the Men in Our Life
Vol. 5 | No. 6 JUNE 2022 Editor In Chief Zim Loy
O
Digital Editor Emily Park Art Director Alice Govert Bryan Associate Art Director Eva Tucker photo by aaron leimkuhler
f course, every issue of this magazine is both a men’s issue and a women’s issue, but once a year, we like to make a special effort to cover all things guy-related. Since June is the month in which Father’s Day falls, it’s a natural. Our cover feature—an interview with KC native and Big Slick cofounder Rob Riggle—is as entertaining and revealing as you’ve come to expect from our contributor Cindy Hoedel. Riggle’s roundabout journey from Kansas City to the Marines to show business is a fun read. And, he divulges just how one of our city’s most beloved fundraisers, Big Slick—which returns live this year after going online for the last two years because of the pandemic—actually came to be. Children’s Mercy has five angels in its pocket because of Riggle and his cohorts in Big Slick—Dave Koechner, Paul Rudd, Eric Stonestreet, and Jason Sudeikus. For the sports fans, sportswriter Bob Luder examines the real possibilities of Kansas City becoming a four-sports major-league town again with the addition of expansion NHL and NBA teams. There are plenty of reasons we can dream about it, and beginning on page 76, Luder details just what it would take to make that dream a reality. Our mantra here at the magazine is Shop Local, and we hope you practice that, too. We scouted the city for some of the very best Father’s Day gifts and are happy to share our results with you, starting on page 70. If our home features in every issue are always the first page you turn to, you’re going to want to check out the home of Steve and Jill Rogers on page 84. You’re probably familiar with Steve’s antiques emporium, Prize Home + Garden, especially if midcentury modern is your jam. He works with designers nationally and internationally, but some of the very best is reserved for their stunning home. Craft breweries, of course, aren’t a guy thing or a girl thing—they are just an incredibly burgeoning trend right now. On page 80, our food columnist, Kelsey Cipolla, savors a first taste at three new destinations launching this year. In addition to these features, there’s all the must-read columns and departments you’ll find in every issue. Merrily Jackson shares tips for easy outdoor entertaining; Damian Lair has the details on the parties and events you may have missed; Patricia O’Dell packs for a gourmet picnic; Tim Finn pens a special Father’s Day remembrance; Cody Hogan provides a mouth-watering recipe for artichokes; Rachel Murphy reports on men’s beard care, wedding fashion, and Brazilian jiu jitsu; and Judith Fertig interviews the Romeo of the Shakespeare Festival’s presentation of Romeo and Juliet, Evan Cleaver. Honestly, when you get right down to it, this is an issue everyone can enjoy.
Contributing Writers Kelsey Cipolla, Judith Fertig, Timothy Finn, Cindy Hoedel, Cody Hogan, Merrily Jackson, Damian Lair, Bob Luder, Rachel Murphy, Patricia O’Dell Contributing Photographers Tracy Bosworth, Corie English, Austin Grate, Sean Hagwell, Aaron Leimkuehler, Tony Pulford, Brian Rice, Kyle Rivas Publisher Michelle Jolles Media Director Brittany Coale Senior Media Consultants Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Darlene Simpson Newsstand Consultant Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com
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This month, courtesy of our friends at Seville Home, we’re giving away this one-of-kind Ibis end table crafted by Summer Classics. The perfect addition for your home, the natural-hued stone imbues this 16-inch round table with a soft gray color that complements a variety of settings, whether outdoors or inside. With all the hallmarks of fine sculpture, this table is beautiful, sturdy, and works in a multitude of ways—as a side table, drinks table, extra seat, or used in pairs as a coffee table. For details and to submit your entry, visit inkansascity.com/ the-magazine/enter-to-win. the-magazine/enter-to-win Enter by June 30. Good luck!
Celebrating dad.
It’s all about dad this month, so if you need an idea or two on how to spoil the man who raised you—we’ve got you covered. Whether your dad is primed for an adventure in the great outdoors or could use a break from the grill with a relaxing dinner out with the family, there are endless opportunities to celebrate dad this Father’s Day in Kansas City. Head to inkansascity.com for our list of where to go for dining, imbibing, and exploring—we’re talking fishing, hiking, and biking—with dad over Father’s Day weekend.
Fashion at the Colosseum.
Come June 11, West 18th Street will again be transformed into a 100-foot runway for a one-night event with musicians, set designers, fine artists, and designers showcasing their creative artistry and craftsmanship with emerging and nontraditional models at the West 18th Street Fashion Show. Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes to pull off a runway that garners national attention? We’ve interviewed Minc Mason of ThreeMinc and Faye Woods of Red Hare Leather—two of the nine designers who are styling models with outfits, hair, and makeup to strut the runway—about what they have in store for the evening. Read the interviews at inkansascity.com.
We all scream for ice cream.
During sweltering summers in Kansas City, we all deserve a frozen treat to cool down. Lucky for us, Kansas City has plenty of mom-and-pop ice creameries with one-ofa-kind flavors sure to make braving the summer heat a little less uncomfortable. In the mood for some ice cream made with Christopher Elbow chocolate? What about ice cream that features the flavors of KC barbecue in a savory and sweet treat? Or are you looking for a boozy, “adult” milkshake? We know just the place for each of those, and more. Head to inkansascity. com for your guide to ice cream in Kansas City.
JUNE 2022
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This Month IN KC
June
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE BY
Emily Park
JUNE SPOTLIGHT
JuneteenthKC Cultural Parade June 4, 12–3 p.m. JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival June 18, 12–10 p.m. 18th & Vine Jazz District juneteenth-kc.com Celebrate! Kansas City’s annual 18th & Vine District Juneteenth celebrations usually draw a crowd of up to 10,000, and this year is expected to be no different. All are welcome to celebrate African-American pride and culture with JuneteenthKC’s Parade and Heritage Festival. On June 4, check out over 100 parade entries that represent the vibrancy of Black culture and history while celebrating the spirit of freedom. Then celebrate more on June 18, with music, live performances, food, drinks, and local shopping.
Big Slick June 24-25 Kauffman Stadium and T-Mobile Center bigslickkc.org Slick back. In Kansas City, we are loud and proud whenever we hear the names of Kansas City’s born-and-raised celebrities. That’s what makes Big Slick such a big deal. Hosted by KC natives Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet, Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle, and David Koechner, the event, which raises funds for Children’s Mercy, returns to KC after two years of an online format. Other celebrity guests will be announced closer to the event, but in the past Big Slick guests have included Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Selena Gomez, and many more. The two-night event will include a celebrity softball game on June 24 at Kauffman Stadium, and the T-Mobile Center will be the site for a night of comedy and musical performances on June 25—plus an auction with items dreamt up by our celebrity hosts. General tickets for the game are $20-$103 and tickets for the Big Slick Party are $75-$375.
Happy Pride Month! This month is all about the LGBTQ+ community, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate and recognize the history and heritage of LGBTQ+ people in Kansas City and beyond. Here are three options to choose from:
Out With the Royals Tailgate June 9, 5–7 p.m. Kauffman Stadium Tickets available on Eventbrite Kick off KC Pride with the KC Royals! Tailgate tickets include food, drink tickets, music, games, and more—plus proceeds from the night benefit AIDS Walk Kansas City. Then, watch the Royals play the Baltimore Orioles. Tickets are $25.
Kansas City Pride Parade & Festival June 10–12 Frank A. Theis Park kcpridealliance.org/pride-2022 Kansas City’s flagship pride festival kicks off with local acts, vendors, food trucks, family activities, and more. Tickets for the festival are $5. Enjoy the KC Pride Parade for free at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11. The parade starts on Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue and ends at Theis Park.
Pride Bar Crawl June 18, 4 p.m.– midnight Starting at John’s Big Deck crawlwith.us/kansascity Don’t miss the proudest party of the year! Start the night at John’s Big Deck and then bar crawl to Grinder’s Pizza, KC Wineworks, Lifted Spirits Distillery, Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen, and Up-Down KC. The $10 to $15 tickets come with great perks, and proceeds benefit the Trevor Project.
For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com JUNE 2022
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Entertaining
IN KC
How to Prep for Easy Outdoor Entertaining
IT’S OUTDOOR PARTY SEASON! OUR ACE OF ENTERTAINING GETS YOU IN THE MOOD TO LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
by
Merrily Jackson
photo by
I Email me with your entertaining questions, dilemmas, or triumphs at mjackson@inkansascity.com
JUNE 2022 |
22 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Corie English
am not the outdoorsy type. You’ll never find me willingly camping, canoeing, hiking, orienteering. In fact, it is a running joke with my family how sour and cranky I become during enforced outdoor activities. But when conditions are on the money, I do love myself an outdoor party. Really, is there anything more pleasant than unwinding with friends in the glory of a balmy Kansas City evening? Conversely, is there anything worse than going to an outdoor party
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Entertaining
IN KC
Grilled Swordfish with Sauce Niçoise Former Kansas Citian Cort Sinnes is a well-known cookbook author and legendary host. This simple recipe is from his excellent tome The Grilling Book, written in 1985, an absolute classic. If swordfish is not available, use sturgeon, tuna, shark, or marlin.
6 1 or 2 2 1 4
tablespoons butter Juice of 1 lemon, more lemon for garnish garlic cloves, minced or pressed anchovies, mashed with a fork* tablespoon minced parsley, more for garnish Freshly ground pepper swordfish steaks Chopped parsley Lemon wedges
Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the lemon, garlic, mashed anchovies, parsley, and pepper to taste. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Keep over very low heat until ready to use. Grill the swordfish steaks over a hot fire until you can slip a skewer into the fish with little resistance. Pour the Niçoise sauce evenly over the 4 steaks. Garnish with a sprinkling of parsley and a wedge of lemon. Serves 4. *Substitute olive pâté or tapenade if there is an anchovy hater in the group.
JUNE 2022 |
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where you’re miserable because it is too hot, too cold, too windy, too wet, or too buggy? That’s why rule number one for outdoor entertaining in KC is to have a Plan B for inclement weather. Think about how you’ll arrange the bar, the food, and the seating if you have to move things indoors. If the whole point of the party is to be outside, say for a cook-out, provide a rain date right from the start. Guests can pencil in the second date as well. Just make sure to keep guests informed if forecasts are dicey as the day approaches. Here are some other ideas about entertaining alfresco. CANDLELIGHT, CRICKETS, AND COMFY SEATING You don’t need lavish landscaping or high-end lawn furniture to have a great outdoor party. My husband and I live in a modestly sized “Kansas City shirtwaist” home in South Hyde Park. It’s never going to be chosen for a garden tour, it saddens me to say. But we do have a shady back deck with comfortable seating, a good sound system, and easy access to the bar and kitchen. Oh, and a supply of outdoor foggers, the only insect repellent that seems to actually work. I spray it on everything, including the patio furniture, 45 minutes before people arrive. And then I keep some Off ! handy for that one guest who is irresistible to mosquitoes.
127th & Metcalf
CONSIDER THE LIGHTING The right lighting can make an outdoor party magical. Invest in some sturdy hurricane lanterns, in varying sizes, and candles to glow inside them. I love the look of little glimmering lanterns suspended from a pergola, patio umbrella or overhanging tree. I also like to see citronella candles and flickering tiki torches—although they don’t do much to repel insects—and tiny, sparkling fairy lights. It’s important for your bar area to be well lit. Sometimes I take a smart-looking lamp from inside my house and plug it in to light the bar on our deck. TUNAGE, CHECK Good-quality outdoor speakers are a sensible buy. The Sonos Move wireless portable speaker gives you voice access to audio streaming services and your digital music collection, and it has Bluetooth so you can take it beyond the reach of your WiFi network. What to play? Reggae music sets a nice stage for outdoor partying. I tell Alexa to play the Bob Marley station and she never disappoints. But musical tastes vary, darling. You do you.
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SMART PURCHASES MAKE FOR EASY PARTIES A few other sensible purchases include: Melamine dinnerJUNE 2022 |
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Entertaining
IN KC
ware that looks like ceramic or china but resists breaking, chipping or cracking; acrylic drinkware that looks like the real thing but doesn’t pose the risk of broken glass; a handsome insulated beverage tub that chills bottled and canned drinks without producing condensation, which means you can place it anywhere and it won’t damage the surface or create a puddle; and an all-weather table or cart that will be the ideal self-serve station, providing all the essentials in one spot. GUIDANCE FOR GREAT GRILLING Cooking outside while your friends hang out and watch is fun. No matter what kind of grill you have, you want to keep its surface clean. Oil it well while it is cold and preheat it thoroughly. Use the finest ingredients you can afford and have them at room temperature for faster cooking. Assemble all the tools you might need— spatula, tongs, fork, basting brushes, wire grill brush, thermometer, etc.—so you won’t have to leave the fire to dash into the kitchen. Cookouts are relaxed affairs. Give yourself plenty of time and don’t worry if the fire dictates that you have to eat sooner or later than you planned. Email me for my Grilled Mojito Chicken recipe and three side dishes that go perfectly with it: watermelon-feta sal-
ad, fresh corn pudding, and ratatouille. (But please know there is no shame in serving store-bought sides.) THE VERY BEST WAY TO SPEND A SUMMER EVENING OUTDOORS IN KC For two long years, the pandemic deprived us of Shakespeare in the park. The wait is over, and I’m ecstatic! The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is mounting a full production of Romeo and Juliet, June 14 through July 3. Grab a few friends, a blanket and some wine and head for Southmoreland Park to see consummate actors perform The Bard’s most popular and romantic play. The show starts at 8 p.m., but you can go as early as 6 p.m., spread out your blanket, and enjoy a light supper and people-watching before it begins. There is always a pre-performance lecture and a Shakespeare parody happening before the show; you can wander back and forth between them and the food trucks. You’ll find good food for sale, or you can tote in a hamper of homemade comestibles. Another idea is to swing by The Mixx (4855 Main) or Jimmy John’s (4300 Roanoke or 3900 Broadway) and pick up some chips and sandwiches to nosh on before the show. The show, like my advice, is free, free, free.
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Our Man BY
IN KC
Damian Lair
dlair@inkansascity.com : @damianlair #OurManINKC
Wild About Harry
Y
ou don’t have to be a Kennedy, Bush, or Roosevelt to make an indelible mark on world history. You may just be a farmer from Grandview, Missouri. We were gathered at the very hotel (Marriott Muehlebach Downtown) where Harry Truman awaited the election results on November 2, 1948—the election that generated one of the most famous headlines ever: “Dewey Defeats Truman.” On this evening, I was the gracious guest of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum for their annual Wild About Harry event. One of just 15 Presidential Libraries (did you know that?) overseen by the National Archives, our library just underwent an Damian Lair with Maureen McMeel Carroll (left) and Suzanne McMeel Glynn at Wild About Harry. extensive renovation that began in 2019. I’m arranging a tour—but that’s another column for another day. Back to the party. Author of the just-released biography Director—but then again, the last in-person Bunni & Paul Copaken, Frank White, Mary The Trials of Harry S. Truman, Jeffrey Frank event hosted Secretary Madeline Albright. Kemper Wolf & Gary Wolf, David Campbell, provided a mesmeric keynote address that I’m especially glad I didn’t miss that one. It Patrick Ottensmeyer, Ursula Terrasi, buzzed through an impressive flurry of goes without saying that the Truman Library Madeleine McDonough, Petra Kralickova, Truman anecdotes and accounts surfolks have a pretty solid track record of Darcy Howe, Heidi Peter, Bob Green, Jamila rounding the extraordinary presidency attracting top speaker talent for this Weaver, Carolyn & David Fulk, Tom Mentzer of an ordinary man. event. Which is why—if you’re an Senator Roy Blunt was on enthusiast of history or politics (not hand to tout the $11.5 million the partisan kind)—I would enhe was instrumental in secourage you to consider this HOT curing for attending to the event when it rolls around GOSSIP: museum’s exterior grounds. again next spring. HisI HAD HEARD of Buttonwood Art Space, Who was busted for Blunt also introduced the tory has a unique way of located inside the Buttonwood Financial hooking up with her Truman Legacy of Leadproviding a lens through Group offices on Main Street, but I’d not yet ership Award recipient, which you can assess the visited. Thus, I was excited when my friend son’s friend while on CIA Director William present more clearly. Not Heidi Markle with KC Parks told me about his spring break? J. Burns. Director Burns’s many events do I leave feelan upcoming exhibition—and extended an experience as former U.S. ing much smarter—but this invite to the opening reception. Ambassador to Russia made his one, I always do. For those also uninitiated, the Butobservations about the current state tonwood Art Space occupies a significant of affairs eerily poignant. It’s not every day portion of the first floor within the wealth SPOTTED: Senator Jerry & Robba Moran, you get to sit in an audience with the CIA management firm’s offices and hosts exhibits Senator Roy Blunt, Marny & John Sherman,
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IN KC Low and Slow by Tara Karaim
featuring works by local and regional artists. The exhibits rotate quarterly, and all art on display is available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a different nonprofit organization for each show. In a traditional gallery business model, a percentage of each sale is shared between the artist and the gallery. At Buttonwood, operating costs of the Art Space are paid by the financial group so the “gallery fee” can be redirected to local nonprofits. The benefiting organization for the current show is KC Parks, which maintains 221 parks, 12,242 acres of parkland, 159 miles of trails and bikeways, 29 lakes, hundreds of athletic fields and tennis courts, 106 playgrounds, and five public golf courses. Whew! The exhibition encompasses a Kansas City theme and features 175 works from 93 artists. While at Buttonwood, I enjoyed a thorough tour guided by Macy Vulgamore, the gallery director and marketing manager. A couple of my favorite pieces included ceramic shuttlecocks by Karen Merkel and a hyper-realistic and gorgeously simple Low and Slow painting of a barbecue platter that looked like a photo—by Tara Karaim. For budding collectors, it’s a great gallery for getting your feet wet, as a majority of the pieces can be yours for less than $500. The Kansas City show extends through June 23, so there’s still time to visit. If you miss this one, the Rhythm & Reveal show opens on July 1 (benefiting Reconciliation Services), and Visions of the Flint Hills opens on October 3 (benefiting Friends of the Konza Prairie).
SURVIVOR COUTURE I HAVE NEVER CRIED MORE at an event. It’s true. I attended the Bra Couture KC Fashion Show & Auction with my friend Lee Page, who sponsored a table. I had, of course, heard about this organization (the name is quite memorable) but knew very little about it. Due to another event on the same evening, we sadly missed out on the VIP pre-party for shoulder-bumping with a number of Chiefs players and other local celebrities. But we arrived just as the important part—the runway show—was heating up. At this annual event, Bra Couture selects 14 completely custom bras, designed by various local artists (think: works of art lavishly sheathed in rhinestones or pearls) that HOT are auctioned off after each is sashayed GOSSIP: down the runway. But, as the organization points out: “It’s not about the Who missed the patron’s bra, it’s about the bravado of a cancer party because he had a survivor to walk a 120-foot runway (very) old address saved and the survival journey that it repin his phone? resents.” Each model is also a survivor. And so, as a man raised in no small MAY 2022 |
OVERHEARD “I always assumed he was a man of not many big words.”
part by and alongside fiercely strong women—a mother and two sisters with whom I shared a roof for 18 years, and two grandmothers, one next door and one almost as close—I was brought to a very real and tearful halt. Hearing each one of these women’s stories followed by them owning their existence and channeling that to bravely walking the length of an airline hangar—slicing through a sold-out crowd in a bra—it was moving. I imagine they’d say, though, the walk was easy compared to surviving breast cancer. During the 12 years that the event has been in existence, it has raised millions—and a record-breaking $540,000 this year—for providing cancer services to those uninsured or underinsured who are battling breast cancer in our community. Art holds healing powers—and in this case, it can claim a double-duty: healing for those whose cancer journey is indescribably improved, and healing for those who are literally living proof of how that support can provide the strength to make it to the other side—or down a runway.
OPENING NIGHT THERE’S NOTHING LIKE opening night at the theater. Which is why I jumped at the chance to join my good friend (and fellow columnist) Merrily Jackson—not only for opening night of a new show, but opening night of the theater itself. Yes, the Arts Asylum has moved from downtown adjacent to Brookside East. The Meyer Boulevard theater brings together a new collective of partners who will drive programming and theatrical endeavors under the guidance of Korey Childs, the artistic director, and Evie Craig, the executive director. The Arts Asylum, along with the Theatre Community Fund of KC, Faust Theatre, the City of Fountains Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and Pop Culture Sculptures, will produce shows, events, and programming at the new space. The Arts Asylum will continue its community partnerships with the likes of Crossroads Prep Academy and the Johnson County Library System for theater classes and camps, and production support of local playwrights. Which brings me to Gabby for God. A dear friend of Merrily’s, and a new friend of mine, Jennifer Cannady, is a local playwright. Her new play, Gabby for God, features an all-female cast and explores the universal struggle to find common ground between divergent, strongly held religious and political beliefs. Centered around an afternoon ladies book club, the audience is offered a window into Gabby’s living room where an unexpected guest’s clashing faith ruffles feathers, but ultimately leads to self-discovery. Nothing over-produced or fanciful about this play—it felt like a real conversation, among real friends, that resolved in a real way. Which was comforting in times when conflict seems to ever swirl us. Bravo to Jennifer! And it’s locally grown programming just like this that the Arts Asylum endeavors to nurture and serve up to the community in its new home. So, check out their schedule and see what’s up next.
30 | INKANSASCITY.COM
CITY OF FOUNTAIN IN THE HEART OF bustling Westport, you’ll find something shiny and new—what’s billed as one of the largest queer and ally spaces in the Midwest. At the prominent corner of Broadway and Westport Road is Fountain Haus: a three-story emporium of packed dance floors, arresting beats, and a swell addition to the growing list of best rooftops in the city. I dropped in during the opening weekend, which featured pop-ups by local performers and a rotating catalog of DJs across the multiple distinct spaces, including DJ Chef Nguyen, DJ Ray Peña, DJ Hydan, and DJ Maverick, among others. Also featured: a line wrapped around the block. I suppose that tells you all you need to know about the voracious appetite for exactly this sort of space. But don’t fret about a line; you can skip it with an annual membership card. Since opening roughly two weeks ago, they’ve kicked off their “Pool Deck” Sundays, held an explosion-of-florals party, and a derby event hosted Mayor Quinton Lucas and City Manager Brian Platt, and by my observation managed to knit together the most beautifully diverse crowd in the city— OVERHEARD by virtually any “Those stripes metric you pick to are more Rikers measure diversity. Island than SaintIt’s a place where, Tropez.” no matter who you are, I’ll bet you’re greeted with open hearts and minds and feel embraced by a welcoming aura. But FH is just getting started. Later this month, the restaurant component is scheduled to open, and they’re ironing out the rest of their weekly schedule. I’m told there will be “Boozical Mondays” with Daisy Buckët, featuring Broadway show tunes, and of course a drag brunch on Sundays, now that the phenomenon has taken essentially every major city (including our own) by storm. Better pack an umbrella; you might just get wet.
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H Evan Cleaver THE ACTOR ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS by
Judith Fertig
photo by
Tracy Bosworth
e’s baaack. Romeo Montague, a.k.a. Evan Cleaver, that is. And hearts are aflutter already. “It’s really exciting to be able to help bring the story of Romeo and Juliet to my hometown and perform in front of friends and family,” says Cleaver. He makes a rather dashing Romeo in the 30th Anniversary season of The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (HASF), after a two-year absence due to the pandemic. Romeo and Juliet runs from June 14 through July 3. Says Cleaver, “When we did the fundraising gala, I was running through the crowd right before the famous balcony scene. One of the ladies in the audience leaned over and said, ‘Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo.’” Just a general question or literary pick-up line? As William Shakespeare’s star-crossed lover, Kansas City’s own Evan Cleaver returns in a role with a star-studded past, from Leonardo di Caprio (with Claire Danes) to Orlando Bloom (with Condola Rashad), Leonard Whiting (with Olivia Hussey), and back to Gone With the Wind’s Lesley Howard (with Norma Shearer). No pressure there. At Dillard University in New Orleans, Cleaver was the first student on a basketball scholarship to graduate with a degree in acting. When Hurricane Katrina hit, he went west to get his MFA from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). In 2017, he appeared as Ted in Christmas Next Door, a Hallmark Christmas movie. He’s also had roles on The Walking Dead and Common Law. Where will we see him next?
INKC: You come from a well-known, very public Kansas City family.
What were the influences in your upbringing that led you to the performing arts? Cleaver: My grandmother, Betty Lu Donaldson, was a theater major at the University of Kansas. She went on to teach drama at Lincoln High School here in Kansas City. Love of the arts flowed from her to my mother, Dianne Cleaver. She’s seen all of the AFI Top 100 movies of all time except Goodfellas because she says it looks too violent. They introduced me to Sidney Poitier films. He made me want to be an actor—so JUNE 2022
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Arts&Culture
IN KC
suave, classy, and with a great sense of humor. Even though my father, Emanuel Cleaver II, watches the Nature Channel and C-level monster movies, he still cultivated and encouraged my love of the arts. The great part about HASF is that it’s free, so everyone has access. INKC: How do you plan to make the 400-year-old tale of Shake-
speare’s Romeo fresh and modern for today’s audiences? In your portrayal of Romeo are you going more classic and Laurence Olivier or more up-tempo and Bridgerton? Cleaver: You posed a clairvoyant question here. Our director, Sidonie Garrett, wants to bring a Bridgerton feel to this production. She’s a visionary and that style will bring something new and exciting to Romeo and Juliet. We also have an amazing cast and crew. Jessica Andrews will be a wonderful Juliet and there was a moment in the callback where I felt a chemistry click. That’s the key. Collaborating with HASF veterans like Mike Rapport, Jacques Roy, and Sam Cordes, as well as some newcomers, we’ll discover our own way to tell this classic tale. INKC: Are you interested in more of a theater career, or film, or
however your acting career develops? Any role on your wish list? Cleaver: As a proud graduate of Dillard University where I got my BA
in theater and CalArts where I got my MFA in acting, theater is where my training is. Still, film and TV would support my theater habit. Mara
Brock Akil is on my vision board. She’s another KC product. That woman is a phenomenal writer and director, and I dream of being a series regular on one of her sitcoms. Morgan Cooper and Nathan Louis Jackson are also KC creatives I’d love to work with. So, if I could craft my career, it would be a movie with Morgan Cooper followed by a Mara Brock Akil TV show, then a Nathan Louis Jackson play on Broadway. INKC: How has living in Kansas City helped form and nurture your
career? Cleaver: I grew up in St. James right over on Paseo where my dad was
pastor and now my brother. That community taught me faith, hope, and love for humanity. Those are key ingredients for a successful career as an actor. Also, the KC metro area is huge on basketball. I played for Coach Fritz at Center High School. He taught me the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and how to take direction, which really prepared me for this profession. Not to mention Kansas City culture is underrated. From the Nelson to Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art to amazing theaters like KCRep, Unicorn, and Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. There’s so much inspiration for artists here. KC FilmFest International gave my short film, Kody Switch, its world premiere. Also, Hallmark is a KCbased company, and it was the Hallmark Channel that helped raise my profile by casting me in one of their Christmas movies.
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Michael Stern, music director
FUN + FEEL-GOOD PERFORMANCES Ryan Bancroft
Gemma New
Classical Concert
Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony, World Premiere of
Rogerson’s Violin Concerto
Friday & Saturday, June 3-4 at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. GEMMA NEW, GUEST CONDUCTOR BENJAMIN BEILMAN, VIOLIN JAN KRAYBILL, ORGAN
RAVEL Mother Goose Suite CHRIS ROGERSON Violin Concerto
(world premiere, Kansas City Symphony commission)
SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3 “Organ” Fairy tales, fables and Saint-Saëns’ fabulous Organ Symphony fill the air. Tickets from $25.
Special Concert Event
Windborne's The Music of the Rolling Stones Thursday, June 9 at 8 p.m. Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Classical Concert
Sleeping Beauty with Sibelius' Violin Concerto
Friday & Saturday, June 17-18 at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 19 at 2 p.m.
BRENT HAVENS, GUEST CONDUCTOR TONY VINCENT, VOCALIST
RYAN BANCROFT, GUEST CONDUCTOR AUGUSTIN HADELICH, VIOLIN
A full rock band joins your Kansas City Symphony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of two iconic Rolling Stones albums, “Beggars Banquet” and “Let It Bleed.” Hear the Stones’ hits you know and love, like “Gimme Shelter,” “Midnight Rambler,” “Brown Sugar” and so many others. Tickets from $40.
BOULANGER D'un matin de printemps SIBELIUS Violin Concerto TCHAIKOVSKY Suite from The Sleeping Beauty
© 2019 ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. www.abkco.com
PRESENTED BY
VERACITY
We got this.
A program that moves from delightful and delicate to fiery and fervent. Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty will make you feel like dancing! PRESENTED BY Tickets from $25.
Awadagin Pratt
Classical Season Finale
Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s Ninth Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. (Only Symphony No. 9 “Choral”)
Friday & Saturday, June 24-25 at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m. MICHAEL STERN, CONDUCTOR AWADAGIN PRATT, PIANO KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY CHORUS, CHARLES BRUFFY, CHORUS DIRECTOR
HANDEL “Zadok the Priest,” Coronation Anthem No. 1 JESSIE MONTGOMERY Piano Concerto (Kansas City Symphony co-commission)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, “Choral” Join us for a powerful and uplifting season finale. Tickets from $30.
CONCERTS ARE HELD IN HELZBERG HALL AT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.
ORDER NOW
PRESENTED BY
(816) 47 1-0400 / kcsymphony.org
Arts & Culture by
IN KC
Judith Fertig
KANSAS CITY ARTISTS COALITION: RODRIGO CARAZA PORTAL AND EAGER ZHANG IF YOU WORK WITH WORDS, sometimes they’re a blur on the page. But in the hands of artist Eager Zhang, words take on heightened meaning. It could be because she was born on the Chinese mainland and was brought up in a multilingual household. English is her second language. Computer coding, which she learned in college, is her third. The languages come together in surprising ways. Zhang holds an MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and now is on the full-time faculty of the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), teaching graphic design. Curator Rodrigo Caraza Portal, raised in Peru, is a member of the New Museum’s incubator at KCAI and is also on the fulltime faculty there. The exhibit runs from June 4 through 25, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 to 5 p.m. For more information, contact kansascityartistscoalition.org.
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ROMEO AND JULIET, BRIDGERTON-STYLE HEART OF AMERICA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, wherefore art thou? Missing for the past few years due to the pandemic, it makes a splashy 30th anniversary return with Romeo and Juliet. This summer, it’s be there or be square at 8:00 p.m. in Southmoreland Park from June 14 to July 3. And as in the past, it’s free. Just bring your lawn chairs. Says the director, Sidonie Garrett, “This is a story about great love in a battle with familial hatred. The play features some of the most poetic, well known, and most beloved language in all of Shakespeare’s canon.” The cast features some new faces—Evan Cleaver as Romeo, Jessica Andrews as Juliet. And some familiar and oh-so-welcome faces, including John Rensenhouse as Prince Escalus, Sam Cordes as Benvolio, Scott Cordes as Lord Capulet, and Cinnamon Schultz as the comedic Nurse. The look and feel of the production will borrow from medieval Verona, 17th century swashbuckling Cavaliers, and— wait for it—Bridgerton. The play is free, no tickets required. For information visit kcshakes.org.
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Arts & Culture BY
IN KC
Judith Fertig
SUMMER CONCERTS ON THE LAWN AT THE KANSAS CITY MUSEUM DURING THE LONGEST DAYS of the year, we long to be outside in the fresh air, watching the fireflies, listening to live music. The movers and shakers at the Kansas City Museum know this. They also know they’ve got the sweeping lawn and the local talent for it. On select Friday evenings through September, you can bring your blanket, lawn chair, or beach towel and listen to a variety of musical genres: • Bluegrass, The Matchsellers, June 10 • Darkpop, hip-hop, sci-fi musical , The Black Creatures, July 17 • 60’s classic country, Rex Hobart & The Honky Tonk Standards, August 12 • Classic and contemporary mariachi, Mariachi Estrella KC, September 9 Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. performance. $7 for adults, children free. For more information, visit kansascitymuseum.org.
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SYMPHONIC TRIFECTA AT THE KAUFFMAN WITH MICHAEL STERN conducting the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, Charles Bruffy directing the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, and pianist Awadagin Pratt playing composer Jessie Montgomery’s piano concerto, this is a symphonic trifecta. The program starts with George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest, which became the de facto coronation choral music for the British royal family after the crowning of George II in 1727 and up to Queen Elizabeth’s II’s in 1953. Jessie Montgomery’s contemporary piano concerto, co-commissioned with the Kansas City Symphony, is described as “marvelously incandescent.” Her music interweaves classical with elements of vernacular music, improvisation, language, and social justice to interpret 21st century American sound and experience. The program ends triumphantly with the familiar yet still thrilling Ode to Joy, the choral symphony from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 written in 1824, made famous by a 2012 symphonic flash mob in the Spanish plaza of Sabadell. Visit kauffmancenter.org for tickets to the June 24– 25 concerts.
Pianist Awadagin Pratt
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nelson-atkins.org 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 Organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska. In Kansas City, generous support provided by Linda Woodsmall DeBruce and Paul DeBruce; Dick Belger and Evelyn Craft Belger; Nancy and Rick Green; Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation; The Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank, Trustee; The Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust; JE Dunn Construction; National Endowment for the Arts; and TIVOL (as of April 11, 2022). Woman’s Evening Gown (detail), 1933. Rayon crêpe de chine & rhinestones, 55 × 25 inches. Courtesy of the Kansas City Museum, 1966.8.1
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Behind the Music
IN KC BY
Timothy Finn
Musical Memories OUR BEHIND THE MUSIC COLUMNIST REMINISCES ABOUT THE IMPACT OF MUSIC BETWEEN HIS FATHER AND HIS FAMILY
I
don’t remember the specific day, but the memory of the moment is clear and indelible. One day in 1967, my father came home with a record player that was a significant upgrade from its primitive predecessor. The new “system” was a Magnavox with two speakers that brought us into the two-channel, stereo world and a turntable with a spindle that would accommodate at least eight vinyl LPs, which would play in succession, automatically, saving time and steps. My father also brought home a brown sack filled with records, which was of less interest to his children, given his preferences in music. My brother, two older sisters, and I had developed our own tastes, especially the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, the Mamas and Papas, pop acts like the Cowsills and the Turtles and, most recently, the Monkees. My father’s preferences: Irish folk, especially the Clancy Brothers, JUNE 2022
show tunes, some classical music here and there, and the easy-listening symphonic sounds in the 101 Strings Orchestra collection. As my dad set up the Magnavox, my older sisters retreated to their room to play their records on the crude, monophonic “hi-fi” systems they and my brother and I had in our rooms: portable turntables with two-bit speakers and an AM radio. After the Magnavox was ready for its launch, my father turned his back to us, pulled a record from the bag, placed the album on the turntable and set the process in motion. He told us to notice the difference in sound—richer and fuller, etc. Then the needle hit the vinyl, and instead of anything Clancy Brothers or 101 Strings, we heard something unmistakable: a short drum riff, then a lyric: “Here we come ...” It was the theme song to The Monkees television show and the lead track on their debut, self-titled album. The show had become must-see TV in our house, and they’d become pop
| 44 | INKANSASCITY.COM
idols, but at that point, none of us owned the album. Between the “Here we come” and the next lyric, “Walking down the street,” we heard from upstairs two long, high-pitched squeals, then the sound of our older sisters bounding down the stairs, three at a time, to join the listening party. And as this jubilant scene unfurled itself, my father stood aside his sparkling new toy, beaming at our collective happiness—a scene I can recall vividly more than 50 years later. In 1967, both my parents would turn 37; in August of that year, my mother would give birth to their eighth child—and sixth daughter. My mother ran the ship, but my dad was the patriarch, and in so many ways, a man of secrets and mysteries, thanks to the career he’d chosen. Since the middle of the 1950s, he’d worked for the CIA—a spy, we guessed. But all we knew about what he did for a living was that—work for the CIA. Very little else was revealed, and we were instructed regularly not to tell anyone even that. Instead, when asked what he did, we were to say, “He works for the government” and leave it at that, no matter how much suspicion the nebulous answer aroused. At that point in his career, he traveled a lot, sometimes gone as long as four or six weeks. So, there was physical distance as well as the emotional distance that accrued over the years as his work became a place of mystery, a world he discussed only with my mother, his two siblings, and colleagues. My brother and I connected with him through sports: He’d been an all-state football player in high school and played two years of college at Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. A staunch Irish
JUNE 2022
Catholic, he was a devout Notre Dame fan, so we watched them regularly, as well as professional football. He took my brother and me to see the Buffalo Bills once (we lived 30 miles north of Buffalo) and to at least one University of Buffalo game. And he was always up for a game of catch in the backyard. Music was another connection he nurtured, especially when we were young. By the time I was five, we had all memorized every lyric and moment on The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem: Live at Carnegie Hall, including the songs performed in Gaelic and the entirety of the W.B. Yeats poem O Driscoll (Host of the Air). And the musicals: The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, The Unsinkable Molly Brown. A few times, while throwing parties, he’d summon us (or haul us out of bed) to perform those Clancy Brothers songs for their friends, like a disgruntled Irish version of the Von Trapps. Some of those songs were hardly children’s tunes. Like Wella Wallia, a bubbly tale of a woman who is convicted and hung for stabbing to death her infant child. Hashtag: not kidding. Somewhere exist photos and maybe even 8mm footage of my dad leading his young troupe in a parade around the living room as we sang those songs and he waved a baton, like a drum major. As the years passed and we all plunged into adolescence and moved on to more contemporary music—little of which interested my parents—that connection waned. And the mystery that veiled my father deepened and thickened. He died in March 1987, just 15 months after he’d retired from the
| 45 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Behind the Music
IN KC
CIA, after more than 30 years. He was only 56. At the time of his death, in true tragic-Irish form, he was at home in Clifton Park, N.Y., not far from Albany, with my mother and her sister. The rest of us were in St. Louis for my sister’s wedding. He died the night of her rehearsal dinner; we were told the next evening, after the ceremony and reception. The next day we all scattered, then reconvened for the funeral in his hometown, St. Albans, Vermont. And all those secrets went with him. A few years ago, for The Kansas City Star on Father’s Day weekend, I wrote a piece about him, giving my perspective on growing up with a dad who was abundantly kind and friendly and generous, who loved his family deeply, but who sacrificed something personal for the sake of his career: an uninhibited connection to his children. The assumption was that he’d tell us more after he retired, but he never got the chance. So, we all were left to speculate because, even then, my mother was honoring her code of discretion, if not silence. A few months after that story ran in The Star, I received an email from one of my father’s colleagues. And in a matter of about a thousand words, I learned more about my dad than I’d learned in my 28 years with him. First: He was not a “spy,” rather he was an intelligence officer, someone who talked with sources who knew what he did but who required anonymity. Thus, when he visited the University of Missouri for work while I was attending school there, I was not to approach him if I saw him—not to protect him, but to protect his “expert vol-
unteer” sources. His job was to gather information—“find very specific needles in very specific haystacks”—and convey all he’d discovered in long, detailed reports. That was all illuminating and interesting, and it filled in blanks and spaces and corrected misperceptions. But it was the closing of this email that rendered and clarified what was missing most: my father’s stature and reputation at his place of work. I’ve read it a hundred times, and it never fails to bring me to tears. “All it takes to succeed in the intelligence business is the same as most any other worthy pursuit: unerring character judgment, a versatile and agile intellect, and consummate integrity. A sense of humor helps, too. Your father had it all, and the respect and admiration of his colleagues, a remarkable legacy.” Every March, around St. Patrick’s Day, which is two days before the anniversary of his death, I play the Live at Carnegie Hall album in its entirety. Still remember every word. It closes with an a cappella version of The Parting Glass, a valediction that includes the verse: “And since it falls into my lot / That I should rise and you should not / I’ll gently rise, and I’ll softly call / Good night, and joy be with you all.” It was a favorite of his, one we played a few times at his wake. And each time I hear it, it resurrects his spirit. I play the Monkees less frequently, but to this day, when I hear that theme song, I can still hear my sisters’ squeals and see my dad standing back, basking in the elation he’d detonated among the people he most loved.
THANK YOU KANSAS CITY! We broke ½ million funds raised! We could not have done it without you!
www.BraCoutureKC.com JUNE 2022
| 46 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Dede Dunn
Kasey Bourk
Kristin Johnson
Blake Nelson Kyla Cauthon
YOUR KANSAS CITY REAL ESTATE AMBASSADOR
•KC REAL ESTATE INFLUENCER: RANKED ONE OF THE TOP 20 AGENTS IN THE METRO •200+ BOTTLES OF CHAMPAGNE POPPED ANNUALLY & COUNTING! •STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH KC EMPLOYERS •99.9% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RATING •DEDICATED RELOCATION PROGRAM •FULL-TIME CLIENT CONCIERGE
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Laura Carpenter
@blakenelsonre @teamblakekc Keller Williams Key Partners 4200 Somerset Drive Prairie Village, KS 66208
Tricia Gill
Look
IN KC
Fashion
BY
I
Rachel Murphy
Wedding Belles
s your refrigerator already littered with wedding invites? Yep, ours too. And while you can wear the same frock to all 12 of your summer marital soirées, where’s the fun in that? As a guest, you’re as much a part of the aesthetic as the flowers and the champagne tower. Try pairing your wedding look with the venue for a fashion moment even the bride will enjoy.
VENUE: LOOSE MANSION TREND: SEPARATES You’ve scored the most exclusive invite of the season—a society wedding at Loose Mansion. What to wear? Bring the glamour with evening separates from Emily Shalant. You can create your look with mix and match midi- and fulllength ball skirts paired with statement tops like this feathered moment that screams celebration. Emily Shalant feather top, $795, midi skirt, $250. Both available at Halls (Crown Center).
VENUE: THE ABBOTT TREND: JUMPSUITS Located in the East Crossroads, The Abbott is the perfect spot for a modern bride. With white-washed brick walls, glittering chandeliers, and sleek lines, this is the ideal wedding venue to rock a metallic jumpsuit. Cut from light, shimmering gold crepe, this one-shoulder affair is elegant, stylish, and easy to dance in. Break up the gold with black or stark white accessories for a bold look. CX pleated metallic jumpsuit, $145. Available at Clairvaux (Fairway). JUNE 2022 |
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VENUE: CELLAR 222 TREND: FLORALS If you wanted to go to Tuscany for a destination wedding but opted for an in-town affair, Cellar 222 gives you a little taste of the wine life. Go for Old-World beauty with bold florals in a flowing silhouette like this sideruched V-neck wrap dress. With a dark background, the floral colors pop. Pair with a bold red lip, and you’ll be giving Sophia Loren vibes all evening. Joseph Ribkoff side-ruched floral dress, $260. Available at Alysa Rene Boutique (Park Place).
Look
IN KC Beauty
BY
G
Rachel Murphy
Not So Rough Around The Edges
one are the days when a swipe of Dial soap in the shower was enough to keep the men of Kansas City looking good. Whether bearded or baby-faced, gents have plenty of skin- and beard-care options now, and many of the products are made right here in Kansas City. We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorites for keeping skin moisturized and facial hair kempt this summer season.
BALM IN BEARDLAND Add a little TLC to your beard with the Whiskey Beard Grooming Co. beard oil/balm combo. This two-step process features beard oil to moisturize and protect, followed by a beard balm to keep your face in place. Choose from sandalwood or lavender oil and follow with sandalwood or paradise balm. Bonus? Whiskey Beard is a Black-owned business located in the heart of downtown. Whiskey Beard Grooming Co. beard oil/balm combo, $37, available at Whiskey Beard Barbershop and Cigar Lounge (Downtown KC) or online at whiskeybeardbarber.com.
THE WORKS Have you had a rough week? Time to leave it to the professionals. Feel like Don Draper after a trip to The Gents Place at Park Place in Leawood. More than a barbershop, The Gents Place offers all the services you want but don’t want to talk about—manicures, pedicures, waxing, hot shaves, and even discreet hair color. Add in drinks, shoulder massages, and shoe shines, and you may never want to leave. Make an appointment at thegentsplace.com.
JUNE 2022 |
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MINTY FRESH There are plenty of beard oils, waxes, and balms for bearded guys, but are you starting with a clean slate? If you’re not, it’s time to snag a bottle of Believe in Your Beard Peppermint Foaming Beard Wash. Made with natural Castile soap for cleaning power and essential oils and vitamin E for moisturization, this will leave your chin hairs clean and ready for the day. Believe in Your Beard Peppermint Foaming Beard Wash, $12. Available at believeinyourbeard.com.
Start spoiling yourself today! Vahi creates all natural and organic products for all with the intention of empowering women through community. We source traceable ingredients to nourish bodies and work with companies who contribute to the integrity of our platform, the community and the earth. Our lipid based products nourish the skin creating the most sensual feel. Formulated by a woman, for women. Contains less than .3% THC. Treat your body like it belongs to someone you love.
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Look
IN KC
Wellness
BY
Rachel Murphy
Finding the Floor BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU CHALLENGES AND PREPARES PRACTITIONERS
F
or many people, physical fitness is more than martial arts. Instead of strict practice structures such as the just a series of exercises and calories burned. kata in karate, training in class focuses on technique, with For Matt Gardner, it has always been a release, a chance to spar with other practitioners to hone real-life a way to focus energy and set personapplications. Gardner goes to class several times a al goals. And while running and week and finds himself pitted against fighters of cycling had always been part of his routine, he all genders and sizes. found his passion when he dove into a martial Gardner says that the ability to fight art growing in popularity—Brazilian jiu-jitsu. against anyone keeps it interesting. As a former high school wrestler, “At levels higher than a white belt, Brazilian jiu-jitsu was a natural progression. you have an open class where all weights Both sports focus on submission holds that can compete,” Gardner says. “You could either score points or lead to submission, have a 120-pound black belt go against a rather than strikes or kicks like in karate or 290-pound black belt, and yeah, the big guy taekwondo. Both are also competitive, and will probably win. But if the little guy submits after two years of intensive training at Bodyfit him, the little guy wins. Weight and size help, KC under black belt David Littlewood, Gardner but the submission is the great equalizer.” Matt Gardner tested his skills at the International Brazilian JiuBecause it builds skills to deal with any size Jitsu Federation Pan American Championship, winning opponent, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an excellent method of selfgold in his weight class and age group, earning his blue belt. defense, especially for women. To learn more about Brazilian jiuTraining in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is different than in many jitsu, visit jiujitsulegacy.com or bodyfitkcmo.com.
JUNE 2022 |
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OVER $300,000 RAISED FOR RMHC SINCE 2020
$45,600 RAISED IN THE FIRST MONTH THIS YEAR
$200,000 GOAL THIS YEAR (THROUGH OCTOBER)
330 AGENTS PARTICIPATING
ReeceNichols and RMHC-KC are bringing hearts and homes together with the Gold Key Project! For each home bought or sold by a ReeceNichols agent, we donate one free night ($100) for a family at an RMHC location so they can stay near their sick child. ReeceNichols.com/Gold-Key-Project
Men’s Health presented by
AdventHealth
IN KC by
Emily Park
The Men’s Guide to Healthy Living WITH CERTIFIED FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER WILLIAM DOLAN Here are Dolan’s recommendations for the screenings men should have on their radar through different life stages: SCREENINGS FOR MEN IN THEIR 20s–30s • Cancer Assessment: Monthly testicular self-exam.
William Dolan,
APRN, FNP-BC • General Considerations: HPV vaccination regimen, annual flu vaccine, and annual weight and BMI measurement.
• Heart Assessments: Cholesterol test every five years and annual blood pressure.
I
t’s easy to get busy and forget to schedule that annual check-up with your primary care provider, but AdventHealth’s William Dolan, a certified family nurse practitioner, reminds his patients that regular check-ups and screenings are key to healthy living and addressing health challenges before they arise. “Regular health screenings are important to establish a baseline of what is normal for an individual as well as to identify any individual personal risk factors that require different assessments and monitoring than the standard protocols,” says Dolan. “Regular visits to your health care provider can detect other risks and ensure early treatment of any health issues that arise for an individual patient.” During those annual appointments, it’s helpful to know about and discuss what health screenings your provider would like to do. General health screenings differ by age, gender, and risk factors. “Recommended screenings change with increased risks associated with different age groups,” says Dolan. “For example, testicular cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men in their 20s and 30s, while the risks of prostate cancer increase with age. However, an individual’s family history and other factors may increase risks for different conditions regardless of the patient’s age. That’s why it is important to consistently see a health care provider to receive all relevant screenings based on your own personal health history.” BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH While each man is unique, Dolan offers general tips that can help everyone. “Seeing a health care provider regularly, eating healthy, well-balanced meals, and exercising regularly are the best ways to be proactive about your health and identify and address any potential health issues,” he says. “Be aware of your family medical history. The most important thing to remember is that if you have something related to your health and well-being that is concerning you, talk to your provider. Your health care team is there to help you address your concerns and keep you as healthy as possible.” Annual visits with your primary care provider help with the early detection of diseases and potential ailments, but Dolan encourages anyone experiencing new symptoms or health concerns between visits to reach out to their provider. JUNE 2022 |
SCREENINGS FOR MEN IN THEIR 40s–50s • Cancer Assessment: Colon and rectal cancer screenings are recommended at age 45, prostate cancer screenings are recommended at age 50, and lung cancer screenings are recommended at age 50 for smokers. • General Considerations: Annual flu vaccine, annual weight and BMI measurement, vision and glaucoma check every two years, blood sugar test every three to five years, and shingles vaccine regimen at age 50. • Heart Assessments: Blood pressure test every two years and cholesterol check every three to five years. SCREENINGS FOR MEN IN THEIR 60s–70s • Cancer Assessment: Annual prostate cancer screening, colon and rectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening. • General Considerations: Annual flu vaccine, annual height and weight, annual blood sugar, annual BMI measurement, hearing test every two years, thyroid hormone test every two years, and pneumonia vaccination regimen at age 65. • Heart Assessments: Annual blood pressure test and cholesterol test every two years. Here are the symptoms Dolan says men should pay attention to that can be signs of bigger health problems that often impact men: • Testicular Cancer: Testicular tenderness or unusual testicular bump. • Prostate Cancer: Increased urinary frequency, blood in the urine, difficulty with urination, or trouble emptying the bladder. • Colon Cancer: Bright red blood in the stool, dark and tarry blood in the stool, or a change in bowel habits. • Heart Disease: Body aches, fatigue, frequent headaches, or chest discomfort.
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Experts in matters of the heart. We’re moving heart care forward, so you never miss a beat. The AdventHealth Heart & Vascular Institute is holding your heart care to a higher standard – from the routine to the revolutionary. With leading-edge cardiac treatments and surgeries, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), heart-rhythm restoration and comprehensive rehab plans, we’re here to help you feel whole for your whole life.
Learn more about our reimagined Heart & Vascular Institute at HeartCareKC.com
Romeo uliet &J Heart of America SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL June 14 - July 3, 2022 SOUTHMORELAND PARK FREE LIVE OUTDOOR THEATRE TUESDAY - SUNDAY, 8:00 pm #kcshakes kcshakes.org
THE FESTIVAL THANKS OUR MAJOR SPONSORS: Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation | Sunderland Foundation | Deanna and Greg Graves Family Foundation
Theater League | Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Jr. Donor Advisory Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City | Green Mountain Foundation/John and Carol Kornitzer | Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank, Trustee | Burns & McDonnell | Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund | E. Kemper Carter and Anna Curry Carter Community Memorial Trust, UMB, n.a., Trustee | Lockton Companies, LLC | McMeel Family Foundation | Missouri Arts Council | Francis Family Foundation | Edward P. Milbank Jim and Diana Cusser | Dr. Blake and Lisa Wendelburg | Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation | Torosian Foundation | Dr. Scott and Bernadette Ashcraft Dr. Mark Box | Robb & Robb LLC Charitable Foundation/Gary C. Robb and Anita Porte Robb | W. J. Brace Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee | William T. Kemper – Commerce Bank, Trustee
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NOBLE DESIGNS
At Noble Designs, our passion is designing homes and spaces for our clients that reflect their needs in a style that lasts. We are a full service interior design firm ready to help with your new build, renovation or just simple updates to make your home beautiful.
12260 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66209 (913) 218-0001 | www.saranobledesigns.com
Living
IN KC BY
I
Patricia O’Dell
A Picnic Me Up
’m not certain why someone—who loves warm weather as much as I do—moved north once my location was in my control. Still, I love Kansas City, though I’m much happier when the calendar reads “June.” (Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but “spring” in Kansas City is false advertising. April and May are soggy extensions of winter.) As a gift a couple of years ago, my husband gave me a fully stocked picnic basket
Faux bois melamine dinner plate, $8.95, from crateandbarrel.com.
filled with fine linen napkins, vintage flatware and handblown stemless wine glasses. (Because a wine glass with a stem is a very tricky proposition when you’re sitting in the grass or on a blanket.) Whether you’re dining a deux, or with a group of favorite friends, hosting a picnic creates a certain mood. Your clothes can’t be too fancy, you may be eating with your hands, and it’s important that your wineglass is both full and not too tippy.
English Sky linen napkins, $12, from JSH Home Essentials (Westwood Hills Shops).
Poterie Renault soup crock, $28 (small), $32 (large), and escargot dish, $20, from French Market (Prairie Village Shops).
JUNE 2022 |
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Handblown Monarch Glass Studio stemless wine glass, $56, from George, (Crestwood Shops).
Below: Color Structure II by Marcus Cain.
COLOR ME HAPPY LOCAL ARTIST and Kan-
sas City Art Institute alumnus Marcus Cain draws inspiration from textiles, but his paintings capture the color and movement of the most engaging gardens. I have two of his paintings in my home office, and through the depths of winter—and, yes, the pandemic—they were a reminder that color, life, and joy were in reach. You can find his work online and through Sherry Leedy Gallery in the Crossroads. sherryleedy.com
Above: Color Structure 1 by Marcus Cain.
Jorjy is a lifestyle shop that offers a fresh take on wallpaper, fabric, art and accessories for the home as well as interior design and styling. Jorjy is proud to be the exclusive retailer for Slim Aarons in Kansas City
YOU’RE INVITED! | June 21 3:00 p.m. ’til the sun goes down! First Annual Summer Jorjy Solstice Event
320 W. 63rd St. KCMO 64113 816 . 5 61 . 2 27 2 s h o p j o r j y. c o m @ S H O PJ O R J Y
JUNE 2022 |
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Living
IN KC
Houseplant watering can, $28. Comes in forest green, cream, and mint green.
Metal watering can, $86 for nine liters, $76 for five liters. Comes in cream and forest green.
BY
Patricia O’Dell
Garden Troll
I
f you love the exuberance of bright, colored blooms in your garden, but not so much on your garden tools, Homesong Market in East Brookside should be your next stop. Both sizes of their chic, yet sturdy, metal watering comes in subdued hues of cream or forest green with a brass showerhead. (Because even your watering can could use a little jewelry.) A child-size bucket and shovel—sort of Skipper to the outdoor model’s Barbie—lets kids join in the fun. homesongmarket.com
JUNE 2022 |
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Kid’s sand bucket, sifter, and shovel set, $24. Comes in emerald and ruby.
BEER IS FOOD BOULEVARDIA, the outdoor, beer-centric, live-music extravaganza is June 17-18. While the event has evolved since its days in the West Bottoms (which a few aficionados may lament), it allows us to focus on enhancing your beer drinking experience. Whether your preference is clean and crisp or hoppy and bitter, you might as well be drinking it out of a great glass. Don’t miss these pints, pilsners, and beer-can glasses which can be customized with your favorite city, which is Kansas City of course.
Both the 16 ounce pint beer glass, $19.95, and 16 ounce beer can glass, $16.99, feature an etched urban city map of Kansas City. Available at OrSomethingShop on Etsy.
JUNE 2022 |
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SUMMER FUN AT THE SHOPS OF PRAIRIE VILLAGE JUNE 7 JULY 2 AUGUST 9 SEPT 10 Books & Bingo
JUNE 1012 Prairie Village Art Show 2022
THE SUMMER CLOCK TOWER SERIES IS BACK!
Save the Date
JULY 7 Quixotic
Save the Date
AUGUST 4 The Summer Breeze Trio
6920 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS
SHOPSOFPRAIRIEVILLAGE.COM
EMBARK
ON THE EXTRAORDINARY
TRU STORY “I WAS BLOWN AWAY...THERE’S NOT ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM IN THE COUNTRY LIKE IT!” – STEVE KRASKE, “Kraske Off Mic”
STEP INTO THE ALL NEW PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE AT TRUMANLIBRARYINSTITUTE.ORG/NEWTRUMAN MEMBERS FREE
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5/17/2022 10:49:25 AM
Thank You to Our Initial Sponsors $20,000+ SPONSORS Herb and Bonnie Buchbinder Dr. Mark and Diane Davidner
Karbank Family Foundation Mallin Family
$15,000 SPONSORS
$10,000 SPONSORS Tom and Carol Barnett Marcia S. Karbank Fund of The JCF Molly and Andrew Wilson
$5,000 SPONSORS Gary and Patty Dykman
The
Wireless
Consultant G r o u p LLC
Secure your sponsorship today at KCHospice.org/SNL!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE Oct. 2, 2022 at KC Live! Block in the Power & Light District 2022 SNL Sponsor Ad - InKC.indd 1
5/13/2022 9:19:36 AM
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Settle into a spacious outdoor sectional delivered directly to you with our professional delivery service. That way you can focus on what to serve guests while we handle the heavy labor.
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1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 800-407-5000
©2022 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.
FURNITURE ❘ FLOORING ❘ APPLIANCES ❘ ELECTRONICS
words by
Cindy Hoedel
photo by
Sean Hagwell
IN CONVERSATION WITH
Rob Riggle
I
n 1994, while stationed in Corpus Christie, Texas, with the Marine Corps, Overland Park native Rob Riggle wrote down on a piece of paper, “I want to be on Saturday Night Live.” Ten years later, Riggle got a call from Lorne Michaels inviting him to join the cast. Riggle graduated from Shawnee Mission South in 1988 and earned a bachelor’s in theater and film at University of Kansas in 1992 before joining the Marines, where he served nine years on active duty and 14 years in the Reserves. Riggle is best known for being a correspondent on The Daily Show and roles in hit movies and TV shows, including The Hangover, 22 Jump Street, and Modern Family. He currently co-hosts the miniature golf game show series Holey Moley on ABC. He is also founder and one of five hosts of The Big Slick, a weekendlong fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital that has raised more than $13 million since its inception in 2010 and has grown to become one of the highest profile annual events in the city. This month, June 24th and 25th, marks the in-person return of the celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium and performance at T-Mobile Center. Riggle spoke with IN Kansas City by phone from his Los Angeles home, reflecting at length about his upbringing, his unusual path from Marine flight school to comedian, and his current aspirations. As an alum and a big fan, you hosted Late Night in the Phog at Allen Fieldhouse back in October, the annual pep rally that gives fans the first look at the basketball team each year. Did you have a feeling that night that the Jayhawks might go all the way? I always think they’re going to go all the way. I pick them every year, in every bracket. I’m so predictable. I also hosted (Late Night) in 2011, when they made it to the final and lost to Kentucky. So, I have a pretty good track record when I do Late Night. They should have you every year, Rob. [Laughs] JUNE 2022 |
Where did you watch the championship game? I watched it at home with my son. It was everything I hoped it would be. Obviously in the first half—what, were we down 15? It was 40 to 25 at the half. Yeah, a record amount down. But even if we’re 15 down, with KU I always feel like, “Alright, that’s just a big number that we have to overcome.” I’ve seen them do it many times. So, my faith was not rattled. Of course, I had friends from all over the country—Marine buddies, college friends, Hollywood friends—texting me throughout the game saying, “Looks like it’s not their night! Uh-oh!” And I very calmly and coolly told them all to… Well, I can’t tell you what I told them to do. But I never panicked. I even told my son and my daughter at halftime, “Relax! Everything’s going to be fine. That’s why they have two halves.” What kind of a little kid were you? Uh, I think I was a pretty good kid. Bad student, good kid. Were you the class clown? No, here’s the thing. I was voted “most humorous” in my senior class, but I think I was more introverted in grade school. Also, I don’t like the word “class clown.” Class clown to me is the jerk in the back making armpit fart noises. In high school, I was on the radio station during lunch, and I would do funny things. I was never disruptive. What was the family dynamic? Do you have siblings? I have a wonderful older sister, Julia McKee, who is one of the best labor employment lawyers in Kansas City. She and her husband, Mark McKee, who is the president of the Kansas City Monarchs [professional baseball team], do a lot of work for Big Slick. When you were kids, would Julia have been surprised if someone told her you were going to be a famous comedian and actor when you grew up? No, I don’t think so. I was blessed with a very fun family. My dad is a
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great storyteller. My mom is very quick-witted. She’s more puns and little quips. I grew up with that combination, and then my sister is just a really fun-loving person who wants to laugh and enjoy things. We’d go down to Lake of the Ozarks, and we didn’t have a TV or a telephone down there. So, we would play charades at night, or board games. We learned how to be animated and tell great stories and listen to people tell great stories and laugh and enjoy each other. While you were earning a degree in theater and film at KU, you got a pilot’s license. Why? Well, my grandfather served in the 8th Army Air Corps in World War II, and he wanted to be a pilot. They made him an intel guy instead. When I got up to KU, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. I knew I liked theater and film, but I also didn’t think there was a future in it. One day I remember thinking, “Maybe I want to be an FBI agent.” So, I picked up the phone and called the FBI. No way. Yeah. I just called and asked, “What do you guys look for? And how do you become an agent?” It’s funny, when I try to explain that to young people, they go, “Why didn’t you just look it up?” And I have to explain, “There was no internet. We had Yellow Pages.” The person I got on the phone was very forthcoming. He said, “We like lawyers, and we like accountants.” And I thought, “Good God. That takes me out of the game right away.” I was about to get off, and then he said, “Oh, and we tend to take a lot of Marine Corps officers.” And I thought, “There’s something I might have an angle on.” So, I talked to a buddy who was going through the Marine Corps program at KU. I thought highly of him, and I just kept pulling on that thread and eventually went into the recruiting office and they said, “Listen, kid. The best way to get in is to get one of the flight contracts.” This is more detail than I’ve ever given anybody… It’s interesting. Thank you. At that point, I said something offhand to my grandfather about it, and he said, “If it helps, I’ll help pay for your pilot’s license if you’re really interested in doing that.” There was a school at the time out at the Lawrence airport. They had a Cessna 152, a little two-seater with basically like a lawn-mower engine in it. I guess I had a natural touch for the stick and rudder, and I got a pilot’s license a couple of days after I turned 20. And I joined the Marines’ officer program when I was 19. I was in a Platoon Leader’s Course. They didn’t pay for my school, which gave me the option of, when I graduated, I could take my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, or not. So, I graduated as a theater and film major, but that still seemed like such a pipe dream. And I could be a 2nd Lieutenant and flying planes. I used to fly a lot when I was in Lawrence. I would take my buddies up all the time. We’d fly over campus, up to Manhattan, out to Hutch[inson]. We’d fly to football games and basketball games in other college towns. It was a lot of fun, and I got a lot of good flight experience. But when I got to flight school in the Marines, I felt like I liked flying. I didn’t love it. I think if you’re going to fly off a ship at night with a bunch of Marines in the back, you better be passionate about it. It had better be your life’s calling. JUNE 2022 |
And, thanks to the Marines, I got enough confidence to think, “You know what? I think I want to try being a comedian or an actor.” I thought if I failed, I could live with that better than never knowing. So, then I switched over to the ground side and completed my required service. Then I thought, “OK, I’m going to move to Chicago and study at ImprovOlympic and Second City.” And then the chief of staff for 2nd Marine Air Wing grabbed me and said, “What would it take for you to stay in?” And I said, “I don’t know, sir. If you can get me to New York City or Los Angeles, I would consider giving you another three years.” He called my bluff. The next day I had orders to New York City. I moved there to a 350-square-foot apartment, sight unseen. I did Marine Corps work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day and tried to pursue comedy every night. I didn’t know what I was doing. I found a standup club that offered classes. I took the first class and I hated it. It was awful. What was awful about it? I like storytelling comedy. I loved Eddie Murphy—I thought Raw and Delirious were the best because he would tell these great stories with these great characters. But they said, “Nah, nah, nah. We don’t tell stories here. You tell three jokes a minute: Set up, punch. Set up, punch. Set up, punch. It was like an ill-fitting shoe. But I had spent what limited money I had on the classes, so I followed through. At the end of the eight-week class, you had to get up and do five minutes of material. I got up and did it their way. I hated my material. I have never been so scared in my life—and I used to fly planes upside down over the Gulf of Mexico. The adrenaline pulsing through my body felt a little bit like shock. When I was finished, they handed me the videotape and said, “Hey, good job!” But I didn’t remember anything. It was like a car accident. I got home and watched the tape, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but I definitely wasn’t listening to the crowd. I would say a joke and there would be a laugh, and I would be moving on to the next one before they even had time to laugh. Then I panicked. I thought, “I can’t believe I gave up flying for this.” I was lamenting to someone that I had made a huge mistake, and they said, “You ought to talk to this guy, he was just on Saturday Night Live, he’s a really nice guy.” I thought, “Oh, my gosh, I don’t want to bother this guy.” But I called him up. It was Dave Koechner. I told him everything I just told you, and he said, “I think improv might fit you better.” At the time, the only improv place in New York was called Chicago City Limits and it was short-form improv, little games, like you see on Whose Line Is It Anyway?. And he said, “I have some friends who just moved out from Chicago, and they’re starting a theater, and it’s called the Upright Citizens Brigade, and they’re teaching classes. You ought to go catch their Sunday night show, it’s called ASSSSCAT.” So, I went and saw the show. The four founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade are Matt Walsh from Veep; Ian Roberts, one of the best improvisors ever; Matt Besser, and Amy Poehler. It blew my mind how good they were. It was like an epiphany. I went up to Matt Walsh after the show and said, “I want to sign up for classes.” And he said, “Cool!” And that was it. For the next seven years, I took classes, I taught classes, I did sound and tech for other people’s shows, I hung out at the theater and found
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like-minded people and I would write with them. And eventually I caught a break and got an audition for Saturday Night Live and I got on it. People in Kansas City are so proud of the Shawnee Mission comedy mafia: you, Paul Rudd, and Jason Sudeikis. When did you meet Paul and Jason? I met Paul at KU, at a party. Paul was a sophomore when I was a freshman. When Paul left KU to go to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York—I think around his junior year—I remember watching a football game and a Miller Lite commercial came on, and it was Paul. I remember jumping out of my seat, going, “Oh, my God, that’s Paul! He got a commercial!” A couple years later, he showed up in Clueless and he was wearing a KU hat. I remember bragging about that to everyone. He was always the guiding light, the guy who made it. He was an inspiration. What about Jason? I show up for my Saturday Night Live audition, and he was also invited to audition. Unbeknownst to me, Jason was doing all this great improv and sketch comedy with Second City in Vegas at the time, so our paths never crossed. We’re out in front of this stand-up club at 79th and Broadway. Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey and all the head writers and producers are inside sitting in a booth. This is the dream shot. So, everyone is stressed out. And Jason makes a reference to Kansas City, and I look up and say, “I’m from Kansas City.” Then we start doing that thing: “Oh, I lived here, and I went to that school…” We became pretty fast friends right there on the sidewalk. Who came up with the idea for Big Slick? It was me. In 2009, Children’s Mercy asked me to host their Red Hot Nights ball, the one they do in February. They had me kind of performing some corny jokes, and we raised a lot of money. But they were really smart. They took me on a tour of the hospital. At the time I had two small children. So, I immediately felt a connection to that place and empathy for the parents. I watched them do openheart surgery on a 9-day-old baby. Just a year prior, that baby would have perished. But because of the advancements they were making, they were able to save that baby’s life with these robotic techniques. I said, “You got me. I’m in. I want to be part of this, but I don’t want to do Red Hot Nights. Let me think of something and get back to you.” Then I was sitting on the dock of my parents’ Lake of the Ozarks house with my brother-in-law, Mark, and we were spitballing ideas about how to get celebrities to come to the middle of the country. I mentioned a poker tournament because celebrities love to play poker. But I didn’t want to do it as an individual, because there is much more energy as a team. That Christmas, I was at The Daily Show Christmas party, and Paul popped in to say hi to Jon. So, I asked him if he would co-host a poker tournament with me, and he didn’t miss a beat, he was like, “Yeah, I’m in.” Then I called Jason and said, “Rudd and I are going to co-host this poker tournament in Kansas City for Children’s Mercy. Do you want to do it with us?” And Jason didn’t miss a beat and said, “I’m in.” Kathy Sudeikis ( Jason’s mom) did all the travel because she’s a travel agent. Gloria Rudd (Paul’s mom) did all the marketing because she JUNE 2022 |
works in PR and marketing, and my sister and brother-in-law organized the wiffle ball game and the show and the auction. The first year, I was shooting a movie called The Other Guys with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Adam McKay was the director. Adam used to host a poker night on Friday nights during production, so I just threw it out there, “Hey, I’m doing a charity event in Kansas City with Jason and Paul. It’s our hometown. It’s for Children’s Mercy Hospital. It’s a worthy cause, but I can’t promise you anything because I have no idea what to expect.” And everybody at the table said yes. We set a goal to try to raise $50,000, and we raised $100,000. It was at Harrah’s. And now we’re at the T-Mobile Center. In those first few years, we were inviting Eric Stonestreet and Dave Koechner, and then we thought, “They’re Kansas City guys, they should be hosting it with us.” Then Koechner’s sister, Joan Charbonneau, and Eric Stonestreet’s sister, Mauria Stonestreet, became part of the family team.
‘‘
My ambition is always there.
I still want to do good work. I’ll stay out there as long as people will have me.”
At this point do you feel like you’re already famous, so you can just bounce along and pick from projects that come your way, or do you still have aspirations? There’s no finish line in show business, and you’re never satisfied. Even if you’re in a hit TV show or a hit movie, it goes, and you have to get another job and another job. I want to work with good people, try to do good things, make people laugh, raise my kids to be good people. My ambition is always there. I still want to do good work. I’ll stay out there as long as people will have me. Has the not-work part of your life become more important than when you were starting out? Absolutely. Show business is without a doubt one of the toughest businesses. It’s so subjective. It’s so competitive. It’s really, really hard. It’s hard on your psyche, and it requires maximum effort every day. And you do get to a point where you’re like, “God bless, I just want to find some peace.” What does peace look like to you? Peace to me would be, first, spending time with loved ones: friends, family. And still being passionate, still being driven but not having to do ten things at once. Just finding one thing that comes with good people around it to enjoy spending your hours with and working on that.
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Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity.
photos by
Aaron Leimkuehler
Man Up! WE SCOURED THE CITY FOR THE VERY BEST FATHER’S DAY GIFTS
TRAVELING MAN Clockwise from top left: Gentlemen’s Hardware Buff & Shine shoe polish kit, $28, The Little Shop Next Door (Westwood Hills). Pig & Hen bracelets, each $109, Peters Clothiers (123rd and State Line). Brouk travel power bank holder, $62.50, Trapp and Company (Midtown). Randolph sunglasses, $386.50, Hudson & Jane, (Crestwood Shops).
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THAT’S THE KEY Clockwise from top right: Secrid mini wallet, $109.50, Trapp and Company. Hudson & Jane leather box, $95, from Hudson & Jane. Japanese-made bottle opener, $34, and Daines and Hathaway stud box, $90, both from George (Crestwood Shops). Brackish feather bow tie, $225, The Little Shop Next Door.
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GAME NIGHT Clockwise from top left: Smathers & Branson handstitched flasks, $65 each, Peters Clothiers. Madmen waterproof playing cards, $17, Trapp and Company. Chart Metalworks KC map money clip, $54, The Little Shop Next Door. Zambezi Grace crocodile wallet, $375, Hudson & Jane. Gentlemen’s Hardware waterproof playing cards, $12, Ulah (Woodside Village).
TAKE THE WHEEL Clockwise from top left: Woodford Reserve five-piece bitters set, $28, Trapp and Company. Two’s Company bottle opener, $31, The Little Shop Next Door. Foxtrot Studio coasters, $19 for two, Ulah.
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LOOKING GOOD Clockwise from top left: Cork catchall, $48, George. Barrel and Oak exfoliating bar, $6, Trapp and Company. Urban Cowboy soap, $8, Ulah. We Took To the Woods candle, $52.50, Hudson & Jane. Silk pocket square, $60, Halls (Crown Center). Aogami folding knife, $40, George. Moncler sunglasses, $365, Halls. Prairie by Ulah candle, $35, Ulah.
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BY THE BOOK Clockwise from top right: Raien sunglasses, $135, Ulah. Christian Louboutin wallet, $290, Halls. Torino leather belt, $99, Peters Clothiers. Lifestyle beaded bracelet, $28, Sunkissed Earth bracelet, $48, Ulah. Denim pocket square, $59, Peters Clothiers.
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WORDS BY
Bob Luder
A FourSport City HOPE IS REVIVED FOR NBA AND NHL MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS TO RETURN TO KANSAS CITY
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K
ansas City sports fans have been on one heck of a ride the past eight years. Think about it. The list of major-league cities that have had a professional baseball team play in back-to-back World Series and football team compete in back-to-back Super Bowls in the last decade can be counted on one finger. Add to that the fact that both the Royals and Chiefs won league championships—the Royals winning the Series in 2015 and the Chiefs taking home the Vince Lombardi Trophy for winning Super Bowl LIV in 2020—and it can safely be said no other city in the country has enjoyed the pinnacle of major-league sports success as much as Kansas City, at least in recent memory. Still, even with those highest of highs, this is the time of year where a good number of KC sports fans can’t help but feel a little left out. Sure, there’s the NFL Draft coming in May 2023. The Royals are still playing meaningful games, as are the city’s two professional
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have the passion for it. We don’t want to let that die now.” Jarrett Sutton, an NBA scout born and raised here, formed a small group six years ago and believes the time is ripe for his hometown and the NBA to reconnect. “Now is the perfect time,” he says. “The league is expanding, probably in 2024-25, or 25-26. This market is so untapped. There are too many positives. It makes too much sense for an owner to step up. There’s not going to be a better time for the NBA, and the time is now to put it in gear.”
‘‘
Now is the perfect time.
The league is expanding, probably
soccer clubs, Sporting KC and the Current. But June marks the pinnacle of the NBA and NHL playoffs. While there are plenty of basketball and hockey fans around town who pull for various adopted favorites, it’s been quite some time since they’ve had teams here to call their own. Kansas City hasn’t had an NHL team for 46 years, nor an NBA team for 37. There have been all kinds of reasons for that—nationwide market forces that come with being a relatively smaller-sized market, sharp cost appreciations in franchise fees, questions about finding local ownership, and having a suitable arena (though that was one question answered with the construction of the Sprint Center—now T-Mobile Center—downtown, which opened in 2007) to name a few. But with all the challenges, there are just as many advocates, pushing, prying, and promoting, doing whatever it takes to one day bring the NBA and NHL back to Kansas City. “College basketball has had such a big impact here with the Big 12 tournaments,” says 13-season NBA veteran Scott Wedman, who played for the Kansas City Kings from 1974-81. “I think that would translate (to the NBA), like it has in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’d be great for the city, I think.” Gary Emmons, who played with the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League from 1992-96 and today coaches youth hockey in the area, says, “I would love to see an NHL team here. We were teased by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007, when Mario Lemieux came to town and there were questions about their arena in Pittsburgh. “If you could bring in a team that could contend right away, I think it would go over big. I don’t know that will happen.” There are a couple of advocacy groups—one three decades old, the other much younger—that have kept in communication with civic leaders about trying to lure an NBA or NHL franchise back to town. Local businessman and former pro-sports franchise owner Paul McGannon formed NHL 21 in 1993 and has been passionately pushing for a return of NHL hockey for nearly 30 years. His persistence in returning major-league hockey back to KC is only matched by his passion for the sport. “Having a passion for it is half the battle,” McGannon says. “We
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in 2024-25, or 25-26. This market is so untapped. There are too many positives. It makes too much sense for an owner to step up. There’s not going to be a better time for the NBA, and the time is now to put it in gear.” – Jarrett Sutton
THE GLORY YEARS So many years, decades, and generations have passed that not many around these parts remember or realize that, for two glorious years—1974 to 1976—Kansas City was a four major-league sports town, one of just a select few in the U.S. The Chiefs were five years from winning their first NFL championship in 1970 in Super Bowl IV. The Royals were entering a period when they dominated the American League West and played in their first World Series in 1980. Down in the city’s West Bottoms, at newly opened Kemper Arena, the Kings were duking it out in the NBA, while the expansion Scouts were trying to get a footing in the NHL. But KC ranking with larger metros of Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago of the sports world was to be short-lived. The NHL granted Kansas City a team as part of its ’74 expansion which also included the Washington Capitals, but for two seasons the Scouts struggled, both on the ice and at the gate. They averaged just more than 8,000 in the seats in an arena that seated 17,000. The team’s ownership was underfunded, and the arrival of the rival World Hockey Association in ’72 stretched talent too thin. The Scouts were put up for sale and sold to a businessman in Denver, where they became the Colorado Rockies. After six seasons in Denver, the team relocated once again and became the New Jersey Devils.
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Many won’t remember that in 1972 when the Cincinnati Royals relocated to Kansas City—and changed the name to Kings to avoid confusion with the baseball team—it actually split home games between KC and Omaha, Nebraska. They were the Kansas City-Omaha Kings until 1975, when the team permanently moved from 7,300-seat Municipal Auditorium into the new Kemper Arena. The Kings had some success over the next ten years, making the NBA playoffs three straight seasons, from 1979-81. In the ’79 season, when they won the Midwest Division behind rookie of the year Phil Ford, the Kings averaged 10,789 fans per home game. But that was the only season the team averaged five-figure attendance. “In ’79, we were in the top third of the NBA in attendance,” Wedman says. “But then, the Kemper roof fell in, and we lost momentum.” A severe storm led to the collapse of Kemper’s roof, forcing the Kings to play many of their 1979-80 home games in St. Louis. It seemed like the team never recovered, and it was relocated to Sacramento following the ’84-’85 season. “All that happened before the Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan era,” Wedman says. “I think it would still work here.” THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES When it comes to expansion, it would appear the NBA is more amenable to that right now. The NHL recently expanded, adding the Seattle Kracken this season and the Las Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, giving the league 32 teams. “A more likely scenario would be a relocation of an existing franchise,” says Ken Morrow, a Kansas Citian who played on the 1980 Olympic hockey team and won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders. The NBA is rumored to be looking at expanding back into Seattle and one other city, possibly Vegas. Of course, there are several factors which have to all come together before either league would consider returning to Kansas City. One is fan enthusiasm. McGannon points to an exhibition NHL 21 brought to KC last October between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues that sold out Cable Dahmer Arena in six hours. An exhibition between the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins sold out 15,400 seats at the Sprint Center in 2011. Every March, the downtown arena sells out for the Big 12 Conference Basketball Tournament, showing Kansas Citians appetite for high-level hoops. City government also appears enthusiastic, as was shown when KC Mayor Quinton Lucas outwardly lobbied for the Toronto Raptors to play their home games at T-Mobile during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, there’s find an owner or ownership group willing and financially capable of bankrolling a major-league franchise. The NHL’s franchise fee for the Kracken last year was in the area of $750 million. Sutton believes an NBA expansion team today could expect to pay between $2.5 and $5 billion. And that’s before ever paying a player. McGannon is encouraged by the fact Lamar Hunt, Jr. owns the Mavericks, Kansas City’s minor-league team that plays in the ECHL and is an affiliate of the Calgary Flames. He’s a member of the Hunt family, which owns the Chiefs and other major-league sports entities. “The encouraging thing is to have a well-established sports family owning a hockey team in town,” McGannon says. Sutton believes there are local possibilities for an NBA ownership
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group as well, including a certain Chiefs quarterback with a big bank account who is on the record as being a big fan of the league. “Kansas City is a humble town that has some quiet money,” Sutton says. “If they know the NBA wants to come here, they’d want to get involved.”
‘‘
The encouraging thing
is to have a well-established sports family owning a hockey team in town,” – Paul McGannon
A third factor is a suitable venue, and the city appears to have that covered. While it’s true the T-Mobile Center now is 15 years old, McGannon and Sutton agree it more than meets standards of the leagues. “If you compare T-Mobile to the rest of the NBA, it’s better than the majority of arenas,” Sutton says. A stated belief over the years has been that the arena has done so well with concerts and other stand-alone events that there’s been limited interest in attaining a full-time tenant. But, according to T-Mobile Center spokesperson Shani Tate Ross, the facility is welcome to any opportunities. “We’re welcome to anything that might come our way,” she says. “We operate the building at the pleasure of the city and are fully behind whatever’s in the city’s best interests.” As far as Sutton is concerned, the city has a golden opportunity to realize a long-held dream without abandoning a perfectly good major-league sports facility and building a new one downtown. “There’s always talk about developing a baseball stadium for the Royals downtown,” he says. “But the fact is, we already have a pro sports venue right downtown. We just need a team to put in it.”
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words by
Kelsey Cipolla
NEW BREWS
KANSAS CITY’S CRAFT BREWING SCENE CONTINUES TO GROW WITH A WAVE OF SPOTS OPENING THIS SPRING AND SUMMER. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE OWNERS OF THREE NEW BEER DESTINATIONS TO GET A FIRST TASTE
RIVER BLUFF BREWING CO. Several years after opening in St. Joseph, Missouri, River Bluff Brewing Co. has made its way to Kansas City, opening a new brewing facility and taproom in the River Market this spring. “Growing up in St. Joe, Kansas City was the big city,” River Bluff co-founder Chris Lanman says. “All of us would go to the city on the weekends for activities, so Kansas City has been a big part of my life.” River Bluff was set to start distributing its beers in Kansas City back in March 2020. Instead, Covid-19 forced many restaurants to close or dramatically reduce their capacity and put the brewery’s plans on hold. There was still a demand for its beer, so a new idea emerged: Opening a KC brewery, one that would serve not just as an extension of the St. Joe facility but as a place for River Bluff to experiment and try new things. Based on customer preferences, River Bluff focuses on filtered, crisp beers at its original location—it didn’t even brew a hazy IPA for the first two years. “In Kansas City, we definitely want to push out of that realm,” Lanman says. Although half of the beers served on the menu in Kansas City come from St. Joe, the other half is brewed on-site and are more eclectic, with options ranging from stouts and porters to fruited chili ales. Lanman says the River Bluff crew is also viewing the KC location as a collaboration house and already released a Weizenbock with local brewer Sterling Holman. The beer menu isn’t the only difference between the two locations. While the St. Joe space serves as a tribute to St. Joe’s past, with everything from tables and doors to neon lights reclaimed from around town, the River Market brewery has a more modern aesthetic, complete with massive windows and a covered patio. However, both feature pinball machines— which became a hallmark of the original taproom—and Speedliner boats, a nod to one of River Bluff ’s signature beers, the Speedliner IPA. Soon, Kansas City patrons will also be able to enjoy food from a spot familiar to fans of the original brewery. Huckleberry, formerly a
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Above: At River Bluff Brewing Co. there will be a wide variety of beers brewed on-site. Right: Co-founder of River Bluff Brewing Co. Chris Lanman.
neighboring business in St. Joe, is subleasing a portion of River Bluff ’s building. The restaurant is tentatively set to open in late May or early June, serving casual fare like smash burgers, salads, tacos. riverbluffbrew.com
TALL TRELLIS BREW CO. How much do you know about hops, the flowers that have helped flavor beer for more than a millennium? Probably not a lot. But Tall Trellis Brew Co., which opened this spring in Olathe, is hoping to change that. The brewery concept comes from the owners of the Kansas Hop Co., which grows the hops used at more than 70 breweries, including many local favorites, says co-owner Ryan Triggs. “Hops aren’t traditionally grown in this region,” he explains. “Typically, they’re found in Germany or the Pacific Northwest. I feel like
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Left: The Tall Trellis taproom offers craft beers made from local ingredients. Left: Co-owners of Tall Trellis, Ryan Triggs (left) and Nick Feightner.
doing and not have to worry about sitting on a batch for a long time.” Live hops also feature prominently into the brewery’s concept, with the plants grown on trellises in the inviting outdoor space—hence the name Tall Trellis. “They’re majestic plants,” Triggs says. “They grow 18 to 20 feet tall, they’re these huge walls of vegetation. We get to experience that all the time at our commercial farm down in Ottawa, and our thought was always, ‘Man, it would be awesome to have the public get to experience what it’s like to sit in a hop field.’” The plants started emerging from the soil in April, and by May they were already two to three feet tall and starting to grow up strings. Over the next few months, they’ll continue to climb up the trellis, allowing guests to watch as the hops evolve. Meanwhile, the brewery is doing some growing of its own and working to build out a food program, which Triggs says will likely include flatbreads, salads, pretzels, charcuterie, and kid-friendly options guests can enjoy along with their beers. “We’re just really excited for craft beer drinkers to be able to sit in the hop field and drink beer that’s made from those hop plants while they’re sitting right next to them.” talltrellis.com
VINE STREET BREWING CO.
there’s a lot that’s unknown about hops in general.” Tall Trellis largely serves as a showcase for the beers made with Kansas Hop Co.’s hops by other breweries, with many of the 16 taps featuring partners’ beers. But at the beginning of May, Tall Trellis started working on its own small-batch beers, which will also be available soon. “Coming from the hop-farm side, we’re not huge IPA fans, just hop lovers,” Triggs says. “We will probably once a month be brewing an IPA, but we’re going to experiment with lots of different styles. We just have a small, one-barrel system, so we can get a little weird with what we’re
Kemet Coleman discovered a passion for beer while working at Boulevard Brewing Co. “I just kind of fell in love with the craft of it because it’s like art and science at the same time,” he explains. “It made everybody happy.” Coleman is getting in on the happiness with Vine Street Brewing, which he co-founded with homebrewers Woodie Bonds and Elliot Ivory. When Vine Street opens later this summer, it will be Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery and one of only one percent of Blackowned breweries nationwide, according to estimates. Many factors contribute to the industry’s lack of diversity, Coleman says, from Black and Brown entrepreneurs struggling to get access to
Now Trending YOU’RE PROBABLY ALREADY well-acquainted with the next big thing in craft brewing: lagers. Although trendier beers such as hazy IPAs likely aren’t going anywhere, River Bluff Brewing’s Chris Lanman says more and more drinkers are wanting light, clean lagers. “I love that trend because you can go across the board with what you’re brewing and offering
to people,” he says. “For a long time there, there were tons of breweries that only had all IPAs and stouts, and there wasn’t much choice.” Tall Trellis Brew Co.’s Ryan Triggs has also seen craft lagers taking off, but naturally, he shouted out a hoppier brew gaining in popularity—West Coast IPAs, which are typical-
JUNE 2022
ly more bitter and more boldly hoppy than their hazy cousins. “I love juicy, hazy, New England-style IPAs, but I also like to mix it up from a brewing standpoint and a consumption standpoint, so it’s been great to see IPAs balanced out again with more hop bitterness and traditional IPAs coming back into the limelight,” Triggs says.
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New to the KC Beer Scene OPENED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR Broken Hatchet Brewing 422 Main Street, Belton Located in the heart of Old Town Belton, Broken Hatchet has been serving handmade craft beers since summer 2021. Stop by for a beer and get in a game or two of cornhole.
ExBEERiment Brewing 925 E Lincoln Lane, Gardner
Iron Kettle Brewing 508 S Main Street, Grain Valley
Station 7 9418 MO-7, Lee’s Summit
From oatmeal stouts to mango sours, ExBEERiment’s beer list has been offering up new drafts to try since spring 2021. Can’t choose just one to try? Order a flight of four beers for $10.
Inspired by Scotland’s famous pubs, Iron Kettle Brewing brought a taste of the Old World to America in summer 2021. Enjoy a lineup of Scottish, Irish, English, and German-style ales.
Martin City Brewery’s newest concept opened in spring 2022—and it’s perfect for breakfast or a late-night hangout. By day order coffee and baked goods, and by night order pizza and beer.
Range 23 Brewing 13400 Donahoo Road, KCK
COMING SOON
Range23 opened at Due West Ranch in July 2021 with six styles of handcrafted, canned beer year-round: Pale Ale, IPA, Blonde Ale, American Porter, Kolsch, and Dunkelweiss.
Friction Beer Company 11018 Johnson Drive, Shawnee Mission
Red Sash Brewing 406 E 18th Street This veteran-owned brewery opened in the Crossroads in summer 2021 with something on tap for everyone: IPAs, Pale Ales, Stouts, and California Commons.
After four years of home brewing and popping up at beer festivals, Friction Beer Co. is taking its brewing operations to the old Hartman Hardware space and adding a taproom slated to open this summer.
BY
Emily Park
Left to right: Elliot Ivory, Kemet Coleman, Woodie Bonds, co-founders of Vine Street Brewing Co.
the capital needed for a business where startup costs can be upward of $500,000, to marketing that targets Black communities with domestic beers rather than locally made breweries. “I do think the industry is changing in a way where the industry is ready for this diversity to come in, and I’m starting to see that even people who didn’t think they would like beer are starting to open up to it,” he says. “There’s a lot of opportunity here, and I’m happy that we’re at the helm here in Kansas City.” Vine Street Brewing is tentatively slated to open in mid-September at 2000 Vine Street, a historic structure that was originally the city’s first public works building. The stone and concrete space will include a taproom and ample outdoor space where Coleman looks forward to hosting musicians and celebrating the history and cultural significance of the 18th and Vine neighborhood. “We’re hoping when people see Vine Street Brewing, they’re seeing the heart and soul of Kansas City,” he says.
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Coleman, Bonds, and Ivory plan to offer an array of beers rather than focusing on a single style, and feedback on early beers has been positive. Coleman says Vine Street Brewing has received a warm welcome from the local brewing community and already collaborated with breweries including Strange Days, Pathlight, and Diametric. “As folks that have been homebrewers for several years, it’s a pretty big difference going from homebrew to a commercial-sized brewhouse,” he explains. “We’ve been blessed that Woody and Elliott have been able to experience all these different, bigger brewhouses so that when we open our doors, it’ll be a much smaller learning curve.” And this month, another collaboration will bring Coleman’s journey full circle as his brewery releases a beer with Boulevard Brewing Co. ahead of Vine Street’s appearance at Boulevardia’s Taps and Tastes Experience June 18. “It’s a surreal experience,” he says, “but it also feels like it was part of the plan.” vinestbrewing.com
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Classic and sexy Wassily chairs by Marcel Breuer add midcentury glam and sparkle to the living room. Most of the accessories throughout the house are from Prize Home + Garden. Left: A French midcenturymodern chair fronts a niche holding Swedish studio pottery, creating a dramatic vignette.
EYE PRIZE ON THE
A BUSINESS EXECUTIVETURNED-ANTIQUES DEALER IS INSPIRED TO FILL A PRAIRIE VILLAGE 70S CONTEMPORARY WITH HIS SINGULAR VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE FINDS words by photos by
Patricia O’Dell Aaron Leimkuehler
S
teve Rogers is well known to design lovers in Kansas City for his shop, Prize Home + Garden, and his adventures in hunting and gathering from Round Top, Texas, to Paris, France, which he features on
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Opposite page, top: In the living room, a pair of vintage Italian mushroom lamps sit atop a credenza found in Oklahoma. Opposite page, bottom: Throughout the first floor, minimal walls and floor-to-ceiling windows open up the rooms to each other and the outdoors. Left: The circa-1960 Italian brass-and-marble tulip table mimics the dramatic original spiral staircase in the foyer. Artwork by Scott Kerr.
Instagram. It shouldn’t be a surprise that at the foundation, the traveling, and sourcing is less about the find and all about making home the place you want to be most. His new house in Prairie Village is case in point. “We’ve been here three years,” Rogers says of his wife, Jill, and their three children. “We’d been in our last house for 18 years, and we weren’t even looking to move.” But when this modern house on a large lot came on the market, it piqued his interest. “This house was different,” he says. “It was on some acreage, which was great, and it was contemporary, which was sort of out of my wheelhouse. But the lines…” The original farmhouse on the lot was torn down in the 1970s, and the subsequent owners built their modern dream house on the existing foundation. “It’s very linear,” Rogers says. “And in the center of the house, where the stairway is, it’s two floors. We were lucky that the house hasn’t had a lot of owners, and they all had a common sensibility and feeling that it is a really special house.” Rogers wanted to honor the home’s aesthetic, so he took a couple of years to get to know the house better. “I couldn’t commit at first. For me, the house was art. With the built-ins, the walls of glass across the back, and the staircase—I needed to live with it. I wanted to be careful. My family was really patient about it,” he says. Rogers says what began to emerge in his mind was a space that was modern and calming. “As we took the temperature of the house, everything was about clean lines and simple materials. We moved forward from there.” The most significant task was remodeling the kitchen. While wanting to be respectful of the original design, Rogers needed to bring the kitchen into the current day. “I relied on wood cabinets and quartzite on
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Above: The kitchen was the most extensively renovated room in the house. Rogers added the expansive island and replaced white cabinetry with walnut cabinets. Top left: An oversized custom French olive wood charcuterie board makes a statement. Bottom left: From left to right: Grant, Jill, Steve, Evie, and Claire Rogers.
the countertops, because I thought the natural materials felt more cohesive. We kept the hardware simple, because we really wanted everything to be streamlined.” The nearby dining area is a symphony of form and texture. The vintage farmhouse table converses happily with the crisp, white West Elm chairs. The stack of Swedish bowls is a testament to the joys of collecting, and a nod to the restrained excess in this edited space. The only furniture in the living spaces that came from the Rogers’s previous house was the sectional where the family gathers to watch television. The gleam of the chrome surround of the fireplace in the room is echoed in the frames of the nearby pair of midcentury Wassily chairs by Marcel Breuer. Having a first-floor master bedroom is new to the family. In their previous home, all the bedrooms were off the second-floor hallway. This new floorplan gives everyone a little more space and privacy. “The upstairs is really the kids’ part of the house,” Rogers says. “Which is nice for everyone. They all have their own space and there is a lot less commotion. And we all love the staircase.” One of the couple’s friends asked if they require people to sign waivers before they go up or down the elegant, but apparently daunting to some, open metal and wood spiral. “We really don’t worry about it,” he says. “Our kids are teenagers, so they’re fine.
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The dining room is a high/low design mix of modern and rustic materials. Chairs from West Elm surround a 19th-century French farm table, while a pair of African Yoruba ladders from the Dogon tribe serve as bold sculptures. A stack of 18thcentury Swedish wood bowls is centered on the table. Artwork by Todd Mossman.
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Above: The spa-like primary bedroom includes artwork by Todd Mossman. Crate and Barrel linens dress the West Elm bed. Top right: The primary bath exudes a laid-back European vibe. Bottom right: Dramatic, threedimensional tile in the powder room creates an organic backdrop for the lamp from Prize Home + Garden.
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eye on the prize continued
Our two dogs won’t go near it, but we haven’t had any trouble.” Keeping the stairs and much of the lighting that was in the house when they bought it have been important to Rogers. “We kind of took in the tempo of the house, and everything was really about clean lines,” he says. “So, if we were to sell the house, we wanted all the things that would stay with it to feel like it had been here in the 70s.” Of course, as befits the home of an antiques dealer, what’s here today might be gone tomorrow. “My mother likes to guess what’s different each time she visits,” says Jill with a laugh.
CRESTWOOD SHOPS 5 5 t h & B R O O K S I D E B LV D hudsonandjane.com
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Phillip Jeffries wallpaper backs the bookshelves in the sitting room. A vintage French sofa by Guillerme et Chambron and pair of circa-1950 Italian chairs upholstered in textured boucle create a cozy seating area.
THE IT LIST Antiques & Accessories Prize Home + Garden prizeantiques.com
Kitchen Cabinets Shamrock Cabinetry shamrockcabinet.com
Appliances Ferguson ferguson.com
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THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR ROLEX OR DIAMOND JEWELRY? DIAMOND BANC EXPLAINS WHY NOW IS THE TIME
T
he pre-owned Rolex and the diamond market is on fire, resulting in some of the highest resale values seen. In the 15 years Sicily Von Overfelt has been in the jewelry industry, the director of Kansas City’s Diamond Banc office has never seen a market quite like this one. “There are two categories that are in high demand right now, resulting in the highest payouts to our clients,” says Overfelt. “One is the Rolex market imbalance. There are many more buyers now than there are sellers. That equates to people getting record amounts for their Rolex watches. The other category is diamonds— both Covid and the Russian conflict brought
disruption to the diamond supply, so the recycled market is fetching high premiums.” If you’re pondering selling your Rolex or any diamond jewelry, now is the time to jump on the market advantage as a seller. Overfelt has noticed the need for pre-owned luxury watches and jewelry has been on the rise since the pandemic started, but she doesn’t know how long that uptick will last. When Overfelt started in the jewelry business in 2006, for example, the price of gold was $600 per ounce. By 2008 gold prices were over $1,800 per ounce—the highest in history—and the price of gold is right up at that range, currently hovering
around $1,800/oz. “It’s never been a better time for those who are considering selling their Rolex and/or their diamond pieces,” Overfelt says. FINDING HIDDEN GEMS So, which pieces in your jewelry box will result in a pretty penny? Overfelt says almost any men’s Rolex is in demand. “Men’s watches are incredibly in demand,” she says. “Especially the stainless-steel models, specifically the stainless-steel sport models—Submariners, Yacht-Masters, Daytonas, and GMT Masters.” As for diamonds, diamonds over a carat and a half (1.50ct+) —especially those over
three-carat diamonds—are fetching high premiums. Oval and round diamonds are also in short supply and have high demand. GETTING THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Because of the sentimental and emotional ties that are often associated with watches and jewelry, choosing to sell a treasured piece is an important decision. Whether you’re looking to sell or get a Jewelry Equity Loan, which allows you to maintain ownership of your items, Diamond Banc offers a tailored experience to best suit your needs. Diamond Banc has several selling options to choose from: Immediate Purchase – This is the best option for those who value being paid immediately. Diamond Banc will make an industry-leading purchase offer and fund transactions on the spot with a simple, confidential, and fast process. Effective Consignment – This option
is for those who value a higher return over immediate funding. Your item is marketed to over 20,000 dealers, wholesalers, and retailers, and Diamond Banc pays you a preferred return once the item sells. Items that will sell for more than $10,000 are eligible. Seller’s Agent Service – This option is for those who wish to maximize their return on items selling for more than $35,000. Diamond Banc will get you the most money possible by marketing your pieces nationwide through a variety of platforms with a transparent percentage commission. Not sure which selling option is best for you? Sicily Von Overfelt will walk you through your options. “Sicily was gracious and steadfast for an emotional transaction with me,” writes one of Overfelt’s recent clients on Google Reviews. “She gave me the best price around for my ring. She made me feel comfortable and eased any uncertainties I had. Thankful for the financial freedom our transaction offered me.”
Sicily Von Overfelt is a GIA graduate gemologist with over 14 years of experience in the jewelry industry and 10+ years with Diamond Banc. She began her jewelry career in retail sales, where she gained a vast knowledge of many designer brands. Sicily is the Director of Diamond Banc in Kansas City, authenticating and purchasing pre-owned luxury designer jewelry, diamonds, and watches from the public. Visit Sicily at her office conveniently located on the Country Club Plaza
In need of some cash flow, but not ready to part with your treasured piece? Diamond Banc offers Jewelry Equity Loans that offer immediate funding while you maintain ownership of your item. The process is completely confidential and won’t appear on your credit report. You can redeem your item through automatic loan payments, and you’ll get your item back when the loan is paid off. “What I love about my job is meeting with a person, hearing their story and asking them what their goal is. I really enjoy tailoring our services and giving them all of their options to make the best decision for their unique situation,” says Overfelt. “It's not high pressure, and it’s no obligation. Some clients are ready to make the decision that day, which is great and we can fund the transaction immediately. Other times, clients need to discuss it with their family. Whatever their timeframe is, I want people to feel great about their decision to work with Diamond Banc.” Curious how much Diamond Banc will pay for your Rolex or diamond? For a free, no-obligation quote, contact Sicily at Sicily@diamondbanc.com to schedule an appointment. There’s an office conveniently located on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza (435 Nichols Road, Suite 200) or you can head online for Diamond Banc’s value calculators for diamonds and Rolexes.
DIAMONDBANC.COM 435 Nichols Rd., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64112 816.977.2677 FOR AN APPOINTMENT email sicily@diamondbanc.com
Flavor
IN KC
In the Kitchen ARTICHOKES ON FIRE BY
Cody Hogan
PHOTOS BY
Aaron Leimkuehler
W
hile watching a recent episode of Pasta Grannies on YouTube,* I was reminded of a dish I love but don’t often prepare—artichokes cooked directly in the embers of a fire. In the Mediterranean and on the West Coast, artichoke season is well under way. But for those industrious, persistent, and adventurous gardeners who grow artichokes in Kansas City, our season is about to begin, making it the perfect time to try this recipe. In regions without our occasionally extreme winter temperatures, artichokes grow as a perennial plant. In areas with cold winters, they can be grown from seed but must be vernalized (exposed to cool—but not freezing—temperatures for a length of time in order to flower). The artichoke variety Imperial Star is especially good for this. I start seeds in the house every January. Then after they have germinated, I play the temperature game where I take them outside, cover them with garden fabric, then monitor the weather and bring the baby plants inside if there is going to be a hard freeze. They go back and forth for a few months. The goal is at least 50 hours below 50 degrees. They stay under the fabric until all danger of frost (and rabbits) has passed. Starting mid-May, you can practically watch them grow, their silvery blue-green foliage shooting up, gracefully branching out. Then, usually sometime in late June or early July, the buds appear. First, a large central bud, then with smaller secondary buds forming below that. The buds are harvested before they open—yes, artichokes are an unopened flower bud. And if you miss a few and they begin to open, let them continue and you will be rewarded with an iridescent blue spiky pompom. Quite stunning, but inedible at that stage. For cooks inexperienced in the handling of artichokes, they can be intimidating. Some varieties have vicious little thorns on the end of the petals and all of them have layers of petals, a portion of which must be removed for many preparations. Did I mention the “choke” portion of JUNE 2022 |
the artichoke—where fine little hairs beneath the petals lie? Totally inedible unless the artichoke is young, and they are undeveloped. And unless you find them on sale, they can be expensive (this is where growing your own takes away a little of the intimidation), so you don’t want to throw any of it away. Roasting whole artichokes in embers removes many of these barriers and takes very little preparation time, and the haunting flavor and aroma can’t be beat.** Artichokes Cooked in Embers Begin by preparing your embers. I like to cook in wood fire embers or charcoal. A wood fire takes a bit more lead time but can be nice if you’re entertaining outdoors and like to sit around a fire in the evening. You need to build a large fire and let it burn down to very hot red glowing coals. If there is an inch or two of ash below the coals, that’s a bonus, it will help keep the artichokes level when cooking. For charcoal, let it burn and then have a light coating of ash over glowing coals. Meanwhile, prepare the artichokes. Select artichokes that aren’t insanely large or small, although the enormous ones can be excellent if you are patient when cooking them. Begin by turning them upside down and smacking them hard against a work surface. This loosens the leaves/petals, especially towards the middle, and makes them easier to season. I like to trim the top quarter off the artichokes, rubbing the cut surface with lemon to prevent discoloration. This removes most of the spikes from the thorny varieties and makes them friendlier to deal with, but I have seen them prepared without cutting off the tops. Take a few cloves of garlic, slice them thinly, and slip a few bits in between the petals of the artichoke in different layers, pushing them down as far as possible, using about half a clove of garlic per artichoke. Next, generously sprinkle salt over (and into) the artichoke. That’s really all the seasoning necessary for those who like their artichoke flavor austere and clean. Slipping in a few leaves of herbs can also be nice. Flat-leaf parsley is the most common addition, but thyme, mint, or rosemary—or any combination—-could also be
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In Your Pantry
ARTICHOKES 101
nice, as could a few flakes of crushed red pepper. Unsparingly, drizzle good olive oil deep into the artichoke, much more than you would think judicious. This is not the time to be stingy with your oil. When the embers or coals are ready—it should still be uncomfortably hot when your hand is near but with no flames—gently but quickly push the artichokes into the embers, still facing up so as not to spill the oil, until the base of the artichoke is touching the coals, even slightly buried. Every ten minutes, turn/twist the artichokes so they are receiving equal distribution of heat, nudging fresh coals into areas that look a little cool. The sides will be blistering, smoking, and even charring a little bit towards the base or on outer leaves—some of the outer leaves will be destroyed in the cooking process. It should take a solid 30 minutes for the artichokes to cook, maybe ten or 15 minutes longer for larger specimens or if the fire is a little cooler than ideal. You can test for doneness by poking the middle of the artichoke with a skewer or paring knife. It should be tender and pass into the inner leaves without much resistance. Remove the artichokes to a platter or bowl, brushing off any ash or charred leaves, trying to avoid spilling out any oil or juices. Allow them to cool briefly, just to the point they can be handled, and serve. To eat the artichoke, working from the outside in, remove the leaves and scrape the flesh off them with your teeth, being certain to have some receptacles at table for the gnawed leaves. As you make your way to the center, the leaves will become meltingly tender, perfumed by garlic, herbs, and oil, subtly sweet with a hint of smoke. The heart and base of the artichoke is the most satisfying of bites, tender, creamy and filled with its vegetal essence. Just be sure to remove the coarse hair-like choke and fibrous peel on the outside of the base. Those who absolutely can’t eat an artichoke without dipping the leaves in something could certainly use melted butter or olive oil flavored with the same seasonings used in cooking, or for even more flavor (and calories) try whisking the flavored oil into some aioli or mayo and dipping the leaves in that. Drinking wine with any dish containing artichokes can make the wine seem overly sweet, so try pairing artichokes with a dry, acidic wine (like sauvignon blanc), water, or unsweetened iced tea. Regardless of the challenges and learning curve, I hope you make roasting artichokes in embers a part of your seasonal repertoire. You might even be inspired enough to grow your own.
Fresh Artichokes Fresh artichokes are a mystery to many. Know that even though they come in different colors, shapes, and sizes, they work in similar fashion. Always give them a squeeze when buying—they should squeak and feel heavy for their size. An inspection of the stem should show minimal discoloration and absolutely no shriveling. If it looks or feels dry or withered, put it back and rethink your choice of grocer. Artichokes vary in color from dusky chartreuse (but fresh) green into deep shades of purple, with all sorts of nuance in between. Avoid discoloration that looks like damage or age abuse. Artichokes rapidly discolor when cut, so keep some acidulated water (water with lemon juice or vinegar) at hand to dip the cut surfaces into (or store cut artichokes for longer periods of time).Young artichokes, shaved thin and dressed with lemon and olive oil, perhaps with shaved cheese and mushrooms, can make a memorable salad.
Prepared Artichokes When you’re craving artichoke flavor, but not the hassle of preparing them, look no further than the fancy preserves shelf of a larger (or fancier) grocery store. They come in all sizes and seasonings, marinated with various herbs, brines, grilled, or packed in oil, alone or with other vegetables. The simplest are cooked and canned in brine (the kind you find most often on a deli salad bar) and are good for tossing in a quick salad, frying, or blending into a light hummus with chickpeas. The most luxurious, flavorful (and expensive) artichokes tend to be packed in oil, suitable for featuring as a part of an antipasti platter, tapas, or mezze spread. Read the labels for details and remember your favorites.
Artichoke Liqueurs The floral bitterness of artichokes makes them an excellent candidate for making aromatic bitters and liqueurs. These herbal concoctions with their closely guarded secret recipes (known as Amaro in Italian) are extremely versatile. Cynar and Cynar 70, the two most available in our area, are bitter liqueurs made with a base flavor of artichoke, which makes them perfect for cocktail concoctions or over ice as an aperitivo, or sipped after an indulgent meal when a little “medicine” might be needed.You can even make your own version if you’re into experimenting with homemade liqueurs—a quick internet search can get you headed in the right direction.
*Check it out if you’re not familiar—Italian grannies making pasta and other traditional regional foods on YouTube. You’ll love it. **If hearth cooking and cooking vegetables in embers intrigues you, be sure to visit williamrubel.com or find a copy of The Magic of Fire by William Rubel. Both are loaded with hours of information and inspiration. JUNE 2022 |
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Flavor
IN KC by
Kelsey Cipolla
photo by
Tony Pulford
In Your Cocktail TOM'S TOWN DISTILLING CO.
T
om’s Town Distilling Co. pays tribute to cocktails of the prohibition era in its Crossroads tasting room. But venture down a level into the building’s basement, and you’ll be transported to a different, more lavish take on the period at KC Concrete Co. The speakeasy opened this spring, offering a swanky atmosphere and experimental drinks you won’t find upstairs. Tom’s Town co-founder David Epstein says the concept was born out of a longheld curiosity about what life (and liquor) would have been like for the company’s namesake, Tom Pendergast. A political boss who led KanJUNE 2022 |
sas City to ignore prohibition and instead become the “Paris of the Plains,” a hotspot for booze, jazz and culture, Pendergast also owned the Kansas City Concrete Company. “If you were at the top of your game, if you were the boss in the city and the county, how would you have been drinking?” Epstein asks. “And the truth is you would have been probably living it up in a pretty elegant way, having a blast and totally flaunting the law.” That sense of grandeur, excess, and irreverence is infused into the KC Concrete Co. experience, from the Art Deco décor and vintage glassware down to how you procure a table.
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“You walk in, and it’s as if you’re making an appointment—not a reservation—to meet with Mr. Pendergast, and then you’re seated and waiting for your appointment. Mr. Pendergast will not show up, because he has long been dead,” Epstein laughs. “If he does show, you’ve probably had too many cocktails.” To be fair, the cocktails are pretty strong. The brainchild of mixologist Jonathan Koenig-Riley, KC Concrete Co.’s menu features drinks you won’t find anywhere else named with tongue-in-cheek references to the era. Offerings include the Rum Runner’s Rescue, made with Tom’s Town Pendergast Royal Gold Bourbon, a 12-year-old rum and a Jamaican pot-stilled rum, plus homemade cola syrup, amaro, and bitters; and Epstein’s personal favorite, the Ceasefire. “That is basically a botanical gin cocktail with raspberry syrup, vermouth, lemon juice, lime leaf—it’s just got a lot going on,” he explains. “I like to say that these are complicated cocktails that taste simple.” Beyond offering guests another way to enjoy Tom’s Town spirits, KC Concrete Co. shows how the company and other local concepts are celebrating Kansas City’s lawless history, one that Epstein says wasn’t talked about when he was growing up in the area. “We came along and we said it’s not only something to be embarrassed by, it’s something to be quite proud of, that Kansas City was in the forefront of this party culture that was existing in every city—but we just flaunted the rules,” he says. “It’s something that now, I think, Kansas City is fully embracing, and that excites me. We can be at the forefront of the cocktail revolution across the country. We should be ground zero for that—after all, we were in the Roaring Twenties.” toms-town.com
Seeking Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet for Auction Consignment
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3800 18K YELLOW GOLD ‘NAUTILUS’ WRIST WATCH | Sold for $68,750
HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM
Ceasefire 2 ¾ ¾ ¾ 4 3 1½
CONTACT Anna Shaver Business Development Director 314.833.0833 annashaver@hindmanauctions.com
ounces Tom’s Town Botanical gin ounce lemon juice ounce Dolin Blanc ounce raspberry syrup dashe lime leaf tincture dashe cardamom tincture ounce brut rosé
Shake the first six ingredients together and double strain into a glass. Top with brut rosé and garnish with lime leaf.
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Flavor BY
IN KC
Kelsey Cipolla
TREE HUGGER PHIL NEWMAN and Mandy Morris-Newman were
In Culinary News
running a Hawaiian shaved-ice truck when Covid-19 hit, forcing them to pivot to a less event-based concept. The result? Tree Hugger, a vegan spot that got its start on wheels but is now a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Northland. The eatery offers loaded tater tots, tacos, burritos, sandwiches and more. Phil is particularly excited about the chickpea meatloaf sammy with house-made vegan mayo and ketchup on grilled sourdough, a dish that underlines the couple’s approach to making tasty, approachable plant-based food: “It’s just down-home cooking that happens to not use any animal products,” he says. Guests can expect the restaurant to have the same rustic-chic aesthetic as the truck, since wood slats, corrugated steel walls, and a giant chalkboard menu are prominently featured. treehuggerkitchen.com
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Kelsey Cipolla
JIM’S ALLEY BAR
In Culinary News
THE TEAM BEHIND King G is back with Jim’s Alley Bar, a companion concept to the east of the Crossroads deli set to open this summer. The 1,000-square-foot bar is named after owner Eric Flanagan’s maternal grandfather, James, the mustachioed man who beams out at guests from aviator glasses in the bar’s logo. Jim’s will serve up yard beers, draft cocktails, and a menu focused on bar food, with offerings including Italian beef, sausage and peppers, beef sliders, and King’s G’s Taylor ham sandwich. And while the bar has its own distinct identity, it also shares an expanded kitchen space with King G, bringing more flexibility and creativity to the deli’s food program. More food and drinks to enjoy? That’s what we call a win-win. instagram.com/jimsalleybar
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Kelsey Cipolla
FRONT RANGE WALDO WHEN THE PEOPLE behind Made in KC need an
In Culinary News
escape, they head to the mountains of Colorado, says co-owner Keith Bradley. Those trips inspired Front Range Coffeehouse & Provisions, a themed coffeehouse and bar they opened in Fairway in 2019. Now Waldo is getting a dose of the western frontier with its own location close to home for residents of the neighborhood, including Bradley and fellow MiKC owner Tyler Enders. Although both spaces lean heavily into a Western aesthetic, there’s still plenty of KC representation to be found, with a retail section featuring products from local makers, plus food items from Parisi and Mattie’s Foods. Stop by 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week to enjoy drinks ranging from coffeehouse classics to Front Range’s cereal milk latte. frontrangecafe.com
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Doing Good WHEN YOU SHOP AT DO GOOD CO. YOU’RE SUPPORTING KIDSTLC AND WAYSIDE WAIFS Words by Emily Park
WITH SUMMER ALMOST HERE, you don’t really need an excuse to up-
date your wardrobe. But if you do need one, stop by Do Good Co. When Janet and Pat Curran founded the nonprofit clothing shop five years ago, they set out to sell a curated collection of vintage and gently loved clothing to raise money for kids and pets in the Kansas City community. “Our founders saw a need in the community to be able to give back in a different way,” says Ashley Pinkston, Do Good Co.’s director of store operations. “They had items they wanted to give a second life to and they’re super creative, so they started Do Good to give back to the community and help more people give back too.” All profits made by Do Good Co. are given to KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs, and shoppers have helped donate $45,000 over the last five years. Walk into Do Good Co., and you’ll find an eclectic blend of eco-friendly vintage and contemporary clothing. The shop keeps about 2,000 pieces on the floor year-round, so there’s something for everyone—plus furniture, home goods, and other accessories. “Our selection is curated on seasonal style and trends that we’re seeing,” says Pinkston. “We really want people to have a personal style and be able to come in and find a piece they really love and use for a long time.”
Supporting the Mission
Do Good Co.’s shoppers leave with not only new treasures, but with more insight into the nonprofits that do so much for the Kansas City community. In the shop, customers learn about the programs they’re supporting at KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs.
“Our unique continuum of care helps children and their families as they face challenges of mental and behavioral health, developmental trauma, and autism,” says Jen Simpson, KidsTLC’s director of donor relations. “The crucial funds we receive from Do Good Co. go directly to life-changing therapeutic services focused on developing healthy, trusting relationships with feelings of self-worth and value.” KidsTLC offers many residential and outpatient services, as well as support groups and training for caregivers. For Wayside Waifs, Do Good Co.’s donations provide resources to the Wayside Waifs education team and help ensure the approximately 6,000 animals the shelter takes in annually get the care they need. “We’re really passionate about not only trying to find forever homes for these animals, but we really want to help the community understand how much better the world is with animals in our lives,” says Casey Waugh, communications and annual giving manager at Wayside Waifs. “So, partnering together really helps.” Through Do Good Co., KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs have teamed up to bring together the children in KidsTLC’s programs and shelter animals from Wayside Waifs. “We are working on volunteer opportunities for our kids with the pets at Wayside,” says Simpson. “Things like going to read to the pets and summer activities that provide a safe way for kids to express affection and receive affection with the animals.” Do Good Co. also partners with KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs with events and activities throughout the year. Before the school year starts, Do Good Co. invites a group of girls living on KidsTLC’s campus so they can shop for the school year. “We just let them have a night that’s all about them,” says Simpson. “They get to shop, we build a makeshift beauty parlor, and help them build confidence and feel good about themselves.” Meanwhile, you might see Wayside Waifs pop by Do Good Co., with shelter animals in tow to meet shoppers. “It’s pretty unique,” says Amanda Smasal, special events manager at Wayside Waifs. “You don’t have a ton of nonprofits that give back to other nonprofits, but everyone working together really allows all of us to accomplish so much more.”
How to Help
Helping Do Good Co. support KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs is as easy as a shopping spree, but there are plenty of ways to help beyond that through donating, volunteering, and attending events. Interested in donating? Donations are handled through dogoodkc.org/collections/donate where you can select a drop-off time or give a monetary donation. Is volunteering more your style? Do Good Co. is on the lookout for volunteers to help during store hours—especially weekends—and during events. Do Good Co.’s next event is their annual Do Good Co. Alley Sale that runs from June 1-5. The sale is held outside in the alley between Do Good Co. and Mission Taco and will be stocked with a mix of discounted vintage and contemporary clothing, accessories, and home goods. Stop in to shop at Do Good Co. on Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12-5 p.m. at their KC Crossroads storefront at 413 E 18th Street.
Flavor
IN KC
Reservation for One BRADY & FOX by
Kelsey Cipolla
G
photos by
rab a pint and pull up a chair: Brady & Fox, the Brookside spot from longtime collaborators Shaun Brady and Graham “Fox” Farris, is open for business. The restaurant/lounge serves up authentic Irish cuisine in a lowkey atmosphere. While some stateside Irish pubs aim to bolster their credentials by displaying as much memorabilia as possible—an aesthetic that feels akin to listening to the Dropkick Murphys on max volume— JUNE 2022 |
Aaron Leimkuehler
Brady & Fox favors a more subdued approach. There’s a whiskey bar and cozy seating area on one side of the restaurant, but most of the open space is dedicated to the dining room. Lightly charred-wood wall panels add a touch of warmth and character, and a welcoming outdoor seating area is sure to attract guests looking to cool down with a beer on summer evenings. The bar serves up Irish brands like Guinness and Harp, plus a handful of
108 | INKANSASCITY.COM
other brews for variety. The soft-opening menu is small, with just eight dishes. But they’re exactly what you would want, starting with the sausage rolls enthusiastically recommended by the server. The two rolls arrive swiftly, with the beautifully seasoned sausage wrapped in buttery, flakey puff pastry that melts in your mouth. Other options include poutine, made with braised beef, cheese curds, and gravy served over house-made fries (more on those later) and topped with crispy onions. It’s a hefty dish, and one that looks more appealing than poutine has any right to. The restaurant also serves up a Scotch egg, although tonight they’ve run out. Or have they? After placing an order for the item in language that can only be described as rhapsodic, the server gently breaks the news they’re sold out, only to return a few minutes later announcing the kitchen is making one just for the table. The Scotch egg itself is tasty—how could a soft-boiled egg wrapped in a half-inch thick layer of the same seasoned pork featured in those heavenly sausage rolls not be, especially when it’s deep fried? Yet it’s the gesture of kindness from the staff that will long outlive the memory of the simple, decadent dish, presented atop a smear of horseradish-mustard alongside a tomato and roasted red-pepper salad. Leaving behind pork, Brady & Fox’s standout entrées include the KC Irishman, a take on a burnt-end sandwich that evokes the flavor and familiarity of the barbecue classic while carving out its own delicious identity. Cubes of corned beef are slathered in sauce and Guinness barbecue caramelized onions, topped with white cheddar, and served on a Farm to Market potato bun with a heaping side of fries. Despite the fixings, the corned beef ’s flavor still asserts itself, although it is missing a bit of the char that makes good burnt ends so notable. And though they’re not the star of the show, do not overlook the fries served with the Irishman, as well as the fish and chips. They’re fluffy on the inside with a crunchy exterior, thanks to the peel that’s been left on, and bear the rich bronze hue of an expertly fried batch of potatoes. The fries, along with a cabbage-forward coleslaw and an excellent ramekin of vibrantly green mushy peas, accompany the fish and chips, which arrives on a plate lined with red and whitechecked paper. Of course, the main attraction is the fish, and it fully delivers. Tender but firm, it features a Smithwicks beer batter that imparts a pleasantly malty flavor and just the right amount of crispiness. Whether you douse it with malt vinegar or enjoy it with dollops of thick tartar sauce, it’s impossible to stop eating. If you do find yourself with leftovers, don’t fret. The same server who miraculously provided that Scotch egg reappears with detailed, though not overly complicated, reheating instructions, a final unexpected gesture of hospitality. You leave Brady & Fox not just full and happy, but well cared for. What more can you ask of a dining experience? bradyandfox.com
JUNE 2022 |
A spectacular, contemporary venue with transformable reception spaces and a magnificent courtyard. 1900bldg.com (913) 730–1905
Modern-American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. Chef Duerr and team present elegant fare and carefully curated menus for a variety of special occasions. therestaurantat1900.com (913) 730–1900
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AT TRAPP AND COMPANY, MEN’S APPAREL IS ALL ABOUT COMFORT AND STYLE FOR EVERYONE
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Words by Emily Park
top by Trapp and Company to buy a bundle of flowers, and there’s a good chance you’ll leave with more in tow than just the fresh flowers you came for. For decades, Kansas City’s premier florist has been known not only for its stunning floral arrangements, but for an unparalleled shopping experience where shoppers can find treasures for the home, signature scents, and most recently, stylish looks in women’s and men’s apparel. Women’s apparel came first, but it didn’t take long for the president and owner of the company, Bob Trapp, to recognize the need to add men’s ware to the floor. “A lot of women would come in here and ask if we had anything for their husband or boyfriend, and we didn’t have much they were interested in,” says Trapp. “Our industry has also changed a lot in that in the past out of 100 people coming into the store maybe two were men, but now men make up about a third of our customers.” So, Trapp and Company launched a small selection of men’s apparel in 2021. “It’s amazing how the guys have gravitated over,” says Trapp. “We thought it would be the wives and girlfriends that came in, but the guys have really gotten into it. I think a lot of the popularity comes from what we have even though it’s limited. I’ve spent a lot of time following what’s happening in men’s clothing and trying to stay in the middle with both style and price.”
rollers, Jack of Spades can fit any man’s style. “Jack of Spades is one of the great American-style jeans, but they have fabric that has the stretch to it—so when you sit down instead of the pant pulling on you, it moves with you,” says Trapp. “That’s a big deal in men’s trousers today.”
Comfort and Style
Since launching men’s apparel in 2021, Trapp is listening to customers and keeping up with fashion trends to decide what to bring to the floor next. Most recently, he added a custom line made for Trapp and Company in Spain by Dario Beltran for customers looking for cotton shirts—keep in mind that each of Trapp’s Dario Beltran styles are available for one season only. Once the stock is sold, styles can’t be reordered. “I truly do try to follow what goes on in the world of fashion,” says Trapp. “I read The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Kansas City paper, all the fashion magazines. Our hope is to expand our selection every season as we figure out what the people want.”
When Trapp is looking for brands to bring to the store, he’s got three things in mind: style, comfort, and fabrics. Take Trapp’s 7Diamond brand offerings of men’s shirts, jackets, and pants made with a perfect mixture of comfort and style, for example. “I happen to have on all 7Diamonds today,” says Trapp, nodding to his chic ensemble perfect for the office or a casual evening out. “It’s all stretchy, and in the pants, it’s a miracle how well they fit. It’s all nice clothing, but it’s comfortable.” For Trapp, comfort is key, and thus he added Jack of Spades jeans to the store’s inventory. From styles that offer trim and tight pant legs to high
Don’t Forget to Accessorize After you’ve picked up a new outfit, don’t forget to take a look at Trapp and Company’s line of men’s accessories. Trapp highlights his selection of SECRID wallets, a top seller in the store that brings together industrial design and fashion in a minimal wallet. With SECRID wallets, gone are the days of carrying around a bulky wallet that busts the seams of your back pockets. Complete with a band you can use to store your cash, SECRID’s basic wallet features a slot that holds six cards in a card-protective case with a slide mechanism you can use to access the cards. Ask Trapp about what he expects his next best seller to be, and he’ll point to a Piero Guidi crossbody bag that’s perfect for men and women. “I’m going to get one of these because I don’t need to carry everything I have in my briefcase, and I don’t want everything in my pockets,” he says. “Europeans have been doing this forever. They don’t put stuff in their pockets and when you look at this bag, there’s a spot for your telephone, and you can fold your paperwork over and put it in there too.”
A Selection That Continues to Grow
Faces
IN KC
Bra Couture KC BRA COUTURE KC’s annual event is a unique and fun auction event showcasing eclectic work-of-art bras modeled by breast-cancer survivors to celebrate their triumph over cancer. The “Top 14” couture-designed bras auctioned live by The Nigro Brothers. A tribute to the survivors’ fighting spirit, Bra Couture KC benefits The University of Kansas Cancer Center programs and services. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events.
photos by brian rice
JUNE 2022
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Faces
IN KC
NSPJ Celebrates 60 Years THE TEAM at NSPJ Architects belatedly celebrated its 60th Anniversary in April with the board of directors, clients, and partners at Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland. Everyone shared adventures and plenty of laughter while enjoying food by Brancatos Catering and Christopher Elbow to the tunes of DJ Ashton Martin & The Collective. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events. photos by kyle rivas
JUNE 2022
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LOOKING AHEAD IN KC
Innovators & Influencers...
coming in our July issue
to advertise, contact Brittany Coale at 913.768.8308 inkansascity.com
Friday, August 26
Tickets on Sale Now! Limited tickets available. Early bird discount through July 1!
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My Essentials
IN KC BY
Emily Park
J JOSUE MONTES DESIGNER. INFLUENCER. ENTREPRENEUR
J PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRATE
Josue Montes, who goes by Josh, calls himself a chapeauwearing interior designer, fashion tastemaker, and food enthusiast. As a child, his favorite store was not a toy store but a home/ interiors store. Fast forward a few decades and Montes—who is a gay Latino—is at the helm of 1 Dapper Latino, LLC. Interior design is his main focus, but Montes also dabbles in the world of influencing in Kansas City. “I find that interior design, fashion, and cuisine are like cousins. They are all a way to represent your individuality. Your home speaks to who you are, your ensemble defines how you feel at that moment, and a beautifully plated dinner is a work of art,” he says. On most days you can catch Montes around the town, visiting his favorite spots and discovering new ones. “I absolutely love how much Kansas City has grown since moving here in 2008. The diversity I have witnessed along with the amount of people who have become entrepreneurs here in our city and are living their dreams. It’s extremely uplifting.” 1dapperlatino.com
Josh’s essentials... DEFINING STYLE: When I’m at
Woodside Village I hit up both Ulah and Luna. Ulah’s perfect for an array of casual and dressier options. I am someone whose closet consists of about 30 percent of women’s clothing, so Luna is also a go-to for me when I’m curating the perfect outfit for an outing.
NIGHTCAP: Currently, my fave is the One Dapper
Martini at Verdigris. Do I really need to explain why? It really is delicious, beautiful, and strong.
MADE-IN-KC SCENT: My
favorite candle is the Leather, Tobacco & Wood candle from Pickwick & Co. My favorite cologne, Saint Rita Parlor, is available at Finefolk. Funny story, the sweetest lady once told me, “Oh my goodness, you smell as good as you look on Instagram!”
ON YOUR FEET: Halls carries some of my favorite luxury shoe brands: Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Balmain, and Ferragamo. Shoes are where I really splurge when I am working on an outfit. Hey, I have to be on my feet for several hours, so my feet need to feel and look good. SELF-CARE SESH: I visit Sacred Chiropractic +
Acupuncture inside the Ivy House on Main, and Hand & Land where I receive my massages and utilize their amazing infrared saunas. JUNE 2022
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HIDDEN GEM:
Not enough people know about the growing Latin-owned coffee shops here in our city: Café Corazón and Café Ollama. As a Latino, it warms my heart to see representation in our community. PERFECT DAY:
Unwinding by picnicking at Loose Park with my partner and our maltipoo, Austin, on the weekends— especially when the weather is beautiful. We will grab some goodies from Better Cheddar and just relax. I am also a big movie buff, so you could also catch me at a matinee at the AMC Theater at the Ward Parkway Mall.