9 of KC’s Iconic Eateries You’ve Never Heard Of
LAKE LIVING AT ITS BEST
11 METROAREA LAKES THAT KANSAS CITIANS CALL HOME
Designers’ Own Homes
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OCTOBER 2021 | INKANSASCITY.COM
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K i t c h e n K i t c h e n &
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Portf olio Portfolio
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kitchens | bathrooms | home kitchens | bathrooms | home
Portfolio
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KC’s Design Destination
KC’sDesign DesignDestination Destination KC’s
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E XPERIENCE THE POWER OF LIVE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
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Symphony Pops Concert
THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS
Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 23 at 7 p.m. Sunday, October 24 at 2 p.m. Jason Seber, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor Experience the awe and excitement of cinema’s greatest music with the scores of the world’s most beloved film composer, John Williams. He has composed some of the most popular, recognizable and enduring film scores in movie history. Tickets from $40.
Symphony Classical Concert
BRAHMS’ FIRST, BRUCH’S VIOLIN CONCERTO
Friday, October 29 at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 30 at 8 p.m. Sunday, October 31 at 2 p.m. Michael Stern, conductor Randall Goosby, violin STUART MURRAY TURNBULL Odyssey (world premiere) BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1 BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
Johannes Debus
Peter Oundjian
Symphony Classical Concert
SCHEHERAZADE! PLUS STRAUSS
Friday, November 5 at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 6 at 8 p.m. Sunday, November 7 at 2 p.m. Peter Oundjian, guest conductor Janice Carissa, piano PRICE The Oak STRAUSS Burleske in D Minor RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade Tickets from $25.
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 23 3 PM–6 PM
• Live concert: Drew Six and U2 tribute band, Rattle & Hum. • Door-to-door retailer trick-or-treating. • Touch-A-Truck with your kiddos’ favorite service and construction vehicles. • Beer garden, Sporting KC rec area, food trucks and activities for all ages.
Learn more at TownCenterPlaza.com
the beauty of
MODERN
Kansas City Style Discover the many ways new lighting from Rensen House of Lights can transform your home from average to amazing. It’s the perfect time to stop in and SEE, TOUCH and TAKE HOME our carefully curated collections of modern lighting, home accents and stunning artwork. Hundreds of beautiful designs, waiting for you today at Rensen House of Lights!
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Contents OCTOBER 2021 78
82 88 Features 68
IN CONVERSATION WITH MARSHALL WATSON The internationally known designer and KC native talks about growing up in Kansas City, his illustrious family, and his transition through several careers.
72
BEYOND THE PALE Move over, ginormous all-white kitchens. Kitchen designers and happy homeowners show us how to achieve high-contrast style and smart function.
78
WHERE THE LOCALS EAT Nine Kansas Citians divulge their favorite neighborhood spots.
Departments
82
A ROOM WITH A VIEW Designer Sara Noble moves downtown to live it up.
88
LIFE AT THE LAKE There are plenty of options for lakefront living in the metro. We look at a few of them.
92
PASSION PROJECT Interior designer Will Brown considers his ever-evolving home a design laboratory.
On the cover
Interior designer Will Brown’s home is filled with treasures he’s collected over the years. See the story starting on page 92. Photo by Aaron Leimkuehler. OCTOBER 2021
| 18 | INKANSASCITY.COM
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN KC
32
ENTERTAINING IN KC
38
OUR MAN IN KC
44
ARTS & CULTURE IN KC
52
BEHIND THE MUSIC IN KC
58
LOOK IN KC
64
LIVING IN KC
104
FLAVOR IN KC
120
MY ESSENTIALS IN KC
IN EVERY ISSUE 22
EDITOR’S NOTE
24
INKANSASCITY.COM
28
THIS MONTH IN KC
116
FACES IN KC
C R O W N C E N T E R , L E V E L 3 • 816 . 274 . 32 2 2 MON – SAT: 10 AM – 6 PM • SUN: 12 – 5 PM SPECIAL FALL E VENT HOURS OCTOBER 7 – OCTOBER 9: 10 AM – 7 PM
For Results that Move You! $81+ Million in Closed Sales in 2020
FOR SALE 9400 Ensley Lane - Leawood
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FOR SALE 4935 Central Street - Kirkwood
SOLD 5205 w. 83rd St. - Prairie Village
FOR SALE 11401 High Drive - Hallbrook
SOLD 8208 Ensley Lane - Leawood
Susan Fate | Laurie Barnds | Connie Curran Stacy Curtis | Susan Jones 913.262.7755 | SusanFateRealEstateGroup.ReeceNichols.com
SOLD 3100 w. 67 Street - Mission Hills
8 510 M a r s h a l l D r i v e | L e n e x a , K S kdrshowrooms.com
Editor’s Note
My Colorful Past Vol. 4 | No. 10 OCTOBER 2021
Zim
OCTOBER 2021
| 22 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Editor In Chief Zim Loy Art Director Alice Govert Bryan
photo by aaron leimkuhler
T
here’s a terrific interview in this issue with Marshall Watson, a Kansas City native and internationally known interior designer. Watson has an amazing story to tell: several successful careers before becoming a designer, a family that’s deeply connected to KC history, and siblings who are as driven and as successful as he is. But one paragraph in particular caught my attention. He’s describing his grandparents and his relationship with them and how they taught him to love art. They had purchased a burnedout shell of a mansion opposite the Nelson and renovated it into three apartments. Reader, I know that house well. When my husband, Warren Maus, and I decided to live together (it was nine years before we actually married, but that’s another story), we rented the apartment on the third floor of that house. Every day, we could look out the windows and see The Thinker, which to my farm girl upbringing was the height of sophistication. It was a marvelous apartment, spacious and bright. Room after room, with gleaming hardwood floors throughout, three bathrooms with period details like clawfoot tubs and tiled walls, and a hall filled with beautiful built-in cabinetry. This was an opportunity. I wanted to stretch my nascent design muscles and decorate—really decorate—the apartment. Now mind you, I didn’t check with the owner before I did this. I dove right in and began with the kitchen. I painted the walls white, the metal cabinets bright blue, and the countertops red. (Painted countertops are not a thing. I don’t recommend it). At the very least, it was patriotic. The elevator (which was tiny and only worked some of the time) led to a spacious hall that I filled with wicker furniture and painted banana-peel yellow. I painted the bathroom off the hall lipstick red and removed the clawfoot tub to install a small washer and dryer. The living room was all soft lavender walls with gray chintz slipcovers on my old “suede” sofa. Our bedroom became bright peachy-coral, and I hand-painted fabric to slipcover a pair of chairs. The attached bath I painted a deep burgundy. Another bedroom was painted gray and I painted the adjoining white-tiled bathroom navy. Only the dining room stayed the original white. You may be able to discern that this was a bit much. But I was in love with it and happily showed it off to anyone who wanted to see it. We lived in that apartment for two years until we bought our first house. You can imagine the owner’s surprise when he saw it as we were moving out. He was an architect with very sophisticated taste, who had renovated his floor into a contemporary ode to gray. To put it mildly, he was aghast. Only the fact that I left the washer and dryer in the house saved us from having to repaint the entire apartment. For years I thought that interior design meant using lots and lots of color, which I continued to do through the next three houses we lived in. It finally became a little too much even for me. There are designers who use color brilliantly. I am not one of them. I learned to appreciate all the shades of white and now the house I’m renovating is, just like the last several we lived in, all white walls and pale floors. However, the library is going to be deep chartreuse. I can’t totally escape my past.
Contributing Writers Kelsey Cipolla, Judith Fertig, Timothy Finn, Cindy Hoedel, Cody Hogan, Merrily Jackson, Damian Lair, Michael Mackie, Rachel Murphy, Patricia O’Dell, Katy Schamberger Contributing Photographers Corie English, Aaron Leimkuehler, Justin Evans-Mortelliti, Brian Rice, Tom Styrkowicz Graphic Designer Eva Tucker Publisher Michelle Jolles Media Director Brittany Coale Senior Media Consultants Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley Newsstand Consultant Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc.net Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com
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EFFY Jewelry Trunk Show 50% OFF October 13 & 14 10 AM - 5 PM
Only at Lilliane’s Jewelry in Leawood and only once each year. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to shop from over 1,000 unique styles from Effy Hermatian’s brilliant new collections of gemstone and diamond focused designs. Plus, enjoy 50% OFF and a Free Gift with $500 purchase. RSVP not required but feel free to call to reserve a day and time.
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INKANSASCITY.COM ENTER TO WIN
The great pumpkin. Our contributing writer Katy Schamberger scoured the metro in search of the best local pumpkin drinks, treats, nibbles, and nosh. Find out what eats and sweet treats made her list at inkansascity.com. All in one basket. Enter to win a gift basket filled with local treasures valued at over $1,600, courtesy of our friends at the Crestwood Shops. (This month they’re celebrating their 100 year anniversary!) To see a full list of what’s included, go to inkansascity.com/the-magazine/enter-to-win. Enter to win by October 31. Good luck! FOLLOW US
Deliberating what to do tonight? Discover the
most comprehensive calendar in the metro—art galleries, dance, theater, social events, and music, music, music at inkansascity.com/events
FACEBOOK @INKANSASCITYMAGAZINE
Chew on this. We caught up with Chewology’s Katie LiuSung to find out five things you don’t know about the culinary pro.
Find at at inkansascity.com.
Love it! Powerhouse songstress and soul sister Darlene Love has been a staple in the music industry since the early 60s. (The New York Times once described Love as having a “thunderbolt voice.”) We caught up with the Grammy award-winning singer ahead of her November performance at Yardley Hall to find out about her latest tour and how she recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Read the story at inkansascity.com.
@INKANSASCITYMAG
Fall-fabulous restaurants are just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
From happy hours to the local restaurant scene, we’ve got the city’s most complete dining guide. Check ‘em out at inkansascity.com/eatdrink/dining-guide
OCTOBER 2021
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Brimacombe & Cohen brimacombecohen@compass.com 913.269.1740 Brimacombe & Cohen is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass Realty Group, a licensed real estate broker in Missouri and Kansas and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.
Women in Business by
IN KC Michael Mackie
photo by
Corie English
Darcy Howe
A RESTLESS RETIREMENT LED HOWE TO CREATE ONE OF THE METRO’S MOST SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT FUNDS
A
Missouri native, Darcy Howe grew up in St. Louis. After moving to Kansas City, she dutifully wore a Cardinal uniform to Royals games for a long time, she says. But one day, something clicked, and she realized she was now a die-hard Kansas Citian. Her ongoing adoration of the city has served her well as the founder and managing director of the KC Rise Fund, which helps bridge the high-growth technology funding gap in the KC region. “I’m definitely a Kansas City fan,” she says. “I’ve bought into Kansas City in a very big way.” Very big, indeed. Howe launched the KC Rise Fund in 2016 to ensure entrepreneurs find success locally. “How can we help entrepreneurs to grow here, to stay here, to find capital, talent, and resources?” she asks. “It was all part of building out the KC Rise fund and the entrepreneurial eco-system.” (While she was at it, Howe also parlayed that company into a sister organization, Back2KC, to bring wayward talent back to the metro. “It was about finding younger people who are doing cool things—especially on the coast and especially in technology—and OCTOBER 2021 |
encouraging them to come back to Kansas City.”) Howe says what drives her is building a generational economic engine, specifically up-and-comers with unbridled passion and ambition. “We want them to think they don’t want to be anywhere else but Kansas City,” she says. “We want them to build their own version of what Kansas City should look like. We want them to be engaged in leadership discussions in the arts and civic matters. These 30- and 40-somethings should have a voice and be able to participate. It’s cool to see the blooming of new generations of influencers in town.” When asked to describe the company’s elevated elevator speech, Howe doesn’t hesitate. “It’s growing more early-stage investors so we can grow more entrepreneurial companies in Kansas City invested by Kansas Citians.” Howe says the company’s initiatives include all of Kansas, as well as western Missouri. While the KC Rise Fund was born out of necessity, Howe also says that boredom had a bit to do with it as well. She retired in 2015 after spending 32 years in wealth management and says with a grin that she became bored in about two weeks. “So, I called one of my former clients who incubates businesses,” she says. That was the genesis of connecting investors to entrepreneurs and vice versa. Five years later, the co-investment fund is celebrating its success. Individuals, family businesses, and 17 corporations are involved in the mix. “Collectively, about 100 Kansas City entities are investors in the KC Rise Fund #1 or #2—or both,” she says. Growth has been astronomical. With 31 portfolio companies, they have raised over $400 million (with about 75 percent coming from out of town). “We’ve gone from zero to 1,000 employees. Our average wage is $93,000, which is about twice the average wage in Kansas City,” she says. “We’re growing high-paying jobs that achievers with skills want and we’re an economic engine to this city.” Howe is quick to add that when a company sells or is bought, investors get their money back and then many turn around and reinvest into more companies. The pay-it-forward mantra continues to work wonders, not to mention the sheer excitement and engagement the KC Rise Fund has created locally. “I’m most proud of our investors who took a leap of faith and thought this could work in Kansas City,” she says. “They believed in it, and we made something really great out of it. I’m excited about all the young people—and some not so young—who want to work in these companies or build their own. You don’t have to go to the coast to build a cool company.” In addition to having a wildly competitive spirit (which Howe says she can attribute to playing college rugby), she’s eager to help women interested in early-stage companies. “I encourage them to reach out,” she says. “I love mentoring them into this world. There is so much opportunity out there.” kcrisefund.com
26 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Know Your Worth
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. POWER IS PERSONAL. Whether it’s a path to security, a gateway to your dreams or the road to being your own boss, we have the people and resources to empower you. Learn more at UMB.com/WXW
This Month IN KC
October
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE BY
Michael Mackie
OCTOBER SPOTLIGHT
Crestwood Shops Celebrates 100 Years of Shopping October 7 – 9 crestwoodshops.com STREET PARTY Before the Plaza, before the Brookside Shopping District, The Crestwood Shops were one of J.C. Nichols first neighborhood shopping centers in Kansas City. After three years of construction, the Crestwood Shops opened in 1921. This year the shops are celebrating their 100th anniversary with a grand, three-day bash, October 7 – 9. It’s a party 100 years in the making. Join in the merriment as shop owners are planning three days of shopping, fun, and retail history, including a raucous street party on Saturday!
Kemper Gala: ARTBEAT October 9 Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Benefit21: Electric— A Benefit for KidsTLC October 9 J. Rieger and Co. kidstlc.org
kemperart.org
DON’T MISS A BEAT
IT’S ELECTRIC Get ready for an extraordinary extravaganza at J. Rieger and Co. in the East Bottoms. Forget a stuffy sit-down dinner. Instead, KidsTLC is unleashing a marvelous night of entertainment. (Fun fact: The evening’s electric theme pays homage to J. Rieger’s location in Kansas City’s historic Electric Park.) Expect plenty of out-of-this-world Rieger cocktails and an endless variety of decadent food stations. Unique photo opportunities will be sprinkled around the distillery, too. Guests are encouraged to participate in an exclusive live auction in the distillery’s posh Hey! Hey! Club downstairs. And don’t miss popular DJ Ashton Martin spinning tunes at a lively after-party event.
Break out your artsiest, party-est outfit because the iconic Kemper Gala returns this year, and it’s better than ever. This year’s event, ARTBEAT, is inspired by two exhibitions that will be on view during the event: Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Pulse Topology, a new immersive light and sound environment featuring 3,000 light bulbs that pulse to the heartbeats of visitors,and Aliza Nisenbaum: Aquí Se Puede (Here You Can), which is comprised of three large-scale portraits of individuals connected to the salsa dance and music communities in Kansas City. No speeches. No auctions. Just incredible haute cuisine, dynamic entertainment, and lots (and lots) of dancing. (Also, did we mention there was dancing?) Wondering what to wear? The dress code says: exuberant party attire. Yes, please!
For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com OCTOBER 2021
| 28 | INKANSASCITY.COM
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KEMPER GALA
WHEN Saturday, October 9
2021
TICKETS & INFO kemperart.org
Entertaining
IN KC
Notes On the Serving of Spirits
OUR ENTERTAINING MAVEN OFFERS HER OWN HIGHLY PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS ON THE PROFFERING OF POTABLES
by
Merrily Jackson
photo by
I Email me with your entertaining questions, dilemmas, or triumphs at mjackson@inkansascity.com
OCTOBER 2021 |
32 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Corie English
can’t drink wine anymore, a catastrophic turn of events. I won’t bore you with the details; let’s just say wine no longer agrees with me, although whiskey, in moderation, does—it’s the only liquor that does—with ice and water. But even if I were a teetotaler, I would still take pleasure in serving liquor to guests. Since the dawn of man, fermented beverages have played a part in civilized meals because alcohol helps get the conversation flowing. As a rule, people relax after a drink or two (although I do know many non-drinkers who are plenty relaxed at parties). I’m not saying you must get your guests tanked for it to be a successful gathering. In fact, nothing derails a party faster than a sloppy drunk. But booze
MCCROSKEYINTERIORS.COM 913-282-1161 • info@mccroskeyinteriors
Entertaining
IN KC
Respectable Wine Under Ten Bucks
Most party budgets call for a wine that is (to quote the Paul Giamatti character in Sideways) “quaffable but not transcendent.” We have many great wine retailers in the metro: Cellar Rat, Mike’s, Plaza Liquor, Underdog Wine Co., and Gomer’s, to name just a few. All have knowledgeable staff who offer solid advice geared to your price range. Although I no longer drink wine, I have a couple of friends with discerning palates who tell me Trader Joe’s has been hard to beat. These friends have recommended six wines Trader Joe’s has in stock, more or less all the time, all under $10 (some well below). RED: Phigment – Clarksburg, CA Lots of fruit. Sometimes described as “smoky.” It’s reputedly a clone of a very popular big-label red blend that sells for $15-17. Terrain Vineyards – Napa, CA Nobody will try this if the price is mentioned. Very good with pizza, burgers, and casual fare. WHITE: Claire Patelin Sauvignon Blanc – Gascony, France This one stumps the pros who taste it blind and try to guess the price range. Consistently well received and enjoyed. Floriana Gruner Veltliner – Hungary Fairly light, bone dry, extremely versatile. A nice wine to sip over appetizers or on the porch. Pairs well with chicken and mild seafood dishes. BUBBLES: Louise d’ Estree Brut Sparkling wine from France. Tiny bubbles and the perfect degree of dryness to please almost any palate. This one punches way over its weight class on the taste/cost scale. Opaline Brut Rosé This is also from France. The attractive faux cut-glass bottle will get some people’s attention, but what’s inside is even more notable. Pop open a bottle with fried chicken or breaded shrimp.
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makes things festive; there’s a reason they call it “spirits.” Here, then, is some advice about serving spirits in your home. SOPHISTICATED COCKTAILS FOR A SMALL GROUP There is something heartening about walking into a room and seeing a drinks tray. In fact, many attractive rooms you see in magazines have drinks trays because booze bottles clustered together, like a stack of books, are a good design element. All those shiny bottles in varying colors, shapes, and sizes, assembled on a handsome galley tray, are pleasing to the eye, regardless of their wicked contents. To serve small-group cocktails in style, you want a sturdy, flat surface on which to put your ice bucket, glassware, and drinks tray: a tabletop, an empty bookshelf or two, the top of a chest of drawers, practically anything will do. A basic drinks tray should have at least one variety of vodka, tequila, rum, and of course, gin and whiskey. Some people drink nothing but gin in warm months, then switch to whiskey when it turns cold, so never be without these two soldiers. Use premium brands, not swill. Plan to serve a red and white wine, too, and possibly beer, depending on your guests. In addition to the hootch, it’s lovely—if you have the space for it nearby—to have elegant, single-serving bottles of Coke, Pellegrino water, cranberry juice, club soda, and tonic water, as well as lemon and lime wedges. A high-functioning drinks tray has small bottles of bitters, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and Rose’s lime juice. IMPROMPTU DRINKS ARE A GOOD THING Know that for a casual, last-minute drinks gathering, all you really need is wine and the makings for gin and tonics, vodka sodas, and rum and Cokes. The great thing about liquor and the standard mixers is everything keeps, so you always can have it in storage. Keep Pellegrino water and soft drinks in supply for your non-drinking guests. Any time you serve alcohol, it should be with some kind of food, even if it’s only mixed nuts or pimento spread and Triscuits, to soak up the booze. Email me for my list of classic cracker and cheese pairings, and my cocktail food recipes. A PARTY IN A PITCHER Nothing conveys hospitality like a drinks tray, it’s true, but if you’re having a crowd of, say, six or more, you will get the party off the ground faster if you provide a pre-mixed cocktail, preferably made with seasonal ingredients, something you can offer to thirsty guests the minute they arrive. Email me for my recipes for sangria, bourbon slush, and frozen margaritas for a crowd. It’s October, so an apple-based cocktail would be perfect. I can share my Autumn Fruit Hard Cider recipe, which uses a mixture of hard apple cider, ginger ale, Calvados, and lemOCTOBER 2021 |
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Entertaining
IN KC
on juice infused with apples and pears. Few people outside of Kansas City and Lawrence know what a horsefeather cocktail is, but ‘round these parts, it is a classic drink, delicious any time of the year. A pitcher of horsefeathers is easy to make; there’s a great recipe on the website of J. Rieger & Co. Distillery. If you’re not in the mood for mixology, Rieger Distillery sells premixed bottles of horsefeathers at their shop in the East Bottoms. While you’re there, have dinner at the cushy Hey-Hey Club and catch a show at Knucklehead’s next door. THE CHAMPAGNE TRICK In a pinch, remember you can mix practically any fruit juice or fruit nectar with Champagne and serve it over ice in a tall glass. There’s something about Champagne, even cheap Champagne, that shows largesse. Never waste expensive Champagne in a mixed drink. Or if you don’t have time to think about a special drink, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with simply serving wine and soft drinks. YOU NEEDN’T SPEND A FORTUNE ON WINE The expulsion of wine from my life is tragic; I feel like a dear friend has died. I loved drinking wine, all sorts, especially fine wines. But you don’t need pricey wines to have a good party. I consider us lucky to be living
Pear Tree
in an age and locale where there is so much affordable, delicious wine available. (See page 34 for specific suggestions.) If you are a person whose life is a quest for the perfect food and wine pairing, you won’t find it at my house, unless it’s by accident. I usually start with whatever wine my guests bring over, and when we’ve run through that, I move in the reinforcements and keep them flowing. I always try to have at minimum one bottle of white and one red open on the table, along with a big pitcher of ice water (critical) and let guests help themselves. Some consider it unseemly for one to fill one’s own wine glass, but it happens a lot at my house. Keep in mind that a properly poured wine glass is never more than half full. IT’S NONE OF OUR BUSINESS A final note from the etiquette committee. There are plenty of reasons people hold back from alcohol, including designated driver duty, personal preference, dieting, medication interactions, and fear of a hellacious hangover, as well as being in recovery from alcoholism. There is no reason to differentiate one guest’s reason from another’s. If someone declines a drink, don’t ask why, and don’t make a big deal of it. Always have appealing non-alcoholic options that look like they might be a cocktail, and don’t omit the wine glass from their place setting. No one wants to feel conspicuous for not drinking spirits.
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Our Man BY
IN KC
Damian Lair
dlair@inkansascity.com
: @damianlair #OurManINKC
(Delayed) Derby Day
O
nce canceled and once delayed, Kansas City was very much ready for the 5th annual Derby Party at the Kansas City Museum. It’s one of the handful of parties I’ve begun to look forward to every year—an occasion to put on a snappy garden look. Come on, haven’t you been shopping and spied something that made you think ‘well, this would be perfect for a garden party.’? Not just any verdant garden spot—one nestled in the towering presence of Corinthian Hall, that beaux-arts style stone mansion in the historic Northeast, home to the soon-toopen Kansas City Museum. The building and property have been undergoing an extensive, years-long $22 million restoration and will host exhibits and experiences that tell stories about our city’s history and heritage. As for the party, guests were decked in their 20’s-era derby finery, with plenty of flappers and fascinators (my favorite featured a drunken Barbie doll tossing back a mint julep—hair appropriately frazzled). Speaking of juleps, what’s a derby, or even a derby-less derby, without them? Fortunately, J. Reiger & Co. had that covered. There were also my fave Quirk canned cocktails from Boulevard Brewing Company. Other options included Torn Label brews and wine from Les Bourgeois Vineyards and Bourgmont Vineyard & Winery. There was even an adorable Tiffany-blue bicycle that you could pedal to draft your own pitcher of Boulevard. Which I, of course, did. As we drank and made merry, Grand Marquis pumped out live jazz from the HOT museum’s front porch. And there was GOSSIP: no shortage of other things to keep us busy. Pose in a vintage convertWhose major annual ible Packard? Why not. Take photos event was crashed against a Gatsby-esque book cover by an equally major with snow pouring down for extravagathering of rats? gant effect? Naturally. Grab bites from Brown & Lowe and visit Poppy’s Ice OCTOBER 2021 |
Damian Lair at the Kansas City Museum’s Derby party.
Cream truck? We’re there. And there were plenty of yard games, dancing and whimsical, Jordan almond-colored balloon sculptures (from Pop Culture Sculptures) to boot. All in all, it was the perfect party, on the perfect day, with the most perfect crowd. Bravo to Paul Gutiérrez for all the hard work, planning and re-planning. SPOTTED: Barb & Bob Bloch, Zulema & Terry Bassham, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Darcy & Lindsey Stewart, Rosie Privitera, Donna Foulk, Dr. Regina Nouhan, Kim Weinberger, Lee Page, Angie Jeffries, Heidi Markle, Katie Van Luchene & Jerry Foulds, Jennifer Janesko, Rachel Sexton, Tom Paolini, Crissy Dastrup, Meg Spilker, Melinda Ryder, Jessica Harbin, Dan Hilboldt, Kristin Brotherton
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Come Home to Happiness.
COME HOME TO NEST.
5911 Johnson Dr. u Mission, KS 66202 u 913.901.8257 u www.nestkc.com
Our Man
IN KC
ON A HOT SATURDAY, I grabbed my two favorite “homies”—little nephew dudes, César and Alexander—for an awesome adventure that only Uncle D could put together. Regularly, there are opportunities that appear in my inbox that, while seeming fun, I know would be a lot more fun with these two. As you might imagine, playground openings fall into that category. Not wanting to not generate too much excitement (and potential disappointment if the guest of honor couldn’t make it), I selectively neglected to mention how special this playground opening was to be. I told them only that it would be “matching day”, and that I’d be in my Patrick Mahomes jersey. They should plan accordingly. Damian’s nephew was lucky enough to be We packed our bottled water, sunscreen, and snacks and headed to included in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Martin Luther King, Jr. Square Park. Early. Upon arrival, the boys astutely noticed the #15 pennants flying overhead and started to ask a lot of grid, solely intended to wall off a white garden on the other side. So, it was questions. What is this playground? Why can’t we play on it? Why is everyespecially poignant that this project wasn’t just about making better use one wearing Mahomes gear? Sigh. The jig was up. Is this a Patrick Mahomes of an underutilized patch of city park or to build something pretty. It was park? Will he be here? I answered affirmatively that it was his playground. designed to bring people together. And not just people—but all people. But, no, he wouldn’t be here—he’s entirely too busy to play in parks. So, The playground was thoughtfully designed to encourage accessibility from our second-to-none viewing spot at the entrance gate—we waited. and inclusiveness for children with all physical and mental abilities. It feaLocal politicians toddled in, and others affiliated with various aspects tures a large, net play structure, multiple types of swings, musical marimof the park followed. And then, just like that—there he was. The man. ba, a wheelchair-accessible spinner, a synthetic turf mound with climbing Utter silence from these two, who seemingly spend half their words features, and a wide concrete hill slide. Encircling the park are pavers recounting every kind of kindergarten and first grade Mahomes myengraved with MLK quotes—tying the whole project together in one thology and folklore: “Yeah, well I heard that our school janitor’s big ribbon of love and hope for a promising future for everyone who daughter’s cousin’s sister’s friend actually saw him—at Target!” will now get to play here. HOT “Oh, yeah, well I heard ...” These are actual conversations, When it came time for the ribbon-cutting, César and AlGOSSIP: by the way. So, with jaws re-attached, we stood in the exander were gobsmacked to be among the handful of little blazing, 90+ degree heat and listened to a litany of local ones selected ahead to stand alongside Patrick, holding up Who gave their government types address a majority-child crowd. And the ribbon. César jumped at the chance, but Alexander suchousekeeper Covid listened. And listened. If you were there, you know. Be cumbed to a major case of stage fright and wouldn’t budge. after failing to disclose very careful when microphones are involved; for some, With a spare adult face mask haphazardly smashed on, that the whole family the gravitational pull is just too strong. César stoically stood next to Patrick as the scissors snapped, was positive? But I digress. We were delighted to hear from poet confetti cannons exploded, and cameras flashed. I asked him Glenn North, who recited his moving piece, A Place Fit after: Do you realize you just got to stand with one of the most for a King—a nod to the civil-rights leader for whom the park famous living athletes on the planet, at the ribbon-cutting for his is named. Notably, this event was scheduled to coincide with the 58th own playground?? His melted, nearly tearful response: “He put his hand anniversary of King’s delivery of his “I Have a Dream” speech. The Unity on my shoulder.” Drum Line—comprised of members from the Broadway Drill Team, On the way home, that out-of-body like reaction made me think Center Middle School, and the Gateway High Steppers—performed about power. The power one human being could have over so many. with pride, adding to the pomp. Marques Fitch, executive director of How people with so much power can use it in infinite ways—to lift the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, provided background about the people up, self-promote, usher change, impede progress, give generously, foundation’s $1 million gift, the initial idea for a playground, and recounthoard greedily, inspire people, or denigrate them. And then there’s the ed charming stories about the care and thought Patrick Mahomes and power, however much smaller, that each of us have. What might be fiancé Brittany Matthews put into the playground— possible with the power we hold? Being there that day, intoxicated by from site selection, to driving by the park every few a thick cloud of humility, made me want to go forth and harness my OVERHEARD days just to witness the progress. own time, abilities, and resources toward something good. Which is the “You’re nobody Finally, it was time for Patrick. He was gleeful, yet cool thing about power and inspiration—it’s exponential. One person’s until you wreck humble; excited to share this personal gift, but aware benevolence might spur others to behave the same. Who, themselves, a Bentley.” of its significance. It was lost on neither him, nor me, might then galvanize others they encounter to go forth similarly, in an that we were standing on what may very well have ongoing trail of selflessness. It keeps going. been covered by a hastily swashed, ethereal red line on Patrick, the world is lucky to have you, and we are so glad you’re a government map. A crimson smear across a human here in Kansas City. OCTOBER 2021 |
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photo courtesy of 15 and the mahomies foundation
PLAYING WITH MA-HOMIES
photo courtesy of 15 and the mahomies foundation
SOMETHING SPOOKY
OVERHEARD “I’m talking like chic, Parisian flea market ‘old’—not Wayfair dead stock ‘old.’”
THEMED pop-up bars have been all the rage lately, and I’ve written about several of them here. While Christmas and winter themes tend to be the most common, Halloween seems to be coming in a strong second. And I love Halloween. Which is why I jumped at the chance to be among the first souls to check out the brand new Apparition: Spookeasy in the lower level of 3 Trails Brewing in Independence. The scintillating selling point? One hundred years ago, the building was home to J. Ott & Co Undertaking. Halloween drinks inside a former morgue? Count me in. Upon arriving, you’ll be given a lantern that you’ll need for navigating the very dark maze to the bar. There, you’ll have a full menu of otherworldly elixirs and spirit options. I threw caution to the wind, and let the ghouls choose for me. This resulted in the “Pumpkin King,” a pumpkin-spice white Russian with Tom’s Town vodka. Yummy. My less adventurous friend chose for himself and had the “Suspiria”, a clarified milk punch (trend alert: I’m suddenly seeing milk punch everywhere) with Earl Grey-infused Tom’s Town botanical gin. Numerous lemon slices arranged around the rim reminded me of the shrimp cocktail scene from Beetlejuice. No reservations are required (or available) for this pop-up. It’s spacious enough that I don’t expect much of a wait. But if so, you could always enjoy a beer upstairs prior to your descent. After drinks, we hopped across the street to an eatery I hadn’t been to in roughly a decade: Ophelia’s Restaurant & Inn. On this Friday evening it was poppin’, with every table full. We slipped in by the bar, had a lovely meal, and even made some new friends while there. I had O’s Mac n Cheese, which was decadent. And my friend had what must be the signature dish because we kept seeing it fly by us—the bison meatloaf. I tried it and loved it. Also, you may have guessed by the name, but they have a handful of cozy rooms upstairs, which I’ve actually stayed in. They’d make a perfect staycation perch above the historic Independence Square. Back to pop-ups for a second. Looking for some other fun options? My absolute favorite from last year (and I’ve already got reservations for this year) is the incredibly inventive and well done Something OVERHEARD Wicked bar inside Julep in Westport. “Who are you? Follow along with me on Instagram as I And why didn’t capture it all. Another option of note, and you stay home?” not Halloween per se, is the topsy turvy Alice and Wonderland-themed The Fall in the basement below Ale House. It’s a trippy fun time. Spooky cheers!
So, KC—where do you want to go? XO OCTOBER 2021 |
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Arts&Culture
IN KC
Cameron Thomas
DANCER AT KANSAS CITY BALLET ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS by
Judith Fertig
photo by
Tom Styrkowicz
W
earing his trademark piano keyboard tie—indicating he’s also an accomplished pianist— Cameron Thomas represents the new generation of dancers for the Kansas City Ballet. In 2015, this upand-comer left home at age 17 when a full scholarship awaited at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City. When Thomas came to the Kansas City Ballet in 2017, he started at the lowest rung of the ballet ladder and then moved up to apprentice. Since then, he keeps perfecting his dance techniques in the holiday classic The Nutcracker and the upcoming Celts. Just don’t ask him to boogaloo, shimmy, or do hiphop moves like The Shoot. He’s much more interested in executing a perfect pas de deux. kcballet.org INKC: When you were a kid growing up in Rochester, New York, watching cartoons on Saturday morning, what fired you up about ballet? Thomas: At first I wasn’t so fired up about ballet at all! My first experience with dance was through another sport. I was a gymnast and was forced into a weekly ballet class to help improve my balance and coordination. Slowly but surely, I took to dancing a whole lot more than I ever did to gymnastics, so my parents had me audition for a children’s role in the local production of The Nutcracker with the Rochester City Ballet. After that, it was all over. The older dancers were my heroes and I started obsessing over videos online of legendary classical male dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Carlos Acosta. Since then, my passion for dance has deepened to appreciate the art form in all its complexity, but to this day there’s nothing quite like watching the explosive jumps and turns of a classical variation. INKC: What has been your favorite role to dance
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so far? And why? Thomas: My favorite has been the first solo man in William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated. William Forsythe is a giant of a choreographer still creating amazing work today, and this ballet in particular is arguably his most significant. In a way, dancing that role felt like being a small part of history. In the Middle pushes ballet beyond the classical boundaries and, in doing so, emphasizes its physicality. Lines are extended, accents are stronger, and there is a tense. competitive swagger in the air between cast members. Learning the role challenged me and inspired me to grow beyond what I know. Performing that ballet on the Kauffman Center stage was just electric! INKC: What is something about male ballet dancers that most
people don’t know? Do you get pedicures? Do you size up a ballerina you’ll have to lift? Are you accomplished with ballet but so-so at other kinds of dancing? Thomas: I could probably use a pedicure desperately—jumping and turning in ballet shoes all day makes for a gnarly foot (and I don’t even wear pointe shoes). I definitely don’t size up a ballerina! That would make for a terribly unpleasant and unhealthy working relationship. As a partner, it’s my responsibility to ensure that I am physically prepared and practiced enough in my coordination to be able to execute
certain lifts. It is a team effort! Through the rehearsal process, open communication between partners, and help from artistic staff, pas de deux work becomes a lot less daunting for both partners. There aren’t really any dance companies in the world that perform exclusively classical ballet. More versatility is always better! That has been one of my biggest lessons the longer I spend in professional dance. Kansas City Ballet has a very diverse repertoire, so I have lots of opportunities to grow. With all that said, however, I am a tragically bad social dancer, despite my very best efforts. INKC: What do you like most about living and working in Kansas City? Thomas: There is plenty to love, but one of the things most unique is the space in which we get to work. The Bolender Center is a world-class rehearsal center and the Kauffman Center an equally stunning theater. When the Bolender Center is full on a busy Saturday with the company in full swing and the school working upstairs, the whole building practically hums. I love the openness, the brick walls leftover from the old use of the building, and the black box theater in the main studio. The Kauffman is beautiful and spacious; it does full justice to the gravitas of the great classics of ballet and opera. I consider myself lucky to belong to an organization which calls those places home!
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JOIN US ON NSATURDAY O V E M B E R 20 OCTOBER 2021
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Arts & Culture by
IN KC
Judith Fertig
MAGIC CARPET RIDE A NEW EXHIBIT, Weaving Splendor: Treasures of Asian Textiles, sumptuously illustrates the fascinating story of luxury global trade as practiced in Asia from the early 1500s to today. Skilled artisans wove luxury fibers, vibrantly colored, into carpets and fabrics distinctive by their patterns, which conveyed the identities, status, and taste of local communities, wealthy patrons, and eager consumers. From carpets and wall hangings to court costumes and theater robes, these brilliant textiles transformed palaces, temples, and homes. They mended fences as diplomatic gifts, ingratiated the giver to the receiver, and continue to delight. And these prized textiles can be seen for the first time in decades. For more information, visit nelsonatkins.org.
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IN ACTUAL PERSON LIVE FOR REAL TOUR: BEN FOLDS WITH THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY BEN FOLDS may not be a name you recognize. But you most certainly recognize his genre-bending music that has energized television sitcoms, reality shows, and films. The multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation. Starting with the self-described “punk rock for sissies” Ben Folds Five, he went on to multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. His last album was a blend of pop songs and his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra that soared to #1 on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts. He’s perfectly at home playing piano and singing with major symphonies around the world. He’s also perfectly at home pranking his fans with fake records and stunts at concerts like a fake drunk falling from the balcony. Folds likes to keep things interesting. It should be an evening you won’t soon forget. Performances are October 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit kcsymphony.org.
OCTOBER 2021
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Arts & Culture BY
IN KC
Judith Fertig
CELTS
PHOTO BY KENNY JOHNSON
KANSAS CITY BALLET’S 2021-2022 season kicks off with a bang. Celts certainly grabs your attention, but the mixed repertory performance builds from two shorter ballets to the wowza headliner. It’s worth the wait. First up is Edwaard Liang’s Wunderland, awash in eye-popping red. If you get the feeling you’re inside a magical snow globe, that’s what Liang intended. A trip to Siberia inspired the choreographer’s work. “There was a massive snow globe in the artist apartment that I was staying at,” he said. “When you’re in Siberia for like 3½ weeks, and you’re staring at this snow globe, you just really start fantasizing different stories, and you start using your imagination.” Music by Philip Glass enhanced the mood. The second ballet changes the mood entirely. George Balanchine’s Serenade, set in the moonlight, becomes a romantic ode to Swan Lake and Giselle. And when you’re all mellowed out, wham! Celts begins, a spirited mashup of Michael Flatley’s Riverdance and classic ballet. You’ll tap your decidedly not en pointe feet to music by The Chieftains and give a rousing cheer to the jig performed as you’ve never seen it before. Performances are October 15 through 24, for tickets and times, visit kcballet.org.
FROM BLING
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OCTOBER 2021
| 48 | INKANSASCITY.COM
BEOWULF IT’S DARK. Winter is coming. You’re a Viking in a high-ceilinged, dimly lit mead hall, relaxing after many weeks marauding on the cold seas. Or you might be an Anglo-Saxon king feasting with your ealdormen and thegns. Either way, the fire is burning on the hearth in the middle of the hall and all inside is warm. You demand more mead—and entertainment. Your bard comes forward with his ancient lyre. That’s the feeling early-music scholar Benjamin Bagby delivers in Old English, courtesy of Friends of Chamber Music. On a six-stringed instrument, he strums the opening chords to accompany the epic poem Beowulf: Hwæt! Listen! And thus begins the tale of heroes and dragons (and the original mother of dragons) from the 7th century. Listen as mead-benches, hall-troops, and whale-roads come alive again. Says one reviewer, Bagby’s performance is “as close to a time capsule to the Dark Ages as you can get.” Bagby performs October 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. For tickets and information, contact chambermusic.org.
OCTOBER 2021
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Behind the Music
IN KC
Talya Groves by
Timothy Finn
photo by
Justin Evans-Mortelliti
in the live-entertainment shows at Worlds of Fun. That led to even grander pursuits. After high school graduation, she left Kansas City for Pace University in New York, and several years later, just days before she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from that school, she landed one of her biggest jobs ever: as a touring cast member of Motown the Musical. Groves recently answered questions from IN Kansas City about growing up in Kansas City, about her many professional successes in New York (including some national TV appearances) and about returning to her hometown during the pandemic and how it has reignited her, personally and professionally.
T
alya Groves’s life in her hometown has been filled with pursuits and fulfillment of her first loves and dreams: music and live performances. “I spent most of my childhood doing competitive dance at Priscilla and Dana’s School of Dance. Later on, I started focusing more on my singing through local experiences with Radio Disney, Starlight Theatre, and the Coterie.” While attending Park Hill High School, she turned her focus to music theater, which led to her first professional gigs: as a cast member OCTOBER 2021
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What was your childhood like? Who were your earliest influences, in both life and music? Talya Groves: My childhood had its ups and downs, but, through any struggle or chaos, I was very lucky to always have a strong village of people supporting me. My mom was, and remains, a huge influence on my life. She always accepted me and has always believed in my ability, my talent, and my dreams. A singer herself, she also has an amazing and very versatile taste in music that I got to inherit from the beginning. Who were your earliest music interests— the artists that first appealed to you? TG: I grew up in the ’90s and early ’00s and
was lucky enough to have impressionable ears at a time when some of the greatest voices ever were in their primes. My earliest interests in music were Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion. It was a cool time in music because there was a little bit of everything going on—even country music, which is not really my thing, was having cool pop-crossover moments with artists like Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill. Then, between my mom’s taste in music and all the music used at my dance studio, I was also exposed to older music. I think that influence is what really stuck. It explains my absolute love of Motown, oldies, girl groups of the ’50s and ’60s, and even classic rock. Most of the songs I perform at my gigs date back to at least pre-1990s. And if I had to name my all-time biggest influences on who I am as a performer, I’d say it’s Tina Turner and Prince. What do you remember about your first concert? TG: My first concert ever was the Spice Girls at Sandstone. To this day, my bold attitude, loud fashion choices, and my femme energy are infused with some of the Spice Girls’ “girl power” brand. Scary Spice in particular was so important because she gave me the opportunity to see myself reflected back to me in pop culture. A biracial-black girl, I was growing up in Kansas City at a time when things were even more overtly marginalized than they still are today. Because of this, I didn’t have a lot of people around me who could relate to the kinds of covert social dynamics that I was already navigating at a very young age. Seeing black and brown women succeed in entertainment helped me feel less like “other” and invited me to come into aspects of my own identity. It was like, “Hey, look, she’s brown like me. I could do that!” Others with that kind of impact on me were Destiny’s Child and their album Writings On The Wall, and then Alicia Keys’ album Songs in A Minor. The first song that I ever loved to sing was on that album—Fallin’. I won my first singing competition with that song when I was around 8 or 9. You say on your website that you knew at a young age that you loved to be on stage. What did you love most? TG: The stage became a comfort zone for me very early on. I felt happiest when I was dancing. It has always felt safe and freeing to be completely out of my head and locked into the present moment when I’m performing. And once I started to realize the power that exists in the energy exchange between a performer and an audience, there was never going to be any turning back for me. What were your high school years like? TG: High school was funny because halfway through, my life became very compartmentalized. On one hand, at school I got good grades, was heavily committed in the music and theater communities, and was involved in all of the musicals and choir extra-curriculars. On the other hand, during the summers after my sophomore, junior, and senior years, I was performing five shows a day at Worlds of Fun and then partying around town with my older cast mates. As in—I may or may not have spent both my prom nights and my 17th birthday at Missie B’s. What can I say? I’ve always been old for my age. Sometimes, I honestly think that had it not been for growing up a little fast, I may never have had the guts to go to New York for college. OCTOBER 2021
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Behind the Music
IN KC
You moved to New York and attended Pace University, where you earned your BFA in music theater. What did your college experience provide that has proved to be essential? TG: The most essential thing I left college knowing was that with every performance or audition, you have the power to leave an impression. In other words, nothing is for nothing. Even if it’s “no” this time, you can always draw in new opportunities or gain new interest when you show up and do your best every time. What do you consider your first big/significant “break” in music theater/live performances? TG: The first thing that ever felt like a big win for me was when I booked the first national tour of Motown the Musical. At Pace, you were allowed to audition outside of school. So, I had used my senior year to dip my toes into New York’s auditioning pool. I’d gone to open calls for Motown the Musical because it was my dream show at the time. It was one of the earlier examples of my true love, popular music, crossing over into musical theater. At one point I went as far as to attend one of those open auditions where people lined up around the block, just to sing 16 bars. Months later, when I got an email from casting with an appointment to audition for an immediate replacement on the Motown tour, I was ready. The appointment was two days before my college graduation, and I showed up incredibly prepared and fired up. I felt great about how I did
and headed home. I had just emerged from the subway when I got the call that I’d be heading to Los Angeles to join the tour in a matter of days. The best part about the big news was that my family was arriving in New York in just a couple of hours for my graduation week, so I got to tell them about the tour in person. It was a very special time, and I was so blessed to have earned that kind of job security immediately following my education. Your resume is filled with other big moments and significant roles in music theater. What are you proudest of? TG: Out of anything on my resume, what I’m proudest of is the fact that I’ve never fallen too deep into the trap of attaching my worth to any specific job or title. It’s an easy industry to become very ego-driven in, which is why it’s also easy to crumble. Through any successes or disappointments, I’ve worked very hard to remember that there is no person behind an audition table that has the power to take away my worth or to dull my shine. So, when I look at my resume, I feel proud of being brave. Recall one story or episode in your career that is extra special or rewarding for you. TG: One of the most rewarding aspects of being a performer comes from the family dynamic that can form when a group of artful people are working so closely with one another. The feeling of family was particularly present with both Clueless the Musical (off-Broadway) and
International Materials of Design TILE & STONE
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OCTOBER 2021
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Becoming Nancy (at the Alliance Theater). It’s been an amazing part of my life to get to connect with so many special people. As far as professionally rewarding moments, I’ll never forget performing on Good Morning, America with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as on The Wendy Williams Show. Speaking of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, getting to work closely with Marc Shaiman will be something I will cherish forever. He is one of the most talented humans ever and is responsible for so many iconic moments in music. Being in his presence is a treat. Similarly, being directed by Jerry Mitchell on a couple of shows was nothing but rewarding for me. He puts his whole heart into everything he does, and we are very like-minded in believing that “full out” is the way to be. And then it has always been really cool when celebrities come to shows I’m in. The ones that had me the most starstruck were Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg, and, honestly, Bethenny [Frankel] from Real Housewives. How do you deal with disappointments and rejections? TG: Deciding to turn something as personal as singing and dancing into your livelihood is filled with disappointments. I have faced rejection more times in a single week than many people will face in their entire lives, as is the case for anyone in this industry. It takes a particular type of tenacity to move through it, and it’s a lot about
self-soothing. I let myself be sad or disappointed for a little bit, and then it’s time to transform that energy into something positive in the next performance or audition. I highly recommend Theodore Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena speech. What was your pandemic experience like? TG: It was very isolated and definitely very financially uncertain, not to mention the trauma surrounding the events of police brutality that took place in our country at that time. Amid all that, though, the stillness and quiet of that time offered me a lot of perspective. I stayed in New York—actually in South Orange, New Jersey—when the shutdown started. I was keeping busy running, cooking, and making TikToks. Then I came to visit Kansas City a couple of times in late summer and was able to do a few outdoor performances by teaming up with Walter Bryant. Among the many musical contributions he has made to Kansas City, he is the music director at Worlds of Fun, which is how we met over a decade ago. So, having a couple of chances to perform live again during the pandemic got my wheels turning. I returned to New York in mid-August and realized that the only logical decision was to move back to Kansas City. How did you restart yourself professionally in Kansas City? TG: I knew that if I [returned], I’d want to create opportunities for my-
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Behind the Music
IN KC
self to step into. Restaurants, bars, and venues were opening up more quickly here than they were in New York, so I decided to take the leap. I called Walter and Kansas City drummer and longtime friend, Kent Rausch, and asked “Hey, if I can get us some gigs, are y’all in?” They agreed, and I started making some cold calls and drafting some emails to try and get some gigs lined up for my November return. I also messaged Lonnie McFadden asking for advice on how to break into things here, because if anybody has mastered the Kansas City music scene, it’s him. He was, of course, so helpful in letting me know who to get in touch with. Cut to today: I’m performing at least three times a week with really great musicians in the city that raised me. It’s the best. I’m so glad I’ve leaned into change and so glad that I have great musicians to play with. So, what’s it like being back here, back home? TG: It’s amazing. Of course it has been nice to see my family and my Kansas City friends. As far as the joy of these gigs, people are just so kind and so appreciative of live performance, now more than ever. I feel very lucky. I was 18 the last time that I lived in Kansas City fulltime, so it’s fun to be getting to know the city as an adult. I definitely think there’s a good chance that, no matter where different performing opportunities may take me, I’ll be a Kansas City-based artist from now on. What are the rewards of the nightclub gigs vs. playing a role in
THIS WEEK
music theater? TG: Believe it or not, a packed Saturday at the Phoenix when I’m up on that bar singing Proud Mary is just as rewarding to me—if not more rewarding—as it has been to perform on a Broadway stage. I say that because what I’m doing at these live music venues is truly me, and I’ve always preferred that kind of performing. I guess you could say that I enjoy playing me onstage more than I do a playing role. I’m excited to see what all I can do in the live-music world—here and maybe even beyond. But I’m also staying open to opportunities of all kinds. I’m basically saying “yes” to whatever seems right to me and enjoying the ride. Like pretty much every other profession and industry, the world of music and theater is very different for women than it is for men. What have your experiences with gender bias been as you ascended within your world? TG: I have had many instances of artistic collaborators treating me with less respect, in one way or another, than they would a man. It’s difficult because with the nature of my work, this tends to happen with men I admire or respect professionally or artistically. So any “people-pleaser” part of me wants to just be agreeable and play caretaker to everyone else’s feelings, especially the artistic men because I’m a sucker for talent. But at this point, I really try to resist self-abandonment of any kind. I’m not one who will silence my own opinions to avoid being labeled
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“difficult.” I’m in the process of accepting that some people are not going to be comfortable with an authentic, brave, outspoken, opinionated, and talented woman like myself. The fact that standing in my power would make me “difficult” or threatening to a man is not something that I’ll allow as my burden to carry. Another thing I’ve noticed recently is that, as a femme-presenting and female-identifying performer, I have to be aware that my friendliness on breaks at gigs, or even my acceptance of a drink bought for me, is sometimes misinterpreted by patrons as an entitlement that goes beyond what’s comfortable. A patron recently grabbed a handful of my hair and asked me “Is this all real?’” Aside from it being an overt example of racism to touch a black woman’s hair and ask personal questions about it, it’s also just wild to me that a stranger would feel the entitlement to put hands on anyone in that way. There’s definitely not as much of a built-in wall between performer and audience as in a theater setting. In some ways, I love that, but I’m definitely having to learn how to be my friendly self while still maintaining boundaries. The fact that I am prepared for my boundaries to be challenged feels directly related to my being a woman. What advice would you give today to someone who was in your situation when you graduated from high school and were ready to pursue a career in music performance? TG: If you want to pursue a career as a performer, you’ve got to be honest
with yourself. And if you think you’ve truly got what it takes, you’ve got to work hard and go for it all the way. I don’t advise a “back-up plan” because I think that just offers a fallback and compromises one’s drive. There are too many people who will want it more than you if you’re prepared to fallback on anything else. So instead, trust that there is always a way to make it work, as long as you don’t limit yourself by letting your ego dictate what success means. Success can be as simple as doing what you love, inspiring others, feeling happy, and getting that rent paid on time. Finish this sentence, please: “The best part about being back in Kansas City has been . . .” TG: Remembering why I love what I do.
WANT MORE TIMOTHY FINN? Check out his weekly online-only content at inkansascity.com. Every Wednesday the website publishes his list of Top 5 Notto-Miss Concerts in the metro. Every week you’ll find his revered, rollicking, reasoned reviews and commentary. Email Timothy Finn at tfinn@inkansascity.com
presents
D ec em b e r 9 | 7 :3 0 P M | Th e F o lly Th e a t e r
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Look
IN KC
Fashion
by
Rachel Murphy
The Devil in the Details
L
ike many little girls, Audrey Lockwood wanted to be a ballerina when she grew up. After growing up in the ballet studio, even the most ardent ballet fans sometimes find their focus wandering. Lockwood found an adjacent passion— fashion and entrepreneurship. Now her fashion line, Devil Doll, is strutting the runways, and Lockwood is creating and selling pieces that speak to the rebels among us. “I’ve loved fashion since I was a kid but never thought it would be a feasible career,” Lockwood says. “But while I was in ballet, I started selling handmade headbands and realized I really like entrepreneurship and fashion too.” After completing the fashion program at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, Lockwood returned home, where the 25-year-old is now the assistant technical designer and merchandiser for MTAR OCTOBER 2021 |
LLC. While her day job works on the supply side of fashion, Devil Doll allows her to flex her creative muscles. The line is bold—think sequins, graphic prints and checks, and a general bad-girl vibe that would look right at home on Cyndi Lauper or Lady Gaga. Lockwood says that she’s particularly inspired by filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson. Tarantino’s Kill Bill inspired her Black Mamba collection. She recently showed her Dolly Parton collection in September’s Kansas City Fashion Week. In the fashion world, Lockwood loves Alessandro Michele’s Gucci work, as well as Dior dating back to the 1950s. Gucci’s surrealism and Dior’s nostalgia both find their way into Lockwood’s work. While Lockwood sells her Devil Doll line on her website, devildollbyaudrey. com, she says everything is custom and handmade. Will we see Devil Doll on racks in Kansas City soon? We can only hope. 58 | INKANSASCITY.COM
photo on left by by nikki bulger. | photo on right by kelby reck
AUDREY LOCKWOOD BRINGS PUNK-ROCK FEMININITY TO FASHION
RACE FOR CHANGE 11.6.21 | 8pm
SAVE, Inc. cordially invites you to help take the lead and speed up the fight against homelessness in our community. Will you join SAVE, Inc.’s Pit Crew and help us continue to provide permanent, transitional, and emergency housing assistance to Kansas City’s most vulnerable? Rev up your engines and join us as we walk the streets of Miami Beach, sip on decadent cocktails, take photos with exotic cars and compete to win fantastic prizes! Can’t make it? Support SAVE, Inc. with a donation by visiting saveinckc.org/ homecoming. VACCINES ARE REQUIRED If you are requesting a vaccine exemption, please contact Blaine Proctor at bproctor@saveinckc.org or Torey Berndt at tberndt@saveinckc.org
TICKETS $100 General Admission Ticket — saveinckc.org/homecoming BECOME A SPONSOR Contact Torey Berndt at tberndt@saveinckc.org or (816) 531-8340 ext. 290. Location: Studio Dan Meiners | Attire: Luxury + Racing = Creative Black Tie
Look
IN KC Beauty
BY
Rachel Murphy
Bat Your Eyes LASHES AND MASCARA ARE FALL’S BEST ACCESSORY
D
id you pitch your mask back in May in a fit of pandemic-fueled glee? We understand. But here we are, back in masks and looking for ways to spice up our look. The answer—lashes. Lots of them. When your eyes are the focus of your face, frame them well with the newest and most over-the-top fringe possible. Try out a few of the most innovative mascaras on the market, or prep your Halloween look by finally figuring out how to get your false lashes on straight and for the long haul. Here are a few options that we have our eyes on.
GRAB YOUR WAND Sometimes, you just can’t deal with the false lash situation. Should you settle for wimpy, thin lashes? Absolutely not. Instead, grab a tube of Ilia Fullest Volumizing Mascara. Made with 100% clean ingredients, it coats lashes with color and builds volume without clumping, flaking, or smudging. Ilia Fullest Volumizing Mascara, $28. Available at Welwythn in Prairie Village.
MAGNETS, BITCH! We’ve all struggled with the tiny tube of lash adhesive only to end with crooked, half-sticky lashes that migrate across our eyelids within an hour. Just me? Well, if there are any other dexterity-challenged wannabe lash goddesses out there, Glamnetic Magnetic False Lashes will change your life. Instead of applying adhesive to the lashes, just swipe a line of the magnetic eyeliner (sold separately) on your lash line. Six tiny magnets in the lashes themselves then adhere to the liner, leaving you with fluttery lashes and no glue to be seen. And removal? So easy. Plus, they have a variety of styles for different eye looks. Oh, did we mention that each set is reusable up to 60 times? Glamnetic Magnetic False Lashes, $30 per pair, Glamnetic Soo Future! Magnetic Eyeliner Pen, $43. Available at Sephora.
MAKE LIKE MINK If you’re a wiz with lash adhesive, there are so many options. Velour Lashes Friends Whisp Benefits Luxe Faux Mink False Lashes are wispy and delicate with longer lashes at the outer corners to open the eyes for an innocent, flirty look. Plus, they are lightweight, hypo-allergenic, and can be reused up to 25 times per pair. Velour Lashes Friends Whisp Benefits Luxe Faux Mink False Lashes, $26. Available only at Ulta. OCTOBER 2021 |
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4110 MAIN ST. • WWW.TRAPPANDCOMPANY.COM • 816-931-6940
Look
IN KC
Wellness
BY
Rachel Murphy
Belly Brews KOMBUCHA BRINGS FIZZ
S
oda lovers rejoice! While you may be trying to cut sugar, you don’t have to forgo the fizz or resort to suggestive flavors with no payoff from seltzers. Kombucha has come to save the day! With origins in China, this fermented tea made its way to Eastern Europe by the 20th century. After WWII, Polish refugees brought the brew to the United States, according to kombucha brewer Byron Pendleton. The fizz generates as the bacteria host, or SCOBY, eats the sugars in a brewed tea to create light fermentation. Additional flavors, including juice or herbs, are often added, creating a tangy and often bracing beverage that can be drunk alone or used as a mixer. Despite the fermentation, kombucha typically has less than .5% alcohol by volume. Pendleton’s love of commercially produced kombucha led to a pandemic project brewing his own at his Hyde Park home. After his roommates caught on to the refreshing flavor and health benefits, they scaled up production, and Fizzi-bub Kombucha will be commercially available soon. So, what are those health benefits? Pendleton says that he started drinking it to settle his stomach while intermittent fasting. “It helped me get through my fasting periods, almost like a meal replacement,” he says. His anecdotal evidence isn’t far off—kombucha is full of probiotics that can possibly support gut health, although there hasn’t been sufficient research to confirm these claims. Fizzi-bub is just one local kombucha brand. Try out one of our favorites and get fizzy with it.
OCTOBER 2021 |
FIZZI-BUB Pendleton’s labor of love features three flagship flavors, but Kombeecha is his favorite, combining ginger and beets. He will also offer a blueberry lemonade and habanero mango pineapple. fizzibub.com
LUCKY ELIXIR Located in North Kansas City, Lucky Elixir offers unique flavors like Hibiscus Rooibos, Grape Limeade, and Hop’D Kombucha, which is flavored with Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops. Want a beer but don’t want the alcohol? Hop’d is for you. Visit the taproom in North Kansas City to try them all. brewkery.com TEA-BIOTICS This Olathe kombucha house starts with ultra-clean water to create a foundation of perfection for their brew. Want variety? Tea-biotics offers 54 different flavors, such as Beach Life, Cherry Lime, Coffee, and Elderberry Mango. Order a growler online at teabiotics.com, teabiotics.com or try them on tap at their taproom in Olathe. They can also be found in area grocery stores.
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Classic & Modern Designer Katy Sullivan loves combining classic pieces with unique and unexpected elements to add personality to a home. But above all, she enjoys the process of getting to know her clients, designing to their style, and creating a space that reflects their lives and personal aesthetic. Come explore your style with Katy at Madden McFarland.
Leawood, KS | maddenmcfarland.com
Living
IN KC by
Patricia O’Dell
Classic Black DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE THIS INKY HUE AT HOME
T
here’s no question that black in décor can be as classic as a Chanel bag, or as edgy as studded leather cuffs. You can take a page from the legion of designers of the 1970s and paint an entire room black or follow the advice of generations of designers who think any room can benefit from at least a dash of this inky hue.
COOKING WITH GAS
LET’S EAT IN
CHIC STRAIGHT UP
While the walls in this project by Lisa Schmitz here are white, the black table works like a little black dress, providing depth without becoming heavy. lisaschmitzinteriordesign.com
Whether you’re shaking a martini or drinking beer from the bottle, you’ll be doing it in style from a wet bar like the one designed by Sara Noble. saranobledesigns.com
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knapstein photo by matt koucerek. schmitz photo by mike sinclair. noble photo by laurie kilgore.
Kurt Knapstein leaned heavily on classic design for this kitchen featuring white subway tile. But the black cabinets elevate the room the same way a tuxedo gives every man a hint of Cary Grant. knapsteindesign.com
WATCH THIS SPACE MARK SUDERMANN is one of Kansas
City’s most versatile designers. Rather than imposing his aesthetic on clients, he listens closely and forms a plan to meet their specific needs. Not limited to his clients alone, his shop, SID & Co. at 45th Street and State Line Road is a great spot to pick up the perfect lamp, chair, rug, or unique accessory, including a limited custom line of tables. Sudermann recently revealed on Instagram @marksudermann that he is expanding. Be on the lookout as he makes way for more furniture, case goods and unique finds. sidandcompany.com
CELEBRATING OUR 60TH YEAR! 913.831.1415 | NSPJARCH.COM MAIN OFFICE 3515 W 75th St #201 Prairie Village, KS 66208
OCTOBER 2021 |
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NASHVILLE OFFICE 1229 Lakeview Drive Franklin, TN 37067
Living
IN KC BY
Patricia O’Dell
The Art of Shopping ANDY WARHOL
THE NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL
ONCE SAID,
Autumn is one of the bonuses of living in Kansas City. (We have to admit we don’t live here for the weather.) Make the most of cooler temperatures and fall foliage while sipping tea made in your ceramic poppy teapot with built-in strainer from the National WWI Museum and Memorial. kemperart.org
“WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, DEPARTMENT STORES ARE
Poppy ceramic teapot with strainer, $36.
KIND OF LIKE MUSEUMS.” CONVERSELY, SOME OF THE
Ceramic inro box on silk cord with movable lid by Momoko Usami, $350.
BEST FINDS ARE IN MUSEUM GIFT SHOPS, AND KANSAS CITY’S MUSEUMS ARE NO EXCEPTION.
Modern Art Cup, $16.95.
KEMPER MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART During the pandemic shutdown, I sent several friends pickme-ups from the museum shop at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. While the Kemper has a great inventory of books and jewelry, they also have a charming selection of work from local ceramists. Momoko Usami is a personal favorite, as her work often incorporates movement. Usami’s inro boxes slide open on cords and can be hung on a wall or stand on a table. The artist suggests using them as purses, which would surely make you the life of the party. kemperart.org
THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART Speaking of Warhol, you can find his likeness on the Modern Art Cup at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The handmade porcelain cup features 65 artists, so whether your favorite is Kahlo, Monet, or Pollock, you can have coffee with them in the morning, or they can stand
by to hold your pens all day. If you’re going out, the Jackson Pollock Number 32 Bag is a chic tote for groceries and other errands, but the bonus is the zip pocket carrying case, which will handily stash your makeup or—stash. shop.nelson-atkins.org
OCTOBER 2021 |
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Jackson Pollock bag, $14.99.
FORCE OF NATURE
MY CHILDREN have always been confused and bemused by my love of bones, shells, discarded nests, and feathers. “What is it with you and old dead things?” they ask. I can only explain it as a willingness to recognize and honor the time we have here and the beauty of creatures who have passed. Oracle Natural Science in the Crossroads is one of my favorite haunts. Owner and artist Alessandra Dzuba, who has degrees in printmaking and psychology, curates an inventory of beautifully preserved skulls and bones, taxidermy, insects and crystals, minerals, and fossils. Dzuba and her associates acquire their product from sources they trust, and most have died from natural causes, usually old age or illness. My partner and I are building a collection of framed butterflies. It’s a joy to see their iridescent colors so closely and be reminded of their symbolism of rebirth. oraclekc.com
OCTOBER 2021 |
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OCTOBER 2021 |
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words by
Cindy Hoedel
photo by
Paul Sparks
IN CONVERSATION WITH
Marshall Watson
I
t’s hard to imagine a more native son of Kansas City than New York-based interior designer John Marshall Watson (KC friends call him John). Born into an illustrious family whose roots were set down on the muddy banks of the river port town in its earliest days in the 1830s, Watson was the youngest of three high-achieving sons to whom much was provided and from whom much was expected. Oldest brother Ridge is a legend in California’s Carmel Valley for the wines he crafted for 35 years at Joullian Vineyards. Middle brother Tom is a professional golfer who won the US Open, the Masters (twice) and the British Open (five times). Marshall earned a design degree at Stanford University, studied set design at Brandeis University, and got a master’s in acting at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, an intense program where he was one of four out of 50 in the original class to be invited to join the company. When he moved to New York, he worked with Meg Ryan on As the World Turns during the show’s heyday in the early ’80s. After 12-hour days on the soap, he took graduate design classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology by night. Watson has designed homes for clients with names like Vanderbilt and Whitney. His interiors have graced the cover of Architectural Digest and all the top design magazines. He designs a top-selling line of furniture for Ferrell Mittman and authored a lavish 250-page book of some of his most jaw-dropping projects, The Art of Elegance: Classic Interiors (Rizzoli, 2017). Watson has a design studio in New York City, marshallwatsoninteriors. com, and lives in New York and East Hampton with his husband, Paul. In two lengthy phone calls from a train and from his home, Watson shared stories about his ancestors, his memories of growing up in Kansas City, and how his childhood here shaped him as a person and as a designer. You’ve lived in New York since 1986. What do you like about living there? You know, people come to New York to do. They don’t come here to live because it’s a pretty rough place. It’s a place that demands the best of you. You have the most amazing workrooms here. You have the most amazing skilled craftsmen here. I love the people that I meet here. But it always helps being a Midwesterner, because you’re that much friendlier, you’re that much more open, and that much more receptive to people. Whenever I go back to Kansas City, I say, “Oh boy, people really enjoy life here.” They may not be inwardly happy but they certainly seem like they’re happy. And in New York, people always seem unhappy on OCTOBER 2021 |
the outside but I think they are inwardly happy. [Laughs] How did growing up in Kansas City shape you? I think about that all the time. I always tell people I’m from Kansas City. I had a pretty exceptional childhood. I went to a wonderful school, Pem Day [now Pembroke Hill]. I had unbelievable teachers who really believed in me. My parents [Ray and Sarah Watson] were very socially engaged and very civic. We were a fairly close family. But mom and dad demanded many things of us. There’s a famous story about Tom that after he won the Master’s, my dad said, “Congratulations, son, but what happened on 16?” Wow. I was on the cover of House Beautiful and my mother said, “Well, that’s OK, but why aren’t you in Architectural Digest?” Eventually I was on the cover of Architectural Digest but mom had long since passed away. They were tough, but they were both very funny. They both had a great sense of humor. What did your dad do? He was an insurance salesman, but he was also a passionate musician. He became a pretty accomplished jazz pianist. My brothers and I all sang, we were sort of performers. If you talk to people of my generation that went to Barstow, Sunset [Hill]or Pem Day, you will hear this name: Mel Bishop. He was a music director. We did phenomenal Broadway shows every year. We had madrigals, we had cantatas, we had real Christmas extravaganzas at the Gallery [Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]. Ridge and I were also very involved in the choir at St. Andrew’s, Tom not as much. Mom and Dad didn’t really go to church much back then. They sent their boys off on Sunday morning and then enjoyed their eggs Benedict and their Ramos gin fizzes. [Laughs] My parents were also avid gardeners. My dad was a great rosarian. My mom was president of the Westport Garden Club, my aunt was president of the Westport Garden Club, and we all inherited a love and a passion and a competitiveness for gardening. Did you have other interests outside music as a kid? I was very interested in art, and not many kids were. My grandfather, [William Searcy] Ridge, was president of the Kansas City Museum in the historic Northeast neighborhood, the old Long mansion. He 69 | INKANSASCITY.COM
was very kind. Everyone in the family adored him. He and my grandmother bought a big stone house opposite the [Nelson] Gallery. It was a burned-out shell when they bought it, and they built three very beautiful apartments into that house. In fact, the famous director Robert Altman—I’m not sure if he ever lived there, but my grandparents rented his parents the apartment on the second floor, and that was the grandest of the apartments. How interesting. My grandmother had a great flair for decorating. They weren’t extraordinarily wealthy, so my grandmother would hire whoever was the newest, youngest designer in town, partially because they were cheap, and work with them. She had great style. She was the first person I knew that had black tortoiseshell wallpaper. I have such great memories of my grandfather taking us to the [Nelson] Gallery as kids. He would just let us run around. We had to be careful, but the museum was a place where we could explore and discover—it was never a hush-hush place. We would go on hot August days and just lay down in front of the big Buddha on that cool floor. I also loved to stand outside those period rooms and stare at them and think, “This is incredible.” I remember Grandmother would serve us dinner and Grandfather would have his bourbon. Then Grandmother would retire, and Grandfather would walk us around the museum around sunset. It was like our backyard playground. We would walk by The Thinker, and Grandad would say, “Well, what do you think he’s thinking?” To me as a kid, art wasn’t for rich people, it was for anybody. Kansas City influenced me a lot. My uncle Jack O’Hara (19212012) was a landscape painter. His wife, my aunt Marie Bell [Watson O’Hara], my father’s sister, is 95, and she’s an amazing classical pianist. On her 90th birthday, she played Claire de Lune and Scott Joplin for us. I was mesmerized by watching my uncle paint landscapes. And he and my aunt traveled back to the East Coast all the time and they would bring back these wonderful pictures of the ocean and of Martha’s Vineyard and of Nantucket and East Hampton and Maine and it made me want to be an artist. My grandmother was an easel painter. She made me go with her to cemeteries. [Laughs] We would always paint cemeteries. And she taught me other things. She took me to the Alexander Majors home on State Line.
‘‘
Kansas City has this great
cache of amazing residential architecture. . . . There’s no question that growing up around the Plaza and seeing great houses and great landscape design shaped me.”
That house has beautiful proportions. Exactly. Design is all about proportions. I was fortunate, my parents lived in a beautiful French-Norman style house on Dunford Circle, and it was well-proportioned. It was a brick house with a slate roof. Kansas City has this great cache of amazing residential architecture. Beautiful, beautiful neighborhoods, all the way from the Paseo to the OCTOBER 2021 |
neighborhoods around the Gallery, and the bungalows over on Wornall, and the Arts & Crafts houses, and what JC Nichols did with laying out Ward Parkway. There’s no question that growing up around the Plaza and seeing great houses and great landscape design shaped me. And then there’s the other side of my family. My grandmother Watson loved musicals. She took Ridge, Tom, and me to Starlight Theatre all the time. I’m a total arts nut to this day. I’m going to the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera this year, which is the hardest ticket in the world to get after it’s been shut down for a year and a half because of Covid. I don’t think there’s going to be a dry eye. So that was my upbringing in Kansas City. That is in my heart. That is in my soul. That is in my blood, in my DNA. You know, my family’s been there since the 1830s. That’s about as long as there’s been a Kansas City. Our great-great grandfather was the first medical doctor in Kansas City, Isaac M. Ridge. He treated native Indians when they had yellow fever at a time when other people considered them untouchables. The Indians called him Little Thunder. I don’t know if he was little in stature, but they called him that because he yelled at them all the time to do certain things in order to stay healthy. And then there is a lot of family history with the Civil War—both sides of the family were on both sides of the war. We also had doctors on both sides of the family. Some Jayhawkers almost killed Isaac Ridge, who was Southern, because he would treat wounded Union and Confederate soldiers alike. On my father’s side, Dr. Simeon Bishop Bell was a Northern sympathizer, but he also treated wounded soldiers from both sides. Once his house was raided and he was kidnapped at gunpoint by Confederate Bushwhackers and taken to treat their injured fighters. Later Dr. Bell gave the money to build the first [University of Kansas] hospital and medical college in Rosedale (a then-independent city in Kansas City, Kansas). A strong sense of egalitarianism came down through our family, despite political differences. [Laughs] Tom is very much a Republican and Ridge and I are very much Democrats, but that is neither here nor there. When you come home to Kansas City, do you have a checklist in your… Yes! I eat barbecue! I go to as many different places as I can until I am sick to my stomach. I try to have barbecue morning, noon, and night. I love to visit my friends, and I love to visit the Nelson Gallery. I love downtown. I like certain areas, like near Union Station. It’s kind of cool. And I have friends who live by the river. And I always take a ride around the suburbs. In the Hamptons, all the great estates are behind hedges. And I’m an unbearable snoop, so I always want to see the houses. In Kansas City, all this beautiful architecture is out in the open. I go to Powell Gardens; I think it’s an incredible gift to the city. Tom lives way out in the country in Stilwell, and there’s a beautiful arboretum out there that we always visit [Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden]. And I always like to see the rose garden at Loose Park. In your book, when you describe how you approached your different careers—set design, character acting, and ultimately interior design—there seems to be a common thread of making yourself invisible. Boy, I don’t think that is a direct quote, but that is a shockingly astute observation. ” 70 | INKANSASCITY.COM
Is a form of invisibility part of the Marshall Watson aesthetic or theory of design? Yes. It’s not about me. And that goes back to my Kansas City upbringing. When you come to Kansas City people ask you about yourself. That’s why you can know people a long time in Kansas City and not know what they do for a living—we are taught to ask questions, that it’s all about other people. I think my education at Stanford was one in which they wanted to make us the stars of the show. Insert California stereotype here, right? Yeah. They wanted you to go out there and change the world, and it would be all about you. Later, when I studied set design at Brandeis, it was all about research, research, research. You aren’t going to design a Neil Simon comedy like you design Henry IV. It’s not about your personal style, it’s about you being in service to the script. And when I got my masters in acting, they taught us that you really had to look at people, really observe them. I remember sitting on the street looking at people, how they walked, trying to find archetypes. And every single person had a quirk to their walk. There are so many things to capture if you really look. If you look with your soul. When I came to New York and was cast in As the World Turns, I was already interested in design. My apartments always looked great. So, I took design classes at night when I could when I could get out of the soap early.
photo by luke white
In your book, you write that after you’ve done all the research for a design project, you have to throw it all away and trust yourself. That sounds scary. You have to be confident that you’ve done enough and that you understand it. And you have to be able to get into the mind of the client, and that’s where acting helped so much. There is a house in Sweden in your book. What did you learn working in Sweden? That project was near and dear to my heart because I was raised by… I was very lucky because Mom and Dad had hired somebody as a housekeeper, but she became like my mother over the years, and she influenced me tremendously. And I loved her, loved her like a mother. We were very close my whole life until she passed away. Her name was Lilly and she was Swedish. I had always wanted to work in Sweden because there were elements of Lilly that were mysterious to me. I knew that she loved me very deeply but she could never express it physically. She could never hug me. She had a remoteness that I felt I could understand better if I went to Sweden, and I do feel I understand it now. The clients let me go to Sweden and travel all over to buy antiques. And I got to work with Swedish contractors. When you work with contractors in any country, you learn their strengths and weaknesses, so that’s fun to talk about. Mexicans make the most beautiful plaster walls you’ve ever seen. They can do stonework like you’ve never seen it. They can do tile roofs like you’ve never seen it. They do beautiful ironwork. But they don’t understand plumbing, and it will always leak. I was doing a job in Mexico simultaneously with the Sweden project, so then you go to Sweden, and if you want a tile bathroom, you have a selection of white or white or white. And they don’t hide the plumbing in Sweden because it will freeze. So it’s right there on the walls, and they OCTOBER 2021 |
Interior by Marshall Watson.
don’t use anything silly like iron or copper or anything attractive, it’s got to be clear vinyl or rubber hoses. And in terms of fixtures, if you want anything with a traditional aspect to it, forget it. It all has to be Swedish modern. And you can’t find a lamp in Sweden. They don’t believe in lamps. It’s all down lighting. It’s very practical. We are really spoiled in America. We do the best kitchens in the world and we do the best bathrooms. There is just no question. And yet, the Scandinavian love of the home is unmatched. The concept of “hyggeligt” is often translated as cozy, but it’s much deeper than that. It’s a whole feeling of warmth and well-being and belonging. In your book, you write that your role is interpreting your client’s fantasy of home. What is your fantasy of home? My fantasy of home stems from the things I believe in. I believe in light, peace, balance, proportion, comfort, livability, and harmony. Beauty is important to me. It needs to be beautiful. Air must move through the house. We live on a bluff next to the ocean and I want the ocean air to suffuse the house all the time. I want the scent of the ocean in the house. I want my gardens to feed my senses, so I have heliotrope, lilies, roses. I have lavender and night blooming jasmine. I love statuary that doesn’t sit on the garden but seems to grow out of it. I love balustrades that have the garden swamping over them. I want my house to inspire and envelop me. I think there’s a theatricality because of my background. We have a crystal candlelit chandelier—why do I have a candlelit chandelier? It’s because when we have our best friends over for dinner and we light those candles, they feel like they are special. After they go away, it means so much to me that I gave them a beautiful, unique experience. Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity. 71 | INKANSASCITY.COM
BEYOND THE PALE
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WORDS BY PHOTOS BY
Judith Fertig Aaron Leimkuehler
MOVE OVER, GINORMOUS ALLWHITE KITCHENS. KANSAS CITY KITCHEN DESIGNERS AND HAPPY HOMEOWNERS SHOW US HOW TO ACHIEVE HIGH-CONTRAST STYLE AND SMART FUNCTION—AND MAKE KITCHEN DREAMS COME TRUE
LIPSTICK RED, CREAMY WHITE, AND DARK WALNUT
T
he vintage shirtwaist house in Kansas City’s South Hyde Park neighborhood needed a kitchen refresh worlds away from its original dark wood and somber tones. Jamie Schwendinger-Schreck, a scientific project manager, and her husband, Carl, an informatician at the Center for Genomics Medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital, wanted something more youthful. “When we visited friends in Oakland, California, I was drawn to their mintgreen refrigerator,” she says. “I wanted one, but in another color. During graduate school, I used to shop the Le Creuset sale rack and I had a lot of red pots.” With help from Geri Higgins and Brian Burchfiel at Portfolio Kitchen & Home, the couple and their two children now have a kitchen of creamy white custom cabinetry, a Smeg refrigerator in lipstick red, and open shelving for display of all that Le Creuset. A playful wall of colorful Schumacher wallpaper keeps the vibe upbeat. Says Higgins, “We loved helping create this bright and happy kitchen.” “I love to cook,” says Schwendinger-Schreck, “and I’m happiest when I’m chopping.” The natural walnut counters add warmth and are forgiving of dings, spills, coffee rings, all evidence of a well-used space. “I like the thought of my kitchen reflecting my presence in it,” she says. portfolio-home.com
Far left: Rustic porcelain tile clads the walls from countertop to ceiling. The Bertazzoni gas range is topped by a sleek stainless-steel Futuro exhaust fan. This page, top: The Smeg refrigerator sets the color scheme. This page, bottom: One wall is papered in a bright Schumacher print.
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MATTE BLACK AND PICKLED CHERRY
‘‘W
hen we built our Shawnee house in 2003, we were just a couple,” says Alysia Heller, a pharmacist with OptumRx, now in an operations role. She and her husband, Matt, a structural engineer, tootled along just fine until their two children, now ages 12 and 14, joined the family. Year by year, the
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Above: There’s room for all the family and then some at the generous L-shaped island. Opposite, top: The range is backed by herringbone marble tile. Opposite, bottom: The statement black and gold Grohe faucet works as sculpture in the room.
design and functionality of the kitchen no longer suited their lifestyle, or their taste. And then, of course, the pandemic hit, and everyone was at home, all day, every day. For help, the Hellers turned to Karin Ross Designs in Lee’s Summit. “As soon as I walked in the kitchen, I knew what needed to change,” says Ross. “I saw a small, choppy island and a table you couldn’t walk around.” Now, a unique L-shaped island seats the entire family (and a friend or two). The kids can be doing their homework there while dinner is prepared.
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And the style! “These clients wanted cleaner lines and a mix of elements for a modern transitional style,” says Ross. Heller had seen a photo online that prompted the cabinetry in a pickled cherry finish paired with matte black finishes and pendant lighting from Wilson Lighting. The Grohe faucet pairs function with flair. “There is no clutter on the counters anymore,” beams Heller. “There is a space for everything. And that gives us such a sense of well-being.” karinrossdesigns.com
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CLASSIC NAVY AND NATURAL CHERRY
O
n the plus side, the vintage 1940s Brookside area home had location, location, location, and original hardwood floors. On the minus side, a series of little rooms for cooking and dining. Ashley Vollmar, a physical therapist, and her husband, Louis, a chemical engineer, wondered how they could create a contemporary space there for cooking and entertaining. Lisa Otterness, of Classic Kitchens Design Studio in Leawood, showed them the possibilities with a 3D presentation combining the butler’s pantry, breakfast room, and tiny original kitchen into one long space. Sold! Although the couple wanted an island, they soon realized that a pen-
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insula worked better. And navy was their go-to: “Blue was our wedding color,” says Ashley. Otterness told the couple, “We can do a catalyzed factory finish on Wood-Mode cabinetry.” The blue and gray veining in the solid surface counters and the textured subway tile backsplash pick up on the crisp, classic theme. The range hood in natural cherry echoes the hardwood flooring for a warm accent. Otterness used a “point of use” design matrix so that the kitchen fits how the couple wants to use it. Louis doesn’t have to reach in a cupboard to get herbs and spices for a signature dish; they’re right in the drawer by the five-burner gas range. “This kitchen remodel was transformative for the whole house,” says Otterness. “And we love it,” says Ashley. classickitchenskc.com
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Above: New oak floors perfectly match the original floors in the rest of the house. Far left: The warm hues of the custom hood pop against the navy blue cabinets. Left: A specially designed spice drawer located next to the range keeps everything tidy. Opposite: The crisp navy-andwhite color scheme is classic, but still fresh.
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words by
Kelsey Cipolla
EAT WHERE THE LOCALS
9 KANSAS CITIANS DIVULGE THEIR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTS
O
ne of the best things about Kansas City’s dining
and drinking scene? There’s always another desti-
nation to try, whether it’s the latest restaurant opening or that
dive bar to which you’ve never quite gotten around to paying a visit. We went straight to the people who know the city best
to get their picks for the places and dishes you shouldn’t miss.
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Carlos Mortera Owner of Poi-ō
Dagwood’s Café
When he’s not serving up Mexican barbecue at his restaurant Poi-ō, you may find the chef and owner, Carlos Mortera, enjoying some of the other great Mexican spots KCK has to offer: Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio—he always goes for tacos al pastor and asks them to add pineapple—and Tacos el Tio, where he favors the pig snout and carnitas tacos. For something sweet, Mortera heads to Splitlog Coffee Co. for what considers the best blueberry donut in town. “They sell out really fast. The guys there, they look at me and they just shake their heads when they don’t have the blueberry donuts,” he laughs, adding that a coconut latte with a little bit of chocolate and cinnamon completes his sweet experience. Another of his beloved breakfast spots? The delightfully oldschool Dagwood’s Café. “I’ve been going to breakfast there maybe twice a week,” he says. “I always get the same thing—the biscuit special, which is delicious.”
Amanda Bergmann Lifestyle Blogger
If you’re searching for a unique pizza, look no further than Caddy Shack in Columbus Park, says yoga instructor and lifestyle blogger Amanda Bergmann, who routinely shouts out her favorite local spots on her Instagram, @nomastayinkc. “The Sicilian-style thin-crust pizza with a slightly sweet sauce is my favorite in the city, and luckily they even offer takeand-bake pizzas if you, like me, become obsessed with it having it fresh out of the oven multiple times a week,” she says, noting her personal favorite is the supreme pie. Bergmann is also a big fan of Betty Rae’s, Happy Gillis and Brown & Loe. “They make great craft cocktails, and the food is always on point,” she says of the latter. “It’s perfect for a midweek happy hour or a weekend brunch. Don’t leave without a prosecco float!” We wouldn’t dare.
Max’s Burgers & Gyros
Keith Bradley
Co-owner of Made in KC
As one of the co-owners of Made in KC, Keith Bradley has lots of love for all things local—especially those close to home in Waldo. “Bier Station, to me, has one of the most welcoming atmospheres for a bar in the city and fits in just perfectly with the neighborhood,” Bradley says. He’s also an admirer of Max’s Burgers & Gyros. “I really love the uniqueness of the space,” Bradley says. “It’s very small with an outdoor patio space and reminds me of classic burgers across Southern California, where I grew up.” And for sweet treats, a Waldo favorite is dangerously close to home. “McClain’s is in walking distance of my house, and my wife loves the almond cheese pockets there—they are a go-to for birthdays for her and the kids.” Happy Gillis
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India Pernell and Arvelisha Woods
Jackie Nguyen
Owners of Mattie’s Foods
Owner of Cafe Cà Phê
India Pernell and Arvelisha Woods, the sisters behind vegan eatery Mattie’s Foods, love supporting other local plant-based establishments—like, seriously love it. “We definitely will drive through a tornado just to get a world-famous dog from Dead Beet Eats,” they shared. The hot-dog cart pops up around town, with past residencies at Paradise Garden Club and Casual Animal Brewing Co. (Follow @deadbeeteats on Instagram to see where the cart will be next.) Of course, you can’t have hot dogs without burgers. Enter Pirate’s Bone Burgers in the Crossroads, which the sisters say takes the dish to a whole new level— they’re partial to the beet burger, a delectable grilled beet patty topped with avocado spread, pickled cabbage, greens, and the house aioli. Pernell and Woods refuel with fresh watermelon juice from Gigi’s Vegan & Wellness Café, a beverage they describe as “popping fireworks” in your body—in a good way, of course.
Jackie Nguyen’s Cafe Cà Phê traveling cafe is a favorite for Kansas Citians thirsting for Vietnamese coffee, but where does Nguyen go when her own cravings strike? Vietnam Café in Columbus Park. “Being that I am not from Kansas City, I get really homesick for my mom’s cooking,” Nguyen explains. “This place has the closest feeling to home that I can get.” Her go-to order is the Pho Tai, pho with rare streak and a broth she describes simply as “perfect.” She’s similarly smitten with Bruu Café’s crème brûlée and frozen royal drinks with boba. “They truly know how to make a deliBruu Café cious boba drink, and I never leave disappointed,” Nguyen says of the Country Club Plaza spot. “I also love supporting an Asian-owned business in town. The owners have worked so hard on creating a cool boba place in KCMO.
Chixen
Jordan Fox
Owner of Foxtrot Studio
Dead Beet Eats
Rosedale is home to both lifestyle brand Foxtrot Studio’s retail space and the craftsman behind the goods, Jordan Fox. Naturally, he’s well-versed in the neighborhood’s culinary high points, which includes plenty of outstanding Mexican joints: Caporales along Merriam Lane is his go-to for chimichangas along with Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio for tacos. Meanwhile, El Pollo Rey is his favorite place in the city to take people for an unexpected experience. “El Pollo Rey puts emphasis on a few simple ideas and makes them great,” he says. As for what to try? “Order the half chicken. Done.” Fox also has a new favorite spot in the form of carry-out concept Chixen, where he opts for The Culture, a chicken patty topped with citrus slaw, swiss cheese, and jerk aioli. He recommends taking a walk across the street to Whitmore Park to enjoy your delicious chicken burger.
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Ted Liberda
Owner of Buck Tui BBQ
For more than 30 years, Ted Liberda of Waldo Thai Place and Buck Tui BBQ has frequented Shawnee’s Pine & Bamboo Garden, savoring favorites like the sizzling hot beef, roasted duck, and pan-fried dumplings. For American-style roast duck, Liberda crosses the state line and pays a visit to Brookside Poultry for what he calls the best version in the city, along with chef Charles D’Ablaing’s chicken-fried steak and fried green tomatoes. “And if Tyler Harp is doing any pop-ups with his brisket, we are there,” Liberda says of the mastermind behind Harp Barbecue. “I love going to these restaurants because I know the owners and the chefs,” he adds. “They are the best in the business and are making the best food. I like to know where the food is coming from, and who’s making it.”
Chewology
Jay Sanders
Owner of Drastic Measures
Jay Sanders’ cocktail bar, Drastic Measures, brings a refined cocktail experience to Shawnee. But outside of work, he turns to spots that are closer to home in Westport. “The quality of food and service that has been constantly output from Westport Cafe is no secret,” Sanders says. “But if you haven’t had their lamb bao on their menu, then you really need to prioritize a trip down there: ground lamb, tahini sauce, spices, shredded carrot, and serrano. It’s too good to pass up.” Sanders is also a big proponent of Chewology, which recently moved from the Lenexa Public Market to Bluestem’s former space. “I love their beef and kimchi dumplings,” he says. “I have found myself placing orders for three plates of them at a time while the owner Katie [Liu-Sung] politely indulges me. She’s the best: A super kind person and passionate about her craft and hospitality—her moving down into Westport is one of the things I’m looking forward to most for the upcoming year.” Brookside Poultry
Godfrey Riddle Founder of Civic Saint
Servaes Brewing Co. in Shawnee is a standout in more ways than one, says Godfrey Riddle, the founder of Civic Saint, a purposeful lifestyle company that donates a portion of proceeds to organizations that fight for racial and social equity. “Not only are these some of the most creative and delicious beers I’ve had in the city, Servaes has the unique distinction of being the only LGBTQ-owned brewery in Kansas City,” Riddle says. “As a member of the LGBTQ community, it’s always nice when I can support my fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.” His other favorites around town include The Mercury Room and Verdigris Bar for cocktails, Seven Swans Creperie for breakfast and coffee, and Hawaiian Bros., where he opts for the sweet and spicy Molokai chicken with extra macaroni salad. Riddle has also been frequenting the new Main Street spot from The Russell’s owners, Tailleur. “Mussels, steak and frites, or duck confit are pretty much impossible to pass up,” he says. “Plus, I can’t wait to try the salmon or Berkshire pork on my next visit.”
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Tailleur
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Lipstick-red curtains with a ruffled detail frame a painting of a blue dress by Cali Hobgood in Noble’s living room.
Room View A
with a
DESIGNER SARA NOBLE MOVES DOWNTOWN TO LIVE IT UP
WORDS BY PHOTOS BY
Patricia OʼDell Aaron Leimkuehler
L
ocal designer Sara Noble has always wanted to be a “big city girl.” As she neared her nest being empty, she decided to take the leap. “My son was a senior and when his classes went online [last year], it seemed like a perfect time to try out city living in my own city.” Noble had a short, but thoughtful list of her needs. Knowing she had the skills to make the space beautiful, her focus was on good light and enough space to hold her family, which includes her daughter, who was already in college at the time of the move. Good views and a neighborhood with a lot of energy were also on her list. She struck gold. But once she found her new urban dwelling, she had to decide what to bring with her. At the top of her list was her antique armoire. “I think you have to really plan for utilizing all storage when you downsize. I bought the armoire the first month I was out of college,” Noble says. “I
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Left: From the dining space, a magnificent view of downtown, including the Midland Theater loggia, defines city living. Below: Noble took the opportunity to turn a narrow hall to the bedrooms into a gallery wall. Opposite, top: The Slim Aarons photograph of casual boaters hews to the color palette. Opposite, bottom left: The walnut armoire was Noble’s first major furniture purchase. Opposite, bottom right: Sara Noble at her desk. Barbara Cosgrove lamp. The flowers are from Randy Neal Floral Design.
used layaway to make the purchase. The piece has moved around—it’s most recent stop was in my parents’ living room.” Noble reclaimed it to hold her printer, vases, purses, medicine, and anything else that doesn’t have an obvious home. “It’s kind of random what’s in there,” she says. “But it works well for the things I access frequently.” Noble kept a lot of her furniture from her previous house, but she made some bold choices for her new look. “I had red satin drapes made for the living room, as well as new Schumacher pillows,” she says. “The red drapes were going to be either really fantastic or terribly tacky. I’m happy with the outcome.” Making room for her children was a priority, even as they were moving closer to moving on. “The custom bunk beds were an important part of my planning,” Noble says. “I needed a space where the kids could be comfortable. They are with me less and less, but I want them to love the space, so they want to come home and visit.” The full-size bunks allowed each of her children to have a comfortable place to sleep and hang out. “It’s worked really well for us,” she says. Noble notes that she did not completely step off a ledge. She rented her previous home to someone she knew and was able to keep some of her things in the house. “I am currently moving the essentials to a storage unit. There are just some things I’m not ready to part with and I do think someday I’ll be in a house again.” Noble is enjoying city life. “I love my new urban environment,” she says. “I’m an extrovert and
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Noble tucked storage into every possible nook in the diminutive condo, including a tall, mirrored cabinet bedside in the principal bedroom.
get my energy from being around people. I love to grab dinner or drinks or both! Now I can walk out my front door and have endless options. Even my walks with the dog in the morning feel special. There is something fun about the quiet of downtown before the business of the day begins. Some days I can’t believe this is my neighborhood.” That said, Noble is not out and about all the time. “This is such a great place to entertain. My building has the most amazing observation deck with the best views of Kansas City. Also, I discovered Pairings, where I can grab delicious charcuterie boards, and it’s within walking distance. It’s easy to have a dramatic evening. Everyone is invited—come on down.”
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THE IT LIST Interior Design Noble Designs saranobledesigns.com Flowers Randy Neal Floral Design randynealfloral.com
In the guest room, the custom-designed bunk beds were constructed by Sergio Herrera.
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Life at theLake
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words by
Katy Schamberger
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO FAR FROM THE METRO TO SETTLE INTO LAKEFRONT LIVING. HERE ARE SOME THAT ARE WELL-KNOWN, AND SOME MAY BE NEW TO YOU
P
eople don’t often associate landlocked Kansas City with waterfront living. Yet the metro is home to an incredible variety of lakes, from sprawling recreation destinations to quiet, private waterside enclaves. Grab your sunglasses and your favorite beachy cocktail and take a trip to some of Kansas City’s favorite lakes, including firsthand accounts of the people who have made their homes along the water. Along the way, we hope you’re inspired to plan your own lakeside adventure—or even start your own journey to lakefront living.
Lakewood | Lee’s Summit, Mo. Aaron Potter, who moved to the 2,200-acre master-planned community of Lakewood with his family in 2016, says it feels like a charming small town, complete with a local watering hole, Lakewood Local; a private restaurant, The Argyle; and a thriving array of social groups, including those focused on bridge, tennis, bass fishing, Pilates, gardening, and more. When the Potters first moved to the community, they were on a golf homesite overlooking Lakewood Oaks Country Club. A couple of years later, Potter was preparing to list a lakefront home down the street, but when he toured it, he knew it was the perfect fit for his family. “There’s something about getting up and looking out your window to the glassy water surface, the trees, and blue skies,” he says. “It’s so serene and peaceful. I can see why people don’t move away from the water.” Not only has lake living brought an increased calm to Potter’s life;
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Sailing on Lake Jacomo.
he also celebrates some holidays differently. “I couldn’t have cared less about the Fourth of July growing up and now, it’s my favorite,” he says. “We can take the boat out or sit on our deck and watch fireworks over the water. Lake living changes the importance of certain dates—or at least how you approach them.” The approximately 365-acre lake includes a beach, pleasure docks, and two community pontoon boats that are available to rent in the summer months. Maintaining the beauty and vitality of Lakewood is so important that new residents can take a brief online training to understand more about threats to the lake, including zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species.
Lake Jacomo | Blue Springs, Mo. If you’re a fan of windsurfing and sailing, there’s likely not a better spot in the Kansas City area than the dazzling 970 acres of Lake Jacomo, part of Jackson County’s Fleming Park. Lake Jacomo follows limited-horsepower regulations, making the lake ideal for more leisurely water traffic: think sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, or a relaxing pontoon cruise. Rent equipment, stock up on snacks, and more at the Lake Jacomo marina. If you prefer fishing to boating, Lake Jacomo is stocked with crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, carp, walleye, and more. Explorers, adventurers, and history-lovers could make an entire weekend—or longer!—out of Lake Jacomo and the surrounding Fleming Park. Set up camp, or pack food and refreshments and kick back at
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one of the park’s picnic shelters. Other nearby attractions include Missouri Town 1855, a living history experience that gives you a glimpse of small-town life on the eve of the Civil War. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Kemper Outdoor Education Center, which includes rock and fossil exhibits, nature trails, butterfly and water gardens, a day campsite, and more. Start planning your Lake Jacomo outing at makeyourdayhere.com.
Lake Waukomis | Lake Waukomis, Mo. Michelle Derry, a Lake of the Ozarks native, is no stranger to lake living. Derry and her family previously lived at Weatherby Lake before relocating around 6½ miles away to the 90-acre Lake Waukomis, part of a city of the same name that’s home to 990 people. “A childhood friend lived at Lake Waukomis, and I loved the house next door,” she says. “I told my friend that I was interested in buying the home if the opportunity arose.” Over the course of several (!) years, Derry’s friend kept her updated on the house. The process took nearly seven years, but as they say, it was worth the wait. Derry says there’s something special about living on the water, and it’s something she can’t do without. “My husband and I love that our backyard is always moving,” she says. “It creates such a sense of calm and well-being, whether by observing the movement of the water or the stillness. I feel such a connection to nature that was such a big part of my childhood.” Lake Waukomis is a haven for nature lovers, especially early in the
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year. The treed surroundings are a popular spot for wintering eagles. (Fun fact: Missouri is among the leading states for wintering bald eagles with more than 150 active nests, according to Float Missouri). Pro tip? If you know someone who lives at Lake Waukomis, finagle an invitation for the city’s Fourth of July festivities, which span several days and include a fishing derby, pontoon races, live entertainment, a parade, and more.
Weaver and her husband love to entertain with Lake Winnebago as their backdrop. Residents can also host special events in Arrowhead Yacht Club, the on-site clubhouse that offers incredible lake views from both the dining room and the patio. “We weren’t looking for lake life, but it chose us,” Weaver says. “As entrepreneurs, we could live and work anywhere, and we’d still consider Lake Winnebago the best location in the Midwest.”
Lake Winnebago | Lake Winnebago, Mo.
Leawood Lake Assoc. | Leawood, Kan.
One of the larger lakes in the Kansas City area, the approximately 400acre Lake Winnebago is a popular destination for water-loving visitors and homeowners seeking the serenity of lake living. Courtney Weaver and her husband visited Lake Winnebago in early 2019 to tour a home that needed some extensive TLC. “We were told we needed ‘vision’ to truly appreciate the home,” Weaver says. Yet when they walked in, Weaver and her husband were captivated by the home’s waterfront location and its potential. “Living right on the water with the lake as our backyard and experiencing all that lake life has to offer made the extensive renovation worth it,” Weaver says. The Lake Winnebago community prioritizes recreation, socializing, and simply enjoying their surroundings. The lake is a haven for boaters, swimmers, and those who love to fish. Weaver and her husband have recently taken up wakeboarding and enjoy ending the day with a boat or kayak ride. In addition, Lake Winnebago’s sparkling waters are surrounded by heavily treed areas, a park, walking trails and, for equestrians, a stable.
Imagine this: You wake up as the morning sun is gently filtering through your window. You head to the kitchen to brew a fresh cup of coffee, then grab your mug and head outside. After a quick stroll across a 75-foot steel stringer bridge, you dip your toes in the chilly but refreshing water of Leawood Lake, feeling yourself relax as you sip your coffee. This is real life for Bill Quick, who lives with his family in Leaawood Lake Association, a lakeside enclave tucked away in old Leawood. The seven-acre lake may be the smallest on this list of local lakes, but it’s just as beautiful, relaxing, and interesting as the area’s largest lakes. “The Alexander Majors Historic Museum is a few blocks away at State Line Road and 83rd Street, and the story I’ve heard is that our natural spring-fed pond served as the livestock watering hole while people were getting outfitted at the Majors’ trading post to head west on the Santa Fe Trail,” Quick says. Quick, his family, and other residents enjoy a full range of favorite lake activities, including swimming, fishing, canoeing, or hanging out by a firepit on the beach. The treed surroundings are also a haven for all sorts of wildlife spotting, including foxes, beavers, coyotes, wild turkey, and cranes. When asked if he would prefer a home location directly on the continued on page
By the shore at Lakewood.
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In the living room, two paintings by Sara White flank a sculpture on the mantel. Brown refreshed the midcentury-modern swivel chairs with a bold print. Upholstery by Victor’s Home & Upholstery. Right: Will Brown.
Passion Project INTERIOR DESIGNER WILL BROWN CONSIDERS HIS EVER-EVOLVING HOME A DESIGN LABORATORY WORDS BY PHOTOS BY
Patricia OʼDell Aaron Leimkuehler
I
n the first chapter of Will Brown’s career, he worked in the corporate sector developing home gifts and decorative accessory collections for national retailers in conjunction with other designers, including Thomas O’Brien, Nate Berkus, and John Derian. This experience offered a broad perspective on design, as well as honing his ability to bring out the best in his clients. Brown has transitioned his career to
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interior design for residential clients and finds that his home, a brick duplex in Kansas City that resembles a stately private home from the street, has been a great inspiration and laboratory. The architectural detailing in this older house has helped him appreciate the craftsmanship of a well-made home.
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“I grew up in a military family, so I’m used to moving,” he says. “Even though I have a lot of things I treasure, I don’t feel bogged down by them. Living in Europe and Asia as a child has helped me appreciate different cultures and has influenced my personal style.” But before moving into the duplex, there was some work to do.
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Brown’s wide-ranging collecting interests are reflected in the books, dramatic photograph, and the sculptures displayed on the dining room console. Opposite: Classic midcentury Brno chairs surround the dining room table. Rug from The Rug Studio.
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Brown painted every wall. “There isn’t a lot of natural light, so I was intentional in finding the right colors,” he says. “It took a few tries in the living room before it felt right.” Once he had the backgrounds in place, he began to decorate. The neutral walls provided soothing backdrops for rooms rich in detail and storytelling. Brown is deft at layering, and his rooms encourage the visitor to lean closer to capture the nuance of a photograph or drawing, or take note of a book on design, photography, or fashion. In the living room, the gleam of the piano atop graphic black-andwhite hide rugs is a symphony of texture in harmonious black, white, and cream tones. The camel-colored mohair sofa and patterned swiv-
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el chairs invite lively conversation. The dining room echoes similar themes, where a Moroccan rug adds a global pattern, while Knoll Brno tubular chairs add a glint of sleek chrome for a midcentury statement. While the public rooms of his home feature pops of red, orange, and emerald, Brown’s bedroom is a soothing retreat. Shades of gray and pale blue are grounded by natural wood tones and black-and-white photography by Herb Ritts. Forgoing a television in the living room, Brown catches up on his favorite shows in the television room off the bedroom. The rich, charcoal velvet of the sofa and accents of red-patterned pillows and rug provides a cozy spot to end the day. If the house has good energy, it is no accident. Brown is a certified
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Shopping Locally With Will Brown DECORATORS ARE constantly on the lookout for fresh, inspiring ideas and products, and Will Brown is no different. Here are a few of his favorite stops for seasonal updates and client gifts.
JORJY I live close to Brookside and I love running into Jorjy for client “thank you” gifts or a personal pick-meup. The owner, Pam DiCapo, has such a great eye and sense of style. shopjorjy.com
Above: In the sunroom, a graphic print blanket and pillows add texture and pattern to the white sofa. Left: Succulents and orchids top a butcher block cart in the kitchen. Opposite: The sunroom doubles as Brown’s home office.
200 MAIN VINTAGE Tobe Reed has the best finds at great prices. I make a point of stopping by her site regularly. chairish.com/shop/200main
NELL HILL’S Nell Hill’s has the best seasonal changes. They do a great job with their visual merchandising and their product is such a great fresh take on traditional. It’s a great spot for me to keep my finger on the pulse of what clients want. nellhills.com
MAIN STREET SWANKY Rick and Scott have decades of experience as art and antiques dealers and theirs is one of the best curated showrooms in Kansas City with unique vintage era and antique finds. Their quality is consistently high, and they also host the best monthly Swanky Happy Hours, too! mainstreetswanky.com
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Above: Shots of red in the Schumacher-upholstered lumbar pillow and the flat-weave rug from The Rug Studio enliven the neutrals in the TV room. Left: Marble-clad walls define the dramatic black-and-white principal bath. Opposite: Subtle, calm hues of lavendar, gray, and ice blue compose the principal bedroom.
feng shui consultant. “I incorporate feng shui in projects organically,” he says. “I came to the practice personally because I was feeling a little trapped during the pandemic. I wanted to explore the idea of energy flow in design and if I could benefit from making some adjustments, I knew I could help my clients as well. Certain colors work well in feng shui. Purple can impart abundance and red visibility. There’s a great sense of satisfaction in passing this knowledge along to clients who appreciate this practice.” Brown has found that, personally and professionally, the duplex has become the best place to experiment with what he likes. “My home is constantly evolving,” he says. “I like to stick with neutral basics and layer colors on top of that. I’m just back from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and I was inspired by the handmade rugs with pattern, which I’ve now incorporated in the TV room. That is the kind of element that works for me.”
THE IT LIST Interior Design Will Brown Interiors willbrowninteriors.business.site
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Rugs The Rug Studio rugskc.com
LIFE AT THE LAKE continued from page 91
water, Quick says his home’s set-up is part of its charm. “It’s enough of a transition from home to the lake to make it feel special,” he says. “And I’ll say that living on the lake has been particularly therapeutic during the pandemic. I have a great view from my home office. It’s a wonderful neighborhood.”
Lake Quivira | Lake Quivira, Kan. This might seem hard to believe, but when Amy Funk discovered the midcentury-modern home of her dreams at Lake Quivira, it wasn’t the lake that captivated her. “I grew up in rural Nebraska and the feeling I got inside of Lake Quivira reminded me of home,” she says. “Honestly, the lake part was the bonus I wasn’t looking for.” While in the midst of a complete remodel of her home, Funk found herself unable to resist the siren song of true lake living and added a dock and paddle boards. “Friends parked their pontoon at my dock, too—instant lake life!” she says. Lake Quivira started as the vision of Charles Gault to create “a lake of the finest water in this part of Kansas,” according to a historic account from Lake Quivira Country Club. Beginning with a dam in 1929, the lake community slowly came to life throughout the early 1930s. Today, Lake Quivira is incorporated into Johnson County as a thirdclass city with nearly 400 households. And yes, Funk has now fully acclimated to lake life, recently enjoying her second sailing experience.
“We took part in a regatta, and I was on the crew of the small sailboat,” she says. “This wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the very nice sailors who invited me into their club. They were willing to teach me and settle for last place to encourage a fellow member to learn how to sail.” Funk says that kindness and generosity extend to all parts of life at Lake Quivira, including lending equipment like fishing poles to sharing golf carts. “It really is neighbors helping neighbors who happen to all live on a lake,” she says. And if you were wondering, Funk says lake-effect weather isn’t a myth; just another bonus of living at Lake Quivira. “When it’s hot and muggy outside it’s always nice and breezy on the lake,” she says.
Longview Lake | Kansas City, Mo. Needing a beach escape without a full-day car ride or air travel? The 930-acre Longview Lake beckons with a sandy beach that’s a popular destination for swimmers and sunbathers. The size of Longview Lake makes it ideal for a variety of water activities, including power boating, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, and fishing. You could easily spend a day (or more!) enjoying all that Longview Lake has to offer, but if you’re a history buff, save a little time to visit the historic Longview Mansion, located just to the east of Longview Lake (one of the city’s earliest and most beautiful examples of lake living).
Beautiful linen sectionals, chairs, sofas and much more have arrived and are available off the showroom floor.
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In a nutshell, Longview Mansion served as the country estate of R.A. Long, a lumber baron and philanthropist. Fun fact: Long’s primary residence was Corinthian Hall, better known these days as the newly renovated Kansas City Museum. Over an 18-month period, 1,780 acres of farmland were transformed by a crew of more than 2,000 workers into “the world’s most beautiful farm.” In addition to the stately mansion, Longview Farm housed 51 buildings, including a horse racing track that could seat 1,000 people, a community newspaper, and a hotel for men. In essence, Longview Farm was its own self-sustaining city. Today, the spirit of the farm continues to live at Longview Lake thanks to Longview Horse Park, a picturesque venue that hosts horse shows throughout the year. Another way to enjoy Longview Lake’s incredible surroundings? Play a round at Fred Arbanas Golf Course, a challenging course that draws golfers from near and far.
Lake Lotawana | Lake Lotawana, Mo. File this away for your next round of Kansas City trivia: Lake Lotawana is the largest private lake in the Kansas City metro at 480 acres. Like Lakewood, Waukomis, and Weatherby, Lake Lotawana is the
Sunset at Lake Lotawana.
centerpiece of its namesake city, a small town nestled in close proximity to Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and Kansas City. According to information provided by the City of Lake Lotawana, “no other lake can claim this variety of diverse options for all to enjoy.” Stop by the lake on any given day and you’ll likely see sailboats, speed boats, pontoons, kayaks, water-skiing, tubing, swimming, and fishing. And when the temperatures plunge, Lake Lotawana welcomes ice boaters who “sail” the ice-covered water on modified boats. Much of the lake’s 27 miles of shoreline boasts beautiful lakefront
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LIFE AT THE LAKE CONTINUED
homes occupied by both full- and part-time residents who have developed a close-knit community around the water. Several times a year, residents pitch in for seasonal lake clean-ups to keep the city beautiful and a welcoming natural habitat.
Raintree Lake | Lee’s Summit, Mo. Living on a lake in the Midwest means there are at least a few months out of the year when you’re not going to want to be in or near the water. That’s one of the reasons why life at privately owned Raintree Lake is so appealing—year-round recreation. When the temperatures plunge, bundle up and head to the community’s sledding hill for some snowy fun (just don’t forget to have some hot chocolate waiting for you at home!) Then, as the snow melts and temperatures climb, Raintree Lake becomes a bustling hub of recreation, hosting favorite water activities like high-speed boating (and water-skiing) and fishing. The lake is especially popular with swimmers, thanks to no-wake areas along the shoreline and nine protected swim docks. There’s an Olympic-sized swimming pool in the community, too. Kansas City-area lakes come in a range of sizes, but they all share a focus on immersive recreation on both land and water—and Raintree Lake is no exception. In addition to the lake, the community also offers nearly eight miles of walking trails, another popular destination for residents year-round. The size and versatility of Raintree Lake has made it a popular location for residential construction, including The Fountains at Raintree, a
55-and-up community. Thanks in large part to the array of homes (over 2,000!) at Raintree Lake, residents have an especially varied network of social activities, including regular canasta games, a garden club that recently completed a fall mums fundraising sale, and gatherings for most major holidays. You can be as busy or as leisurely as you like at Raintree Lake—whatever floats your boat. (We couldn’t resist!)
Blue Springs Lake | Blue Springs, Mo. If you love fishing—especially the competitive sort—add Blue Springs Lake to your “must visit” list. See how you measure up with the “big catch of the day.” Hybrid striped bass, bluegill, largemouth bass, carp, and catfish all call Blue Springs Lake home, and there’s a handy on-site fish-cleaning station so you can prep your catch before you depart. The lake, part of Jackson County’s Fleming Park and a stone’s throw north of Lake Jacomo, is also a hot spot for weekday windsurfing. Kick back on one of Jackson County’s favorite swimming beaches or gather a group for a rousing round of sand volleyball. According to lakelubbers.com, an online resource for lake recreation and rentals, the overall Fleming Park area draws over 1.3 million visitors annually. If you love the water but don’t yet have your own lakefront home, keep the Blue Springs Lake marina in mind for annual boat slip rental to easily store your watercraft for the season until you make your lake living dreams come true.
Weatherby Lake | Weatherby Lake, Mo. Before Weatherby Lake became a body of water and, later, a city in
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Platte County, residents in the mid-1830s made the land their own, planting orchards and farming apples, peaches, cherries, corn, and tobacco. Fast forward nearly 100 years and two developers began buying up land from descendants of these original settlers. In the mid-1930s, the team constructed a dam that created the now 274-acre Weatherby Lake. Ursula Terrasi and her husband, Jim Miller, have lived on Weatherby Lake for 18 years. Before they married, they were house-hunting and Jim came across available land at Weatherby Lake. “When I saw the property, I told him, ‘This is it—this is you,’” she says. “It’s a sanctuary just miles from downtown. Buy it now; don’t blow it!” Terrasi owns Terrasi Living & Scandia Home on the Country Club Plaza and says it’s still a highlight to come home to the water each day. “Driving in at the end of the day with a glimpse of the lake, then rushing to share a meal outdoors with birds and wildlife galore—it’s definitely our little golden pond,” she says. Privately owned Weatherby Lake is home to around 2,000 residents and, according to the City of Weatherby Lake, is “one of the cleanest
Lake Winnebago
lakes in the state.” Weatherby Lake accommodates a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, boating, and fishing. “I love fresh fish and alfresco dining,” Terrasi says. “Over the years, I’ve taken many photos of Jim on the dock at dawn working on catching our dinner, then I come home to a great fresh fish feast.”
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Flavor
IN KC
In the Kitchen AUTUMN FLAVORS BY
Cody Hogan PHOTOS BY Aaron Leimkuehler
O
ctober can be a stunning month in Kansas City. I always think of Joanne Baker, my piano teacher at the UMKC Conservatory, who first brought to my attention the brilliant blue of the sky here in October. It is especially lovely, and a bit of a consolation as summer fades away. Equally alluring, even as the sunny and vibrant flavors of summer lose their brilliance, is the culinary complexity of autumn that comes into play. Bitter and earthy, sweet and tangy, crunchy and silken. I love composing dishes with these flavors and textures. Pumpkins and squash are fully ripened now, and cooler temperatures have sweetened the bitterness of many greens like radicchio and kale. Apples and pears are at their peak of flavor, and sturdy grains and hints of smoke are more enticing. I like to combine these ingredients in myriad dishes, and the following salad allows each ingredient to sing alone but harmonize with the others at the same time. It will make a lovely appetizer for four but can easily be made into a full meal by increasing the proportions or adding a protein like grilled or roasted chicken, sausages, or a slab of tofu. Salad of Roasted Squash, Radicchio, and Apple In my kitchen, this is a salad usually born out of leftover roasted pumpkin or winter squash like butternut or acorn, or even sweet potatoes, all of which have that sweet starchy quality that pairs so well with vinegar (think French fries dipped in ketchup). If you don’t have roasted leftovers, begin by cutting and peeling squash or sweet potato into large bite-sized chunks. Toss them with oil, salt, and pepper and roast on a parchment-lined pan at 400F until the vegetable is tender but firm and lightly browned on the edges. A similar result can be achieved in a non-stick skillet on the stovetop if you pay attention, but at this time of year, I love the smell and feel of using the oven—it takes the chill off the house without having to turn on the heat. While the squash cooks, assemble the other ingredients. Put a handful of golden raisins in a wide bowl and drizzle over some apple cider vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Heat a grill pan (or grill if it is convenient) to high heat. Take a bunch of green onions, wash them, OCTOBER 2021 |
shake dry and then lightly coat with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt. Place them crossways on the hot grill and leave them undisturbed until they have very distinct charred grill marks, then turn and do the same on the second side. Don’t worry about them tasting burned—the charred bits don’t taste bitter but have a savory, almost meaty, quality that will enhance the entire salad. Remove them from the grill and allow them to cool briefly. Meanwhile, slice a crisp, flavorful apple into bitesized bits (I prefer cutting apples into large matchstick pieces) and add it to the bowl. A large handful of black-eyed peas or cooked grain like barley, lentils, or freekeh goes in next. Toss the ingredients to coat them in the vinaigrette and allow the flavors to meld and prevent oxidation of the apple. In a skillet (or on the grill pan if you are careful), slowly crisp up a few slices of prosciutto or speck (smoked prosciutto). Bacon slices could be used as well, or the meat component completely omitted. When crisp, remove to a paper towel to cool. The squash should be cooked and cooled by now, so add it to the bowl, season with salt and pepper, and toss everything again to dress. Take a head of radicchio or several torpedoes of Belgian endive (or other mildly bitter green) and separate into individual leaves, removing the core as necessary. Tear any excessively large leaves into manageable-sized pieces. Place the leaves on top of the other ingredients, season with a little vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper, and toss just the salad leaves to get them coated and glossy. For the best presentation of this colorful dish, arrange the dressed radicchio on a platter, then gently distribute the other ingredients over the leaves. Crumble the prosciutto over the salad, then scatter a tangy cheese like fresh goat cheese or feta (see In the Pantry for mind-expanding cheese suggestions) and some toasted pumpkin seeds (or other nuts if that is all you have). The salad is delicious as is, but for a beautiful and exceedingly tasty finish, drizzle with pumpkin seed oil and piquant pomegranate molasses or aged balsamic vinegar. With its variety of tastes and textures, every bite of this salad will entice you to embrace the new season, put on a comfy sweater, and maybe even inspire you to rake a few leaves. Just don’t forget to look up and enjoy the beautiful blue while it lasts.
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In Your Pantry BRINED CHEESES YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR with feta cheese, especially the classic Greek version made from sheep’s milk that is intensely tangy, salty, and crumbly—frequently vacuum packaged and pre-crumbled. But did you know there are different types of feta from different regions and made from different types of milk and stored in brine? Brining cheese—storing it in salty, slightly acidic water like fermented pickles—evolved as a way to preserve cheese in the warmer regions around the Mediterranean and Middle East where high temperatures caused spoilage. When buying feta, always buy feta in brine—that is, in a container (usually plastic) of salty liquid. The cheese will have a longer life span, a more intense flavor, creamier texture, and the brine can be used for other things like marinating chicken and flavoring soups. Plus, brined cheeses are low in fat and a rich source of probiotics. Look for these and other versions at Middle Eastern food stores, specialty cheese shops, and high-end grocers.
French Sheep Milk Cheese The French style of feta tends to be mild and creamy, although some versions, like this one from Valbreso, tends to be more crumbly. These are nice when you need the tang but don’t want it to overpower a dish. Try puréeing with a bit of the brine or olive oil to make a velvety spread or dip to garnish with fresh herbs.
Beyaz Peynir LIterally “white cheese” in English, Beyaz Peynir is the most popular cheese in Turkey. It is creamy and luxurious, and quite spreadable, although it doesn’t appear that way coming out of the brine. The Sütdiyari is 100% cow’s milk and delicious smeared on toast all by itself, but a drizzle of olive oil or honey will take it to a whole new level. Pairs well with eggs, and it’s perfect for breakfast and meze platters. www.classickitchenskc.com www.classickitchenskc.com
now featuring now featuring
Bulgarian Feta If you’re looking for a salty accent to add to a dish, Bulgarian feta is www.classickitchenskc.com the saltiest. Sharp yet elegant, this one from Aris is firm enough to slice. It is usually made from cow’s milk but may contain sheep and goat milk in varying amounts. It pairs well with sweet tomatoes and other fruit flavors, but can hold its own against olives, raw garlic, and onions.
OCTOBER 2021 |
now featuring
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Flavor
IN KC
In Your Cocktail HAND IN GLOVE by
Kelsey Cipolla
The Long Kiss Goodnight
A
stylish slice of Lee’s Summit’s Strother District is home to one of the metro’s chicest coffee shops and bars. Hand in Glove may be the sister concept to speakeasy The W, which is just upstairs, but the hybrid concept has a personality all its own—simultaneously hip and warm with some of the best coffee and cocktails around, often served in the same drink. Cocktails are available all day, including in a lineup of liqueur lattes: OCTOBER 2021 |
There’s the bourbon burnt sugar, Irish salted caramel, and Canadian maple leaf, just to name a few. Guests can also enjoy a seasonal liquor chai or add a shot to another espresso drink of choice—the bartending baristas don’t judge, no matter the time of day. Of course, not every morning beverage needs a boozy kick, and Hand in Glove offers plenty of workday friendly options too. Your basic drip coffee, americano, and espresso drinks are available along with hot and iced lattes. A boost of amaretto or cinnamon flavor ensures
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they still feel indulgent, minus the alcohol content, and a selection of croissants and donuts tempt from the counter, if you need a little sustenance. Hand in Glove isn’t exactly a coffee shop where you settle in with a laptop or book and nurse a drink throughout the morning— although it’s plenty welcoming, there’s not a ton of seating. Cherry red and brass stools line the white marble bar that dominates most of the narrow space, with a few tables and a recessed leather booth, known as the snug, tucked away in one corner. Rows of bottles reach behind the bar to the ceiling and glamorous geometric light fixtures hang overhead. Those touches help the space transition from feeling like a café to a cool lounge as day turns into night and the focus shifts more toward java-free drinks. The cocktail menu is relatively concise, with takes on classics like the old fashioned and the jungle bird, made here with burnt-sugar gomme syrup. The espresso martini draws on Hand in Glove’s coffee program with cold brew and coffee liqueur, while the smoked vanilla gives drinkers a taste of what they’ll find upstairs at The W—it’s one of the bar’s signature drinks. “For Hand in Glove, I wanted cocktails that could be taken as easily to go as our caffeinated beverages, and we are blessed in being able to produce high quality cocktails on tap,” says the bar manager, Brock Schulte. Hand in Glove also switches things up seasonally, offering creative cocktails with a sense of humor as well as more timely specials (guests who visited during the height of the #FreeBritney movement may have spotted the Unusual Conservatorship making an appearance). “One of our bestselling items is affectionately from our Summer Father Figures menu, which picks great '80s and '90s movies that everyone should see at least once,” Schulte says. The Long Kiss Goodnight takes its name from the 1996 film in which Geena Davis plays (25-year-old spoiler alert) a former spy suffering from amnesia who starts to remember her past. Schulte’s interpretation features citrus, sweetness, and a little bit of spice—and pairs perfectly with a throwback Netflix movie night.
A spectacular, contemporary venue with transformable reception spaces and a magnificent courtyard. 1900bldg.com (913) 730–1905
facebook.com/thefreebar
The Long Kiss Goodnight 1.5 .75 .5 3
ounces Control C Pisco ounce Cinnamon-Osmanthus Cordial ounce Citrus Oleo-Saccharum ounce clarified sparkling granny smith apple juice
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
Shake first three ingredients in a tin with ice and double strain over a Collins cube in a Collins glass. Top with sparkling juice.
OCTOBER 2021 |
1900 Building 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway Mission Woods, Kansas
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Flavor BY
IN KC
Kelsey Cipolla
ELECTRIC PARK GARDEN BAR THE LATEST ADDITION to J. Rieger & Co.’s East
In Culinary News
Bottoms campus is electric—the Electric Park Garden Bar, to be precise. Named for the amusement park that once called the neighborhood home (and was rumored to have inspired a young Walt Disney), the 11,000-square-foot bar will include two spaces. An atrium will stay open year-round as an extension of the distillery’s tasting room with large glass windows allowing it to be fully enclosed or open air, depending on the weather. And April through November, guests can enjoy a patio bar featuring its own unique cocktail menu with plenty of nostalgic theme park and soda parlor references (boozy snow cone, anyone?) plus a food trailer serving approachable offerings from J. Rieger & Co.’s executive chef, Jordan Hayes. jriegerco.com
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OCTOBER 2021 |
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October 9 KARRIN ALLYSON December 10 DAVID BENOIT A Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown January 15 JEFF LORBER TRIO February 12 ANAT COHEN QUARTETINHO March 12 PAQUITO D’RIVERA QUINTET April 16 ELIANE ELIAS
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MADE IN KANSAS CITY
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IN FASHION IN HOME DESIGN
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DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT PATIOS PET-FRIENDLY AND PRETTY COUNTRY AND CITY HOMES
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KC’s Top Caterers A STUNNING PRAIRIE VILLAGE MAKEOVER
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Entertaining for Introverts, Summer Fashion & so much more!
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KC-CENTRIC PODCASTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
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Revisiting the Downtown Ballpark
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THE QUEER EYE “HEROES”
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
BOTTOMS UP The New Volume in Trousers This Fall
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IN KC
Kelsey Cipolla
BABA’S PANTRY WHEN YAHIA KAMAL first emigrated to the U.S. from
In Culinary News
Palestine in the 1980s, food was his connection to home. Now, he’s sharing that connection with all of Kansas City through Baba’s Pantry, the colorful deli and market Kamal opened with his family this summer. “I love food and I love to feed people,” Kamal says. “I’m so happy when I see people like the food.” Kansas Citians may be most familiar with the hummus Kamal has made and sold over the last 20 years, and you can still grab it from the market, along with dips and condiments, spices, and pickled veggies. But there’s much more to love: falafel stuffed with onions and sumac, chicken shawarma and beef kebab, plus baked treats like hilbeh, an ideal complement to a cup of the shop’s rich Turkish coffee. facebook.com/ babaspantrykc
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IN KC
Kelsey Cipolla
VINE STREET BREWING CO. VINE STREET BREWING CO. will become Kansas
In Culinary News
City’s first Black-owned brewery when it opens early next year. The man behind the milestone? Musician Kemet Coleman, who attempted to get a brewery off the ground several times before partnering with homebrewers Woodie Bonds and Elliot Ivory on Vine Street Brewing. The trio will launch their concept in the 2000 Vine Street Project being developed just outside of the 18th and Vine Jazz District. “We are in sacred, holy, royal ground as far as Kansas City is concerned,” Coleman says. “We’re ear-to-ear smiling with the opportunity and hope that we can live up to some of this hype.” Expect an emphasis on the diversity of ingredients rather than a specific style when the brewery opens, plus an inclusive atmosphere designed for the neighborhood and beyond. vinestbrewing.com
LOOKING AHEAD IN KC
Coming in December our
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OCTOBER 2021 |
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Reservation for One SOCIETY by
Kelsey Cipolla
photos by
M
any Crossroads spots aim to embrace the neighborhood’s artistic spirit, but few take it as seriously as Society. The recently opened restaurant and bar turns virtually every inch into a visual experience from the moment you walk in the doorway through a white-walled entryway with “Society Kansas City” graffitied on the walls. It’s a helpful reminder that, yes, you are still in Kansas City deOCTOBER 2021 |
Aaron Leimkuehler
spite the over-the-top nature of the restaurant, which also includes the luxurious, dimly lit Scarlett Room, a separate event space. In the main dining room, a series of screens showcase projected art pieces: slowly swirling colors, cresting waves, and abstract shapes in a constant state of flux. Countless other paintings adorn the walls, including a striking mixed-medium piece with swaths of vibrant color and a weaving tendril of golden light. On the opposite side of the dining room, guests gather under the watchful gaze of a mural, a stone’s throw from a pole 114 | INKANSASCITY.COM
affixed with delicate branches to resemble a tree. Society’s focal point is the large bar at the heart of the space. A multicolored epoxy resin bar top is illuminated by a rainbow-colored array of glass orbs hung to look like they’re sweeping through the air, an effect that is every bit as dazzling as you’d expect. But for all the creativity bursting from Society’s design, the menu is straightforward. Looking at the selection of sandwiches and main courses—like an herb-crusted rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies; pan-seared scallops with Parmesan asparagus risotto; and several cuts of steak—you could be at almost any upscale restaurant in town. Biting into the burger, topped with cheddar, sweet onion marmalade, bone-marrow butter, and onion straws, the sweetness of the onion jam overwelms, although the accompanying truffle fries are superb. The coffee-rubbed ribeye is deftly prepared, cooked to a nice medium-rare. The steak is well-seasoned and served with a tasty side of fingerling potatoes. The weekend brunch menu resides in similar territory with a selection of omelets, French toast variations, and eggs benedict. Society is at its best when it gets a little weird, moving away from traditional fare into food that matches the atmosphere’s sense of fun. Consider the sushi menu: Although there are a few relatively standard rolls, there’s also a take on buffalo wings prepared with tempura chicken, blue cheese, and buffalo mayo, celery, and scallions. The Crossroads roll features tempura shrimp, cream cheese, and jicama encased in sushi rice and topped with beef carpaccio and crispy capers. Plated with a generous helping of eel sauce and spicy mayo, it eats pretty much like sushi, if you mixed it with a charcuterie board. And that surprisingly feels like a good thing—Society sets a visual expectation for surprise and stimulation that the dish delivers on. There’s also plenty of excitement to be had among the appetizers: The tater tots boast a molten ghost-pepper cheese center and look and taste more like arancini than the typically frozen potato treats. They’re served with a sharp honey mustard to tone down the formidable spice. Fried calamari, banana peppers, and jalapeños with a lemon aioli also turn up the heat, and either dish feels like a fitting complement to the cool lineup of cocktails, which includes the Jupiter is Rising. Despite its laundry list of potentially overwhelming ingredients—grilled pineapple-infused Aperol, lemon, peach, and lavender among them—the drink is remarkably subtle and light, with a pretty coral hue and floating magenta flower petal that makes it fit right in with Society aesthetically. The Tea J. Pendergast demonstrates a similar combination of restraint and originality, pairing bourbon, vermouth, and lemon with Benedictine and chai for a cocktail with interesting depth. Society would do well to take cues from the cocktails and lean into their spirit of originality. As the patrons eagerly drinking in the art and atmosphere prove, there’s a hunger for a local concept with creativity and imagination—Society just needs to dream a little bigger. societykc.com OCTOBER 2021 |
beautiful heart
An Uncommon Shop
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Faces
IN KC
The American Royal World Series of Barbecue
IT DOESN’T get any bigger than the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, which is also the American Royal’s largest fundraiser. Live music, delicious barbecue, and lots of fun for both adults and kiddos. Funds raised go to the Royal’s mission of supporting youth and education in agriculture. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events-photos. photos by brian rice
OCTOBER 2021
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VIEW TOP PROPERTIES IN KANSAS CITY In Partnership with Better Homes and Gardens
We are working with some of Kansas City’s real estate agents to keep you in the know on some of the most exciting houses on the market.
MLS #2327173
Check it out at inkansascity.com/home-design/real-estate
OCTOBER 2021
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Faces
IN KC
The Derby Party 2021: A Grand Reopening Celebration THE ATTIRE said it all: Bohemian goddess to Gatsby glam. And the guests definitely brought it. It was a sold-out event to celebrate the reopening of the Kansas City Museum. Attendees were allowed a sneak peek of the newly restored and renovated Corinthian Hall. There was great music, food and drink, and all funds raised support the museum’s programs and exhibitions. For more photos go to inkansascity.com/events-photos. photos by picwood
OCTOBER 2021
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The power of touch Would you consider a gift to the Power of Touch giving campaign? Your kind and compassionate gifts directly help individuals and families facing life-limiting illness and grief right here in Kansas City. “I hope and pray that every family who desires it will have access to the comfort, guidance and hope that we found.” - A Grateful Family
In order to ensure our community has access to care through Kansas City Hospice, this grateful family will match your gift dollar for dollar up to $35,000.
Visit KCHospice.org/PowerOfTouch to make your donation today.
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My Essentials
IN KC
FANNIE GIBSON IMMIGRANT. ENTREPRENEUR. CHEF BY
Michael Mackie
B PHOTO BY CORIE ENGLISH
efore Fannie Gibson opened her eponymous restaurant, Fannie’s West African Cuisine, she started her business from her kitchen. “I was cooking from home and posting on social media to build my audience,” she says. Her food was a hit and she officially opened Fannie’s in April of 2018. The Liberia, West Africa, native arrived in the metro in the midst of her country’s civil war. She brought her culinary skills and love of spices along with her. Now she serves up authentic, traditional fare made from scratch with fresh, organic, and natural ingredients. Her tasty, homemade West African dishes are flavorful—with some known to pack a wallop. When we asked how spicy she can make her food, she joked, “On a scale from one to ten, I can make it a ten. We call it ‘African spice,’ which means it can be very, very hot. Even mild can be spicy. I can make it as hot as the customer wants.” To say she’s a fan of living here would be an understatement. “I love, love, Kansas City. I love the fact that it’s affordable to live and start a business,” she says. “And the community support is amazing. No small business is left behind. I am living my dream. Anywhere else, I probably wouldn’t be in the position I am in now—and for that, I am beyond grateful.”
Fannie’s essentials...
OUT AND ABOUT:
MANDATORY INGREDIENT(S):
I use cassava, plantains, or yams to make fufu—a traditional side dish. Also, melon seeds for my egusi soup. I get the ingredients from Universal Tropical Market in Gladstone.
I’m single, so I don’t do many date nights, but I do love Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen.. I’m a fan of white wine, mainly chardonnay. Such amazing service and a great atmosphere.
ART APPRECIATION:
The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is great—and free.. You can’t beat that. It’s a must-visit when in KC. RAISE A GLASS: My favorite
GUILTY PLEASURE: CHILL OUT(DOORS): I head
to Penguin Park with my kids. Sometimes they have comedy shows, improv shows, and gospel concerts. It’s the best.
Chocolates from André’s Confiserie Suisse—specifically their dark chocolate and almond bars. That’s always been my favorite. OCTOBER 2021
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cocktails are at Green Lady Lounge. I love being inside Lounge with the beautiful, dim lights, jazz, and great drinks. They have that old-school vibe. FACE FIRST: For all things skincare, I visit skinkc.com.