Our Man BY
IN KC
Damian Lair
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
dlair@inkansascity.com : @damianlair #OurManINKC
unt onem mon t i m n
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On the Hunt with Hunt Slonem
HOT GOSSIP: What notable lamp maker is retiring nd u in t e u on her beautiful lamp biz?
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n an otherwise dreary, rainy Wednesday, I had the esteemed pleasure of spending an afternoon with one of the most colorful persons I have the delight of knowing. Don Loncasty was also there. Artist, and friend, Hunt Slonem was in town for a show, so Don and I elected to show him around. We fueled up at Cafe Europa in Crestwood—each of us unable to resist the “green” salad a la Leon, replete with piles of broccoli, cucumber, edamame and avocado. We chatted, mostly of nonsense, travel and gossip, but also about the topic of Hunt’s new book, Gatekeeper: World of Folly, published by Assouline. Hunt recently restored and transformed the abandoned, historic National Guard Colonial Louis Watres Armory in Scranton, PA to house his growing collection of artworks and objets—and surely to provide yet another challenging project. Mind, this is in addition to the other three historic mansions he’s so fond of “collecting.” More than 500 truck-loads to fill the armory’s 100,000-square-feet resulted in something that really defies description. (Get the beautiful book!) Following lunch, we proceeded to scout treasures to fill the next mansion (yes, he’s already got one picked out). We shuffled between raindrops to 45th & State Line. We struck gold (no surprise) at Christopher Filley Antiques. As Hunt walked and pointed, Christopher jotted (I’m convinced it was nothing but scribbles) on his hand and arm, “keeping track” of the purchases. “I’ll have that one … How much is this? … What’s the story on that? … How old is that? …” We were witness to a genius’s mind at work in his most comfortable element. Asian armoires, carved frames, African menagerie, a cabinet collection of birds’ nests—all slated for trucking back to NY. Needing a reprieve from the breakneck speed of collecting, we hopped across the street to Joseph’s Antiques, where I’ve never been surrounded by so many things I could break in such close proximity. There, Hunt amassed quite a number of small Chinese figurines (only from specific dynasties). Finally, it was back to Christopher’s to finalize selections and tally the bill of scribbles. Later that evening, we rejoined Hunt for his show and book signing at Weinberger Fine Art’s new Drawing Room, just around the corner from the main Crossroads location. Being amongst Hunt’s work is mood-transformative and an instant cocktail of pure cheer (we had actual cocktails as well). It’s no wonder that more than 80 museums around the world—including The Met, Guggenheim, and Whitney—are home to his works. (Drop in to the gallery—one could grace your walls as well!) Dinner at Rye on the Plaza followed.
NOVEMBER 2018
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THANKS to Peregrine Honig, I was able to finally experience my first Calvin Arsenia show, held at the 18th & Vine Gem Theater. The concert also just so happened to be the release of his new album Cantaloupe. (Recommend!) More than just a “show”—it was truly an artistic spectacle. Arsenia began alone on the stage, just him strumming his harp. Cue to me thinking: how lovely—this is quite intimate. As song #2 began, the unassuming stage curtains opened to reveal a completely insane full-stage band. One of his more unexpected performances of the evening was a chilling rendition/remix of Britney Spears’s Toxic, that paired well with his new, original material. The final song, and the album’s namesake, described why he and a lover can’t elope. Get it—Cantaloupe? From the first haunting notes, my seatmates and I were in tears. As the song entered its final refrain, the theater’s aisles gradually filled with more than a dozen violinists, inducing the full waterworks. Audible sobs surrounded us. The show wrapped, and Arsenia graciously led the audience to the theater’s entry foyer where we were (again surprised) to be greeted by the Marching Pythons. An impromptu, late-night march through the jazz district streets ensued, and suddenly I was transported back to my junior-high band days. Albeit soooooo much cooler this time around. It was a uniquely Kansas City night (wrapped in tulle and tied in bows) that I’ll never forget. If you get the chance to see Arsenia perform—don’t pass up the opportunity. SPOTTED Jenny SPOTTED: Wheat, Mary Kemper Wolf, Michelle Roberts, Jenni McSpadden, Katie Van Luchene & Jerry Foulds, Jeff Evrard
Calvin Arsenia from the cover of his new album, Cantaloupe