Archives: August 2013

Jason Whitlock, former Kansas City Star flamethrower, back with ESPN

Whitlock is back at ESPN Jason Whitlock is back on sports media’s tallest pedestal with a flashy new gig at ESPN. The Big Lead has the news, which Whitlock’s most recent employer Fox Sports subsequently confirmed. Whitlock blew out of ESPN in 2006 after going on record with the Big Lead criticizing the network; he wrote for ESPN.com’s old Page…

Crypticon calls Captain Spaulding himself to duty this weekend

Captain Spaulding Sid Haig is pretty memorable. Everything about him presses on your senses, from his imposing 6-foot-4-inch height to the deep, soothing timbre of his voice. But it’s his work in horror movies that really shows – strike that – slaps you in the face and screams: I dare you to look away, asshole! Yet the film industry somehow…

Eric Kuhl, Crypticon Kanas City promotions coordinator, answers The Pitch‘s Questionnaire

Name: Eric Kuhl Occupation: Guest relations, and transportation and promotions coordinator for Crypticon Kanas City Hometown: Roeland Park Current neighborhood: Olathe What I do (in 140 characters): Provide transportation for celebrity guests. Schedule radio and print interviews. Assist guests with anything they might need while here.   What’s your addiction? Horror movies and horror conventions. I go to several of…

The 2013 Pitch Music Awards

The 2013 Pitch Music Awards were held this past Sunday at the Uptown Theater. Hijinks ensued. Click through for photos from the evening by Angela C. Bond.

Torre’s Pizza relaunched as Downtown Pizza

It’s not called Torre’s anymore, but it’s the same pizza. When the Dark Horse Tavern closed up a couple of weeks ago, it also meant the end of Torre’s Pizza – the polarizing pie shop that operated out of the bar’s kitchen. (We spoke highly of the joint in our epic pizza issue in March.) Fear not, Torre’s devotees. You…

Tuffy Gessling, Obama rodeo clown, getting support in face of condemnation

Facebook This isn’t Tuffy Gessling’s first rodeo. While politicians from both sides of the aisle were quick to pour criticism upon last weekend’s Missouri State Fair stunt featuring a rodeo clown clad in a President Barack Obama mask, a cottage industry of support is also growing up around the clown Tuffy Gessling. A “Support Tuffy Gessling” Facebook page popped up…

Barbecue reality show is looking for KC grill mavens

Flickr: John Liu TV wants to watch you grill. If you’ve always thought they make grilling look easy on television, here’s your opportunity to find out if you’re right. A reality cooking competition is seeking grill jockeys and pitmasters to represent Kansas City in a neighborhood barbecue throw-down. Grillmeisters are also being auditioned in Memphis, Austin, Detroit, Brooklyn and the…

Hockey (the band) is at Riot Room tonight

Hockey. For its first album, 2009’s Mind Chaos, Hockey wrote a batch of songs from its home in Portland, Oregon, that resembled the work of acts popular in New York at the time: MGMT, the Strokes, LCD Soundsystem. The group has since relocated to New York and accordingly made an album – this year’s Wyeth Is – whose beachy synth-pop…

Metro Pro Wrestling goes on indefinite ‘hiatus’

Saturday night’s Metro Pro Wrestling show at the Turner Rec Center may have been the last for the independent wrestling organization. Metro Pro owner Chris Gough announced that his wrestling league was going on an indefinite “hiatus,” and he wasn’t sure when – or if – it would return. Gough told the crowd that programming changes at Time Warner Cable’s…

PETA offers $5,000 reward for info about beloved slain deer

Bruce Mathews Turn in the jerk who killed Ella, and you can cash in big. Ella, Elmwood Cemetery’s most famous creature, was senselessly killed a week ago. Some cruel jerk shot the 2-year-old doe and left the body in the cemetery. A security guard found her last Monday night. Ella was born in the cemetery and hung around the tranquil…

Is Oklahoma Joe’s the most iconic restaurant in Kansas City?

Facebook: Oklahoma Joe’s Does this sandwich stand for KC now? The Smithsonian exists to catalogue our national heritage, whether it’s the Fonz’s jacket or now Kansas City’s burnt ends. In a recent list of the ’20 Most Iconic Food Destinations Across America,’ the Smithsonian tabbed Oklahoma Joe’s as the lone representative of the region. In the introduction to the list,…

Obama mask on rodeo clown at Missouri State Fair draws global ire

Show Me Progress This photo is making the news rounds all over the world. Missouri became the target of international scorn and derision over the weekend when the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia featured a rodeo skit in which a clown depicting Barack Obama was seen as disrespectful and inviting violence upon the president. Social media captured the moment when…

And the winners of the 2013 Pitch Music Awards are…

Still kinda recovering over here, but in case you weren’t at the party last night, here’s who won. Americana/Bluegrass: The Grisly HandAvant-Garde: Jorge Arana TrioBlues: Trampled Under FootCountry/Rockabilly: RumblejettsDJ: SheppaEmerging: She’s a KeeperGarage: The Empty SpacesHip-Hop: ReachJazz Ensemble: People’s Liberation Big BandJazz Solo: Mark LowreyLive Act: TIE! Hearts of Darkness and Cowboy Indian BearMetal: HammerlordPop: The ACBsPunk: Pizza Party MassacreReggae:…

Pie Five Pizza Co. opens today in Overland Park

Facebook: Pie Five Pan crust pizza is one of the four crust options at Pie Five. Overland Park, meet Pie Five Pizza Co. The first area location for the fast-casual pizza chain based out of Fort Worth, Texas, opens today in the former iEats space at 13366 Metcalf. Pie Five works like a sub shop, in that all the 9-inch…

Is Oklahoma Joe’s Z-Man a performance-enhancing sandwich?

If you want to hit and pitch, stuff your face with a pregame Z-Man. It’s been long established that Oklahoma Joe’s is one of everybody’s favorite barbecue joints. The gas-station meat haven has been featured on just about every food and travel TV show and in every food-porn glossy magazine. It’s good. Why else would even locals who have eaten…

The Pitch Music Awards are this Sunday!

Brooke Vandever Rub elbows with all the finest musicians in this budding cowtown this Sunday night at the Uptown Theater at The Pitch Music Awards. The show starts at 8 p.m., but get to the adjacent Conspiracy Room at 6 p.m. for the VIP party – free booze! Eric “Mean” Melin hosts; the Conquerors, Grand Marquis and Cherokee Rock Rifle…