Archives: February 2014

SoundsGood to reunite for tribute to Joc Max, at RecordBar March 29

The Pitch reported back in January that MC Reach has been paying tribute to KC hip-hop icon/MC/producer/DJ Joc Max via his GoodButta podcast, with a show to come at RecordBar on Saturday, March 29, as part 2 of that tribute.  The show announcement dropped last night, and just in case anyone wasn’t planning on going, that might change, as one of KC’s finest…

Cape Girardeau Sen. Wayne Wallingford decides Missouri isn’t getting enough negative attention, introduces discrimination bill

Tone deafness, thy name is Wayne Wallingford. The freshman senator from the boot heel region of Missouri took full measure of the disdain thrown at Kansas and Arizona for taking up discrimination measures under the guise of religious freedom and figured the Show-Me State could elbow out some room of its own in the spotlight of contempt. Wallingford on Monday…

Meet Sawasdee Thai restaurant’s Salisa Chatani

Salisa Chatani – the Thailand-born restaurateur who goes by her American name, Ann – is back in the restaurant game. A year ago, Chatani sold her seven-year-old Kansas City restaurant, Thai House, at 9938 Holmes, to its current owner and planned to retire from the hospitality business. But she got bored, she says, and two months ago opened a new…

Getting death-winged at Grinders

The Death Wings arrived in a paper basket. They came with carrots and celery sticks and some blue-cheese dressing. And a full pitcher of ice water. “That’s for you,” the server said. “You’ll need it.” The chicken was shellacked with spices, speckled deep-red and brown: the colors of dirt and blood. Merely being in their presence made my nose burn…

With Expectations for 2014 High, How Much Will it Cost for Royals Tickets?

The Kansas City Royals appear ready to compete for the American League Central crown. They are an up and coming team and after giving their fans a taste of important September baseball, expectations are much higher entering 2014. If James Shields can continue to pitch as he did last season, and young bats Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas can continue…

Streetside: Chatting with KU’s Jeffrey Hall, the anti-pickup artist

Flirting guru Jeffrey Hall. It has been the observation of several women I’ve known that among my deficiencies as a mate is a stubborn aversion to expressing my feelings. I used to think this characteristic was native to my gender rather than a failing specifically mine. But at a certain point, you have to acknowledge your blind spots and try…

Tech N9ne takes over the Midland in June

Tech N9ne continues to show his hometown the love with another headlining show at the Midland this summer. On June 28, the master rapper and, we hope, a number of his Strange Music cohorts will be taking over the downtown theater. Seriously, does Tech ever sleep?  (The answer is no. Probably not.)  Tickets are on sale Friday, February 28, at…

Tori Amos is at the Midland this August

Today, the angst-ridden, cross-bearing tortured soul of my teenage self is rejoicing. Not only is Tori Amos releasing a new album – her 14th studio album, titled Unrepentant Geraldines, out May 13 – but she has also scheduled a Kansas City tour date. Fellow Tori fans, ready yourselves: the redheaded sylph will be at the Midland on August 2.  Tickets are on sale…

Beer summit: We discuss the state of craft beer in Kansas City

Kansas City doesn’t feel short on craft beer. The home of Boulevard Brewing Co. saw two additions this month – Martin City Brewing Co. and Kansas City Bier Co. – to a growing portfolio of microbreweries: Cinder Block, Big Rip, Rock and Run, and Green Room Burgers & Beer. And the area’s oldest such enterprise, Free State in Lawrence, celebrated…

Paul Tyler, grants director, ArtsKC-Regional Arts Council, answers The Pitch‘s questionnaire

Name: Paul Tyler Occupation: Grants director, ArtsKC-Regional Arts Council  Hometown: Barstow, California, by birth; Richmond, Virginia, by length of residence. But now Kansas City definitely feels like home! Current neighborhood: Hyde Park What I do (in 140 characters): Help artists and arts organizations in the KC metro region thrive and flourish by providing financial support, info, guidance and coaching. What’s your…

Missouri executed Michael Taylor shortly after midnight

A fatal dose of drugs killed Michael Taylor not long after midnight on Wednesday, marking Missouri’s fourth execution in as many months. Taylor was convicted for his role in the 1989 kidnapping, rape and slaying of Ann Harrison of Raytown. She was 15 years old at the time of her death. Roderick Nunley was convicted of the same crime and…

Lemongrass Thai Cuisine

Pitch food critic Charles Ferruzza reviews Lemongrass Thai Cuisine (7316 West 80th Street, Overland Park). Read the review here and see photos by Pitch photographer Angela C. Bond.

Just how porous is the Star‘s paywall?

Just a few of the devices through which you can read Star articles without paying a dime. It’s been about 15 months since The Kansas City Star implemented Star Plus, the paywall that requires online readers to pony up for unlimited access on their computers, tablets and phones. We’re subscribers here at The Pitch. We think the paywall is a…

Hopfest, Parkville Microbrew Fest tickets on sale now

Spring in Kansas City brings two of our favorite events: Hopfest and the Parkville Microbrew Fest. Hopfest Craft Beer Festival and Homebrew Contest is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Well (7421 Broadway). What should you expect at this year’s Hopfest? Samplings of more than 250 craft beers from more…

Boulevard announces ticket prices for Boulevardia festival, including limited tickets to a special Taps & Tastes ‘craft beer experience’

Boulevard Brewing Co.’s Boulevardia festival is slowly taking shape. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. Here’s the latest on the West Bottoms street festival, scheduled for June 13-15.  There are three ticket packages: one-day general admission passes cost $10 in advance; three-day passes are $25; and tickets to the “Taps & Tastes” craft beer experience cost $75, which…

Royal Teeth brings candy-coated pop to the Czar tonight

If you like your pop music to be bright, shiny, sugary and carried along by the crystalline vocals of someone who burns with the audacious fire of youth, then Royal Teeth is for you. The college-aged, six-member Lafayette group released its debut full-length Glow in September, and the album lives up to its word. Every song is an anthem –…

The Replay Lounge’s Johnny Cash Birthday Bash promises more than the hits

The Johnny Cash Birthday Bash being presented at the Replay Lounge is a nice change from the club’s usual mix of outre rock and roll and patio DJs. For one thing, the performers aren’t the standard lineup of singers and songwriters one sees playing most showcases around town. Event organizer and performer Lance Fahy explains: “For the most part, we’re…