“Thank you for waiting,” was the first thing that Pete Townshend said to the Sprint Center crowd last night, immediately recognizing that last night’s performance for the Who had actually been rescheduled twice, both due to various health issues faced by Roger Daltrey. Who fans who waited the extra year for last night’s show were treated to a retrospective of…
With his crowd-funded 2014 indie sleeper, Blue Ruin, writer-director Jeremy Saulnier crafted a revenge story that didn’t romanticize vengeance, highlighted by several messy showdowns between believable characters — real-seeming people, not standard-issue movie killers.In his new thriller, Green Room, Saulnier expounds on the energy of those showdowns and offers up a detailed, feature-length study in how to sustain tension. There’s…
Who is afraid of some horse racing in Wyandotte County?Not too many people, it turns out. A packed crowd at a Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Commission meeting on Thursday testified mostly in favor of re-opening the Woodlands, the horse and dog racing track in the western edge of the county that closed in 2008.The UG Commission, after…
As the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, and its fire-safety union remain far apart on negotiations for a new labor contract, UG staffers wonder: Do firefighters in KCK gets deals that other government employees don’t?It sure seems that way, if one takes a recent UG analysis at face value. The Pitch reported earlier in April on an audit…
When it works, it works, I guess. Post-punk pals the Church and the Psychedelic Furs are embarking upon another co-headlining tour, and plan to appear together again at Crossroads KC August 5. They last appeared at the same venue last August. We’re all for this new annual tradition. Tickets go on sale this Friday via Crossroads KC’s website. Categories:…
Whether it’s working with his arena-cramming rock act the Black Keys, producing records for Lana Del Ray or Ray LaMontagne or writing music for any number of other projects, Dan Auerbach seems most content when impossibly busy. Because his schedule wasn’t crammed enough, he joined another band, the Arcs, which is stacked with seriously impressive musicians, including Leon Michels (Truth…
The governor’s office in Kansas’ ornate statehouse is one of the loneliest places in America right now.Republican Sam Brownback’s approval rating in perhaps the nation’s reddest state is down to 21 percent, according to Fort Hays State University. The Legislature is in rebellion. Even conservative lawmakers are scrambling to put distance between themselves and the governor. Elections are coming up,…
Sunday nights at the Green Lady Lounge, you can hear the 2016 version of the 627 Big Band. It’s named for the group once based out of the Mutual Musicians Foundation, when that building was home to Kansas City’s black musicians union and jazz was this city’s voice. But a couple members of the original 627 Big Band are still…
The WhoAfter several rescheduled dates, the Who finally stops in Kansas City as part of the legendary group’s 50th-anniversary tour. (Technically, at this point, it’s more like 51 years.) After a bout of viral meningitis, 72-year-old Roger Daltrey is back in full form — along with 70-year-old Pete Townshend. Those are the only original Who members on this run, but…
“I’m a total goofball,” Rita Brinkerhoff, the enigmatic frontwoman for local psych-rock band Blondie Brunetti, tells me. “So sometimes I think that people think what I’m doing is ironic or sarcastic, but it’s totally not.”Brinkerhoff is sporting a rainbow-colored hairstyle, her bangs cut straight across her forehead — playful fringe above sparkling eyes. She’s got a joyful, mischievous air about…
Prince is dead. Long live Prince. The enigmatic and iconic singer died at age 57 last week, and while the doves haven’t stopped crying, it’s time to go crazy … at Tapcade (1701 McGee). Celebrate the life of His Purpleness with three screenings of Prince’s 1984 rock musical, Purple Rain, this weekend. The pop legend’s star vehicle shows at 8…
Thursday 4.28If you haven’t seen the super-inspiring 2013 doc Jodorowsky’s Dune, which chronicles director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempts to make a movie out of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune, then today is the day. See it on Blu-ray or online rental now and just try not to get excited about the creative process. In addition, tonight at 7 at Tivoli Cinemas,…
Thursday night is packed with beer events, but Woody is coming back to Kansas City. Deschutes’ mobile bar is headed to the parking lot outside the Foundry (424 Westport Road). On tap from 4 to 10 p.m. will be Mirror Pond, Obsidian Stout, Black Butte Porter, Fresh Squeezed, Armory XPA, Hop Slice IPA and 2015 the Stoic. Also look for…
“I’ve had customers tell me that they like the Lawrence Port Fonda better than the Westport one,” Patrick Ryan told me recently. The James Beard Award-nominated owner, chef and creative force behind both restaurants didn’t sound surprised or offended.Which is good, because I’m certainly among those who prefer the newer, more westerly Port Fonda.And it’s fair, because, as Ryan will…
Missouri is about to kick off a process that will put private insurance companies fully in charge of the statewide Medicaid program. The move is on a par with Kansas’ controversial KanCare experiment, except that, for now, Missouri isn’t making the mistake of forcing its disabled and elderly populations into managed care — just low-income kids and very low-income parents…
Hometown: LenexaCurrent neighborhood: South Kansas CityWhat I do: I have the honor of working with our amazing supporters to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault and prevent sexual violence in our community.What’s your addiction? Good coffee. Fortunately for me, KC does coffee really well. I frequent Second Best, PT’s, Thou Mayest, Filling Station and Parisi….
In dire need of a distraction from such nagging matters as a $300 million budget hole and a threatened bond downgrade, Gov. Sam Brownback has announced that Kansas is withdrawing from the federal government’s refugee-relocation program.Brownback made his decision public in a news release on Tuesday. It and supporting documents reveal that the governor has been very busy over the past…
Elusive and coveted, morels are the World Series rings of the mushroom world. On a good day, a trek into the woods to search for the finicky fungus can result in burlap sacks filled with gourmet gold. But as an amateur, I’ve often headed home with nothing but an empty sack, multiple mosquito bites on my legs and a fear…
John Darnielle used to be a lone wolf, more content to record and tour alone than have to deal with bandmates. Yet the past 10 years have softened him, and a tight-knit band has coalesced around him. For The Mountain Goats’ 2016 tour, the band will appear as an all-electric four piece, and plans to debut new material as well…
Many ’80s icons have not weathered the test of time, yet Cyndi Lauper has persisted — and persisted well — in a pop landscape that is nothing but if not maddeningly fickle. This summer, Lauper plans to release an album of country classics from the ’40s to the ’60s titled Detour, which will feature guest appearances from Vince Gill, Emmylou…
Missouri has a long tradition of coveting secrecy to hide the names of people it relies upon to help execute condemned prisoners.State officials maintain the secrecy is necessary to protect those involved in executions. It also has the effect of shielding Missouri from embarrassment over its choices for people and companies it employs to carry out the state’s highest form…
What a time to be alive! Drake is returning to the Sprint Center this summer, along with one of hip hop’s fastest-rising stars, Future, on Saturday, July 23. Drake last blew us away in Kansas City in 2013. Drake and Future collaborated on a single in 2015 that must have borne a friendship — we look forward to seeing the two megastars…
Indie power pop twins Tegan and Sara will be making their first Kansas City appearance since 2010 this fall, with a planned appearance at the Midland on Tuesday, September 13. No word on whether this tour is in support of new material; the last record, Heartthrob, was released in 2013. UPDATE: Turns out there is a new album; it’s called…
Instagram handle: @cableandcompanyHometown: ChicagoCurrent neighborhood: Columbus ParkWhat I do: With Cable and Company, I wear all the hats. Hunting and gathering vintage stock, learning the history and researching the manufacturing importance of those items, merchandising, working on current and potential future vendor relations, accounting, scheming and dreaming, etc. With Thou Mayest, I select green-coffee offerings, roast and also establish quality-control…
