Despite being a regular on the stand-up circuit since the 1980s, comic Barry Crimmins didn’t get broad national attention until last year. After decades of work as a comedian’s comedian, he was the subject of a documentary, Call Me Lucky, which revealed an astonishing life story.Stand-up comedy is just one part of the Bobcat Goldthwait–directed film, but even the grainy…
Ian Davis doesn’t need to tell me that he’s exhausted. His clouded eyes say it for him as he greets me, and his body underscores the point as he works to find comfort in the fold-down wooden theater seats at the back of his West Bottoms coffee shop, Blip Roasters, at 1101 Mulberry Street.This is Blip’s second location. In January,…
Roy Ayers came to the attention of jazz fans in the 1960s, with his post-bop-style vibraphone. But he’s never been an artist content to stand pat. Since the 1970s, his music has encompassed R&B, jazz-funk and hip-hop. His mix of bluesy soul and gleeful funk has made him one of the most sampled artists by rappers. Ayers has said, “I…
Last year, the Center of the City Fest had to roll with some punches. The venue where it had taken place for three years, Vandals, was sold before the fourth installment, leading to a six-week delay before a new home was found at Harling’s Upstairs. This year brings another move, but one that suggests newfound stability: Doing it at Davey’s…
The CureThe Cure isn’t touring on new material, and longtime fans may be grateful. It’s going to allow Wednesday’s Starlight show to focus on the hits, well-loved deep-dive cuts — and maybe a few new songs. The Cure hasn’t released an album since 2008’s 4:13 the Dream, but you can expect a revitalized concert experience, especially considering Roger O’Donnell, from…
Coda, the bar, restaurant and live-music venue at the intersection of 18th and Broadway in the Crossroads, closed at the end of service Saturday, May 28. At press time, a call to its management had not been returned, but there has been a hint of financial worry around the place. Last fall, owner William Saunders started a GoFundMe campaign to…
Kansans don’t know whether their public schools will remain open beyond July 1. The state’s fiscal foundations are collapsing. And tornados are terrorizing its towns.State legislative leaders are really, really worried.About bathrooms.Conservatives in charge of the House and the Senate have decided they can’t wrap up the 2016 legislative session without making it clear that they — and not President…
When Brad Nicholson greets a visitor at his office in Crown Center’s San Francisco Tower, he’s eager to show his art collection. Among its prizes: an original Andy Warhol portrait and a Lester Goldman mural that covers nearly the entire south wall of his office.It figures that Nicholson takes a keen interest in the arts. Most of the developer and…
Utter the name of former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner and you’re likely to summon derisive giggles. Yes, he forcefully argued for medical benefits for 9/11 first responders on the floor of the House of Representatives, but America still remembers him for Tweeting a certain bulge — bad behavior complicated by the fact that he’s married to Hillary Clinton protégé…
Summer’s here, right? Despite the potential for sunny days to lure us away from our computers and phones, it’s been rainy enough to need some quality entertainment while we’re stuck indoors for the fifth day in a row. Well, we’ve got you, kids: be it the disturbing synth work of Umberto, Katy Guillen & the Girls’ bouncy blues rock, or…
Classic Rock Summer is a series wherein we attempt to see as many classic-rock concerts coming through the Kansas City area as possible. From May through September, we will immerse ourselves in the music of our parents, from yacht rock to oldies to hair metal, you’ll find us there.Journey and the Doobie BrothersSprint CenterSaturday, May 28Saturday night of Memorial Day…
The Kills’ music could have been a perfect soundtrack for yesterday’s ridiculous weather in Kansas City – it’s at times ominous, unhinged and just unpredictable enough to keep you on edge. The band’s performance last night at the Midland capped off a strange day by taking that ominous tension and channeling it into a frenzy of wild, literally spitting energy….
Monzie Leo & The Big Sky’s last release was Sunflowers, Sunsets and Sons of Bitches, released on Little Class Records in December of 2014. Since then, the band’s played what seems like dozens — if not hundreds — of shows, and the wait for new material’s been agonizing for fans of their bluegrass by way of backwoods punk. The wait…
For a band that experienced fever-pitch buzz not even 10 years ago, British rock band Bloc Party’s popularity has taken a somewhat precipitous slide. It seems likely due to lengthy hiatuses, rhythm section shuffling and forays into sparser musical styles on more recent albums. Whatever the case may be, last-night’s performance at the Madrid reminded us of the fun, pent-up,…
What’s a developer to do with a project that was unpopular enough to get a slate of candidates opposed to it elected to a city council just a month ago? With Mission Gateway, the plan apparently is to double down.Tom Valenti, the New York-based owner of the old Mission Center Mall site at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roe Avenue, isn’t…
A software piracy case that started with an investigation of a 29-year-old Kansas City man led investigators all over a map of the United States and ultimately to Los Angeles where they arrested former NBA player Kermit Washington.Washington was indicted by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on Monday on four counts — interfering with the Internal Revenue Service,…
JULY 1FRIDAYSelena GomezSprint CenterYonder Mountain String BandCrossroads KC at GrindersModest Mouse and Brand NewProvidence Medical Center Amphitheater, Bonner SpringsSwiss Army ManOpening at area movie theatersThe Legend of TarzanOpening at area movie theatersThe Purge: Election YearOpening at area movie theatersSelena GomezThird Eye BlindKC Live Block in the Power & Light DistrictLynyrd Skynyrd and Black Oak ArkansasProvidence Medical Center Amphitheater, Bonner SpringsRon…
August 3WEDNESDAYUmphrey’s McGeeCrossroads KC at GrindersAUGUST 5FRIDAYJeff Beck and Buddy GuyStarlight TheatreThe Psychedelic FursCrossroads KC at GrindersLake Street DiveUptown TheaterLeon RussellKnuckleheadsRoyals vs. Toronto Blue Jays Kauffman StadiumThrough August 7Nine LivesOpening at area movie theatersThe FounderOpening at area movie theatersSuicide SquadOpening at area movie theatersAUGUST 6SATURDAYDemi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Mike PosnerSprint CenterKool & The Gang, Bootsy Collins and Morris Day…
Instagram handle: @shopdearsocietyCurrent neighborhood: Chanel: River Market Maria: Historic NortheastWhat we do: We curate modern and vintage clothing and home goods in a gift shop for women, men and children. What’s your addiction? Chanel: I’m addicted to chocolate and Instagram. Maria: Thrift store shopping and La Croix.Chanel: Oh, yeah, thrift store shopping, too.What’s your game? Chanel: Battleship Maria: BoggleWhat’s your…
You can call Kansas City a barbecue town, a meat-and-potatoes city, even a loose-meat metropolis. But this old riverside trading post’s longest culinary relationship is a love affair with fried chicken. Here’s a dish that, at least until recent times, was cheap, easy to fry and good hot or cold. And regardless of era, a well-made thigh, drumstick or breast…
JUNE 1WEDNESDAYM83Arvest Bank Theater at The MidlandRoyals vs. Tampa Bay RaysKauffman StadiumHeathers: The MusicalThrough June 26 at the Unicorn, unicorntheatre.orgKeith UrbanGladstone Summertime BluesfestThrough Saturday, June 4, at Oak Grove Park, Gladstone, gladstonechamber.comHospital Hill Run UMKC School of Medicine 5khospitalhillrun.comTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the ShadowsOpening at area movie theatersPopstar: Never Stop Never StoppingOpening at area movie theatersMe Before YouOpening…
Career-ending injuries are an everyday occurrence in sports — far less so in the arts. Yet, the Kills’ Jamie Hince faced that possibility beginning in 2013, when an injury to his left hand led to a bone infection and considerable pain.Hince underwent six surgeries in three years, including a tendon replacement. Ultimately, he is unable to use the middle finger…
Bassist James Albright and saxophonist David Chael are longtime anchors of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. Trumpeter Stan Kessler and pianist Roger Wilder have been key to propelling one of this city’s most popular jazz ensembles, Sons of Brazil, for a quarter-century. Drummer Sam Wisman performs all over town, including monthly gigs with the People’s Liberation Big Band. But as…
M83There’s something beautifully numbing about Junk, the new album from French electronic band M83. The majestic, fuzzy orchestra masterminded by Anthony Gonzalez at times feels a bit much: too much repetition, too much sugar in the beats, too light in its mission and too heavy in its delivery. If the point gets a little lost sometimes, we can forgive Gonzalez…
