The American at Crown Center has announced two big changes. First, celebrated chef Michael Corvino is leaving the restaurant in August. Second, the restaurant itself will be morphing next year into a “pop-up” space, in which, according to a press release, “guest chefs will be welcomed to the American for exclusive engagements, bringing a variety of unique culinary experiences to…
Flight of the ConchordsIt’s been seven years since the release of new material from New Zealand’s premier musical comedy duo, Flight of the Conchords, but Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are back in full form. Their new tour — the first in three years — is aptly titled “Flight of the Conchords Sing Flight of the Conchords,” and you can…
If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be in your revolution.” The quote is attributed to early 20th-century feminist and radical Emma Goldman, but it could as easily have been uttered by Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti — or by his son Femi Kuti.With his band, the Positive Force, the 54-year-old carries on his father’s legacy, emodying the genre’s potent…
Because the beautiful and magnetic Shirley Manson is at the center of Garbage’s universe, it can sometimes be easy to forget that the rest of the band is stacked with talent. Butch Vig, drummer and multi-instrumentalist for the band, also boasts an extensive producing career that includes touchstone recordings such as Nirvana’s Nevermind and Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream, among scores…
They say the heart wants what it wants, and what my heart almost always wants is a doughnut with my morning coffee — specifically, the soft, spongy kind topped with so much frosting that the stuff flakes off in shards. Unfortunately, they also say you shouldn’t eat doughnuts every day. But so far, no monolithic collective they has weighed in…
For the last six months, Brent Gunnels has been in charge of the kitchen at Westport’s Julep Cocktail Club. The new summer menu — which co-owner Beau Williams considers a revamp of Julep’s overall culinary direction — belongs entirely to Gunnels. It’s his first proprietary menu at the restaurant. And yet, he isn’t sure he has a title.“I’ve never been…
This week the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council may consider a measure to spend $27 million on a series of projects in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The proposal represents a reboot for the district, inevitably described as “struggling” in spite of the tens of millions in local, state and federal funds it has received over the years.Third…
In 2013, saxophonist Bobby Watson commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech with his album Check Cashing Day. The title references King’s declaration in the speech that “we’ve come to the nation’s capital to cash a check” for equality. Watson brought together pianist Richard Johnson, bassist Curtis Lundy, drummer Eric Kennedy,…
An effort is afoot to put Kemper Arena on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation would qualify the arena for historic tax credits and potentially save it from demolition.Foutch Brothers, a Kansas City company specializing in historic restoration, has put forward a plan to use the credits to repurpose the building as an amateur-sports complex. The tax credits…
There are those who think they are tough for hanging a pair of truck nutz from the backs of their pickups, but then there are genuine badass explorers like astronaut Scott Kelly. Kelly recently spent 340 days on the International Space Station, and in the process set an American record for the total accumulated number of days in space at…
Judy Mills knows how to throw a party. For the official grand re-opening of her record store at 4045 Broadway (across the street from the Riot Room), Mills Record Co. has planned a full month of parties, including six days of shows featuring local bands from across the metro, as well as the sale of a giant cache of rare,…
Last night’s Modest Mouse/Brand New show was sure to be a legitimate double-header in terms of time, and it was a great relief to head to Bonner Springs on an unseasonably cool 72-degree night. The comfortable surroundings and high energy — as well as the realized sense that Brand New’s run is nearing its end — kept the audience focused…
First Friday news alert: Counterfeit $100 bills are circulating.The Crossroads Community Association sent out an advisory Friday afternoon that businesses are receiving fake bills. The message was written by Patrick Unrein III at Lead Bank, who said the bank had received an unspecified number of bogus Ben Franklins from its Crossroads customers.”I know everyone is on alert for counterfeit money…
The music videos released in the last few weeks are as exciting visually as they are musically. Starting with hip-hop turntablism from Midnight Marauders, then moving into a string of amazing rock ‘n’ roll from the likes of Psychic Heat and the Philistines, then back to hip-hop with Verbal Contact and Lincoln Marshall, there’s something to appeal to all tastes…
