January 2021 | The Pitch

Sundance Film Festival: Strawberry Mansion is a charmingly oddball sci-fi parable about consumer culture

January 30, 2021

Abby Monteil,

Kentucker Audley appears in Strawberry Mansion by Albert Birney and Kentucker Audley. // Courtesy of Sundance Institute. Anti-capitalist films are having something of a Renaissance in Hollywood right now, and Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney’s new sci-fi movie Strawberry Mansion is a charmingly oddball addition to the subgenre. Building on the affecting whimsy of their 2017 fantasy Sylvio, in which…

Parson defends Missouri COVID response, lays out agenda in State of State address

January 29, 2021

Jason Hancock,

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson delivered his State of the State address on Jan. 27, 2021. // Photo courtesy of Missouri Governor’s Office. Despite a COVID-19 outbreak scuttling his plans to address a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly, Gov. Mike Parson laid out his policy priorities and defended his administration’s response to the ongoing pandemic during his annual State of…

Kansas City Barbeque Society partners with Arrowhead South Fan Club for charity fundraiser around Super Bowl LV

January 29, 2021

Sophia Misle,

Richard Fergola and Rub Bagby // Kansas City Barbeque Society The Run It Back 2 Back BBQ Tour will raise money for the Kansas City Barbeque Society Foundation and Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. The event will be at Al Lang Stadium in Saint Petersburg, FL on February 7. The Kansas City Barbeque Society has partnered with the Arrowhead South…

Streetwise takes care of the rich and famous, rocks the trans music scene

January 29, 2021

THE PITCH STAFF,

This week on the Streetwise podcast we discuss tooth whistlin’, listen to a reading of Allison Harris’ “Trans Dance Revolution”, jam to Lesser Pleasures’ track “War”, and talk with KC author and manny-to-the-stars Alexander Clark about his book Diapers to Diamonds. Streetwise is hosted by Brock Wilbur, editor in chief of The Pitch. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify. Subscribe to the Streetwise newsletter, a weekly meditation…

Some restaurants offering tasty specials for Super Bowl LV

January 29, 2021

Sophia Misle,

Burger // Epic Burgers Food will be a key staple while supporting the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV from the living room. At least ten businesses in Kansas City will be offering specials for the Super Bowl. Along with food, Kansas City Chiefs merchandise and artwork can also be delivered to the front door. We have the details…

The Kid Detective is a painfully funny exploration of Gifted Kid Syndrome

"No matter how simple a case may seem, it's shocking what you can find."

January 29, 2021

Brock Wilbur,

The Kid Detective. // Courtesy Sony Pictures Gifted Kid Syndrome isn’t a real thing. Or rather, it is? Simply by the nature of being undeniably on point. What started as a loose online joke about tiered-education in our upbringing has found an odd footing. If you weren’t deemed a “gifted student” in grade school or middle school, you probably remember…

Kansas City votes to require developers to provide affordable housing

January 29, 2021

Sophia Misle,

Workers attach a beam to the framework of apartments being constructed at Berkley Riverfront. // Photo by Carlos Moreno KCUR The Kansas City Council unanimously voted 12-0 Thursday to require residential developers seeking tax breaks to provide a minimal number of affordable units according to KCUR. The ordinance requires multi-family projects seeking economic incentives to set aside at least 10%…

Roman Alexander named to Spotify’s “Hot Country Artists to Watch 2021” list

January 29, 2021

Nick Spacek,

Courtesy Spotify Roman Alexander–formerly of Parkville, Missouri, and now a Nashville resident–was named to the first-ever “Artists to Watch” list by Spotify’s “Hot Country” playlist, as announced via the Hot Country Instagram. The streaming service says that their “influential country music team have come together to put their collective finger on the pulse of a new wave of rising country…

Missouri lawmaker can block constituents on Twitter after years-long court battle

January 29, 2021

Rudi Keller,

Missouri Rep. Cheri Reisch asks questions during a legislative committee meeting in 2020 // Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications Missouri Rep. Cheri Reisch has been in court since 2018 over her decision to block the Twitter account of a constituent. The constituent, Mike Campbell of Centralia, MO, had retweeted a message critical of her. She is allowed to block other users…

Missouri’s vaccine rollout is statically the worst in the nation; let us agree that sucks

January 29, 2021

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga,

Courtesy CDC It is undeniable that plenty of states have struggled with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. California, Georgia, and Virginia, to name a few, are states that have struggled to vaccinate their populations with even the first round of the two-part vaccine. But Missouri, we’re at a whole other level—the lowest level, actually. According to data from the Centers for Disease…

Could we activate concert venues to help with the COVID-19 vaccination effort?

January 29, 2021

Lucie Krisman,

Live entertainment organizations are signing on to open their venues across the country to help with COVID-19 vaccine rollout. // Image courtesy of NIVA In the midst of the Biden administration’s goal of boosting vaccine supply and vaccinating 100 million Americans over the next 100 days, venues that have been empty since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic are offering…

Planet Comicon Kansas City convention postponed from April until August

January 28, 2021

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga,

Courtesy of Planet Comicon Kansas City. Due to the executive order by Mayor Quinton Lucas, extending the pandemic-related state of emergency for Kansas City to at least mid-May, Planet Comicon Kansas City (PCKC) has made the decision to reschedule the convention for August 20-22nd. Convention organizers anticipate that much of the population will be vaccinated by late summer, making large…

Missouri ranked sixth in US unemployment recovery from COVID-19

January 28, 2021

Lucie Krisman,

As seen in WalletHub’s recent report, Missouri and Kansas fall on completely different ends of the country’s unemployment recovery spectrum. // Image courtesy of Wallethub In over a year of pandemic madness and the economic downfalls that have come with it, we at least can find solace in the fact that Missouri is on the upper end of the country’s…

This local donut shop is making a Chiefs-inspired game day assortment

January 28, 2021

Lucie Krisman,

Leawood donut shop Duck Donuts just made your game day spread more sweet. // Image courtesy of Duck Donuts Good news, Kansas Citians. You can now easily incorporate donuts into your Super Bowl spread. Leawood shop Duck Donuts is getting ready for Feb. 7. by offering a Kansas City Chiefs-inspired donut assortment. The assortment includes vanilla iced donuts with red…

Missing dog turns up at a shelter 3 hours away, 21 days later

The family located the dog through a tip on Instagram.

January 28, 2021

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga,

Riley is home. // Courtesy of Mary Hornbeck. Anyone who has had a pet disappear knows the drill. You print fliers, disperse them around your neighborhood. You call the local shelters and veterinarians in the area. Then, you hand things over to the social media gods and try to let them work their magic. And then, you wait. On the…

KCK woman expands Black-owned streaming channel FABUtainment

FABUtainment owner, Francesca Williams, launches Roku channel

January 28, 2021

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga,

Courtesy of Francesca Williams. Along with the help of partners Eugene and Bukeka Blakemore, Williams has expanded the streaming video network FABUtainment TV and begun pre-production on six shows. The station will also soon be accessible on Amazon Fire TV and Android TV, Williams says. The station is home to engaging talk-show style shows such as FABU Reviews, a fashion-oriented…

Local creatives heighten Black identity in comics through Black Spartans

January 28, 2021

Sophia Misle,

Red Ronin Hunter Guild from Black Spartans. // Illustration by Macchiato Studios Two Kansas City locals, Juaquan Herron and Brandon Calloway, combined forces to publish and market Calloway’s comic book Black Spartans. Black Spartans was created by Calloway and Herron’s publishing company 2923 Comics helped publish the book. Black Spartans follows heroes Balbino, Dayanita, and Amara as they face challenges that…

The Boyfriend Experience

January 28, 2021

Dan Savage,

Illustration by Jack Raybuck Dear Dan: Sex-positive bi woman here. I have recommended your column to many people over the years to help them feel normal and human in their kinks, fantasies, sexuality, etc. But I’m having a more difficult time extending similar acceptance to myself. I was in a three-year relationship with a cis straight man. I recently moved…

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the past and look to the future

January 27, 2021

Sophia Misle,

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. // Photo courtesy Union Station The United Nations honors January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day because it was the day Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated in 1945. The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education is partnering with Union Station to provide Holocaust education throughout most of 2021 in the Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away….

Regional public health overdose response projects receive national funding

January 27, 2021

Lucie Krisman,

Eight state projects targeting overdose prevention received funding from the National Association of County and City Health Officials. // Image courtesy of National Association of County and City Health Officials Public health projects in eight different states have received funding ranging from $55,000 to $120,000 toward combating the opioid crisis in their communities. The National Association of County and City…

A photo of bibimbap from Smoke n Seoul in Kansas City

Dish & Drink KC: Two new Korean pop-ups to try in KC, plus two one-time-only takeout options you won’t want to miss

Sura Noodle Bar and Smoke n Seoul are here to wrap you up in Warm Korean comforts.

January 27, 2021

April Fleming,

The brisket bibimbap from Smoke n Seoul. Courtesy Smoke n Seoul. Worth checking out: Sura Noodle Bar and Smoke n’ Seoul Sura Noodle Bar Just in time to battle the aggressive persistence of February cold, chef Keeyoung Kim is ramping up his selection of snacky, filling Korean comforts – all of which are designed to warm you up. Beginning February…

Local real estate agent, food pantry founder named Missouri’s 2020 Good Neighbor

January 27, 2021

Lucie Krisman,

Missouri Realtor Dennis Curtin has been deemed a Good Neighbor in Missouri for his efforts toward helping with food insecurity in his community. // Image courtesy of Missouri Realtors Kansas City, MO. real estate agent Dennis Curtin has just received the honor of being deemed the recipient of Missouri’s 2020 Good Neighbor Award. This award comes with a $2,500 check toward…

ArtsKC bringing politics and art together during Arts Advocacy Workshop

January 27, 2021

Sophia Misle,

Photo courtesy of ArtsKC The 2021 ArtsKC Arts Advocacy Workshop will include a discussion with Missouri legislators about bills being considered in the Missouri legislature. Legislators on both sides of the aisle will be a part of the panel. Participants will also learn how to be advocates for the arts community. Branden Haralson, ArtsKC Communications Manager, will host the event…

Great Plains SPCA Annual Puppygrams are back, baby

Deliver puppy love to your Valentine. For real. Do it. We command you.

January 26, 2021

Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga,

Puppygram puppies. // Courtesy of Great Plains SPCA. Are you looking for a way to wow your dog-loving Valentine? If so, Great Plains SPCA has you covered. Volunteers of the shelter will be delivering puppies in the KC metro area for 15-30 minute sessions beginning in February. Starting at $100, a Puppygram is a creative way to aid one of…

Archives: January 2021

Sundance Film Festival: Strawberry Mansion is a charmingly oddball sci-fi parable about consumer culture

Parson defends Missouri COVID response, lays out agenda in State of State address

Kansas City Barbeque Society partners with Arrowhead South Fan Club for charity fundraiser around Super Bowl LV

Streetwise takes care of the rich and famous, rocks the trans music scene

The Kid Detective is a painfully funny exploration of Gifted Kid Syndrome

"No matter how simple a case may seem, it's shocking what you can find."

Kansas City votes to require developers to provide affordable housing

Roman Alexander named to Spotify’s “Hot Country Artists to Watch 2021” list

Missouri lawmaker can block constituents on Twitter after years-long court battle

Missouri’s vaccine rollout is statically the worst in the nation; let us agree that sucks

Could we activate concert venues to help with the COVID-19 vaccination effort?

Planet Comicon Kansas City convention postponed from April until August

Missouri ranked sixth in US unemployment recovery from COVID-19

This local donut shop is making a Chiefs-inspired game day assortment

Missing dog turns up at a shelter 3 hours away, 21 days later

The family located the dog through a tip on Instagram.

KCK woman expands Black-owned streaming channel FABUtainment

FABUtainment owner, Francesca Williams, launches Roku channel

Local creatives heighten Black identity in comics through Black Spartans

The Boyfriend Experience

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the past and look to the future

Regional public health overdose response projects receive national funding

Dish & Drink KC: Two new Korean pop-ups to try in KC, plus two one-time-only takeout options you won’t want to miss

Sura Noodle Bar and Smoke n Seoul are here to wrap you up in Warm Korean comforts.

Local real estate agent, food pantry founder named Missouri’s 2020 Good Neighbor

ArtsKC bringing politics and art together during Arts Advocacy Workshop

Great Plains SPCA Annual Puppygrams are back, baby

Deliver puppy love to your Valentine. For real. Do it. We command you.

Find The Pitch

Archives: January 2021

"No matter how simple a case may seem, it's shocking what you can find."

The family located the dog through a tip on Instagram.

FABUtainment owner, Francesca Williams, launches Roku channel

Sura Noodle Bar and Smoke n Seoul are here to wrap you up in Warm Korean comforts.

Deliver puppy love to your Valentine. For real. Do it. We command you.

Find The Pitch

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