Archives: December 2021

Spielberg’s West Side Story is the pure power of cinema on glorious display

If you parkour-dance your way out of the theater, we won’t judge you.

West Side Story. // Photo by Niko Tavernise By now, you’ve probably seen those ridiculous Nicole Kidman AMC ads, the ones where she walks through a conspicuously glamorous, conspicuously clean multiplex and pretends to eat popcorn while talking about the transportive magic of the movies, and how “heartbreak feels good in a place like this.” She’s right, of course, that…

Streetwise podcast revels in trash with Nathan Rabin

This week on the Streetwise podcast we discuss runnin’ along, enjoy a reading of Liz Cook’s review of Wah Gwan, vibe to KG and The Drive’s track “Battles,” and chat with author Nathan Rabin about his new book, The Joy of Trash. 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 on…

Kansas City Public Library receives huge grant to become a vaccination station

Courtesy Kansas City Public Library, North-East Branch The Kansas City Public Library has received a Communities for Immunity award in support of its work to increase vaccine confidence in the Kansas City metropolitan area. As trusted community partners, museums and libraries play a critical role in building vaccine confidence and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The $79,935 award will support increased…

The War on Drugs failed. Will radical compassion work?

Never Use Alone is part of the harm reduction movement to fight drug abuse.

Kevin FitzGerald of Ballwin volunteers for the national Never Use Alone hotline, sitting on the phone with people after they use narcotics, so he can call for help if they overdose. // Photo by Phuong Bui A few months ago, Kevin FitzGerald was driving along Interstate 44 toward St. Louis when his iPhone buzzed. FitzGerald picked it up. The voice…

With Nightmare Alley, Guillermo Del Toro goes ultra-dark

There’s noir, then there’s the gaping void. This is the later.

Nightmare Alley. // Photo by Kerry Hayes. © 2021 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved People are anxious to show you who they are. In 1947’s Nightmare Alley, Ian Keith’s washed-up carnie mentalist Pete tells Tyrone Power’s upstart Stan Carlisle that the secret to a good mind-reading grift is knowing how to read people and tap into common personal experiences….

Keep Them Coming: It’s the most wonderful (and sexiest) time of the year

Design by Shelby Phelps All the attention on relationship rejuvenation you read in magazines seems to be focused on the summertime. Perhaps it’s the summertime sizzle that makes late fall and early winter the most common time to conceive. (Psst—it’s also when Americans are most likely to be diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea, so please start getting tested regularly and…

Biden visits KC to tout $1 trillion infrastructure package

Joe Biden speaks in KC regarding his infrastructure plans on Dec. 8, 2021. // Photo by Chris Ortiz President Joe Biden touched down in Kansas City just before 1 p.m. December 8 as his entourage made its way to Kansas City’s Area Transportation Authority, where the President was slated to discuss the $1 trillion infrastructure package he had signed into…

By Design magazine to publish final issue. For now.

  By Design, the KC-based creative lifestyle brand, is set to release the final issue of their print magazine during a night of celebration Friday, December 10. By Design’s magazine features over 50 different Midwest creatives, with a large percentage of those hailing from Kansas City. Local creators featured include rappers Jooby Truth and DWalk, visual artist Kaylah Wesley, designer…

KC Jazz Ambassadors present first JAM Musician Awards December 14

The KC Jazz Ambassadors will present the first annual JAM Musician Awards, Tuesday, December 14, at Johnnie’s Jazz Club in downtown Kansas City. The evening will kick off with a 7 p.m. opening set from the UMKC Conservatory Jazz Ensemble, after which awards will be announced for 14 categories. The initial round of voting began in March, with the top…

Satisfy your seasonal cravings with Betty Rae’s holiday flavors

Mint lovers rise up!

Betty Rae’s seasonal flavors. // Photo by Liz Goodwin As the holidays bring unpopular colder weather and very popular seasonal flavors such as eggnog and peppermint, Betty Rae’s proves it’s never too cold to enjoy a festive scoop of ice cream.  The cult-favorite creamery is serving up its new Peppermint Bark variety, complete with swirls of chocolate and vibrant red…

Brijhana Epperson and Moragen Ferrell are the butterfly and the bee

Coach Courtney, Moragen Ferrell, and Brijhana Epperson of Against the Grain train at their home gym in the back of a low rider auto shop in Independence, Missouri. // Photo by Chase Castor Brijhana Epperson is just 12 years old, but she is already the only female Kansas City boxer in history to claim gold in a USA National Boxing…

Beabadoobee headlines a polite evening at The Truman with Christian Leave, Blackstarkids

Sunday night’s gig at The Truman was one of the most polite rock shows I’ve attended. Also, likely the one with the youngest average age, both in performers and attendees. The Truman’s warehouse-style venue was roughly half full of fans who had come to see Filipino-British singer-songwriter Beabadoobee. Perhaps due to its cold concrete interior and its lack of tiered…

Missouri Attorney General tells schools, health departments to end COVID orders

Schmitt demands agencies stop ‘enforcing and publicizing any such orders immediately’ or face court action.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt speaks to a gathering of Missouri Highway Patrol officers in April 2021. // Photo courtesy of the attorney general’s office Attorney General Eric Schmitt instructed school districts and local public health departments to immediately stop enforcing health orders a judge ruled unconstitutional last month, and warned Tuesday they may face legal action if they fail…

Eat This Now: The soft pretzels at King G

The soft pretzels at King G. // Photo by April Fleming Deli by day and moody bar by night, King G has managed to stand out in the booming East Crossroads entertainment district along 18th Street by offering straightforward, solid dishes and drinks in an unpretentiously cool and modern environment. One of those dishes, and probably its most humble, is…

Photos: Atreyu baptized the crowd at the Truman

Also on the bill: Crown the Empire, Tetrarch, and Saul.

Atreyu with Crown the Empire, Tetrarch, and Saul The Truman Monday, December 6 Touring in support of their eighth album, Baptize, metalcore veterans Atreyu’s tour hit The Truman on Monday night with support from Crown the Empire, Tetrarch, and Saul. Both Atreyu and Crown the Empire underwent lineup changes over the last couple of years, making this show Kansas City…

Photos: The Acacia Strain headlined a heavy night at the Bottleneck

The Acacia Strain with Kublai Khan, Orthodox, Dying Wish, and Hammerhedd The Bottleneck Saturday, December 4 On Saturday night, five heavy as anything bands took to the stage to rip shit up at the Bottleneck. There were enough breakdowns to tear down the walls of the place, it seemed, and more finger-pointing than the Spider-Man meme. The sold-out crowd was…

BesaMe Wellness successfully navigates the early medical marijuana delivery market

Courtesy BesaMe Wellness If there is a Santa Claus of Cannabis somewhere out there in Kansas City, he is either a secretive bong-wielding vigilante of the night or a straight-shooter who simply hasn’t yet made the trek to Missouri for a plethora of fairly obvious legal reasons. In the meantime, professionals like Aaron Turvey, BesaMe Wellness’ Director of Transportation, are…

Drink This Now: Bronson’s Milk Punch

Bronson’s Milk Punch. // Photo by April Fleming Humans are remarkable in their ability to make hooch out of anything: potatoes, juniper, honey, and rice are the basis for some of the world’s most common spirits. But the British (or perhaps medieval Irish, as there is not a clear consensus) alchemists that figured out how to make a shelf stable,…

Lifted Spirits partners with Torn Label on limited whiskey release

Lifted Spirits Distillery has partnered with Torn Label Brewing Co. to bring a limited-edition holiday brew, Straight Wheat Whiskey, to the table in honor of Lifted Spirits’ five-year anniversary.  Four hundred bottles of the Straight Wheat Whiskey—which “balances hops and bitterness with the rich, sweet notes of malted dark chocolate, toffee and fig”—will be available for purchase starting December 8. …

Premiere: White Line Nightmares’ ‘Slash and Burn’ is pure power trio rock ‘n’ roll

Photo by Tasha Odom Lawrence’s rock ‘n’ roll trio White Line Nightmares isn’t lacking in pedigree: guitarist and vocalist PK was in the Throttlers, bassist and vocalist John Cutler was in Tenderloin and Parlay, as well as currently playing with the Mad Kings, and drummer Jason Meier hit skins for mi6. Together, they’re a well-oiled rock machine, suitable for fans…