Andy Hartzler. // Courtesy Andy Hartzler Love and familiarity are powerful antidotes against hate and homophobia. Strident evangelicals, even gay-bashing politicians, will sometimes stand down when a beloved daughter, brother, niece, or neighbor comes out as LGBTQ+. But not Vicky Hartzler. The GOP congresswoman from Cass County, who is a leading contender for Missouri’s open U.S. Senate seat, has used…
The Pitch’s Scavenger Hunt winners: Kingsleysmen. During the mostly-sunny days of May 12-15, 30 teams in The Pitch’s Scavenger Hunt enjoyed a preview of some of the fun things that Kansas City has to offer this summer. Participants solved poetic riddles to visit 24 local hot spots ranging from businesses to museums, Lee’s Summit to Parkville, and dispensaries to disc…
Bastille at the Uptown, May 29, 2022. // Photo by Allison Scavo Bastille Uptown Theater Sunday, May 29 As one of the top-charting artists in recent years from the radio rock scene, Bastille is back again with their newest album, Give Me The Future. To celebrate the release of the album, the band has gone on the road with their…
The Surf & Turf Get Lucky Burger. // Courtesy of Gaels Public House Gaels Public House owner Derrick Bachman is an avid ocean visitor and a seafood enthusiast. He wants guests to know his Irish-tinged menu reflects all of that and more. “My personality comes through in multiple facets of my restaurant,” Bachman says. “Our lunch menu brings in regulars,…
Pink Party fundraiser event last October. // Courtesy Palace Parties The war in Ukraine left many people wondering how they can help. Palace Parties, an organization that throws events for the LGBTQIA+ community in Kansas City, shows us that no matter where we are, we can give back using our own resources. Wayne Moots and Gabi Bailey have been hosting…
State Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, listens to a question as she presents a bill in committee. // Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent Micah Titterington was among hundreds of organization leaders who opposed a measure in the Missouri legislature this year that they argue would criminalize homelessness statewide. Modeled on legislation pushed in states across the country by a conservative nonprofit from Texas…
Second place winners at Kansas City Barbecue Society’s annual Media Pro-Am. //Photo courtesy of Brock Wilbur Howdy, dear readers. Welcome to the June issue of The Pitch—our traditional map to summer fun and heatstroke adventure in the metro area. Outside of our handy guide to all the best ways to spend your days between now and the fall, we’ve got…
Some personal news: The Pitch has a new weekly podcast, called Screen Time, where we talk movies, TV, games, and all other entertainment.. screen-based. You get it, we all get it. The title is fun. Presented by Fresh Karma, this is a new extension of the publication, where a rotating set of hosts from our film and culture departments will…
Travis Young in the FilmX lab. // Photo by Chase Castor In an age of TikTok and instant dopamine hits, creating and savoring honest art takes practice. There has been a clear resurgence of analog appreciation when it comes to music and vinyl records, but what about visual art? Film photography offers an authenticity that is unmatched by the digital…
This week on the Streetwise podcast we talk about our America’s crushing week, enjoy a reading of Michael Cripe’s story on The 501st Legion in KC, bop to Katy Guillen & The Drive’s track “Set in Stone,” and interview Briana Lawrence about cosplay and the anime con-circuit. Streetwise is hosted by Brock Wilbur, Editor-in-Chief of The Pitch. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify. Subscribe to the Streetwise newsletter, a…
The Raven Book Store storefront, Lawrence, KS. // Photo by Emeline Hutton The Raven Book Store in Lawrence, KS celebrates its victory in being named Publishers Weekly’s Bookstore of the Year. The store, located on Massachusetts St., serves the heart of Lawrence, while nestled in the city’s most popular area. With undying love and support from the community, The Raven has…
Former Democratic lawmaker Jennifer Day canvasses in Prairie Village to encourage voters to reject a constitutional amendment that would open the door for bans on abortion in Kansas. // Photo by Dylan Lysen via Kansas News Service Kansas Democrats and activists who want to protect the right to abortion recently ramped up their efforts to defeat a constitutional amendment in…
Photo by Joe @ripster8 U.S. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a bill that would require federal agencies to monitor domestic terrorism incidents, including those potentially related to white supremacy. The failure of the Senate procedural vote showed again how difficult it is for Congress to agree on any response to U.S. gun violence. It followed a racist mass shooting in…
Wriggly sees a squirrel. // Courtesy of Scott Poore This week’s “Creature Feature” is brought to you with the help of Scott Poore from Mission Driven. Meet Wriggly, a sweet 65-pound German Shepherd who is only a year old. She is a brilliant pup who is in need of a home that can accommodate her smarts as well as her…
The boys are back. // Photo by Patrick Moore Eating at three different Wahlburger locations was 100% my idea. No one at The Pitch was begging for this coverage. I have a strange fascination with the entire Wahlberg family. I’ve also seen every episode of Wahlburgers (reality show that aired on A&E for 10 seasons) and the HBO Max series,…
Courtesy Parade of Hearts The hearts that pulled Kansas City together are now coming to a close. Originally starting as a fundraiser for The University of Kansas Health System, as the Parade of Hearts idea expanded, the event decided to give their focus to a few other organizations. “Before the pandemic happened it was going to be raising funds for…
Jason Sudeikis will return to host THUNDERGONG! for its sixth annual show. // Courtesy Will Gregory PR THUNDERGONG!, the Steps of Faith Foundation’s fundraiser variety show, will be back live and in-person Nov. 12 at Uptown Theatre. The nonprofit provides quality prosthetics for amputees, and executive director Billy Brimblecom, Jr. knows the importance of this mission firsthand. Brimblecom’s left leg…
A veteran stands in front of “Forgotten Soldiers.” // Photo by Jim Nimmo This weekend marks the annual start of summer, by vacation standards. Memorial Day is the last Monday in May, granting us a long lake weekend during which a few of us will remember to thank the old vet drinking beer next to us for their service. It’s an…
Dom Chronicles. // Photo by Alex Lewis Dominique Hall, better known as Dom Chronicles, is building the reality he wants for himself. Rapping isn’t the only thing he has his hands in. He also started local creative management company Reality Makers Co., and Grand Rising, a holistic and spiritual wellness club that focuses on health and community. Dom Chronicles’ new…
Janelle Monáe in KC for Open Spaces 2018. // Photo by April Flemming New inductees are coming to the Kansas Music Hall of Fame for 2022. With a variety of genres represented these individuals are bringing new faces to the Hall of Fame. The individuals and groups who will be receiving awards include Crosswind, Slate Creek Band, Switch, Moreland &…
The Head and the Heart keeps up the pace with another cinematically-lit track. // Photo by Michael Cripe No one expected folk-rock sextet The Head and the Heart to offer a cinematic experience when it came to Uptown Theater earlier this week—but it did that anyway. Expectations were set when raspy, English singer-songwriter Jade Bird laid out an impressive opening…
The author having a good time, all of the time. // Photo by Patrick Moore Adult resistant Microsoft Paint packaging. // Photo by Patrick Moore I felt like a real creep eating this thing. The last time I had a sucker was when I went to the pediatrician. But unlike the ones I got from Dr. Anderson, this one will…
Fred Durst. // Photo by Aaron Rhodes Several times throughout Limp Bizkit’s 80-minute headlining set at Cable Dahmer Arena on Tuesday night, fans were encouraged by singer Fred Durst to “party like it’s 1999.” That was a big year for Bizkit. Five years after the Jacksonville, Florida band had formed, they had released their second album on Interscope Records, Significant…
The Rebel Song Academy gives Kansas City youth the instruments they need to succeed. // Courtesy Art as Mentorship Enrollment for The Rebel Song Academy’s Ignition Camp is officially here, opening the door for entry-level, youth musicians to collaborate and bond over a week of musical learning. This introduction to the songwriting process will see students creating original songs, crescendoing…
