Archives: November 2022

The Coterie’s charming A Charlie Brown Christmas befriends a new generation

"I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about."

Photo by Jim Vaiknoras and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre I remember being 3, running around nursery school like a crazed doll. So I should relate to the mayhem of a sold-out holiday-weekend performance of the Coterie Theatre’s A Charlie Brown Christmas (by Charles M. Schulz), with the active, screaming (coughing) kids and their adult companions. It’s actually good to…

Houseless warming center makes policy changes ahead of incoming winter

Photo courtesy of Unity Southeast “Will you be open tonight?” asks a woman desperate to establish any kind of routine in a houseless situation, which is utter chaos on the best of days, especially when it’s below freezing. “No, sorry,” a volunteer says. “The forecast says it will be in the mid-20s until later in the weekend. It looks like…

The Pitch’s Holiday Gift Guide 2022

Crown Center Ice Terrace. // Courtesy Crown Center Ice Skating Season Pass (2022 – 2023) Crown Center Ice Terrace We’re workin’ on our fitness. KC’s original outdoor ice rink is celebrating its 50th season. From now until March 2023, skaters can enjoy unlimited access (during business hours and weather permitting) to our beloved Crown Center Ice Terrace for just $120….

KC Sips: Your Weekend Dining Guide

Shop small, celebrate big.

KC Sips. // Illustration by Cassondra Jones Looking for delicious plans? I spend the week scouring social media, press releases, and reservation sites so you don’t have to. Whether you want to impress a date, show your fam the best of KC, or just get out of the house, we’ve got you covered… all while supporting local.  This week is…

The Fabelmans turns the camera on Spielberg to uneven results, but it still brings the magic of cinema

For every hokey, on-the-nose beat, there’s a counter with a transcendent sequence that conveys the sense of escapism that only the movies can bring.

The Fabelmans. // Courtesy of Universal Pictures In the post-Roma age, it feels inevitable that respected directors all eventually turn their cameras on themselves, with results ranging from moving to pedantic to pretentious. The latest (and, for a certain subset of movie fans at least, the most anticipated) of these is Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, a semi-autobiographical exploration of Spielberg’s…

The Pop Up Before Christmas features booze and a surprisingly dexterous Oogie Boogie

Have a drink with the Mayor of Halloween Town at this new Apparition pop up in KCK.

Photo by Anna Perry-Rushtonx Opening Nov. 11 and running through the New Year, “A Pop Up Before Christmas” at Deep Roots (4601 Shawnee Dr, KCK) is the second Apparition popup set at the location, following “Sanderson Sisters & Spirits,” last season’s Hocus Pocus escapade. Helmed from concept through completion by the magnificent Maggie Boone with art from popup veteran Colleen…

KC Voices: A Splash of Life KC’s updated status with the dangerous buildings list and what comes next

Splash of Life KC. // Bek Shackelford We’ve been asking members of the KC community to submit stories about their thoughts and experiences in all walks of life. If you’ve got a story you’d like to share with our readers, please send it to brock@thepitchkc.com for consideration. We’ve previously covered the Splash of Life KC building on Troost being placed…

Dish & Drink KC: A sip of the season at Second Best Coffee, sammies at M&M’s, Mediterranean fare at Paros Leawood

Chorizo Burrito and the Autumn Latte at Second Best Coffee. // Photo by Tyler Shane Second Best Coffee’s Autumn Latte and Chorizo Burrito Though their name would tell you differently, don’t be fooled by Second Best Coffee’s humility. Based in Waldo, the shop’s coffee menu is delightful, and the food is made in-house. The Autumn Latte is the fall drink…

Former camper suing Missouri-based Kanakuk claiming ‘fraudulent’ abuse settlement

The lawsuit alleges the Branson-based Christian summer camp’s leadership persuaded a camper’s family to sign a settlement agreement in 2010 by misrepresenting their prior knowledge of a staff member’s sexual misconduct.

Logan Yandell, pictured in 2009, alleges he was sexually abused at Kanakuk Kamps from by its former director, Peter Newman. Yandell’s family settled with the camp in 2010 and is suing now over the settlement (Photo submitted). A Branson Christian summer camp is being sued by a former camper who alleges leadership concealed their prior knowledge of a director’s sexual…

Bill Berkley named 2022 Kansas Citian of the Year by KC Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of Kansas City Chamber of Commerce The Kansas City Chamber of Commerce announced Bill Berkley as the recipient of the 2022 Kansas Citian of the Year Award. The prestigious award is highly lauded across the business community and is honored “only to those persons whose civic contributions and achievements have reflected the insight, creativity, and consciousness necessary to build…

Best of KC 2022: Royals bits

Royals vs. Athletics. // Photo by Chris Ortiz This month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can browse the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some of our current favorite things about Kansas City in 2022. We’ll be publishing these items…

Holy cow! Olathe Barbecue guru Dave Elliott wins 2022 World Burger Championship

Dave Elliot. // Courtesy Jenny Meyer-McCall How’s this for serendipity? A guy from Cowtown just brought home the gold at the 2022 World Food Championship which was held last week in Dallas, Texas.  And how apropos that Dave Elliott’s winning category would be World Burger Champion.  The Olathe-based chef/pitmaster is no stranger to food competitions. In fact, it’s his jam….

Kevin Johnson’s attorneys, special prosecutor ask Missouri Supreme Court to stay execution

Missouri Supreme Court set oral arguments on motions for Nov. 28 ― the day before Johnson is scheduled to be executed.

Kevin Johnson Jr. with his daughter, Corionsa Ramey, and his grandson. // Courtesy of the ACLU of Missouri Attorneys for a St. Louis man sentenced to die for a murder he committed when he was 19 asked the Missouri Supreme Court Monday to delay his execution to allow for a hearing on alleged constitutional violations in his original trial. Kevin…

The Onion collaborates with RAYGUN for first in-store merchandise collection this holiday season

“The Greatest Store in the Universe” releases limited-edition collaboration with The Onion // Courtesy of Crossroads Arts District The Onion, everyone’s favorite parody newspaper, has announced a limited holiday release of products in brick-and-mortar locations across the Midwest. The release is a partnership with RAYGUN, a screen-printing, clothing, and design store with eight locations across the heartland. Dubbed “The Greatest…

Photos: Andy Frasco & The U.N. at The Truman

Andy Frasco & The U.N. // photo by Barry Meitler Andy Frasco & The U.N. with Little Stranger The Truman Friday, November 18 Los Angeles blue rockers Andy Frasco & The U.N. hit The Truman on Friday to play a scorching set. Philadelphia’s indie hip-hop duo Little Stranger opened. Barry Meitler (find him on Instagram and Facebook) was there to capture it all….

Going inside Record Store Day with ORG Music’s Andrew Rossiter

Adobe Stock The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. In addition to the myriad sales going on in stores, virtually, and seemingly everywhere else to get your holiday dollars, record shops have gotten in on the action, adding in a second celebration of music as a wintry compliment to the April explosion of exclusive releases which is Record Store Day….

Drink This Now: Mexicolada at Drastic Measures

Mexicolada at Drastic Measures. // Photo by Sarah Sipple Few places in KC take the art of craft cocktails as seriously as Drastic Measures. Co-owner Jay Sanders takes to social media to show behind the scenes of the meticulous ingredient curation. The preparation of tinctures, infusions, and garnishes can take weeks. For example, while most bars use traditional lemon and…

Reba McEntire jogs down memory lane in style at T-Mobile Center

Reba McEntire. // photo by Chris Ortiz Reba McEntire with Terri Clark T-Mobile Center Friday, November 18 Reba McEntire headlined the stage on Friday Night at the T-Mobile Center as part of her 17-city tour with Terri Clark. The next to last stop on this leg of the tour featured some of The Queen of Country’s most famous songs, video…

Steve Vai’s Inviolate Tour shreds, transcends The Uptown

Steve Vai at The Uptown. // Photo by Drew Windish On Nov. 20, Steve Vai held a magisterial display of guitar mastery at the Uptown Theater.  Accompanied by guitarist/keyboard player Dave Weiner, bassist Phillip Bynoe, and drummer Jeremy Colson, Vai delivered his promises of ethereal rifts and demonic multi-faceted guitars after postponing the Inviolate tour earlier this year.  The concert…

Best of KC 2022: The Chiefs are still the Chiefs without Tyreek

Frozen Arrowhead Stadium from last February. // Photo by Travis Young This month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can browse the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some of our current favorite things about Kansas City in 2022. We’ll be…

KC’s oldest Turkey Trot returns to Aspiria

Aspiria hosts its 33rd Annual Thanksgiving 5K Run & Family Stroll

Starting line at KC annual turkey trot. Courtesy Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation. On Thursday, November 24, T-Mobile presents its 33rd Annual Thanksgiving 5K Run & Family Stroll. Whether you’re seeking a physical outlet for holiday overwhelm or an opportunity to celebrate in solidarity with other Kansas Citians, this race is for you.  “We’re excited to bring friends, family–and…