Archives: April 2023

Politics

Missouri Attorney General enacts emergency regulation banning majority of trans adults and children from gender-affirming care

Sarah Moore,

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey enacted an emergency rule that virtually bans gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey put into effect an emergency regulation that bans gender-affirming care for transgender folks unless they can prove that they have experienced at least three years of body dysmorphia and have undergone at least…
Politics

Ban on transgender care passes Missouri House, setting up possible clash with Senate

House Republicans approved a prohibition on transgender medicine without grandfather clause or sunset provision that were key to the bill clearing the Senate.
Annelise Hanshaw,

House Majority Leader Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, speaks in a press conference after voting against a bill seeking to ban gender-affirming care for minors (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). Differences between the House and Senate on how strict a ban on certain transgender health care should be could spell trouble for the proposal’s chances as the Missouri legislative session nears completion. Leaders…

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Culture

Comedian Brian Regan on blackjack, Johnny Carson, and difficult humor

Catch him at at the Missouri Theater in St. Joseph on Saturday, April 29
Emma Hilboldt,

Brian Regan. // Courtesy photo Brian Regan is one of the biggest names in comedy. From his appearances on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and his catalog of Netflix specials (including Nunchucks and Flamethrowers, and On the Rocks)—Brian Regan has been applauded for his observational and family-friendly comedy since his debut…

Parker Levi And Austin Dearth Work On Their Art At Imagine That! Kansas City.
Culture

KC Cares: Artistic license from Imagine That! Kansas City

Beth Lipoff,

Parker Levi and Austin Dearth work on their art at Imagine That! Kansas City. // Photo by Beth Lipoff Artistic expression is for everyone, and Imagine That! Kansas City is working to make sure adults with developmental disabilities get a chance to shine in whatever art medium they choose. Imagine That! is part of an organization called Resources for Human…

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Food & Drink

KC Sips: Free giant nacho bar, an alpaca brunch, and record-breaking chocolate

Your weekend dining guide.
Sarah Sipple,

Art by Cassondra Jones Looking for delicious plans? 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.  Here is your weekly roundup of the best food and drink offerings around Kansas City. Cheers! Something New Orange by Devoured: Congratulations! One…

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Politics

Missouri House hearing on ‘parents bill of rights’ centers on diversity education

Annelise Hanshaw,

Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, presents his Senate bill in a House elementary and secondary education committee hearing Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). A prohibition on diversity curriculum in public schools was the focus of debate Wednesday in a Missouri House committee, as lawmakers heard testimony on the Senate version of “parents bill of rights” legislation. Sen. Andrew Koenig, a Manchester…
Movies

The Stylist’s Jill Gevargizian talks moviemaking career, Black Mold, and teases upcoming thriller

Sarah Moore,

Jill Gevargizian on the set of Black Mold. // Courtesy of Jill Gevargizian Jill Gevargizian knew since high school that what she craved in a career was creative freedom. She wanted to dye her hair, dress, accessorize, and express herself however she saw fit. Today, she has accomplished this goal by combining two seemingly unconnected jobs—hairstyling and filmmaking. Gevargizian, a…

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Theater

Les Misérables set to bring revolutionary spirit to Kansas City Music Hall

Ivy Anderegg,

Courtesy Jenny Bates (Bond Theatrical) World-renowned musical Les Misérables is back on the road with the U.S. national touring cast for a week-long engagement at Kansas City’s Music Hall May 2-7. Cameron Mackintosh’s groundbreaking production of the classic story has delighted audiences since its restaging in 2009—an unforgettable act alongside the soaring score by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. The…
Politics

Missouri House advances limits on health care, sports participation for transgender minors

The House did not include a pair of provisions that were part of a compromise to end a Democratic filibuster in the Senate, including one that would allow current transgender patients to continue with treatment.
Annelise Hanshaw,

Rep. Brad Hudson, R-Cape Fair, presents a bill that seeks to ban gender-affirming care for minors on the Missouri House floor Tuesday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) The Missouri House on Tuesday gave initial approval to bills that would ban certain medical procedures for transgender minors and prohibit transgender athletes from competing in school sports according to their gender identity. The legislation…

Open The Doors Coaching
Culture

Keep Them Coming: Blurred lines in your relationship with cannabis

Kristen Thomas,

Kristen Thomas. // Photo by Nicole Bissey With recreational cannabis sales now legal in Missouri, it’s no surprise that I’ve been fielding more questions about sex and weed in my practice. As someone who loves cannabis, I’m happy to answer these questions! While I am a big-time pleasure pusher, I don’t advise everyone to consume cannabis and start fooling around—at…

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Music

recordBar to host John Prine tribute concert benefitting Kansas City Folk Fest

Sofia Mongillo,

Courtesy image Kansas City’s second annual Folk Fest is bringing a John Prine Tribute show to recordBar April 14. The show’s lineup features a variety of local musicians, including Kristin Hamilton, Scott Stanton, and Lucy Gray, among others. In remembrance of the late singer-songwriter’s life and influence on music, each musician will take on their own interpretation of Prine’s well-known melodies. Known…

Assorted Macarons At Kate Smith Soiree
Food & Drink

Dish & Drink KC: Relaxed luncheon bites at Kate Smith Soirée and breezy cocktails at Outta the Blue

Lauren Textor,

Assorted macarons at Kate Smith Soirée. // Photo by Lauren Textor Kate Smith Soirée replaces Clocktower Bakery as Overland Park’s premier tearoom  In December 2022, after 13 years of deliciously flaky pastries and hot cups of tea, the owners of Clocktower Bakery announced the imminent closure of the restaurant. Kate Smith Soirée moved in soon after, keeping the general layout…

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Art

Michael Schliefke shows new nautical silkscreen oil paintings at “Sailing Away” exhibit April 14-15

Amanda Hadlock,

The artist’s new work in his studio. // Courtesy photo Michael Schliefke Local painter Michael Schliefke will show a new series of silkscreen oil paintings at his Schliefkevision Gallery (104 Askew Ave.) this weekend. The opening reception will take place Friday, April 14, from 6-9 p.m., and gallery hours continue into Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m….

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Sports

Lenexa’s Black Hoof Disc Golf Course opens to enthusiastic hobbyists and professionals alike

A championship-level, 10,000 foot 18-hole course and a beginner 9-hole course look to bring players of all levels out this season.
Tyler Schneider,

Black Hoof Disc Golf Course in Lenexa. // Courtesy photo A hole at Black Hoof Disc Golf Course in Lenexa. // Courtesy photo On April 1, the City of Lenexa kicked off springtime with the official opening of the Black Hoof Disc Golf Course, featuring a championship-level 18-hole timber course and a family-friendly 9-hole course. The festivities included the inaugural…

Dragon Inn 3 Trade Secrets Collage By Alex Dhanani
Music

Dragon Inn 3 collaborates with The Salvation Choir on new single

'See It Your Way' out now
Nick Spacek,

Dragon Inn 3. // collage by Alex Dhanani Kansas City-based indie pop/synth band Dragon Inn 3 released their debut album, Double Line, in 2018, and their sophomore album, Trade Secrets, is out on American Laundromat Records on Friday, April 28. This Tuesday, the band released the album’s second single, “See It Your Way,” which sees Dragon Inn 3 collaborate with…

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Sports

In Your Corner For Hope throws down against domestic violence at the Uptown

Dominic Pellettiere,

Photo by Dominic Pellettierre “You can’t kill me, motherfucker,” says Christy Martin, standing within the vinyl pedestal squared by four ropes. The former world champion isn’t fighting another competitor these days, but she persists ahead with knockout power during her keynote speeches, countering the taboo behind domestic violence and mental health.  The Uptown Theater was lined with rows of seating…

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Food & Drink

Eat This Now: Green Queen at Buffalo State Pizza

Sarah Sipple,

Green Queen at Buffalo State Pizza. // Photo by Sarah Sipple Buffalo State prides itself on gimmick-free New York-style pizza and beer. The pizza speaks for itself, which is why you won’t find frequent menu changes or supplemented options of pasta and frozen-to-fried apps. Choices range from an XXL 26-inch party-sized pie to individual slices. If you’re really into the…

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Food & Drink

Four Inane Questions with Chef Johnny Leach

Michael Mackie,

Chef Johnny Leach. // Courtesy photo Chef Johnny Leach took Kansas City by storm three years ago when he became the buzzworthy executive chef of Hotel Kansas City. (And in the middle of a pandemic, no less!) The culinary pro started turning out inspired, upscale fare about .02 seconds after he arrived in the metro.  Leach says he cut his…

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Music

Photos: Farmer’s Ball 2023 Finals

Maura Dayton,

Island Policy. // Photo by Maura Dayton Farmer’s Ball 2023 Finals The Bottleneck Lawrence, KS April 7, 2023 KJHK 90.7 FM hosted their annual Farmer’s Ball finals at the Bottleneck in Lawrence on Friday night, featuring finalists God’s Computer, Cat Fight, Discotek Mama, and Island Policy. Topeka’s grunge-inspired trio Island Policy took the crown this time, and our photographer Maura…
Culture

Corey Mertes’ Self-Defense challenges readers to empathize with everyone, even the most unlikable characters

Sarah Moore,

Self Defense is Corey Mertes’ first published book. // Courtesy of Corey Mertes Kansas Citian Corey Mertes’ first book Self-Defense is an exploration of human behavior and gives us a glimpse of Mertes’ eclectic past. Live the life of 12 struggling, down-on-their-luck individuals that are fighting for control through Mertes’ collection of short stories. Although this is his first published…