Archives: May 2023

Politics

Kansas Republicans justify private school handouts with fear of ‘woke ideology’

In secret recording, GOP official warns public schools will ‘weaponize those children against you.'
Rachel Mipro,

Statehouse visitors look at the Brown v. Board mural on the same floor as the House and Senate chambers. When Republicans complain about the supposed indoctrination of school children, they point to rainbow drawings, the national motto, a “God-sized hole” and critical race theory. Their solution involves funneling public cash to private religious schools. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Adam…
Movies

Fast X has a Dominic Toretto problem

The head of the family needs to listen to the other members.
Abby Olcese,

Fast X. // Courtesy Universal Pictures We need to talk about Vin Diesel. The Fast and Furious movies have long been Diesel’s baby, ever since he jumped on as a producer for the fourth entry, 2009’s Fast & Furious. The story behind his creative control of the series is a convoluted one. The crux, however, is that as he’s taken…
Politics

Missouri attorney general withdraws emergency rule banning transgender health care

The attorney general’s rule impacted adults. Legislation limiting access for only minors awaits Gov. Mike Parson’s signature.
Annelise Hanshaw,

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks to The Federalist Society on the Missouri House of Representatives floor Friday. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey terminated his emergency rule on gender-affirming care Tuesday — less than a week after the state legislature sent a ban on minors starting treatment to the governor’s desk. The ACLU of Missouri filed a…

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Food & Drink

Vignettes’ Bob’s Burgers pop-up is a colorful ode to Seymour’s Bay, featuring burgers and black-out booze

Tyler Schneider,

Bob’s Bargers at Vignettes. // Photo by Tyler Schneider From May 5 through June 17, Vignettes has transformed into “Bob’s Bargers,” a celebration of the 13-season, 258-episode show (plus a movie) starring H. Jon Benjamin—a truly blended comfort-show littered with uncomfortable situations that lends itself well as the quirky venue’s newest theme.  With Delaney Rose taking creative control as she…

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Music

Les Claypool talks Fearless Flying Frog Brigade’s ‘musical chowder’ ahead of May 26 Grinders show

Also, the surprise that broke the co-creator of South Park in a live concert.
Amanda Hadlock,

Les Claypool. / Photo by Paul Haggard Les Claypool is one of the most prolific and progressive bassists and songwriters in contemporary music. Primarily known as the frontman, lead vocalist, bassist, and main songwriter for his band Primus, Claypool also famously penned the theme song for Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s South Park. He’s also co-frontman of The Claypool Lennon…

Photo By Steve Puppe
Food & Drink

The Good Charcoal brings the heat just in time for barbecue season

Lauren Textor,

Photo by Steve Puppe Kansas City is the home of barbecue, but it’s also a budding leader in sustainability. As our city increases its commitment to going green, fans of the classic cookout can match that energy by switching their charcoal brand.  The Good Charcoal is a 100% chemical-free, sustainably-harvested product made from acacia. It’s taken from the Namibian bush,…

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Movies

Theodore Schaefer’s Giving Birth to a Butterfly delivers a compelling, sensitive suburban nightmare

Brynn Winkler,

Giving Birth to a Butterfly. // Courtesy Cinedigm With compelling characters and an eerie take on suburbia, Theodore Schaefer’s debut film, Giving Birth to a Butterfly, will take you on a melancholic, unsettling road trip to self-discovery that’s well worth the watch.  Schaefer, who’s best known for his work as a producer on We’re All Going to the World Fair…

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Music

They Might Be Giants’ John Flasburgh on Flood, 30 (+3) years later

Nick Spacek,

They Might Be Giants (l-r John Linnell & John Flansburgh). // photo credit Sam Graff They Might Be Giants’ classic 1990 album, Flood, turned 30 years old in 2020. The band was going to tour in support of it, but then COVID happened, and the tour was delayed. And delayed. And delayed again. Somehow, the seminally nerdy rockers will play…
Culture

KC Collector Expo brings action figures, retro gaming, and much more to Independence this Sunday

Anna Perry-Rushton,

Jeremy Lewis’ collection from the expo. // Courtesy social media They say if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself, and that’s just what Ed Mingus did with the KC Collector Expo. After traveling across to shows as far as St. Louis, Iowa and Nebraska—including the very large Comicons—he found Kansas City lacking an affordable and local…
Politics

‘There’s no point in staying’: Transgender Missourians describe toll of legislative session

One mom of a transgender child said the last few months have been especially hard, and ‘if people can leave, they’re trying to leave.’
Annelise Hanshaw,

A Missouri family stands by their doormat at a home they are soon to leave — drawn out by bills that would limit the freedoms of their transgender son (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) Linda, Pat and their 15-year-old son Alex describe themselves as refugees of Missouri. Alex, which is a pseudonym to protect his privacy, is transgender. He’s lived his entire…

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Culture

Four Inane Questions with Temple Buddhist Center’s Victor Dougherty

Michael Mackie,

Courtesy photo If the trials and tribulations of life have you down, Victor Dougherty has your back, spiritually speaking. He’s been the Zen-tastic director of the Temple Buddhist Center at Unity Temple on the Plaza since 2018. “I’ve been practicing for over 18 years leading retreats, classes, workshops on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness to groups all around the area,” he…

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Music

Photos: Whiskey Myers were cooking with gasoline at Starlight

Mike Dotson,

Whiskey Myers. // photo credit Mike Dotson Whiskey Myers Starlight Saturday, May 13 Saturday night, Southern rockers Whiskey Myers took to the stage at Starlight in support of their latest album, Tornillo, playing nearly every single you could’ve possibly hoped for, alongside covers of ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival Our photographer, Mike Dotson, was there to capture all the action….

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Food & Drink

Eat This Now: Pad Key Maw at Baramee Thai Bistro

Sarah Sipple,

Pad Key Maw at Baramee Thai Bistro. // Photo by Sarah Sipple Baramee Thai Bistro, across from Raygun in Crossroads, is a local favorite for dine-in and carry-out Thai cuisine. The menu is consistent from visit to visit, so most guests have favorite dishes they return for. Service is fast, so if there’s a wait at the door, it won’t…

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Music

Photos: Deafheaven’s May 13 gig at Madrid Theatre with Chase the Horseman

Maura Dayton,

Deafheaven. // Photo by Maura Dayton Deafheaven with Chase the Horseman The Madrid Theatre Saturday, May 13 On Saturday, May 13, Deafheaven stopped at The Madrid Theatre for a headlining show in KC amid their tour in support of Coheed and Cambria. Local artist Chase the Horseman kicked off the show. Our photographer Maura Dayton (@twistedmauraphotos), was there to capture…

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Culture

Four Inane Questions with whole health practitioner Rick Folten

Michael Mackie,

Courtesy photo Rick Folten is not only a doctor—he plays one on TV. Literally. If you think the Overland Park chiropractor looks familiar, it’s for a good reason. Folten has been cast in countless print ads and TV commercials over the years.  After years of working in the construction industry, Folten needed a change of pace and went back to…
Politics

Winners and losers of Missouri’s 2023 legislative session

Jason Hancock,

Members of the Missouri House throw paper into the air to celebrate the end of the 2023 legislative session on Friday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). After two years of drama and gridlock, the Missouri Senate showed up in January determined to put the conflict between the conservative caucus and GOP leadership in the past. Submerged but ever-lurking, factionalism finally torpedoed the…

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Politics

Mayor Lucas discusses Reparations Commission appointees and what comes next

Brynn Winkler,

Kansas City thunderstorm. // Courtesy Adobe “I think that until we have a comprehensive understanding of the capacity of the atrocities and the systems that still exist to subjugate black people, we can’t make any meaningful attempt to repair or heal,” says Kansas City Defender editor and founder Ryan Sorrell. Sorrell is one of 13 appointees selected by Mayor Quinton…

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Culture

Principal percussionist Josh Jones denied tenure by the Kansas City Symphony

The Black Orchestral Network and members of the wider KC music community are protesting the decision, and questioning the process that brought about this result.
Nina Cherry,

Josh Jones. // Courtesy Asa Orrin-Brown In 1972, timpanist Elayne Jones won a blind audition for the San Francisco Symphony, becoming the first Black principal musician in a major American orchestra. After her probationary period was up in 1974, she was denied tenure by her colleagues on the committee. Nearly 50 years later, the tenure process is still a barrier…

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Culture

KC Cares: Bridging the Gap

Beth Lipoff,

Heartland Tree Alliance volunteers work on a tree in in the Eastwood Hills neighborhood in Kansas City as part of the free street tree project. // Courtesy photo As the spring weather gets warmer, folks around the metro are thinking of gardens and plants. For Bridging the Gap, though, making Kansas City greener isn’t a seasonal affair. What started as…

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Music

The Hails to headline Uptown Theater on May 16th

Emma Hilboldt,

  The Hails. // Photo by Ian Ritter. With their debut album set to come out later this year, The Hails are embarking on their Fun Run tour, headlining shows in between their gigs with other artists. This Florida-based band is making its way to the Uptown next week to headline in the Encore Room.  We were able to chat…
Politics

Trans women of color and the Kansas City Police Department’s rocky, violent history

Mili Mansaray,

Merrique Jenson is the founder and executive director of Transformations KC, a nonprofit organization which supports and advocates for trans women of color (Chase Castor/The Beacon) Four years ago, a viral video showed two Kansas City police officers slamming a Black transgender woman, Brianna BB Hill, onto the sidewalk, kneeling on her in the face, torso and ribs and forcing…