June 2023 | Page 4 of 8

The Pitch’s June 2023 election preview evaluates the candidates from KC—and a dude from Bedford, VA?

June 17, 2023

Tyler Schneider,

Voting is now open for municipal voting across KC. // Photo by Adobe The ballot is shorter than most, but this upcoming municipal election on June 20 represents a vast shuffle in what Kansas City’s future could look like. Here is your Pitch cheat-sheet on what’s at stake, beginning with a list of key issues and developments the next class…

Boulevardia’s first night delivers on promise of good entertainment, uplifting local artists, and plain fun

June 17, 2023

Brynn Winkler,

Cimafunk at the Fountain Stage // Photo by Brynn Winkler Back for its eighth year, Boulevardia drew large crowds on Friday night to enjoy beer tasting, live music and podcasting, a silent disco, a local Makers Market, and more. The Beths perform on the main stage. // Photo by Brynn Winkler Festivalgoers flocked to four different stages scattering the Crown…

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Celine Song’s Past Lives is a love story for grown-ups, with mature, tender chemistry

June 16, 2023

Abby Olcese,

Past Lives. // Courtesy A24 There are a lot of dividing lines in Celine Song’s Past Lives. Vertical lines split the frame between childhood best friends on the cusp of being separated by an ocean, a married couple in gently conflicted emotional states getting ready for bed, and reunited characters connecting after decades apart, considering each other on the NYC…

Cultivating Community: Ragazza, Enzo, Anchor Island Coffee & Chartreuse Saloon show their pride

June 16, 2023

Nina Cherry,

Ragazza. // Courtesy photo Searching for inclusive hospitality? Look no further than these local LGBTQIA+-owned establishments, cultivating community and creating safe spaces all year round. Ragazza Food & Wine and Enzo Bistro & Wine Bar Italian restaurant Ragazza has become a beloved Midtown staple since opening in 2014. Well known for owner Laura Norris’s signature meatballs—served with chewy focaccia as…

KC’s Yoli Tortilleria brings home the very first James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery. What comes next?

June 16, 2023

Beth Lipoff,

Marissa Gencarelli accepts the first ever James Beard Award for outstanding bakery. // Photo courtesy of Jeff Schear Kansas City’s special spot for tortillas isn’t a secret anymore. The national spotlight is shining on Yoli Tortilleria after it recently took the first-ever outstanding bakery award from the James Beard Foundation. The foundation just introduced the category this year. All the…

Comedian Caleb Hearon’s plans for the perfect KC sitcom

The LA-by-way-of-Missouri comedian is hopeful they will be able to begin shooting the series after the resolution of the WGA strike.

June 16, 2023

Jack Howland,

Caleb Hearon and Holmes Holmes look inquisitively into the camera. The duo have been friends and collaborators since they met at Chicago’s iO Theater and discovered they both had a twisted sense of humor, and liked to make fun of everyone and everything. // Courtesy of Caleb Hearon Four-hundred miles west of this year’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, a…

49 adventurous teams took on The Pitch Scavenger Hunt 2023

Our KC adventure took them to murals, restaurants, parks, and more.

June 16, 2023

Sarah Sipple,

The Pitch Scavenger Hunt. // Courtesy Pitch KC Poodles Our Pitch readers must trust us… because, once again, they let us guide them along for an adventure of riddles and challenges that sent them from Olathe to Raytown, then Crossroads to Strawberry Hill, and everything in between. A total of 49 teams joined the Kansas City exploration. We have photographic…

Evergy slashes planned renewable energy additions, proposes more natural gas

Utility had announced it would retire its Lawrence coal plant by the end of this year. That has been pushed back to 2028.

June 16, 2023

Allison Kite,

Evergy slashed plans to add more wind and solar energy in the next few years. It plans to keep its Lawrence Energy Center open until 2028. (Evergy) Kansas’ largest electric utility has drastically scaled back its plans to add more clean energy over the next decade and will keep open its oldest coal plant for years longer. Two years ago,…

I Support The Girls holds ‘essentials’ distribution event benefiting houseless populations

“We partner with schools, domestic violence shelters, LGBTQ+ organizations, Black and Brown-led nonprofits, and any organization helping those experiencing homelessness.”

June 16, 2023

Jacqulyn Seyferth,

ISTG event with volunteers in OP, June 16, 2023. // Photo by Jacqulyn Seyferth I Support The Girls (ISTG) gathered in Overland Park on June 16 to distribute 27 boxes of women’s ‘essentials’ donated by Gelmart International. These items included brand-new underwear, maternity and nursing bras, robes, and pajama sets. The donations were distributed to four local organizations: Sydney’s Place, Inc.,…

Too many big ideas make Elemental waterlogged

Pixar’s latest is ambitious, but may have bitten off more than it can chew.

June 16, 2023

Adrian Torres,

For decades now, Pixar has ruled the animation game with a formidable formula: take cute, clever animation, swirl it with a dash of allegorical storytelling, and presto! Instant classic. The studio’s latest, Elemental has the cute part down, bursting with creativity and stunning to look at. However, it falters with a story that buckles under the weight of too many…

What comes next for Kansas’ historic Quindaro Ruins after political penalizing

June 16, 2023

Brynn Winkler,

Photo by Chase Castor On the south banks of the Missouri River in Wyandotte County lie the Quindaro Ruins, crumbling remnants of the once thriving abolitionist townsite and key stop along the Underground Railroad. Founded by abolitionists in 1850 during Bleeding Kansas, Quindaro would operate the only port on its stretch of the Missouri not controlled by Southern sympathizers. Though…

Missouri governor’s office hid plans on gender-affirming care, transgender athletes bills

Gov. Mike Parson’s closed-door ceremony left out advocates and critics of controversial legislation.

June 16, 2023

Annelise Hanshaw,

Gov. Mike Parson signs controversial bills on June 7 banning gender-affirming treatments for minors and limiting participation in school sports based on gender. (Photo courtesy of Missouri Governor’s office) When Missouri lawmakers passed bills restricting gender-affirming care and barring transgender athletes, many wondered: When will the governor sign the much-debated legislation? Representatives and senators signed up to receive alerts about…

Pitch Pop-Up: Pool Pass

June 16, 2023

Kate Frick,

Pool Pass. // Photo by Steph Castor Get ready for another sweltering Midwestern summer. With upcoming block parties, backyard BBQs, and lazy days at the pool—we know you’re filling that tumbler with some kind of liquid. We’d like to suggest slugging some of these easy-to-make, thirst-quenching bevvies while the days are still long. Pool Pass This is an adult Capri-Sun….

KC Monarchs Update: Goldeneyes, Miller Hogan, and a win streak stretching towards the Windy City

June 16, 2023

Carter Woodiel,

Kansas City Monarchs reliever Miller Hogan pitches during the Monarchs’ game with the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Friday, June 9 from Shaw Park in Winnipeg. Photo: David Mahussier / Winnipeg Goldeyes KC Monarchs Update is our weekly look at what’s happening with hometown baseball heroes, both at Legends Field and on the road. Check out their season schedule here. There is…

Photos: The Doobie Brothers bring the hits and more at Starlight

June 16, 2023

Chris Ortiz,

The Doobie Brothers. // photo by Chris Ortiz On Wednesday, June 14, Starlight Theater was blessed with none other than The Doobie Brothers, who were on tour celebrating their “50+ years” of being a band and welcoming back legendary keyboard player Michael McDonald into the mix. The band delayed the start of the performance for an unknown reason by a…

Kansas GOP chairman apologizes for predecessor’s campaign attack ad, settles lawsuit

June 16, 2023

Sherman Smith,

Kansas GOP chairman Mike Brown blamed his predecessor for authorizing a false attack in a 2020 campaign mailer that led to a costly legal fight. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — The Kansas Republican Party settled a lawsuit and apologized for a campaign mailer sent in 2020 that falsely accused a developer of corruption in an attempt to discredit a Shawnee…

The Embarrassment doc We Were Famous, You Don’t Remember releases first official trailer, screening dates

The film following the rise of the punk band from Wichita in the late seventies releases official trailer.

June 15, 2023

Emma Hilboldt,

The Embarrassment. // Photo by Doug Hitchcock We finally have a first look at the anticipated documentary film chronicling the four musicians from Wichita who surprised everyone by creating a band that no one had seen come out of Kansas before. We Were Famous, You Don’t Remember follows the rise of the punk band from Wichita, The Embarrassment. Along with the…

Kristan Higgins Photo Photo By Lydia Leclair 2023

Mid Continent Public Library hosts Kristan Higgins to share A Little Ray of Sunshine

Higgins presents her new novel that features motherhood and all the intricacies of a blended family.

June 15, 2023

Belle Yennie,

New York Times Bestselling Author Kristan Higgins // photo by Lydia Leclair Mid-Continent Public Library hosts New York Times Bestselling author Kristan Higgins on June 20 to look at her new novel A Little Ray of Sunshine. The program is free to attend and provides a book sale and signing. A Little Ray of Sunshine explores the complexities of blended…

Legal marijuana puts drug-sniffing police dogs out of work in Missouri

June 15, 2023

Clayton Vickers,

Officer Eric Wiegman rewards K-9 Nero for obeying a string of commands on June 8, 2023 at Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center in Columbia. Nero needs a play session throughout his patrol shift. (Clayton Vickers photo courtesy of Columbia Missourian) Now that cannabis is legal in Missouri, drug-sniffing police dogs face early retirement if they are attracted to the…

Photos: Luke Combs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

June 15, 2023

Chris Ortiz,

Luke Combs. // photo by Chris Ortiz On June 10, Luke Combs and company took the stage at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for a single evening. The bands, which included Brent Cobb, Flatland Cavalry, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green, all in the opening lineup for Combs, brought every bit of energy to the stage as the fans cheered them…

Photos: Shakedown Strings return to where it all started at Stockyards Brewing

June 15, 2023

Allison Scavo,

Shakedown Strings. // photo by Allison Scavo Shakedown Strings Stockyards Brewing Co. Sunday, June 11 Shakedown Strings’ origin story is one of the more wholesome stories we’ve heard. Adam Galblum (violin) and Clayton DeLong (guitar) were playing in the band hosting Sunday Service at Stockyards. A beloved fan asked if they knew any Grateful Dead during their set break. While…

Saxophonist Matt Otto adds a modern flare to jazz standards in new album Kansas City Trio

June 15, 2023

Brynn Winkler,

Photo by Andy Newbegin Kansas City-based jazz saxophonist and composer Matt Otto is set to release his new recording Kansas City Trio on June 30, adding to the seasoned performer’s collection of over 50 featured recordings. This will be Otto’s first jazz standards album, consisting of nine jazz and traditional standards with three original tunes of his own performed by…

Creature Feature: It’s officially kitten season

June 15, 2023

THE PITCH STAFF,

Dr. Pepper the kitty. // Courtesy KC Pet Project Kitten Food and resources needed It is kitten season at KC Pet Project, and multiple litters of newborn kittens have been coming into the shelter daily. Currently, the shelter has 442 kittens living in foster homes between the ages of 1-8 weeks and is needing assistance with resources and foster homes…

KC Sips: New small plates in Westport, plus festivals and Father’s Day specials

Your weekend dining guide.

June 15, 2023

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 Bijou: A new restaurant has…

Archives: June 2023

The Pitch’s June 2023 election preview evaluates the candidates from KC—and a dude from Bedford, VA?

Boulevardia’s first night delivers on promise of good entertainment, uplifting local artists, and plain fun

Celine Song’s Past Lives is a love story for grown-ups, with mature, tender chemistry

Cultivating Community: Ragazza, Enzo, Anchor Island Coffee & Chartreuse Saloon show their pride

KC’s Yoli Tortilleria brings home the very first James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery. What comes next?

Comedian Caleb Hearon’s plans for the perfect KC sitcom

The LA-by-way-of-Missouri comedian is hopeful they will be able to begin shooting the series after the resolution of the WGA strike.

49 adventurous teams took on The Pitch Scavenger Hunt 2023

Our KC adventure took them to murals, restaurants, parks, and more.

Evergy slashes planned renewable energy additions, proposes more natural gas

Utility had announced it would retire its Lawrence coal plant by the end of this year. That has been pushed back to 2028.

I Support The Girls holds ‘essentials’ distribution event benefiting houseless populations

“We partner with schools, domestic violence shelters, LGBTQ+ organizations, Black and Brown-led nonprofits, and any organization helping those experiencing homelessness.”

Too many big ideas make Elemental waterlogged

Pixar’s latest is ambitious, but may have bitten off more than it can chew.

What comes next for Kansas’ historic Quindaro Ruins after political penalizing

Missouri governor’s office hid plans on gender-affirming care, transgender athletes bills

Gov. Mike Parson’s closed-door ceremony left out advocates and critics of controversial legislation.

Pitch Pop-Up: Pool Pass

KC Monarchs Update: Goldeneyes, Miller Hogan, and a win streak stretching towards the Windy City

Photos: The Doobie Brothers bring the hits and more at Starlight

Kansas GOP chairman apologizes for predecessor’s campaign attack ad, settles lawsuit

The Embarrassment doc We Were Famous, You Don’t Remember releases first official trailer, screening dates

The film following the rise of the punk band from Wichita in the late seventies releases official trailer.

Mid Continent Public Library hosts Kristan Higgins to share A Little Ray of Sunshine

Higgins presents her new novel that features motherhood and all the intricacies of a blended family.

Legal marijuana puts drug-sniffing police dogs out of work in Missouri

Photos: Luke Combs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Photos: Shakedown Strings return to where it all started at Stockyards Brewing

Saxophonist Matt Otto adds a modern flare to jazz standards in new album Kansas City Trio

Creature Feature: It’s officially kitten season

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Archives: June 2023

The LA-by-way-of-Missouri comedian is hopeful they will be able to begin shooting the series after the resolution of the WGA strike.

Our KC adventure took them to murals, restaurants, parks, and more.

Utility had announced it would retire its Lawrence coal plant by the end of this year. That has been pushed back to 2028.

“We partner with schools, domestic violence shelters, LGBTQ+ organizations, Black and Brown-led nonprofits, and any organization helping those experiencing homelessness.”

Pixar’s latest is ambitious, but may have bitten off more than it can chew.

Gov. Mike Parson’s closed-door ceremony left out advocates and critics of controversial legislation.

The film following the rise of the punk band from Wichita in the late seventies releases official trailer.

Higgins presents her new novel that features motherhood and all the intricacies of a blended family.

Your weekend dining guide.

Find The Pitch

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