Archives: June 2023

The Beths
Music

New Zealand indie pop-rock sensation The Beths head west for Boulevardia

Lead singer Liz Stokes talks tour life, songwriting, and why "depressing" self-disclosure has a place in their fun, upbeat music.
Brynn Winkler,

Photo courtesy the artist. On their next stop in their 6-month global tour, The Beths will add their honest, emotionally intelligent power-pop spin to Boulevardia’s music lineup Friday night. Following the release of their third studio album, Expert in A Dying Field, this will be the band’s first time back in Kansas City since their 2019 show at recordBar. Released in…

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Sports

Chiefs Night at the K was a rare opportunity for dual celebration

Alexa Stone,

Photo by Alexa Stone Chiefs Night at the K began with Head Coach Andy Reid opening with “They wouldn’t give Travis the microphone at the White House, but I’m giving it to him right now,” before passing it off to an excited Travis Kelce—who was ready to have a Chiefs style comeback throwing the first pitch for the night. In…

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Music

Guitarist Steve Turner takes you on a Mud Ride in his new book

Nick Spacek,

Were it only for his work as part of Green River, the Seattle band from which spawned iconic acts like Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Mother Love Bone, and Temple of the Dog, guitarist Steve Turner’s legacy would be set. However, since 1988, Turner has been part of Mudhoney, whose grungy garage rock has been part of the so-called “Seattle sound” since…

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Movies

The Flash may not be speedy, but it sure is fun

Come for Michael Keaton. Stay for thoughts on superhero identity.
Adrian Torres,

Image credit Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/™ & © DC Comics As Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse recently reminded us, tragedy and sacrifice are major pillars of a good superhero movie. Fundamental elements shape and scar heroes in ways that become entrenched in how we understand them. Uncle Ben dies. Krypton is destroyed.  But as well-known as those stories are there’s…

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Music

Photos: Ghost to Ghost and Drastic Plastic at Replay Lounge

Maura Dayton,

Ghost to Ghost. // Photo by Maura Dayton Ghost to Ghost with Drastic Plastic Replay Lounge Tuesday, June 13 On Tuesday, June 13, rock bands Ghost to Ghost and Drastic Plastic took the stage at Replay Lounge. Our photographer Maura Dayton (@twistedmauraphotos), was there to capture the experience. Ghost to Ghost Drastic Plastic Categories: Music Tags: drastic plastic, ghost to…

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Food & Drink

Pitch Pop-Up: Face Lift

Kate Frick,

Face Lift. // 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. Face Lift You know when it’s too…

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Music

Premiere: Hembree’s ‘ATM’ is the summer kickoff you need to hear

Nick Spacek,

Hembree. // Courtesy the artist While the members indie-pop rockers Hembree might all be comfortably ensconced in the confines of Los Angeles, we’ll always consider them local artists. To that end, we are beyond thrilled to premiere their newest single, “ATM,” just ahead of their performance this weekend at Boulevardia–which is Saturday, June 17, at 3:45pm on the Visit Missouri…

Passion Fruit Eclair At Enchante
Food & Drink

Dish & Drink KC: Eclairs at Enchanté and nachos at Juan Jose’s Taqueria

Lauren Textor,

Passion fruit eclair at Enchanté. // Photo by Lauren Textor Pastries made from scratch at Enchanté Antique books and picture frames complement Enchanté’s partially exposed brick walls. Located right across from the historic Warwick Theatre, the bakery maximizes the light academia aesthetic.  Bouquet is too small a word for the enormous gathering of dried flowers suspended from the ceiling. The…
Politics

Prosecutor, lawmakers urge Missouri governor not to pardon cop who killed a Black man

Acting before the appeal is heard “would preempt Attorney General Bailey’s defense of this conviction and subvert the rule of law,” Baker wrote.
Rudi Keller,

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker A pardon for the only Kansas City police officer ever convicted of killing a Black man would invite a backlash dangerous to the city and police, Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker wrote in a letter Tuesday to Gov. Mike Parson. Baker told Parson that she was reacting to reports that the governor…

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Politics

Sen. Roger Marshall insults a fellow Kansan in his bewildering attack on pride flag

Clay Wirestone,

U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall hustles to put on a mask at the end of his Facebook live debate against Democratic Kansas Sen. Barbara Bollier on Sept. 19. (Screenshot/Kansas Reflector) You might be forgiven for thinking U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall’s outrage about a pride flag at the White House was your usual bit of performative right-wing nuttery. Perhaps Marshall himself sees…

Brenda V Spinning Ball
Sports

Four Inane Questions with TV sportscaster Brenda VanLengen

Michael Mackie,

Courtesy photo Hoop—there it is! For nearly three decades, TV sportscaster Brenda VanLengen has been injecting insightful running commentary into women’s basketball games. You name the team; she’s probably analyzed their gameplay live on the air.   Before she was a broadcaster, VanLengen was an assistant coach for women’s basketball at the University of Nebraska for five years. Now she covers…

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Culture

KC Cares: String Sprouts

Beth Lipoff,

String Sprouts students perform in their annual concert with the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra in May. // Courtesy Rachael Jane On the surface, String Sprouts is about teaching kids to play music. With numerous young violinists and cellists enrolled, it does just that. However, there’s a lot more to it than just learning quarter notes and bow technique. The program, run…
Politics

‘Black hole’: Public faces long delays obtaining records from Missouri attorney general

The attorney general’s office currently has 374 pending public records requests. It inherited 224 of those from the previous administration.
Jason Hancock,

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks to The Federalist Society on the Missouri House of Representatives floor Friday. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)‘Black hole’: Public faces long delays obtaining records from Missouri attorney general When Andrew Bailey took over the Missouri attorney general’s office from Eric Schmitt in January, he inherited more than 200 unfulfilled records requests submitted by members of the…

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News

Planned Parenthood seeks volunteers for care basket assembly at one year anniversary of Dobbs decision

"Turn Reflection into Action"
Jacqulyn Seyferth,

Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) brings the first Dobbs Anniversary Abortion Care Basket Assembly Party June 24. The baskets made at the event will be given to local PPGP patients. The event will be held in anniversary of the Dobbs decision of 2022. The Dobbs decision ruled that abortion is not a guaranteed constitutional right. The court ruling resulted in…

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Music

Weezer stage a dashboard confessional at Azura

The Indie Rock Roadtrip Tour included support from acts Modest Mouse and Momma.
Brynn Winkler, Maura Dayton,

Weezer at Azura in 2023. // Photo by Maura Dayton Weezer pulled out all the nostalgic 90s and early 2000s favorites on their fifth pit stop of their Indie Rock Roadtrip Tour at Azura Amphitheater Sunday. After walking on to Toto’s “Africa,” the band immediately started thrilling the audience with the classic “My Name is Jonas,” followed by more hits,…
Politics

Andrew Jackson statues could be on their way out of Jackson County

Manuel Abarca introduced legislation to remove the former salve owner's statue from Jackson County courthouses.
Emma Hilboldt,

County legislature livestream, April 24, 2023. The discussion of removing the Andrew Jackson statues in Jackson County is back on the table.  On June 12, Manuel Abarca introduced a resolution to the County Legislature to remove statues of Andrew Jackson on the properties of the Downtown and Historic Truman Courthouses. This resolution would cover the removal of the statues as…

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Music

Photos: Louis Tomlinson gives us Faith in the Future at Starlight

Daniel Fuchs,

Louis Tomlinson. // photo by Daniel Fuchs Louis Tomlinson Starlight Theater Friday, June 9 On Friday, June 9, former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson hit Kansas City at Starlight Theater in support of his 2022 album, Faith in the Future, with openers Columbus, Ohio’s Snarls and Irish indie rockers The Academic. All photos by Daniel Fuchs. Louis Tomlinson Louis Tomlinson setlist…

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Music

All-female alt rock trio Kid Sistr makes a stop in the heart of America

"I think this is the first time that at almost every show we've had people tell us that they've seen us before and are back to see us again, which is exciting and why we do what we do."
Sofia Mongillo,

All-women indie rock trio Kid Sistr is headed to Kansas City’s recordBar June 12 as a part of Chloe Lilac’s Meet Me @ The Altar tour. The New York-native band’s sounds are a medley of alternative rock, pop punk, and an edgy lullaby crafted by bassist Sara Keden, guitarist Sabel Englert and drummer Becca Webster. Known by many after various tours, some…

May 31st Post
Culture

KC Fringe Festival is back for its 19th year

Emma Hilboldt,

Courtesy of KC Fringe Festival One of Kansas City’s largest celebrations of arts and culture is back for its 19th year. KC Fringe Festival welcomes local, national, and international artists and creators to showcase their talents and push boundaries in the world of creativity.  The Fringe Festival is an annual 16-day event that was established in 2005. It allows performing,…

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Music

Photos: Jason Eady and Jamie Lin Wilson at Knuckleheads

Mike Dotson,

Jason Eady and Jamie Lin Wilson. // photo by Mike Dotson Jason Eady and Jamie Lin Wilson Knuckleheads Friday, June 9 Country troubadours Jason Eady and Jamie Lin Wilson brought the Old Friends Tour to Knuckleheads on Friday for an intimate show on the venue’s inside stage. The set saw the pair trade off songs and harmonize together to kick…