Art by Keegan Hudspeth When individuals see their loved ones in despair, they jump into action. Regardless of the risks and costs, they are willing to go to great lengths to aid their friends and family in times of need. The reason for this can only be attributed to love. In times of distress, love can be irrational, causing people…
A participant in the March 31, 2023, March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy at the Kansas Statehouse holds a sign that reads: “Make no mistake, they are killing us.” The demonstration was a response to legislative attacks on the LGBTQ community, including the ban on transgender athletes. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) When the Trevor Project — the national suicide prevention…
Missouri-based film festival True/False is running currently, and this is one of the many reviews about new, innovative documentary & documentary-adjacent movies premiering in Columbia, MO. Read more here. Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine are slowly building a filmography of open-hearted documentaries about young people and civic engagement. Over the course of their last few films — which include Boys State, Girls State and The…
LGBTQ mental health is a concern for youth in Missouri and Kansas (Zachary Linhares / The Beacon) In Missouri and Kansas, almost four in 10 young people who identify as gay or transgender have seriously considered suicide in the past year, and 15% have attempted it. That’s according to a new survey by The Trevor Project, which asked 18,000 people…
Winona Fighter. // Photo Courtesy of Lindsey Byrnes After several years of releasing singles, Nashville punks Winona Fighter dropped their debut LP, My Apologies to the Chef, via Rise Records on Valentine’s Day. It’s 14 tracks of breakneck, poppy, punk rock, with song titles like “You Look Like a Drunk Phoebe Bridgers” and “I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO…
Photo Courtesy of Darren Mark Darren Mark is one helluva visual storyteller—so it makes sense that he’s devoted his career to beginnings, middles, and endings. From film school at NYU to positions both on TV and behind the scenes, Darren co-founded the content agency Scenic Road where he helps tell stories for some of the world’s most exciting products and brands. Have an…
Assorted Cookie Box at Brown Suga // Photo by Kat Alfieri Limits do not exist when walking into a bakery. One step inside Brown Suga, a Black woman-owned cookie shop in Olathe, and I immediately abandon my “I’ll just try one” mentality and opt for a box of six. I came here for cookies, so I might as well commit…
Prima Facie Bistro & Market // Photo By Tiffany Watts This past weekend, a group of friends, my daughter, and I set out for our first local hike of the year at Parkville Nature Sanctuary. The forest wasn’t quite green yet—winter’s grip still lingered, leaving the trees bare and the trails lined with fallen leaves. But there was something peaceful…
Something for everyone—perfectly crafted bites and brews at Kinship Cafe. // Photo by Joe Zlotnick There’s something about the perfect blend of houseplants, abundant natural light, and local art that creates an unmatched vibe in a coffee shop. Walking into Kinship Cafe is an instant mood booster—a perfect remedy for those seasonal blues. It’s the kind of place where you’ll…
Photo Courtesy of Willie Heart Eyes On Valentine’s Day, Willie Jordan—vocalist and guitarist for garage rockers Drugs & Attics—released Shrinkwrapped Deluxe under his Willie Heart Eyes moniker. His first solo recording since 2021’s “Christmas This Year (We’re Gonna Do Something Fun),” was recorded with the help of Kyle Gowdy, formerly of Mouthbreathers and currently a guitarist with The Whiffs, resulting…
Photo Courtesy of Hank’s Garage and Grill Spring is a time of new beginnings, and we’re all craving some new eats as we emerge from winter hibernation. Luckily, Kansas City has some upcoming spots we’re pretty excited about—from burgers and beers to Japanese cuisine, from perfectly chilled martinis to skeeball and slushies. Here are just a few of the restaurant…
Kansas City Mavericks versus Utah Grizzlies on Friday, February. 28, 2024. // Photo by Eli Ralls The Kansas City Mavericks took a hard fought 3-2 loss to the Utah Grizzlies on Friday, Feb. 28 at Cable Dahmer Arena. With Coach Tad O’Had searching for the win that would push him to most wins as a head coach in franchise history,…
Cleo and Leo opened its doors in October, and since have been crafting pastries that pack a punch. // Photo by Sophia Lail To me, there is no such thing as too many bakeries. If a new bakery opens, trust that I’ll stagger in there ready to binge my heart out on opening day. So you can imagine my excitement…
Photo by Zach Bauman Prima Facie—a vibrant bistro and market nestled in the heart of downtown Parkville—opened just six months ago. As a Northlander, I’m thrilled to have an upscale dining option like Prima Facie, offering sophisticated cuisine and experience right on our doorstep. I recently visited the dine-in side, where I tried the Bistro Steak ($28)—their take on steak…
Synergy Fighting Championship 19 at Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 1, 2024. // Photo by Tarik Sykes Synergy Fighting Championship 19 took place at Memorial Hall this past weekend, showcasing amateur and professional mixed martial arts. Of the 12 bouts on the card, seven ended in knockouts or total knockouts, making for an action-packed night. Sampson Tabbytite out of Okmulgee,…
Jordan Baranowski, Sarah Sipple, Tiffany Watts. // Photo by Jason Dockery Feast your eyes on the latest foodie-focused issue of The Pitch! The eateries featured here don’t represent a list of award-winners, specific neighborhoods or cuisines, or niche categories. However, a phrase popped into my head and ended up providing a flexible framework: something old, something new, something fork, and…
Photo Courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Ling Ma is a satirist’s satirist. The immensely clever and affable writer and professor was recently named a 2024 MacArthur Fellow and Genius Grant Recipient for “mixing speculative and realist modes of storytelling to throw into relief the surreal aspects of our contemporary condition.” Originally from Fujian, China, and raised…
Deaf President Now! // Courtesy Apple TV+ Missouri-based film festival True/False is running currently, and this is one of the many reviews about new, innovative documentary & documentary-adjacent movies premiering in Columbia, MO. Read more here. I’m inherently skeptical of crowd-pleasing documentaries with big budgets. It’s not that they can’t be good. I love a heartwarming, inspiring tale as much as the next one. But,…
The Pitch has partnered with a local political awareness organization called Loud Light. Their goal is to engage and empower individuals from underrepresented populations to build community power. And impact decision-makers. Each week of the year that the Kansas statehouse is in session, they release a short video recapping what the legislature is up to. Knowing the nitty-gritty of what’s happening with your…
Courtesy True/False Fest Missouri-based film festival True/False is running currently, and this is one of the many reviews about new, innovative documentary & documentary-adjacent movies premiering in Columbia, MO. Read more here. Charlie Shackleton wanted to make a documentary adapting Lyndon E. Lafferty’s book The Zodiac Killer Cover-up: The Silenced Badge. But that didn’t work out for…reasons. That’s not unusual,…
Kansas City Mavericks versus Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday, February. 26, 2024. // Photo by Eli Ralls The Kansas City Mavericks were explosive on Wednesday, Feb. 26, claiming a dominant 8-3 win over the Utah Grizzlies. The Mavs got off to a hot start, scoring three goals in the first period—all within less than five minutes of each other. As the…
