Photo Courtesy of Netflix / Eve Dastmalchian In the year and change since the Missouri legislature passed the Show MO Act, the Kansas City film scene has been on the rise as productions consider the city’s attractive landmarks and tax credit. Even with the city’s new incentive, though, the cost still cuts deep for many budding filmmakers looking to find…
Photo Courtesy of Caleb Fechter Chef Caleb Fechter once helmed a $17 million food empire, with 15 bustling storefronts across the Midwest and a business born in his garage that became a regional sensation. But after a decade of scaling fast and managing big, something essential got lost along the way. “The bigger it got, the further I felt from…
Yankees versus Royals on June 10, 2025. // Photo by Tarik Sykes The Kansas City Royals faced off against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, June 10 at Kauffman Stadium. The showing was not pretty for the home team, losing the game 10-2 after the Yankees got hot in the first inning against starting pitcher Noah Cameron. While the Royals…
Kansans rally at the Statehouse in Topeka as part of the 50501 national day of action on May 1, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) On an April afternoon in a small Midwest town, I stood on the side of a busy street with around 500 of my neighbors and community members to protest the current administration and to defend democracy. I’m…
Photo by Daniel Fuchs Samia with Raffaella The Truman Saturday, June 7 Touring in support of her recently-released third album Bloodlines, indie singer-songwriter Samia took to the Truman stage Saturday night with opener Raffaella. Our photographer Daniel Fuchs was there to capture it all. Samia Samia setlist Triptych Dare Fair Game Sacred Bovine Excision Proof Carousel Hole in a Frame…
A Missouri family stands by their doormat at a home they are soon to leave — inspired to move bills that seek limiting medical care and other rights for their transgender son (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) Republicans in the Missouri legislature want everyone to know that they are very concerned about protecting children. Not so much the 130 children and teenagers…
The Upper Cut KC // Photo By Tiffany Watts The Upper Cut KC has officially settled into its new digs just two miles from its original Liberty location, and the upgrade feels like a bold next step for a business that’s already mastered its craft. This hybrid butcher shop and sandwich spot offers a combination of quality and flavor. On…
Anti-abortion protesters gather outside A Preferred Women’s Health Center of Atlanta in Forest Park in July 2023. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) A Republican effort to repeal a federal law barring violence against reproductive health clinics and houses of worship won the backing of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and now heads to the full House for consideration….
Photo by Shea McGraw Between May 30 and June 1, Italian heritage and culture took over Zona Rosa North Park for the highly anticipated Festa Italiana. The weekend was packed with all things Italian from food, music, vendors, activities, and games. The longstanding free festival started before walking in. The aroma of the food reached all edges of the park…
Espresso tonic, milk bun, canelé, and malted milk coffee at Penrose // Photo by Alexander Omorodion In Kansas City, the Crossroads neighborhood is known as a hub for food, culture, art, and creativity. On the corner of 19th and McGee lies Penrose – A true embodiment of everything the area represents. At an unassuming window on the corner of the…
Photo by Kelly Bowers It’s a gorgeous Thursday evening in May. I’m sitting next to a stage as Lawrence musicians Melvin Litton and Mando Dan Hermreck warm up the crowd spread out on the lawn in front of them. There’s a light breeze as the sun begins heading down, giving the stage that golden hour lighting. You couldn’t ask for…
The Floozies. // photo by Allison Scavo The Floozies with parkbreezy and Twinnflame Warehouse on Broadway Friday, June 6 Eclectic funk duo the Floozies brought the soul to the forefront of the venue. With kids on the rail, flow and poi artists in every area of the background, and extremely mindful absolute wooks, I felt right at home. Their seamless…
A sneak peek of The Weirdos Comedy Hour Part, premiering at KC Fringe Festival at the Stray Cat Film Center. // Photo Courtesy of ManaSharc Productions As the 2025 KC Fringe Festival is soon to discover, weird is the new normal. To take the stage on the set of The Weirdos Comedy Hour Part II, an akin to strangeness is…
(Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has sent several cease-and-desist letters to companies selling a hemp product called THCA flower that looks exactly like marijuana flower sold at dispensaries. Bailey’s letters threaten legal action, including injunctions, civil penalties and attorney’s fees if the companies continue to sell the products. “When purchasing products, Missourians deserve to know if…
Gage, Ashton, and Bethany (left to right) play cymbals and snares in the drum line as the parade kicks off. // Photo by Julian Schnittker Not even torrential rain could stop the Mid America Freedom Band from spreading music, joy, and a message of inclusivity at this year’s KC Pride Parade this past Saturday, June 7. The Spirit Pep Band,…
Founders of Queer Dyke Night // Photo by Candace Bruce After a couple years of home-brewing and working as a bartender at The Big Rip Brewing Company in North KC, Bri Burrows worked her way up to head brewer before buying in as co-owner in 2020. Now, in additon to her creativity with brewing science, she helps ensure that Big…
A group of renegade GOP state lawmakers whose quarrels with party leaders defined years of Missouri legislative inaction appears to be ripping apart over a plan to fund stadiums for the Chiefs and Royals. On Friday, state Sen. Rick Brattin stepped down as chairman of the Missouri Freedom Caucus just days after voting in favor of $1.5 billion in tax…
Art by Teddy Rosen Who are professional cuddlers? It’s hard to ignore the existential crisis that is ongoing in a lot of our lives at the moment. Maybe a boyfriend took off with your best friend, a girlfriend needed to discover herself in Cancun with Julio, or your roommate can’t respect the refrigerator rules. Oh, and also the Gestapo is…
Savor The City passport outside of the Black G.I.F.T. Business Center // Photo by Sarah Sipple KC G.I.F.T. (Generating Income For Tomorrow) is equipping Black entrepreneurs with the tools, funding, and mentorship needed to build sustainable businesses. Through a dual approach—direct financial support and hands-on technical assistance—KC G.I.F.T. offers grants to Black-owned businesses in historically redlined neighborhoods. In addition, it…
Photo by Joe Ellett Nestled off 16th and Walnut in the Crossroads sits one of Kansas City’s longstanding upscale wine bars. Under Chef Brian Aaron’s direction since its inception, Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen has offered eloquent tastes and vibes to the Kansas City community for nearly 15 years. As a prime destination for private gatherings and the intricacy of…
Photo Courtesy of We Are JAINE As fresh as cannabis across various legal states is, statistics show that it still leans toward a male-dominated industry. According to a 2021 report from MJBizDaily, only 22.1% of women in the cannabis industry held executive positions in 2021, which was a decline from 36.8% in 2019. The 2020 national average among all industries…
Photo by Cory Weaver For his latest theater turn, Nathan Darrow is taking great joy in a being part of what he calls “a fable of Broadway.” Darrow will play inveterate gambler Sky Masterson in Music Theater Heritage’s production of Guys and Dolls, running June 5 to 29 at Crown Center. “It’s like he’s a person who really thinks he has…
Larry D. Horricks for Lionsgate Movie-wise, I find there are few things better than going into something relatively cold, with low expectations, followed by the pleasant surprise of having those expectations exceeded. That was how, in 2014, the first John Wick movie hooked me, and hooked so many other people that it turned into a successful multi-film franchise, despite having…
The Ad Astra statue atop the Kansas Statehouse takes aim against a wall of gray clouds on May 2, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) In their supposed eagerness to save money and do right by taxpayers, perhaps Kansas Republican leaders could try passing laws that don’t trample on the rights of their constituents. That’s my only response to lawsuits filed throughout…
