Archives: June 2026

Food & Drink

Casa Ama opens its doors to Prairie Village

Robin Krause, Anourom Thomson, and Rico Hernandez developed a menu inspired by Krause's travels and transformed the former Salty Iguana space into a modern, inviting spot.
Jordan Baranowski,

Casa Ama // Photo by Anna Petrow For Robin Krause, chef and founder of Billie’s Grocery, the best food comes from the heart. Many of Krause’s favorite flavors come from Latin America, so it was only a matter of time before she put together a dedicated Mexican restaurant in Kansas City. That day has arrived, as Casa Ama just opened…

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Politics

‘Holding our breath’: Uncertainty about World Cup crowd sizes trickles down to Kansas watch parties

Eric Thomas,

The Scheels Soccer Complex in Overland Park will host a World Cup watch party along with many other locations in the Kansas City metropolitan area — but the community appetite for such events remains uncertain. (Photo by Eric Thomas for Kansas Reflector) Like an elaborate wedding, a surprise birthday party or a Fourth of July barbecue, the World Cup has…

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Politics

PortKC’s oversight failures are now Missouri lawmakers’ problem

Patrick Tuohey,

This rendering from Lux Living’s website shows the company’s plans for a 250-unit apartment development along the Missouri Riverfront. Contributed photo In June 2025, I wrote that PortKC, Kansas City’s ubiquitous subsidy-granting agency, was too powerful, too poorly run, and subject to too little oversight. Evidence from the past year has only strengthened that conclusion. If Kansas City’s leaders are…
Food & Drink

Hemma Hemma’s Pride menu educates and advocates through specialty drinks

Purchasing a Womontown latte or Frances Thompson cocktail benefits LGBTQIA+ organization Our Spot KC.
Kolby Brown, Ava McCluer,

Hemma Hemma’s Waldo location // Photo by Ava McCluer Nestled in a homey stretch of shops on Wornall Road, Kansas City cafe Hemma Hemma is a cozy spot to get brunch, drinks, or try unique dishes.  This woman-owned restaurant is more than just an aesthetic lunch spot with eclectic decor, though—with an ever-evolving menu of seasonal items, Hemma Hemma supports…

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Music

R&B jammer Jamogi is having his day

Nick Spacek,

Jamogi. // photo by Vauaghan Harrison J’Day, the new album from Kansas City funk/R&B artist Jamogi, has all the hallmarks of being the album of the summer. From the big horns on album opener “Go Big or Go Home,” the grinding sway of “Back N’ Forth,” to “Georgia Peach” with a bossa nova sweetness, and of, course, lead single “Hollaback”…

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Politics

Trump’s ‘Freedom 250’ comes to KS and MO this summer. It’s a state fair for corruption, crypto-fascism, and A.I. slop

Michael McGrady Jr.,

Freedom 250 Media Release Donald Trump’s corruption is so glaring and obvious. In fact, I miss when he tried to at least put in effort to his deceits. Now, he and his cronies have gotten used to not being held accountable. Take, for example, a group called Freedom 250, a nonprofit with the mission to “celebrate” the 250th anniversary of…

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Music

Photos: Kesha kicked off Morton’s inaugural season with flair

Haley Mullenix,

Kesha. // photo by Haley Mullenix Kesha with Chromeo and Sizzy Rocket Morton Amphitheater Wednesday, June 3 On Wednesday, June 3, the new venue Morton Amphitheater officially kicked off its inaugural season with pop icon Kesha, alongside upcoming punk pop musician Sizzy Rocket and throback funksters Chromeo. Our photographer Haley Mullenix was there to capture it all. Kesha Kesha setlist…
Art, Culture

Local artist Remy Wharry opens creative studio and retail space for Raw Art acrylic paints

Raw Art Creative Studio on Troost Avenue offers arts and crafts workshops, Afro-American centered art, and a space for creatives.
Ava McCluer,

Remy Wharry with painting “My Beloved” at Raw Art Creative Studio // Photo by Ava McCluer Raw Art Creative Studio is not only named for owner Remy (Abigail) Wharry, but also for her business values: reliability, advocacy, and wellness. First came Raw Art Paint, the Midwest’s first black and woman-owned paint company. Now, located at 3004 Troost Ave, Kansas City,…
Movies

Disclosure Day tries to remind us what summer movies can be

Abby Olcese,

Courtesy Universal The biggest discussion point around Steven Spielberg’s latest film Disclosure Day (other than its many surface-level Kansas City references) is its status as a big-budget, true four-quadrant movie in a time when those are scarce. So let’s start there.  If you went to the movies in the 90s and pre-Marvel 2000s, you’ve probably found yourself saying “they just…

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Sports

Photos: Mavericks strike early, stay in control in victory over Everblades

Eli Ralls,

The Kansas City Mavericks wasted no time making a statement Saturday night, scoring just 17 seconds into the opening period and riding the momentum to another crucial victory over the Florida Everblades in front of a sold out crowd at Cable Dahmer Arena. Kansas City’s fast start came courtesy of Bobo Carpenter, who found the back of the net just…
Culture

Science as an art: Brian Blake and his research-backed aquarium designs

Kolby Brown,

Photo by Brian Blake Having a beautiful aquarium can be a wonderful addition to a home—but for the average family, maintaining a luxury fish tank is no simple task. Building a thriving and attractive tank requires a deep understanding of aquatic life plus an eye for design. Local businessman Brian Blake has just that: With a degree in Biology studying…
Food & Drink

Eat This Now: Chicken quesadilla at Tiki Taco

Lilyanne Harris,

Chicken quesadilla // Courtesy of Tiki Taco Over at University Academy on Holmes Rd., Mr. Ryan Hall’s 8th-grade English class has a long-running practice of learning about food writing through the “Eat This Now” column from The Pitch. Given the chance to put words to any restaurant in town using our format, the students have a rare opportunity to tackle…

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Culture

Jennifer Holliday headlines intimate fundraiser show to benefit KC’s own Melinda Ryder

Michael Mackie,

Courtesy Jennifer Holliday Jennifer Holliday has spent the better part of four decades being introduced as the original Effie White from Dreamgirls. It’s a title she’s earned. After all, her earth-shaking performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” helped turn a Broadway musical into a cultural touchstone and made Holliday one of the most recognizable voices in theater…
Art, Culture

Vulpes Bastille exhibits donated art to help local families feel at home

"I know the difference between living somewhere and feeling like you’re at home.”
Kolby Brown,

Photo by Elinore Noyes As I walked through the doors of the Kansas City art gallery, Vulpes Bastille, I was greeted by Julia Cole—one of the organizers of the one-night-only Making Do/Making Special, a diverse art exhibit with a heartwarming cause.  Cole had a grateful smile on her face as she told me that this was a special art show….

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Music

Les Claypool pulled triple duty at Starlight

Mike Dotson,

Les Claypool. // photo by Mike Dotson It was a rainy day on Thursday, May 28, when Les Claypool came through Kansas City with his triad of musical misfits at Starlight Theater. The “Les is more” tour is a night of a combination of Claypool’s bands: Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, and of course,…

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Sports

Photos: Mavericks dominate Everblades in Electric Kelly Cup Finals opener

Eli Ralls,

Photo by Eli Ralls The atmosphere inside Cable Dahmer Arena felt different from the moment the puck dropped Friday night. Every hit was louder, every scrum lasted a little longer, and every shift carried the intensity that only playoff hockey can deliver. In front of a packed and energized crowd, the Kansas City Mavericks opened the 2026 Kelly Cup Finals…

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Sports

Photos: Mavericks punch ticket to Kelly Cup Finals in overtime thriller

Eli Ralls,

For nearly 60 minutes Tuesday night at Cable Dahmer Arena, the Kansas City Mavericks and Fort Wayne Komets traded momentum in a playoff battle that had fans riding every emotion imaginable. With a trip to the Kelly Cup Finals on the line, the Mavericks appeared to have control of the game after building a lead through the first two periods…
Movies

She’s the He! is a campy reclamation of the gender-bending sex comedies

Siobhan McCarthy’s directorial debut satirizes conservative nightmares.
Ava McCluer,

Misha Osherovich (Ethan) and Nico Carney (Alex) in She’s the He! // Courtesy of Obscured Releasing Conservative groups have been claiming for years that transgender people are a threat to private spaces like bathrooms and dressing rooms. With She’s the He!, first-time director Siobhan McCarthy turns that wrongheaded notion on its head and fights trans panic with laughter On the…