Happy Birthday, Bird

Yesterday, I stopped by the Charlie Parker birthday festivities at the Mutual Musicians Foundation. I’m embarrassed to say that the free fried chicken and cake lured me out, rather than any Bird- or jazz-love. The food was delicious, though; the chicken was fried up by Wingbusters, and the sheet cake, above, had a cheery “Happy birthday Charlie Parker” squiggled onto it in frosting.

But, upon hearing the music, I realized I need to stop treating this KC cultural institution like an after-bars drinkatorium or a free feed-ateria. Even though I was already sold by the music, what really got me into the place was watching this great tap-dancer:

— Jen Chen