KCMagazine_May2025

Expert ER Care

4 Convenient Locations in Johnson County

• AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, 9100 West 74th Street, Merriam

• AdventHealth College Boulevard, 7025 College Boulevard, Overland Park

• AdventHealth Prairie Star, 23401 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa

• AdventHealth South Overland Park, 7820 West 165th Street, Overland Park

LOVE IN VERONA

Allure

In All Seasons

OUR MISSION

PUBLISHER

Dave Claflin

EDITOR

Dawnya Bartsch

ART DIRECTOR

Kevin Goodbar

FOOD EDITOR

Tyler Shane

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Nina Cherry

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Alex Kerr

ADVERTISING SALES

Angie Henshaw and Bob Ulmer

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Alex Healey

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Dominique Parsow

COPY EDITOR

Kelsie Schrader

WEB COORDINATOR

Madison Russell

MARKETING INTERN

Talli Cannon

DESIGN INTERNS

Adrian Buckner and Avery Duncan

WRITERS

Nina Cherry, Ryan Hayter, Molly Higgins, David Hodes, Nicole Kinning, Ryan Reed, Ian Ritter, Tyler Shane, Hampton Stevens and Hayley Veilleux

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Zach Bauman, Kyle Braun, Don Ipock, Samantha Levi, Pilsen Photo Coop, Kelly Powell and Ian Simmons

We love Kansas City like family. We know what makes it great, we know how it struggles, and we know its secrets. Through great storytelling, photography and design, we help our readers celebrate our city’s triumphs, tend to its faults and revel in the things that make it unique. INQUIRIES

KC Publishing, LLC 605 W. 47th St., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64112 (913) 469-6700

Patient Camilla with her mom Elissa

Sizzling Summer Nights

Dining al Fresco

Starry Nights

Six

by Samantha Levi

Photography

Explore Nature at Night

Experience the Ozarks after dark at Top of the Rock’s Nature at Night, now available through spring! Drive your own private golf cart through a 2.5-mile trail featuring stunning light displays, waterfalls, bridge crossings, and a marvelous cave and Bat Bar! Become illuminated with inspiration to conserve our natural world today and forever on this one-of-a-kind spring tour!

advanced tickets recommended : topoftherock . com

@ topoftherockmo

only online

What’s happening to the old Houlihan’s in Fairway? It looks like the long-vacant Houlihan’s at The Fairway Shops (2820 W. 53rd St., Fairway) is finally getting a new tenant. W. VinZant Restaurants, the Kansas City-based group that also owns Gram & Dun, The BrewTop and Va Bene, along with other popular spots, has plans to bring a new upscale restaurant called The Fairway to the space. For the full story, scan here …

Starry Night

FOR ME, NOTHING says summer nights like 8 pm sunsets, laying on a hammock and staring into a starry night sky. But as we all know, seeing stars can be tough when surrounded by city lights. That’s why, for our feature on all the ways to spend a summer night, writer Ian Ritter sussed out the best spots to stargaze. Most are only a short drive outside the metro, far enough away so see the stars shine bright but close enough to not necessitate an overnight bag. But if dining al fresco under twinkling fairy lights (rather than waiting for a shooting star) is more your scene, we curated a list of the best outdoor dining spots around the city—another great way to while away a summer evening. From theater in the park and outdoor movies to a night of mini golf or pickleball, we’ve found plenty to do on a steamy KC summer night.

One of the most highly anticipated nights of the summer in KC is Big Slick, a fundraising event for Children’s Mercy started by comedian and actor Rob Riggle. Sixteen years ago, the Kansas City native enlisted the help of other Kansas City-born celebs and arranged a poker tournament to raise

Adrian Buckner, who helped tremendously with image research this issue, is a thirdyear visual communications graphic design student and cheerleader at the University of Kansas. He is also pursuing a certificate in bookmaking.

money for the hospital. What started off as a small event in a local casino has turned into a weekend of events that attracts dozens of performers from across the country for a weekend of fun—all to raise money for a good cause. But what most don’t know is that many of the people that make Big Slick so successful are the Kansas City celebs’ families and friends who live here. Between marketing, coordinating and organizing, it’s these quiet power players who are pushing Big Slick to new heights. In our story, “Big Slick’s Big Family,” writer David Hodes uncovers who they are and what they do.

So whether you want to drive outside and sleep under the stars or just go see a few on the T-mobile stage, I hope you’ll enjoy your summer nights as much as I will.

Dawnya Bartsch, Editor dawnya@kansascitymag.com

Contributors

Alex Kerr recently joined the Kansas City magazine team to help with all things digital. A recent University of Kansas graduate, she is a proud Jayhawk and loves photography, heading to the theater to see the latest movie and going to concerts.

Ian Simmons Photographer Photographer Ian Simmons toted his camera all around the metro for us for this issue, taking pictures of public art and closed water parks, as well as shooting the meticulously decorated home of a French antiques dealer for the design feature.

Adrian Buckner Design Intern

Alex Kerr Social Media Coordinator

Skip the interstate and take a trip down Route 66 in Pulaski County! Our 33-mile stretch of classic Americana and breathtaking scenery is filled with historic encounters, dozens of shops, selfie ops, and can’t-miss stops like the Route 66 Neon Park, opening in spring 2025. This open-air museum features restored neon signs from the early days of Route 66. Discover unforgettable experiences only the Mother Road and Mother Nature can deliver.

Come Say “Hi” to Our Favorite Moms. Plan your trip at pulaskicountyusa.com.

Donuts

gone viral

Our story about Blackhole Bakery (5531 Troost Ave., KCMO), known for its mochi doughnuts and other delightful pastries, opening a second location was a huge hit. If anyone doubted the bakery had a loyal following, the comments definitely proved otherwise. Its second locale is in the West Plaza Antique District (1702 W. 45th St., KCMO).

Yes! Congratulations Blackhole. Top of the list when I’m in town. How about STL for a third location?

- Jen Epley

So stoked. Stopping by this morning was the best. Love what you do.

- Luke Echterling

Thank you. Now the location by my house hopefully won’t sell out of donuts.

- Ashley

“The

Numbers From This Issue 4

The number of locations the Cantilever Drum sculpture has resided since its creation in the early 1970s. Page 92

Out of the world. Creative geniuses literally outgrowing their display cases.

- Craig Brewer

of all the burnt ends I’m going to put away.”

– Samm Levine, comedian, actor and Big Slick performer.

The year the Powell Observatory was built. Page 68 11

The age Ezgi Krakus decided to become a professional cellist. Page 28

Shout Out

A special thanks to Beth Hoops of Mid Coast Media for helping coordinate and pull together the many elements needed to create this month’s feature about the Big Slick charity fundraiser for Children’s Mercy.

Behind the Scenes

Photographer Samantha Levi shoots the power players (and celeb family members) that help make Big Slick a success each year.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PILSEN PHOTO COOP

If you’re a stargazer, even a little light pollution can ruin your whole evening. The good news is that Nebraska has a multitude of sites with virtually no light pollution. Even one designated as a Dark Sky Park, which means it’s one of the darkest places in the world. So grab your telescope and visit other galaxies from right here in Nebraska. It’s everything you were unexpecting.

Briarcliff Luxury Living

4319 N MULBERRY DRIVE, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

This absolutely stunning, custom-built brick home, located in the prestigious Briarcliff community offers over 6,800 square feet of elegant living and the most impressive outdoor oasis! This exceptional custom home boasts dramatic high ceilings, luxury lighting and fixtures, beautiful wallpaper, custom millwork, walls of windows and hardwood flooring as well as a bright and open kitchen and hearth area with high end appliances and island, elegant great room, den/library and 4 spacious en suite bedrooms and loft. Welcoming first floor primary suite includes a cozy fireplace, his and her closets, double vanities, and wonderful views! Professionally designed and finished walkout basement offers well-thought living and entertainment spaces, complete with inviting stone fireplace, full bar area and kitchen, game or wine tasting space, billiards and recreation area. Situated on almost an acre lot with extensive outdoor living spaces featuring a fabulous cascading waterfall, crafted stone fireplace, built-in summer kitchen with natural stone counters, and firepit area perfect for entertaining or just relaxing, lush landscaping and outdoor lighting. Come enjoy luxury living at its finest!

Independence Weighs Adventure Oasis Site’s Future

By Ian Ritter

EVEN THOUGH LONG-TIME Independence water park Adventure Oasis won’t reopen this summer, the site’s future could still be some type of aquatic center.

After the city council voted in March not to reopen the park, “all options are on the table,” stressed Independence Councilmember Bridget McCandless more recently. The city is currently consulting its comprehensive plan to make sure whatever replaces Adventure Oasis will meet the varying needs of the city’s population.

“We are considering several options related to Adventure Oasis,” says Jared Fears, Independence Councilmember At-Large. “No final decisions have been made. We are in the process of completing a parks master plan, which I hope will assist in our decision-making process regarding this facility.”

Photography by Ian Simmons

City officials certainly hope that whatever is chosen won’t become another venture that loses money in the same fashion as Adventure Oasis. Besides operating at an average loss of around $385,000 since fiscal year 2022, the facility is in need of $1.3 million in immediate maintenance and a further $8.4 million in capital investment.

In the 2024 fiscal year, revenues for the summer-only outdoor water park were $439,389 and total expenses were $1,035,213. According to an income/expenditure analysis done by the city, of those expenses, salaries and benefits totaled $707,313; management fees totaled $85,856; and a category listed as “all other expenditures” came in at $242,044. The facility is open to the public

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from page 19)

12 weeks a year and has always been operated by a third-party vendor.

When Adventure Oasis was built in 2005, plans called for investments in new attractions every five years, but regular improvements never came to fruition, and nothing joined the park’s waterslides, lazy river and wading pool.

Instead, at the end of last summer season, many parts of the facility were apparently in dire disrepair. Pictures on the city’s website show a mechanical room and walking bridge that look like they’re from the prior century.

Meanwhile, attendance last year was at 45,700 even after deciding to allow entry to non-residents—down from more than

60,000 in peak years when only residents were allowed. The park has never been able to cover operating costs from visitor fees alone.

In an April election, Independence voters passed $55 million in bonds for improvements to roads, bridges and sidewalks but voted against a bond that would have funded improvements to historic sites and athletic facilities. However, proposed improvements to Adventure Oasis weren’t included as part of the failed bond proposal.

For now, Independence residents have two spray playgrounds within city limits: McCoy Park (800 N. Bess Truman Parkway, Independence) and Rotary Park (10615 E. 24th St., Independence)

SPLISH SPLASH

Metro water parks open for business By Ian Ritter

Blue Surf Bay Waterpark bluespringsgov.com

425 N.E. Mock Ave., Blue Springs

With a 40-foot slide tower and a rock-climbing wall, Blue Springs’ Blue Surf Bay Waterpark hosted its inaugural season in 2024. Features include multiple slides, two diving platforms, a 25-yard lap pool, an obstacle course and more. Blue Surf is part of Blue Springs’ Carson Ross Community Recreation Complex, which also includes the indoor Fieldhouse recreational and fitness facility.

Mission Family Aquatic Center missionks.org

6200 Martway St., Mission

Mission Family Aquatic Center features a water slide and wade-in lap pool just next to the heart of downtown Mission and the many Johnson Drive shops and restaurants. The center offers pool parties, swimming lessons and aquatic fitness classes.

Roeland Park Aquatic Center roelandpark.net

4850 Rosewood Drive, Roeland Park

The Roeland Park Aquatic Center in Johnson County, Kansas, boasts a 480,000-gallon pool that includes a slide tower, family slide, diving board, climbing wall, lap lanes and more. Located near Interstate-35, the aquatic center is close to the Roland Park Community Center and Sports Dome.

Splash Cove at the Jim Allen Aquatic Center cityofshawnee.org

5800 King Ave., Shawnee

The Splash Cove at the Jim Allen Aquatic Center features a mini wave pool, a 125-foot full-body slide, an instructional pool and playground features. Outside of the pool are locker rentals, changing rooms, concessions and party cabanas.

Springs Aquatic Center kcparks.org

9400 N. Congress Ave., KCMO

Part of Kansas City Parks & Recreation, Springs Aquatic Center is a multi-slide and -pool facility in Tiffany Hills Park, just south of Kansas City International Airport. Springs offers public swimming, lessons and private parties, and the overall Tiffany Hills Park has ballfields and a playground.

Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center cityofshawnee.org

13805 Johnson Drive, Shawnee

The Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center is in Shawnee at the corner of Johnson Drive and Pflumm Road, near Pflumm Bichelmeyer Park. The facility offers swim and dive lessons, as well as discounts during the “twilight hours.”

Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center opkansas.org

11950 Lowell Ave., Overland Park

Overland Park’s Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center is the city’s largest aquatic facility. The center includes a 60-foot-long family slide, a curly slide, a 25-meter lap lane, fountains, cabana lounge seating and more. Several grassy and shaded areas surround the pool.

2025 market season is taking place at Matt

8101MartyStreet, while the Clock Tower Landing Improvement Project is under construction.

Presented By

Kc

Thank You for Voting!

The winners have been chosen and will be recognized in the June issue

The nominations were made, the finalists were chosen and now the winners will be named. Stay tuned for the June issue to learn who the winners are and help us celebrate those that make this city great! You can also visit the website for a complete list of winners.

Friend or Foe

The pretty and popular non-native Honeysuckle smothers forested areas

By Ian Ritter

HONEYSUCKLE INHABITS A dual and conflicting reality in the KC metro area.

On one hand, local ecologists actively eradicate the invasive plant species, saying it smothers and can kill forested habitats. Meanwhile, honeysuckle shrubs and flowers are popular with local gardeners, and one of the plants, of which several varieties are available at stores, will set you back about $30 on average.

“It is horrible,” says Christian Holderby, a conservation land steward at KCMObased Heartland Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit that works to protect and restore the habitat of the Blue River Watershed. “They’re everywhere, and they’re killing everything below them.”

Among the biggest threats are bushy flowering varieties of honeysuckle from Asia, including Amur and Bella hybrids, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. (Some honeysuckle vine vegetation is native to the state.) The Amur

“Birds love those berries. We need to stop buying honeysuckle and making the problem worse.”

and Bella hybrid bushes spread fast in April and crowd out native plants on forest floors, with their leaves absorbing sunlight and nutrients and blocking native vegetation closer to the ground.

Holderby and the HCA regularly hold honeysuckle removal events at the organization’s Heartland Outlook Preserve—40 acres of green space in south KCMO, near Bannister Road and Highway 71, with plenty of honeysuckle to clear. It takes two people about five hours to clear half an acre of dense honeysuckle, Holderby calculates.

But what about ornamental honeysuckle bushes pruned back neatly in a yard?

“Birds love those berries,” says Holderby, pointing out that where the birds go, the berry seeds will follow. “We need to stop buying honeysuckle and making the problem worse.”

Although certain kinds of honeysuckle, under the genus umbrella of Lonicera, are considered invasive, there aren’t laws against buying or selling the plants, which Courtney Masterson, executive director and ecologist at Lawrence-based Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, says poses an educational challenge. Masterson would like to see more plants native to the area used decoratively in residential yards and other landscaped spaces. She says NLRC tries to “build relationships with nurseries and provide them with native plant materials, whether they be small native plants they can grow and sell or native seeds.”

The right native plants, Masterson says, can still provide the level of privacy homeowners require.

NLRC also tries to encourage commercial developers to use non-invasive plants, and her group and others track large projects to understand the potential impacts on forested areas. They also provide contractors with information on what to avoid planting and native plant alternatives.

“A honeysuckle shrub can produce thousands of berries with a really high germination rate in their seeds,” Masterson says. “The invasive species that we’re all dealing with can get really complex and difficult to deal with pretty quickly.”

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Cue the Cannons

By Nina Cherry

FOR MANY Kansas Citians, Celebration at the Station marks the unofficial start of summer.

Every year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, tens of thousands of attendees gather for a free, family-friendly commemoration honoring fallen soldiers through a program centered on live music, fireworks and food trucks galore. Patriotic anthems performed by military bands echo outside Union Station and the north lawn of the Liberty Memorial. The smell of barbeque drifts through the air, and fresh squeezed lemonades are sold by the quart.

Now in its 21st year, the rain-or-shine event is a collaboration between Kansas City PBS and the Kansas City Symphony. For those

who can’t make it in person, the public television station broadcasts the event live beginning at 8 pm to bring the celebration to approximately one million viewers across the metro.

“The Kansas City Symphony takes great pride in presenting a free event that offers music to our city, remembrance of the sacrifices our military families have made for all of us and a chance to be together at the beginning of summer,” says Kate Breytspraak, the Symphony’s director of artistic administration.

But the most anticipated moment of the evening comes at sunset: the Symphony’s grand finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s bombastic 1812 Overture, made complete with real cannon blasts. As the final notes ring out, a dazzling fireworks display brings the festivities to a close.

Celebration at the Station May 25. 5 pm. Union Station & National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Kansas City Monarchs Home Opener

The Kansas City Monarchs carry a rich legacy in KC that dates back a century as the longest-running and best team in the Negro Leagues. Today, the team’s name has been revitalized to honor the tradition after previously competing as the T-Bones. Now a force in the American Association of Professional Baseball, the Monarchs’ home opener will feature a Satchel Paige bobblehead giveaway, pre-game skydivers and a post-game fireworks display to celebrate the start of the season. May 9. 6:35 pm. Legends Field.

2

Making Movies

KC-based band Making Movies classifies itself as an Americana band, but by that, they don’t just mean the United States—they’re referring to all of the Americas. Led by Panamanian brothers Enrique and Diego Chi, the group’s eclectic style weaves together distorted electric guitar, bilingual lyrics and Afro-Latin American rhythms. Because of their busy touring schedule, the band can only be found performing in their hometown a few times a year. This time, they’ll take the stage at Warehouse on Broadway, one of KC’s newest music venues. May 2. 8 pm. Warehouse on Broadway.

2–3

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Guadalupe Centers’ Cinco de Mayo Fiesta has been a Westside neighborhood tradition since 1922, making it KC’s longest-standing celebration of its kind. Across two days, the free, all-ages event features an abundance of authentic fare including homemade tamales, vendors from across Latin America, musical performances and more. May 2–3. Times vary. Guadalupe Centers.

2–4

Brookside Art Annual

Each year, around 1,000 artists from across the country apply to showcase their work at Brookside Art Annual. Now in its 39th year, the festival will feature 180 premier artists selected through the competitive process. Set in the heart of the quaint neighborhood, the event offers a vibrant display of fine art—rain or shine. May 2–4. Times vary. 63rd Street and Brookside Boulevard.

6–25 Emma

Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma is a tale brimming with wit and charm. Set in Regency-era England, the story follows Emma Woodhouse, a clever but often erroneous matchmaker. As she meddles in others’ romances, she learns her own heart may be on the line. May 6–25. Times vary. Spencer Theatre.

NINA CHERRY

9–11

NASCAR Spring Weekend

NASCAR is zooming to KC for a high-octane weekend of stock car racing. The action kicks off Friday with a semi-professional race, followed by pickup truck racing on Saturday. The weekend culminates with the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Race on Sunday afternoon. May 9–11. Times vary. Kansas Speedway.

15

Sierra Ferrell

Appalachian singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell is the real deal. After years of busking, hitchhiking, and honing her craft on the road, her warbling voice and nimble guitar picking earned her a devoted following and a record deal. Last spring, the songstress packed The Midland with a sold-out crowd, and she’s returning to perform favorites like “In Dreams” and “Dollar Bill Bar.” May 15. 8 pm. The Midland Theatre.

17

Alison Krauss and Union Station

It’s been nearly 40 years since teenage prodigy Alison Krauss released her debut Americana album, Too Late to Cry. Since then, the Nashville born and bred singer-songwriter and fiddler has released 15 albums and won a whopping 28 Grammy Awards. Krauss’ KC performance is a part of the tour for her recent release, Arcadia, with bluegrass band Union Station—her first album in 14 years. Willie Watson opens the show. May 17. 7 pm. Starlight Theatre.

20–25

Mean Girls

The

Musical

Starlight Theatre is kicking off its summertime Broadway series with Tina Fey’s beloved comedic brainchild Mean Girls. Although the 2004 cult classic never really faded, last year’s 20th anniversary movie-musical release revived its pop culture relevance and popularized the Broadway adaptation. The show brings popular clique “The Plastics”—Regina George, Gretchen

Samantha Fish

KC’s own Samantha Fish got her start performing regularly at the East Bottoms biker bar Knuckleheads as a teen. The now New Orleans-based blues guitarist and singer’s star has steadily risen ever since those formative years, with her 2023 album Death Wish Blues hitting number one on the Billboard blues chart. Her hometown performance is in support of Paper Doll, her latest Rounder Records release.

Wieners, and Karen Smith—to the stage as newcomer Cady Heron shakes up the high school hierarchy for a fetch evening of drama, laughs and plenty of pink. May 20–25. Times vary. Starlight Theatre.

22–June 1

The Lion King

The Musical

The wildly popular reimagining of Disney’s The Lion King made its Broadway debut in 1997 and remains a theatrical sensation, with more than 10,000 performances. Hailed not only for its music but

also the mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind costuming, the national tour brings the spectacle to KC. May 22–June 1. Times vary. Kansas City Music Hall.

23

Orion Sun

Alternative R&B artist Orion Sun has captivated listeners with her fusion of acoustic instruments and entrancing electronic beats, amassing tens of millions of streams on hits like “Antidote” and “Mirage.”

The singer-songwriter and producer’s upcoming performance at The Truman promotes her latest self-titled album, Orion, which dives deep into love and love lost. May 23. 8 pm. The Truman.

30

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Springfield, Missouri’s own Ozark Mountain Daredevils rose to popularity with their ’70s hit “If You Wanna Get to Heaven.” With a devoted regional following, their southern Missouri style melds country and rock with plenty of steel guitar, harmonica and bluegrass-esque harmonies. Their Kauffman Center performance is a part of their farewell tour. May 30. 7:30 pm. Muriel Kauffman Theatre

Photography

“None of us are perfect, but at the same time, are you able to express yourself? You have to trust to express yourself.”

A Musical Life

Turkish cellist Ezgi Karakus puts down roots in KC

By Hampton Stevens

TURK AND KANSAS CITIAN Ezgi Karakus decided at age 11 the cello was her path.

Karakus, who has lived in KC for more than a decade, completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in cello performance at UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance. She’s not only a member of KC’s Ensemble Iberica but also a principal cellist with the Turkish American Orchestra, and she often heads to New York for performances. She has won many musical accolades, including first prize in the Belle and Lynum Jackson Balshaw Music Competition.

How’d you get to Kansas City? I actually first moved to West Virginia (from Turkey) in 2009. I learned English and did my master’s degree there. Then I auditioned for doctorate studies, and that was the reason, in 2013, I moved to Kansas City—to do my doctorate degree in cello performance at UMKC.

What do you think is the best thing about Kansas City? The live music. People supporting live music, local arts and artists. That was the reason, actually, I decided to stay.

What would you most like to change most about the city? Probably I would love to have more diversity. As a Turkish person, I would maybe like to be able to reach out to more people like that. And maybe more walkable areas and more transportation (laughs).

What is Kansas City’s greatest hidden gem? There are so many things happening in Kansas City musically, you know? There are so many different artists here, and so many people don’t know about them. So I think, for me, the hidden gem is the diversity of music.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town Ooh, I have so many! But actually my favorite restaurants are Room 39, Corvino, Clay & Fire. I think those are the top three for me.

Tell me what you love most about music. Music is my life. I mean, I don’t see myself doing anything else but music. And that kind of shaped my life. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I travel. It’s all about music.

When did you first know this about yourself? When I was 10 years old, or maybe earlier than that. My parents bought me a toy keyboard and apparently I just spent all

day with it. They realized, “Oh, she’s into music.” So they started taking me to concerts and piano lessons. Then one day they took me to a Bremen String Quartet concert in Izmir. They’re based in Germany. I saw the cello for the first time in a live concert setting. I was 11 years old and I was like, “I want to play that!”

When you’re absolutely at your best performing, describe that for me. Whatever that question means to you. I think it’s trust. It’s really important when I feel trust. Do you trust yourself? Can you just go for it? For me, trust also relates to acceptance. None of us are perfect, but at the same time, are you able to express yourself? You have to trust to express yourself. Also, you have to trust if you are playing in an ensemble. You have to trust enough to be able to be yourself when you play with people.

Suppose there’s an asteroid heading for the earth and you only have one hour to live. How do you spend it? Oh, probably play. Play with people that I love.

Play music? Play music. Yeah. What else can I do in an hour?

What is your greatest fear? Losing my hands.

That tracks. What are you most proud of in life? To be able to do all the things that I have done so far by myself. Learning a different language, traveling by yourself. Even if you are so scared, you just go for it. Just because you got to trust.

↓ GO: Ensemble Iberica with oud player Ara Dinkjian, May 23, 7 pm, Nelson-Atkins Museum, 4525 Oak St., KCMO, ensembleiberica.org.

I’m wondering about the balance for you. How much of your performance is an intellectual exercise of your timing and bowing and so on, and how much of it is the emotional part, when you want to put feeling into a song? For me, everything starts with knowing the music. Listening is a big part of it. First, you slowly play through it and start writing down some bowings and fingerings—taking notes. That also helps your musical expression. Right after that, it’s a tempo. What’s the tempo? After you feel comfortable with those things, you actually start exercising to be able to get to the speed of the piece with all these things that you wrote. And you want to be really comfortable, so then you can be more expressive. Then, at the end, it’s the same magic word: trust. You’ve got to trust and go for it.

All Together Now

The

Freedom Affair to release a bluesy, self-titled sophomore album on May 9

By Nina Cherry

WHEN KANSAS CITY band The Freedom Affair remarks on their chaotically good beginnings, they look back fondly on the eagerness they shared from the start.

“I feel like our first album was like being teenagers in the garage,” says singer Seyko Groves. “It was raw. We were excited. We all brought all kinds of ideas from all different directions.”

While the band’s zeal hasn’t wavered seven years later, they have evolved since their debut album, Freedom Is Love

Now, The Freedom Affair’s self-titled sophomore album is set to release May 9, marking a new chapter stylistically. What began as a buttoned-up soul revival group—similar to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings—has morphed into a style that feels more authentic to the members: a bluesy Memphis sound.

Scan to listen to Kansas City magazine’s Summer Nights playlist: Kansas City magazine’s soundtrack for the summer features releases from KC artists, including The Freedom Affair, as well as touring bands that plan to make a stop through town this summer.

The stars of the woman-fronted band are singers Groves, Paula Saunders and Shon Ruffin—or as they like to call themselves, the “freedom threedom.” The dynamic nine-piece ensemble has headlined local festivals, toured the South and Midwest and gained national attention. “Give A Little Love,” a single from their first album, was featured in Peacock’s Bel-Air.

Their latest album marks a couple big changes for the band. Bassist Chris Hazelton switched to playing a screaming, funky Hammond B-3 organ, and guitarist Branden Moser moved over to bass. A longtime labor of love, The Freedom Affair was recorded in November 2023 at Memphis’ Royal Studios—the same historic space where legends Al Green and Ann Peebles recorded numerous hits.

“We reevaluated who we are and what we are,” says drummer Dave Brick.

Released in February, the first single off the album, “Get My Share,” features Saunders, Groves and Ruffin singing in unison for the majority of the track. In many of the other tracks, the trio harmonizes masterfully, with each vocalist adding their distinct flare and alternating between lead vocals and backgrounds.

The band members come from a variety of musical upbringings, and it’s this diversity that gives them their signature sound.

“We have jazzers, rockers and people with a gospel background, but we come together harmoniously,” Brick says. “We all deeply love being a part of this band.”

On May 2, one week ahead of The Freedom Affair’s official launch, the bluesy band will celebrate the new addition to their discography with an album release party at the Madrid Theatre. The evening will feature opening performances by Katy Guillen and the Drive and Julia Haile for a woman-led showcase of roots music.

Above all, their devoted following is one of their favorite parts of making music.

↓ GO: The Freedom Affair Album Release Party. May 2. 8 pm. Madrid Theatre.

LISTEN: The Freedom Affair releases Friday, May 9 on all streaming platforms.

“Our audience is like our hidden member of the band,” Saunders says. “We have people that come to every show and sing along to all the songs. It’s so cool to think that these are the people that were here when we first came out, and they’re still rockin’ with us.”

Making the right care decisions for a loved one can be a daunting task filled with stress, tension and pressure. There are many assisted living, memory care, nursing and other care options available in the Johnson County area and the terminology is often unfamiliar. Don and Elaine Minter with Senior Care Authority use an 8-step process to thoroughly review each family's needs. They accompany the family on visits to locations and ensure that all questions are answered. The hallmark of their service commitment is they are by the family's side every step of the way at no cost to the family.

8 Steps for Senior Care Placement

Streamline the Selection Process

7. Complete

8. Move in

In With the Old

By Nina Cherry

CERAMICIST ANDREW GILLIATT fondly remembers his post-grad years living in Kansas City as a time of self-discovery and growth.

“Call it kismet, fortune or dumb luck, but the four and a half years I spent in Kansas City were some of my most transformative years as an artist and a person,” Gilliatt says.

The then-fledgling ceramicist knew little about KC before moving for an internship and artist residency at East Crossroads’ Red Star Studios, now Belger Crane Yard Studios. But he quickly found himself immersed in a creative community, learning from seasoned artists around him.

Although Gilliatt now lives in Bowling Green, Ohio, you can find his ceramics for sale locally at Belger Arts Center.

The artist describes his work as both a journal entry and a love letter to the art that inspires him. His pink round vase—ideal for spring florals and Mother’s Day arrangements—draws inspiration from the pottery of ancient China’s Han Dynasty while incorporating nature-inspired, art nouveau decorative techniques.

“I like the idea of trying to do old things in new ways,” Gilliatt says.

Check out Gilliatt’s designs at @andrewgilliat on Instagram and find his work for sale at Belger Arts Center, located at 2100 Walnut St., KCMO.

Summer Staycay

Just a stone’s throw from KC, The Elms Hotel and Spa offers a perfect weekend respite

By Molly Higgins

IF YOU’VE LIVED IN KC long enough, you’ve probably heard of The Elms, a historic hotel and spa in Excelsior Springs. Built on the “healing” mineral waters of the springs in the area, Excelsior Springs grew in popularity as people from all over flocked to experience the water’s healing power.

Opened over 125 years ago, The Elms has been the play place for mobsters like Al Capone and political elites like former President Harry S. Truman. Destroyed by fires twice, The Elms has a storied history of resilience and adaptation. Today, on top of being an historic hotel, it’s known for its relaxing grotto with swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and spa services. The hotel also has a cafe, bar and restaurant, so if you want to just stay put and never leave during your vacay, you don’t have to.

“With a combination of historic charm and modern wellness, The Elms is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway.”

The Elm’s grotto fuses modern luxury with ancient traditions like a Roman bathhouse, featuring rooms with cold, warm and hot baths, as well as steam and dry sauna rooms. A unique grotto attraction is the beautiful pink salt cave sauna, which is “designed to support respiratory health, relaxation and skin rejuvenation,” says Marissa Krems, executive director of spa and wellness. “Guests sit in a serene, Himalayan salt-infused environment while breathing in micro-particles of salt, which have natural healing properties.”

The spa also offers services like massages, facials, body treatments and medi/pedicures for a full day of relaxation. During my stay, I had a body renewal ritual, which is like a facial for the body, using several products on limbs for a total renewing and regenerating treatment for restored tone, elasticity and skin hydration. Later that afternoon, I sunbathed poolside, then headed downstairs to swim laps in the indoor whirlpool.

After my exhausting (I kid) day of lounging, spa treatments and swimming, I had a happy hour cocktail at Three Owls, which features rotating seasonal craft cocktails and an assortment of espresso martinis, followed by a delicious dinner at Three Owls, whose menu rotates seasonally.

In the evening, I attended the fun, curated paranormal tour highlighting the often mysterious history of the building and the surrounding area, including stories of its more notable guests and the alleged spooky sightings that have taken place throughout the years.

After being thoroughly spooked, I ended my stay in the relaxing hot tub under the stars in the brisk night, fully relaxed after being pampered by everything The Elms had to offer, without ever needing to leave the property.

“[With a] combination of historic charm and modern wellness, The Elms is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway,” Krems says.

“Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat, a wellness-focused escape or a family-friendly vacation, our offerings cater to a wide range of guests. Our spa, grotto, pools and historic tours add to the overall experience, making it a one-of-a-kind destination for guests.”

Heart Ball

EVERY YEAR, the American Heart Association’s Kansas City Heart Ball brings together community leaders, medical professionals and philanthropists for an evening dedicated to advancing heart health. This year, the event was held at the Loews Hotel and raised more than $1.25 million.

An event highlight is the “survivor spotlight,” a portion of the evening that focuses on positive outcomes due to advances in heart care. This year featured the story of Leo Cuba, who was born with a congenital heart defect and struggled to breathe. Cuba had to stay in the NICU unit for months to grow before he was able to undergo surgery to fix his heart and enable him to breathe on his own. The surgery paralyzed his vocal cords, so when his parents were finally able to bring him home, they were unable to hear him cry until his vocal cords healed. Today, he is a spunky and loud toddler. heart.org.

2025 Heart Ball Chairs Nate and Stephanie Orr

Heart Ball Survivor Family, the Cubas

2025 Honorary Chairman, Gordon Lansford of JE Dunn

2026 incoming Chairs Greg Cotton and Jen Peters

First Interstate Bank Live Auction winners

The unforgettable Pulse Party with DJ Ashton Martin and The Collective

PROVIDED

Jazzoo

THE KANSAS CITY ZOO’S annual after-hours party, Jazzoo, is one of the city’s most popular fundraising events. The “creative black tie” event is held the first Friday in June, and this year’s theme, Safari Soiree, is sure to bring out all the party animals.

Every year, thousands come to roam around the zoo and nibble on bites from hundreds of local food and drink vendors, as well as dance the night away with live music and entertainment provided throughout the venue.

The event raises funds for educational and research programs offered at the zoo. Check out these pictures from last year’s bash, and to find out more about how to go to this year’s soiree, head to kansascityzoo.org.

We want to hear from you. Tell us about events happening in the community.

–Dawnya Bartsch, edito.

editor@kansascitymag.com.

N!te Owls band featuring Wyatt Brewer and Sarah Lynn

Sam Platt Trio

Hemvattey and Todd Trent

Steve and Sara Sanders

Wesley Fields and Kris Lowry

Jan Francis and Jean Sullivan

A local French antique seller gives tips on adding Parisian flair to your space

By Nicole Kinning Photography by Ian Simmons

THE IDEA FOR sisters Gwen McClure and Teri McClure Elliott’s business began in Lyon, France.

In the mid-90s, Teri visited Gwen, who was living there at the time and working for the FBI. After spending days wandering countless boutiques and markets, the sisters had a “what if” moment. What if they opened an antique shop in the states? What began as a casual idea quickly turned into a passion project, and by the summer of ’99, they had their own booth at Mission Road Antique Mall.

More than two decades later, the sisters’ venture, French By Design Antiques, has expanded nationally, with a selling warehouse in Kansas City’s West Bottoms and a showroom in Round Top, Texas. “We continue to sell things that we both love, that we both collect,” Gwen says. She and Teri travel to France several times a year to handpick new finds for their collection—and with the resurgence of French-inspired home decor, business is busier than ever. Gwen has plenty of tips for bringing this timeless style into your own home.

TAPES

TRIES

Tapestries are rooted in centuries of French craftsmanship, and you can find them in nearly every home or market in France, Gwen says. They range from small, frameable pieces to museum-quality drapes that stretch to 14 feet long. “They’re very collectible,” she says. “Now, all of a sudden, they’ve become really, really hot again in the U.S.”

Long before they were a decor trend, French tapestries were symbols of status and artistry, so treat them like the statement pieces they are. On a blank wall where you might default to a gallery wall, consider one of these woven textiles. A historic scene or rich floral pattern can add texture and depth to a space and can look surprisingly modern when paired with cleanlined furniture.

OPALINE

Opaline, a style of delicate blown glass first created in France in the late 1700s, started out as small, jewel-toned tchotchkes like perfume vials and tiny jars. “By Napoleon III in the 1840s, [the French] created all kinds of opaline ring holders and trays,” Gwen says. Although interest dipped around the turn of the 20th century, opaline had a major revival in postwar France in the ’40s and ’50s, evolving into milky pastel vases and glassware. The beauty of opaline is its versatility: You can create a cohesive look with a single color palette, mix and match hues, cluster several pieces together or let one statement piece stand out. “Even just one on a tray or as part of a table setting can be really charming,” Gwen says.

KITCHENALIA

In a French kitchen, beauty and utility go hand in hand. Imagine stacks of colorful cookbooks, gleaming copper pots, and Majolica— bright, hand-painted plateware, bowls, serving cradles, and pitchers—adding layers of texture and color. And those wooden charcuterie boards you’ve stashed over the years? Leave them out on display.

COCKTAIL SUPPLIES

“A lot of French bar carts were designed in the 1940s and ’50s,” Gwen says. Pair one with a tufted club chair or brass accents—like candlesticks, trays or an ice bucket— to fully embrace the Parisian cocktail hour vibe (French 75 in hand, of course).

Gwen adds that cocktail tables from the ’20s and ’30s are also making a comeback, especially the petite ones that tuck easily into a corner or accent an entryway.

JOIE DE KC

Calling all Francophiles! From artisanal goods to jewels, these shops bring a little piece of France to Kansas City.

Prize Home + Garden

Antique collector Steve Rogers has a stunning furniture collection from all over Europe, ranging from the 17th century to the 1970s. prizeantiques.com

French Market

Inspired by French épiceries and traiteurs (traditional food shops), this Prairie Village store offers everything from French cookbooks and vintage finds to scratch-made goods shipped directly from France. frenchmarketkc.com

Coki Bijoux Fine Jewelry

After studying traditional metalsmithing and jewelry making in Paris under master jeweler Thierry de Bourqueney, owner Coki Reardon brought her Frenchinspired artistry to the Crossroads. cokibijoux.com

Emilie’s French Teas

Emilie Jackson, a native of Nantes, France, shares her love for rare French teas at her Waldo shop. emiliesfrenchteas.com

Gilt is one of those things that, even in small doses, can make a big impact. The thin gold-leaf material, traditionally applied to furniture, picture frames and mirrors, has deep roots in French design. Beyond its Versailleslike elegance, gilt’s reflective qualities can make a space feel larger, too.

GILT

Design, Decorate & Remodel

Local experts weigh in on ways to transform your space. From bathrooms to kitchens, basements and even garages, let them help inspire you and create a space that is uniquely yours!

ALEXANDRA NUTTALL DESIGN

For this oceanfront remodel, KC newcomer Alexandra Nuttall, created a beautiful and serene environment that reflects the ocean’s various shades of blue. To add a unique twist on the classic coastal style, she incorporated vibrant colors and patterns, blending tranquility with a fresh, lively touch. The project was more than a remodel, it was a complete reinvention of the space, seamlessly merging elegance with coastal charm. Nuttall’s philosophy is designing spaces that are not only visually stunning, but also deeply meaningful to those who live in them.

alexandranuttall.com

ROCKTOPS

Upgrading your space with a simple countertop can help you create the house of your dreams without leaving behind the memories you’ve already built. Countertop replacement can breathe new life into your home, so it fits your family’s personality. Voted Best in KC five consecutive years, the skilled team at Rocktops is a valuable resource in your remodeling plans. They love challenges, so let them assist with the most complicated projects. – Serving two locations in Olathe and Lee’s Summit.

rocktopskc.com

HELLO GAR AGE OF KA NSAS CITY

Hello Garage of Kansas City specializes in polyaspartic floor coatings. If you’re not familiar, they are four times stronger than epoxy, so the durability is perfect for your next concrete coating project. The floor coating is installed in about a day, and it comes with an industry-leading warranty. The offerings at Hello Garage Kansas City go beyond the floor, they also offer welded-steel shelves, cabinets, slatwall systems for sleek, customizable organization and other accessories. With a focus on exceptional service, their team is expertly trained and ready to help you reimagine your garage, basement, or outdoor space. Call 1.888.59.GARAGE for a free consultation!

HelloGarage.com

NEXTGEN REMODELING

Imagine never watching another game at a sports bar... because you've had a dream entertainment space created in your own basement! From the fully stocked wet bar, two flat screen TVs, ping pong table, and plenty of seating and standing space, this basement designed by NextGen Remodeling is a hot spot for sports games and large gatherings. A combination of warm neutrals and ambient lighting make the space feel welcoming and relaxing. With this amazing basement remodel, the homeowners have everyone vying to get an invitation to their next party! nextgenkc.com

This year marks the 16th anniversary of Big Slick, a celebrity-driven fundraiser for Children’s Mercy. What started as a celebrity poker tournament and party hosted by KC natives Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis has grown into an annual weekend of festivities with the aim of raising money for pediatric cancer research. The main event is an hours-long party-like show at the T-Mobile Center with

dozens of celebrity performances, music and other entertainment. Big Slick kicks off Friday, May 30, with a celebrity softball game at The K prior to the Royals game against the Detroit Tigers. Access to the softball tournament is included with a purchase of regular game tickets. The main party and show will be at the T-Mobile Center on Saturday, May 31. For more information and tickets, visit bigslickkc.org.

a business development company,

Dan works with his travel agent wife,

is in charge of greeting and checking in on Big Slick’s biggest donors, as well as celebrity guests and attendees. He has been involved with Big Slick since its inception.

Dan Sudeikis, father of Jason Sudeikis, is a vice president of

The Sudeikis Company.

Kathy. Dan

BIG SLICK’SSecret Power

The secret power players that keep Big Slick moving and growing are the homegrown celebrities’ families

By David Hodes. Photography by Samantha Levi

Julie Riggle McKee, the sister of Rob Riggle, is a business consultant and attorney with Freeman Martin McKee. She helps with all the contracts for the event and works with Children’s Mercy Hospital. She also oversees Big Slick’s Saturday night “Big Slick Show” at T-Mobile Center, ensuring everyone is coordinating and communicating across pre-party, tech, production, volunteers and more. She has been involved with Big Slick since its inception.

You hear it from nearly every charity producer in the city: Kansas City is a very generous town.

Entire families get on board to help. It’s part of the city’s DNA. One of the more unusual examples of the city’s generous nature is Big Slick, an annual celebrity-driven fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital that has raised more than $24 million through sponsorships, live auctions and branded merchandise over the past 15 years.

Big Slick started off modestly in 2010 as a charity-driven poker tournament set up by Kansas City native Rob Riggle, a Shawnee Mission South graduate-turned-Hollywood celebrity, actor, stand-up comedian and SNL alumnus.

Other Kansas City hometown actors such as Paul Rudd, Marvel’s Ant-Man, and SNL alumnus Jason Sudeikis, best known for his work as Ted Lasso, joined in.

The first Big Slick tournament held at Harrah’s Casino with a follow-up awards party at the Voodoo Lounge beat everyone’s expectations and outdid fundraising goals. Riggle, Rudd and Sudeikis thought they could raise $50,000. They raised $120,000.

And just like that, a star-studded annual fundraising event was born. Big Slick now brings in dozens of A-list celebrities and sports superstars for a weekend of parties and feel-good fundraising for all involved.

Today, Big Slick features a private social event for Kansas Citians to meet the power players that have flown in for the event; a celebrity softball game at The K before a scheduled Royals game; and a huge celebration and show at T-Mobile Center for 6,000 paid attendees, with a live update on money raised.

But behind all the glam and gloss, there is a secret army of movers and shakers making Big Slick the success that it is, and it’s largely composed of Big Slick performers’ family members, many of whom live in the metro. Let’s meet them.

Ty and Justin Gardner

Event content and marketing support

Ty and Justin Gardner, brothers of SNL comedian Heidi Gardner, are now in their third year with the event. “It’s just a really big project,” Justin says. His full-time gig is serving as executive producer for Everhance, a social news and edutainment company.

“Basically, we meet a couple months after the previous year’s Big Slick is over, talking about new ideas, asking what we did that we really love or how we might want to modify a little bit,” he says. “Then maybe a couple months after that, we start to break off into the committee meetings.”

Justin works on all socials, T-shirts, and website details for the event. His brother, Ty, a full-time attorney with Shook, Hardy and Bacon, works on the softball game and does general event support throughout the weekend.

Softball game set-up and logistics

Mandi Rudd, sister of Paul Rudd, works with the Royals organization and the Child Life department team at Children’s Mercy. Her full-time job is as director of new markets for Genumark, a branded merchandise company.

“Once we know which celebrities are coming in, I have the joy of creating the teams and making sure that those who were on the ‘home’ team last year are on the ‘away’ team this year,” she says. “We also make sure we have kids from the hospital to participate on the field with us.”

The celebrities take the field at 5 pm, play their softball game, and then the Royals take the field at 7 pm. The whole celebrity crew generally goes out on the field for the seventh inning stretch and sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

What’s in a Name?

Why "Big Slick"? Three theories.

1. It is a poker phrase used to describe the Ace-King hand in Texas Hold’em. It’s often referred to as “big slick” because it’s a big hand, but it can be slippery. It’s got a lot of potential, but it could also lead to a big loss if not played correctly.

2. It is a slang term related to the 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. Initially, the hand that consists of an Ace and King of any suit was called “Santa Barbara” by the poker community and later became known as big slick.

3. It means nothing in the context of the event. “We eventually got rid of poker, but we kept the name, which makes no sense at all,” Paul Rudd said to KCTV-5 reporter Samantha Boring (May 31, 2024).

Marketing

Joan Charbonneau, sister of comedian David Koechner—best known for his roles in The Office and Anchorman—helps manage the marketing meetings with the Kansas City advertising agency of record, Barkley. She is the CEO of promotional merchandising agency Perfect Promotions.

The marketing team touches every aspect of the entire weekend. “I also work on sponsorship, which starts early,” she says.

Charbonneau works with publicist Beth Hoops on public relations activities and with social media chair Dave Shultz on digital marketing. “The main focus I have is with merchandising for the entire weekend,” she says. “We create a website. We design all of the products. We take Barkley’s designs and their concepts and turn them into merchandise.”

The campaign this year is focused on the energy of the event, with the theme “Let’s Get Loud.” “I manage the silent auction and the live auction (of items donated by celebrities), and we do what they do at the Oscars, which is a gifting lounge for the celebrities as soon as they arrive,” she says. “It’s a big kind of tent area where they receive their thank-you gifts from their hosts.”

Joan Charbonneau

Gloria Rudd, mother of Paul Rudd, is an event planner with a background in radio and media advertising. Gloria works with her daughter, Paul’s sister Mandi. Gloria oversees Big Slick’s Thursday night “Just Us” VIP party. She has been involved with Big Slick since its inception.

Where Does the Big Slick Money Go?

The Cancer Center at Children’s Mercy Hospital uses Big Slick funds for expansions to provide better stays for patients and families, as well as to purchase advanced medical equipment that enables more research.

According to Dr. Alan Gamis, the CMH cancer center’s section chief of oncology, a new treatment avenue the hospital is exploring is chimeric antigen receptor therapy, or CAR T-cell therapy, where doctors reprogram T-cells to attack cancer cells without attacking the rest of the body. The research came about largely because of Big Slick funding.

Patient stories producer

Mauria Stonestreet, the sister of Eric Stonestreet from the ABC sitcom Modern Family, is the executive director of Building Hope for Autism Foundation.

For Big Slick, she and her video producer work with one or two families at Children’s Mercy, plus a physician or researcher. “Each family is very unique, and I try to handle it with as much care as I can because it’s not easy, sometimes, to discuss what we’re talking about,” she says. “I want to make sure I’m respecting their boundaries and that they feel comfortable in sharing their story to help raise money for cancer research and to continue our efforts to provide that money back to Children’s Mercy.”

Mauria’s work with autism prepared her for this role, she says. “I’ve been in conversations with families and in meetings with them, doing sometimes difficult conversations, my whole career,” she says. “So what I do for Big Slick is just kind of a natural fit for me.”

She says that a few months before the event starts, she prepares to talk to various CMH patients and their families and films their stories. “Then it usually runs right up until the show at T-Mobile, when we’re getting the final cut to the show producer,” Mauria says. “They’re working on what time to show it, how long the run time will be on it and how it best fits into the show.”

Travel

Kathy Sudeikis (page 50), mother of Jason Sudeikis, is a travel guru. She is the vice president of corporate relations for Acendas Travel and was president of the American Society of Travel Agents from 2004 to 2006.

The first thing she does each year is check the changes in the airline industry. “We have to determine who’s on first in terms of offering flights between Kansas City and L.A. and between Kansas City and New York,” she says. “Southwest was nonstop three times a day, and then twice a day, and now once a day from L.A. and New York to Kansas City. Delta was once a day, now it’s twice a day from New York to Kansas City, and once a day from L.A. to Kansas City. It’s just keeping up with the natural evolution of those kinds of things because we try to put them all on a nonstop flight.”

Kathy says they also deal with the airlines to see where it makes sense to contractually agree to fill so many seats. “We’ll put an escort from the team on a plane from L.A. and get all the celebrities on the plane, and then buy them all drinks the whole way,” she says.

“One of the challenges we have is working with the celebrity’s scheduling,” she says. “Those things are changing by the minute and by the hour. It’s not the airline and the weather necessarily but their original plans. And somebody new can come to the table at a moment’s notice.”

Mauria Stonestreet

These five Big Slick regulars don’t live here, but they keep coming back to perform

What Keeps You Coming Back to Kansas City?

“I keep coming back for the city—the people of KC, the food, the incredibly good time—but far and away the No. 1 reason is the kids. Getting to spend time with the kids of Children’s Mercy and their families reminds me what real courage, strength, resilience and love is. Not to mention the staff of CM— the coolest. Truly doing the very best work a person could do with grace, aplomb and love.”

Adam Scott

“I never want to miss a Big Slick for two main reasons. The first is the wonderful enthusiasm of the Kansas City locals. It’s so clear how meaningful this weekend has become for them, knowing all the good it does. And the second is the BBQ. I’m drooling right now just thinking of all the burnt ends I’m going to put away.”

Samm Levine

“What keeps me coming back to Kansas City is the people. I love the warm way people across our incredible city make you feel like you’re at home in a place where you belong. And grabbing a slice of Original Pizza, some Taco Via, a bite at Jack Stack, Grand Street Cafe— and... oh did I mention the food? Yup. I need a whole article to talk about KC food love.”

David Dastmalchian

“The people. I bring friends into town who aren’t from here, and they always praise how welcoming everyone is. You miss the place when you leave. The people in KC make it feel like home.”

Anthony Hill

“I grew up in Kansas City, and my family still lives in the metro. I was seen at Children’s Mercy as a child, so coming back for Big Slick is always a treat. There is a special kind of magic here, and I’m always more than happy to support and celebrate how much the city has grown through the years. It’s an honor to be a small part of the big difference Big Slick makes and to have some serious fun for some serious good. Also, it’s gotta be said: The burnt ends can’t be beat!”

Kat McNamara

Adam Scott David Dastmalchian

Samm Levine

Anthony Hill

Kat McNamara

By Rob Riggle

Thank you, Kansas City! What started as just an idea 16 years ago—brainstormed on a dock at Lake of the Ozarks—has turned into an annual weekend full of charity, healing and civic pride.

It’s been incredible to watch Big Slick grow, evolve and raise millions of dollars for the kids, families, doctors and nurses at Children’s Mercy. The hospital is a true gift to KC and the entire Midwest, and it’s a privilege to be a small part of supporting its mission.

So, what’s the Big Slick magic? Why the cover story? How has this event, which started as a not-quite-sanctioned poker tournament in a casino ballroom, thrived?

The answer is you, Kansas City. Your hosts, Paul, Jason, Dave, Eric, Heidi and myself, are so proud of our hometown. Our friends—the ramshackle mix of actors, musicians, comedians, magicians and athletes that generously donate their time and travel from across the country (and sometimes across the world) to be here— they always cite the hospitality and love KC shows them. You make inviting people to KC easy because this city is a warm hug. It just feels like home.

If you’ve never been to Big Slick, consider this a personal invitation. There are so many ways to get involved. Come early to The K on Friday for the “softball game” (said in quotes for a reason), buy merch on the website, bid on online auction items, or just donate a few bucks directly to Children’s Mercy. If you want to experience peak Big Slick silliness, come to the show on Saturday. What started in that casino ballroom migrated to a theater and is now at T-Mobile Center. We went big to add more seats and give everyone the opportunity to attend. It’s comedy, music, skits, hot wings, storytelling … and a lot of generosity. One night only. Never the same show twice (we couldn’t repeat it if we tried).

The countdown is on. Big Slick year 16 is just a few weeks away. It’s time for Kansas City to keep shining like it’s always done. Let’s have some fun. Let’s raise some money. It’s for the kids—and it’s for each other.

“HOW

HAS THIS EVENT, WHICH STARTED AS A NOT-QUITE-SANCTIONED POKER TOURNAMENT IN A CASINO BALLROOM, THRIVED? THE ANSWER IS YOU, KANSAS CITY.”

Make it Springfield, Mo

There’s always something new to discover in Springfield. Whether you’re exploring or relaxing, you make the call and set your own pace. Here in the City of the Ozarks, it’s all about making it your own.

Explore more at

Oh, Those Summer

Nights

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are 98 sizzling summer nights. With the warm weather and late sunsets, it’s the perfect time to take most any activity outdoors. From just lingering on a lawn and gazing at the stars to eating al fresco and enjoying an outdoor performance or game of mini golf, we’ve got you covered. Here’s KC magazine’s bucket list of summer evening to-dos.

By Ryan Reed, Ian Ritter, Emily Standlee and Hampton Stevens

14 Ways to Add a Little Sizzle to Your Summer Night

By Ryan Reed

1. Art Course Mini Golf

A delightful treat, mini golf at the Nelson-Atkins’s Art Course is open until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays until September. Stroll beneath the lawn trees while experiencing “a creative interpretation of a work of art in the museum’s collection” across each of the course’s nine holes. Also, every Art Course ticket includes general admission to the Nelson-Atkins in case you need some air conditioning before your tee time. Snacks and adult beverages are available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets beforehand, visit nelson-atkins.org.

2. Arts in the Park

The two-day celebration of Kansas City’s creative community returns on June 13 and 14 to Macken Park in North Kansas City with live music, roaming performances and a lively beer garden. Additionally, the kids’ zone proclaims the inclusion of both bounce houses and a petting zoo in case the kiddos have some excess energy before bed. Arts in the Park also champions the next generation of creatives through its Youth Art and Entrepreneurship Program, giving young artists a platform to exhibit and sell their work. For more information on this free event, visit artsinthepark.org.

3.

Backyard Movies

Located on the downtown strip in North Kansas City, Screenland Armour offers the Backyard Movie series, projected against their building from the parking lot. Bring your own chair, and grab popcorn and a drink from the concession stand inside. If you need to kill some time before sundown, you can always hit Mitch e Amaro or District Biskuits. The Screenland curation is always a treat, with past selections ranging from Dirty Dancing to Shrek to Mission Impossible. Find show listings and tickets at screenland.com.

4. Chicken N Pickle

With locations in North Kansas City and Overland Park, Chicken N Pickle remains one of the area’s most accessible options for outdoor evening activity (with adjacent cocktails, beer and food). If pickleball is not your jam, Chicken N Pickle offers a number of other yard games for a bit of friendly competition, such as cornhole, ping-pong, Battleship and Jenga. Book a court or make reservations at chickennpickle.com.

Sip, Nibble and Mingle al Fresco

By Emily Standlee

Summertime means it’s time to take it outdoors whenever possible, and for Kansas Citians, that means hanging out on all manner of outdoor decks, rooftops spaces, courtyards and patios. Here are 11 of the metro’s best al fresco spots to keep you dining and drinking under the stars all summer long.

AIXOIS

251 E. 55th St., KCMO aixois.com

What’s better than an elegant French bistro covered in red-and-white tapestries and decked out with lush wooden floors? An elegant French bistro with a street-side patio to match, of course. At Aixois, the dishes and drinks are prepared with intention and love, but the backdrop backs it all up. Whether it’s experiencing escargot for the first time or taking a friend out to brunch, we’ll choose the Aixois patio in Brookside every time. And at night, the covered tables are set aglow with strands of twinkling lights. Très chic, no?

BREWERY EMPERIAL

1829 Oak St., KCMO breweryemperial.com

This indoor-outdoor taproom is a perfect introduction to the area if you’ve just moved to Kansas City or happen to be showing your out-oftown friends around the Crossroads. Not only are the beer and food menus approachable for any palate but the brewery’s patio also offers a diverse selection of cozy spaces—from picnic tables near the occasional live musician or fire pit to a covered area with tables and chairs. Plus, you’ll find outdoor restrooms here, and that’s always a plus in our book.

Mingle al Fresco (cont.)

BROWN & LOE

429 Walnut St., KCMO brownandloe.com

Located in the former Merchant’s Bank building, Brown and Loe offers a peek into Kansas City’s history in the River Market. Inside, you’ll find dramatic high ceilings and retro black-and-white tiles; outside, the patio greens up in spring with pretty potted plants, and you can people-watch as the market comes alive after a long winter. This is a great patio for catching up with friends, schmoozing with a business client or (classily) pre-gaming for a night out. The rotating cocktail list is funky and fun, and the food is just as terrific.

CAFE TRIO

4558 Main St., KCMO cafetriokc.com

Need to get your Plaza fix? Cafe Trio has unbeatable views of the neighborhood and a lively patio that belongs on any good “best patios in Kansas City” list. The bar and restaurant itself is artfully decorated, and that same attention to detail follows into the covered outdoor area, which boasts its own bar. Dining in the open air here feels expansive and posh—like something you save for special occasions. Even so, you can’t beat $7 martinis and alcoholic slushies, plus flatbreads and more during Cafe Trio’s epic happy hour.

THE CAMPGROUND

1531 Genessee St., KCMO thecampgroundkc.com

Ah, the West Bottoms. More like Best Bottoms. The Campground is one of those bars that just makes our city look good. It thrived during pandemic times, expanding its outdoor patio space even further so we could space out; it introduced a special wintertime market out there, complete with wares by local artisans; and most importantly, the bar has had the cocktail and food game on lock since day one. Check this one out if you love the magic and history of the neighborhood—and if you want to dine al fresco with some of the most finely crafted cocktails in the city.

5. Johnson County Theatre in the Park

Outdoor performances return to the Theatre in Shawnee Mission Park this summer with James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Catch Me If You Can, My Fair Lady, and A Disney Double-Feature. You can bring your own chairs and blankets, but dedicated seating is available for an additional charge, too. Refreshments are available for purchase at each performance. For more information and a show schedule, visit theatreinthepark.org.

6. Juneteenth Jazz and Folk Festival

This year’s Kansas City Juneteenth Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, June 21, in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Spread across the district and running into the evening, the festival advertises local and national music acts, Black-owned vendors, and food trucks. Previous headliners have included Kelly Price, a nine-time Grammy Award-nominated R&B and gospel singer. For more information, a schedule of the lineup and VIP ticketing, check out juneteenthkc.com.

7. La Casa del Padel

Pronounced arguably either “pa-DELL” or “PA-del,” but never “paddle,” this racket sport is gaining momentum reminiscent of its more familiar cousin, pickleball. Founded by former Sporting KC players, La Casa del Padel in Overland Park is Kansas City’s first facility dedicated to

La Casa del Padel

Padel. La Casa del Padel works on a membership system, but they offer free-to-learn classes as well as private events on their outdoor courts. Find out more and book your visit at lacasa-delpadel.com.

8. Moonlight Yoga

Liberty Parks & Rec has partnered with Serenity on the Square to offer Moonlight Yoga at Stocksdale Park. The outdoor evening yoga class is a monthly benefit for the city’s off-leash dog park. Bring a mat or blanket and meet in the grass near the trail by the horseshoe arena. The event is free, but a tax-deductible donation (cash or check) for the Liberty Dog Park is always appreciated. Days and start times vary throughout the summer months. For more information, visit libertymissouri.gov.

9. Off the Wall

Screened on the rooftop of the beautiful Central Library downtown, the Kansas City Public Library’s Off the Wall series shows monthly movies during June, July, August and September. There’s always a yearly theme—previous series have featured cats, Nicholas Cage and Shakespeare-adjacent films. Bring your own seating and alcohol-free refreshments. The library opens at 8 pm, and the films start roughly at dusk. Parking at the library garage next door will be validated. For more information and listings, visit kclibrary.org.

Mingle al Fresco (cont.)

HARRY’S BAR & TABLES

501 Westport Road, KCMO harrysbarandtables.com

Not to be confused with Harry’s Country Club—another awesome bar across town that’s owned by different people—Harry’s in Westport has a semi-divey atmosphere, remarkably good food and an attentive staff. You can sit at the bar on the inside, but the patio space is Harry’s true shining star. This place has it all: Upper and lower decks, heaters and tents in cold weather, high tops, low tops, enough space for your whole crew and some nice green foliage from surrounding trees. As a rule, try the Horsefeather here, and order the red beans and rice, pizza or hummus trio to set it off.

HORSEFEATHER SOCIAL AT LOEWS HOTEL

1515 Wyandotte St., KCMO horsefeathersocial.com

Located on the seventh floor of the Loews Kansas City Hotel, this outdoor city hotspot with Insta-worthy views is returning this summer with a robust summer menu, specialty cocktails and First Friday events, such as Latin Night, Boulevard Beer and Brats and Shrimp Boil with Torn Label. The space will bring back its Thursday Taco Night featuring carne asada, blacken rock shrimp and marinated portabella mushroom tacos weekly along with live music every Thursday, Friday and Sunday evenings.

IL LAZZARONE PIZZA

412 Delaware St., KCMO illazzarone.org

Speaking of pizza, in the River Market, Il Lazzarone offers a very cute bricklined patio that whisks you away to Italy (if you squint a bit). The outdoor area doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but it doesn’t need them—the pizza speaks for itself here, and when you visit, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of pulling up a red metal chair to the table, eating pies in the sun with friends and feeling grateful for the fact that these simple pleasures are still relatively easy to find among all the world’s hustle and bustle.

Off the Wall

Mingle al Fresco (cont.)

LA BODEGA

703 Southwest Blvd., KCMO labodegakc.com

Fancy some Spanish food in Kansas City? This well-loved tapas restaurant represents the best of both worlds: refined dining on a patio situated along one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. La Bodega’s street-side outdoor space is laid-back and welcoming, with heaters for chilly spring nights and a view of the businesses lining Southwest Boulevard. You’ll be comfy and mostly hidden from the sun thanks to wooden backrests on the seats and red cloth shades over top. This isn’t a small sidewalk patio, either—the spot has room for parties both large and small.

NOVEL

1927 McGee St., KCMO novelkc.com

Date night? Say less. Novel, the Crossroads fine dining restaurant known for its focus on locally sourced ingredients and Midwest hospitality, has carefully added touches to its patio over the years to turn it into a destination. Lined with a few tables, chairs, umbrellas and a garden of native grasses and trees, the Novel patio gives patrons a different view of the city. This is a quiet corner of the Crossroads, making Novel—both inside and out—feel like an escape and deep dive into its chefs’ worlds. Come for the food, stay for the refreshing perspective.

PANTHERS PLACE

1000 W. 25 St., KCMO panthersplacekc.com

All the cool kids go to Panthers Place, and it’s easy to see why. The bar has a certain “if you know, you know” vibe— perhaps because it’s tucked into a series of shipping containers within Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood. But just because it’s hidden doesn’t mean Panthers Place—which is made up of a few different patios, if you think about it—is pretentious. Look for the bar’s iconic Airstream trailer and wander through its many rooms. One has fires going at night, giving campground energy; another houses a long table with hanging plants and lights, perfect for a dinner party. And if you have friends who appreciate a well-made cocktail (or a yard beer, for that matter), take ’em here.

10. Shakespeare in the Park

Returning to Southmoreland Park from June 17 to July 6, KC Shakes’ Heart of America Shakespeare Festival will be performing Love’s Labour’s Lost. General admission tickets are free, but seating is firstcome, first-serve. Premium reserved seats and blanket spaces are available for a fee. Gates to the festival open at 6 pm on performance nights. Visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drink inside but are encouraged to support the free event with on-site purchases. For more information, visit kcshakes.org.

11. Tacos and Tequila Festival

The KCK Tacos and Tequila Festival will be at Legends Field on Saturday, June 21. When they say “tacos and tequila,” what they mean is a celebration of Mexican culture, featuring renowned hip-hop artists, craft margaritas, a tequila tasting lounge, street tacos, Lucha Libre wrestling, exotic cars, a beauty pageant and a salsa competition. Kansas City’s iteration of this national series will feature Nelly, Timbaland and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, among many others. For more information on this 21-and-over event, check out tacosandtequilafestival.com.

12. Taste of Kansas City

Returning for its third year, Taste of Kansas City aims to showcase the rich culinary diversity of the area with a Labor Day gathering at Harris Park. Expecting even more local retailers, food and entertainment than

Shakespeare in the Park

last year, Taste of Kansas City is a great way to get outside and try some new dishes from newcomers and old favorites. Or you can just go for the face painting and to get your picture taken with KC Wolf. For more information on this free event and a list of participating locations, check out kcroyaltouch.com.

13. Water

Lantern Festival

KC’s Water Lantern Festival is a unique summer event that truly illuminates the summer night. On May 10 at Frank A. Theis Park (across the street from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art), festivalgoers can eat at food trucks, create paper lanterns and enjoy the spectacle. After jotting down your hopes and dreams on your lantern, they are launched on the park’s pond at dusk. The festival begins at 5:30 pm and ends at 9:30 pm. For ticket prices and more information, visit waterlanternfestival.com.

14. WeekEnder at Crown Center

Friday nights from July 11 to Aug. 1, folks are invited to kick off their weekends with local bands, food trucks and movies under the stars at Crown Center. These gatherings begin at 6 pm, with music and food until the movies begin at roughly 9 pm. Admission to the WeekEnder events is free, and visitors are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs (leave the pets and alcoholic beverages at home, though). For more information as well as listings and lineups, visit crowncenter.com.

Mingle al Fresco (cont.)

PERCHERON ROOFTOP BAR

2101 Central St., KCMO crossroadshotelkc.com

This goes without saying: When Percheron opens for the season, all of Kansas City celebrates. Soaring high above the Crossroads Hotel on Central Street, this rooftop patio and bar has arguably the best views of the Crossroads and the city skyline for a venue of its kind. In fact, the view alone is worth the potentially elusive parking space and the trek up the elevator through the well-appointed hotel lobby. Best of all, sitting above the city at Percheron makes for both an intimate date night and a birthday party, say, with your closest 10 friends. We love a patio that can do both.

TREZO MARE

4105 N. Mulberry Drive, KCMO trezomare.com

It doesn’t get much better than summer happy hour at Trezo Mare at Briarcliff. Sitting on the patio around the firepit or at one of the bistro-style tables overlooking the Kansas City skyline is a fabulous way to unwind. The Northland restaurant has been a favorite for decades now and has reached near-institution status. The employee owned restaurant’s Italian-inspired menu changes with the seasons and is committed to using local ingredients.

VIVILORE

10815 E. Winner Road, Independence vivilore.com

Located in the heart of Independence’s historic Englewood Arts District, Vivilore is part art gallery, part antique store, part upscale dining venue and, come summer, part romantic outdoor eating venue. The restaurant’s inner brick courtyard is decked out in fairy lights, brimming with all sorts of flowers and exotic plants and open for dining. From ribeyes and wild pacific salmon to grilled cauliflower steaks and burgers, there is definitely something for every palate.

Water Lantern Festival

Stop and See the Stars

By Ian Ritter

Summer nights are the perfect time to grab a blanket, lie down and stargaze. Although it can be hard with metropolitan Kansas City’s insistent sprawl, you can find some good viewing spots less than 100 miles from downtown where stars, planets and other nighttime phenomena can be spotted. Here they are.

Because the Night, as Springsteen Wrote, Belongs to Lovers

By Hampton Stevens

Weston Bend State Park

One of the closest spots is Weston Bend State Park, about 15 miles north of Kansas City International Airport, off Missouri Route 45.

Not far from the restaurants and shops of Weston’s historic downtown, the state park sits along the Missouri River and features a panoramic viewing deck that overlooks the waterway and offers an expansive look at the night sky. Weston Bend, which underwent an off-season overhaul, is popular for its paved trails, campsites and picnic areas.

Lewis and Clark

State Park

Missouri’s Lewis and Clark State Park sits about 50 miles northwest of downtown KCMO in Rushville, across the Missouri River from Atchison, Kansas.

Dedicated to the Louisiana Purchase explorers who paddled up the Missouri River in the early 1800s, Lewis and Clark State Park was constructed in the 1930s by the federal government’s Civilian Conservation Corps. A bicentennial plaza overlooking the river was hardscaped into the park in 2006, and it’s not a bad spot to see the stars.

Smithville Lake

This Army Corps of Engineers-built lake was named one of best places in the metro to stargaze by the Space Tourism Guide. In Clay County, Smithville Lake was constructed by the Corps for flood control and water supply.

Today, the recreation area, about 40 miles north of downtown KCMO, offers fishing, camping, boating and plenty of open space in its 7,100 acres to view the stars.

Warko Observatory

Try some urban celestial viewing at the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s main campus and its Warkoczewski (Warko) Public Observatory. On top of the UMKC’s Royall Hall is a custom-built 16-inch Warkoczewski telescope, as well 10-inch and 14-inch computerized telescopes. The facility, run by Astronomical Society of Kansas City volunteers, is open to the public on clear Friday nights May through October.

Says the Warko website: “Some Deep Space objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula and Hercules Globular Cluster are generally observed, but views depend on sky conditions.”

Afunny thing about summer nights: Surprisingly few people seem to fully enjoy the “night” part.

Oh, sure. People may love the mystery and drama inherent in the darkness, but how often do they actually get beyond the city lights, find a true country dark sky and gaze up at the majesty of the night?

You can do it every week at Powell Observatory. Each Saturday, from May through October, Powell hosts a free public gathering for stargazers of every stripe.

The observatory, run by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City, sits about 25 miles south of KC, just outside Louisburg, KS. Built in 1985, Powell features three different telescopes, including a Newtonian reflector with a 30-inch diameter mirror and computerized control —one of the largest in the region.

David Young, the observatory director for the ASKC, runs the place. He says that the weekly public events start around sundown.

“We put a camera on the main telescope and do a slide presentation outside on a screen,” he says. “After the presentation, people can go into the building and use the telescope inside.”

It’s a festive thing. Families come. They bring lawn chairs and picnic

Beyond the Metro

Due to the amount of light developed areas emit, there aren’t any places that would be considered “great” for stargazing in the metro. But unlike other midsize cities on the East Coast and in the South, Kansas Citians are within a few three-hour drives of some seriously dark skies. Maps on websites like Dark Site Finder show patchy areas in both Kansas and Missouri where darkness still has an edge over man-made light.

One such place is the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the undeveloped Flint Hills. The scenic area is one of the most accessible places to visit on the dark-sky maps. Halfway between Topeka and Wichita, the Nature Conservancy-owned Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve provides a fantastic canvas for stargazing.

Before the sun sets, you’ll have the opportunity to view Kansas’ undeveloped Flint Hills, with its indigenous prairie plant life and animals, including herds of bison. Only a two-hour drive away from KCMO, the preserve is open 24 hours.

Those not wanting to make the drive back at night can find lodging and dining options in nearby Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

Remember the Weather

A key factor to successful stargazing is the weather, so make sure you check the forecast. A clear daytime sky does not mean the same future awaits in two hours. Like eclipse watching, be prepared for clouds and an alternate activity, if you’re hanging your weekend fun on stargazing possibilities.

baskets. They also bring stargazing gear of their own. Folks new to astronomy are especially encouraged. “If you have a telescope, we’ll show you how to set up and use it,” Young says, but there’s also a loaner program for club members who don’t have a scope of their own.

But the big draw, of course, is the 30-inch computer-controlled telescope inside the main dome.

There’s even an option for those who want a more private experience—rent the place. Yep. For a mere $100, plus $5 per person, you can have the whole observatory to yourself.

“You don’t have to share the telescope with 200 other people,” Young says.

In other words, instead of waiting in line to look at one thing, you can see an array of celestial bodies at your leisure.

There’s a real romance to that, Young says. It’s a particularly popular option for couples.

“We have more date nights than we do scout groups,” he says.

So, yes. Enjoy those hot summer nights in the city. But maybe spend a Saturday or two doing something different. Take that special someone down to Louisburg and look up at the heavens. You might just find your love is written in the stars.

EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN IN MEDICINE

ADOLESCENT MEDICINE

Loretta Nelson, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 7301 Mission Road, Suite 350

Prairie Village, KS (913) 588-6300

ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY

Nguyen Tran, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Allergy & Asthma Care

10787 Nall Avenue, Suite 200

Overland Park, KS (913) 491-3300

ALLERGY & ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Rhea Pimentel, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

4000 Cambridge Street

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-9600

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Carrie Totta, MD

Research Medical Center

Midwest Heart & Vascular Specialists

2820 East Rock Haven Road, Suite 205

Harrisonville, MO (816) 380-8088

Bethany Austin, MD

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000

Kansas City, MO (816) 931-1883

Tracy Stevens, MD

This list recognizes female Castle Connolly Top Doctors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields. In addition to meeting the requirements to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, these Exceptional Women in Medicine also have additional qualifications, including research and academic contributions, volunteer work within healthcare, and training at top institutions.

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City

Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants

4330 Wornall Road, Suite 2000

Kansas City, MO (816) 931-1883

Ashley Simmons, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-1227

CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY

Anne Clark, MD

10500 Barkley Street, Suite 220

Overland Park, KS (913) 738-9235

Poonam Khanna, DO

Minds that Matter 14221 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 123 Overland Park, KS (913) 912-7054

Ann Genovese, MD University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-1300

COLON & RECTAL SURGERY

Lina O’Brien, MD

Menorah Medical Center

Colorectal Surgical Associates 4370 West 109th Street, Suite 350 Overland Park, KS (816) 941-0800

DERMATOLOGY

Holly Fritch, MD

Menorah Medical Center 11201 Nall Avenue, Suite 100 Leawood, KS (913) 451-3030

Anne Kettler, MD College Park Family Care Center 15101 Glenwood Avenue Stanley, KS (913) 681-8866

Rebecca Chain, MD Dermatology Consultants Midwest 10777 Nall Avenue, Suite 220 Overland Park, KS (913) 469-0110

Trisha Prossick, MD Johnson County Dermatology 151 West 151st Street Olathe, KS (913) 764-1125

Amanda Tauscher, MD Johnson County Dermatology 151 West 151st Street Olathe, KS (913) 764-1125

Emily Ochoa, MD

Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center 4400 Broadway, Suite 400 Kansas City, MO (816) 584-8100

Meggan Newland, MD Kansas City Skin and Cancer Center 4400 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 400 Kansas City, MO (816) 584-8100

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY

Jessica Sanchez, MD Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City Saint Luke’s Imaging Associates Radiology Department 4401 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO (816) 932-2550

Shelby Fishback, MD

University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS (913) 588-1227

Pauline Sleder, MD

University of Kansas Hospital Department of Radiology 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS (913) 588-1227

ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES & METABOLISM

Marie Griffin, MD Saint Luke’s South Hospital

Saint Luke’s Endocrinology Specialists

4061 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 300

Overland Park, KS (816) 932-3100

Leigh Eck, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6022

Candice Rose, MD

University of Kansas Hospital Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6022

FAMILY MEDICINE

Hannah Maxfield, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

KU Family Medicine Clinic

2000 Olathe Boulevard, MOB Building, 1st Floor

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-1908

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Tuba Esfandyari, MD

University of Kansas Hospital Division of Gastroenterology

3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Suite 4035

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6019

GERIATRIC MEDICINE

Shelley Bhattacharya, DO University of Kansas Hospital 3599 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-1227

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

Brenda Shoup, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission 9301 West 74th Street, Suite 130 Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 632-9130

Andrea Jewell, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS (913) 588-1227

Lori Spoozak, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway Westwood, KS (913) 588-1227

HAND SURGERY

Christine Cheng, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Orthopaedic Clinic

2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3075

HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

Jennifer Linebarger, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Department of Palliative Care 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO (816) 855-1716

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Lisa Clough, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Division of Infectious Diseases

2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 4

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-4045

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Anne Jones, MD

University of Kansas Hospital KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road

Shawnee, KS (913) 588-8465

Pamela Weinhold, MD

University of Kansas Hospital KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road

Shawnee, KS (913) 588-8465

Jane Broxterman, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-3974

Becky Lowry, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-3974

Sheila McGreevy, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-3974

Micholee Polsak, DO

University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-3974

Courtney Rhudy, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-3974

Rita Hyde, MD

University of Kansas Hospital Westwood Medical Pavilion 2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 2201 Westwood, KS (913) 588-9800

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY

Carol Fabian, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 1102

Westwood, KS (913) 588-4821

Anne O’Dea, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Cancer Center

Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion

2650 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 1107

Westwood, KS (913) 588-1227

NEPHROLOGY

Diane Cibrik, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6183

Mamatha Pasnoor, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Landon Center 3599 Rainbow Boulevard

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6820

Margo Block, DO

Centerpoint Medical Center

The University of Kansas Hospital

4000 Cambridge Street

Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6500

Nancy Hammond, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic 4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6820

Lori Noorollah, MD

Centerpoint Medical Center

University of Kansas Medical Center

3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-5000

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

Emily Minderman, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Kansas City ObGyn

12200 West 106th Street, Suite 230

Overland Park, KS (913) 948-9636

Crystal Newby, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Kansas City ObGyn

12200 West 106th Street, Suite 230

Overland Park, KS (913) 948-9636

Marilyn Richardson. MD

KC Wellness Center 1412 Northwest Vivion Road Kansas City, MO (816) 214-5276

Sarah Newman, MD

North Kansas City Hospital

Meritas Health Pavilion for Women 2790 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 530 North Kansas City, MO (816) 452-3300

Kelly Nichols, DO

Liberty Hospital Northland Women’s Health Care 8600 North East 82nd Street Kansas City, MO (816) 741-9122

Lori Kramer, MD

Saint Luke’s North Hospital–Barry Road Saint Luke’s Women’s Health North 5844 Northwest Barry Road, Suite 310

Kansas City, MO (816) 880-1025

Madhuri Reddy, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6200

Carrie Wieneke, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6200

Carrie Grounds, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Women’s Clinic of Johnson County 8901 West 74th Street, Suite 100 Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 491-4020

Phaedra Lombard, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Women’s Clinic of Johnson County 8901 West 74th Street, Suite 100 Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 491-4020

Sharla Shipman, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Women’s Clinic of Johnson County 8901 West 74th Street, Suite 100 Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 491-4020

Amy Giedt, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 677-3113

Ana Martinez, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 677-3113

Kimberly Matthews, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Women’s Health Associates

9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300

Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 677-3113

Evelina Swartzman, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300

Shawnee Mission, KS (913) 677-3113

Reagan Wittek, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Women’s Health Associates 9119 West 74th Street, Suite 300 Shawnee Mission. KS (913) 677-3113

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Erin Stahl, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Broadway Ophthalmology Clinic 3101 Broadway Boulevard

Kansas City, MO (816) 960-8000

Susan Carney, MD

North Kansas City Hospital

Northland Eye Specialists 1200 Landmark Avenue

Liberty, MO (816) 792-1900

Emily Broxterman, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Health System Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Suite 100 Prairie Village, KS (913) 588-6600

Anne Wishna, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Health System Eye Center

7400 State Line Road, Suite 100

Prairie Village, KS (913) 588-6600

Molly Black, MD

North Kansas City Hospital

OSI Orthopedic & Sports Medicine

6667 Holmes Road, Suite 129 Kansas City, MO (816) 459 -7500

Kimberly Templeton, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6100

OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Colleen Johnson, MD

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Ascentist Ear, Nose & Throat 2300 Hutton Road, Suite 106 Kansas City, KS (816) 478-4200

Jill Arganbright, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

ENT Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3040

Yelizaveta (Lisa) Shnayder, MD

University of Kansas Hospital 2000 Olathe Boulevard, Floor 3 Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6701

PAIN MEDICINE

Andrea Chadwick, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

Anesthesia Pain Medicine Division

4000 Cambridge Street Kansas City, KS (913) 588-9900

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

Aliessa Barnes, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

College Boulevard Heart Center 5520 College Boulevard

Overland Park, KS (816) 234-3700

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY

Kimberly Horii, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Dermatology Clinic 3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3700

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY

Tania Burgert, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Broadway

Endocrinology and Diabetes 3101 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3700

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGYONCOLOGY

Shannon Carpenter, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Hematology, Oncology, and Bone

Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO (816) 302-6808

Maxine Hetherington, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas

City Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3700

PEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

Kathryn Keeler, MD

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

Children’s Mercy Kansas City Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

Orthopaedic Clinic 2401 Gillham Road

Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3075

PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Adriane Latz, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall

ENT Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3040

PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY

Ashley Cooper, MD

Children’s Mercy Kansas City Adele Hall Campus

Children’s Mercy Adele Hall Rheumatology Clinic 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO (816) 234-3700

PEDIATRICS

Ann Gassman, MD

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas Children’s Mercy Cass County Pediatrics 503 North Scott Avenue Belton, MO (816) 322-4769

Marion Pierson, MD Elite Care Pediatrics 4600 Madison Avenue, Suite 130 Kansas City, MO (816) 208-8382

Kathryn Petelin, DO

University of Kansas Hospital KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS (913) 588-1227

Mary Hamm, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS (913) 825-3627

Megan Loeb, MD

Overland Park Regional

Medical Center

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS (913) 825-3627

Mary Nagy, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS (913) 825-3627

Aundria Speropoulos, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Leawood Pediatrics 5401 College Boulevard, Suite 101 Leawood, KS (913) 825-3627

Eve Krahn, MD

North Kansas City Hospital

Meritas Health Pediatrics

2700 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 500

North Kansas City, MO (816) 421-4115

Janice Martin, MD

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200

Overland Park, KS (913) 906-0900

Claire White, MD

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas Pediatric Care Specialists

7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200

Overland Park, KS (913) 906-0900

Jennifer Mellick, MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Pediatric Partners

2111 East Kansas City Road Olathe, KS (913) 888-4567

Susan Ratliff, MD

Overland Park Regional

Medical Center

Pediatric Partners

7450 West 135th Street

Overland Park, KS (913) 888-4567

Lynn Beck MD

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Pediatric Professional Association 10600 Quivira Road, Suite 210 Overland Park, KS (913) 541-3300

Amy Voelker, MD

Olathe Medical Center

Preferred Pediatrics 13643 S Mur-Len Road Olathe, KS (913) 764-7060

Deborah Winburn, MD

Saint Luke’s South Hospital

Premier Pediatrics 8675 College Boulevard, Suite 100

Overland Park, KS (913) 345-9400

Lori Golon, MD

Saint John Hospital

Swope Health 1001 6th Avenue, Suite 210 Leavenworth, KS (913) 682-3920

Huda Alani, MD

University of Kansas Hospital

The University of Kansas Health System KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS (913) 588-6300

Rozina Mohiuddin, MD

University of Kansas Hospital The University of Kansas Health System KU MedWest 7405 Renner Road Shawnee, KS (913) 588-6300

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION

Shynda Miles, MD

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City Miles Medical Group 11111 Nall Avenue, Suite 218 Leawood, KS (913) 261-9812

PLASTIC SURGERY

Barbara McGrath, MD AdventHealth Shawnee Mission 7509 Nall Avenue Prairie Village, KS (913) 381-5544

Sheryl Young, MD Menorah Medical Center Associated Plastic Surgeons 11501 Granada Street Leawood, KS (913) 451-3722

PULMONARY DISEASE

Tammy Ojo, MD University of Kansas Hospital Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine 2000 Olathe Boulevard Kansas City, KS (913) 588-6045

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Kelly Rhodes-Stark, MD Olathe Medical Center Olathe Health Cancer Center 15123 South OMC Parkway Olathe, KS (913) 355-8000

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY

Celeste Brabec, MD Overland Park Regional Medical Center

Reproductive Resource Center 6650 West 110th Street, Suite 320 Overland Park, KS (913) 894-2323

RHEUMATOLOGY

Ann Warner, MD

Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City Kansas City Physician Partners 4440 Broadway Boulevard Kansas City, MO (816) 531-0930

Carrie Mihordin, DO Menorah Medical Center Mid-America Rheumatology Consultants 5701 West 119th Street, Suite 209 Overland Park, KS (913) 661-9980

SURGERY

Mindi Beahm, MD Centerpoint Medical Center Independence Surgical Clinic 19550 East 39th Street, Suite 325 Independence, MO (816) 373-4646

Anne Kobbermann, MD Overland Park Regional Medical Center Midwest Breast Care 10600 Quivira Road, Suite 460 Overland Park, KS (913) 227-0565

Heather Klepacz, MD University Health Truman Medical Center Surgery Clinic 2301 Holmes Street Kansas City, MO (816) 404-0099

Christa Balanoff, MD University of Kansas Hospital University of Kansas Cancer Center 15123 South OMC Parkway Olathe, KS (913) 588-1227

UROLOGY

Susan Sweat, MD AdventHealth Shawnee Mission KCUC Urology & OncologyAdventHealth 7450 Kessler Street, Suite 110 Merriam, KS (913) 831-1003

VASCULAR & INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

Ellen Yetter MD Saint Luke’s South Hospital Advanced Radiology Consultants of Kansas City 4901 West 136th Street Leawood, KS (913) 393-9729

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

Professional Imaging

Nicole Brooks, CEO

As CEO of St. Louis-based Professional Imaging, Nicole Brooks has spearheaded the brand’s expansion into Kansas City, emphasizing top-tier diagnostic prowess and exceptional patient care. With the advantage of being a privately owned center, Professional Imaging offers MRI, CT, and X-ray services at a significant cost-saving over hospital-owned facilities. Patients often see savings of up to one-third off of the cost for the exact same services at other facilities. Professional Imaging can provide these low-cost services without skimping on innovation or patient care. Client imaging is examined by sub-specialty trained radiologists on the most advanced equipment, such as the cutting-edge 3T MRI. Nicole’s commitment to technology matches her dedication to dignified patient treatment. Their stellar Google reviews attest to their excellence. Coming later this year, Professional Imaging is opening their third location in Columbia, MO.

OVERLAND PARK : 10701 Nall Ave., Suite 200

LEE’S SUMMIT : 2737 NE McBaine Drive 913.381.5225 | kcbj.com

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY & SPORTS MEDICINE

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic

Suzanne Elton, MD

DPLASTIC SURGERY

Monarch Plastic Surgery

Dr. Kalila Steen and Shawna VanLeeuwen, APRN-C are key members of the team at Monarch Plastic Surgery, committed to providing patients with the best experience in plastic surgery, wellness, and medical weight loss. Dr. Steen is a double-board certified surgeon who specializes in transforming patients’ goals into reality with precision and care. Her expertise and dedication ensure exceptional results in every procedure. Shawna VanLeeuwen works closely with patients to enhance their overall well-being through personalized wellness and weight loss programs, helping them improve their health and boost their confidence. Monarch Plastic Surgery is proud to recognize and honor these exceptional women in medicine for their dedication, skill, and passion in helping patients achieve their desired outcomes.

r. Suzanne Elton is a part of the team at Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic. She’s driven by helping patients overcome their injuries and getting back to the things they love. “It’s satisfying to meet patients in the community and hear how they’re doing and have them refer friends and family members, since they feel that they trust my care.” Dr. Elton balances her time between evaluating and diagnosing patients and performing surgery. Her areas of expertise include arthritis, carpel tunnel, fractures, tendon injuries and other issues focused on the hand, wrist and upper extremity. Although surgery is a required solution for some injuries, Elton also focuses on non-surgical treatments that provide patients’ relief. She is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and has a special interest in endoscopic (minimally invasive) carpal tunnel surgery, the treatment of hand and wrist arthritis and tennis elbow treatment. LEAWOOD : Plastic Surgery: 913-663-3838 | Skin Rejuvenation: 913-317-9386 NORT H KC : Plastic Surgery: 816-436-3262 | Skin Rejuvenation: 816-436-3262

ExcellHealth Sleep Center

Maniza Ehtesham, MD

Dr. Maniza Ehtesham is a board-certified sleep physician and the medical director at Excellhealth Sleep Center. She is an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and enjoys teaching medical students. She has also served as an associate residency program director at UMKC. She is currently a staff physician at Advent Health Shawnee Mission and Excellhealth Sleep Center. Excellhealth Sleep Center offers comprehensive sleep care services for patients in and around Johnson County and is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Excellhealth provides sleep consultations, as well as home sleep studies and in-lab sleep studies. If you or a family member or friend has a problem with snoring, insomnia, sleep apnea, or any other sleep-related disorder, Excellhealth has treatment options for you.

PHYSIATRY SERVICES

Miles Medical Group

Shynda Miles, MD

DOTOLARYNGOLOGY

Ascentist Healthcare

Colleen Johnson, MD

r. Miles is a board-certified specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She serves patients with general rehabilitation, along with other non-interventional pain management treatments, such as joint and trigger point injections. She also specializes in hormone replacement therapy, life care planning, migraine and spasticity management (Botox and Intrathecal Baclofen pumps), and post Covid-19 Long Hauler symptoms. Dr. Miles can help improve your quality of life with disease treatment that causes short and long-term disabilities.

Colleen Johnson, MD is a board-certified otolaryngologist with Ascentist Healthcare. Dr. Johnson treats both adults and children for a full range of ear, nose, and throat conditions, specializing in thyroid surgery, voice disorders, pediatrics, and advanced sinus surgery. She provides compassionate, comprehensive care in the Kansas City, KS community and surrounding areas. In addition to being named to the Exceptional Women in Medicine list, she is also recognized as one of Castle Connelly’s Top Doctors in the KC metro.

When choosing a healthcare provider, choose from Kansas City’s Top Docs. The 2025 list of providers in every medical specialty is coming soon to the August issue.

For more information, email angie@kansascitymag.com

It’s Ice Cream Time

By Dawnya Bartsch

A LITTLE OVER a year ago, Mel Engel and her husband, Todd Engel, opened up an ice cream shop in the Northland, and just like its rock ‘n’ roll-inspired flavor names, the shop is a huge hit.

The Engels, who both grew up in the Kansas City area, wanted their shop, Alice Scooper’s (1207 N, Oak Trafficway, KCMO), to not only have delicious homemade ice cream but also be fun. With names like Start Me Up, a coffee ice cream with a caramel swirl, and Green Day, a mint ice cream with chocolate chips and grasshopper pie cookie pieces, along with a wall covered in neon graffiti-style art, the shop is a treat.

“I came in with my two kids one night and we painted the wall,” Mel says.

The portions are generous and served up in a waffle cone or cup. This writer’s favorite is Gold Digger, a chocolate ice cream with a peanut butter swirl and hefty peanut butter cookie pieces that have the look of—you guessed it—gold nuggets.

Located in a shopping center, the Engels make all the ice cream on site and pride themselves on offering something for everyone. “We have several gluten-free options and also have non-dairy oat milk-based options, vegan options, as well as sugar-free and keto options,” says Mel, who adds that they rotate their flavor options throughout the month.

Along with ice cream, Alice Scooper’s also offers an expansive menu of bubble teas and creative sodas. They brew their own teas and use products made from cane sugar rather than fructose. alicescooperskc.com.

Photography by Kelly Powell

Tea for Two at Tailleur

By Tyler Shane

THE BRITISH TRADITION of afternoon tea is experiencing a resurgence, and this time around, its popularity is about more than just indulging in a beverage. According to Heather White, owner of Midtown’s classic French bistro Tailleur, when her restaurant puts on one of its popular high tea events, “it’s all about the details.”

Attend high tea at Tailleur (3933 Main St., KCMO) on the last Saturday of every month and you’ll be greeted with an intricately polished white cloth table setting,

Photography by Pilsen Photo Coop

complete with vintage teacups, saucers, teapots and silverware of all kinds. A variety of loose leaf teas have been carefully selected by White and her team, who get them from a tea supplier that sources from England (there’s also cocktails and coffee offered for those looking for something more stiff). White is from Vancouver Island, a “very British” province in Canada where tea services are common.

A high tea’s pièce de résistance, however, isn’t the steaming brews of lemon chamomile and Moroccan mint; it’s the food towers. These elegant displays have become a quintessential element of the modern craze. Tailleur’s fills theirs with sweet and savory bites. Egg salad, chicken salad and cucumber sandwiches are all served on delicate rectangles of white bread with the crust cut off. French macarons, profiteroles, biscuits, honey-whipped butter and rose water and raspberry jam are made by the pastry team at White’s bakery across the street, Soli Deo.

You don’t have to enjoy Tailleur’s perfectly posh tea time dressed in Sunday’s best, but you won’t stand out if you do. During a recent visit to Tailleur’s high tea, I saw some women dressed in flowing spring dresses and even a few wearing fascinators.

The success of her restaurant’s high tea events have encouraged White to host more. This summer ,Tailleur will be hosting an even more elevated high tea summer series, Tea Jubilee, from June to August. Champagne, mini quiches, truffle deviled quail egg and hand-piped petit fours with edible flowers are just a taste for what’s in store. tailleuronmain.com.

By

This Food Critic Tries In-A-Tub For the First Time

Tyler Shane Photography by Zach Bauman

CLOCKWISE:

In-A-Tub’s North Oak location; Aaron Beeman, owner of In-A-Tub on North Oak; a spread of In-A-Tub’s corn nuggets, fries, tacos and a pocket burger

T IS OFTEN said that there is no middle ground when it comes to In-A-Tub, a fast-casual restaurant in the Northland. You either love it or you hate it. It’s notable for serving the KC taco, stuffed with ground beef and deep fried but sprinkled with an unusually bright-orange cheese powder, similar to the kind one might find in a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese. The taco is perplexing and polarizing. I, a Kansas City native, just tried it for the first time. I didn’t love it or hate it, but I did get it.

One thing is for sure: In-A-Tub is most beloved by those who grew up with it. Having opened in the early 1950s, the drive-in has catered to several generations of Northlanders. It wasn’t always known for its tacos, however. In-A-Tub was originally an ice cream shop named 50 Flavors In A Tub. Over the years, more and more savory menu items were added, like tostadas, burritos and loose meat burgers (known as pocket burgers), and the name was eventually shortened. Despite the opening and closing of several locations throughout the years, owner Aaron Beeman’s In-A-Tub restaurant off North Oak (4000 N. Oak Trafficway, KCMO) still stands today, along with another location on N.W. Prairie View Road (8174 N.W. Prairie View Road, KCMO) just off of 1-29, which is owned by Beeman’s sister Andrea LaMunion.

Sombrero for our KC taco fix (it’s still too soon for me to talk about its closing). I’m partial to Parmesan cheese as my topping. When I snagged my taco order from In-A-Tub’s front counter, grease had permeated the paper lining the basket—a good sign, I thought. I liked it just fine. But maybe even more importantly, I understood it.

Beeman once dreamt about opening In-A-Tubs throughout the Midwest, but he feels a responsibility to not jeopardize the restaurant’s reputation as a Northland tradition. That means not turning to the business model other fast food restaurant franchises employ.

As opposed to the machine-automated kitchens in many fast food chains, In-A-Tub still rocks the human element. With cooks in the kitchen, actually cooking and making food to order, customer service is better and the diner’s experience is more authentic, Beeman says. According to him, the real secret recipe to his restaurant’s success is “the staff and the longevity in which people work here.” Multiple employees have been working there for years, some close to 20. Beeman still works in the kitchen four days a week. Opening other locations would mean he would be less hands-on, which could jeopardize the consistency that In-A-Tub is known for.

I’m reminded of the article I wrote on Winstead’s last year in which I examined why so many of its locations were closing.

“Everyone else serves cheddar cheese on their tacos. Not us.”

Beeman’s location is a standalone squat structure built in ’86 with arched atrium windows on one side and black and white pictures of In-A-Tubs from the ’50s and ’60s adorning the walls. When I was there, it felt like I was in a portal taking me back in time. It’s no wonder Beeman says that some days, being the owner of In-A-Tub feels like being the curator of a museum.

I asked Beeman how his restaurant has managed to survive throughout the years, especially with the proliferation of national fast food chains in the ’80s and ’90s. He credits it to In-A-Tub, or “The Tub,” as he often refers to it, being “just different.”

“Everyone else serves cheddar cheese on their tacos,” Beeman says. “Not us.”

The tacos with powdered cheese are In-A-Tub’s best seller (the second is the pocket burger). They’re a unique take on the KC taco, which is traditionally filled with seasoned ground beef, dipped, dunked in the fryer and topped with lettuce, salsa and, usually, Parmesan cheese. In-A-Tub’s orange powdered cheese is similar to the kind used to coat, say, popcorn or chips, and, yes, Beeman bought it from Kraft for many years until Kraft merged with General Foods in 1989. He then switched to a cheese that is similar, but better, in his opinion, and buys 5,000 pounds of it at a time.

I’m no stranger to the KC taco. I grew up north of the river, and my family went to the late Claycomo Mexican joint El

Toward the end of the article, I surmised that a change in ownership and lack of hands-on leadership was the possible culprit for Winstead’s demise, despite, like In-A-Tub, being a KC institution.

While I dined at In-A-Tub, a man sitting at the booth next to me told me he was from out of town and was visiting at the recommendation of a friend. He ordered everything on the menu and devoured it by himself. Later, Beeman joined me. An older gentleman, overhearing our interview, couldn’t help but interrupt.

“I have to send a picture to my brother in Amsterdam to show him that I met the owner of In-A-Tub!”

Beeman laughs when he thinks back to his younger self buying In-A-Tub at 28 years old. He was naive then, he says. But in an ironic twist of fate, I, a food critic, now consider myself naive for not realizing how treasured his restaurant is to many in our city. As I ate through the menu, I enjoyed some things, and others not so much, but this really doesn’t matter. Beeman isn’t even the original owner, and yet he’s managed to keep a certain magic alive. For many, his restaurant doesn’t just serve tacos; it serves nostalgia in a paper-lined basket.

“My most heavily prioritized goal is to keep it alive for the next generation,” says Beeman. “If I can keep this place open for 100 years, that’s an exceptional feat. We’re already closing on around 75 years. That’s 75 years of business serving the Northland.”

BENEFITING CHILDREN’S MERCY

BIG SLICK CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME

FRIDAY, MAY 30TH

Kauffman Stadium

• 4:30p – Gates open

• 5:00p – Celebrity Softball Game

• 7:10p – KC Royals vs Detroit Tigers

Tickets: starting at $29

BIG SLICK SHOW

SATURDAY, MAY 31ST

T-Mobile Center

*Note: this show may contain adult humor and is not recommended for those under 18 years of age

Doors:

• 5:30 – VIP

• 6:30 – Konika Minolta Founder’s Club

• 7:00 – General

• 6p-7:30p – VIP Pre-Party

• 8:00p – Show starts

Tickets:

• $75 / $100 / $150 (*upper/lower/premium rows)

• Premium section + Konika Minolta Founder’s Club access & open bar: $375

PAUL ERIC GARDNER Heidi JASON Sudeikis

Rob DAVID

RIGGLE

KC Smokehouse in Cali A KC native brings Michelin-level ’cue to Napa

Valley

By Ryan Hayter

NAPA VALLEY, RECOGNIZED as one of America’s most elite dining regions, was missing something, according to Kansas City native and chef Darryl Bell.

In August 2024, Bell opened Stateline Road Smokehouse with co-owner Jeremy Threat in Napa, the valley’s first true Kansas City-style barbecue restaurant that offers a taste of Fountain City-flavor and style with Michelin-level thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

Bell, who grew up in Independence and Cameron, Missouri, read the room right with his assumption, and just six months after opening, he was nominated for the James Beard Foundation 2025 Best Chef California.

“When I arrived in Napa, I realized the barbecue I’m used to isn’t out here,” Bell says. “People just didn’t know. They never had barbecue like it, and the response has been great.”

Bell’s prestigious career was hatched through a lifetime passion for barbecue, developed from attending family picnics and church functions in Kansas City as a child.

Foregoing opportunities to attend destination culinary schools, he opted to stay local and pursue his education at the Wylie Hospitality and Culinary Academy through Johnson County Community College. The school’s nation-leading culinary competition team and apprenticeship program opened up the world of fine dining to him, providing access to the world’s top chefs.

During college, he apprenticed at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, which led to a post-graduation opportunity to work in France.

“I learned it’s not where you go to school but what you do with your education,” he says. “Wylie gave me realworld exposure I couldn’t have gained anywhere else.”

Determined to find success among America’s culinary elite, he relocated from France to Napa Valley 16 years ago. Through tenacity, he landed a job at Bouchon Bistro, a Michelin-starred restaurant owned by Thomas Keller, a James Beard Foundation Best Chef in America winner.

Bell spent seven years honing his skills at Bouchon, earning his way to the executive sous chef position, where he flourished in the fast-paced, perfectionist environment. After Bouchon, he served as chef de cuisine at Press, originally a steak house in St. Helena, California, which turned into one of Bell’s most rewarding career accomplishments. Fellow Napa chef Philip Tessier and Bell were brought in to elevate the food and restaurant, which they transformed within three years into a Michelin-starred establishment.

While at the top of the fine dining world, Bell never forgot his roots and his passion for barbecue. In 2022, he debuted his barbecue skills at the Napa Farmers Market, where he introduced the region to his Kansas City burnt ends and sold 816 BBQ Sauce, a brand he created that supports the Rafiki Foundation and No Kid Hungry organizations.

Construction on a brick-and-mortar location ensued at a converted auto body shop in Napa’s Rail Arts District. Last August, Bell and Threat opened the doors to Stateline Road Smokehouse, giving Napa Valley its first taste of true Kansas City barbecue and a dining experience unfamiliar to the area.

The exterior of the building features murals of his icons—chef Patrick Clark and Cassius Clay—and the restaurant’s entrance is dotted with visual references to KC landmarks, such as 18th and Vine, the Western Auto sign, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art  and Union Station.

Although the taste and style of the restaurant is true to Kansas City and designed to be comfortable and inviting for all—a departure from the elite establishments in the region—Bell describes the smokehouse as a hybrid experience. It has the vibe of a local barbecue joint but the intense, Michelin-level attention to detail in every facet of the operation.

“I worked in fine dining for 15 years,” Bell says. “Once you’re in that intense of an environment for that long, it never leaves you. I wanted to create something that represents my barbecue roots—a real smokehouse that is inviting, casual and reasonably priced but didn’t neglect the hyper attention to details.”

Daily, Bell’s team lights up two custom 1,000-gallon Moberg smokers and serves “Kansas City-Invented Burnt Ends,” baby back ribs, brisket, chicken, and sides and salads that are as interesting and flavorful as the entrees. The cherry wood-smoked maitake salad and the mac and cheese made with aged mornay, crispy parsnip and kale crumble are a couple of customer favorites.

“Our slogan is ‘Chef-created, Napa-crafted, Kansas City true,’” Bell says. “Napa is an international food and wine destination, so we are fortunate to be able to introduce Kansas City-style barbecue to the world.”

A Bounty of Booze at The Belfry

There’s more than meets the eye at Celina Tio’s restaurant The Belfry

By Tyler Shane

CELINA TIO’S PROFESSIONAL pedigree is hard to beat. With a James Beard award and a Top Chef appearance, she’s one of KC’s prized chefs. Like many in her industry, Tio likes to keep busy and isn’t one to rest on her laurels, always moving onto the next project. Most recently, her Crossroads restaurant and bar The Belfry, which specializes in whiskeys, has morphed into a larger concept, The Belfry Collective. Her line of spirits, ANNX, is the catalyst for the expansion.

For the last 10 years, Tio has been assembling one of the largest collections of whiskey in the Midwest at The Belfry. Her love of whiskey—American bourbon, to be exact—led her to create her own line of spirits, ANNX, two years ago. Her label’s name honors her time attending a private Quaker boarding school outside of Philadelphia. The Annex was part of the school that connected the boys’ and girls’ wings, and that’s what Tio wants her line of spirits to be about—connection. Her chef’s palate also makes ANNX particularly exceptional.

Photography by Kelly Powell

“It’s similar to being a chef. I don’t grow the ingredients, but I put the flavors together. It’s the same with whiskey.”

“It’s similar to being a chef,” Tio says. “I don’t grow the ingredients, but I put the flavors together. It’s the same with whiskey.”

Tio focuses on small-batch spirits, tasting each individual barrel and then blending based on their flavor. Her diligent process differs that of others, who might slap a label on a distillate without testing for each barrel’s specific flavor. This isn’t uncommon, and Tio says small-batch spirits can be made with up to 200 barrels, so it’s possible that any flavor defects will be masked. But with Tio’s meticulous process of tasting each and every barrel, she ensures each one’s aged flavor is up to par.

TIO’S PERFECT DAY IN KC

Morning Run

I like running on the Trolly Trail. I also like running on Line Creek Trail in Riverside. It’s long enough for me to run a half marathon.

39th Street Dive

I’m probably saying hi to the crew at Hi-Dive. I got them to carry my favorite ranch water, Lone River.

Live Show

I’d probably see a show at recordBar—probably some kind of stoner metal or stoner rock band.

ANNX features four spirits: bourbon, rye, gin and vodka. You can try them at restaurants like Farina in the Crossroads and Hi-Dive Lounge on 39th street. They’re also available at liquor stores on either side of State Line road. Better yet, just head to The Belfry Collective. Tio began a partnership with Denver-based developer Ken Wolf several years ago with the goal to activate all of the rooms in The Belfry’s building. They added a pool hall, Gerard’s, in the space next to Tio’s restaurant two years ago. Recently, Tio began hosting private dinners in the building’s basement tasting room called Ground Control, which anyone can attend Wednesday through Friday. Sitting adjacent to Ground Control in the basement is the Wolf Den, a sleek, modern hangout space perfect for grabbing an ANNX craft cocktail with some light bites made from Tio’s kitchen. Tio likes to grow things organically, so despite the tasting room having been open now for several months, it still feels like a Crossroads hidden gem. The Wolf Den, however, is an exciting and more recent opening, and it’s a great happy hour spot.

Whiskey Harry’s Country Club has a great selection.

Chinese Food

At ABC Cafe, I’m ordering chilled beef tendon salad, shrimp dumplings, tofu skin rolls and Singapore noodles.

If you’re ever at a loss for what to order at The Belfry, start with Tio’s bourbon Moon Age. It’s relaxed yet sweet with notes of caramel and chocolate. As for food to pair it with, Tio recommends the cheddar bread pudding with bourbon caramel.

CELINA

Newsfeed

What’s new in Kansas City food and drink

By Tyler Shane

Popular Crossroads wine bar closes

Big Mood Natural Wines took to social media to announce it will be shuttering its doors.

“Beyond wine, Big Mood became way more than I had ever anticipated – we played host to so many brilliant collaborations, conversations, first dates, weddings, musicians, food pop ups, wine makers. To the fans, friends, and haters, Big Mood will miss you,” the Instagram post states.

The news of the wine bar’s closing may not come as a shock to those who have been following its Instagram account. Big Mood, which opened in 2020, made a post in January stating its struggle and encouraging its followers to support small businesses.

“Support small businesses before there aren’t any left to support,” the post states. “Don’t shop with the billionaires, keep Kansas City unique and diverse.”

A Latin-inspired cocktail lounge opens downtown

Jasmine Rios is bringing her Mexican heritage to Kohinoor, a cocktail bar and lounge set to open in mid-May.

“Kohinoor is the name of one of the most famous diamonds in the world, but, metaphorically, it means elegance and upscale, so that’s why I chose that name,” Rios says.

Kohinoor sits on the bottom floor of downtown’s Pickwick Plaza Apartments (921 McGee St., KCMO). It’s a dramatic space with towering walls and large windows that illuminate Kohinoor’s deep jeweled interior. The bar’s space seats just over 50.

Despite having spent decades in the food service industry, even serving as a bartender, Rios doesn’t consider herself too crafty with cocktails, so she enlisted the help of Manny Gomez.

Gomez, who created cocktails for the Plaza restaurant T’ähä and is currently the lead bartender at Le Lounge in the Crossroads, crafted a cocktail menu for Rios’ establishment.

Kohinoor will offer the usual tequila-based cocktails like palomas and spicy margaritas along with a few originals.

“I think any of the drinks that have tequila in them are going to be our stars,” Rios says. “There’s another one with a pretty funny name called Donde Esta Juan. It’s pretty unique. It’s tequila, Irish whiskey, lemon juice, guava, simple syrup and Crème de Cacao.”

Small bites like guacamole, meats and cheese, and flan will also be available. Rios is most excited to feature aguachiles—shrimp cooked in lime—which is her father’s recipe (Rios’ parents are from Durango, Mexico).

To keep updated with Kohinoor’s opening, follow @kohi.kc on Instagram.

Cafe Gratitude is closed

After 13 years in business, Cafe Gratitude, a vegan restaurant in the Crossroads, shuttered its doors at the end of April.

“It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to witness the community that formed within these walls,” Cafe Gratitude owner Natalie Jacara said in a statement to Kansas City magazine. “After being gone from the cafe for about six years, I’m honored to have been called back last summer. Although I believed my mission was to bring the café back to life, it’s been deeply rewarding and touching to instead be here to help gently close this beautiful chapter.”

The social media post stated “a challenging winter and a number of other signs” as the reason for closing.

Jacara opened Cafe Gratitude with Michael George. According to Jacara, George bought her out in 2018 or 2019 and asked her to come back last year.

The remaining strictly vegan restaurants in KC are now The Fix, GiGi’s Vegan and Wellness Cafe, The Littlest Bake Shop, Mud Pie Bakery, Tree Hugger Kitchen in Riverside, and Mattie’s Foods, although last time we checked Mattie’s Foods was temporarily closed.

BBQ museum finally opens

The much-anticipated Museum of BBQ opened to much fanfare in April.

“The Museum of BBQ is a feast for your senses,” says founder Jonathan Bender, an Emmy Award-winning writer who has covered the barbecue scene for more than 15 years. “Get ready to immerse yourself in the smoke and sizzle of the world of barbecue.”

Alex Pope, chef and owner of the Local Pig, is also a partner in the Museum of BBQ.

Recently named one of Time Out’s best new things to do in the world, the immersive Museum of BBQ at Crown Center (2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 231, KCMO) will lead visitors through the elements and cooking processes of barbecue as well as the main American BBQ regions.

The first five installations (meat, rub, wood and fire, smoke, and sauce) show visitors how meat becomes barbecue through interactive activities and exhibits.

In the final five installations (Carolinas, Memphis, Bean Pit, Texas and Kansas City), visitors get to travel across America to experience the wide world of barbecue variations. Each regional room has a

host of information about the history, culture and barbecue style that define a given place.

There’s no shortage of photo-perfect moments. Visitors can pose with a championship mustard belt, a nod to the mustard-based sauce featured in central South Carolina, or they can take a dip in the Bean Pit before learning how to order brisket in Texas or discovering the legend of burnt ends in Kansas City.

“Kansas City has such a rich history of barbecue,” Bender says. “This is the perfect place to bring the world’s first barbecue museum to life.”

Restaurant News

Every Friday, Kansas City magazine editors post a column on our web page (kansascitymag.com) called The Weekly Dish: Openings, closings and other restaurant news. Here are a few snippets from recent posts.

Murmuration Eatery & Cocktail Bar

307 Main St., KCMO, murmurationeatery.com

Murmuration Eatery & Cocktail Bar is the newest addition to City Market and offers brunch, lunch and cocktails. It’s the sister restaurant to City Market Coffee Roasters and opened in an adjoining space mid-April.

Thai Orchid

464 N.W. Legacy Drive, KCMO, thaiorchidkc.com

The popular Mission Thai restaurant Thai Orchid opened a second location in the Northland. The new spot is open for dinner Wednesday through Monday.

UnKCorked Wine & Spirits

11140 Switzer Road, Overland Park

Following the closing of Big Mood Natural Wines, another wine bar, UnKCorked in Overland Park, announced its closing too. UnKCorked was open for almost three and a half years.

“It looks like it’s our turn,” the Instagram post stated. “We have about a week before we have to vacate the space, so drop by and say hey one last time.”

Westport Coffeehouse

4010 Pennsylvania Ave., KCMO, westportcoffeehouse.com

Westport Coffeehouse closed on March 28 with plans for another coffee shop to move in.

“We’ve been trying to retire and sell our property for a few years now,” owner Pan Ptacek told the Kansas City Star. “And recently we had somebody approach us with the idea to do another coffeehouse in the space. We thought, ‘You open yours, we’ll close ours—the neighborhood won’t miss a thing.’”

KC James Beard Nominees

Eight KC chefs and restaurants were recognized in January by the James Beard Foundation. However, none continued to the next round as semifinalists.

surreal estate

Beat of the Drum

The history of a Kansas City sculpture that refuses to stay put

By Nicole Kinning

SMACK DAB BETWEEN Emanuel Cleaver II and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards in Brush Creek, a tall and striking metallic form rises above the bushes. At first glance, it almost looks like Pac-Man going in for the chomp.

This sculpture, known as Cantilever Drum, sits boldly on the island of Lake of the Enshriners. But it hasn’t always been there. The sculpture is known for its restless journey around the city, and it all began with a showcase to display local students’ art.

“The intention to place sculptures in public areas where they could add to the cultural fabric of the city would increase cultural advantages and promote the artistic works of the students.”

The drum was crafted in the ’70s by late sculptor Dick Hollander, whose pieces also reside in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence and the Nelson-Atkins. This whimsical artwork first dwelled on the boulevard at 36th and Gillham.

“The sculpture was part of a program with the Kansas City Art Institute called Sculpture on the Boulevard,” Kansas City Parks and Recreation archivist Angela Moss says. “According to the guidelines of the program, selected art was supposed to be in place for a minimum of six months, so when the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department decided to keep the sculpture, it needed to be moved to a more permanent location.”

Moss located a public letter in the KC Parks archives from landscape architect James O’Shea, in which he outlined the vision behind scattering these art pieces around town. “The intention to place sculptures in public areas where they could add to the cultural fabric of the city would increase cultural advantages and promote the artistic works of the students,” he wrote.

According to O’Shea, before a sculpture was installed, the artist would present their work to the Kansas City Municipal Art Commission. Then, in May of 1978, the process was expanded to require approval from the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, too. This added layer of oversight is part of why Cantilever Drum’s story is so deeply intertwined with KC Parks. By late 1978, Cantilever Drum was relocated from its original home at 36th and Gillham to Swope Park, positioned next to the Kansas City Parks administration building at the time. However, when plans arose to relocate the administration building to its current home on the island at Brush Creek in the ’90s, the sculpture was uprooted once again to its current residence on Lake of the Enshriners. Is this its final resting place? Only time will tell.

Photography by Ian Simmons