IN Kansas City August 2026

IN THE GARDEN

A PAINTER'S ART-FILLED HOME AND STUDIO

Q & A WITH JAZZ VOCALIST DEBORAH BROWN

FALL ARTS PREVIEW

GUIDE TO KC'S 2026-2027 ARTS SEASON

The Fall Refresh

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52 IN CONVERSATION WITH DEBORAH BROWN

The internationally known jazz vocalist talks about growing up in Kansas City, performing in KC jazz venues as a teenager, and discovering her fame in Europe. 56 FALL ARTS PREVIEW

The 2026–2027 arts season oers a wealth of choices for art connoisseurs and casual admirers alike. Consider this your handy guide.

Time to dine outside on Kansas City’s best rooftops, decks, and patios.

A home with an eortlessly lived-in spirit, where layered art, timeworn antiques, textiles, and globally collected objects come together in harmony.

In Memoriam

The design community in Kansas City lost one of its most prolific talents recently with the passing of John Rufenacht. John’s work has been featured in IN Kansas City several times, including our July 2026 issue. Beyond Kansas City, his talented vision could be found in homes in Houston, Dallas, Pebble Beach, Aspen, Naples, the Cayman Islands, and beyond. Besides being a gifted designer, he was a devoted patron of the arts, including the ballet, the symphony, the opera, and Crescendo. As a founding member of Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), he created Dining by Design, one of Kansas City’s most creative fundraisers. The vent, which combined high design and gracious dining, was a perfect amalgamation of art, design, community, and meaningful service. It grew from its Kansas City origins into a national fundraising initiative. John is survived by his partner and husband of 28 years, Richard Lara, family, and dear friends. We look back on John’s extraordinary body of work with gratitude for his visionary design sense, which lives on in every room and garden he touched.

Vol. 9 | No. 8 AUGUST 2026

Editor In Chief Zim Loy

Digital Editor Evan Pagano

Art Director Alice Govert Bryan

Contributing Writers

Susan Cannon, Judith Fertig, Cindy Hoedel, Merrily Jackson, Damian Lair, Jenny Vergara

Contributing Photographers

Ryan Bruce, Bridget Chang, Jason Dailey, Lee Gumbs, Aaron Leimkuehler

Publisher Michelle Jolles

Media Director Brittany Coale

Senior Media Consultants

Katie Delzer, Nicole Kube, Krista Markley, Josie Rawlings

Newsstand Consultant

Joe J. Luca, JK Associates 816-213-4101, jkassoc .net

Editorial Questions: zloy@inkansascity.com

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The cherry on top. You never know when sweet cravings will come calling—and sometimes, a milkshake is the only answer. We listed Kansas City’s top milkshake spots in the Restaurants section of inkansascity.com

ENTER TO WIN

Start your restoration. Our friends at the West Bottoms thermal bathhouse Klā Sanctuary are giving one lucky IN Kansas City reader a 60-minute intuitive massage and sanctuary pass—a $200 value—for free. Enter to win at inkansascity.com/the-magazine/enterto-win by August 31. Good luck!

Break a (safe) sweat. We’re in the middle of a hot one, but that doesn’t have to keep you from getting active. Kansas City has plenty of safer ways to break a sweat—barre, boxing, yoga, and even water aerobics— and we list them on inkansascity.com.

The cup runneth over. Missing the beautiful game since the World Cup wrapped? Well, you don’t have to look far—Sporting KC and the KC Current are in the thick of their seasons on opposite sides of the state line. We can get you up to speed. Learn how they’re doing and how to watch on inkansascity.com

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This Month IN KC August

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE

by Evan Pagano

KC Sunflower Festival

Weekends August 1–16

KC Pumpkin Patch kcpumpkinpatch.com

Lighten up! As August sets in, sunflowers look to the sky, and we’re all better off for it. With the KC Sunflower Festival, KC Pumpkin Patch dedicates the first three weekends of the month (assuming nature cooperates) to these blooming beauties. The Olathe farm is brimming with photo ops, activities for kids and grown ups—think gemstone mining, giant slides, adult tricycle races, and climbable tire pyramids—in addition to the convenience of KC Wine Co. next door. General admission is just over $20, with a discount for groups. For an additional charge, you can cuddle with shaggy Highland cows.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival

August 21–23

Swope Park eeckc.org

Come one, come all. The Ethnic Enrichment Festival is back for its golden jubilee—that’s 50 years of gathering Kansas City’s various cultures to celebrate their traditions and cuisine. Flags from over 70 countries, all with representation in KC, will fill Swope Park—along with cultural performances, vendors, and food galore. General admission is just $6, and kids 12 and under get in for free.

Uncorked: KC Wine Festival

August 22

Union Station

uncorkedwinefestivals.com/kansas-city-wine-festival

Libations at the station. Where else could you fit hundreds of wines and cocktails, a DJ, a dance floor, and a squad of food trucks? A few places, but Union Station is the coolest. Uncorked: KC Wine Festival is back, and general admission is $65. Higher-priced tickets land you access to earlier entry, Science City, and another DJ hidden within.

AUGUST SPOTLIGHT

Parkville Days

August 21–23

Downtown Parkville parkvillemo.org

Days to remember. Small town Parkville does it big for Parkville Days. The three-day festival includes a carnival and parade, a beer garden and a ton of food, arts and crafts, and even helicopter rides for the adventurous to take the Northland in from above—all with live music filling the air along the riverfront. KC Wolf, Sluggerrr, and other Kansas City sports mascots will be there Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PRIORITIZE PRESENT NEEDS

Entertaining IN KC

About a year before my mother died, my sister and I gave her a lunch party.

We invited several of her college friends, then all well into their eighties, to my sister's house in St. Louis. Some hadn't seen each other in years. By the time we served dessert, they were laughing over stories we'd never heard and finishing each other's sentences as though no time had passed at all. Looking back, I'm so grateful we did it while everyone still was able to enjoy it. Lunch turned out to be the perfect choice. Most of the ladies no longer liked driving after dark, and a midday gathering felt easy. No matter what the age of host and guest, a festive lunch may be one of entertaining's most underappreciated pleasures.

Lunch occupies a sweet spot. It's less commitment than dinner,

by Merrily Jackson mjackson@inkansascity.com

Long Live Lunch

IN ALMOST 20 YEARS OF WRITING MY COLUMN, I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT DINNER PARTIES, COCKTAIL PARTIES, COOK-OUTS, BRUNCHES, HOLIDAY PARTIES, AND MORE. BUT IT OCCURRED TO ME I HAVE NEVER ONCE WRITTEN ABOUT LUNCH ! SO HERE IT IS

more intimate than meeting for coffee, and far more conducive to conversation than a crowded happy hour. Here are some ideas for hosting a lunch at your place.

Soup season (even in August). A beautiful soup is so easy to make and serve. In August, when corn is at its sweetest, nothing beats a Midwest-style corn and crabmeat chowder. Fresh local corn makes it extraordinary, although frozen corn works beautifully when winter arrives. Looking ahead to cooler weather and celebrity name-dropping, Gwyneth Paltrow's broccoli cheddar soup and her butternut squash soup are both lunch-worthy enough for company. Serve any of these soups with good bread and a simple salad, and you've got a meal that feels generous without keeping you in the kitchen all morning.

If you'd like any of these recipes, just email me. I'm always happy to share.

Crust issues. Never underestimate the power of a really good sandwich. If I had to nominate one sandwich for the entertaining hall of fame, it would be the French Market Sandwiches from Beyond Parsley. (See recipe, page 22. Just to be clear, this recipe is not in any way associated with the marvelous French Market café and gourmet market in the Prairie Village shops.) Flaky croissants are layered with shaved ham and Swiss cheese, then brushed with a buttery mixture of Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and minced shallots before being wrapped individually in foil and baked until warm and golden. It’s the sort of sandwich people ask about before they've even finished eating it.

Tea sandwiches are always elegant, especially cucumber with herbed cream cheese or chicken salad with fresh tarragon (or you could cheat and use the Sonoma chicken salad from Whole Foods). Even a good turkey sandwich on crusty sourdough with pesto, provolone, and peppery arugula feels special when served on a pretty platter instead of out of the deli wrapper.

Greens with envy. A substantial salad can absolutely be lunch. Think grilled chicken over butter lettuce with peaches, toasted pecans, and goat cheese. Or roasted salmon atop mixed greens with avocado, cucumbers, and a lemon vinaigrette. One of my favorites combines arugula, burrata, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and grilled shrimp. Add warm bread, and no one will miss a heavier meal.

Casseroles are clever, too. We served my friend Don Loncasty’s

Chicken Divan recipe at the lunch we hosted for my mom, and it was a hit—it always is. (Food snobs beware: it calls for a can of cream of mushroom soup.) If you’re feeding a crowd, Palm Springs Chile con Queso from the cookbook Park Avenue Pot Luck: Recipes from New York’s Savviest Hostesses, makes 12 servings for a buffet.

Bring in the closer. A little sweetness at the end encourages everyone to linger just a bit longer, which is often when the best conversations happen. Simple is best. A cookie platter would be gladly received, or beautiful fresh berries with a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. Tiny scoops of good vanilla ice cream with a crisp shortbread cookie are another favorite.

The chilled sparkling rosé trick. Should you serve wine at lunch? Absolutely, if it suits your group. Some friends always enjoy a glass together. Others never do. Neither is better than the other.

My friend Amy Stepp Greif, an excellent hostess, shared an observation with me. Guests who insist they're “not drinking today” often change their minds when offered a glass of chilled sparkling rosé. “Then they drink the whole bottle,” she said.

Steal shamelessly. If you're looking for fresh inspiration for your table, spend some time with a few beautiful entertaining books and magazines. After hearing Flower magazine editor Margot Shaw speak at Fleur–ette, Powell Gardens' annual fundraiser, I immediately subscribed. Every issue is filled with gorgeous tables, flowers, and entertaining ideas that make you want to invite people over. And really, isn't that the whole point?

GROUNDS FOR APPLAUSE

GROUNDS AUSE

The best spring gardens earn their applause long before opening night. Plant this fall, then let spring deliver the standing ovation. We design, install, and maintain landscapes worthy of encore performances. Call 816-523-1516, scan the QR code or go to thegreensman.com to view all our work.

The best spring gardens earn their applause long before opening night. Plant this fall, then let spring deliver the standing ovation. We design, install, and maintain landscapes worthy of encore

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Entertaining IN KC

THE LUNCH TABLE

A FEW GOOD FLOWERS

I love the idea that these glass bud vases were personally chosen by Pear Tree Design owner Cindy Barnhill on one of her buying trips to Europe. Tuck a single bloom into each one and gather them casually

DOUBLE DUTY

PRESSED FOR TIME

Who says easy can't be elegant? These charming blue-andwhite toile Beatriz Ball napkins resist wrinkles while bringing timeless style to the lunch table. Bonus: they are generously sized at 20 inches by 20 inches. Available at Blair and Blythe, $76 for a set of four.

RISE TO THE OCCASION

No one needs to know the lemon bars came from your favorite bakery. Elevated on this handcrafted in Portugal Historia cake stand, almost anything looks homemade. Oven, freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe. $146 Terrasi Living & Scandia Home.

Some pieces earn a permanent place in your entertaining arsenal. This elegant, hand-blown Simon Pearce Vintner red-wine glass is large enough to double as a water goblet, adding sparkle to your lunch table. Available at The Little Flower Shop, $85 a stem.

SEASON TO TASTE

SPREAD THE LOVE

When good bread is on the menu, don't forget the butter. A classic French butter dish keeps it fresh and spreadable while adding a touch of quiet elegance to the lunch table. Available at Homesong Market, $36.

With individual salt and pepper cellars at every place setting, no one has to ask. Vintage versions, complete with tiny spoons, are a fun treasure hunt at flea markets, estate sales, and antique shops, and they make every lunch table feel a little more special.

A Superb Sandwich Entertaining

Wrapped individually in foil, these buttery croissant sandwiches are practical and delicious. I like serving them just that way, letting guests unwrap their own warm lunch at the table. The foil keeps them hot for buffets, makes them ideal for tailgates and road trips, and turns them into a drop-off meal for a friend who’s going through something.

This serves 12 but can easily be adjusted to serve a smaller group.

FRENCH MARKET SANDWICHES

12 croissants

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

2 tablespoons finely minced onion or shallots

2 pounds shaved ham

12 slices Swiss cheese, cut to fit shape

Slice croissants in half horizontally. Mix butter, mustard, poppy seeds, and onion together. Spread on half of each croissant. Top with 2 ½ ounces of ham and a slice of cheese. Put halves together. Wrap each sandwich in foil and warm in 325 degree oven for 15 minutes.

These sandwiches may also be frozen in foil and warmed (unwrapped) at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

Create Where

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Entertaining IN KC ASK MERRILY

Find answers to all your entertaining questions.

bought food. Kansas City is blessed with wonderful grab-and-go op tions. The aforementioned French Market is a favorite, as are Caffetteria Modern Cafe, New York Butcher Shoppe, Earl's Provisions, Cupini's, Extra Virgin Grab & Go, and Whole Foods. Mix and match as you like. Buy the soup one place, the salad somewhere else, pick up bakery cookies, then add a loaf of good bread. Your guests will remember the afternoon, not whether you made every bite yourself.

Q: I love the idea of a ladies lunch, but several women in my circle don't know each other. Will it be awkward? -

urally split into smaller groups before coming back together. As the host, your job is simply to make the introductions and get the first conversation started. After that, stay out of the way. Then relax and enjoy watching new

of us belong to different circles: neighbors, volunteer groups, church friends, book club friends, coworkers, tennis partners, ad infinitum. Invite a group that makes sense for that particular gathering and don't overthink it. The only mistake is discussing the gathering in front of someone who closer to the

Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene. Closes September 13. Lie. Sit. Stand. Be Still. Opens August 28. Barbara Takenaga: Awestruck. Opens October 9.

-

BLUEPRINT

OF EXCELLENCE IN KANSAS CITY REAL ES TAT E

Brookside in Her Blood

Even as a kid, Eli was already talking about home prices and neighborhood trends, just like her dad. His passion for Brookside and Waldo rubbed off on her early. Today, that same love for the area drives her real estate career. “Nothing beats the community here. You can’t find it in other parts of the city.”

Playing to Win

A former college athlete, Eli has been competing her entire life, and that fire never left. Today, she channels it into real estate, going all-in for her clients and fighting to help them win in a tough market. The composure, focus, and sharp communication she honed on the court now keep deals moving all the way to the closing table.

Friends in High Places

At ReeceNichols, leadership feels different. It’s not just about numbers or production; it’s about people. Company leaders are approachable and genuinely invested in Eli’s growth and success. “They’ve always been so humble and take the time to talk to us about our lives.”

The Medina family didn’t come from real estate royalty. What Eli and her father George had was a genuine love for the people of Waldo and Brookside. That passion became a career, and eventually, a partnership.

The training and mentorship at ReeceNichols gave them the perfect place to build a business rooted in connection and community.

The Family Business Support That Sticks

Eli had the drive to succeed, and ReeceNichols gave her the foundation. Through training and one-on-one broker support, she got the guidance she needed to launch her career with confidence. “They fielded so many questions from me. I had a million of them.” Years later, the support hasn’t stopped.

Eli Medina Real Estate Agent

Our Man IN KC

by Damian Lair dlair@inkansascity.com : @damianlair #OurManINKC

The Jewel Ball

It had been nine years since I last attended the Jewel Ball—high time for a return. My good friend Lee Page invited me, and I gratefully accepted.

Some readers might ask—what’s a Jewel Ball?

Founded in 1954, the event is an annual debutante ball where local young women and men are formally presented to the community. It is a custom carried forward from the past, while simultaneously benefiting two of the city’s greatest cultural assets—The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony. The event’s strong tradition of supporting these two organizations instills in its young participants the obligation to further these institutions, as their parents and community members have done before them. For more than 70 years, the event has been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s social calendar.

The event is held at the Nelson-Atkins. It is a glittering, unrivaled black-tie affair. There are gowns galore and formal jewelry pulled from the safe just for the occasion. Fresh florals and décor contend only with the highest-budget weddings. I can confidently say that this year’s event was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen the museum look. (Hat tip to Kenneth Sherman and Robert Trapp at Trapp and Company, as well as this year’s chair, Kim Aliber).

Spiky, tall blue and purple delphiniums sprayed from the marble fountain in Rozzelle Court. The colossal arrangement resembled jets of flowing water. Fuchsia orchids framed a jade-lit, gilded Chinese screen on the presentation stage. In a Koonsian modern twist, giant metallic fuchsia orbs floated overhead. Perfect for an art museum. Cleverly contrasting patterned linens complemented the wicker caning details and other garden-inspired motifs. Bubblegum-pink stacked containers, mimicking giant cupcake wrappers, framed the doorways with wonderland whimsy. Spilling from each layer were fluffy pink roses, buoyant purple alliums, and more fuchsia orchids. Cocktail bars were transformed into turquoise pagodas. I could go on, but you get the idea. The museum was drenched in vibrant color.

Well, not everywhere. Confined to black-tie—which honestly makes getting ready so much simpler—I felt like a demure Dior lily of the valley brooch was as much fun as I ought to have. Women, on the other hand, were awash in striking jewel tones. As if I were Joan Rivers, I quietly awarded Whitney Stadler with “best dressed,” as she beamed in her goldenrod gown. It was a bold color choice that paid off

so splendidly I couldn’t resist inventing my own award for it. In retrospect, I’m considering making this a regular duty at events I attend. Drop me a note and tell me what you think? But I digress.

OVERHEARD

“Can I tell you how weird it is to be missing half a tooth?”

The Jewel Ball centers around a presentation of these young women, typically by their fathers, in the museum’s marble-pillared Kirkwood Hall. In earlier times, the procession symbolized an official presentation to eligible suitors. Today, however, it primarily signifies a woman’s transition to independence—including any combination of further education, a career, or community involvement. Following the procession, fathers collectively waltz with their daughters and are then exchanged for the young gentleman escorts. More waltzing ensues. Mothers proudly line the procession line and dance floor.

A formal dinner followed the presentation (I was seated at the lovely Garrison family’s table), and the food was fittingly decadent. Cocktails and socializing trailed, and the evening gradually progressed to less formal dancing in the museum’s Bloch Building. I would, more accurately, call it riotous dancing. The place was on fire. The band, Simply Irresistible, is a treasured repeat performer at the Jewel Ball. They get

Damian Lair (left) at the Jewel Ball with Lee Page

Our Man IN KC

everyone on the dance floor and know the hits that will keep them there.

While parts of the evening felt like I was on set for filming an episode of The Gilded Age (a favorite show of mine, so this is a huge compliment), other moments felt clearly modern. I love traditions and the pomp and ceremony. And, of course, I love a grand and glamorous gala. While elements of its historic purpose became outdated, there is nothing more contemporary than tradition that emphasizes philanthropy and cultural patronage. Plainly stated—we could not enjoy community institutions like the symphony and our fine art museums were it not for generous persons with the means and gumption to give. The Jewel Ball serves as a bridge between generations, emphasizing the impacts of philanthropy—and that’s a cause worth celebrating.

SPOTTED: Wendy & Grant Burcham, Dr. Phyliss & Bob Bernstein, Susan Bernstein & Charles Luetje, Ellen Merriman, Margaux Blackwell, Nancy & Michael Thiessen, Heather & Tim Pluard, Rachel & Nelson Sabates, Ann McCray, Jim Blair, Laurie & Chip Ingram, Julie & Matt Mulhern, Sharon & John Hoffman, Lynn & Lance Carlton, Susan & Dr. Stephen Bubb, Megan Bubb, Julie Anderson Clark & Vince Clark, Julie & Michael McCann, Bridget & John Brandmeyer, Heather Bath & Jeff Reynolds, Lora & Cameron Garrison, Anne Hickock & Phillip Charlton, Matt Price, Kolton Buer, Abby & Alex Wendel, Betsy & Jose Ordoñez, Kim & Scott Mann

DOUBLE, DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE

LIKE CLOCKWORK (and eventually my luck will run out!) I managed to select the most perfect summer evening to attend the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Looking back on the three-week run, though, it feels like perfect weather was more the rule than the exception. This year’s stretch seemed to mostly bypass the oppressively hot or rainy days that can sometimes drag down a summer. As a tradition, I joined my fellow INKC columnist (and avid HASF supporter) Merrily Jackson for an evening under the stars in our city’s bucolic Southmoreland Park

This year’s production was a Shakespearean top hit—Macbeth. Following last year’s comedy, it was time for a tragedy—a genre that Macbeth practically defines. If, like me, you were exposed to Macbeth in high school, you’ll surely remember the dark, mystical tale of riddling witches who foretell death, fighting, and a choice that alters the course of a kingdom and country.

zling costumes—matched with brilliant acting. It was enchanting to experience all this in the lush sunken park. While sipping preshow wine in the Good Will Society patrons’ tent, I caught up with Kimberlee Ried & Erik Bergrud and their squad of friends. Then I slipped away to grab a meatball crepe from Ragusa’s Italian Café and some Butterfluff Popcorn to enjoy throughout the performance. Both are a must.

OVERHEARD

“There is nothing more embarrassing than running through an airport.”

HOT GOSSIP:

Who had a summer breakup and finally told their parents at the holiday airport pickup?

The executive artistic director, Sidonie Garrett, brilliantly put it this way: “Macbeth remains one of Shakespeare’s most gripping examinations of ambition, fear, and the corrosive pull of power. Yet even in its darkness, the play offers something profoundly hopeful: the reminder that tyranny can be resisted, that corruption eventually collapses, and that communities can reclaim their future through courage and collective will. Magic may spark the story, but human action determines its end.” This thoughtful (and sobering) connection to contemporary times may answer the question on the mind of many Gen Z’ers—why do we need to read these old plays anyway?

The production itself was stunning—a beautiful medieval set and daz-

Every year, I’m reminded how lucky we are to have weeks of high-production-value Shakespeare available—for free, to everyone. Though it may sometimes feel like “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day,” we all have the Shakespeare Festival as a treasured summertime ritual to anticipate. I can’t wait to see what Garrett has in store for next year. Adieu!

RADIO AMPLIFIED

IT WAS ANOTHER electric year for RadioActive, KCUR 89.3’s annual fundraising gala. Coming off its record-breaking tenth year, everything was amplified for year 11. The Loews Kansas City Hotel ballroom was once again sold out, with nearly 1,200 enthusiastic KCUR loyalists in attendance.

Since last year’s event, Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes funds to public media. As a result, local public news stations (like KCUR) are experiencing more than a 21 percent loss in revenues. This network of locally controlled and operated stations was created nearly 60 years ago as a public service, which is why you’ll never experience a paywall to read, watch, or listen to their locally focused community content. In some areas, particularly rural, these stations are the only source of local news and emergency broadcast services.

KCUR reporter Zach Perez dutifully emceed the evening and provided thoughtful commentary as we dined on a summer citrus salad, followed by beef filet and crab cakes. Throughout, guests marveled at the colorful and high-impact table décor (courtesy of Studio Floral and Events), including megaphones nodding to the Amplify theme.

KCUR’s general manager, Sarah Morris, once again provided a straightforward, but hopeful, state of affairs for our community station. No one can cut through the static quite like Sarah.

The evening’s keynote speaker was NPR’s president and CEO, Katherine Maher. It was clear that she was genuinely enjoying her time in Kansas City, nodding to the stiff competition we faced in securing the World Cup matches that were ongoing as she stood at the podium. It was an honor to have her.

Auctioneer Tanna Guthrie capitalized on this sense of community pride in leading a stirring and inspiring live ask. With a generous $50K match from Ann Baum, paddles were flying. Somewhere around the $350K mark, an anonymous patron grabbed Morris and pledged to get that final number to $500K—regardless of the gap. It was an incredibly generous offer, only made more generous, days later, when the donor more than doubled the eye-popping gift. The result was yet another

Who was having late-night cuddles with a field mouse?

record-breaking year: $1.3 million raised for KCUR. Immense congratulations are due to this year’s co-chairs, Casey Simmons, Sloane Simmons, and Barbara & Robin Foster. They deserve mighty congratulations for an incredibly fun, but also purposeful evening.

Despite the present funding setbacks, KCUR is thriving. Its grateful listeners have stepped up in force. Counterintuitively, I occasionally wonder if an attempt to starve and weaken public media has only made it stronger and more popular. For our local station, at least, it has.

Save the date for RadioActive 2027: Friday, June 11. As always, I’ll be there.

SPOTTED: Maurice Watson, Sarah & Jon Baum, Julie Walker Brown & Pete Brown, Karen Jungmeyer, Doug Anning & Kirk Isenhour, Zane Burke & Vijay Nath, Ellen & Jamie Copaken, Sandra Lawrence, Jamila & Dr. Michael Weaver, Dr. Regina Nouhan & John Eck, Helen & Frank Wewers, Sarah Page, Tom Suther & Kevin Bryant, Bernard Shondell & Richard Hull, Kurt Knapstein, Jonathan Bowyer, Ben Aken, Eric Thomas & Jonathan Gregory, Jake & James Jensvold, Michael Hopkins, Steve Stroade & Danny Ng, Ada Koch, Dana & Jason Dorssom, Katherine Holland, Jessica Blubaugh, Michele Hamlett-Weith, Loretta & Tom Mentzer, Courtney Crappell, David Wiley, Birju Solanki, Dalton Qualien Waters, Taylor Gozia & Kellen Whaley, Godfrey Riddle, Greg Campbell, John Coler, Peggy Lowe, Carolyn & David Fulk, Geneviève Des Marteau, Adina Duke

Who had a summer breakup and finally told their parents at the holiday airport pickup? HOT GOSSIP: Who navigated his way around Europe exclusively using the Pokémon GO app?

So, KC—where do you want to go? XO

NPR President & CEO Katherine Maher spoke at KCUR’s RadioActive.

by Judith Fertig

Haley Kostas

DANCE ARTIST ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS

As if being a dance artist, choreographer, and teacher weren’t enough, Haley Kostas just founded a nonprofit, Kostas Contemporary Dance.

Why contemporary dance? “A lot of people have different definitions of ‘contemporary,’ let alone ‘contemporary dance,’” says Kostas, “so I’d like to clear that up first. Contemporary simply means ‘now’—dance that is happening now. It’s an evolution of genres,

styles, and physicality. It’s more appealing, relatable, and stimulating for today’s dancers and audiences. It’s a physical feeling: exhilarating, aggressive, vulnerable, and androgynous—the ultimate testament to what the body is capable of. You can be anything in contemporary dance—no roles, no rules, no storylines, just physical feeling.”

For Kostas, dance is everything. It’s a way to channel energy, explore feelings, express yourself, heal yourself, and just be. And she would be thrilled if more people could discover that, hence Kostas Contemporary.

The dance artist grew up in Kansas City and attended the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Dance. She has also studied at the London Contemporary Dance School, with Peter Chu, and with the Hofesh Shechter Company. She trained in Gaga, the movement language from Ohad Naharin of Batsheva Dance Co., and with Akram Khan’s summer intensive, traveling from Los Angeles to England and from Italy to New York to hone her craft. She is also studying psychology at the University of Kansas to deepen her exploration of mental health and communication within dance.

Her choreographic works have been presented and commissioned by Kansas City Ballet, UMKC Dance Conservatory, University of Kansas, Owen/Cox Dance Group, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Tbd Dance Collective, and Laguna Dance.

With over two decades of experience, she has created, performed, and taught across both concert and commercial dance.

kostascontemporary.org

INKC: What drew you to dance in your formative years?

Haley Kostas: Well, I was an ADHD kid, so you could definitely say I was always on the move. I danced everywhere—it was all I thought about. Beyond my mother putting me in dance at a very young age, once I moved past the playful years, dance became stimulating, challenging, and a puzzle that was constantly changing. It was the autonomy of dance that made me obsessed.

You see, no one can help you but you, and when you’re a kid who needs a little more help than others, dance was all mine. It wasn’t about expression or passion for me—it was about autonomy. Dance also al-

photo by Lee Gumbs

consumer checking, savings or Money Market account within the past 180 days. The incentive may be paid for

$400 Begin Bonus Offer is available for a limited time and may be canceled without notice. Promotion is available from July 10, 2026, to September 30, 2026. One Begin offer permitted per household, available for new Equity Bank households only, and subject to review and approval. A new Equity Bank household for the Begin Bonus Offer is defined as applicant(s) not linked as an owner to an open Equity Bank consumer checking, savings or Money Market account within the past 180 days. The incentive may be paid for opening both a new checking and savings account during the promotion period. Incentive amount will be directly deposited into the customer’s qualifying checking account after approximately 45 days of checking account opening, assuming all qualifications are met. To qualify for offer, customer must (1) open and fund both a new checking and savings account within 45 days of each other and no later than September 30, 2026, (2) maintain Equity Bank accounts in active and good standing at time of incentive payment, (3) receive a minimum of $1000 in combined qualifying direct deposits into the new checking account within 45 days of account opening; (4) activate and use Equity Bank debit card within 45 days of account opening; and (5) When opening accounts online, enter “Begin” under “Enter

an

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checking and savings account during the promotion period. Incentive amount will be directly deposited into the customer’s qualifying checking account after approximately 45 days of checking account opening, assuming all qualifications are met. To qualify for offer, customer must (1) open and fund both a new checking and savings account within 45 days of each other and no later than September 30, 2026, (2) maintain Equity Bank accounts in active and good standing at time of incentive payment, (3) receive a minimum of $1000 in combined qualifying direct deposits into the new checking account within 45 days of account opening; (4) activate and use Equity Bank debit card within 45 days of account opening; and (5) When opening accounts online, enter “Begin” under “Enter Promotional Code.” If customer opens the accounts at an Equity Bank location, mention “Begin” offer at time of opening. Promotion not

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Arts & Culture IN KC

lowed me to face myself and overcome significant learning disabilities and beliefs I had about myself.

INKC: Is there a physical/mental/emotional release to be found in dance? When does movement become dance?

HK: I think that goes without saying. Movement, dance—it’s extremely cathartic. How I like to explain that release is this: imagine you have a feeling you can’t identify. Maybe you aren’t fully aware it’s even there, but something feels different. Or maybe it gets so big you feel like you’re crawling out of your skin. We don’t always have words. Sometimes a feeling is so big that the only way through it is physically.

Now imagine being able to channel every feeling, thought, or emotion into action without ever thinking. It expedites the process—it’s mental movement. It’s exhilarating.

Movement becomes dance when you exhaust all external choices and follow a feeling. It’s where you lose sight of control, stop forecasting your next step, and connect to something that can’t be explained, only experienced. You’re riding the unknown. That’s dance for me—presence.

INKC: What do you hope to achieve through your new nonprofit, Kostas Contemporary Dance?

HK: I hope to address some of the critical gaps in our dance community by supporting professional artists and creating more opportunities for

people to engage with contemporary dance.

For me, that means building the missing link—a professional studio, company, and residency program. Kansas City has incredible artists, but we lack the infrastructure needed to sustain them, and we end up losing a lot of our talent to the coasts. I want to create affordable places to train, rehearse, make work, and connect.

I want Kansas City to become a destination for dance and dancers—a true hub. Ultimately, I want more people to experience just how rigorous contemporary dance is—whether as artists, audiences, or simply curious community movers—regardless of background or entry point.

INKC: What can dance do that other art forms cannot?

HK: Dance doesn’t sit outside the maker—it is the maker. It’s living in us; it’s ephemeral; and it shows us how movement can be used to empower us when we feel powerless. When systems fail us, the one thing we can still do is move.

Dance also has a unique capacity to heal. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 30-second wiggle at a dance party, a moment of social joy (even embarrassment), or a professional performance—dance moves us from release to resilience. It lets us shake out rage, silently and collectively, while still somehow cracking a smile. That ability to hold joy and anger at once is what makes it so powerful.

Arts & Culture IN KC

by Judith Fertig

FOUR NEW ART EXHIBITS AT THE NERMAN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

FROM NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 6, four new exhibits add even more verve to Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on the Johnson County Community College campus.

Betsabeé Romero, a Mexican visual artist, installed three site-specific works in the Nerman lobby that come together to create A Field with Roots (Un campo con raíces). People may not speak the same language, but they speak fútbol, finding identity and refuge through sport wherever they go.

Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between features large canvases filled with mysterious iconography drawn from road maps, Osage philosophy, and his own visual vernacular. The Indigenous artist gives each canvas a bisecting horizon line.

Sport and Spectator brings to life the dramatic intersection of the visual arts and sports culture. The exhibition features works from local, national, and international artists.

All We Have Is Right Now by Carlos Rolón, an American artist of Puerto Rican descent, explores themes in mixed media that includes sculpture, drawing, painting, and fabric works. Rolón incorporates FEMA tarps, repurposed materials, gold leaf, and imagery of Caribbean flora and fauna to touch on the ecological and political instability throughout the Caribbean.

For more information, visit nermanmuseum.org.

SPAMALOT, THE MONTY PYTHON MUSICAL, AT STARLIGHT THEATRE

FROM AUGUST 4 THROUGH 9, pump up the silliness with the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Spamalot. Written by Monty Python’s own Eric Idle, the 2005 musical sends up the Arthurian legend as well as the group’s silly 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

This is King Arthur and Lancelot as only Monty Python could imagine them. Arthur and his servant, Patsy, trot around (clop-clop sound effects supplied by coconut shells) on imaginary horses. The Lady of the Lake is surrounded by Laker Girl handmaidens, the French defend a castle by sending troops of can-can girls, and Camelot resembles the Excalibur resort in Las Vegas.

After the bows at the end of the show, the company invites the audience to partake in a sing-along of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.

For more information and tickets, visit kcstarlight.com

Norman Akers’ Where Are We Going

Arts & Culture IN KC

by Judith Fertig

LIGHT UP THE LAWN AT JCCC

IF IT’S SUMMER, it’s also time for Light Up the Lawn, the free outdoor concerts on the lawn of Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College.

Come early to get a drink and a nibble from the food trucks, stake your territory with a blanket or folding chairs, unpack the picnic basket (no alcohol), and settle in by 8 p.m. No reservations required.

First up on August 14 is The Swallowtails, the genre-bending duo of Miki P (guitar and vocals) and Rachel Lovelace (bassoon and vocals). With a sound heavily influenced by rock, folk, pop, and classical, the band has grown a large and loyal following.

On August 28, Katy Guillen & The Drive bring their relentless indie rock vibe. Founded by partners Katy Guillen (vocals, guitar) and Stephanie Williams (drums), the band prides itself on fostering empowered spaces for women in music both onstage and off, and performances showcase the group’s signature all-female powerhouse formation, technical prowess, and electrifying chemistry.

Visit jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center/events for more information.

WICKED CAPS OFF PNC BROADWAY’S SEASON

FROM AUGUST 12 THROUGH 30 at Music Hall, you can take the whole family to experience this new take on the vintage story, focusing on what happened before Dorothy and Toto dropped in.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz debuted in a children’s book by L. Frank Baum in 1900. The book became the much beloved movie The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland in 1939. And then along came Wicked , the musical and then the recent films, loosely based on the fantasy novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire.

Wicked, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, follows Elphaba, a talented young woman whose green skin makes her feel like an outsider, and golden Galinda, who seems to have everything going for her. The two become friends, then enemies as the opposing Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good in the Land of Oz, a place ruled by the corrupt Wizard. In this battle of good and evil, who or what will win?

Visit kansascity.broadway.com for more information and tickets.

Claudia Bennett as Glinda and Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba

photo by joan

marcus

Rachel Lovelace (left) and Miki P of The Swallowtails

Unity Village offers beautiful indoor and outdoor venues for up to 1,000 guests, surrounded by fountains, gardens, and wooded trails. Guests enjoy boutique hotel rooms or spacious Airbnbs, a 9-hole golf course, and easy highway access with free parkingan inclusive setting for unforgettable events.

by Judith Fertig

Diabetes Management

A CONVERSATION WITH HENRY LAU, DO, A BOARD-CERTIFIED FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN WITH ADVENTHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PRIMARY CARE AT STATE LINE

Diabetes is a progressive condition that requires active management. It impacts how your body processes glucose (sugar) and uses insulin, but with the right knowledge and support, diabetes can be well controlled. Henry Lau, DO, a board-certified family medicine physician with AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at State Line, shares new information.

Why is it important to keep diabetes under control?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body has difficulty producing or using insulin properly, which can lead to high blood sugar over time. However, diabetes affects much more than blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. When diabetes is not well controlled, it increases the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, nerve damage in the feet and legs, poor wound healing,

and in severe cases, amputations.

The encouraging news is that diabetes itself, and many diabetes-related complications, can often be prevented or delayed. Before diabetes develops, many people have a condition called prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes is identified by an A1C between 5.7 percent and 6.4 percent, while an A1C of 6.5 percent or higher is consistent with diabetes. Recognizing prediabetes is important because this is a key window for prevention. Lifestyle changes at this stage—such as losing five to seven percent of body weight, improving nutrition, and getting 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week—can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by more than half.

In primary care, diabetes management is not just about checking an A1C number. It also includes blood pressure control, cholesterol management, kidney monitoring, annual eye exams, comprehensive

Henry Lau, DO

GOLF

Health IN KC

foot care, appropriate vaccines, healthy lifestyle habits, and regular follow-up. The earlier patients take control of their diabetes, the better their chances of maintaining their health, independence, and quality of life for years to come.

How do lifestyle changes, advanced technologies, and prescribed medications work together for the patient with diabetes?

Healthy eating, regular physical activity, good sleep, stress management, and maintaining a healthy weight remain the foundation of treatment. There is not one perfect “diabetes diet” for every patient, but most people benefit from reducing added sugars and refined carbohydrates, emphasizing vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole foods, and aiming for a realistic exercise goal such as 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.

At the same time, diabetes medications have improved dramatically in recent years. Metformin remains a commonly used medication, but we now also have newer options, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, that can help patients lower blood sugar while also supporting weight loss and protecting the heart and kidneys, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or kidney disease. For patients with diabetes and obesity, newer medications can also help some patients achieve meaningful weight loss, sometimes 10 percent to 15 percent or more, which can significantly improve blood sugar control and in select cases contribute to diabetes remission. Some patients eventually need insulin, especially when blood sugars remain significantly elevated or the body is no longer making enough

insulin on its own. Needing insulin does not mean a patient has failed; it simply means the body needs additional support.

Technologies such as continuous glucose monitors allow patients and their healthcare teams to see blood sugar trends in real time and understand how food, activity, sleep, stress, and medications affect glucose levels. Together, these tools make diabetes care more personalized and effective.

What is the best outcome for a patient with diabetes if this condition is managed well?

The best outcome is that diabetes becomes a manageable part of life rather than something that limits it. For many nonpregnant adults, an A1C goal below seven percent is commonly used, and in some patients a goal closer to 6.5 percent may be appropriate if it can be achieved safely. However, goals should be individualized based on age, other medical conditions, risk of low blood sugar, and the patient’s overall health. Good diabetes care can reduce the risk of future heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, vision loss, nerve damage, and other complications.

One of the most rewarding aspects of family medicine is seeing patients realize that a diabetes diagnosis does not define their future. With today’s treatments, technology, and support, many people with diabetes can continue doing the things they love, remain independent as they age, and enjoy long, healthy lives. The goal is not perfection. The goal is steady progress, prevention of complications, and building healthy habits that can be maintained over a lifetime. AdventHealthKC.com/PrimaryCareStateLine Your kid’s closet is a mess. An unorganized, chaotic, stress-sweat-inducing mess. But it could be organized. It could be an Inspired Closet. Inspired days start in Inspired Closets™ .

LIGHTBETWEEN WORLDS

Paintings by Patricia Valencia Carstens & Photography from The Morii Collection

Art In Residence

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR AMANDA BUTLER, OWNER OF

IN RESIDENCE STUDIO AND VINTAGE SHOP ON WESTPORT ROAD

What led you to opening In Residence Studio?

In Residence grew very organically. It started with selling a few vintage finds on Instagram, turning into booth spaces, then interior consulting, and eventually the storefront. I care just as much about building community as I do about beautiful objects and spaces. The history and character of Kansas City, especially Midtown and the neighborhoods that make up our urban core, are incredibly important to me. I hope the studio creates more opportunities for people to connect with the history, craftsmanship, and creativity that define Kansas City.

What came first—your connection to art or furnishings?

Art has probably had the biggest influence on the way I design spaces and see the world. My aunt was an artist here in Kansas City, and I spent a summer working with her, which shaped the way I think about creativity. I believe the act of creating, whether it’s an artist with a brush, a carpenter with a saw, a designer shaping a room, or a chef in the kitchen, is where the magic of life happens. The painting, the sculpture, the room, or the meal are simply the products of that magic. That’s the feeling I’m always chasing, both in my own work and in the pieces I bring into the studio.

Are you spontaneous or measured in your decision-making when choosing the items you sell?

Buying for the studio is equal parts instinct and discipline. I love the thrill of an estate sale or auction and having only seconds to make a decision, but experience has taught me to be incredibly selective. Every piece has to spark an immediate emotional reaction, pass a technical checklist I’ve built over the years, and earn its place. I don’t want people walking into In Residence and seeing things they could buy anywhere else. If I can’t picture it in my own home or one of my clients’ homes, I leave it behind.

When creating an interior, does art ever come first, or is art a filler?

Function always comes first for me because a room has to work before it can be beautiful. Once the layout and scale are in place, I start thinking about the personality of the space. Sometimes the design grows from a painting, sometimes it’s a vintage rug, an incredible sofa, or an architectural detail I want to highlight. Art is never filler, but I also don’t believe a home’s art collection should ever feel finished. The best collections keep growing as life does.

What are your favorite things to source?

A vintage oil painting is always at the top of my list, followed closely by sculpture, hand-knotted rugs, and beautifully made furniture. I’m also a sucker for a great pair of side tables because they’re one of the hardest working pieces in a home. If something feels handmade, has a little soul, and stops me in my tracks, it’s usually coming home with me. inresidencestudio.com

by Susan Cannon

Amanda Butler

NOBLE WORKROOM

SHOP OUR FAVORITE PICKS FROM THIS LOCAL DESIGN COMPANY’S ONLINE STORE

SCOUT FOR COOL THINGS old and new from the Noble Designs online shop, Noble Workroom. The Kansas City design firm creates environments both timeless and contemporary. The iconic interiors of Billy Baldwin come to mind, and the essence of that aesthetic is reflected in the offerings, from classic bed linens, china and decorative accessories to furniture, lighting, and one-of-a kind pieces. Check it out at nobledesigns.com.

finishes and fabrics are available),

Rose Kennedy’s Family Album book, $55.

Large vintage bisque studio vase, $84.

Large marble bowl, $400.

Saxon folding bench (additional

$2,487.

Living IN KC

by Susan Cannon

Faux Bois

IN 19TH-CENTURY FRANCE, A CHARMING ART FORM EMERGED: DECORATIVELY DESIGNED WALKING BRIDGES, FURNITURE, AND ARCHITECTURAL OBJECTS

MADE OF SCULPTED CONCRETE TO EMULATE THE ORGANIC BEAUTY OF WOOD

1970s French faux-bois concrete table with five stools, available on 1stdibs.com

FTom Palmer Studio faux bois lamp, made in hand-carved, polished alabaster on an acid-washed cast stone base, available through wexlergallery.com

Woodland’s Edge fauxbois table by Diane Husson, available through fauxboisfurniture.com

Faux Bois Petite Urn, a hand-sculpted and painted ceramic by Liz Marsh, available at lizmarshstudios.com

aux bois (French for “false wood”) was introduced during the Belle Epoque era as a highly detailed and whimsical outdoor addition to beautify parks and gardens during the second Industrial Revolution. The technique spread throughout Europe and into the United States, also taking hold in Mexico as the important trabajo rústico movement.

Still today, it is employed in a traditional style by artisans like Diane Husson, as well as contemporary versions by artists who’ve modernized

Currey and Company contemporary faux bois arbor bench sculpted in concrete over steel, available at Seville Home (Leawood).

faux bois using luxury and studio-crafted materials rather than cement. Good Weather in the Morningside Shops on East 59th Street snaps up various types of faux bois, such as printed pillows, bronze sculpture, folk-art pieces, and vintage cement planters.

Due to the outdoor elements over more than a century, it is quite rare to find original antique faux bois, though locally, Prize Home + Garden on the Country Club Plaza and Christopher Filley Antiques at the 45th & State Line Antiques District have some original pieces.

REFLECTIONS OF WATER

FOR ARTIST JESSICA ROARK, PERSONAL WORKS TAKE ON THE THEME OF WATER AND SELF-EXPRESSION

WHEN THE WORLD came to a standstill in 2020, photographer Jessica Roark discovered an unexpected beginning. As weddings and commercial commissions paused, she finally found the space to pursue the deeply personal work she had long envisioned. “It was the most amazing silver lining,” she reflects. “I had always wanted to dive into my own personal work, but never really had the opportunity because deadlines and client expectations took precedence.”

That shift marked the start of a body of work rooted in vulnerability, transformation, and human connection. Before becoming a professional photographer, Jessica trained in family counseling, a foundation that continues to shape every portrait she creates. Rather than simply directing her subjects, she builds trust, creating an environment where authenticity naturally emerges.

Water has become both her canvas and her metaphor. Drawn to its restorative qualities, Jessica photographs women above and beneath the surface, where movement, light, and emotion take on an otherworldly

quality. Her images challenge conventional ideas of femininity, inviting women to exist beyond expectation and embrace unapologetic self-expression. “My work gives women the freedom to expand and express without judgment,” she says.

Alongside her fine-art practice, Jessica offers five summer commissions each year, collaborating with individuals and families to create deeply personal, abstract artworks that celebrate identity, connection, and the stories that deserve a permanent place at home.

Roark’s work is sold exclusively at Jorjy in Brookside. shopjorjy.com

YOUR FALL CALENDAR HAS ROOM FOR ONE MORE RITUAL

Between the season you’re already planning, make space for a moment that’s just for you. Our 90-minute Sanctuary experience moves you through thermal baths, an infrared sauna, and herbal steam room in a quiet, historic West Bottoms space built for presence.

A 2026 family commission photo by Jessica Roark

Deborah Brown IN CONVERSATION WITH

She started singing in downtown clubs before she was old enough to be in them. At 20, she gave up her apartment to crisscross the country in a car with a band, chasing the next gig and living in hotels for six years. Then a last-minute vacation to Europe changed everything for celebrated Kansas City jazz vocalist Deborah Brown when she discovered, to her shock, that she was better known there than at home.

Born in the Blue Hills neighborhood of Kansas City, Brown attended Ladd and Meservey elementary schools and graduated from Paseo High School in 1971. She attended the Conservatory of Music at University of Missouri-Kansas City for two years, but dropped out when she started winning auditions and got hooked on performing.

Brown has performed with a pantheon of jazz greats, toured widely in Europe and Asia and recorded numerous CDs, on labels such as 33Jazz, Alfa, Timeless, Koch, Intermusic, as well as a duet set with guitarist Joe Beck for Jazz Voix and a collaboration with Bobby Watson (All Too Soon on Jazz ‘N Pulz). Her music is available on Apple Music

and Spotify. Critics praise her vocal style for its power and technical mastery. London Jazz News wrote: “It’s wonderful to hear a singer scatting with lyrical integrity and developing musical ideas, not just producing bop-lick after bop-lick.”

Brown returned to Kansas City 18 years ago, where she lives in a 100-year-old house that once belonged to her grandmother, that she has lovingly restored and remodeled. (“I’m back in the hood,” she joked.) She travels frequently to Europe to lead workshops and give concerts and occasionally performs locally.

IN Kansas City caught up with Brown by phone on the eve of an engagement in Barcelona. She looked back on twists and turns of her Hollywood-esque rise to the highest levels of the international jazz scene.

When you were growing up, what was the spark that ignited your passion for performing?

When I was in 10th grade at Paseo, I went to an after-school theater program at Karnes Elementary School in Columbus Park. The idea was that the district wanted to provide cultural entertainment for all of the

words by Cindy Hoedel photo by Jason Dailey

schools in the area, so we staged and performed plays. We did Finian’s Rainbow. We did a Jules Feiffer avant-garde play. We did A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. We were doing a lot of shows they were doing in New York. We had to audition, and we learned all the theater arts. We sang, we danced, we built sets, designed costumes. We had a great choreographer. My mother was the pianist. All the music came from New York with the original scores, so we learned it the same way they did it in New York.

Did you know when you graduated from Paseo and enrolled at the Conservatory of Music at University of Missouri-Kansas City that you wanted to become a professional singer?

No. I went to school to become a teacher. Everyone in my family was a teacher. But I didn’t finish college because during summer break after my first year of college, there was an audition for Six Flags Over Mid-America. I won the audition and I went to St. Louis on my own that summer to sing and dance in a revue, just like I’d been doing at Karnes. There were 20 performers in full costumes. We did excerpts from Hello, Dolly!, Annie Get Your Gun—shows like that. We did five shows a day five or six days a week. It was exhausting.

Where did you live?

I got a room with three other dancer/singers, who were also college students. We were working, and we were making money. That’s when I decided I wanted to perform.

So I did another audition during the next school year for a singer at the Hilton Inn downtown. The lounge overlooked the downtown airport. I won the audition. I was 18, not old enough to go to the club. I had to sit in the storeroom to wait for my turn to sing, surrounded by cleaning materials, and I thought absolutely nothing of it. I was so excited.

Were you still living at home then?

Yes. My dad worked, and he would get off at one o’clock in the morning and come and pick me up and take me home. And those were wonderful moments because there was complete silence. Neither one of us wanted to say a word, and we didn’t. He just took me home.

How did you get hooked on jazz?

Through my father, but I didn’t realize it at the time. He listened to jazz in his man cave in the basement every Saturday. He would listen to music all day long, and it was instrumental jazz. It was great jazz: Charlie Parker, Urbie Green—he loved trombone because he loved playing trombone. But I hated jazz, because I loved my dad and jazz took him away from me. But it was going in my ear. Later I realized that was the music that stuck with me the most.

My mother was a classical pianist, but she knew a lot about jazz. She knew who the good musicians were and she basically hooked me up with them. When I was a kid, I played with jazz pianist Frank Smith, and he taught me a lot. I sang with [guitarist] Sonny Kenner. He taught me how to sing the blues. And I was influenced by [pianist/bassist duo] Bettye and Milt Abel.

[Bandleader] Eddie Baker was responsible for a lot of people understanding what jazz is. He would do big concerts with really famous names like Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, even Ella Fitzgerald. He brought in Clark Terry regularly. And I met Count Basie through Eddie Baker. And people like Kevin Mahogany—we were all kind of coming up together. So that was the music we listened to, but we all still listened to Motown.

When did you start playing outside Kansas City?

In 1972 or ’73, I joined a group and left for L.A.

Where did you live in L.A?

In hotels. I traveled to over 40 states and Canada by car. If we stayed in a place for a week or two weeks, we were biting our nails wondering where we were going to live next and where we were going to play. We would call an agent and miraculously somebody would tell us to go to another state for a gig.

How long did that go on?

Five or six years. Then I decided I wanted to do the music I liked on my own, so I hired a guitar player. We ended up in Las Vegas, and I opened for George Carlin. In between engagements with him, I would be on the road. After the last engagement with George Carlin, I decided to settle down in Seattle.

I was there for a little while, and then a girlfriend decided to go to Europe on vacation. I had no interest in Europe, but I went along. There, I met a man who had seen me in a PBS series called Women in Jazz hosted by Carmen McRae. The footage was from the legendary Kansas City Women’s Jazz Festival cofounded and hosted [in the late 1970s and early 1980s] by Diane Gregg and Carol Comer. That footage opened doors for me in Europe.

Where was your first performance in Europe?

Brussels, at the Brussels Jazz Club. It was very famous. They had all the jazz greats: Clark Terry would come in, Art Blakey, Dorothy Donegan, Dee Dee Bridgewater—and little old me was playing there with a trio! I mean, it was a fantastic time. And I lived in a modern apartment in a very old building on the Grand-Place. It was unbelievably beautiful.

What do you remember about your first night singing on that stage in Brussels?

Nothing. [Laughs] I have no idea, I just remember doing whatever it took to be able to get these jobs, hook up with people, and drag pianos around on a train. I mean, I was hustling!

After I got established, I got married. My husband is from Spokane, Washington. I met him in Seattle and convinced him to leave his job and come to Europe and help me. He was in the music business in America, so he made a record of me and some other musicians called Five Legends of Jazz Music. It was a quintet record with [saxophonist] Johnny Griffin, [trumpeter] Benny Bailey, [pianist] Horace Parlan, and [drummer] Ed Thigpen.

Those were big talents. Horace Parlan played with Mingus, and Ed Thigpen played with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. Johnny Griffin was as famous as Dexter Gordon at the time. Manhattan Transfer sang a song called You Should Meet Benny Bailey. That record put me on the map. Everybody in Belgium was buzzing: Who are the people that got this band together?

What was the jazz scene like in Belgium?

It was just incredible. The music is wonderful. Americans like [saxophonist] Joe Lovano would come over and play with the Belgian musicians, and we would do workshops and things like that. I met a lot of American musicians there. Many of those musicians we played with in Europe remain very close friends of ours.

How long did you live in Brussels?

Two years, then I got a job offer in Holland. I lived in Hilversum. That’s like the New York of Holland in that all the radio and TV broadcasters were headquartered there.

I’ve never heard of that. Is it close to Amsterdam?

In Holland, everything is close to Amsterdam. [Laughs] Hilversum was a great learning experience for me. I’d been singing with big bands in Las Vegas, so I had that music. I brought it to Europe with me, and I would do big-band recordings for BRT, Belgium Radio and Television. I went to Germany, Belgium, Russia, and the Scandinavian countries to play with big bands that worked for their national radio and TV broadcasters as well. They would write arrangements for me and then record a radio and a TV broadcast.

That was one of the reasons I became well-known, because of those broadcasts.

Why did you move back to America?

It was time. We didn’t want to grow old in Europe. Also, I wanted to come back and see what I could get going. We moved to Atlanta. The music business was changing and changing fast. The record companies were dying. We stayed there about ten years and then moved back to Kansas City because there’s more jazz happening here, in terms of places to play, than maybe anywhere in the world. There is important jazz happening in New York and in several other countries, but there are more places to play here, which is interesting. You can hear somebody play almost any day, any hour. Atlanta only had a couple of places.

How has the Kansas City jazz scene evolved since you started out here in the ’70s?

In my opinion, it hasn’t really evolved. There are a lot of places here where average musicians can get a job. And there are people that tie jobs down for a month to a year or sometimes numerous years, which is wonderful and makes for a great scene. But what is different in, say, Holland, is there are more big things musicians can do, and they bring in other musicians from all over, so the musical level is much higher over there. They know the tradition, and they also know the modern music.

What is one thing that you would like to see happen to elevate the level of the Kansas City jazz scene?

Invite more musicians who are playing at the very top to come here, like in the old days. The reason the music got so good is because we had people like Jay McShann bringing all of his friends in. Basie started here, brought more people in, and that lifted the music scene up. We’re still riding on their coattails.

Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity.

Deborah Brown taking a bow with Bobby Watson (with the saxophone and porkpie hat) and his quintet in Warsaw in 2016.

words by Evan Pagano

2026 Fall Arts Preview MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS

IN KANSAS CITY, ACTIVITY PICKS UP IN THE FALL—AND, TRIED AND TRUE, THE ARTS EMERGE AS AN ESCAPE FROM IT ALL. THE 2026–2027 ARTS SEASON OFFERS A WEALTH OF CHOICES FOR ART CONNOISSEURS AND CASUAL ADMIRERS ALIKE. CONSIDER THIS YOUR HANDY GUIDE.

The Arts Council of Johnson County

The Arts Council of Johnson County awards scholarships, plans inclusive programs, and generally bolsters the JoCo arts scene. Every year it collaborates with the Lenexa Arts Council to organize Place of Peace (Oct. 27–Nov. 29), an exhibition of work by local veterans at the Lenexa City Hall Art Gallery. It also supports local galleries, including the Tim Murphy Art Gallery, whose monthly exhibitions spotlight local and regional artists. Pour and Pencil, for example, includes the works of local architect Bradford Athey (Aug. 6–29). artsjoco.org

Charlotte Street

Since 1997, Charlotte Street has fueled Kansas City’s arts scene with grants, residencies, and platforms—and it just keeps pumping. Its upcoming multidisciplinary exhibition Digital Prairie (Aug. 15–Sept. 23) will explore the parallels and intersections of technology and ecology on the American prairie. Other fall highlights include two free film festivals—KC Underground Film Festival (Sept. 11/12, 17–19) and Nightshades Experimental Animation Festival (Nov. 13/14)—as well as September and October refreshes of the Crossroads ArtBoards above 125 Southwest Boulevard. charlottestreet.org

Hope is a Bridge by Bradford Athey

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center is an artistic marvel in itself, with its futurist architecture making it one of the county’s most recognizable buildings. It houses, among other things, the Johnson County Museum, a black box theater, and an art gallery. Patterns of The Prairie, a collection of works dedicated to these understated ecosystems, is on display in the gallery until Aug. 15. Everyday Democracy: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in Johnson County runs in the Johnson County Museum through Jan. 9. jcprd.com/1209/art-exhibits

Kansas City Artists Coalition

Kansas City Artists Coalition is a nonprofit engine for innovation and amplification of visual arts. Every year, its galleries host artists from an array of disciplines, and this season stretches that ambition further. Cross Threaded, an eclectic collection of textile art, is on view until Sept. 4. The multisensory exhibition Edge Effect, running Sept. 18–Nov. 6, examines the messy intersection of rural and urban environments. During that same time frame, The Distance Between by Matthew Willie Garcia transforms the Snap Space Gallery with printed matter, projection mapping, and sculpture. kansascityartistscoalition.org

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

For over three decades, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art has provided a platform for emerging, mid-career, and established artists, and its temporary exhibitions routinely enliven the KC arts scene. Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene, a pictorial meditation on the human-centered planet, remains on view until Sept. 13. Lie. Sit. Stand. Be Still. (Aug. 28–Jan. 31) will depict, and encourage, moments of pause and rest through figurative works, abstractions, and other imagery. Barbara Takenaga: Awestruck (Oct. 6–April 11) will survey Takenaga’s grand abstractions over the last 25 years. kemperart.org

Kansas City Public Library

Beyond the books, Kansas City’s libraries are stacked—pun intended—with art and special exhibitions. At the downtown Central Library, three exhibitions full of historical photography are on view. A People’s History of Kansas City Soccer! through Oct. 4, Detoured: The Making of Bruce R. Watkins Drive through Dec. 31, and Hell and High Water: The 1951 Kansas City Flood through Jan. 3. kclibrary.org

The Museum of Kansas City

This Beaux-Arts beauty in Northeast Kansas City houses a massive collection of artifacts and art. Until Jan. 10, you can view Connecting Cultures Across Kansas City, an exhibit of folk art, primarily from the American Southwest and Latin America. Through Feb. 21, the multidisciplinary Voices Now: Contemporary Native American Art spotlights living Indigenous American artists. And until June 27, Dunbar: Kansas City’s First Black Suburb gives voice to a culturally rich Kansas City neighborhood. museumofkansascity.org

Release Me by Dean Mitchell

Textile art by Anne Xavier Heide

The 1951 KC flood

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

For certain eyes, there’s no place more mesmerizing than the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. On the first floor, you’ll see everyday items and places miniaturized and rendered in near oneto-one detail; on the second, you’ll find pristine historic toys from a collection of over 65,000. Through Jan. 25, experience Native Arts in Miniature, which explores the diverse tribal traditions and creative innovations of Native American artists working in miniature. Art of the Imagination Case, a collection of miniature paintings and more by Kansas City artist Coti Meyer, is on view through April 19. toyandminiaturemuseum.org

The National WWI Museum & Memorial

This towering Kansas City icon goes deep into the human stories and societal ripples of the Great War. In addition to its incomparable permanent galleries, it hosts several special exhibitions, each peeling back new layers of the conflict. Paris is War depicts a thriving French capital faced with war at its door. The Beautiful Game shows soccer’s surprising relationship with WWI. In the basement, the ever-changing Bergman Family Gallery and Open Storage Center lets guests peer in on artifacts being catalogued and preserved. theworldwar.org

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Kansas City’s seat of visual art is, as always, presenting coveted artwork from across eras and regions. Last April, Timeless Mucha—a popular exhibition of Art Nouveau works by French illustrator Alphonse Mucha—began a run that ends on Aug. 31. Elsewhere in the Bloch Building, American Prospects and Landscape Photography, 1839 to Today (Aug. 22–Jan. 3) will survey the history of American landscapes with an anchor in Joel Sternfeld’s influential 1980s work. In Gallery 214, Out of Many, One (Aug.1–Jan. 17), which exhibits series from the Lawrence Lithography Workshop. nelson-atkins.org

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

The Nerman’s eye-catching minimalist architecture and year-round galleries are enough to draw 100,000 visitors every year, and its special exhibitions keep it fresh. A duo of soccer-focused exhibitions—Sport and Spectator and Betsabeé Romero’s A Field with Roots (Un campo con raíces)—will remain on view until Dec. 6, as will the incisive works of Carlos Rolón and Norman Akers. Amy Kligman’s heralded interactive installation The Salon for Possible Futures concludes its extended stay on Dec. 22. nermanmuseum.org

Untitled photo by Victoria Sambunaris

Sigue Palante (Keep Going) by Carlos Rolón

A katsina carving by Lawrence Namoki

PERFORMING ARTS

1900 Building

Mission Woods’ stunning 1900 Building rounds out 2026 with a varied musical lineup. On Aug. 14, vocalist Sara Prince and pianist Anthony T. Edwards team up for Take Note Cabaret, a benefit for the disability-inclusive Spinning Tree Theatre. On Sept. 23, the prolific Italian singer and flatpicking guitarist Beppe Gambetta performs. Compositions & Reflections pairs Pan American pianist Carolina Calvache with Ensemble Ibérica’s Emerging Artists Collaborative on Nov. 7, and Nov. 12 brings the quick-fingered flutist/fiddler duo of Chris Norman and David Greenberg.1900bldg.com

Bach Aria Soloists

The Bach Aria Soloists—a violin-keyboard-soprano trio specializing in classical compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, his contemporaries, and his torchbearers—have stirred Kansas City audiences since 1999. In their 27th season, Kansas City Chorale veteran Lindsey Lang steps in as fulltime soprano. It starts with a free concert at the Kemper (Sept. 19) and closes out autumn with their annual holiday concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Dec. 19). bachariasoloists.com

City in Motion

For over 40 years, City in Motion has worked to make contemporary dance more accessible in Kansas City. They do it through education, public innovation, and the free Dance in the Park event each year. Attend the 27th annual event in Roanoke Park on Sept. 12. cityinmotion.org

Coterie Theatre

The Coterie Theatre, a resident of Crown Center, has served Kansas City’s families and young audiences for over 45 years. Its 2026–2027 season begins in spooky fashion with Electric Poe (Oct. 14–Nov. 1) at Union Cemetery. Back in Crown Center, The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! runs from Nov. 10 to New Year’s Eve. thecoterie.org

Folly Theater

The Folly’s neon marquee beckons for a fall full of premium performances. In addition to hosting several of the organizations in this preview, the Folly boasts an original lineup of performances by the likes of cabaret legend Marilyn Maye (Sept. 15), bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh and her jazz group (Oct. 10), and singer and actress Bernadette Peters (Nov. 21). The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical (Dec. 17) will end fall with a laugh. follytheater.org

Beppe Gambetta

Bernadette Peters

The Friends of Chamber Music

What started in 1975 as a series of concerts in private homes is now a mainstay at revered KC venues. The organization’s 51st season opens at the Folly on Sept. 19 with American Landscapes, consisting of compositions by Barber, Beach, and Dvořák. Then the rousing British vocal ensemble VOCES8 performs at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village on Oct. 3, followed by the Modigliani string quartet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Midtown (Oct. 16). chambermusic.org

Harriman-Jewell Series

Since 1965, the Harriman-Jewell Series has brought the world’s best performing artists to Kansas City. Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater have taken its stage. Its 62nd season begins Oct. 9 at the Folly Theater with cellist/ pianist duo Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan. Other early shows include All The Devils Are Here (Nov. 5–6), actor Patrick Page’s one-man exploration of evil in Shakespeare’s works; and The Swingles: Together for the Holidays (Dec. 19). hjseries.org

Kansas City Actors Theatre

Kansas City Actors Theatre is celebrating its 22nd sea son as a vital outlet for actors in Kansas City. The three remaining productions have unique, gripping concepts: Intimate Ap parel, featuring Chioma Anyanwu,(Aug. 5–23 at City Stage in Union Station) follows a seamstress in 1905 New York; Eureka Day (Sept. 9–27 at City Stage) looks in on Eureka Day School during a mumps outbreak; and Arms and the Man (Jan. 27–Feb. 14 at the Frantze Family Black Box Theatre) is a new adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s 1894 comedy. kcactors.org

Kansas City Ballet

Kansas City Ballet, delighting fans of the art form since 1957, starts its 2026–2027 season on a fantastical note. First up is Septime Webre’s adaptation of The Wizard of Oz (Oct. 16–25). Next is the surreal Tchaikovsky classic, The Nutcracker (Nov. 28–Dec. 24), which includes a sensory-friendly rendition for neurodivergent spectators on Dec. 3. kcballet.org

photo by kenny

Heartland Men’s Chorus

The beloved Heartland Men’s Chorus is entering its 41st season promoting pride, community, and expression in Kansas City. As usual, it all starts with a joyous holiday concert Dec. 4–6 at the Folly Theater. hmckc.org

Kansas City Chorale

The Kansas City Chorale is an auditory marvel, with its 27 voices creating vibrant soundscapes at venues across KC. The 2026–2027 season begins Oct. 4/6 with Gretchaninoff’s Passion Week (in collaboration with another Kansas City choral group, Te Deum). This work is significant for the Kansas City Chorale—its 2007 recording of Passion Week earned the group its first of three Grammy Awards. kcchorale.org

Ballet dancer Andrew Vecseri

Modigliani Quartet

Patrick Page

Chioma Anyanwu

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s 2026–2027 Signature Series, Milestones, celebrates local and national jazz legends. The season begins with Spotlight: Charlie Parker on Aug. 29, followed by The Music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane on Nov. 7 and A Charlie Brown Christmas on Dec. 8. Its series of smaller shows, In My Jazz Era, consists of a quintet adaptation of Bruno Mars’s discography in September, a live score of Nosferatu on Halloween, and a holiday special at Tom’s Town Distilling Co. in December. kcjo.org

Kansas City Repertory Theatre

KCRep is a heavy hitter in the city’s theater scene, and its upcoming season starts strong with the Broadway hit Come From Away (Sept. 1–20), a touching musical about a Canadian town that took in rerouted airline passengers in the days after September 11. Another Broadway standout follows: John Proctor is the Villain, running Oct. 6–25. This season’s production of A Christmas Carol (Nov. 21–Dec. 24), a Kansas City tradition, will see Mark Robbins take over as Ebenezer Scrooge after Gary Neal Johnson’s 25-year run. kcrep.org

Kansas City Symphony

Matthias Pintscher’s third season as music director of the Kansas City Symphony is flush with diversity. The Classical Series kicks off with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on Sept. 30, then transitions to Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring Oct. 2–4. The Pops Series begins Oct. 16–18 with Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown Its list of special presentations is otherworldly: it includes the ambitious Prometheus (Sept. 9), Out of this World narrated by astronaut Col. Guy Gardner (Sept. 13), and a live score of the film Interstellar (Oct. 23–25). kcsymphony.org

Kauffman Center Presents

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts regularly hosts local art powerhouses, but its Kauffman Center Presents series brings in artists from across the world. Just this fall, you can enjoy the vocal stylings of legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant along with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian (Sept. 19), relive the music of the anime My Hero Academia (Oct. 6), spend an evening with the Irish singing group Celtic Thunder (Oct. 11), and experience world-class organist Anna Lapwood (Nov. 6)—all in the acoustic heaven that is Helzberg Hall.

KC Melting Pot Theatre

KC Melting Pot Theatre has been a bastion of Black theater in Kansas City for over a decade. Its 12th season—held exclusively in the Just Off Broadway Theatre in Penn Valley Park—opens Sept. 17–26 with August Wilson’s Jitney, a look inside an unregulated cab station facing erasure. Next up is a Dec. 3–12 run of the sitcom-esque Livin’ Fat, whose author, Judi Mason, has screenwriting credits that include Sanford and Son and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit kcmeltingpot.com

Lyric Opera KC

For seven decades, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City has adapted and thrived through fire, pandemic, and changing musical tastes. Its 70th season begins with a three-show run (Sept. 19, 25, and 27) of La bohème, the 1896 opera that inspired the 1996 musical Rent. Finishing fall is The Marriage of Figaro, composed by Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte (Nov. 7, 13, and 15). kcopera.org

Mark Robbins as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol

Yo-Yo Ma

La bohème

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre

Even fire couldn’t quell the artistic ambition of the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. When a 2024 blaze temporarily closed the Warwick Theatre, the company kept performing across KC. They’ll begin their second fall back at the Warwick with The Shark is Broken (Aug. 13–23), a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Jaws. Next is part one of Angels in America, a Pulitzer-winning drama set during the AIDS crisis. And on the doorstep of winter, A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration will take place at the Alexander Majors Barn (Dec. 10–20). metkc.org

Midwest Trust Center

Johnson County Community College’s Midwest Trust Center has earned its reputation for a wide-ranging entertainment schedule. Its 2026–2027 season begins with three bangers: The Billy Joel Legacy (Oct. 11), rock opera The Who’s Tommy (Oct. 14), and Outlander in Concert (Oct. 23). Other fall highlights include multigenre father-son pianist duo Ryan & Ryan’s Kickin’ the Clouds Away (Oct. 25) and Take3’s Where Rock Meets Bach (Nov. 21). jccc.edu/mtc

Music Theater Heritage

Music Theater Heritage, one of Crown Center’s two in-house performing arts companies, packs its schedule with musical showcases. Two hot-ticket musicals remain this year—Jesus Christ Superstar (Aug. 20–Sept. 13) and Bat Boy, the Musical (Oct. 8–Nov. 1). The Ruby Room concert series runs year round, with tributes to Aretha Franklin (Sept. 16–20), Tom Petty and Bob Dylan (Nov. 4–8), and Christmas (Dec. 9–23) remaining in 2026. musictheaterheritage.com

New Theatre & Restaurant

Kansas City’s premier dinner theater makes for an unforgettable night out. Through Sept. 6, you can dine and enjoy the Blonde musical. Next on the menu is The Hallelujah Girls (Sept. 10–Nov. 15), starring Richard Karn of Home Improvement Always… Patsy Cline, a musical play about the legendary country singer, runs Nov. 19 through January. newtheatre.com

Owen/Cox Dance Group

The only thing predictable about the innovative Owen/Cox Dance Group is its schedule. Its 2026–2027 season includes two annual showcases—the free Creative Intersections in the Hyde Park Butterfly Garden (Aug. 7–8) and New Dance Partners at the Midwest Trust Center (Sept. 18–19)—plus a contemporary jazz adaptation of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Dec. 12–13) and Bach Moves (Feb. 13), a collaboration with the Bach Aria Soloists. owencoxdance.org

Outlander composer Bear McCreary

Richard Karn

PNC Broadway in Kansas City

PNC Broadway in Kansas City splits its time between Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Music Hall, and its lineups match that grandeur. The current season closes at the Music Hall August 12–30 with the heaviest of hitters: Wicked. The 2026–2027 season stays put Dec. 2–13 for another big swing, The Phantom of the Opera, before heading to the Kauffman Center for the Kansas City premiere of The Bodyguard—and five more premieres—in the new year. americantheatreguild.com/kansascity

Starlight Theatre

Everything feels bigger under the stars at Swope Park. Starlight Theatre—KCMO’s premier outdoor theater and concert venue—will conclude its 2026 AdventHealth Broadway series with the Monty Python “ripoff” Spamalot (Aug. 4–9), an in-house production of Newsies (Sept. 8–13), and the musical Beetlejuice (Oct. 2–4). Notable performers sprinkled in include Josh Groban (Sept. 1), Jerry Seinfeld (Sept. 18), and TLC and Salt-N-Pepa (Sept. 30). kcstarlight.com

Theatre in the Park

After ending its summer run in Shawnee Mission Park with The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Aug. 14–22), The atre in the Park will close out its 2026 season in Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center’s black box theater. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (suited for ages 17 and up) ushers in Halloween time Oct. 3–8, and the family-friendly classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer runs Dec. 5–23. theatreinthepark.org

UMKC Conservatory

Fall at the UMKC Conservatory—which teaches music, dance, and theater—is as packed as, well, a college curriculum. A handful of highlights: Sounding a Nation, a Conservatory Symphony Orchestra concert on Sept. 18; the inaugural Midwest Mariachi Festival in collaboration with the Sister Cities Association’s Guadalajara Committee on Sept. 26; three days of dance performances Oct. 3–5; and the return of Octubafest on Oct. 29 and 30. Theater performances will be announced as the semester advances. calendar.umkc.edu/conservatory

Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre isn’t playing it safe in its seven-show 53rd season. It opens with 12–30), a comedy in which a straight man flees the mob to a predominantly gay bathhouse. Next is Red Like Fruit (Oct. 14–25), an award winner at Edinburgh Fringe that deals with domestic violence and traumatic memories. After that, lock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear (Nov. 11–29), with the perfect director for an idiosyncratic mystery: Sidonie Garrett, executive artistic director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. The Unicorn is collaborating with Rainy Day Books to curate books related to each production. unicorntheatre.org

words by Jenny Vergara

HIT THE DECKS (AND ROOFTOPS)

TIME TO DINE OUTSIDE ON KANSAS CITY’S BEST ROOFTOPS, DECKS, AND PATIOS

Consider this your public service announcement, Kansas City. You have two more months to savor everything that makes summer here so memorable. The World Cup may be behind us, but after spending weeks welcoming visitors from around the globe, the city has finally settled back into its familiar rhythm. The crowds have thinned, the streets feel like ours again, and there is no better time to show up and support the restaurants and bars that make Kansas City’s dining scene shine.

Right now is when patios and rooftop bars are at their best. It’s when happy hour turns into a lazy dinner, shady courtyards offer relief from the afternoon heat, and rooftops catch just enough breeze to make another round feel like a good idea. Whether you’re gathering with friends after work, lingering over weekend brunch, or watching the sun sink behind the skyline with a cocktail in hand, these fleeting summer moments deserve to be savored.

Months from now, when winter has settled in and the patio furniture has been stacked away, you’ll wish you had taken advantage of these golden evenings. You’ll remember that spontaneous drink with a friend after a round of golf, tennis, or pickleball; the live music drifting across a neighborhood bar patio; and the simple pleasure of being outdoors with people you enjoy. These are the moments that define summer in Kansas City.

There’s another reason to pull up a chair outside. While the World Cup brought international attention and plenty of excitement, some neighborhood restaurants and bars experienced a quieter-than-expected summer as many of us stayed home while visitors gravitated toward FIFA Fan Fest, Arrowhead Stadium, and the city’s iconic barbecue destinations. Now it’s our turn to show up for the local businesses that welcome us all year long.

So grab your sunglasses, gather a few friends, and claim a table outside while summer is still on the calendar. Whether you choose one of the patios listed from across the metro, or just head to your own neighborhood favorite, there’s no better way to toast another Kansas City summer before the season slips away.

Come on out! The weather is just fine.

MARTIN CITY TAVERN & TERRACE

The brand-new spacious rooftop terrace brings big energy to this lively corner of the Crossroads as the KC Streetcar comes whizzing past. With string lights, communal tables, and plenty of room to linger over woodfired pizza, salads, sandwiches, mac ‘n’ cheese, and local beer, their newest location might be their best yet. martincitybrewingcompany.com

FOX AND PEARL

Tucked behind this Westside restaurant, the intimate patio at Fox and Pearl feels like an extension of a chef’s kitchen garden. Surrounded by twinkle lights, herbaceous greenery, and a giant pile of freshly cut wood ready to be thrown in the smoker, it’s an inviting place to settle in for live-fire cooking, thoughtful cocktails, and unhurried evenings. foxandpearlkc.com

ROOFTOPKC AT CORRIGAN STATION

This reservation-only spot is perched high, and I do mean high, above the Crossroads at the top of the Corrigan Station. The rooftop bar is expansive and offers sweeping skyline views with plenty of open-air seating, a stage for a band, and a full bar. It’s one of the area’s most versatile gathering spots, equally suited for sunset cocktails, private celebrations, or simply taking in Kansas City’s downtown views. It’s owned and managed by Skyline & Co., the same group that owns Noir, the members-only downtown cocktail club. therooftopkc.com

The upstairs terrace at Martin City Tavern & Terrace provides open-air views of the downtown skyline.

BAR PHOEBE

This casual rooftop retreat is the first concept from Zach Molzer, founder of Molzer Development, who’s redeveloping both the Holtman building that Bar Phoebe sits atop and the downtown Aladdin Hotel. The rooftop bar is run by Callidus Hospitality and offers both an indoor and outdoor experience with an interesting East Crossroads view of both downtown and the Crossroads. Bar Phoebe is leaning into a kind of sassy sense of hospitality based on their fictional mascot, Phoebe, where you can saddle up to bar or settle into one of the tables inside and enjoy walking tacos, waffle fries, wings, ice-cold beer, craft cocktails, and wine in the lounge or out on the patio. barphoebe.com

EARL’S PROVISIONS

Accessed from the side street off East 59th Street, the new Earl’s Provisions patio is quaint and cozy with wood beams across the top, a red brick wall, and plenty of plants for privacy. The market and café sits next door to its sister seafood concept, Earl’s Premier. Guests now can enjoy this hidden patio for coffee and a pastry, breakfast, lunch, and now a supper menu that’s served from 4 until 9 p.m. It’s an effortlessly charming extension of one of Kansas City’s favorite seafood destinations. earlspremier.com

HANK’S GARAGE AND GRILL

The thing about Hank’s Garage and Grill patio is that it’s flexible. It can be indoors and outdoors, or all outdoors all the time if the garage doors are open, which is perfect for the laid-back personality of downtown Shawnee. Mixing burgers, beer, and fried cherry pies, you can watch the game, play cornhole, and catch some live music. There’s plenty of room for groups, making it a favorite gathering place throughout patio season. hanksshawnee.com

PERCHERON AT CROSSROADS HOTEL

Kansas City’s signature hotel rooftop delivers panoramic views stretching from downtown skyscrapers to the iconic Western Auto sign. With comfortable lounge seating and long picnic tables, it’s perfect for groups who come to enjoy Mediterranean mezze platters and drinks from their breezy cocktail program while watching the city come aglow after sunset. crossroadshotelkc.com

Left: Enjoy a cocktail and a game of pool at RooftopKC at Corrigan Station. Below: There’s a dog-friendly yard area next to the covered patio at Hank’s Garage and Grill.

BLANC CHAMPAGNE BAR

High above Midtown, Blanc’s rooftop terrace surrounds guests with sweeping city views full of historic homes and red brick buildings that define the architecture of the area. Whether sipping a glass of Champagne from their impressive list or drinking crafted cocktails while enjoying bar snacks, the rooftop patio is both impressive and accessible. blanconmain.com

THE WESTSIDE LOCAL

Shaded from the sun, with an abundance of lush, colorful planters, this beloved Westside patio feels comfortably removed from downtown. The relaxed setting pairs perfectly with the locally sourced fare, making it a peaceful spot for brunch, lunch, or an easygoing dinner on Kansas City’s Westside. thewestsidelocal.com

VERDIGRIS

The covered patio at Verdigris works rain or shine. Located in Leawood’s Park Place shopping center, this bar patio feels like a shady sophisticated spot for before or after dinner drinks. Surrounded by greenery and filled with comfortable lounge seating, it’s an inviting spot for lingering over conversation and inventive cocktails. verdigrisbar.com

THE SKYLINE AT THE COMBINE

High above Troost, this rooftop rewards guests with sweeping downtown views in a relaxed, neighborhood setting. Lounge seating, a full bar, and an easygoing atmosphere make it feel more like a local hideaway. You get a special menu featuring appetizers, salads, and flatbread pizzas delivered right to your rooftop table. Watch the sun set as you toast to another great summer together. thecombinekc.com

XO

This groovy listening lounge on the Westside now has an impressive patio, where guests can mingle outside or slide into tables and chairs to sip natural wine and crafted cocktails. It feels just as intimate as the inside, with the same effortless style. Perfectly suited for long conversations that stretch well into the evening. xohifi.com

TWO BIRDS ONE STONE

Perched along the Berkley Riverfront, this expansive beer garden pairs outdoor picnic tables with open views of the Missouri River. Equal parts neighborhood hangout and gameday gathering place, it’s ideal for local beer, casual bites, and watching the river roll by you. twobirdsonestone.com

SPLITLOG COFFEE CO.

The welcoming rooftop patio overlooks the historic streets of Kansas City, Kansas, while simultaneously offering a front-row seat to the downtown Kansas City skyline from a distance. It’s a comfortable place to settle in with expertly roasted coffee while enjoying the slower rhythm of Strawberry Hill. splitlogcoffee.shop

HORSEFEATHER SOCIAL AT LOEWS KANSAS CITY HOTEL

Sitting just high enough to get a bird’s-eye view of the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts and the Kansas City Convention Center, Horsefeather Social at Loews Kansas City Hotel is a rooftop bar that combines panoramic skyline views with plush seating and a lively cocktail program. With this unique view of the city, it’s the perfect place to catch the sunset before the city lights begin to sparkle. horsefeathersocial.com

RYE LEAWOOD

The large patio at Rye in Leawood’s Mission Farms boasts water views, making it one of the best suburban see-and-be-seen spots when the weather allows. A combination of tables and lounge furniture dots the patio, making it the perfect place to gather for weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, or simply lingering over a slice of pie. ryekc.com

MESSENGER COFFEE

Few rooftops capture the charm of the Crossroads quite like Messenger’s sprawling third-floor terrace. The open-air seating and downtown views make it equally inviting for an early-morning espresso or an afternoon spent working in the sunshine, with the added bonus of being able to stop and head for lunch downstairs. messengercoffee.co

ELECTRIC PARK GARDEN BAR AT J.RIEGER & CO.

Inspired by Kansas City’s historic Electric Park amusement grounds, this vibrant outdoor garden is part of the J. Rieger & Co. distillery in the East Bot-

Above: Horsefeather

Social at Loews Kansas City Hotel pairs rooftop cocktails with sweeping skyline views. Below, left to right: Set along the Berkley Riverfront, Two Birds One Stone serves up local brews in a laid-back beer garden. Sip your favorite cuppa from the rooftop patio at Splitlog Coffee Co. Electric Park Garden Bar offers a relaxed outdoor setting for cocktails at J. Rieger & Co.

toms. Complete with fire pits, a swing set table, and lounge seating, this park-like space offers an unparalleled outdoor patio bar experience. Enjoy a refreshing frozen cocktail and food from their own Electric Park Garden Bar food truck. It’s one of the city’s most distinctive places to gather before exploring the distillery. jriegerco.com

PENROSE AT NOVEL

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., this charming walk-up coffee window is nestled in Novel’s stylish urban front porch. Surrounded by native landscaping with a pergola providing shade and outdoor furniture where you can land, it’s a comfortable place to sip a carefully crafted latte and pastries made by the talented pastry chef and co-owner of Novel, Jessica Armstrong. @penrose_kc

VIVILORE

Hidden behind a century-old home in Independence’s historic Englewood Arts District, Vivilore’s garden patio feels almost enchanted with its brick pathways, potted green plants, colorful blooms, and dining tables tucked away in every corner. It creates one of the metro’s most romantic settings for lunch, dinner, or a leisurely glass of wine. Reservations are recommended for patio seating. vivilore.com

GREEN DIRT ON OAK

This intimate rooftop patio in the East Crossroads is a relaxed place to enjoy artisan sheep’s milk cheeses, seasonal small plates, and thoughtfully selected wine, beer, or cocktails in the afternoon into the evenings. Don’t miss Cheese Hour from 2 until 5 p.m., featuring craft cocktails, cheese and charcuterie boards, and rooftop deck dining with a view of downtown Kansas City. oak.greendirtfarm.com

AFFÄRE

Tucked beside the restaurant, Affäre’s secluded outdoor garden patio brings a taste of Germany to the Crossroads. A lush, vine-covered pergola shades the patio, creating an inviting and quiet backdrop to enjoy schnitzel, sausages, and a bottle of excellent European wine. affarekc.com

HARRY’S BAR & TABLES

For more than 30 years, Harry’s Bar & Tables has held court on a prominent corner of Westport. Its spacious patio and caboose bar has long been a Westport staple when the weather gets warm. Known for its handcrafted cocktails and casual bar food menu, at Harry’s you can find patio tables shaded by mature trees along with professional, attentive service and a menu that moves easily from lunch to late night. harrysbarandtables.com

TRIUNE

Just one block west of Broadway Boulevard on 17th Street, Triune’s tiered patio offers a large outdoor area with room to spread out and enjoy a little food and drink alfresco. The fire pits, comfortable lounge seating, and umbrella-shaded tables make for plenty of spots outside to enjoy a glass of wine or craft cocktails, along with shareable plates. triunekc.com

WANDERING VINE AT THE CASTLE

Set on the grounds of the 120-year-old, historic Caenen Castle, the shady back porch overlooks rolling lawns and mature trees. The peaceful setting, paired with wine flights and seasonal cuisine, make every visit feel like a European countryside escape tucked into suburban Shawnee. wanderingvine.com

PANTHERS PLACE

The patio at Panthers Place on the Westside channels the easygoing spirit of a crazy cool, outdoor backyard bar, with plenty of outdoor seating. Grab a cold drink from the bar and have a seat at this relaxed and welcoming spot that’s perfect for casual gatherings. It’s the kind of place where one round often turns into an afternoon. panthersplacekc.com

Above: Enjoy an elevated dining experience on the rooftop patio at Green Dirt on Oak. Below: Dine alfresco on Triune’s stylish patio.

Perfectly Imperfect

A

HOME WITH AN EFFORTLESSLY LIVED-IN SPIRIT, WHERE LAYERED ART, TIMEWORN ANTIQUES, TEXTILES, AND GLOBALLY COLLECTED OBJECTS COME TOGETHER IN HARMONY

words by Susan Cannon

It is an inherently European way of living— creating a home guided by instinct, an artistic eye, and an appreciation for beauty that is both elegant and relaxed. Nothing is too precious or overly styled. Instead of serving as a showpiece, the home becomes a nest: a place for comfort, joy, and the beauty of everyday life.

That philosophy comes naturally to local artist Megan Sutherland. Grounded and unassuming, she mainly paints still lifes and landscapes, not for showing—although she did recently exhibit her work at George in the Crestwood Shops—but for the simple pleasure of creating. For the past three years, twice a week she’s gathered with fellow artists in the former garden shed she transformed into an art studio.

If there’s one thing Sutherland possesses, it’s an exceptional eye. Without a trace of pretension, she has quietly cultivated a home filled with soulful beauty—a place where all her collected furnishings tell a story through patina and a wabi-sabi quality. It is the kind of home that feels as welcoming as it is inspiring, and one that provided the backdrop for raising

In the living room, wide, chestnut-wood plank floors and floor-to-ceiling divided-light windows lend a traditional air to the space. The painting over the fireplace is by AV Poncy.

photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

Above: Yellow-glazed walls (which Sutherland did herself) lighten up the wide, house-length foyer. Below, left: The view from the side hall toward a Sara Cameli abstract in the foyer. Below, right: In the family room, a Stephanie Wheeler landscape rests on a vintage console that divides the two seating areas.

her children, and having them gather today, often with her six grandchildren in tow.

Sutherland and her husband, Mark, built the home more than three decades ago on family land where Mark was raised. Two other homes occupied by family members share the acreage, lending the property the feeling of a small European hamlet tucked into the countryside.

“Ours was the first house in Kansas City built by Gene Fritzel Construction, and Andy Fritzel was wonderful to work with,” she recalls. “I showed him stacks of pictures

Above: A vintage cutting board rests atop an ottoman in the family room. The painting by the Dutch door is by Barry Thomas and the painting on the mantel is by Robert Vonn. Left: Glass windows in the sunroom can be switched out for screens in the summer.

Megan Sutherland in her cheery studio, surrounded by her artist tools and her work.

I’d collected over the years. He understood my vision and made it happen.”

She also enlisted designer George Terbovich during the planning phase, relying on his expertise to refine the home’s architecture by enlarging windows to capture more light, shifting walls to improve the flow, and making subtle adjustments that would ultimately define the home’s character. For Sutherland, it was essential to get the bones right. The furnishings, artwork, and layers of collected treasures would come gradually, evolving naturally over time into the welcoming and personal home it is today.

To understand her aesthetic, you have to look back to her childhood. Her mother was very creative.

“We had a little beach cabin in Oregon,” Sutherland recalls. “We’d slipcover the furniture with sheets, spend time hunting estate sales for pieces with character, and we were always rearranging things.” This wasn’t about decorating—it was about creating a va-

Above: Soft cream and green hues dominate in the kitchen. Right: Below a trio of windows, open shelves gather wicker baskets. Opposite: A mad mix of chairs, including a vintage highchair, surrounds the welcoming dining table in the dining room. Painting is by Megan Sutherland.

cation home that evolved, collected memories, and reflected the people who lived there.

Sutherland earned a degree in interior design, and after marrying Mark in the mid-1980s, the couple spent three years in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she opened a boutique specializing in fabrics and antiques. Later, when the kids were in school, she immersed herself in painting, taking workshops at local colleges, private studios, and abroad. Each experience added another layer to the artistic sensibility that would later define both her art and her home.

England, too, has long shaped Sutherland’s vision. The village cottages and manor homes of the countryside became a blueprint for the house she would eventually build. Floor-to-ceiling windows, transoms above the doors, tongue-and-groove cabinetry, and painted ceilings all found their way into the home’s design.

“We dragged our kids to the Cotswolds every summer while they were growing up,” she says. “Mark’s parents had friends who offered their manor house year after year. We’d rent a car, wander through the countryside, visit antique fairs and horse shows.

“What I loved was that things were never quite perfect––the mix of old and new things, the antiques and painted furniture with worn patina, beautiful china that was mismatched and sometimes chipped, and

Follow the gravel path to the art studio, which sits in the center of the cottage garden.

the family dog curled up under the dining table. It was real.”

This lifestyle of living among lovely furnishings but with perfect imperfection is one that is inspiring and puts guests immediately at ease. Just the way life should be.

THE IT LIST

Construction

Gene Fritzel Construction Co., Inc.

785-841-6347

Gallery

George, a lifestyle store

georgelifestyle.com

Accessories

Nell Hill’s nellhills.com

Furniturethatfits every part of life

Set yourself up for success with a space that works as hard as you do. Stylish, flexible furniture keeps you ready for studying, socializing, and everything in between. Explore great looks and smart space solutions at prices you'll love, only at NFM.

ReeceNichols Donates $160,000 To Missouri

Ronald McDonald House Locations

ReeceNichols and its Gold Key agents have donated more than $160,000 this year to Ronald McDonald House locations in Missouri through the Gold Key Project, which is enough to provide more than 1,600 free nights of support for families with hospitalized children.

$134,000 of that money is going to Ronald McDonald House Kansas City.

The milestone adds to a partnership that has now generated more than $1.8 million since 2020, helping Ronald McDonald House provide over 15,000 free nights for families facing some of life’s most difficult moments.

Every time a ReeceNichols Gold Key Project agent helps a client buy or sell a home, a portion of their commission is donated to Ronald McDonald House. That money gives families with sick children what they need most: a free place to stay, hot meals, and compassionate support during an unimaginably difficult time.

“Year after year, the Gold Key Project agents show up for families with sick kids and invest in our mission,” said Tami

Greenberg, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Kansas City. “Their support allows us to continue providing comfort, care and a home-away-from-home, so families can focus on what matters most - their sick child. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the lasting difference it makes for the families we serve.”

Money donated through the Gold Key Project has also enhanced Ronald McDonald House Kansas City’s facilities, including a new family room at Overland Park Regional Medical Center and the first significant renovations to the Longfellow House in 15 years.

ONE FAMILY. TWO NICU JOURNEYS.

Tiffany and Brandon Williams know all too well what life in the NICU feels like. Both of their daughters have spent their first months fighting to grow strong; Rylee, now age 3, and baby Emma, born last May at just 28 weeks, weighing 1 lb. 7 oz. and only 12 inches long.

As a military family stationed at Fort Riley, home is two hours from Kansas City. After Emma’s birth, Tiffany thought she might recover from her C-section at home. But the separation was unbearable.

Tiffany, Rylee, and Emma

“I think we made it two days,” Tiffany said. “I just felt this physical need to be near her. Coming in pregnant and leaving to go home without a baby was the worst feeling in the world.”

Thankfully, Tiffany and Brandon already knew where to turn. They had stayed at Ronald McDonald House when Rylee spent 76 days in the NICU. This time, as Emma faced a longer stay, they returned with a toddler in tow.

Brandon and Rylee

Brandon says knowing what to expect brought enormous relief: “We knew the support we were getting: the food, the room, the community—we knew our stress would be lower just by walking through the door.”

For Tiffany, the House meant more than just a place to stay: “We had a very energetic two-and-a-half-year-old and a NICU baby, and because of Ronald McDonald House, we didn’t have to choose between our two kids.”

For the Williams family, Ronald McDonald House Kansas City isn’t just a room near the hospital. It’s a lifeline, a place where they can stay close to Emma while keeping Rylee’s world steady.

LEARN MORE AT REECENICHOLS.COM/GOLD-KEY-PROJECT.

2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

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2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

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Kim Engle

Laurie Jorgensen

Elizabeth DeLacy Knipp

Laurie Jorgensen

Fran Keal

Lisa Brewer

Lisa Brewer

Lisa Ferguson

Lisa Ferguson

Hannah Newport

Lorinda Boyle

Lorinda Boyle

Heather Thurston

Marcie Casey

Marcie Casey

Heather Walker

Marisol Harris

Holli Alberson

Marisol Harris

Mark Harris

Jane Stepp

Mark Harris

Penny Lawrence

Janice Mackay

Penny Lawrence

Jeff Fetz

Robyn Lambert

Robyn Lambert

Jennifer Welch

Tammy Martinez

Tammy Martinez

Threasa Lang

Jenny Welch

Threasa Lang

Trish Pfanstiel

Trish Pfanstiel

Jeremy M. Johnston

Jill Perfect

Jim Klebenstone

KANSAS CITY NORTH OFFICE

KANSAS CITY NORTH OFFICE

Jimmie Hughes

Bob Henderson

Bob Henderson

Jonell Craig

Brian Partlow

Brian Partlow

Josh Terry

Corinne Marwitz

Corinne Marwitz

Joyce Riley-Townser

Dakota Marriott

Dakota Marriott

Julie Prudden

Debbie Belcher

Debbie Belcher

Julie Shiplet

Doug Fales

Doug Fales

Kara Anderson

Heather Baymiller

Heather Baymiller

Kathleen Bishop

Helen Scarfino

Helen Scarfino

Kathryn Brinkmeyer

Irma Hernandez

Irma Hernandez

Katie Pennington

Karin Shaughnessey

Kimberly Johnson

Karin Shaughnessey

Kayse Nichols

Kayse Nichols

Kimberly Meyers

Kira Seton

Kira Seton

Kristina Kelly

Mitch Thierry

Lance Tomlin

Mitch Thierry

Sarah Reynolds

Sarah Reynolds

Lauren Hogan Ford

Sherri Cole

Leah Beck

Sherri Cole

Lisa Lewis

Stephanie Brown

Stephanie Brown

Lisa Wright

MacKenzie Peters

LEAWOOD OFFICE

LEAWOOD OFFICE

Marcea Oller

Alex Thome

Marianne Crosson

Alex Thome

Andrea Hoeft

Marianne Luff

Andrea Hoeft

Cami Jones

Cami Jones

Mikki Plaskett

Mary Hayden

Cristina Carper

Cristina Carper

Jamie Euston

Megan Snyder

Jamie Euston

Janet Jehle

Melonie Kimble

Janet Jehle

Jennifer Fortin

Merla Turner

Jennifer Fortin

Jessica Hanchette

Mike Reese

Jessica Hanchette

Kathryn Sloan

Michelle Hightower

Kathryn Sloan

Katie Slaymaker

Katie Slaymaker

Michelle Smith-Fry

Kim Yuille

Kim Yuille

Missy Hodges

Mona Dattilo

Kristin Holdhusen

Kristin Holdhusen

Laura Miller

Nicole Westhoff

Laura Miller

Lexie Foxworthy

Noni Williams

Lexie Foxworthy

Lisa Nelson

Paul Jones

Lisa Nelson

Liz Jaeger

Raymond Clay

Liz Jaeger

Macy Jacobsen

Rick Hetherington

Macy Jacobsen

Mandy Doull

Mandy Doull

Robin VanRoss

Mary Carol Lienemann

Sandy Lobdell

Mary Carol Lienemann

Mary Riffel

Sarah Malcom

Mary Riffel

Mimi Taylor

Shari Webster

Mimi Taylor

Missy Hutton

Sherri Oaks

Missy Hutton

Prachi Shah

Stormie Fensom

Prachi Shah

Rebecca Geracie

Tameka Drake

Rebecca Geracie

Sara Sweeney

Tami Froehlich

Sara Sweeney

Stacy Foxworthy

Tammy Duncan

Stacy Foxworthy

Stephanie Cox

Teresa Minor

Stephanie Cox

Tom Williams

Stephanie Murphy

Stephanie Murphy

Trent Gallagher

Tracy White-Baldridge

Trent Gallagher

Tricia Root

Trish Williams

Victoria Harvey

Yori Fluhrer

2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

2026 ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR GOLD KEY AGENTS WHO ARE DONATING PART OF EVERY COMMISSION CHECK TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES CLOSE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THIS YEAR!

OVERLAND PARK OFFICE

OVERLAND PARK OFFICE

Adam Keating

Adam Keating

Anne Yates

Anne Yates

Anne Yates

Ashley Hill

Ashley Hill

Ashley Hill

Aubrey Blankenship

Aubrey Blankenship

Aubrey Blankenship

Babs Stilley

Babs Stilley

Babs Stilley

Barton Goering

Barton Goering

Barton Goering

Becky Potter

Becky Potter

Becky Potter

Bruce Steinberg

Bruce Steinberg

Bruce Steinberg

Callie Katz

Callie Katz

Callie Katz

Casey Carley

Casey Carley

Casey Carley

Celia Huneycutt

Celia Huneycutt

Celia Huneycutt

Dana Benjamin-Ashner

Dana Benjamin-Ashner

Dana Benjamin-Ashner

Debbie Carrier

Debbie Carrier

Debbie Carrier

Debbie Fernandez

Debbie Fernandez

Debbie Fernandez

Debbie Waid

Debbie Waid

Debbie Waid

Denise Franklin

Denise Franklin

Denise Franklin

Dianna Kinnard

Dianna Kinnard

Dianna Kinnard

Donna Bukovac

Donna Bukovac

Donna Bukovac

Ed Coulter

Ed Coulter

Ed Coulter

Elaf Saifan

Elaf Saifan

Elaf Saifan

Erin Christensen

Erin Christensen

Erin Christensen

Frank Dodd

Frank Dodd

Frank Dodd

Gary Faler

Gary Faler

Gary Faler

Gary Milligan

Gary Milligan

Gary Milligan

Jan Madsen

Jan Madsen

Jan Madsen

Janet Strickland

Janet Strickland

Janet Strickland

Jenny Cross

Jenny Cross

Jenny Cross

Jessica Fields-Leone

Jessica Fields-Leone

Jessica Fields-Leone

Joshua Do

Joshua Do

Joshua Do

Juan Pineda Gomez

Juan Pineda Gomez

Juan Pineda Gomez

Kelly Meyer

Kelly Meyer

Kelly Meyer

Kelsey Kelly

Kelsey Kelly

Kelsey Kelly

Laura Timmons-Mena

Laura Timmons-Mena

Laura Timmons-Mena

Lisa Fitzpatrick

Lisa Fitzpatrick

Lisa Fitzpatrick

Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson

Lourdes Kessler

Lourdes Kessler

Lourdes Kessler

Lynne Matile

Lynne Matile

Lynne Matile

Mallory McKamie

Mallory McKamie

Mallory McKamie

Mason Kelemen

Mason Kelemen

Mason Kelemen

Meg Lewis

Meg Lewis

Meg Lewis

Megan Irvine

Megan Irvine

Megan Irvine

Natasha Helixon

Natasha Helixon

Natasha Helixon

Page Olson

Page Olson

Page Olson

Pam Breakey

Pam Breakey

Pam Breakey

Penny Borel

Penny Borel

Penny Borel

Rachel Hunt

Rachel Hunt

Rachel Hunt

Rita Dickey

Rita Dickey

Rita Dickey

Sam Hampton

Sam Hampton

Sam Hampton

Sarah Randall

Sarah Randall

Sarah Randall

Scott Rogers

Scott Rogers

Scott Rogers

Sonja Schwab

Sonja Schwab

Sonja Schwab

Susan Heenan

Susan Heenan

Susan Heenan

Susie Brown

Susie Brown

Susie Brown

Tera Culp

Tera Culp

Tera Culp

Terri Watson

Terri Watson

Terri Watson

Wynne Weaver

Wynne Weaver

Wynne Weaver

Yalonda Clardy

Yalonda Clardy

Yalonda Clardy

PARKVILLE OFFICE

PARKVILLE OFFICE

PARKVILLE OFFICE

Amy Loehr

Amy Loehr

Amy Loehr

Ashley Sweeney-Emmons

Ashley Sweeney-Emmons

Ashley Sweeney-Emmons

Baylee Wiliams

Baylee Wiliams

Baylee Wiliams

Candi Sweeney

Candi Sweeney

Candi Sweeney

Cheryl Bowman

Cheryl Bowman

Cheryl Bowman

Kabuki Anyumba

Kabuki Anyumba

Kabuki Anyumba

Karen Schoettlin

Karen Schoettlin

Karen Schoettlin

Kathy Aulgur

Kathy Aulgur

Kathy Aulgur

Kim James

Kim James

Kim James

Linda Ludy

Linda Ludy

Linda Ludy

Marcia Cull

Marcia Cull

Marcia Cull

Meseret Bieza

Meseret Bieza

Meseret Bieza

Russ Wolfe

Russ Wolfe

Russ Wolfe

Sandy Maag

Sandy Maag

Sandy Maag

Zondi Krehbiel

Zondi Krehbiel

Zondi Krehbiel

THE VILLAGE OFFICE

THE VILLAGE OFFICE

THE VILLAGE OFFICE

Blair Tyson

Blair Tyson

Blair Tyson

Bob Myers

Bob Myers

Bob Myers

Bridget Unruh

Bridget Unruh

Bridget Unruh

Carrie Rauenzahn

Carrie Rauenzahn

Carrie Rauenzahn

Cindy Cowherd

Cindy Cowherd

Cindy Cowherd

Doug Hesse

Doug Hesse

Doug Hesse

Gerrad Fase

Gerrad Fase

Gerrad Fase

Gregg Davidson

Gregg Davidson

Gregg Davidson

Jamie Johnston

Jamie Johnston

Jamie Johnston

Janise Woody

Janise Woody

Janise Woody

Jeanne Ventola

Jeanne Ventola

Jeanne Ventola

Jim Handy

Jim Handy

Jim Handy

John Hess

John Hess

John Hess

Julie Kempin

Julie Kempin

Julie Kempin

Kara McGraw

Kara McGraw

Kara McGraw

Kevin Sieker

Kevin Sieker

Kevin Sieker

Laurie Barnds

Laurie Barnds

Laurie Barnds

Lindsay Tubaugh

Lindsay Tubaugh

Lindsay Tubaugh

Lynne Collinsworth

Lynne Collinsworth

Lynne Collinsworth

Maki Gonzalez

Maki Gonzalez

Maki Gonzalez

Megan Bubb

Megan Bubb

Megan Bubb

Mike Minor

Mike Minor

Mike Minor

Olivia Thornton

Olivia Thornton

Olivia Thornton

Pamela Brown

Pamela Brown

Pamela Brown

Parker Moore

Parker Moore

Parker Moore

Patricia Barnes

Patricia Barnes

Patricia Barnes

Rick Coomes

Rick Coomes

Rick Coomes

Robert Heyen

Robert Heyen

Robert Heyen

Sharon Barry

Sharon Barry

Sharon Barry

Shelley Staton

Shelley Staton

Shelley Staton

Stacia Owen

Stacia Owen

Stacia Owen

Stephanie Low

Stephanie Low

Stephanie Low

Suzanne Rumold

Suzanne Rumold

Suzanne Rumold

REECENICHOLS NORTH STAR

REECENICHOLS NORTH STAR

REECENICHOLS NORTH STAR

Cindy Spicer

Cindy Spicer

Cindy Spicer

Sterling Spicer

Sterling Spicer

Sterling Spicer

REECENICHOLS

REECENICHOLS

REECENICHOLS TOWN & COUNTRY REALTY

TOWN & COUNTRY REALTY

TOWN & COUNTRY REALTY

Betty Birzer

Betty Birzer

Betty Birzer

REECE COMMERCIAL

REECE COMMERCIAL

REECE COMMERCIAL

Ryan Schulteis

Ryan Schulteis

Ryan Schulteis

by Jenny Vergara

Reservation for One CASA AMA

photos by Aaron Leimkuehler

Robin Krause has built a reputation for delicious, mindful, ingredient-driven cooking at Billie's Grocery, but with Casa Ama she turns her attention to the vibrant flavors of Mexico as seen through her lens. She’s created a menu that balances deep flavors with her signature freshness. Located in the former Salty Iguana space at 8228 Mission Road at Corinth Square in Prairie Village, the restaurant feels less like a reinvention of a neighborhood institution and more like an entirely new chapter, one rooted in bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a polished approach to casual dining.

The restaurant's expansive patio and bright bar area naturally lend

themselves to lingering over cocktails and shared appetizers, but once you head inside, the former Salty Iguana has been transformed into a clean, contemporary dining room softened by warm woods, cobalt tile, lush greenery, and natural textures that feel appropriate for dining day or night. Large windows flood the space with light while maintaining an inviting neighborhood feel that fits comfortably into Prairie Village's evolving dining scene.

Rather than presenting a strictly regional interpretation of Mexican cuisine, Krause, consulting with the chef Anourom Thomson, owner of Anousone at Strang Hall, and the director of operations, Rico Hernandez, has created a menu inspired by the dishes and ingredients that were

Casa Ama's airy dining room blends contemporary style with warm wood accents and abundant greenery.

shaped by her travels throughout Latin America and beyond. Look for Laotian and Thai ingredients sneaking their way into some dishes, offering a nice mix of cultures and cuisines that complement each other.

At Billie's Grocery, Krause built her reputation on creating vibrant, ingredient-driven dishes that never asked diners to sacrifice flavor for healthier choices. Her acclaimed pastry program also proved that gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan desserts could be every bit as indulgent as their traditional counterparts. So it came as little surprise that, within hours of Casa Ama posting its first photos on Instagram, loyal Billie's Grocery fans began asking what dietary accommodations would be available at the new restaurant. The answer is reassuring: Casa Ama's philosophy is the same as Billie's Grocery.

That commitment is reflected throughout the menu. Krause cooks exclusively with avocado, olive, and 100-percent pure sesame oils; uses only non-GMO rice; and prepares nearly every dish, aside from one dessert and the house-made flour tortillas, without wheat flour; making much of the menu naturally gluten-free. Guests can also substitute corn tortillas for flour tortillas, and dairy is limited primarily to cheeses, sour cream, and whipped cream, making many dishes easy to modify. Even the beans are soaked overnight, a traditional technique that improves both texture and digestibility. These thoughtful choices ensure that diners with dietary restrictions have just as many opportunities to enjoy

Flavor IN KC

Casa Ama's fresh, boldly flavored cuisine as everyone else.

While the menu is rooted in familiar Mexican dishes, Krause reimagines them through unexpected ingredients, bold sauces, and thoughtful techniques that make each plate playful rather than predictable. Shaved rib-eye tacos share space with earthy mushroom tofu tacos. A chicken Caesar smash taco mixes seasoned chicken, crunchy romaine lettuce, shredded cabbage, Cotija cheese, and a smoky-sweet, charred apple salsa to create an unexpectedly addictive combination of flavors and textures.

A deeply savory birria rice bowl delivers slow-cooked comfort. The show-stopping crispy, golden fried fish arrives accompanied by rich, beef-tallow black beans, bright, fresh salsa, crunchy pickled radishes, and a glossy soy glaze alongside a stack of warm tortillas that invites diners to build their own tacos.

Even the burger reflects the restaurant's adventurous Southwestern spirit—a juicy, double cheeseburger layered with smoky charred pobla-

nos and served with crispy seasoned French fries.

The cast-iron fajitas, one of the restaurant's signature presentations, come to the table sizzling over an open flame, perfuming the room with the aromas of caramelized peppers, onions, and spices.

Diners can choose from smoky achiote-marinated chicken, garlic-lime shrimp, soy-citrus carne asada, or a medley of roasted poblanos and shishito peppers, all served with warm flour tortillas and an array of accompaniments that encourage every guest to eat them just the way they like them, a mantra for much of Krause’s cuisine.

Seafood receives unusually thoughtful treatment throughout the menu. The shrimp coctel elevates a familiar Mexican classic with plump shrimp, vibrant tomato-based sauce, and fresh avocado. The leche de tigre ceviche is a crudo of thick slices of raw hamachi floating in a creamy avocado sauce and sprinkled with pickled red Thai chili, crisp shallots, and micro cilantro, all drizzled with golden brown ginger sesame oil—a mouth-watering combination on the plate.

Clockwise from top left: Shrimp fajitas are served in a cast-iron skillet atop an open flame. Sliced avocado, red onion, and micro cilantro garnish the shrimp aquachile. Cold water oysters are topped with onion ash salsa, pickled red chili, and ginger jeow.

The traditional salsas are made in house, striking a balance between bright acidity and moderate heat, while a dark, fire-roasted version delivers a richer, smokier complexity. Perhaps the restaurant's most distinctive condiment is its salsa seca, a deeply flavorful blend of dried chiles, toasted seeds, and spices, adding layers of savory heat and crunch to multiple dishes.

The cocktail program was developed with an assist from Christopher Ciesel, co-owner of The Campground and Sagebrush, and shows off Ciesel’s and Krause’s collective love of agave-based spirits. Signature “casaritas” introduce creative variations of a margarita, including a tropical coconut version with a softer, creamier profile. Mexican cocktails, such as the batanga, deliver singular refreshment with its combination of tequila, cola, and lime. The cantarito was a favorite at our table—a blend of blanco tequila, lime, orange, grapefruit, and blood orange juice with bubbly Fresca soda—an approachable drink that goes well with almost anything on the menu.

With Casa Ama, Krause has resisted the temptation to recreate familiar Tex-Mex formulas. Here the vegetable dishes receive just as much attention as the proteins, while still celebrating the breadth of Mexican flavors through carefully prepared food, fresh ingredients, and a beverage program that pushes far beyond the frozen margarita.

Krause has an unmistakable ability to bring us delicious dishes that deliver punches of flavor without the heaviness. Casa Ama is a light and lovely addition. thisiscasaama.com

Lush palms line the expansive patio.

by Jenny Vergara photo by Bridget Chang

In Your Cocktail

AFTERWORD TAVERN & SHELVES

Some bars are built for watching the big game, while others are designed for loud music and conversations that grow even louder as the night wears on. But at Afterword Tavern & Shelves, the best companion might be the dog-eared novel tucked under your arm or the friends sitting across the table, plotting their next move in a board game over a thoughtfully made cocktail or glass of wine.

Afterword has always occupied a singular place in our drinking culture, one that celebrates kindness, inclusivity, and the written word. Since opening Afterword in 2018, founders Christian Overgaard and Luke Pitz created something that felt less like a bar and more like a living room or study where books lined the walls, cocktails nodded to literary classics, and reading or quiet conversation was the point of going there in the first place.

When the Crossroads location was forced to close after its building was sold at the end of 2025, regulars mourned the loss of one of the city's most distinctive third places to hang out, study, converse, read, work, and drink. Fortunately, the story didn't end there. After-

word has begun a new chapter in the former Brewer’s Corner space at 3105 Gillham Road in Hyde Park, reopening with more room to gather while preserving the character that made people fall in love with it in the first place.

Green plants hang from rafters above, warm rugs and furniture are arranged across the space, and a large bar dominates one side. The space is broken into small pockets of seating so everyone can have their own pod to sit and talk. Bookshelves create privacy and hold the books, which are for sale. Get a drink, find a book, then pay for both on your way out. There are also group activities that make this far more than a bar with books.

The new home is more than three times the size of the original and finally gives the staff room to dream bigger. Book clubs once squeezed into corners can spread out comfortably. Poetry readings, comedy nights, and open-mic performances no longer have to compete with the evening cocktail crowd. The larger footprint also places Afterword in the middle of an emerging literary pocket, steps from Good Karma Coffee and Wine, Under the Cover bookstore, and Outland Mercantile, creat-

Secret Garden

ing an unexpected destination for readers and curious wanderers alike.

General manager Kate Hall credits the creativity to a remarkably resilient team. After spending more than six weeks transforming the former Brewer’s Corner into Afterword’s new home, the staff somehow managed to create an entirely new cocktail menu in just five days. It's a feat Hall says reflects the determination of a group committed to recreating the welcoming atmosphere that patrons had been asking about since the doors closed in January.

Of course, the drinks remain central to the experience, and the quality of bartending on display here is truly impressive. Coffee, wine, beer, imaginative cocktails, and crafted nonalcoholic drinks continue to anchor the menu, each one reflecting the same creativity and skill found on the bookshelves. Bartender Annie Simon’s Secret Garden is a fitting example—a bright, floral vodka cocktail with deep undertones and a frothy egg-white that resembles a silky smooth, beautifully balanced literary plot, beginning with brightness before revealing layers of earthy complexity.

In an era when so many bars compete to be louder, brighter, and faster, Afterword succeeds by embracing the opposite. It reminds us that some of life’s best days unfold quietly, with a great drink in one hand, a good book in the other, and nowhere else you’d rather be. afterwordkc.com

Secret Garden

1.5 vodka

.5 ounce Heirloom Creme de Flora Liqueur

.5 ounce fresh lemon juice

.75 ounce rose beet syrup*

2 dashes mole bit ters

1 egg white

Shake all ingredients together with ice, strain the liquid, and discard the ice. Shake again without ice and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a coup glass. Garnish with dehydrated edible flower petals.

*ROSE BEET SYRUP

1.5 cups dry still rosé wine

.5 cup beet juice

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons rosewater

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

Whisk together all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce for 15 minutes, then cool before using.

In

DISCO BURGER

AFTER BUILDING a devoted following for the last two years for its smash burgers and crinkle fries in the River Market, Disco Burger, the food truck owned by Matt Chapman and Darren Carter that’s parked behind Varsity Club, is preparing to open its first standalone restaurant in Brookside this summer. It’s taking over the former Flying Horse Taproom space at 600 East 63rd Street. The new location expands on the original concept with indoor and patio seating, a walkup takeout window and a small bar. Fans can still expect the restaurant's signature crispy-edged smash burgers, patty melts, Disco Dogs, and crinkle-cut fries, but the menu will also include shareable appetizers, steak frites, and soft-serve ice cream. It’s a natural next step for this popular fast-casual burger concept, which will bring more locally owned, family-friendly dining options to Brookside. instagram.com/ disco.burger

atrick Du fromDallas : Linda P fromHappy

by Jenny Vergara

ALMA MADER BREWING

ONE OF KANSAS CITY’S most acclaimed local breweries is gearing up for growth. This fall, co-owners Nick Mader and Tania Hewett-Mader will expand Alma Mader Brewing into a new hospitality-focused space just a few doors from its original Southwest Boulevard taproom, allowing the current location to become a dedicated production space. The new location will feature Czech-style tank beer service, pouring unpasteurized beer directly from serving tanks for peak freshness, along with a greenhouse-inspired interior, covered patios, and expanded event space. The project also introduces a new food concept from the chef Keeyoung Kim and the Chingu Collective team that’s centered on the Korean tradition of chimaek—the pairing of fried chicken and beer. Together, the collaboration transforms Alma Mader into an even more compelling destination for exceptional beer, food, and community. almamaderbrewing.com

This exhibition, originally on view at the McNay Art Museum, was organized by René Paul Barilleaux, Head of Curatorial Affairs; and Lauren Thompson, Curator of Exhibitions.

Sportand Spectator

Hank Willis Thomas, Perseverance, 2017. Fiberglass with chameleon auto paint finish. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. © Hank Willis Thomas

by Jenny Vergara

DAD’S BAKESHOP COFFEE & GOODS

AFTER YEARS on stage as an actor, Shea Coffmanhas found a new role behind the pastry case. Dad’s Bakeshop Coffee & Goods has quickly become one of Kansas City’s sweetest new destinations, transforming the former Yum bakery space in Southmoreland at 104 East 43rd Street into a cozy neighborhood gathering place inspired by warmth, nostalgia, and connection. Designed with vintage furnishings, lush plants, and the comforting aroma of fresh-baked pies and cookies, the bakery feels more like a welcoming living room than a retail shop. Coffma’s menu changes with the seasons, offering everything from gooey chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls to galettes, tea cakes, and savory pastries and pies alongside coffee from Blip Roasters. After consecutive weekends of selling out, Dad’s is proving that its recipe for community is resonating just as deeply as its baked goods. dadsbakeshop.com

Spotlight KC ATTRACTIONS NOT TO MISS IN AUGUST

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Only at Union Station

Union Station— The Berlin Wall. A World Divided. The Berlin Wall. A World Divided. is the story of the greatest symbol of division in the 20th century.

Your next big win could be just around the corner! From classic reel favorites and the latest video slots to a full lineup of table games, poker. and the #1 sportsbook in KS.

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My Essentials IN KC

Cathy’s essentials...

BEST BITE: I like to walk up to Room 39 on 39th Street for brunch or the chicken livers with bacon, shallots, and capers on toasted ciabatta.

GO-TO GALLERY: I enjoy the Belger Crane Yard Studio. I am never disappointed to see so many ways to explore clay.

CATHY BROSKI

CERAMIST. TEACHER. LEADER.

by Evan Pagano

As a child, Cathy Broski spent her days exploring the creeks and tromping through the forests and fieldsof Jennings, Missouri. She’d make up stories and play in the pools that formed in the Missouri clay. It was during these hours alone, and later in her high school art classroom, that she discovered her need to create her “inexhaustible list of ideas.”

In 1990, Broski earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kansas City Art Institute, and she’s worked in ceramics—the shaping of clay—ever since. She and her husband built their own studio in the Volker neighborhood in 1999, and her work is in galleries and shops across the country, including A Store Named Stuffand the Belger Arts Crane Yard Studio in KC. She also teaches ceramics at the KC Clay Guild and in workshops as far away as Victoria, British Columbia.

Many of Broski’s sculptures resemble things she may have seen in those early days outdoors in Jennings: fish water, four-legged creatures, interesting stones. Ideas continue to flw.

“Change happens slowly for me,” Broski says, “but I see it in how much better I am at executing an idea. Thee is still a playfulness in the way I approach a new idea, and I am grateful for that.” cathybroski.com

THE HOOKUP:

The Backer family at Bracker’s Good Earth Clays in Lawrence has been my main supplier since college.

LOCAL MAKER:

I have too many friends to mention here, but I will say that I love to boost my wardrobe at Shopgirls.

CAFFEINE FIX:

I am a black coffee girl, but I like to splurge at Hi Hat Coee on State Line Road and have a chai tea.

CREATIVE HUB:

My favorite place to create is the KC Clay Guild We are moving from Waldo to the old Salvation Army building on 39th Street soon, and we are having an open house on September 15.

LET LOOSE:

I can always catch a good band at The Brick

SMALL BUSINESS BAE:

I have to shout out A Store Named Stu in Brookside. Sloane and Casey Simmons do an incredible job and are a huge asset to the Kansas City community.

photo by bridget chang

Classic & Modern

Designer Katy Sullivan loves combining classic pieces with unique and unexpected elements to add personality to a home.

But above all, she enjoys the process of getting to know her clients, designing to their style, and creating a space that reflects their lives and personal aesthetic.

Come explore your style with Katy at Madden McFarland.

MICHAEL B. JORDAN PHOTOGRAPHED IN NEW YORK CITY

CHEVRON COLLECTION