SENSATIONAL RENOVATED KITCHENS ON THE RENOVATION SENSATION TOUR
CHIEFS EXPAND THE KINGDOM
BECOMING A GLOBAL SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT POWERHOUSE
REACH FOR THE CROWN
THE SUBMARINER DATE
Fall Home Design Event
Now Underway
Up to 50% OFF entire gallery including custom orders through Sept. 30
Only the finest American furniture makers earn a place in Seville Home’s inspiring Leawood gallery. During our FALL HOME DESIGN EVENT, stunning design and luxury is yours for up to 50% OFF.
Your local, family-owned Seville Home delivers a unique furniture shopping experience combining boutiquelevel service and expansive in-stock collections.
For over 25 years we’ve been relaxed in our approach, generous in savings, and lavish in personal attention. And we’re just getting started.
Fall Home Design Savings Include:
•50% OFF the elegance of Vanguard
•50% OFF the sophistication of Woodbridge
•40% OFF Bernhardt Interiors Boutique
•A rare 10% OFF American Leather Comfort Sleepers
Kimberly Karen Becky Carrie Meredith Kelly
Score some sumptuous, timeless Down bedding andluxe European linens...
Score some sumptuous, timeless Down bedding and luxe European linens...
Score some sumptuous, timeless Down bedding andluxe European linens...
After a day at the stadium, there’s nothing better than snuggling into bed and watching game highlights nestled in the heavenly comfort of your very own plush bedding!
After a day at the stadium, there’s nothing better than snuggling into bed and watching game highlights nestled in the heavenly comfort of your very own plush bedding!
After a day at the stadium, there’s nothing better than snuggling into bed and watching game highlights nestled in the heavenly comfort of your very own plush bedding!
Locally-owned, woman-owned and a Country Club Plaza icon for over 40 years
Locally-owned, woman-owned and a Country Club Plaza icon for over 40 years
501 Nichols Rd. at Pennsylvania | 816.753.4144 | www.terrasi.com
501 Nichols Rd. at Pennsylvania | 816.753.4144 | www.terrasi.com
Locally-owned, woman-owned and a Country Club Plaza icon for over 40 years
THE PATH TO ELEGANCE STARTS WITH US.
NUMEROUS MODELS | ENDLESS OPTIONS | ONE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
BLUHAWK'S FAMILY-FRIENDLY
HAYRIDES· FOOD TRUCKS· FOAM PARTY· INFLATABLE SLIDE• MAGIC SCOTT• MINI GOLF• AND MORE!
AIR�A
Autumn Awaits
Movies in the Square
SATURDAYS IN SEPT AND OCT (AT DUSK)
Movies on the big screen under the stars!
Sept 6 : Sing 2
Sept 20 : Edward Scissorhands
Sept 27 : Captain America: Civil War
Oct 4 : Wicked
Second Saturdays for Kids!
EVERY SECOND SATURDAY (10AM - NOON)
Free entertainment for mornings filled with play, laughter, and meaningful moments together.
Sept 20 : Build-Up Day
Oct 11 : A Very Wicked Bounce House Party
Wednesday Date Night
EVERY WEDNESDAY (6PM - 8PM)
Live music for a mid-week date night! Connect over a great line-up of pop/rock, country, and even reggae!
Guitars & Games
EVERY FRIDAY (6PM - 8PM)
Free live acoustic music and lawn games.
A Taste of Leawood
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (6PM - 9PM)
Tickets on sale now for a private evening of dining under the stars with food and drinks from over 30 area restaurants, VIP experiences, and a concert in the center of it all. Purchase tickets at ATasteOfLeawood.com
Visit ParkPlaceLeawood.com for more details.
Park Place is located on the northeast corner of Nall Avenue & 117th St., just north of AMC 20 Theatre.
INDEPENDENCE SKELETON CHRONO
How the Kansas City Chiefs grew from founder Lamar Hunt’s foolish dream to a global sports and entertainment powerhouse.
the cover Lara Krug, the president and COO of Foolish Club Studios, and Mark Donovan, Chiefs president and Foolish Club Studios CEO. Photo by Kenny Johnson
Credit Where Credit’s Due
When the internet was young, and I was just discovering interior design blogs and webpages, I kept seeing incisive comments on all my favorite sites by someone who had terrific design sense and the words to describe it. Eventually, she launched her own design blog, Mrs. Blandings. Imagine my delight to discover she was a fellow Kansas Citian. At the time, as the editor of Kansas City Spaces, I was searching for a freelance writer who could write knowledgeably and well about interior design. That was in 2008. I reached out, and Patricia O’Dell began writing a monthly column for Spaces, and when we launched IN Kansas City, she moved to this magazine as a regular contributor.
If you’ve enjoyed Patricia’s Living IN KC column as much as I have, you’ll be disappointed to read the addendum to her column on page 69. She’s stepping back from her monthly missive, and this magazine will be the poorer for it.
In our seven (!) years of publishing IN Kansas City, I’m gratified to say that almost all our monthly contributors have been with us since that very first issue.
Like Patricia, Merrily Jackson began writing for Spaces in 2006, long before IN Kansas City was my fever dream. Over the years, she’s developed a devoted audience of admirers (including me) who adore her wit and wisdom. Almost every time I’m out and about with Merrily, she’ll be fangirled by women (and some men) who love her Entertaining IN KC column and want to share their stories with her.
Judith Fertig wrote for Spaces from the very first issue, and before that, she was a regular contributor to Kansas City Home Design, the first magazine I edited. Her beat has been wide-ranging, including art, home design, garden, health, and more. Her Arts & Culture IN KC column is a must read for anyone interested in Kansas City’s wide-ranging, vibrant arts scene.
And for a totally different scene, Damian Lair’s Our Man IN KC column is a must read, too. This indefatigable man about town has been keeping tabs on Kansas City society since the launch of INKC. If that’s not enough, he’ll clue you onto any worthy nonprofit, cool under-the-radar nightclub, restaurant opening, premiere, and red-carpet event worthy of a mention. (And for a bit of fun, the Hot Gossip and Overheard sidebars will keep you guessing.)
You’ve seen photographer Aaron Leimkuehler’s byline in every issue of IN Kansas City and before that, in Spaces. We’ve collaborated on home and fashion feature shoots for so long that we almost communicate telepathically. And I’ll never forget the jewelry shoot that went a bit faster when he got a text from his wife that she was at the hospital in labor. We wrapped that up pretty quickly!
As a devoted reader of The Kansas City Star’s Sunday Star magazine, I always enjoyed (and was a little jealous of) Cindy Hoedel’s work. She was the only writer I approached about our penning monthly Q&A feature, and from our first issue, it’s been a delight to read her perceptive interviews with some of Kansas City’s more famous expats.
While Jenny Vergara has graced our masthead for only a few years, her articles—both the columns and the monthly feature—are required reading for anyone interested in KC’s culinary culture. These freelance contributors are the heart and soul of the magazine. If you enjoy each issue, they’re the reason why.
Oh, and Patricia recently relaunched Mrs. Blandings on Substack, so you can still find her there!
Zim
Vol. 8 | No. 9
SEPTEMBER 2025
Editor In Chief Zim Loy
Digital Editor Evan Pagano
Art Director Alice Govert Bryan
Contributing Writers
Judith Fertig, Merrily Jackson, Cindy Hoedel, Damian Lair, Patricia O’Dell, Katie Van Luchene, Jenny Vergara
Contributing Photographers
Bridget Chang, Kenny Johnson, Aaron Leimkuehler, Ella Ochs, Jared Soares
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
Advertising Questions: bcoale@inkansascity.com
Distribution Questions: mjolles@inkansascity.com
Magazine Subscriptions:
Mail: IN Kansas City Subscriptions PO Box 292374, Kettering, OH 45429 Phone: 888-881-5861
Email: SUBS@inkansascity.com
Subscribe Online: inkansascity.com/subscribe
Subscriptions are $19.95
ENTER TO WIN
Strike a pose. . .with the fam! We couldn’t be more excited about our giveaway this month. We’re teaming with Brittyn Elizabeth Studios to give one lucky IN Kansas City family a custom 30-minute photo session. Just enter to win by Sept. 30 at inkansascity.com/the-magazine/enter-to-win. Best of luck!
Earlier this summer, the Rooftop Cinema Club—a hit in cities from San Diego to London— found a rooftop in the Crossroads. You’ll nd Adirondack chairs and love seats for viewing, wireless headphones for listening, and a bar and lounge for gulps and games. It’s all four stories high in the open air. We caught a ick and reported back on inkansascity.com.
The great burger battle. Our team is passionate about nding the best of this lunch classic, so we asked them a simple question: “What’s your favorite burger in town?” at’s all it took to get them going. e answers were widespread. Find our sta picks on inkansascity.com.
A look at the Chiefs’ chances. e last time we saw the Chiefs, they fell o a razor’s edge. ey’d kept their balance for 15 tense regular season wins and an AFC Championship, then slipped spectacularly in Super Bowl LIX. Will the coming season be as heart-pounding—or as successful? We previewed it on inkansascity.com.
This Month IN KC
September
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE
by Evan Pagano
SEPTEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Festivals, festivals, festivals! Various dates and locations
Fall means more festivals! September is a big month for visual art. It kicks o on Sept. 5–7 with Art Westport, which will feature around 150 artists across a dozen disciplines. e Plaza Art Fair returns for its 94th year on Sept. 19–21—and it’s bringing over 240 artists, 20 restaurant booths, and three concert stages with it. On Saturday of that same weekend, you’ll nd a more low-key a air with Art in the Park in the West Plaza.
Meanwhile, the free Kansas City Underground Film Festival will take over Charlotte Street’s Stern eater from Sept. 12 to 20. e festival turns six this year, and it’s showing 89 new lms—made everywhere from Kansas City to Poland—to celebrate. en there’s the BoysGrow Farm Fest , an all-around good time in Longview on Sept. 21 ere’ll be food from BoysGrow culinary team and local food trucks, plus a whole bushel of farm fun. Activities include archery, shing, and a mechanical bull. Proceeds bene t BoysGrow’s e orts promoting entrepreneurship in urban male youth.
Terra Luna
September 11–13, 18–20
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens opterraluna.org
Walk through a dream.
In their seventh year partnering with the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, the creative minds at Quixotic are bringing new elements to Terra Luna—where, under moonlight, guests of all ages follow a surreal stream of light, movement, and sound through the pathways of the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. A preview: LA-based harpist Tal Vaknine will join the roster of musicians; a new wooden sculpture by Tyler Schrader, Cosmic Portal, will join the installations; and avantgarde costumes by Celia Ledón will adorn the performers.
After debuting to great fanfare last year, there will be two adults-only nights in 2025: Sept. 11 and 18.
Night at the Tower
September 27
National WWI Museum and Memorial theworldwar.org/night-tower
Support a Kansas City gem. Mix, mingle, and support the National WWI Museum and Memorial at its glamorous fall gala, a spectacular night of food, fun, and entertainment. A $200 general admission ticket gets you free valet parking, tower-top views, nighttime access to the nation’s o cial World War I museum, and live music on the courtyard. Sponsoring the event unlocks several additional perks, including an exclusive cocktail hour, early access to the party, and reserved seating at the after party.
For Kansas City’s most comprehensive calendar of events, go to inkansascity.com/events
by Merrily Jackson mjackson@inkansascity.com
Entertaining Solo: Don’t Wait. Host.
When you find yourself suddenly single—through widowhood, divorce, or some other seismic life shift— there’s a new quiet that sets in. Not just in your home, but in your calendar. Invitations may dwindle. Friends are kind, but they have their own lives. (The nerve!) It’s easy to fall into a rhythm of waiting for the call, the text, the invite to come from someone else. In my experience, nothing jumpstarts a social life faster than gathering people yourself.
After I became a widow, it was the company of my friends around my table, or sometimes just on my sofa or deck with a bottle of wine, that helped pull me through. While I’m an extrovert, I know this isn’t easy for everyone. But you introverts get lonely, too. Just because you enjoy solitude doesn’t mean you don’t crave conversation and laughter. Here are a few thoughts to help the newly single get started.
You really gotta do this. Entertaining makes you feel civilized. It forces you off the sofa and out of your “athleisure.” It propels you—adrenaline
is a wonderful thing!—to tidy up. It reminds you that life is still meant to be shared. A simple evening with friends can bring fresh energy and make your world feel bigger again.
Start small. Entertaining doesn’t have to mean a seated dinner party. Start with something that feels doable. A few friends over for drinks and storebought snacks (marcona almonds, olives, a little cheese). A weekend brunch with mimosas and a breakfast casserole. (See recipe on page 22). A build-your-own taco or pizza night with guests bringing toppings. Choose something low-pressure that lets you focus on being with your friends.
Try drinks first, dinner out. If hosting a whole meal feels too overwhelming, consider a hybrid. Invite a few friends over for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, then head to a restaurant where you’ve reserved a table for the group. It’s more intimate than meeting everyone there, and you still get to play host without all the work. You need not feel obligated to pick up the whole dinner check. Your friends will be happy to pay their share.
Don’t rely on the same two people. It’s tempting, especially when you’re hurting or newly untethered, to stick with the one or two friends who always say yes. Keep them close, for sure, but don’t stop there. Reach out to someone with whom you’ve fallen out of touch. Invite the couples you and your boo used to run with. Or the co-worker you always wanted to know better. Be deliberate about expanding your circle. Variety is social oxygen.
Host like you live alone (because you do). One of the quiet joys of solo living is getting to do things your way. After my darling husband passed, I had my dining room painted black. Jimmy had traditional tastes and would never have countenanced even the thought of a black dining room. But he would love it; it looks fabulous. Anyway, change what you want. Invite who you want. Serve what you want. Put on the music you want. This is your house, your evening, your show. Don’t apologize for it. Own it.
Cocktail party on the buddy system. Consider teaming up with a fellow single friend to host a cocktail party. You can each invite your own circles, then share the costs for food, drinks, a bartender. Not only does this make the planning easier and the bill lighter, it also creates a lively mix of guests who might never have met otherwise. A social win for everyone.
Don’t procrastinate. Initiate. Single life can be a season for building the kind of social circle you’ve always wanted. A few spontaneous invitations can grow into traditions, and traditions can bloom into a community. It all starts with a simple “you want to come over?”
Entertaining IN KC
CONFIDENCE BUILDERS
ONE-POT WONDER
Serve up comfort without overthinking it. The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 4.5-Quart Dutch Oven is ideal for soups, stews, or risotto, yielding plenty for guests, with leftovers you’ll be glad to have. Available at Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities for $320.
WELCOME BONUS
Set the tone before they even ring the bell. The Marcee “You Look Good” doormat is exactly the kind of thing a confident solo host puts at their door. Find it on wayfair.com
LIGHT JAM
Meet the ION Luma Duo, your new party sidekicks that bring big sound and mood lighting wherever you roam. Waterproof, wireless, and ready to turn your little fête into a raging dance party. At Costco for $100.
PORCH LIGHT
The Diebolt’s Front Porch Scented Candle combines a light, floral fragrance with a handsome wicker holder. Station it by the front door for an inviting first impression. Later, repurpose the holder for pens or makeup brushes.
SNIFF CHECK
Worried your dog’s “signature scent” might steal the spotlight? Carpet & Room Deodorizer from Mixture Pet kicks that odor to the curb, so your house smells like
COZY ARMOR
Keep it cozy with the Pezzo Throw Blanket, $95, in a range Terrasi Living . Drape it over a chair for a pop of color, then wrap yourself in it when the last guest leaves and you’re basking in the afterglow.
Entertaining IN KC
MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
THIS SAVORY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE IS PERFECT FOR A CASUAL WEEKEND BRUNCH. MAKE IT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND ENJOY YOUR MORNING COMPANY.
1 pound croissants (about 5 to 7), split in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more for baking dish
2 bunch scallions (6 to 7), white and light green parts thinly sliced, greens reserved
3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage
8 large eggs
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces Gruyère, grated (2 cups)
1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Heat oven to 500 degrees. Spread croissants on a large baking sheet and toast, cut side up, until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes (watch carefully to see that they do not burn). Let cool, then tear into large bite-size pieces.
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil.
Add sliced scallions and sausage meat; cook, breaking up meat with a fork, until mixture is well browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in sage and remove from heat.
In a large bowl, toss together croissants and sausage mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, salt and pepper.
Lightly oil a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish. Turn croissant mixture into pan, spreading it out evenly over the bottom. Pour custard into pan, pressing croissants down gently to help absorb the liquid. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
When you’re ready to bake the casserole, heat oven to 350 degrees. Scatter the remaining grated cheese over the top of the casserole. Transfer to oven and bake until casserole is golden brown and firm to the touch, about 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Garnish with sliced scallion tops before serving.
Entertaining IN KC
Q: I’m hosting a party at home. Do I need to dress up, and what’s the right balance between comfort and looking like the hostess?
A: When you’re not leaving the house, the rules change. You can wear those heels you can barely walk a block in; just kick them off when they start to pinch. The only real requirement is that you feel comfortable enough to move, serve, and enjoy yourself. That said, a hostess outfit should feel considered. Even if it’s a very casual gathering, you have license to wear something that makes you the star of your own party. Think about the way a great dress, soft sweater, or pair of statement earrings can make you feel “on” without sacrificing comfort. Picture Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s greeting guests in a chic shift dress, or Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give in her crisp white turtleneck. Effortless, but instantly hostessy. Whether it’s a caftan and slippers or jeans and a sparkly top, wear something that makes you feel great.
TRUNK SHOW September 19-20
TRUNK SHOW September 19-20
Meet Kosta, the designer behind Konstantino, during his in-store appearance on Saturday
Meet Kosta, the designer behind Konstantino, during his in-store appearance on Saturday
AFALL EVENTSERIES BOOHAWK
OCTOBER 1 - 31 STST
5th annual community event, osentino’s parking lot, features a live band, rucks, inflatables, mini golf, and other performances. lus, enjoy a hayride that stops by the Sports
Jayhawk Hockey
17
18
Puck-Drop: 8:00 PM
Kansas vs. McKendree
Jayhawk Hockey
Puck-Drop: 4:15PM
Kansas vs. McKendree
Get ready for Boohawk, a month-long Halloween celebration with spooktacular activities for everyone. Hawk's Outpost is transforming for the season, featuring haunted laser tag, a skeleton scavenger hunt, and so much more.
GetreadyforBoohawk,amonth-longHalloweencelebration withspooktacularactivitiesforeveryone.Hawk'sOutpostis transformingfortheseason,featuringhauntedlasertag,a skeletonscavengerhunt,andsomuchmore.
Hawktober Fest
04
17
Festival: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Halloween Festival
Festivities Begin at 10:00 AM
Join us for the Boohawk Halloween Festival, a family-friendly extravaganza packed with festive fun and spooky activities for everyone.
FREE
Halloween Movie
oin us for our family-friendly halloween
n our indoor turf, complete with festive
Bluhawk’s 5th annual community event, in the Cosentino’s parking lot, features a live band, food trucks, inflatables, mini golf, and other performances. Plus, enjoy a hayride that stops by the Sports Park for more fun!
Movie Showing: 7:00 PM
Join us for our family-friendly halloween movie night on our indoor turf, complete with festive food and drinks.
OVERLAND PARK, KS
Candy Crawl
Free Open Gym
Haunted Laser Tag
Spooky Ice Skating
Kansas vs. Nebraska Hockey
College Football Showings
Festive Food & Beverages
Hawk’s Outpost Twilight Specials
THE DEFINITIVE
BLUEPRINT
OF EXCELLENCE IN KANSAS CITY REAL ES TAT E
Underdog Mentality
Krishon prepares like the underdog, no matter how much success he achieves. He studies relentlessly—researching homes before showings, refining his systems, and always bringing his A-game. “Don’t get away from the things that made you successful in the beginning.”
Ahead of the Curve
With experience navigating market shifts in every direction, Krishon has consistently adapted his strategy to serve clients no matter the circumstances. ReeceNichols’ thorough training and proactive leadership have kept him ahead of recent industry changes: “I feel like we’re the most prepared of all brokerages.”
Helping Dreams Find a Home
Krishon’s passion lies in helping people achieve their dreams—whether it’s buying a first home, investing, or starting a new chapter. “I just love helping people get whatever they want out of life.”
Efficiency Meets Exposure
Leveraging technology is at the heart of his business. Equipped with thousands of design templates, he maximizes listing exposure on social media with personalized, branded content that attracts buyers and drives faster results.
Follow the Leaders
ReeceNichols’ collaborative environment empowers agents with open knowledge-sharing, hands-on leadership, and accessible top executives. He thrives in his office culture: ‘They make sure we’re the best of the best.
Krishon Harris Real Estate Agent
Damian Lair dlair@inkansascity.com
The Patrick Plunge
It is c laimed that the chilliest place on Earth is inside Patrick Mahomes’s head. Having now (figuratively) been there and back, I’d be hard pressed to disagree.
“Cold plunge in the shape of my head? That’s next-level chill,” said Mahomes about the announced experience.
Eager (as always) to try something new, crazy, or both, imagine my excitement when I was among a handful of lucky people selected to take The Patrick Plunge at KC Live! in the Power & Light District. On a toasty summer Saturday, I giddily tossed on a pair of swim trunks and walked over to P&L. After a quick rinse, I plunked myself into an ice bath contained within the likeness of Patrick’s famous head. For 60 seconds, I was gratefully distracted by staff capturing an endless stream of photos and video (OK, fine—I’ll pose!). And then I was finished. Dare I say the icy experience was almost refreshing in the heat?
Once a routine practiced primarily by elite athletes, cold plunges have gone mainstream in recent years. My friend Suzanne McMeel has one in her backyard and is an enthusiastic fan. But, alas, it was Patrick who got me to take my first plunge. If this is how a three-time Super Bowl champ keeps his body in peak working order (and his mind chilled), then sign me up for a regular set.
The activation was in partnership with Coors Light, which is “made to chill.” Proceeds generated via the sponsorship benefitted the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. The foundation works to uplift communities through programs centered around health and wellness (including the MLK, Jr. Square Park opening I chronicled four years ago, with my awe-stricken nephews in tow).
What party girl passed out twice, but kept dancing till the end? HOT GOSSIP:
LOUNGING WITH LAILA
AFTER A VARIETY of fits and starts, I was elated to finally visit Laila Lounge, for a preview evening ahead of its public opening.
Patrick knows that giving back is always cool.
Next up. . .1587 Prime? I’m available for a first taste. Call me. Will be chill.
OVERHEARD
“I just want to serve these tater tots in peace.”
Twelve years ago (and what feels like yesterday), I was eyeballs deep in soot, working with an intrepid, ragtag group of volunteers to transform a neighboring vacant warehouse into the unlikely “venue” for Bloom Speaks Easy, a fundraising event (RIP) for the KC Care Clinic. At that time, the West Bottoms looked quite different. Vastly better known then for haunted houses and flea markets, the Bottoms is still in the early pages of its transformation story. In some ways, the development and progress mirror downtown’s adjacent glow-up, with its decade or so head start. Change is palpably afoot. Vacant and underutilized buildings are gradually making way for something bolder.
Enter Laila.
Laila Lounge is a nightclub with a different point of view. Its counterintuitive location should have provided the first clue. Past the velvet ropes and valet attendants, you’ll find a space where seemingly few constraints were applied to a budget while heavy attention was given to design. I’d describe the aesthetic as international opulence. Instead of a disco ball, a lit Moorish brass orb gently spins over the dance floor as if it whirled here from the souks of Marrakech. Walls are adorned by intricate mosaics and dreamy murals.
Laila aims to be an immersive, global experience with special attention paid toward entertainment. What I would not hope to find is a DJ
photo by lee page
Damian Lair taking the Coors Light Patrick Plunge at KC Live!.
Our Man IN KC
churning out the latest electronic dance music that is pervasive across other nightclubs. (Not knocking it—that’s my happy go-to.) Though I expect the entertainment schedule will be iterative and reflect guest feedback. As of now, Thursdays are focused on live jazz (quartets Matt Otto, Pete Fucinarro, Kelley Gant, and Henry Scamurra are all on the immediate schedule). Fridays and Saturdays lean toward immersive live performances. (Those presently scheduled include Created by Chaos, La Banda Pedipano, Ensemble Iberica, Viva: Latin, and Dub Arabia.) The idea is that every night will be an entirely new experience, both at Laila and versus what you could find anywhere else in the city. While not compulsory, there is a subtle emphasis on reserved tables and bottle service. These prime spots luxuriously cradle the dance floor and stage. If wanting to celebrate something special (even if that’s just the weekend), these tables would be a plush plot for partying. Otherwise, there’s a large and beautiful bar ready to slide you a drink.
The cocktail menu is ambitious, with exotic offerings and ingredients. Notably (and on trend), all can be ordered “zero proof.” I couldn’t resist ordering the signature drink, The Eternal Love, which is crafted with vodka, hibiscus tea, elderflower, grapefruit, rosé, prosecco, and gold flakes, served in a fairy-tale-like martini glass. Scanning the menu, I spied other interesting ingredients, such as Fuji apples, fig liquor, chili, beet, habanero, guava, sandalwood, and green tea flavors. While I award major points for menu originality, on my visit, the bar staff appeared to struggle under the weight of this impressive and complex offering. I expect that by next time, they’ll have found their mixological bearings. Also in the future, there is to be a tight food offering. I’m told caviar will play a central role, which feels not only obvious but perfect.
Our VIP experience was heavy on live entertainment. Jesaiah, a Grammy-nominated artist, performed and debuted Disco-Ton, a hypnotic fusion of reggaetón, deep house, and Latin rhythms. She was accompanied throughout the evening by the ever-lovely Olivia Sabates as well as a flotilla of dancers and a saxophonist to boot. Collectively, they kept guests enthralled all night.
Laila is an amalgamation of dance, music, and culture. Its rotating calendar of live acts, dancers, DJs, and surprise performances put a spotlight on local performing artists in a way that other nightclubs don’t. And that’s what I’m most excited about. Something different. Something fresh. Something otherworldly. Kansas City is ready.
MEET ME ON THE RIVER
FRESHLY RETURNED from a weekend in Chicago, where city dwellers place particular emphasis on savoring outdoor time during the magical 100 days of summer, I was on a lingering alfresco kick. I was, therefore, very excited to attend a summer party at Two Birds One Stone—Kansas City’s only restaurant and bar on the river. I arrived straight from work and settled in with friends on the outdoor terrace. The uninterrupted river views struck me as oddly remarkable. Even though I live so close, I have virtually no interaction with this ever-present natural landmark. That seemed strange, until I realized the city has no venues for casually experiencing this underappreciated wa-
terway. While you can dine and drink outside at any number of restaurants and bars, being right on the river (separated by nothing more than the pedestrian trail) is unique and feels commensurately special.
For this hooray-to-summer party, there were samples from local breweries, including Cinder Block Brewery and Stockyards Brewing Co. Aperol had a special floral photo op, perfect for toasts with spritzes. There were yard games—life-sized versions of Jenga and Connect Four, plus bags and ski ball. If you weren’t feeling the games, the constant stream of riverside runners provided an endless supply of people-watching opportunities. Amidst all this activity, DJ Dave Kaleba was spinning hit tracks.
Food is no afterthought at Two Birds. I took charge and ordered a sampling of the dinner menu. Pub nachos, onion rings, Bavarian pretzels, chicken tenders, burgers, brisket sandwiches—it was summertime served on a parade of shiny metal sheet pans. Also hot—the energy. The place was positively packed, and it felt electric.
I should note that this pet-friendly establishment may be just the refuge sought by those mourning the recent closure of nearby Bar K. From what I witnessed, the furry companions seemed right at home.
OVERHEARD
“Only lame people have charged phones.”
Funnily enough, with all the emphasis on summer, the conspicuous (but resting) firepits teased me with visions of autumn. Images of riverside cocktails (or brews, with this being the area’s largest brewery) while outfitted in boots and a puffer vest provided a not-too-distant tease. The tapestry of fall colors must be incredible from this vantage. And speaking of autumn, Two Birds will be live streaming all the Chiefs and KC Current games. I can’t think of a more fun atmosphere for enjoying both. Finally, later this month, Two Birds One Stone will open Moonstone, an upscale cocktail bar and small plates eatery on the second
Two Birds One Stone
floor, with even better views.
Sounds chic. I’m in. Hope to see you there!
AYE AYE CAPITÁN
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, I aim to leave proper restaurant reviews (despite these visits being highly social in nature) to my capable colleague Jenny Vergara. I know you will find her keen observations on Sea Capitán Cocina Costera in these pages soon. Food aside—which is arguably key to a successful restaurant—I find it impossible not to recount here how, on a ho-hum Wednesday night during its opening week, the Cap was a coastal piazza of social activity. I don’t know that I’ve ever visited a restaurant and run into more familiar faces.
I dropped in with a friend on a whim. We did not have a reservation (highly recommended, though they have plentiful bar and lounge seating), but we were offered a table outside. Slightly miffed at the idea of being separated from the hotbed of activity inside, I accepted a patio table alongside the front doors. It happened to be a gorgeous midsummer evening, and a frozen margarita did wonders to calm my blunted ego and frayed nerves. In no time at all, I slipped into the role of informal greeter to every familiar face coming and going. I was holding court at the most prime spot in town and could not have been happier.
Congratulations to Todd Schulte and Cory Dannehl on this DL-verified hot spot. If you haven’t yet been, book your table now. I may be greeting you at the front door.
SPOTTED: Carolyn Arnold, George Terbovich, Tom Suther & Kevin Bryant, Lee Page, Darcy Stewart, Christy Gautreaux, Courtney Bash, Heather Bath, Mark Allen Alford, Jr., Brian Courtney, David Ruisch, Ron White, Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Brad Baker, Adrienne & Drew Joyner, Belinda Manos, Merrily Jackson, Patricia O’Dell, Tony Glamcevski
A NEW PRIZE
A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK, I wrote about visiting Prize Home + Garden, then located in the West Bottoms. Ever on the
HOT GOSSIP:
Who was trying to slide in some shady changes after the contracts were already signed?
move, owner Steve Rogers just relocated to a much more convenient ground-level space in the Crossroads. On a Saturday morning, I met up with a friend there for what was effectively re-opening day. Steve was also hosting a coveted tag sale where all tagged items were available at or below cost. With coffees in hand, there was a steady stream of style seekers anxious to be among the first to secure treasures.
For those unfamiliar, Prize is a menagerie of foreign-found furnishings for the home. Steve travels to Europe, particularly France, multiple times each year, filling cargo containers with articles that reflect his discerning and cohesive point of view. The space is brimming with a sophisticated mix of neutral textiles, worn wood, refined leathers, and honed marble. It’s a stylish European furnishings buffet of French contemporary, Dutch brutalist, and Danish modern mixed with antique finds from Belgium, Spain, and Italy. In addition to furniture, you’ll find a cavernous collection of rugs, artwork, wooden and marble bowls, clay pottery, trays, baskets, sculptural pieces, mirrors, and lamps.
Steve splits his time between Prize outposts in both KC and Round Top, Texas, so the hours and dates of operation are perpetually in flux. While visiting, Steve told me he plans to be open more frequently on weekends and remains available by appointment. For the casual visitor, it’s best to keep an eye on Prize’s Instagram account for the most up-to-date information on when these chic doors are open. And I promise, what I consider to be one of the top retail destinations in the city, will absolutely be worth your wait. @prizekc
So, KC—where do you want to go? XO
Arts & Culture
John Ochs
NARTIST ANSWERS FOUR QUESTIONS
BY Judith Fertig
ot long after receiving his BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1992, artist John Ochs had his rst solo exhibition at the former Gallery V in Kansas City. He’s been a xture on the Kansas City art scene ever since. His work is in both private and public collections, including the o ces of Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Polsinelli Law Firm; H & R Bloch; Blue Cross and Blue Shield; and American Century Investments.
“My work is driven by the pure joy of painting,” says Ochs. “Using pigmented shellac on paper and panel, I embrace the predictable and somewhat unpredictable qualities of my medium to evolve organically, creating compositions that balance tension and harmony. I like to compare my process to an intuitive game of chess. Each move building on the last until ultimately there is a truce between myself and the piece. In the end, I let the painting tell me when it’s complete.”
Ochs paints in his Louisburg, Kansas, studio—which is fashioned from a former grain bin—creating colorful, expressive works that speak to many collectors. johnochs.com
INKC: What is it about shellac that makes it your go-to medium? What can you do with shellac that you can’t with paint?
John Ochs: As an artist, I’m drawn to shellac because it’s alive in a way
PHOTO BY Ella Ochs
that paint sometimes isn’t. Shellac has a visceral quality—its uidity, the way it moves, settles, and how it reacts to prior layers creates a partner in the conversation that’s not completely imposed by me. Paint can layer, sure, but it doesn’t have that same translucent, resinous quality that shellac brings, where you can see through to what’s underneath. Shellac’s quick-drying nature allows me to work fast, responding to the moment, pushing me to let go and trust the process. After working with shellac for over 25 years and understanding how to control it, it still invites chance, and I thrive on that uncertainty.
INKC: If “automatism,” or creating art without conscious thought, is the way of many abstract expressionists, how does that play out in your Louisburg studio? You have pigmented shellac and a sheet of paper. And then what? Do you have a feeling, an idea, a color combination, a “what” that starts you off? Do you pour, drip, brush?
JO: For several decades I had a studio in the West Bottoms. In 2023 I was given the opportunity to create a studio on my friend’s property. I chose to renovate a large grain bin. It’s an incredibly relaxing space giving me solitude and the ability to enjoy nature. e colors from sunrises, sunsets, storms, and crops are inspiring. I start o each piece by applying simple meandering paths. I don’t pour, I use foam brushes to either apply the shellac directly, or I use the brushes as drawing utensils above the paper or panel, letting the shellac ow out. As far as automatism, I don’t create and paint based totally on it. Conscious thought has always directed my work. I compare my process to putting together a puzzle or a chess game, where each color or shape forces me to react and make a counter move. Some chess games nish quite quickly, while others have lasted for years.
INKC: Your art has been called “exploratory.” What themes are you exploring?
JO: Exploratory is a good word for it—it’s like I’m mapping uncharted territory every time I step into the studio. I’m not chasing speci c themes in a literal sense, but there are currents that keep surfacing. It’s about the tension between control and chaos, the way a feeling can take shape without being named. It’s not about painting a place, but evoking the sense of one.
INKC: How has the Kansas City area been nurturing to you and your work?
JO: My wife and I moved to KC from Minneapolis in 1993. I got my work introduced to the KC art scene in 1995 by Jerry Vegder at Gallery V (1995-2000), Jan Weiner Gallery (2000-2012), and my current amazing dealer Kelly Kuhn at Blue Gallery (2014-present). I can’t say enough about the KC art scene and how I was welcomed in 30 years ago, whether it be the artists, art critics, and my local gallery dealers I’ve been given the honor and privilege to interact with. It has been a great community to be part of!
Arts & Culture IN KC
by Judith Fertig
THE COLOR PURPLE AT KCREP
FROM NOW until September 21, you can immerse yourself in the world that Alice Walker first created in her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple
Playing the lead role in this production is Kansas City, Kansas, native Angela Wildflower, who has also played Celie’s opposite and mentor Shug in other productions. Stuart Carden, artistic director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, says, “We are beyond thrilled to welcome the incomparable Angela Wildflower back to KCRep for The Color Purple, taking on one of the most legendary roles in American musical theater.”
Wildflower shared, “I love that the KCRep cast is home grown—a mix of beautiful artists who either grew up in this soil or are here now currently watering it. I love coming home to work, and now I’m getting to star in one of my favorite musicals of all time, for my favorite people of all time. It’s a dream come true.”
For more information and tickets, visit kcrep.org.
Angela Wildflower
SUTTON IN CONCERT
SUTTON FOSTER, the two-time Tony Award-winning actress, comes to Kansas City on September 11 for an evening performance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. She sings. She dances. She acts. She teaches. She writes. She charms. She. . . well, she seems to be able to do just about anything, including romancing a likewise multi-talented Hugh Jackman.
But I digress.
Most recently, Foster took an acclaimed turn as Princess Winnifred in the Broadway revival of Once Upon a Mattress Foster also starred as Mrs. Lovett in the Tony-winning revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and played Marian Paroo in The Music Man on Broadway, earning her seventh Tony nomination. Foster starred in TV Land’s Younger about a 40-something divorced mom who poses as—you guessed it— someone younger to jumpstart a writing career. Foster has written a memoir, Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life. She can do it all.
So, buy your tickets, sit back, and enjoy this indefatigable renaissance woman’s performance.
For more information and tickets, visit kauffmancenter.org
Arts & Culture IN KC
by Judith Fertig
BACH ARIA SOLOISTS AT THE PARK
BRING YOUR OWN seating and a beverage to stay hydrated as you say farewell to summer and usher in a new season of delightful, genre-bending music. Bach Aria Soloists will perform in a free season-opener concert at the Loose Park Rose Garden on September 13 at 1 p.m.
The Bach Aria Soloists ensemble includes Elizabeth Suh Lane (violin, and artistic director-founder), Sarah Tannehill Anderson (soprano), and Elisa Williams Bickers (keyboard: harpsichord, organ, and piano). Their fabulous and fun repertoire includes anything that touches the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, from baroque to contemporary chamber music, Broadway show tunes, arias, movie music, and jazz.
For this concert, they will perform Bach sinfonias, the Handel aria Ch’io mai vi possa, a few movements from a Couperin concerto, film music by Morricone, and the Leclair sonata for violin and keyboard. They will also add a little bit of Broadway with Rodgers and Hart’s My Romance and Come to My Garden
Although the concert is free, you will still need a ticket. Register at bachariasoloists.com
THE SALON FOR POSSIBLE FUTURES
AT FIRST GLANCE, this interactive installation looks like a Goodnight, Moon space for grownups. It could be a living room, maybe a library, gallery, cabinet of curiosities, common room, or think tank.
Now through December 21 at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on the Johnson County Community College campus, Amy Kligman invites you into this room, where all kinds of secrets and activities await.
Kligman, executive artistic director of Charlotte Street Foundation from 2014 through 2024 and an artist specializing in acrylic painting, invites you to immerse yourself in the space and see what pops into your mind. Themes and prompts are embedded everywhere in the room, from the custom wallpaper and upholstered furniture to the thematically curated curiosity cabinets densely packed with art objects, books, and ephemera, with the help of a host of local artists who contributed to this installation.
As a viewer, you are invited to open drawers, read, write, draw, sit, spend time with yourself and your thoughts, or spend time with others who might be sharing the space with you. This salon is meant to be used, not just observed.
For more information, visit nermanmuseum.org
7 Le Mans Court Corinth Downs
3509 W 150 Street th Hills of Leawood
THE BEST TIME TO CREATE YOUR CUSTOM KITCHEN?
By Judith Fertig Photos by Randy Van
Ifyou start right now, you could transform the kitchen you have into the kitchen you dream of—by this upcoming holiday season, and for years to come.
“Prices are not going to go down,” says kitchen and bath designer Karin Ross of Karin Ross Designs. ““It’s a perfect time to remodel,” says Ross. “You can save time and money and your sanity when you hire a kitchen designer who knows what you want and can make it happen for you.”
While we are living in a time of uncertainty, there are also sure things that are always worthwhile. One of those is a kitchen that works for you, not against you—an everyday luxury.
“Today, your kitchen is the primary living space. Make everything custom, very high quality, for the way you like to live,” Ross suggests. “Choose elegance. Big islands. All of that never goes out of style.
A KITCHEN WITH SOUL
“The kitchen is the heart of the home and of the family,” says Ross. “It is a way of living. It’s the comforting feeling that everything is under control. And that feeling flows through every gathering. Your kitchen should make you smile.”
If you work with a designer who integrates your desires, style, and way of working within the space you have, you can go one step further. You can co-create a timeless kitchen design, a kitchen with soul. A room in your home that celebrates family traditions, your personal history, what and who you value most in life.
“Anybody can say that they remodel,” says Ross. “We know what we are doing. First, we ask lots of questions about what you want and how you and your family would like to use your space,” says Ross. “We look at the wish list from all angles. I do over 100 hours of research for a medium-size kitchen,” says Ross. “That comes with a price tag. Like an investment advisor, I can suggest where it is more important to spend money and where you could cut back.”
For a timeless, soulful kitchen that exudes quiet luxury, Ross prefers to use quality materials such as marble, custom wood cabinetry, and hardware that will stand up to daily use and look even better over time. “There is also the richness of the feel. Quality materials are an investment that will pay dividends over time,” she says.
EVERYTHING FITS. EVERYTHING WORKS. EVERYTHING FLOWS.
Once your custom kitchen design is mapped out, then it’s on to fabrication and installation. “It’s plan, plan, plan,” says Ross. “The remodeling schedule has to flow. You must be quick on your feet because problems will occur. The truth is nothing is easy.”
Before installation in a client’s kitchen, Ross tests out all the appliances, technology, and lighting herself, so she knows firsthand they will all work. She makes sure all the materials are ready, so supply issues are minimized.
Karin Ross Designs employs a dedicated construction team, headed by Ross’ husband, to make sure the remodeling process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. “A kitchen specialist can dig deeper and tackle issues more quickly, whether it’s construction or supply. Projects move along faster when you have a dedicated team,” she says.
Fall in love all over again in Liberty, MO.
You know what they say: couples who explore together, stay together. Whether you're savoring smooth bourbon at Blush Farms Cork+ Board, indulging your artistic side at Creative Culture DIV, or escaping to the rolling hills of Belvoir Winery & Inn, you're sure to fall in love all over again in Liberty, MO.
PRESENTED BY
AUTUMN ADVENTURES AWAIT AT KANSAS CITY ATTRACTIONS
Dive into the excitement and discover all the latest offerings waiting to be explored this fall.
HAUNTED HOUSES FROM FULL MOON HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS
When it comes to ranking the scariest attractions, Travel Channel and its adviser, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, named Kansas City’s epic haunted houses in the West Bottoms among the 10 scariest haunted attractions in the U.S.
The Edge of Hell is the oldest running commercial haunted house in the U.S, establised in 1975, focused on phobias, home to the record-breaking reticulated python and four-story slide. Visitors go through the depths of hell in this multi-storied haunted house. The Beast, located on 13th Street, includes lots of scares like the Thriller Dancers, Headless Horseman, and The Beast. This immersive nightmare leaves visitors losing their way through voodoo, werewolves, phantoms, and monsters. Macabre Cinema is staged as a 1930s haunted movie theater with a collection of actual horror-movie sets. Clowns, zombies, and ghouls will taunt and shadow you through movie sets from The Mummy, Hellraiser, and more. fullmoonprod.com
ATLAS9 (Coming soon!)
Atlas9 is an immersive narrative experience inside a transformed 90s movie theater, where scenes from “forgotten films” have come to life. Spanning 45,000 square feet, the venue invites guests to dive into interactive installations, uncover hidden storylines, and engage with performers as a mysterious tale unfolds. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks from a concessions stand, pizza parlor, or hidden speakeasy, then step into a 240-seat auditorium for live shows or a 1930s jazz club for music and performances. A classic arcade, secret story points, and a clandestine government agency add layers of discovery, while three distinct narrative arcs ensure no two visits are alike. Tech wearables enhance interactions, and staff helps guide each adventure. From concerts and weddings to corporate retreats, Atlas9 offers more than a story—it’s a playground of performance and exploration, located next to the Legends area in Kansas City, KS. atlas9.com
PLAZA ART FAIR AT THE COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA
One of the longest-running and most beloved art festivals in the country, the Plaza Art Fair is in its 94th year. Featuring 240 artists, it’s a top-ranked, national art event with three live-music stages and over 20 featured restaurant booths. It continues to be a weekend of people simply celebrating art and Kansas City’s unofficial welcome to the fall season, Sep. 19 – 21. plazaartfair.com
GARMIN KANSAS CITY MARATHON
Each year, thousands of runners from around the country gather in the City of Fountains to participate in one of the Midwest’s favorite marathons and finish-line festivals. Don’t miss the chance to participate in Kansas City’s largest and most exciting annual race event that takes runners on a tour through the coolest neighborhoods and past the most beautiful landmarks—including the World War I Museum & Memorial, the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Waldo, Westport, 18th & Vine and more. And with a full marathon, half marathon, 10k, and 5k options, there’s a race distance for everyone, Oct. 18. sportkc.org
COLONIAL GARDENS FALL FESTIVALS AND PUMPKIN PATCH
Colonial Gardens in Blue Springs, MO, is hosting two festive fall celebrations that promise fun for all ages. The Fall Apple Festival takes place on Saturday, September 6 and again on Sunday, Sept. 14, offering orchard-themed activities, apple-centered delights, and family-friendly charm. Then, starting Sunday, Sept. 21 and running through Sunday, Oct. 26, the Fall Farm Festival & Pumpkin Patch invites guests to a classic autumn adventure—pick your own pumpkin, visit the farm animals, navigate a cornstalk maze, and enjoy rides in a military vehicle. Both events take advantage of Colonial Gardens’ rustic, scenic setting and are ideal for families looking to savor the season. Whether you’re filling up on apple treats or searching for the perfect pumpkin, these fall festivals pack plenty of harvest-time fun and memories for everyone. colonialgardenskc.com
FALL FEST AT ZONA ROSA
Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of autumn at Zona Rosa’s 4th Annual Fall Fest, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Guests of all ages can enjoy everything from pumpkin decorating and yard games to bounce houses, mini-golf, a petting zoo, and Mario Kart on the big screen. Sip on fallthemed cocktails, beer, and wine courtesy of the Queen of Acorns mobile bar while savoring delicious fare from a variety of food trucks—from lobster and sausages to mini donuts and lemonade. Live music and DJ sets will set the festive tone, alongside a pop-up Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair featuring local makers, tenant offers, giveaways, and community partners. It’s a perfect blend of family fun, seasonal charm, and community connection—all under the crisp fall skies at Zona Rosa. zonarosa.com
WALKTOBER
Jackson County Parks + Rec, Kansas City Parks & Recreation, and Wyandotte County Parks & Recreation invites the community to enjoy Walktober— four family-friendly, free, guided strolls across Kansas City’s scenic parks—each held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: on Oct. 5, the Riverfront Heritage walk at Berkeley Riverfront Park o ers riverside views and historic highlights; Oct. 12 brings the Longview Lake walk through fall- ooded landscapes and lakeside trails; Oct. 19, the Hodge Park walk explores wooded paths and nature’s colors; and on Oct. 26, the journey ends at Kaw Point, where trails converge at a historic rivers meeting point. Whether you’re walking, riding, or running, Walktober encourages movement, discovery, and community connection amid autumn’s beauty. kcparks.org
KC WINE CO FALL FESTIVAL AND PUMPKIN PATCH
Featuring over 60 farm fun adventures, right in Kansas City’s backyard! Spend the day experiencing adventures: slide, climb and play through 40 acres of fun. With attractions to entertain all ages, the whole family will enjoy the fresh air and wide-open spaces. Get lost in a sea of vibrant pumpkins. Whether on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin to carve up a spooky face or searching for a petite one to decorate, KC Pumpkin Patch has got you covered. Bring your squad, grab a wagon, and make memories as you browse through the patch, soaking in the crisp autumn air and the delightful sights of pumpkins galore. Open September 27 to October 26. kcwineco.com
KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Step back in time at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, a medieval-themed village home to jousting knights, thrill-seeking acrobats, and beautiful maidens. Held in Bonner Springs, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival has grown to be one of the largest Renaissance Festivals in the US, with an annual attendance of 200,000. Saturdays & Sundays, August 30 - October 12, plus Mondays, September 1 & October 13. kcrenfest.com
CAROLYN’S PUMPKIN PATCH
With over 30 years of tradition, this beloved pumpkin patch provides a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages, from hayrides and corn mazes to pony rides and a petting farm. Known for its vibrant selection of pumpkins and fall decorations, the patch also features live entertainment, seasonal treats, and
a country store. Set within a charming countryside setting in Liberty, MO, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the autumn season with loved ones. Open ve days a week, ursday–Monday, September 20–October 31. carolynspumpkinpatch.com
KANSAS CITY CURRENT
Catch a KC Current home game this fall at CPKC Stadium at Berkley Riverfront Park, the rst stadium purpose-built for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team. is iconic venue continues to set the standard for fan experience and women’s sports. e KC Current Club remains the best way to secure 2025 single-match tickets. Be sure to visit the two-story KC Current Team Store on the north side of the stadium for the latest in fan gear and exclusive merchandise. Enjoy game day with a curated selection of Kansas City’s best local cuisine—BBQ, ai, tacos, and more. For the full home schedule, visit kansascitycurrent.com.
HALLOWEEN HAUNT AT WORLDS OF FUN
Brace for a screaming good time at Worlds of Fun Halloween Haunt! As night falls on the park, hundreds of creatures from the underworld emerge to make your worst nightmares come true. Spine-chilling haunted mazes and elaborate scare zones will force you to sleep with the lights on. Spooky live shows and seasonal drinks and eats add to the screamingly good fun. If that’s not spooktacular enough, the most popular rides will be open at night to deliver the amazing thrills and chills found only at Worlds of Fun. WARNING! is Halloween event is intense, parental discretion is advised. Halloween Haunt admission is included with a Gold Pass and above, as well as with a daily ticket purchase. Select nights, Sept. 13 – Nov. 1. worldso un.com
KANSAS CITY BALLET PERFORMS SWAN LAKE
Swan Lake returns to the Kansas City Ballet, opening the 2025-26 season with sweeping romance and timeless drama. Set to Tchaikovsky’s lavish score and performed live by the Kansas City Symphony, the ballet unfolds the haunting tale of Princess Odette— cursed by a wicked sorcerer—and the young prince whose true love may break the spell. Featuring Devon Carney’s choreography inspired by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, this production enchants with dramatic principal roles, a stunning corps de ballet, and exquisite costumes and sets, embodying the battle of good versus evil in a darkly poetic masterpiece. kcballet.org
Hallmarket: A Hallmark Art Festival September 13
KC Oktoberfest October 3 – 4
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer October 25
Arrival of the Mayor's Christmas Tree November 6
Crown Center Ice Terrace 2025 – 2026 Season November 7, 2025 – March 8, 2026
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Event November 28
Christmas at Crown Center November 28 - December 31
Hallmark Christmas Experience Weekends November 28 – December 21
Hallmark Visitors Center PEANUTS®: 75 Years of Happiness Ongoing
The Hand of the Artist: The Creative Collaboration of Hallmark and Disney Ongoing
SPEND YOUR DAY THE KANSAS CITY WAY
Cuisine for every taste, entertainment for all ages, and unique finds at one-of-a-kind shops—nowhere else compares. For a completely Kansas City experience, it has to be Crown Center.
BEYOND THE SCREAMS AND LAUGHTER — KANSAS CITY’S WEST BOTTOMS IS CHARMING
KANSAS CITY’S WEST BOTTOMS is best known for its nationally acclaimed haunted attractions—the Beast, Edge of Hell, and Macabre Cinema—but the thrills don’t stop there. By day, the district transforms into a destination for shopping, dining, and exploring, unlike anywhere else in the city.
The historic brick streets are lined with vintage and antique stores, boutiques, and pop-up vendors offering everything from rare collectibles to repurposed décor, fashion, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind cultural finds. Foodies and craft drink lovers will also discover a growing selection of eateries, coffee shops, and drink options that make the West Bottoms as much about taste as it is about treasure hunting.
Every First Friday Weekend, the neighborhood comes alive with the Festival of the Full Moon, a celebration that fills the streets with live performers, themed photo ops, plant sales, and spontaneous entertainment. It’s an atmosphere where discovery meets community spirit—and where every visit promises a surprise.
So whether you’re drawn by the screams of haunted legends or the joy of finding that perfect vintage piece, the West Bottoms offers experiences that keep visitors coming back year-round. westbottoms.com
GLOWILD: TIME TRAVELER AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOO
GLOWILD: TIME TRAVELER, presented by Saint Luke’s, is set to dazzle at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium once again this fall, featuring a brand-new theme. In its fourth year, this unique and immersive nighttime experience allows guests to adventure through massive, handcrafted artworks on display at the Zoo. This year’s event features a journey through time to nineteenth-century Paris, the American centennial, a sci-fithemed trip to the future, and much more! The festival, in collaboration with LEKTRIK ART, promises a mile-long spectacle of intricate lighted sculptures.
Crafted by more than 150 artisans using over 34 tons of steel and 89,000 feet of fabric, the displays are along a one-way path filled with photo ops, concessions and entertainment. Special features this year include access to Sobela Ocean Aquarium on Wednesdays and seasonally-themed lanterns. GloWild runs from Sept. 5 through Dec. 28 and opens at 6 p.m. each evening. It will take about 60 minutes to complete the mile-long route. Learn more at kansascityzoo.org/glowild
JACKSON COUNTY PARKS + REC FALL FESTIVAL OF ARTS, CRAFTS AND MUSIC
USHER IN THE FALL SEASON with your family at Jackson County Parks + Rec’s Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music at the Missouri Town Living History Museum, Oct. 4 & 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This popular open-air event delights visitors as the entire village comes alive with the authentic music and dance of the mid-1800s. Knowledgeable interpreters will demonstrate bygone skills, such as cooking over a wood fire, woodworking, blacksmithing, tin smithing, and fiber crafts. Watch the preparation of homemade apple butter and cider. Shop unique handcrafted gifts from talented artisans. Delight as children find the fun in time-honored games from the past, then top off the sights, sounds, and smells of a simpler time in this reconstructed mid-1900s farming community with a hay ride! Missouri Town is located at 8010 East Park Road, Lee’s Summit, in Fleming Park near Lake Jacomo. For information, visit makeyourdayhere.com/missouritown
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FUN AT CROWN CENTER
AIRO | KANSAS CITY HELICOPTER TOURS
READY TO START A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION your family will be talking about for years? This year, see Kansas City’s holiday lights from the best seat in the house: the sky! With AIRO, you can soar over the city and see its most brilliant displays from a whole new, breathtaking angle.
AIRO | KANSAS CITY 10 Richards Rd, Kansas City , MO 64105 816-499-3342 • iflyairo.com/kansas-city
ANITA B. GORMAN CONSERVATION
DISCOVERY CENTER
4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110 816-759-7300 • mdc.mo.gov/discoverycenter
ART WESTPORT
4050 Pennsylvania Ave Suite M100, Kansas City, MO 64111 816-384-2401 • westportkcmo.com
BOULEVARD BREWING CO. TOURS AND RECREATION CENTER
2534 Madison Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-701-7247 • boulevard.com/visit
CAROLYN’S PUMPKIN PATCH
17607 NE 52nd St, Liberty, MO 64068 816-730-6518 • carolynspumpkinpatch.com
CHILLICOTHE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 100 Elm Street, Chillicothe, MO 64601 660-646-0093 • visitchillicothe.com
CITY OF INDEPENDENCE PARKS/RECREATION/ TOURISM DEPARTMENT
416 W. Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050 816-325-7575• visitindependence.com
CLAY COUNTY PARKS 17201 Paradesian St, Smithville, MO 64089 816-407-3400 • smithvillelakecamping.com
CUISINE FOR EVERY TASTE, entertainment for all ages, and unique finds at oneof-a-kind shops—nowhere else compares. For a completely Kansas City fall, it has to be Crown Center.
Kick off the season with Hallmarket: A Hallmark Art Festival on Saturday, Sept. 13, where creativity meets community in a celebration of local artistry. Then raise a stein at KC Oktoberfest, Oct. 3-4, with brats, beer, and Bavarian fun for all ages. Looking for more ways to play? Dive into an underwater adventure at SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, get hands-on at Kaleidoscope, or lace up your skates when the Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Nov. 7.
Whether you’re exploring, eating, or just enjoying the season, Crown Center brings it all together for a fall experience that’s completely Kansas City. crowncenter.com
We’ll fly you over all the iconic spots, from the dazzling Plaza Lights and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center to the beautiful, shimmering displays at Longview Lake. We offer a whole range of tours, with options ranging from 8-mile flights to epic 80-mile journeys, so you can find the perfect adventure that fits your family’s budget and makes your holiday special.
And the fun doesn’t stop after the holidays! We offer year-round tours that give you a bird’s-eye view of Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadium. Plus, if you’re looking to make a special occasion truly unforgettable, we’re here to help. Thinking of popping the question? Planning a gender reveal or a charity golf ball drop? We love being a part of your biggest moments.
No matter what you’re celebrating, you can trust AIRO to provide a safe, stylish, and absolutely unforgettable experience. We’re passionate about helping you reach new heights and make memories that last forever. iflyairo.com/kansas-city
THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE AND (MEN’S) NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME 1401 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 816-949-7500 • collegebasketballexperience.com
COLONIAL GARDENS
27610 SE Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014 816-229-1277 • colonialgardenskc.com
COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA 47th & Broadway Kansas City, MO 64112 816-561-3486 • countryclubplaza.com
CROWN CENTER
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-274-8444 • crowncenter.com
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY MONEY MUSEUM
1 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-881-2683 • kansascityfed.org/moneymuseum
FULL MOON HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS
1401 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64102
816-842-4280 or 816-842-0320 • fullmoonprod.com
GARMIN KANSAS CITY MARATHON 1100 Walnut, Suite 3450B, Kansas City, MO 64106 816-389-4190 • sportkc.org/marathon
GO APE TREETOP ADVENTURE - SWOPE PARK
7331 Oakwood Dr, Kansas City, MO 64132
800-971-8271 • goape.com/location/missouri-kansas-city
HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
500 W US Hwy 24, Independence, MO 64050 816-268-8200 • trumanlibrary.gov
HISTORIC LECOMPTON
609 Woodson Ave, Lecompton, KS 66050 785-887-6148 • lecomptonkansas.com
HOLLADAY DISTILLERY
One McCormick Lane, Weston, MO 64098 816-640-3056 • holladaydistillery.com
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY
777 Hollywood Casino Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111 913-288-9300 • hollywoodcasinokansas.com
HY-VEE ARENA
1800 Genessee St, Kansas City, MO 64102 816-505-0404 • hy-veearena.com
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE ASSOCIATION (HISTORIC DOWNTOWN)
106 S Liberty St., Independence, MO 64050 816-381-7181 • indepsquare.com
J RIEGER & CO. DISTILLARY
2700 Guinotte Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120 816-702-7800 • jriegerco.com
JACKSON COUNTY MO PARKS + RECREATION
22807 SW Woods Chapel Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015 816-503-4800 • MakeYourDayHere.com
JESSE JAMES BIRTHPLACE
21216 Jesse James Farm Rd, Kearney, MO 64060 816-736-8500 • jessejamesmuseum.org
JOHNSON COUNTY MUSEUM
8788 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66212 913-826-2787 • jcprd.com/museum
KANSAS CITY AUTO MUSEUM
15095 W 116th St, Olathe, KS 66062 913-322-4227 • kansascityautomuseum.com
KANSAS CITY BALLET
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-931-8993 • kcballet.org
KANSAS CITY CARRIAGES
Nichols and Pennsylvania on the Country Club Plaza 816-531-1999 • kccarriages.com
KANSAS CITY CURRENT
CPKC Stadium, 1460 E Front St, Kansas City, MO 64120 913-374-0233 • kansascitycurrent.com
KANSAS CITY MONARCHS BASEBALL
1800 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111 913-328-5618 • monarchsbaseball.com
KANSAS CITY PARKS & RECREATION
4600 E. 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64130 816-513-7500 • kcparks.org
KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
633 N 130th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
913-721-2110 • kcrenfest.com
KANSAS CITY REPERTORY THEATRE
Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64110 Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105 816-235-2700 • kcrep.org
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
One Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129
816-921-8000 • royals.com
KANSAS CITY ZOO & AQUARIUM
6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO 64132 816-595-1234 • kansascityzoo.org
KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-994-7222 • kauffmancenter.org
KC FRINGE FESTIVAL PO Box 415001, Kansas City, MO 64141
646-844-1505 • kcfringe.org
KC WINE CO AND KC PUMPKIN PATCH
13875 S Gardner Rd #1, Olathe, KS 66061
913-484-6251 • kcwineco.com and kcpumpkinpatch.com
KEMPER MUSEUM
4420 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-753-5784 • kemperart.org
LEE’S SUMMIT PARKS & RECREATION
220 SE Green Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
816-969-1008 • lstourism.com
LEGENDS OUTLETS
1843 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111 913-788-3700 • legendsshopping.com
LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER AND SEA LIFE AQUARIUM KANSAS CITY 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-471-4FUN (4386) • legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ kansas-city and visitsealife.com/kansas-city
MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP & FARM 1200 Kansas City Rd, Olathe, KS 66061 913-971-5111 • mahaffie.org
MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT
8081 NW Roanridge Rd, Kansas City, MO 64151 816-281-2020 • mainevent.com
THE MIDLAND THEATRE
1228 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64105 816-283-9900 • arvestbanktheatre.com
THE MIDWEST GENEALOGY CENTER 3440 S Lee’s Summit Rd, Independence, MO 64055 816-252-7228 • mymcpl.org/genealogy
MIDWEST TRUST CENTER AT JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210 913-469-4450 • jccc.edu/midwest-trust-center
MISSOURI STAR QUILT COMPANY 114 N Davis St, Hamilton, MO 64644 888-571-1122 • missouriquiltco.com
THE MUSEUM OF KANSAS CITY 3128 Gladstone Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64123 816-702-7700 • kansascitymuseum.org
MUSIC THEATER HERITAGE Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd, #301, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-221-6987 • mthkc.com
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS (NAIA) 120 W. 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105 816-595-8000 • naia.org
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS / MINIATURES 5235 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112 816-235-8000 • toyandminiaturemuseum.org
NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-888-8100 • theworldwar.org
THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111 816-751-1278 • nelson-atkins.org
NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 816-221-1920 • nlbm.com
PLANET COMICON KC AND PLANET ANIME KC Bartle Hall, 301 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64105 816-533-3126 • planetcomicon.com and planetanimekc.com
RAYTOWN CHAMBER & TOURISM
5909 Raytown Trafficway, Raytown, MO 64133 816-353-8500 • raytownchamber.com
ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE
1799 American Royal Dr, Kansas City, KS 64102 913-620-6156 • rockislandkc.com
STARLIGHT THEATRE
4600 Starlight Rd, Kansas City, MO 64132 816-363-7827 • kcstarlight.com
SWELL SPARK
43 Kansas Ave, Kansas City, KS 66105 swellspark.com
T-SHOTZ
660 NW Metro North Dr, Kansas City, MO 64155
816-702-1320 • tshotz.com
TERRAVOX WINERY
13910 NW Farley Hampton Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153 816-354-4903 • terravox.wine
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN KANSAS CITY
FROM TWINKLING LIGHTS to the season’s top events and holiday performances, the holidays in Kansas City are full of wonderful attractions to celebrate the season.
Jackson County Parks + Recreation
38th Annual Christmas in the Park
November 26 – December 31
Frank White Jr., Softball Complex 3901 SW Longview Road Lee’s Summit, MO makeyourdayhere.com
Kansas City Parks + Rec Winter Magic
November 1 – January 4
10400 North Platte Purchase Drive
Kansas City, MO wintermagickc.com
Hallmark Christmas Experience
Weekends, November 28 –December 21
Crown Center Square
2425 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO experiencehallmarkchristmas.com
GloWild: Time Traveler
September 5 – December 28
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO kansascityzoo.org
Holiday Reflections
November 21 – January 4
Union Station
30 W Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO unionstation.org
Legendary Tree Lighting
November 15
1843 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS, legendsshopping.com
KC Ballet’s Nutcracker
November 29 – December 24
Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO kcballet.org
Knights of Lights
Weekends
November 28 – December 31
Kansas City Renaissance Festival grounds, off State Ave. between 130th St. & N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, KS kcknightsoflights.com
KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol
November 22 – December 27
Spencer Theatre on the UMKC Campus 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO kcrep.org
Music Theater Heritage A Ruby
Room Christmas
December 14 – 23
2450 Grand Blvd, Suite 301 Kansas City, MO 64108 musictheaterheritage.com
27th Annual Christmas in the Sky
November 26
Longview Lake Beach, 11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO makeyourdayhere.com
Independence Square
Annual Lighting
November 21
114 W Maple Ave, Independence, MO indepsquare.com
Zona Rosa Holiday Lighting Ceremony
November 22
8731 N Stoddard Ave, Kansas City, MO zonarosa.com
UNION STATION AND SCIENCE CITY
30 W Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-460-2000 • unionstation.org
VISIT KCK / KCK TACO TRAIL
755 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101 913-321-5800 • kcktacotrail.com
WATKINS WOOLEN MILL STATE HISTORIC SITE
26600 Park Road North, Lawson, MO 64062 816-580-3387 • mostateparks.com/park/watkinswoolen-mill-state-historic-site
WORLDS OF FUN / OCEANS OF FUN
4545 Worlds of Fun Ave, Kansas City, MO 64161 816-454-4545 • worldsoffun.com
ZONA ROSA
8640 N. Dixson Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64153 816-587-8180 • zonarosa.com
GKCAA ALLIED MEMBERS
AGENDA KC agendausa.com
CITY OF BONNER SPRINGS bonnersprings.org
CTM MEDIA GROUP ctmmedia.com and visitorfun.com
FASONE & PARTNERS fasonepartners.com
IN KANSAS CITY MAGAZINE inkansascity.com
KC GOING PLACES kcparent.com
LEAVENWORTH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU visitleavenworthkc.com
MADDEN MEDIA vacationistusa.com and maddenmedia.com
MOD OP | KANSAS CITY modop.com
PAGE COMMUNICATIONS pagecomms.com
VICTORY PYROTECHNICS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS victorypyro.com
VISIT KC visitkc.com
Greater Kansas City Attractions Association members include local attractions from throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area.
GKCAA gives away tickets and items from the most exciting venues in the Kansas City area! Simply follow the Association on Facebook or Instagram and you’ll have the opportunity to experience the finest attractions in the region!
@GKAAAttractions facebook.com/attractionskc ATTRACTIONSKC.COM
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.
Health IN KC
by Judith Fertig
Understanding Genetic Cancer Risk and Testing
A CONVERSATION WITH FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER MELANIE KNIGHT
Over the past century, our discovery of the human genetic code has led to greater understanding of how our genes impact our health.
In 1953, James D. Watson and Francis Crick worked together, with help from Rosalind Franklin, to discover the structure of DNA. A generation later in 1988, a special committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences outlined the original goals for the Human Genome Project, which included sequencing the entire human genome. The resulting project aimed to determine the order of all three billion chemical base pairs (A, T, G, and C) that make up human genes and provide this information to researchers around the world. By 2003, they had found 92 percent of the human genetic code. By 2022, the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) consortium announced that it had filled in the remaining gaps and produced the first truly complete human genome sequence.
If we know the specific genes that are responsible for higher cancer
risks, we can do something about it. This opens the door for medical professionals to provide comprehensive genetic risk assessments and personalized care for individuals with a family history of breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, or prostate cancer.
Melanie Knight, APRN-C, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in hereditary cancer risk at AdventHealth Cancer Institute Shawnee Mission, explains.
If there is a genetic cancer risk in a patient’s family, when do you advise the patient to come in for a risk assessment or testing?
We look for family history patterns:
• Multiple relatives with cancer: if the patient has more than one relative on either side of their family who has had cancer, especially at an early age, this is a key indicator for considering genetic testing.
• A history of cancer that spans multiple generations increases
Melanie Knight, APRN-C
If back-to-school fun takes an unexpected turn, it’s good to know the area’s most trusted emergency care is always nearby. With five ER locations across Johnson County, the expert team at AdventHealth is here for all the bumps and breaks, flips and falls – and more. For the quickest – and easiest – access to emergency care in town, visit GetInQuickerKC.com.
Health IN KC
suspicion for a hereditary cancer syndrome.
• A rare or unusual cancer, like pancreatic, ovarian, or male breast cancer, may be a clue for genetic predisposition.
• Early onset cancers before the age of 50 may signal the presence of an inherited genetic mutation.
• Other key signs could be: cancer in close family members (parent, siblings, children), a personal history of cancer (especially if at a younger age), multiple types of cancers in the same individual (breast and ovarian), Ashkenazi Jewish heritage (higher risk of BRCA1/2), or those with a known mutation in the family (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, etc.).
What is involved in the process? How long does it take? Is this usually covered by insurance?
The process is quite easy. For breast cancer risk, I ask the patient questions regarding their family history along with their hormonal history to find their percentage of risk. If that number is over 20 percent, then they are considered high risk. From there, the patient is informed of the process for the office visits, possible genetic testing, and scans to aid in monitoring the patient.
The first appointment can take up to one hour and subsequent
appointments are 30 minutes. Genetic testing is an easy lab visit and results may take up to four weeks to be completed. Insurance covers high-risk appointments but may not cover the entire cost of a genetic test. Mammograms, as long as they are routine, are covered by insurance, but diagnostic mammograms and breast MRIs may not be completely covered.
How do you help patients understand and manage their breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic, or prostate cancer risk?
Helping a patient understand and manage their risk for breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic and prostate cancers—especially when there’s a family history or genetic predisposition—requires a multi-faceted approach. The key lies in clear communication, shared decision-making, and offering actionable steps that empower the patient to reduce their risk and take preventative measures. Lifestyle changes are a factor in decreasing your cancer risk: eating a Mediterranean diet along with decreasing your red meat intake and increasing your fish intake, smoking cessation, alcohol intake of no more than four drinks a week for women and seven drinks for men, and exercise a minimum of three hours a week, including weight lifting. Explaining screenings for early detection is very important and helps find a cancer when it is most treatable. Addressing fears related to high risk is also very important. CancerCareKC.com
-develop customized & holistic financial planning.
-give guidance to women & families facing unforeseen life changes.
-aid in tax e cient wealth transfer.
Sweet Dreams
Treating yourself to better sleep starts with a bedroom uniquely yours. From expert service to our huge in-stock selection, NFM makes getting the right look oh so easy. Inspired to start your own room refresh? It’s always the right time to buy at NFM with stunning finds, and savings, available every day.
TERRA LUNA 2025
FEATURING NEW ARTISTS, INSTALLATIONS, AND VENDORS
TERRA LUNA RETURNS TO THE OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS ON SEPT. 1113 AND 18-20.
In its seventh year partnering with the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, the performing arts group Quixotic is bringing all-new elements to this September staple—where, under moonlight, guests of all ages follow a surreal stream of light, movement, and sound through the Arboretum’s pathways.
We spoke to the organizers of Terra Luna about the event’s artistry, the expansion of food options and adult nights, and the crucial projects it funds.
“LIKE WALKING THROUGH A DREAM”
Even Quixotic’s founder and creative director, Anthony Magliano, struggles to define Terra Luna. He points to feedback he received during Terra Luna 2020: “It’s like a meditation that you walk through,” like “walking through a dream.”
Terra Luna attendees enter the wooded path at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens through a portal, then stroll past Arboretum landmarks transformed by galactic projections. Fixtures cast light and shadows into the foliage and onto musicians, acrobats, and dancers just off the path. Some artists perform to modern beats; others are backed by nothing more than nearby crickets and rushing water.
More than 80 professionals contribute to the experience. This year, LA-based harpist Tal Vaknine, who Magliano praises for her “relaxing, mystic, elegant and beautiful” music, will join the roster of musicians. Local artist Tyler Schrader sculpted Cosmic Portal, a wooden work that takes
on a new face under moonlight. Local production designer Mark Exline built a lighted tunnel called Lustra Passage, and Miami-based fashion designer Celia Ledón created avant-garde costumes using recyclable materials. Somewhere among it all is a new laser installation.
“It’s a lot of art forms converging to create this really beautiful, inspirational picture,” says Magliano. “It’s really chill, really calm, really feel-good.”
VENDORS, ADULT NIGHTS,
AND WHAT IT’S ALL FOR Jennifer Cairns, the development director of the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, helps plan and promote Terra Luna. While Magliano and his team handle the creative side, she works on the perks that make Terra Luna a fully realized after-dark experience.
This year’s vendor lineup is a massive expansion; 27 food and drink vendors will flow through the property over Terra Luna’s two weekends. You’ll find barbecue, burgers, frozen cocktails and mocktails, Hawaiian food, Mexican food, and a ton more. Guests over 21 can even purchase from the mobile bar Tap That KC along the route.
Expanded, too, are the popular adults-only nights. Fridays and Saturdays are still open to all, but this year, both Thursdays—Sept. 11 and 18—are exclusive to guests 18 and up.
“Adults-only night sold out superfast last year, so we recognized the desire for folks to have that option,” says Cairns. “Sometimes you want a little bit of a quieter, more ethereal walkthrough. They’re perfect date nights.”
The better the perks, the more the Arboretum can grow. Terra Luna is a tent-pole fundraiser for this year-round Overland Park gem. The funds help grow and maintain the property’s five gardens, eight arboretum ecosystems, and multi-use LongHouse Visitor Center.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds for this event go directly back to the Arboretum,” says Cairns. “They’re used for program initiatives, capital improvements, new facilities and structures, educational components, facility upgrades—all of the above.”
Terra Luna returns for just two weekends, Sept. 11-13 and 18-20. Find ticket information, event policies, and VIP perks at opterraluna.org
by Patricia O’Dell
What’s Brown and Blue All Over?
EARTH TONES ELEVATED BY SKY-HIGH HUES
Idon’t know if it’s a trend, or my age trending upward, but I’m attracted to earthier tones more than ever. Creams, browns, blues, and greens soothe in a way I hadn’t needed before. Seagrass, cottons, and linens deliver these tones expertly, as if they were introduced at a party and became fast friends. Sisals work well for us, because our dog, Jeff Bridges, likes to chew the corners when he’s anxious, which is anytime we leave the house.
Still, a little wear, tear, and fading does not seem to diminish these natural materials and often enhances them. Fortunately, if things go very badly—red wine is always a hazard, though I allow it—there’s plenty to choose from if you need camouflage.
In their new collection, F. Schumacher & Co. has wonderful natural materials with subtle patterns to freshen your space. Their Matilda fabric is a charming pattern festooned with dots, stars, and stripes com-
prised of coral hues. It’s available in four colorways. My favorite is sky, but citron, cameo, and aqua are delightful as well.
When you see the Eloise embroidery wallcovering stripe on lightweight linen, there’s a possibility you’ll find a place to put it that you might haven’t imagined needing wallcovering before. With colorways in neutral and sky with white embroidery and a cream ground with sage embroidery, the fabric offers just enough pattern without overwhelming.
Richmond House wallpaper in mocha would be perfect in a breakfast room or snug. Natural motifs in cream of florals, vines, and a dotted stripe provide warmth and the kind of cozy connection you need in a dining space.
Have a settee nearby? You could choose two Lorene pillows in sky, with a Mathis ticking-stripe pillow in the center and call it a day. The only task remaining from here is picking up a little Bitter Apple to keep the hounds from munching your new finds.
Clockwise from left: Richmond House wallpaper by Schumacher. Matilda fabric. Eloise wallpaper in sky and natural. Mathis tickingstripe pillow. Lorene pillow in sky.
BACK TO (ART) SCHOOL
TREAT YOURSELF AND YOUR HOME
Glow Boldly
Discover extraordinary lighting at Rensen House of Lights! From striking silhouettes to timeless classics, our showroom offers styles for every space and budget—plus expert guidance to bring your vision to light.
Stop in to SEE IT. TOUCH IT TAKE IT HOME — TODAY.
WHETHER YOU have children who are going back to school, or the promise of cooler weather is making you yearn for something new, fall is a great time to learn something new. Why not take an art class? It would give you the opportunity to fire some new synapses, meet new friends, and create something for your home.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has three classes starting soon. Drawing in the Park is a four-class session starting Sept. 18; Better Drawings: Still Life is a five-session class beginning Sept. 20; and Gallery Sketch Class is Oct. 2, 16, and 23. nelson-atkins.org/learn/classes
by Patricia O’Dell
Make Mine Glazed
CERAMICS ADD GLEAM AND GLOW
As we move into the cooler months with shorter days and longer nights, now would be a great time to brighten your home with greenery and flowers—even if they’re from the grocery store— and well-placed, but not overly scented, candles. I love handmade ceramics for their subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, texture and glow. And while I do enjoy pieces that are white or cream, a little color can add a lot.
These ceramic pieces can be found at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art’s Museum Shop.
SARAH VEAK’S ceramics are a wonderful combination of texture and color. She says she creates pieces that are functional rather than only decorative, because she’s interested in the interaction of the personal experience between food, lifestyle, and art.
Veak Ceramics has a lovely collection of vessels at the Kemper. Both the small Playful vases and the candleholders are don’t misses.
KATHERINE MOES’S black ceramic lamp is topped with a Tala bulb that mimics the shape of the sculptured base. This sophisticated yet organic gem would be great on a bookshelf, in a dim corner, or by the bed.
MOMOKO USAMI’S Flower Plate is on my gift list. (And yes, I’m perfectly comfortable buying myself presents.) I’m always enchanted by florals and the glow of this robin’s-egg blue glaze, so this seems the perfect spot to hold my rings and bracelets on my bedside table. I’m certain you can think of a perfect spot yourself.
MAKOTO KOMATSU, who has work in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art, has created infinitely charming white glazed-ceramic paper-bag vases. Simple daisies or an elaborate arrangement would be equally at home in these.
A FOND FAREWELL
I’ve been writing about homes and design since 2013. My first venture was Mrs. Blandings, a blog that I launched with a handful of ideas and a case of the jitters. The best things that Mrs. Blandings gave me were the opportunity to write whatever I wanted and gracious and generous people who took time to read my stories of home, my children, and my passion for décor.
Zim Loy, the current editor of this magazine, was the first professional to reach out to see if I wanted to write about design for Kansas City Spaces. From that moment, my world opened as I was welcomed into Kansas City’s design community. The people I’ve met are smart, remarkably talented, incredibly generous with both time and resources. I’m forever grateful.
When my husband and I and our partners opened Earl’s Premier a few years ago, it was demanding and hectic, but honestly, it was so damn fun. We are so lucky Earl’s and the restaurants that followed have been well received, and we have made so many new friends.
To keep our lives balanced, I am going to step back from some of my commitments, and writing for IN Kansas City is one. I hate to leave this remarkable fellowship of writers who have been comrades for so long, though I’m certain we’ll remain friends.
I will miss the readers, too. Many people have stopped to tell me a story about something that has happened to them that was similar to what I wrote about that month. I loved every minute of it and was always flattered that people were actually reading the words.
Wishing you all the best, Patricia
SEPTEMBER 22 – 27 10AM TO 6PM
Everyone has a story. What will be yours?
Visit Story Boutique for your next unique find.
• Designer, vintage and gently pre-loved clothing
• Fine jewelry and statement fashion pieces Shop for a cause!
Each purchase, donation and volunteer hour makes a difference in our community.
Learn more at StoryB.org
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Monday from 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm Sunday Closed
Ranch Mart Shopping Center 95th Street & Mission Road 913.642.2292 | Storyb@KCHospice.org
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12904 State Line Road Leawood, Kansas
Tuesdays from 12 to 8 pm
Thursdays from 12 to 4 pm
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FENCING
PAINTING DRYWALL CARPENTRY FLOORING
Juana Summers IN CONVERSATION WITH
words by Cindy Hoedel photo by Jared Soares
One of the four hosts of NPR’s All Things Considered was born and raised in Kansas City. Juana Summers assumed her duties at the top-rated national evening news radio program in June 2022. She previously served as NPR’s political correspondent, covering national politics, race, justice, and culture for over a decade.
Summers grew up in south Kansas City. She attended Notre Dame de Sion for elementary and middle school and graduated high school at St. Teresa’s Academy, where she worked on the school newspaper and wrote for The Kansas City Star’s Teen Star.
In 2009, Summers earned a degree in media convergence from Missouri School of Journalism. Her reporting career got started at KBIA, the University of Missouri’s public radio station. Before joining NPR, Summers held positions at various media outlets, including political reporter for the Associated Press, politics editor at Mashable, and editor at CNN Politics.
Summers lives in Baltimore with her husband, two step-children, a rescue dog, and a cat.
Summers spoke with IN Kansas City by phone from her office at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. about landing a coveted job in uncertain industry conditions, how Baltimore compares to Kansas City, and the current vibe inside NPR after Congress cut its federal funding.
What are your favorite memories of growing up in Kansas City?
Oh my gosh. Probably my favorite memories revolve around food—go-
ing to Gates to get barbecue with my family when I was a kid or going to Lulu’s for Thai food. When I lived in Kansas City after college, I lived in Westport, and I loved getting to soak up the city’s arts and culture.
Did you exhibit any signs as a little kid that you might grow up to be a reporter or a radio host?
I certainly never thought that I would be a radio host. But when I started going to St. Teresa’s as a freshman, I worked on the student newspaper and from then on, I knew that I wanted to be a reporter. It seemed pretty incredible that I could have a career where someone would pay me to ask people questions, to learn about their lives, and then to write about those things.
Did you have any other dream occupations when you were a kid before journalism took hold?
For a while I really wanted to be an architect, but I’m not very good at math, so it didn’t seem like it was going to work out for me.
What did you love about architecture?
Kansas City is such a beautiful city. Growing up surrounded by such varied architecture, from the skyline to the Spanish architecture you see on the Plaza, I was attracted to the idea of being able to build permanent beautiful things. And I guess in some ways that’s what you do in journalism, too. You tell beautiful stories, so there are similar attributes.
Did you ever face any setbacks that made you question whether you had made the right choice going into journalism? I graduated from Mizzou in 2009, which was a very challenging eco-
nomic time for many people across the country. Our industry was going through a lot of change. There weren’t a lot of opportunities for jobs. I had a hard time finding a first job in journalism. I definitely had moments where I thought, “Is this a viable career or do I need to look at doing something else?” I was persistent and was fortunate to have fellowships with the Kansas City Star and then with Politico here in Washington, D.C. I stuck with it, but there were definitely moments where it was a fight.
How did you get your big break and land the job as a national host at NPR?
A lot of hard work and a side of luck to go along with it. Before becoming a host of All Things Considered, I was a correspondent here at the network, covering politics of all sorts, from Capitol Hill to the presidential campaign trail.
People think this is funny, but [hosting All Things Considered] is a job I applied for. I sent in an application online.
I’m sure you were not the only person who applied to host All Things Considered. What do you think made you stand out in the interview process?
I tried to just stay true to myself, rather than thinking about what the host was supposed to sound like or look like. I tried to lean into my own passions. For example, I grew up as a big anime nerd. I pitched a story about the 30th anniversary of the animation of Sailor Moon, which is something you wouldn’t think was a natural fit for NPR.
Did you do that story?
I did. I ended up talking with a great writer from a website called
The Mary Sue, which focuses on fandom. It was a great conversation about representation and seeing ourselves in this franchise that we both really loved.
You mentioned what an NPR host is supposed to sound like, and the distinctive NPR vocal style is often parodied. Do you get coached on phrasing and cadence when you work for NPR, or do you think a kind of unconscious mirroring goes on among on-air talent?
I think one of the best things about NPR is the wide diversity of voices that you hear. I love that you hear people from all parts of the country who try to stay authentic to themselves. I grew up in Missouri, so you’ll hear me say “y’all” on air. I’ve never received any voice coaching at NPR.
And yet there is a kind of calming cadence that seems widespread.
The way I think about it, I always have in the back of my mind that I want to sound approachable and conversational, and I want to have a style and a cadence where anyone feels that they can be invited into the conversation.
What are your favorite kinds of stories to report?
My favorite part of my job is when I get to talk to people about the things that they do that excite and inspire them. I recently spoke with a former professional cyclist about the women’s Tour de France. She had so much enthusiasm for her sport and for the fact that when she was cycling, the women’s Tour de France didn’t exist and now it’s a thing she can celebrate and watch with her two daughters.
I also love stories that elevate women more broadly. Last year I got
photo by allison shelley
NPR host Juana Summers records an All Things Considered segment at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 24, 2024.
to go to Paris to cover the Olympics. I particularly like being able to tell the stories of women who were making their mark in traditionally male sports. I interviewed a young woman named Olivia Reeves, recently graduated from college. She is a professional weightlifter and she won the first gold for an American weightlifter in 24 years.
At this moment in time, where do you imagine yourself career-wise and geographically ten years from now?
I frequently tell people I think I have one of the best jobs in journalism, telling stories that leverage the intimacy of public radio, so I hope I can still be doing that in some capacity in ten years. And Baltimore has become home for me, so I would guess that I will still be in Baltimore.
What do you love about living in Baltimore?
First of all, it reminds me a lot of Kansas City, actually. I moved to Baltimore to be with my husband, and one of the things I immediately loved was the kind of small town, community feel of the city. I know all of my neighbors. It has an amazing arts and music scene. I love that I can go out in the social groups I’m a part of, and we don’t talk about what we do that often. I feel like I’m able to make really authentic and meaningful relationships with people of all ages from all walks of life.
Are there any great foods in Baltimore that we don’t have in Kansas City?
Well, steamed crabs for one. A favorite family tradition is getting a bushel of crabs and sitting out and picking them, either at a family member’s house or in a restaurant. And, it’s not Kansas City barbecue, but there’s pit beef, which is pit-roasted beef on a kaiser roll with horseradish sauce or onions or barbecue sauce. Those are two of my favorite traditional Baltimore foods.
What do you miss about Kansas City?
I don’t see my family as often as I want, which is really tough. I’m also a massive Kansas City Chiefs fan and I probably only get to see the Chiefs every other year, and that part’s really hard.
The recent federal defunding of PBS and NPR came as a shock to many. What is the mood like inside NPR?
Obviously, the recent developments are disheartening for those of us who love public media and have spent years working within the system. Many of us, including me, came to work in public media because we are mission-driven. We believe in public media’s aim to inform the public, to foster conversation, to entertain, and to inspire.
For me, one of the most galvanizing things has been reading and hearing messages from public radio listeners and consumers who have made clear that what we do matters to them and is essential to their communities. While this moment is challenging, we remain committed to showing up.
‘‘
For me, one of the most galvanizing things has been reading and hearing messages from public radio listeners and consumers who have made clear that what we do matters to them and is essential to their communities.”
Saving the best for last, I want to know how and why you became a pinball wizard.
I started playing competitive pinball the year before I moved to Baltimore, so it’s been about ten years now. My husband and I were looking for things to do on dates that didn’t just involve going out for dinner or going out for a drink. We stumbled across a bar in the neighborhood we now live in that was starting up a pinball league, and we decided to try it out, and it has become one of the most meaningful communities in my life. I met some of my best friends there. I met the woman who married us, who’s actually from Kansas City, in our pinball league.
Believe it or not, I’m something of an introvert, so I love that you get the social context but you can also focus in on a game and learn every game. I love that every game is different and that there are different skills that you can learn. I’ve played in tournaments with more than a thousand people, and I help run pinball leagues. It’s the biggest thing I do outside NPR.
When I was a kid, we had pinball arcades, listened to Pinball Wizard by The Who, and watched Elton John in Tommy but you’re too young to remember that, so how did you learn about pinball?
There’s a huge resurgence of major pinball manufacturers. And one of the things I find so interesting when I go to bigger tournaments is, the players who are winning are younger than me. They are coming up and learning both the older games and the new games that are coming out. We just bought a new game, which is a Dungeons and Dragons game. I love that pinball is a universal language that speaks to all generations. In our league we have people in their 60s and 70s and kids in high school. It’s a hobby everyone can love and enjoy.
Interview condensed and minimally edited for clarity.
Go Long
HOW THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS GREW FROM FOUNDER LAMAR HUNT’S FOOLISH DREAM TO A GLOBAL SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT POWERHOUSE
Bold and audacious. Those two words define the Chiefs organization from when founder Lamar Hunt formed the American Football League in 1959 with seven other team owners. They called themselves the “Foolish Club” for being daring enough to compete with the well-established National Football League. The gamble worked, and the two leagues merged, but not until after the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV in 1970, their last game as a member of the AFL.
The name came back into play when the Chiefs established the Foolish Club Studios production company in February 2025, just ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Its first gift to fans is the six-episode docuseries The Kingdom, which aired in mid-August on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+.
The timing was right, according to Mark Donovan, the Chiefs’ president
words by Katie Van Luchene
photo by Kenny Johnson
Lara Krug, president and chief operating officer of Foolish Club Studios, as well as executive vice president and chief media and marketing officer for the Chiefs, and Mark Donovan, CEO for Foolish Club Studios and president of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt
and the new studio’s CEO. The Chiefs have a generational talent in Patrick Mahomes, one of the winningest coaches of all time in Andy Reid, and are at the top of the NFL-tracked fanbase.
Two recent achievements are adding to its luster. “We had unexpected levels of success with the Hallmark Channel’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, the most-watched cable movie of 2024. Our claymation short, A Kingdom Christmas Story: Hail Merry, had gone viral,” Donovan says. “So, we started taking a deep dive into how we can turn this into a way to grow our brand and support our goal of becoming known as the ‘World’s Team.’”
‘‘Dream big and set audacious goals. It’s only by aiming high that we can reach our full potential.”
– Lamar Hunt
Not Kansas City’s team. Not America’s team. The World’s Team. Donovan admits it was a dare whispered at first. But eventually the entire organization embraced the challenge with Lamar’s words reverberating through the halls at One Arrowhead Drive: “Dream big
and set audacious goals. It’s only by aiming high that we can reach our full potential.”
Indeed, the spirit of Lamar Hunt drives much of what takes place in the Chiefs head office. Donovan pulls a document from a file; it’s the list of goals he’s given each year by the organization’s chairman and CEO, Clark Hunt. At the top is “Preserve the legacy of Lamar Hunt.”
It’s quite an endowment. Lamar Hunt was revered for being an innovator who made a lasting impact on the NFL and the world of sports in general. He was ahead of his time in filming the games as early as the 1960s, such as shooting behind the huddle so the audience had the same view as the quarterback. Everything Hunt did was aimed at giving the fans a more exciting experience before and during the competition on the field.
It was also the Chiefs’ founder who, according to Donovan, believed that the future of the NFL should include international games. “Back as far as 1970, he was the one pushing the league, saying we can go play games in Japan and take the team to Mexico. The Chiefs played in Berlin the year the wall came down.” The current-day Chiefs continue to expand their global reach. In March 2024, they were awarded the marketing rights for the UK, Ireland, and Spain, adding to its existing hold in Mexico, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for a total of seven international markets, the highest in the NFL matched only by the Rams.
And it was Lamar Hunt who came up with the name Super Bowl. He wanted a special moniker for the ultimate football championship game along the lines of the World Series and Wimbledon. He based it on a popular toy at the time, the Super Ball.
So, when Foolish Club Studios decided to produce The Kingdom ,
The six-part documentary series The Kingdom was filmed over the course of the 2024 season and includes unprecedented access into the players’ lives on and off the field.
it had two purposes: tell the story of Lamar Hunt and the Chiefs’ 60-plus year history and to follow the team through the 2024 season. They had their choice of elite companies to partner with, including ESPN, Skydance Sports, NFL Films, and 2PM Production. The series was directed by Kristen Lappas of Words + Pictures, the team behind The Last Dance , the Emmy award-winning documentary about Michael Jordan.
Disney+ was selected to distribute the series, which will be streamed in more than 80 languages, another step toward achieving recognition in the world of both sports and entertainment. According to Lara Krug, the president and chief operating officer of Foolish Club Studios (along with her role as executive vice president and chief media and marketing officer for the Chiefs), this year’s marketing theme, The Kingdom Heard ‘Round the World, continues the Chiefs’ ambitions to expand its global footprint.
The production team was granted unprecedented access to key individuals within the organization, including the players, coaches, and front-office personnel. For people like Andy Reid, who is protective of his personal life, this was quite the commitment. As with everything he does, once he said yes, he was all in.
The filming took place at the height of the Chiefs’ success as they completed a franchise-record 15-win regular season, hoisted the Lamar Hunt Trophy for the third consecutive time as AFC Champions, and headed to New Orleans with hopes of winning the Super Bowl three times in a row, something that no team had ever done.
The phrase “three-peat” added an intensity to the season and extra pressure on the team. And on Foolish Club Studios. “It was a pretty big risk to take,” Donovan says, “because there were no guarantees we would
have a winning season.”
Through the docuseries, viewers will relive the drama of injuries that questioned that outcome, including Mahomes’ high-ankle sprain, which resulted in a gasp heard ‘round the world. But fans will also find plenty of Mahomes magic: hitting his mark while throwing horizontal, behind-the-back passes, scrambling for a touchdown on a bandaged ankle, and connecting with Travis Kelce on and off the field.
But for Lara Krug, it’s the intimate look at the organization’s key players in their everyday lives that makes the series so binge worthy.
‘‘You’ll see a side of Andy Reid, the very human side we don’t usually get to witness outside of how he’s become a future Hall of Famer.”
– Lara Krug
“ You’ll see a side of Andy Reid, the very human side we don’t usually get to witness outside of how he’s become a future Hall of Famer,” she says. She references his appearance on Monday Night Football’s “Punt,
From left: JuJu Smith-Schuster; Brock Baumert, the director of team operations; Dave Toub, the assistant head coach; Tammy Reid; and Andy Reid.
Pass and Kick” competition at age 13, where he towered over the other kids. The official jerseys didn’t fit him, so the producers had to borrow Les Josphenson’s gear from the locker room.
“I think people will enjoy a glimpse into his life as a family man,” Krug says, “starting when he meets Tammy at Brigham Young University, and how their relationship has grown through life’s ups and downs, both professionally and personally.” The woman Chiefs players clearly adore knew she and Andy were going to get married by their second date.
Mahomes’s personal life is also on display throughout the docuseries. His relationship with his parents is both entertaining and revealing; family films show a two-year-old Patrick batting a ball around the house, wearing a miniature version of his dad’s Mets uniform when he was in the World Series, and his closeness with his mother, Randi, who raised him as a single mom.
His parents’ divorce and father’s absence colors his own desire to be a family man first. We see him in tender moments with his wife, Brittany, and as a loving father as he carries his son and daughter up the stairs to put them to bed. The couple welcomed a second daughter during— conveniently—a bye week when the team had time off between games.
We watch an emotional Chris Jones urging the defense to greatness. Seeing tears coming down his face after a loss is an indelible image. One of the most touching stories centers around wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins’s mother, who was blinded during a domestic violence incident. Her resilience is breathtaking.
Viewers won’t be surprised to see Taylor Swift’s famous face in the series. Donovan and Krug agree that the real-life love story between
Travis Kelce and the biggest name in music added interest to the season and the series. Krug says, “I think people are drawn to happy stories, and this certainly is that.”
Krug notes that this real-life love story helped create an enormous, global female fanbase for the Chiefs. Swifties tuned in to see their icon at Chiefs games and watched her boyfriend dance to her songs during her groundbreaking tour. Girl dads were delighted to have a new connection with their daughters through football.
The six-part series includes dozens of lighthearted moments, including Reid dressing as Santa after a holiday-season win, Mahomes and Kelce trying on their third massive Super Bowl rings, or how several high-profile players display their unique fashion styles, from classic to edgy. We’re looking at you, Kelce.
Krug also thinks fans will appreciate the historical elements woven through the episodes, including artifacts contained in the Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, 150 feet below ground. It’s touching to see how Mahomes, Kelce, Reid, and Jones view these historical pieces with such reverence. Naturally, shoe-collector Mahomes was most drawn to a pair of red-and-white cleats.
And while the season didn’t end the way the Chiefs hoped it would, the docuseries shows a team that is eager to learn from the loss of Super Bowl LIX and come back better than ever.
It’s not the end for Foolish Club Studios, either. Donovan and Krug say there are two more productions in the works that will be announced soon. In the meantime, they’re seeking other scripted and unscripted projects to add to their growing collection—compelling, heartwarming stories of foolish dreamers.
From left: George Karlaftis and Chris Jones in the pregame huddle among the offensive and defensive lines.
words by Jenny Vergara
Zero in on Zero Proof
Just a few years ago, ordering a nonalcoholic drink at a bar often meant settling for a club soda with lime or a syrupy sweet “mocktail” that felt more like an afterthought than an experience. But sometime around 2018, that began to change. A handful of factors, like the rising wellness culture, the “sober curious” movement, and a younger generation drinking less than their predecessors, converged to give birth to the modern nonalcoholic drink movement in the United States.
While nonalcoholic beer had existed for decades, the real turning point came when craft-minded producers began applying the same creativity and rigor used in traditional spirits and brewing to alcohol-free products. Early innovators like Seedlip, which launched in the U.S. in 2017, proved that nonalcoholic drinks could be complex, sophisticated, and worthy of a spot on a cocktail menu. By 2019, trend forecasters were calling zero-proof cocktails one of the fastest-growing segments in hospitality. But in 2020 the trend quickly stalled when during the early days of COVID-19, alcohol sales spiked. But by 2021 and beyond, with many still working from home, people wanted options that didn’t always involve alcohol, and a movement was born. No longer relegated to dry January or sober October, nonalcoholic drink
CRAFTED NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE HERE TO STAY
options were here to stay.
The timing was no accident. Millennials and Gen Z, who together represent a powerful consumer group, were already drinking less. Wellness-focused lifestyles, an interest in mental health, a growing awareness of alcohol’s long-term effects, and a rise in states who have legalized marijuana have all fueled a cultural redefinition of what it meant to “go out for a drink.” At the same time, the craft beverage revolution had primed drinkers to appreciate complex flavor profiles, regardless of alcohol content.
Today, nonalcoholic beer, wine, and spirits are a $500 million market in the U.S., with sales rapidly increasing year-over-year. Bars across the country now dedicate entire sections of their menus to zero-proof cocktails, breweries are perfecting hop waters, and restaurants see nonalcoholic wine pairings as an essential part of the dining experience.
Kansas City has embraced this new world order, led by local talent helping the movement find its Midwestern voice. Jay Sanders, the visionary behind Drastic Measures and Wild Child, an inclusive cocktail bar specializing in equally good alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails in in downtown Shawnee, has become a leading figure in the
Equinox the V at Mean Mule Distilling Co.
city’s nonalcoholic beverage scene. Sanders approaches N/A beverages with the same craft once reserved only for high-end cocktail programs.
“What sets our nonalcoholic menu apart at Wild Child is that we have a lot of fancy and expensive equipment that has allowed us to gure out how to make really delicious, handcrafted zero-proof cocktails,” explains Sanders.
His process at Wild Child begins with vacuum distillation, a gentle technique designed to preserve the essence and avor of a spirit while removing its pure alcohol. He uses this process to create complex bases that mimic the depth and mouthfeel of spirits, without the ethanol. is technique allows Wild Child’s menu to showcase drinks layered with nuance, like smoky tea “whiskeys,” bright herbaceous “gins,” and even a zero-proof Ca é Amaro that holds its own in a nonalcoholic espresso martini when shaken with cold brew and a piloncillo sugar reduction.
“At Wild Child, I serve drinks with and without alcohol because having a bar is about making everyone feel welcome,” says Sanders. “Around 70 percent of the drinks we sell at Wild Child contain alcohol, and 30 percent do not, so those numbers tell you that we need to serve a mix of both in order to survive.”
Kansas City’s culinary and bar scenes are the perfect landscape for this beverage mix-and-match evolution. No matter the reason, as diners increasingly crave avor without the buzz and more establishments highlight sophisticated alternatives, no-alcohol drinks are gaining legitimacy—and excitement. is isn’t just about cutting back; it’s about savoring every sip, consciously and deliciously.
Sarah Pretorius and Kayla Mason, cofounders of SipSteady, totally agree. ese friends turned entrepreneurs were out in front of the nonalcoholic beverage movement in Kansas City. ey launched their spirit-free beverage marketing and events company in 2021. e
vision was to market nonalcoholic brands by holding tasting events to get their product into consumers’ hands, while working to help non-drinkers feel seen and supported. e upswell of nonalcoholic beverage brands had really started to take o in Kansas City, and their business ourished.
“When we launched SipSteady, I was alcohol-free, but Kayla was a mindful drinker. ere were initially very few options for a non-drinker in Kansas City, but since then things have changed dramatically. e quick proliferation of nonalcoholic options on menus across the city just lled my sober little heart with joy,” says Pretorius. “When you don’t drink, you still want to go out with your friends, and you want something that makes you feel seen and appreciated.”
Pretorius says she sees a lot of “zebra striping” in Kansas City. is is a term that Dan Gasper, founder and CEO of e Ardent Company, a drinks accelerator, came up with a few years ago. Zebra striping is when people go to a bar and have an alcoholic drink followed by a nonalcoholic drink.
For many people, the popularity of nonalcoholic drinks isn’t about abstaining, it’s about expanding. It’s the freedom to choose a drink for its avor, ritual, and social connection, not just its alcohol content. And in Kansas City, where innovation and hospitality go hand-inhand, the movement feels less like a passing trend and more like a permanent part of the city’s drinking culture. Here are some spots that Pretorius highly recommends in Kansas City.
BILLIE’S GROCERY | billiesgrocery.com
With two locations now open in Midtown and Leawood, Robin Krause’s popular café and bakery, Billie’s Grocery, is keeping the restaurateur busy as a bee. Slide in for a super salad, grain bowl of goodness, or signature sandwich, and order a fully loaded cocktail, wine, or beer—or try one of her juices, smoothies, or creative spiritfree drinks. Her Mai-Lai is made with orgeat, Mai-Tai simple syrup, Ghia, pineapple juice, mint, and orange.
ENJOY PURE FOOD + DRINK | enjoypurefood.com
When Staci Cross opened her rst Enjoy Pure Food + Drink in Leawood, she wanted to create a place that o ered healthy fresh food, nourishing your body and mind, for an on-the-go society. e menu o ers gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and organic meals with a mindful menu of low-sul te wines and cocktails made without
Rose Martini at Enjoy Pure Food + Drink
refined sugar. On her zero-proof menu, try the rose martini made with Ritual brand zero-proof gin, grapefruit, rose water, and agave.
FERN BAR | fernbarkc.com
You’ll never miss the booze in owner Bryan Arri’s nonalcoholic margarita or “PaNOma,” which is his take on his traditional draft paloma cocktail made with Bare Tequila Reposado and Jarritos grapefruit soda and grapefruit oleo-saccharum syrup. Pair an N/A margarita with a Yoli Tortilleria taquito filled with carnitas pork or Arthur Bryant’s barbecue brisket, potatoes and your choice of cheese.
HORSEFEATHER SOCIAL| horsefeathersocial.com
Loews Kansas City Hotel has launched a brand-new, soda-centric program that you can find only on their seventh-floor rooftop patio, Horsefeather Social. Building on the success of their Free Spirited program, a
Wild Child
curated nonalcoholic and low-alcohol beverage program, each Fizz soda is made in-house using fresh herbs, local ingredients, and house-made syrups. Try the featured soda flavor, Blossom Breeze, made with cherry mint syrup, lime juice, and ginger syrup, topped with club soda for a balanced, lightly spiced finish. Check out the Fizz Cart, a mobile soda cart, offering made-to-order soda creations from resident Fizzologists Wednesday to Sunday from 5:30 to 11 p.m, weather permitting.
MEAN MULE DISTILLING CO. | meanmuledistilling.co
The tasting room at Mean Mule Distilling Co. is considered one of the early pioneers of clever and creative nonalcoholic cocktails in Kansas City. Owners and founders Jeff and Meg Evans and their team have put a lot of thought into their spirit-free offerings. Take the Equinox the V, for example. Billed as a mood-boosting N/A white negroni with chamomile, the Equinox the V has Little Saints nonalcoholic spirit, lemon, botanicals, shiso leaf, and chamomile, all fat washed with yogurt for a creamy milk punch texture and a bright botanical burst of flavor.
MITCH E AMARO | mitcheamaro.com
The word on the street is that the liquor store, cocktail bar, and allaround drink nerd hangout in North Kansas City is also a fantastic place to stock up on spirit-free bottles to make excellent nonalcoholic drinks at home. Its selection includes Bare Zero Proof, Kin Euphorics,
Horsefeather Social
N
Bitter Aperitif at Sagebr
Channel Orange
and Ritual Zero Proof. Try it before you buy it by sliding up to their cocktail bar in the back and ordering anything from their nonalcoholic cocktail menu for only $10. Can’t go wrong with their N/A G&T, spirit-free Tom Collins, or Phony Negroni.
NOKA | noka.restaurant
The sans-alcohol menu at Amante Domingo’s Japanese restaurant, Noka, in Martini Corner, is one of KC's most well rounded, with a total of seven drinks on offer. Place your steak and sushi order and pair that with the Umami Bomb, which is its take on a faux negroni, featuring a spiced mushroom “spirit,” lemon, ginger juice, and just a touch of sesame oil to soften the bright citrusy punch.
OF COURSE KITCHEN & COMPANY |ofcoursekc.com
Swetha Newcomb’s southern-most Overland Park restaurant, Of Course Kitchen & Company, continues to inspire all who enter, of course. Her food is a unique blend of South Indian flavors and American ingredients. It is a subtly brilliant combination, and her
drink menu is no different. She always has a rotating group of at least three seasonal N/A drinks on her menu. Try the Channel Orange made by bartender Rosemary White, which blends carrot juice, ginger juice, turmeric, and nonalcoholic sparkling Vinada Chardonnay.
SAGEBRUSH | sagebrush-rosedale.com
Christopher Ciesiel and Cristin Llewellyn, owners of The Campground, opened their Southwest-inspired sister bar, Sagebrush, next door to Garden House Cafe in the Rosedale neighborhood last year. The vibe inside is dreamy—super simple and sexy. The same can be said for the drink menu. Serving a full selection of spirited cocktails, their nonalcoholic choices include a seasonal agua fresca and sangrita that are both as refreshing as they are tasty.
THIRD PLACE LOUNGE | thirdplacekc.com
Amanda Blancarte opened Third Place Lounge on Broadway Boulevard in 2024, creating a gathering spot that’s not exclusively alcohol-focused, but socially focused instead. No matter your approach to alcohol, this place takes the pressure to drink or not off everyone who comes through the door. Serving a variety of both traditional cocktails and zero-proof drinks and beer, Third Place Lounge is the perfect spot to start or end your next evening out.
WESTSIDE LOCAL | thewestsidelocal.com
Brandon Strick has created a fine-tuned machine with Westside Local, a casual spot in Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood that offers a comforting menu of soups, salads, sandwiches (and a killer burger) to go with their amazing outdoor patio. It was also an early adopter of the nonalcoholic drink menu that offers both sweet and savory crafted drinks. Hydra is a great example, a perfect blend of mint, blood orange, lime, and ginger beer. It’s a classic spirit-free offering, but you can add your favorite spirit if the mood strikes.
WILD CHILD |wildchildkc.com
At Wild Child, Jay Sanders’s evil scientist approach to his nonalcoholic Absinthe Swizzle is something good to sip on if you are wanting something free of booze but not free of flavor. Made with de-alcoholized absinthe, pineapple juice, lime acids, and Aplos Calme—a spirit-free blend of citrus and herbal botanicals infused with broad-spectrum hemp—it is meant to calm and relax without actual alcohol. Genius!
Mitch e Amaro
Manhattan (KS) at Third Place Lounge
Now Serving
RENOVATION SENSATION FEATURES KITCHENS THAT REALLY COOK
words by Judith Fertig
photos by Aaron Leimkuehler
MIX MASTER
Gr aphite, white, and natural wood tones create a masterful mix in this speculative Prairie Village home by James Engle Custom Homes. Design details like the woven shades against black-framed windows, the wood range hood, and state-of-the-art GE Café appliances in a graphite finish create a layered yet contemporary look. Midcentury pendant lights by Finn in black and brass mimic space capsules ready to touch down on the generous island. Sleek gold and brass hardware sets off the Shaker-style cabinetry.
But there’s a not-so-secret ingredient to this open-plan kitchen. It’s a secondary room that has become a must-have for Kansas City homeowners who build new or renovate. A scullery, butler’s pantry, or prep kitchen—behind the actual kitchen—helps keep the main space tidy and ready for socializing. And there’s a walk-in pantry, too.
“This kitchen redefines modern living,” says the builder, Jim Engle. “It’s a chef’s dream as well as a warm and inviting hub for family gatherings.”
Take the Tour
RENOVATION SENSATION TOUR
On Wednesday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the 2025 Renovation Sensation—benefiting the Shawnee Mission East SHARE program—will showcase four beautifully renovated or newly built homes in the Shawnee Mission East area. Each home highlights unique styles and trends in contemporary design. For tour passes and details, visit smerensen.com
MAKE IT YOUR OWN WITH BLUE AND WHITE
When Tim and Allie Sifers bought their Fairway home seven years ago, the kitchen had already been beautifully renovated, with dark wood lower cabinets and classic white uppers. “I just got to move in and add my own touches,” Allie, an interior designer with Wilson Interiors, explains. “We love to cook, and the double ovens and Sub-Zero refrigerator were just what we wanted.” The peninsula, with bamboo bar stools from Ballard Designs, is the perfect place for sons Jackson and Palmer to enjoy a snack.
“The kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, so why not bring in the colors you love?” she says. The kitchen already had good bones, so Allie added a hint of blue with the custom Roman shade in Henriot Floral by Quadrille. Blue-and-white lidded pots, found in Santa Fe, and a jardiniere found on a trip to China can hold a topiary or flowers from her garden.
“Every morning, when I come into the kitchen, the bright blue and white makes me happy,” she says.
A JEWEL BOX
On the site of a small 1940s tear-down house in Prairie Village, an elegant two-story Georgian has risen, thanks to the vision of John Wind of Piper-Wind Architects, Gahagan-Eddy builders, and interior designer Rich Lippincott with Madden-McFarland. No one is more delighted with the outcome than the retired homeowners, Patti Newsom and her husband Gary Goodfried. “They would come up with these wonderful ideas, and we’d say ‘yes,’” says Patti.
The elegant kitchen looks like a chic boutique or a jewel box, all cus-
tom white cabinetry and that amazing deep blue scullery that reaches across the far end. “We used a custom blue,” says Patti, “and this is the area for baking, the coffee bar, and the freezer.” A butler’s pantry between the living and dining room features glass-fronted upper cabinetry outlined in black metal, a style repeated in the kitchen at the end of the island. A drum shade pendant and articulating sconces, both by Ralph Lauren for Visual Comfort, add more wow factor.
“We wouldn’t have done anything differently,” says Patti. “We love this house.”
GOING GREEN
When Julie and Daniel Schroeder built their Leawood home, they wanted a fresh and cozy kitchen where daughters Leighton and Emery could invite their friends. Julie, an interior designer, saw a “green wall” and that became a starting point. What followed were vibrant emerald cabinets by Miller’s Custom Cabinets, creamy quartzite countertops with taupe veining, and tulip-shaped pendant lights from Hudson Valley. A nearby butler’s pantry,
with black cabinetry, is the place for brewing coffee, making other beverages, and hiding the detritus of dinner prep.
But the pièce de résistance must be the amazing faux plant wall that rises to a peak. It looks like a meadow blooming amidst all the green. “I love it because it adds a great textural element,” Julie says. “And it’s fun.”
“I love coming into the kitchen when the morning sun streams in,” she adds. “It’s a cheerful way to start the day.”
Hassle-Free Rentals Made Easy
receive a $100 AmEx gift card with any rental that’s 2 days or more
MAKE GETTING AROUND EASY AND STRESS-FREE with our 4- and 6-seater golf cart rentals—perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, church gathering, birthday party, graduation, football game, or festival, our carts keep guests moving comfortably and quickly. They’re also a convenient solution for large venues, big parking lots, or shuttling elderly and handicap guests with ease.
Flexible rental options fit your needs—rent by the day, weekend, week, or even month. Plus, we make it simple with pickup and delivery service right to your event location. Reliable, spacious, and hassle-free—our golf carts help you focus on the celebration, not the logistics.
by Jenny Vergara
Reservation for One ANJIN
photos by Aaron Leimkuehler
Anjin—named after the Japanese word for “pilot”—has officially landed in downtown Kansas City. This intimate 20-seat izakaya, or Japanese neighborhood bar with a culinary focus, is the newest concept from three-time James Beard Award finalist Nick Goellner, and his wife and business partner, Leslie Newsam Goellner, along with longtime Antler Room bar manager, Drew Little.
In Japan, izakayas are warm, convivial spaces designed around a central bar, where guests and staff connect as drinks flow and food is delivered straight from the kitchen to your seat. After several research trips to Japan, the team behind Anjin was ready. With The Antler Room now eight years strong in the Longfellow neighborhood, it was time for something new, an Eastward-looking concept created with
Kansas City in mind.
Familiar faces from The Antler Room have joined the kitchen team at Anjin, and the culinary action unfolds right in front of diners. The front of the house is led by Leslie, the delightfully charming Drew, and the incomparable James Chang, who always knows exactly what to say to make your meal great.
The room itself is a study in subtle craftsmanship. Dark navy walls recede into the background, drawing your attention to the natural wood bar, the wood screens, and the custom benches for waiting guests. The small but striking space hums with quiet intention. From the tiered silver ceiling pierced with pin lights in all the right places to the bar chairs crafted from hemp and seaweed, the atmosphere is comfortable, focused, and quietly refined.
Anjin borrows many traditional cues from Japanese izakayas. All
Chairs wrap around three sides of the intimate natural-wood central bar at Anjin.
seats wrap around one central bar. Food is ordered gradually and shared, like at a tapas bar in Spain. Still, if you prefer to order everything at once, as I did, dishes will arrive quickly and in rhythm, making room for the next guest. The experience is as relaxed or efficient as you want it to be.
Anjin is open Thursday through Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and until midnight on Mondays. I arrived at 10 p.m. for a late reservation, expecting a lively scene. Instead, I found a calm precision that felt more like a fine-dining chef’s table. Leslie greeted me at the door, while Nick and his team moved purposefully with a serene focus behind the counter. The style of hospitality here feels intimate, intentional, and distinctly Japanese in tone.
Despite the late hour, the bar remained full. As I settled in, I thought about how this pink building on Oak Street has hosted several food businesses over the years, from Craig Howard’s burger café and catering kitchen to Canihaveabite, a healthy meal-prep company. But with Anjin’s remodel, the entire kitchen now runs along the back wall, facing the bar, giving diners a front-row view.
As I took my seat, I was presented with a wooden box of small drinking cups to choose from for the evening—a lovely touch. Leslie curated the beverage menu with care. There’s a little bit of everything: specialty cocktails, Japanese beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options. But the sake list is the star. With six options, each sake is marked on the menu by its sweetness, dryness, and richness, helping guests select the right pour. You can order by the bottle or a six-ounce carafe, served in a handmade pitcher
INVITING CONSIGNMENTS
We are welcoming fine art consignments for our fall auction season.
UPCOMING AUCTIONS
Post War and Contemporary Art | September 25
Prints and Multiples | September 26
Impressionist and Modern Art | October 28
Old Masters and 19th Century Art | November 4
Western and Contemporary Native American Art | November 6
American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists | December 7
INQUIRIES | Anna Shaver
314.833.0833 | annashaver@hindmanauctions.com HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM
Kakiage tempura
Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997) Reflections on Soda Fountain, 1991 SOLD FOR $95,250
Flavor IN KC
with your first pour done tableside. I tried the Kikusui Junmai Ginjo, light and dry, and the Tokubetsu “Drunken Whale” Junmai, which leaned even lighter but just as crisp. Both were served ice cold, a lovely pairing with the plates I enjoyed. You can also order a flight of three 2-ounce pours to sample a wider range.
The food menu is condensed but refined. Some items, like the rotating Japanese sando (sandwich), will always be on offer. Others will change seasonally. Several dishes on the opening menu stood out immediately.
One standout is the yakitori, a trio of chicken skewers grilled over charcoal. One features the chicken oyster, a juicy cut from the back of the thigh; another, tender grilled chicken hearts; the third, tsukune or savory chicken meatballs made from chicken thighs. Each skewer was brushed with its own unique sauce or seasoning, celebrating the distinct
flavor of each cut.
Another highlight is the eel nabe, served in a beautiful donabe (earthenware pot with a lid). Grilled American eel is brushed with sweet-savory eel sauce and shingled over sticky shiso sushi rice, topped with sesame seeds and walnuts. The result is an elevated, texture-rich rice bowl—smoky, tender, sweet, sticky, crunchy—every bite a surprise.
The crudo dish was visually stunning and flavor-forward, made from cubes of tuna belly with varying levels of fattiness known as chutoro and otoro, along with kanpachi (yellowtail amberjack), tossed with Rainier cherries, toasted macadamias, green Thai chilies, mint, seaweed, cucumbers, edible flowers, and a delicate shio koji vinaigrette. The pretty plate danced between the fatty richness of the fish, the crunch of the nuts, and the gentle heat of the chilies.
Left: Bar seats are mindfully crafted of hemp and seaweed. Top right: Melon hiramasa tataki. Bottom right: All diners have a closeup view of the action both in the bar and the kitchen.
The tonkatsu sando is a showstopper. Thick-cut Sakura pork collar is pan-fried, then layered on fluffy slices of toasted milk bread with white miso egg salad, shredded Taiwanese cabbage, and Nick’s version of Carolina gold sauce—a mustard-based barbecue sauce from South Carolina. The result is a tender and surprisingly juicy pork sandwich that is elevated by the salty creaminess of the egg salad and crunchy cabbage punched up with the vinegar tang from the mustard-based sauce. It is a meal in itself.
Other small plates fill in the edges beautifully. The tomato and eggplant salads are both fresh and seasonal, kissed with Japanese ingredients and flavors. But the sleeper hit was the kakiage tempura, made from thinly sliced seasonal vegetables and small black tiger prawns, all mixed with tempura batter and fried into round patties. It was served with tentsuyu dipping sauce, made with dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. I was encouraged to eat the tempura with my hands, pulling apart crispy bites and dunking them into the umami-rich sauce.
The playful flourish to a fairly serious meal was the single item on the dessert menu, soft-serve ice cream available in fun flavors like strawberry or sweet potato. It comes with your choice of toppings from Japanese rainbow puffs to cherry-blossom matcha pocky and white-chocolate trash candy to assorted Kit Kat crunch. I got the strawberry ice cream topped with the pastel-colored fruity rainbow puffs, and it was like eating your favorite kid’s cereal and drinking the milk in your bowl.
At Anjin, you can taste the reverence Nick, Leslie, and Drew have for Japanese culinary culture, brought to life with Midwestern ingredients and hospitality. This isn’t a carbon copy of Tokyo—it’s something uniquely Kansas City, and it feels right at home. anjinkc.com
A wooden lattice screen adds an Asian vibe and subdues the visibility of the street activity in the room.
by Jenny Vergara
photo by Bridget Chang
In Your Cocktail SOMERSET SCHOOLHOUSE
Tuc ked amid the rolling green fields and farmland just south of Kansas City sits the historic Somerset Schoolhouse, where a full cocktail bar awaits in the basement, open to the public and brimming with good cheer.
Located about 45 minutes from downtown Kansas City, you are close to finding the schoolhouse when you drive past the Louisburg Cider Mill located off 68 Highway and turn left onto Somerset Road. A mile down, when the road splits, veering to the right takes you to Casa Somerset bed and breakfast, and if you keep heading straight you’ll see signs for Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery located just ahead. Take the latter, and you’ll spot a striking white-and-black restored 1920s schoolhouse. Today, it teaches new lessons in cookie decorating and cocktail crafting, doubling as a charming retail space and community gathering spot for both locals and visitors to Somerset, Kansas.
Owners Jimmy and Lesli Baker, along with their adult children, have lovingly restored the former District 78 schoolhouse, each family member contributing their unique talents to reimagine the space. For the Bakers, this project is personal. Lesli’s grandparents, Lester Town
and Fern Taylor, attended the schoolhouse in the 1920s. Her father, Lester Town Jr., along with his brothers, went there in the 1940s. Lesli’s parents even met at a school dance in the very building in 1958—and they still live across the street. Generations of the Town family, including Lesli, her siblings, and cousins, grew up in Somerset, where the schoolhouse was once a hub for education, penny suppers, dances, and community fundraisers.
Today, the main floor has been transformed into a polished retail boutique offering stylish home décor, jewelry, glassware, tea towels, and more. But head downstairs into what they affectionately call the Faculty Lounge, and you'll discover a cozy, dimly lit basement bar with deep aubergine walls, eclectic retro furnishings, and a fully stocked cocktail bar. A vintage television mounted inside a window well plays quirky black-and-white films, while soft music hums overhead.
Behind the bar, daughter Ashley Baker welcomes guests with a gracious smile and a menu in hand before expertly crafting a round of cocktails. Her ease and skill behind the bar make it clear—this is a bartender who knows her stuff. Nearby, a full-service coffee bar offers espresso drinks for those needing to wind up instead of down.
Vice Principal
The cocktail menu is divided into four categories: martinis, classic cocktails, local favorites, and mocktails. Each drink is cheekily named with a school theme, like the Prom Night, a blackberry sage sour, or the Exchange Student, a global twist on the classic Jungle Bird. Ask some questions about the cocktail program, and you may be handed their prized possession—a leather-bound recipe book filled with handwritten cocktail instructions and whimsical illustrations, arranged A to Z—their secret menu.
The food menu is made for sharing and leans deliciously into comfort. Highlights include Teeter-Totters, oversized tater tots smothered in melted cheddar, bacon, chives, and sour cream, as well as Margherita flatbread, bruschetta, soft pretzels with cheese dip, and abundant charcuterie and hummus boards.
One drink that’s become a seasonal standout is the Vice Principal, a caramel apple–flavored old fashioned created by Ashley using fresh apple cider from their neighbors at Louisburg Cider Mill. It’s especially popular in the fall—and for good reason.
Your homework? Make this cocktail at home and sip it by the firepit. Class dismissed. somersetschoolhouse.com
Vice Principal
2 ounces whiskey
2 ounces Louisburg Cider Mill apple cider
.5 ounce caramel syrup*
.25 ounce brown sugar syrup**
3 dashes chocolate bitters
Add all ingredients to a shaker, shake the cocktail and strain over a large ice ball. Garnish with hydrated apple.
*CARAMEL SYRUP
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To a small saucepan, add the sugar and ½ cup of water. Over medium-low heat and without stirring, allow the sugar to completely dissolve and come to a bubble (it should be dark amber in color). This step should take 15 to 20 minutes and is what makes it taste like caramel. Remove saucepan from the stove, add the remaining ½ cup of water and the vanilla extract. Stir until the ingredients have incorporated. Remove from heat, allow to cool for 30 minutes before pouring into an airtight glass bottle or container. Refrigerate.
**BROWN SUGAR SYRUP
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water, warm or hot
Add the sugar to a heatproof container, like a large Mason jar or measuring cup. Pour the hot water over the sugar, then stir to combine. Continue stirring until all of the sugar has dissolved, about one minute. Let the liquid fully cool, then store the syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
by Jenny Vergara
SUSHI NAMI AND THE PAELLA MIX
CITY MARKET has announced plans for two brand-new restaurants set to open later this year—one is an established Northland favorite, and the other is an exciting new concept making its Kansas City debut. Both will bring bold international flavors to the market’s culinary lineup. Sushi Nami has been serving Chinese dishes and sushi at its original Northland location for years, but owner Stanley Ting is now expanding with a second, sushi-focused concept at the City Market. Sushi Nami will offer Ting’s signature inventive sushi rolls and sashimi, along with starters like gyoza and shrimp tempura. sushinamikcmo.com
Across the market, Spanish-born chef and restaurateur Carlos Saura, who grew up in Seville—Kansas City’s first sister city—is bringing his heritage to the table with The Paella Mix. The restaurant is expected to debut in late summer or early fall. As the name suggests, The Paella Mix will specialize in traditional Spanish paellas, each made with the prized socarrat—the crispy, caramelized rice layer at the bottom of a perfectly cooked paella. Menu highlights include Paella Valenciana with chicken, pork, rosemary, and red pepper; Paella de Mariscos with shrimp, clams, and calamari; and Paella Negra, a seafood paella tinted with black squid ink. Rounding out the menu are classic Spanish tapas alongside beer and red or white sangria. instagram.com/thepaella.mix
Flavor
by Jenny Vergara
SEA CAPITÁN COCINA COSTERA
THE NEWEST CONCEPT from restaurateurs Todd Schulte and Cory Dannehl takes its inspiration from south of the border. The team behind East Coast-style seafood spot Earl’s Premier, its new grab-and-go sibling Earl’s Provisions, and Italian bistro Bacaro Primo in the Crestwood Shops can now add Sea Capitán Cocina Costera to their list of hot spots. The name may be a mouthful, but the coastal Mexican seafood restaurant has been buzzing since opening in July in the former Blu Hwy space on Main Street. At 5,000 square feet, it’s the largest restaurant the pair has ever operated, complete with a spacious kitchen, private dining room, a 20-seat indoor bar, and an inviting outdoor patio. The menu might just be their most ambitious yet, shaped by culinary trips through the Yucatán and Baja California peninsulas. Expect seafood-forward dishes, including ceviche, aguachile, grilled fish of the day, fish tacos, and shrimp enchiladas, alongside heartier offerings, such as duck carnitas, charcoal-grilled wagyu skirt steak with creamy potatoes, and grilled chicken rubbed with smoked chili paste and served with salsa and crispy red rice. The drink menu leans heavily into tequila and mezcal, with tequila lockers available for regulars who want to sip their favorite bottles during dinner. There’s also a killer frozen margarita and a refreshing paloma on tap along with wine, beer, and a full cocktail menu, making the Sea Capitán just as much a destination for drinks as it is for dinner. seacapitankc.com
Soulis Fine Art Auctions
Flavor IN KC
by Jenny Vergara
DING DONG DOGS
FOR THOSE CRAVING a ballpark-style dog from just about any stadium across the country, you’ll soon be able to find your regional favorite at Ding Dong Dogs, a new restaurant and bar opening this fall at 320 E. 51st Street, just steps from the University of Missouri–Kansas City campus. Taking over the former Sahara restaurant space in a strip center at the southernmost stop on the expanded KC Streetcar line, Ding Dong Dogs is a quick-service concept tailor-made for baseball lovers. The décor will pay homage to historic stadiums like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Dodger Stadium. The man behind the menu is owner Matt McLain, a chef and hospitality professional who’s spent the last three years working as the special events and community engagement manager for UMKC. With experience in both front- and back-of-house operations, McLain is excited to create a welcoming space for fellow baseball fans. The star of the show will be a rotating menu of regional hot dogs, each inspired by a different American ballpark. Expect cold schooners of beer, wine, and soda to round out the offerings—making this a spot where parents can kick back with a drink while their kids dig into a dog. Adding to the momentum, UMKC recently announced plans to build a small arena for Division I athletics and community events just a short walk away. When that happens, Ding Dong Dogs is ready to catch the foot traffic—and feed the fans. dingdongdogs.com
Design meets flexibility and elegance with the Forte Wall Custom Hood. Whether you’re looking for powerful ventilation or a custom design finish, the Forte delivers on both.
Discover the possibilities. zephyronline.com
NIGHT TOWER AT THE
saturday, sept. 27
Nonstop experiences from 6-10 p.m.
A departure from the traditional sit-down gala experience, Night at the Tower is a night like no other! A spectacular night of food, fun and entertainment awaits – as well as your chance to support the mission of the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Experience unique after-hours access to the Museum, breathtaking views from the top of the Tower and live music on the Memorial Courtyard!
HYGGE HOUSE
“A HOME FOR YOUR MOST BELOVED MOMENTS”
CLASSIC SHOWERS, ANNIVERSARIES, GRADUATIONS & EVENTS WITH A MODERN TWIST!
A CHIC MICRO EVENT SPACE LOCATED ON THE HISTORIC MAIN STREET OF SPRING HILL, KS
My Essentials IN KC
Alex’s essentials...
BEST BITE:
It’s a bit cliché, but the Z-Man from Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is one of my favorite meals in KC. Especially when I have been gone for a long time.
by Evan Pagano
ALEX KITTOE
PHOTOGRAPHER. TRAVELER. ENTREPRENEUR.
Alex Kittoe was born in Kansas City itching to see the world. Today, he’s taken photos across multiple continents—and several are on display in Seoul, South Korea, drawing tens of thousands of visitors.
Before he ever dreamed of being a photographer, Kittoe’s wanderlust took him to the University of Denver in 2015, and then to Spain to study abroad. He brought a Sony A6000, which gave him an excuse to explore farther—and on an Irish excursion, he snapped a photo of the Cliffs of Moher.
“It wasn’t that crazy of a photo, but it’s the first photo I ever took that I was excited about. … I got to go see it in the gallery at the University of Denver, and I was like, ‘That’s so cool. I took a picture—like, I froze a moment of my life—and they blew it up and put in the gallery,’” he says.
His wanderlust now had an engine. After graduating in 2019, he worked remotely and traveled, camera still in hand. “I was trying to get better. I was taking photos, I was learning how to edit, I was trying to figure out how to sell prints and how to make books.”
He grew a following, and in 2024, he moved back to Kansas City and took on photography full time. His 2025 has been a blur. He’s been to Italy, South Korea, Kenya, and Tanzania—further developing a style marked by wide pastoral skies, fine-grain details, and intentional color editing to capture the feeling the view gave him.
“It’s like the only time in life I can turn my brain off, and I’m able to focus on one thing, and it’s what’s in front of me. I’ll often take a photo and then just sit there for five minutes and enjoy the scene.”
Kittoe’s next photography book is available for preorder on alexkittoe.com
One of the most photogenic spots in KC is the Percheron Rooftop Bar at the Crossroads Hotel. It offers a wide-open view of downtown and is also a great place to grab a drink.
HIDDEN GEM:
For anyone looking to get something framed, Hook Gallery & Framing is absolutely incredible. Scott, the owner, is incredibly friendly, and his custom framing is consistently top tier.
BOTTOMS UP:
My go-to beer is a Boulevard Tank 7 or Boulevard Wheat, usually at Charlie Hooper’s in Brookside.
CAFFEINE FIX: I’m a pretty basic coffee drinker who mostly just drinks black iced coffee, but I love going to The Market at Meadowbrook to grab a coffee and walk around the park for a bit.
GO-TO GALLERY:
It’s a bit outside KC, but I recently had the chance to visit the Museum of Art +Light in Manhattan, Kansas, and was blown away. The way they approach interactive exhibitions is incredible, and all three floors offer something unique.
CAN’T MISS EVENT:
Attending the Plaza Art Fair is such an incredible opportunity to discover new, local artists across various mediums, and it’s absolutely integral to the KC art community.
PHOTO OP:
NEWTON JAMES
7221 W 80th St.
Overland Park, KS newtonjames.com
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