The Independent - June 10th PRIDE Issue

ByDiningDesign

John Rufenacht, the visionary interior designer, was the creator and founder of Dining by Design in Our Town, which now takes place in every major city throughout The United States. For the 20th anniversary, John created a Table of Friends. He designed a 40-foot long chandelier of wrought iron with four thousand cards, suspended by red ribbons, bearing the names of individuals who are living with or have died of AIDS/HIV along with names of caregivers and supporters.

David Riffel

In The Spotlight

Joanne Collins and Alvin Brooks are serving as the honorary co-chairmen for the inaugural Prom with a Purpose, a benefit for KC Shepherd’s Center. The September 30th event will be held at the Hy-Vee Arena. The theme will be “Dress Your Decade.” Partygoers will enjoy traditional “prom photos,” a Golden Ticket Raffle, Kansas City-inspired food stations, music, and entertainment. The festivities will include the introduction of the Prom Court, and the crowning of junior and senior Prom Queens and Kings.

More at kcindependent.com.

Alvin Brooks and Joanne Collins, honorary co-chairmen

Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City’s Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake will take place from July 10th through the 21st. Form a team of six with friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors. Fundraise for BBBSKC using social media, email, text, or phone calls. Afterward, teams will celebrate at Park Lanes in Shawnee. Enjoy cosmic bowling, pizza, beer, soda, prizes, and more. Teams can choose from multiple bowling party sessions. Visit bbbskc.org for more information.

n n The IndependentKansas City’s Oldest Magazine

FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming to Kansas City! The world’s biggest sporting event will be jointly hosted by 16 cities spread amongst America, Canada, and Mexico. Kansas City has formed KC2026, and its board of directors is made up of business executives, civic leaders, and elected officials. The non-profit organization will oversee strategy and delivering host city duties for FIFA World Cup 26. It will plan, construct, and implement all aspects of Our Town’s largest sports and fan engagement event in the region’s history. The organization will be led by a board of directors and key leaders including Mayor Quinton Lucas and Honorary Board Co-Chairs Clark Hunt and Cliff Illig. Karen Daniel, Neal Sharma, Jake Reid, Kathy Nelson, and Esther George are the board executive committee members, and Joe Reardon, Frank White, Jr., David Johnston, Angie Long, Mike Kelly, Senator John Rizzo, Brian Platt, Matt Kenny, Senator Dinah Sykes, Jim Rowland, Mayra Aguirre, and Morgan Said are the board members.

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Heart of America Shakespeare Festival will present William Shakespeare’s The Tempest on stage and under the stars in Southmoreland Park from June 13th through July 2nd. Comedy, a love story, exotic creatures, magic, wonderful music, and more are a part of this production. The show features the talents of Cast Members Bruce Roach, Tyler Lindquist, Sam Cordes, Nico Holguin, Will Morris, Kendra Keller, Matt Rapport, Sophiko Tsabadze, Terry O’Reagan, Matt Williamson, Collin Vorbeck, Scott Cordes, Solomon Langley, Amara Webb, Erik Meixelsperger, Chelsea Rolfes, Aliyah Velazquez-Pullin, Meredith Wolfe, Phillip Shinn, Keenan Ramos, Paul Molnar, Jacques Roy, R.H. Wilhoit, and JT Nagle. Sidonie Garrett will be the director for the production, and Greg Mackender and Amado Espinoza are the co-composers and musicians. Admission is free, with reserved seating options available at kcshakes.org/thetempest.

Powerful Message

On May 5th, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) held its Community Luncheon at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Ann and Josh Rowland were the honorary chairs, and Monica Gray and Tanesha Ford served as the event co-chairs. Denise and William Marshall and Leah and Arlan Vomhof were the community support committee co-chairs. Jodi Kantor, New York Times investigative reporter, was the keynote speaker. The Rowlands hosted the Patrons’ Party at their beautiful home on May 4th. More at kcindependent.com.

Matthew Hicks

Arlan and Leah Vomhof, community support committee co-chairs; Melanie Fenske, board chair; Jodi Kantor, keynote speaker; Julie Donelon, MOCSA; and Denise and William Marshall, community support committee co-chairs

Josh and Ann Rowland, honorary chairs

(Seated) Carolyn Parkerson, Julie and Mike McCann, Ann Rowland, honorary chair; and Ann Prochnow (standing) Josh Rowland, honorary chair; and Tempe Ostergren Elsberry

Monica Gray and Tanesha Ford, event co-chairs

Jodi Kantor, keynote speaker

Jenn Toro, Helen Emmott, Jessi Bixler, Sarah Noble, Aaron McGinn, and Monica Gray, featured survivors

(Seated) Kelly Lambert, Shelley Howe, Heidi Peter, Kate Mitchell, Shelley Cartmell, and Britton Norden (standing) Allie Jones and Elinor Bortnick

(Seated) Jennifer Becker, Melanie Fenske, board chair; Jenny Dover, Linda Shipp, and Jessie Burkhalter (standing) Kelly Moothart, Tennille Adkins, Shelley Copaken, Jessica Ralston, and Kristie Brinton

(Seated) Bri Simoneau, Angie Foltz, Megan Steed, and Karen Johnson (standing) Elizabeth Woods, Amy Person, Chris Bowmaster, Kerri Thurston, and Emma Thurston

Sensational Seasons

The Symphony League of Kansas City’s Symphony Ball Kickoff Party was held recently at the lovely home of Sarah Hancock. Sarah and Kathy Nordhus hosted the event. Guests learned about the exciting plans for this year’s Symphony Ball, “Seasons.” Julie McCann and Gina Penner are serving as the co-chairmen for the September 9th event, which will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center. The Kansas City Symphony will perform, and Maestro Michael Stern will be honored, as he marks his final season with the organization. More at kcindependent.com.

July 22nd is the date for Starry Night at Starlight. The event honors this year’s class of All-Stars, a group of Kansas City movers and shakers who work to raise money to support Starlight Theatre. Proceeds will benefit Starlight’s Bob Rohlf Internship program, which provides paid summer internships to college students across multiple departments. The event features cocktails, food stations, dancing, and a ticket to Starlight’s production of Rain – A Tribute to The Beatles. The 2023 Class of All-Stars includes Rachel Hack Merlo, Jacob Derrit, Laura Brozovich, Teresa Martinez and Tyler Means, Theresa Garza, Sam Barnett, Kyri Gorges, Angela and Daniel Kennedy, Jr., Dudley Hogue, Andrea Boswell-Burns and JJ Burns, Melissa and Robert Hingula, Taylor Mills, Jamie Day, Tonya and Lawrence Guinn, Kerri Stowell and Mark Moberly, Traci Clatterbuck, Stacy Mayer, and Elise Jones. To learn more, visit kcstarlight.com.

Join Infant Loss Resources for its Tee It UP for Infant Loss Golf Tournament on July 21st at Swope Memorial Golf Course. This fun event features a grab and go breakfast, a great game of golf on a lovely course, drinks, snacks, lunch, prizes, and a silent auction. To learn more, visit infantlossresources.org.

Theatre in the Park will present 13 on stage from June 30th through July 8th. This coming-of-age tale follows the story of Evan Goldman, a middle school student from New York who moves to Indiana following his parents’ divorce. The play is based on the book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Amy Sander directs the production, and Emmy Hadley and Jackson Tomlin serve as co-choreographers. The talented cast, made up entirely of performers no older than 13 years of age, include Kamryn Henderson, Jocelyn Salter, Nile Clipner, Evan LeRoy, Kenyon White, Delilah Pellow, Jacob Banman, Maddie Hendricks, Aubrey Richardson, Max Duffy, Viviana Carias, Eli Aikman, Charlie Tietjen, Joaquin Gonzalez Layton, Aliyah Hart, Jenna Hass, Brooke Jenkins, Dylan Johnson, Elliana Farrow, Holly Lichtenauer, Lainey McManamy, Delainey Mock, Ryan Peterson, Jordan Rosenwald, Kellen Serrano, and Harper Wright.

I Wonder –

who is always having a last-minute wardrobe crisis, which can only be solved by multiple orders and returns each day?

Amy Volini, Verna Granger, Tricia Scott, Ann Long, and Amy Embry

Janet Ogden, Melanie Fenske, Rachael Sabates, Katherine Schorgl, and Julie Sykes

Barbara Haviland, Mary Leonida, Jackie Middelkamp, Kathy Nordhus, Kickoff co-host; Sarah Hancock, Kickoff co-host; Pam Bruce, and Marylou Turner

Julie McCann, Ball co-chairman; Linda Stevens, Symphony League president; and Gina Penner, Ball co-chairman

Barbara Spilker, Deanna Diebolt, Silvy Brookby, and Margaret Stadler

The Jewel Ball Jewel

On the evening of June 17th, a lucky guest at The Jewel Ball will go home with this beautiful Sydney Evan curved bar marquis diamond necklace, donated by Halls Kansas City. Anne Potter Russ is the chairman of The Jewel Ball, which will be held at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The gorgeous Sydney Evan necklace

Shelley Morton and James Douglas, Halls Kansas City; Holly Milledge, vice chairman; and Carolyn Parkerson, treasurer

Wirken Photography

Open For Good

Health Partnership Clinic held its Opening Doors Celebration Luncheon on April 20th. Christel Bell served as the emcee. The featured speakers were Steve Loe, Shawnee Mission West High School, and Stephanie Novello, a client. This year’s Founders Award was presented to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. Jeffrey O. Ellis, former board member, was honored with the Leadership Impact Award. More at kcindependent.com.

Amy Falk, Health Partnership Clinic; Charlie Hunt, representing Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, honoree; and Darren Odum, board member

(Front row) Anita Osborn, Rob Ellis, Molly Porter, Carol Lynne Ellis, Carol Feiock, and Laura Bond (back row) Chip Osborn, Jim Tilden, Jim Porter, Jeffrey O. Ellis, honoree; Ralph Varnum, Tony Feiock, Martie Ross, and Betsey Winchell

Stephanie Novello, featured speaker; and Chris Woodward

Tracy Price, Robin Harrold, and Burnis Lance, board members; Amy Falk, Health Partnership Clinic; and Darren Odum and Michelle Cabrera, board members

(Seated) Jamien Konrade, Jamie Nordstrom, Nichole Grant, Simonna Smolich, and Maggie Wallace (standing) Steve Black, Phil Schneider, and Ross Barker

(Seated) Rasmita Patro, Sara Jackson, Molly Glenn, and Kris Carnahan (standing) Ben Holloway, Chris Woodward, and Jason Hess

Steve Loe, featured speaker; Amy Falk, Health Partnership Clinic; Christel Bell, emcee; and Catherine Rice, Health Partnership Clinic

Amy Falk, Health Partnership Clinic; Jeffrey O. Ellis, honoree; and Darren Odum, board member

(Seated) Juliet Santos, Lori Cue, and Camille Kaldahl (standing)

Jeannette Metzler, Molly Haase, and Cooper McInnis

Juan Hernandez, Anna Purcell, Sara Watson, Maria Weiler, and Willis Sayer

Lovely Luncheon

Kansas City Ballet Guild held its annual Spring Luncheon on May 5th at Oakwood Country Club. Cindy Wurm and Craig Sole served as the co-chairmen. Susan Sands and Jeanie Murphy coordinated a fashion show featuring KCB Second Company dancers in ballet costumes. Melissa Ford, Guild president, welcomed the guests and presided over the installation of the 2023-2024 Guild board members, including Cyndi James, incoming president. Present from the Kansas City Ballet were Jeffrey J. Bentley, who is retiring this year as executive director, and Devon Carney. More at kcindependent.com.

Mark McDonald

(Seated) John Walker, Stephanie Eppler, Melissa Ford, Guild president; Cyndi James, incoming president; Jo Anne Dondlinger, Ron Fredman, and Lisa Sirridge (middle row) Karen Yungmeyer, Angela Walker, Edie Downing, Juliette Singer, Teresa McKinney, Lisa Hickok, Nanette Lippincott, Cindy Wurm, co-chairman; Dana Koehn, and Angela Moore (back row) Peggy Beal, Carrie Kruse, Jennifer Pontier, Gina Harrison, Mark Sappington, Jessica James, and Edie Dodson (out of camera range) Craig Sole, co-chairman

John Walker, Melissa Ford, Jeffrey J. Bentley, Kansas City Ballet; Barbara Storm, Angela Walker, and Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet

Sandy Jackson, Nancy Murdock, Jeffrey J. Bentley, and Sue Ann Fagerberg

Jeffrey J. Bentley, Kansas City Ballet; Melissa Ford, Guild president; and Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet

Julia Kim Malter, Jessica James, Elly Twidwell, Melissa Ford, and Cyndi James

Peggy Younger, Jessica James, Edie Downing, Cindy Wurm, co-chairman; Gina Harrison, and Carrie Kruse

Vicki Baxter, Glenda Lee Touslee, Gigi Touslee, Susan Sands, and Kathy Anderson

Fashion show featuring KCB Second Company dancers

Be nev o l e nt Be n efactors

Life Unlimited’s Hats Off to Mothers Benefactor Party was held at the beautiful home of Zulema and Terry Bassham. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, delicious fare, and fabulous views of Our Town. Rachael Sabates served as the Luncheon chair. The 2023 Honorees, Lisa Block, Stephanie Freeman, Sandra Lawrence, Laura Perin, Anita Robb, Lynda Robertson, CiCi Rojas, Nancy Sachse, and Penny Still, were each presented with a lovely butterfly pin. Life Unlimited’s mission is to support people with developmental disabilities as they experience life with unlimited possibilities. More at kcindependent.com.

The wonderful family classic, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, comes to White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center from July 1st through the 23rd. It features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Audiences will delight in hearing pop and musical theatre favorites, such as “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door To Me,” and “Go Go Joseph.” Kelly Urschel, Matthew Briggs, Matt Walberg, Damon Bradshaw, Ellery Bailey, Julianna Bowles, Ray Zarr, Cody Kreutzer, Sergio Guerra, Tristan Jacobson, Jaden Castinado, Miles Wirth, Chad Leutje, AJ Valle, Meghan Welfer, Denice Trawicki, Karen Blackmon, Alecia Stultz, Anne Haines, Jenny Kurpil, Addison Landes, and Beth Anderson are the cast members. The Children’s Chorus features the beautiful voices of Evan Dagget, Thea Kurpil, Nora Brasel, Tessa Brasel, Ruby Schubert, and Stella Davidson.

I Wonder –who left the grocery store 15 minutes before her dinner guests arrived?

Kauffman Center Presents will feature Dave Koz & Friends: Summer Horns on stage at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on July 15th. The concert features selections from the Grammy-nominated album, Summer Horns, which pays tribute to the energetic horn sections that fueled so many memorable hits in the 1960s and ‘70s. Dave Koz will be joined by Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius for the performance. For ticket information, visit kauffmancenter.org.

The Greater Kansas City Dream Factory has created the Larry Moore Legacy Award to honor Larry Moore for his work as co-founder of the Dream Factory. The award will honor someone each year who has gone above and beyond to make a sick child’s dream come true. The new award was announced at the organization’s Boulevard of Dreams event, which was held at Starlight Theatre on April 14th. The Dream Factory was started in 1985, and has helped nearly 5,000 children in Our Town. Thank you, Larry, for helping to make dreams come true.

SUMMER CELEBRATIONS

David Riffel

Marilyn McConnell, Laura Perin, Wendy Melland, Lisa Auer, Nancy Sachse, Lisa Schellhorn, and Suzanne Shank

Phil and Ana Rogler, Terry and Zulema Bassham, hosts; Georgina Herrera-Luckie and Eduardo Luckie, and Luncheon Chair Rachael and Dr. Nelson Sabates

Kenneth and Lisa Block with Sandra and Dr. Willie Lawrence

Bob and Jennifer Sawyer with Stephanie and Paul Freeman

Brian and Chrysi Mall with Penny and Jim Still

Educate, Inspire, And Empower

Awesome Ambitions’ Purse-onality event will take place on July 22nd at The Gallery Event Space. Fahteema Parrish is serving as the event chair. After 20 years in the technology industry, Fahteema decided to start her own construction company, Parrish & Son’s Construction. Fahteema uses her platform to help teenage girls who participate in Awesome Ambitions’ college and career readiness program to discover their purpose and achieve success. The festive event will feature a fashion show, brunch, and a purse auction.

Congratulations, Cody!

Cody Jolliff has recently been named chief executive officer of Powell Gardens. He joined the organization last year as manager of public programs. Cody was previously employed by the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Oklahoma Historical Society. A graduate of Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University, also in Oklahoma, he has more than 17 years of experience leading non-profit cultural institutions and developing visitor experiences at a variety of sites. Cody, his wife, Tara, and their son, Theodore, enjoy visiting cultural sites both nationally and internationally.

Staying In The Loop

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum’s Rooted among the Ashes is on display through October 1st. The exhibition, which was created by Katy McCormick, explores Japan’s two atomic-bombed cites, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It portrays the survivor trees, or hibakujumoku, subjected to the first use of atomic bombs in 1945. To learn more, visit trumanlibraryinstitute.org.

Dawn and Manu Rattan are the event chairs for Giving Hope & Help’s 10th Anniversary and Scholarship Awards Gala. The June 24th event will be held at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. This year’s theme, “An Evening of Impact,” will showcase the wonderful work that the organization is doing to support domestic violence survivors. For the last 10 years, it has provided essential resources to end period poverty, empowered college bound and non-traditional students, and inspired cancer patients. Giving Hope & Help will launch a new, life-saving initiative, A Way of Escape from Domestic Violence, at the event. Guests will enjoy silent and live auctions, entertainment from The Kansas City Boys Choir and The Kansas City Girls Choir and Ailey Camp the Group, dancing, and more. Scholarship awards will be given in a number of categories for high school seniors who want to pursue continuing educational experiences. Christel Bell and Darron Story are serving as the emcees. To learn more, visit givinghopeandhelp.org.

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The Loop KC brings together similar yet unique minds to create genuine friendships and ignite the next generation of business leaders in Kansas City. Members of The Loop KC are required to give back to local non-profit organizations. More at kcindependent.com.Catie and Ty Tweedie with their son, Rhett, and dog, Minnie

JOIN US IN HONORING SIGNATURE ISSUE SET FOR OCTOBER 28TH.

ONE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PHOTO WITH CAPTION, YOUR

Bloom June Photography

atie Tweedie is a clinical social worker and therapist at Resolve Counseling and Wellness. She is a native of Richmond, Missouri. Catie earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of Missouri–Columbia, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She is a member of the Go Further Foundation and serves on the mental health committee, working as a resource for members in relation to mental health needs, education, and advocacy. Catie is a member of The Loop KC.

Meredith Burgess

Lyrical Splendor

Members of the Lyric Opera Circle gathered at Lidia’s Kansas City on May 3rd for the Spring Luncheon. Kelly Privitera and Jill Ingram Reynolds served as the co-hosts. Mary Beth Gentry, the outgoing president, passed the gavel to Carmen Sabates, the incoming president, and the new board was installed. Edie Downing and Juliette Singer, Lyric Opera Ball co-chairmen, thanked members for their dedication. Krista Renée Pape and Luke Harnish, Lyric Opera resident artists, performed, much to the delight of all. More at kcindependent.com.

Heirloom Photography

Mary Leonida, Nan Chapman, Angie Kramer, Barbara Haviland, Jo Anne Dondlinger, and Eileen Everett

Lora Smith, Pamela Bruce, Tricia Scott, Nan Chapman, and Trudy Gabriel

Karen Mische, Mary Beth Gentry, outgoing president; Lora Smith, Jenny Manka, Laurie Ingram, and Marilyn Garr

Donna Carper, Carmen Sabates, incoming president; Amy Embry, Julia Kim-Malter, Regina Kort, and Dorie Sheppard

Kelly Privitera and Jill Ingram Reynolds, co-hosts

Edie Downing and Juliette Singer, Ball co-chairmen

Rebecca Clark, Peggy Beal, Karen Yungmeyer, and Cindy Wurm

Carolyn Price, Sharon Barry, Kristina Klug, and Lin Gretzinger

Joy Wheeler, Nancy Schall, Diana Cusser, and Lucinda Rice-Petrie

Celebrating Spring

The Kansas City Rose Society held its annual Spring Tea at Lidia’s Kansas City on May 21st. Vicki Riffle and Margie Paxton served as the co-chairs. Members enjoyed appetizers and cocktails. Much of the excitement centered around a raffle at which the grand prize was an oil painting donated by Wes Benson, the artist. The organization, now in its 92nd year, provides stewardship of the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park. Proceeds are earmarked for maintenance and preservation of the Rose Garden. More at kcindependent.com.

ON THE COVER

I Wonder –how the very patient staff person knows to bring Bloody Marys and potato chips before the foursome has even sat down?

Wes Benson, artist; with Kandi McCasland, board president

John Riley, Devan Hartnett, and Karen Sexton

Vicki Riffle, co-chair (out of camera range) Margie Paxton, co-chair

Amy Embry and Taylor Smith, board members

Sí,Sí For M

argaux Blackwell and Kathy Woodward served as the co-chairs for the KVC Gala, which was held on May 5th at The Abbott. The event, which celebrated Cinco de Mayo, raised funds for KVC Health Systems’ programs for children and families in crisis. Dia Wall and Kevin Holmes were the emcees. Guests enjoyed flavorful refreshments, a variety of live auction packages, a photo booth, the skills of a caricature artist, and the musical stylings of Lost Wax. More at kcindependent.com.

Sean Hurley with Kevin Schaffer

Jennifer and Rob Welker

Roxanne and Tom Gelles, Lonnie Johnson, Kathryn Armstrong, and Emily Snow

Angie and Dr. Hadley Warwick

Mike and Jennifer Comer

Paul Kempinski, Jason Hooper, and Jim Simaras

Maria and Sean Hurley

Jay and Jan Fra

Joane Wilkerson and Shelley Howe

KVC

Glenwood Creative

Margaux Blackwell and Kathy Woodward, co-chairs

y, Michelle and Jason Hooper, and Erin and Christopher Stucky

ankenberg, Marsha and Joel Horan, and Steve Howard

Kevin Holmes and Dia Wall, emcees

Blane and Autumn Markley

ShutterBooth KC

Rob Adams, co-owner Dan Nilsen, co-owner

REMEMBER WHEN114 Years Ago

BlaqOut was founded in 2017 by D. Rashaan Gilmore. Its mission is to create a community where Black people of queer and trans experience and their allies are connected and supported, have access to equitable healthcare and safe spaces, and enjoy sufficient resources to help them thrive. By focusing its efforts on improving healthcare and wellness outcomes for some of the most marginalized, BlaqOut has created new pathways to better care for its core membership, Kansas City’s Black, LGBTQ+ community. Founder and Executive Director D. Rashaan Gilmore said, “Of course, we welcome our allies as well; there is space for all. We just want to make sure that our community, which is so often left behind, is prioritized through the services and partnerships that we offer.” BlaqOut is creating Kansas City’s first and only permanent safe space for the Black, queer community. BlaqOut’s multifaceted facility will provide social support, reduce HIV and LGBTQ stigma, and foster a sense of community for Black queer people in our area. The organization’s Culture of Care capital campaign will raise funds for continued innovative solutions to healthcare and wellness. More at kcindependent.com.

In 1909, a decade after The Independent was founded, Clara E. Kellogg and Katherine M. Baxter became the Magazine’s owners. What we know for certain is that they were life partners: they lived and worked together. They already had their own printing company. For many years, the duo resided at 1837 Pendleton Avenue. Clara was the elder by 15 years, which probably made it even more shocking for her when Katherine died in April 1924. She was 43 years old and had been ill with pneumonia for only a few days. Clara remained in their home and continued their work for the rest of her life. In 1940, she told the Kansas City Star, “We operated the business on a 50-50 basis entirely, and when we came home at night we dropped business completely and did not talk about it again until we unlocked the office the next morning.” Clara died in January 1944.

The Metzler Program for Leadership and Civic Engagement was formed through the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce to promote and expedite the development of aspiring LGBTQ leaders and professionals in the LGBTQ and Greater Kansas City community through one-on-one and group mentoring with local business and community leaders. The program helps both mentors and mentees to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity and complexity of LGBTQ identity and community. Mentors will also gain a new perspective of the issues facing younger LGBTQ leaders. Mentees will learn important lessons from mentors, in addition to building strong personal and professional networks. The program was formed to honor the memory of C. Stephen Metzler, a community leader with a long history of community service and civic engagement, who passed away in 2015.

The Independent A Kansas City tradition since 1899

Scan the QR Code or contact Laura Gabriel at 816.471.2800 to start your subscription.

Deon Walton, John Holder, Terry C. Wilson II, Quintez Fox, James London, Trell West, and Jay Nedaj

Strauss-Peyton

Clara E. Kellogg Editor–The Independent Owner–Kellogg-Baxter Printing Co.

Reprinted from the July 16, 1932 issue of The Independent.

Katherine M. Baxter

Reprinted from the April 4, 1925 issue of The Independent.

Strauss-Peyton

Quintez Fox and Terry C. Wilson II

Kenny Johnson Photography

Christy Lonergan

Name Dropping

By Monica V. Reynolds

2 023 CLA SS OF RISING STA RS

Meet Christopher Stibbs, an extraordinary individual whose unwavering dedication and passion have made him a force of nature in the non-profit sector. Chris has become a role model of altruism, leading the charge to address ongoing issues and bring about positive change within Kansas City. Recognized as one of The Independent’s 2023 Class of Rising Stars, his story serves as an inspiration for others to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.

When asked, Chris will tell you his primary passion for volunteerism is in tackling systemic barriers and making a lasting impact on the lives of others. Whether it is generational poverty, domestic violence, limited access to quality education, or mental health services, he understands the importance of addressing these issues head-on.

Chris was drawn to volunteerism in middle school when he attended a youth conference in Omaha, Nebraska, where he learned about service and leadership. In the school years that followed, he devoted his time to working with kids with special needs and contributed time at a hospice house. “Volunteering gave me the opportunity to connect with people that I may not have normally connected with on a day-to-day basis,” he said of his early experience. “It also opened up my eyes to a lot of privileges that I have. That really pushed and motivated me to volunteer.”

Kerry Gentry Hartnett, a friend and colleague, attests to Christopher’s inspired work and his ability to get results. She said, “The events he has launched and nurtured continue to thrive. His success is a testament to his boundless creativity, outgoing personality, and unwavering commitment to helping others.”

While his professional accomplishments are significant, Christopher’s impact extends far beyond the walls of Newhouse as the Director of Philanthropic Engagement. Known as a “networker of Kansas City,” he wholeheartedly assists numerous non profits and local businesses. By all accounts, Chris is always looking for ways to connect people and build community. “He supports, volunteers, promotes, and spreads the word of so many amazing non profits and businesses in Kansas City,” said his friend, Katherine Lee. “This year he started hosting happy hours as a way for people to get to know one another. He is the first person in a room to make sure everyone feels welcome and included.”

Christopher’s passion for Kansas City and its people is also evident in the way he selects the organizations and causes to which he devotes his time. He said he is drawn to helping various non profits, not for their stated missions, but for the specific work they are doing in the community. In addition, his many friends will tell you he is always on the lookout for ways to mentor younger generations and learn from others in the philanthropic community.

Chris has served on the board of directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Kansas City (AFP-KC) and is shaping the next generation of fundraising leaders with the AFP-KC Global Emerging Leaders Task Force. Meanwhile, his involvement with the Greater Kansas City Chamber’s Centurions Leadership Program and The Loop KC’s leadership team showcase his dedication to driving positive change while fostering growth in himself and others. “He is the first one to champion others and to champion the causes that are important to him,” said Kerry.

In addition, Chris has helped bring ideas worth spreading to the forefront of this community. His passion for community engagement shines through in his role as a core planning team member and volunteer lead for TEDxKC.

While this is only a fraction of what Chris is up to in the community, he is not just in it for the accolades. He genuinely cares about making a difference and connecting with people. “I love being around people,” Chris said. “Even though I work in non profits I still love the opportunity to volunteer at other non profits. I make the time to volunteer at these agencies because it’s important.”

Michelle Davis, IFOPA, said, “Chris is one of the most passionate, honest, and driven individuals I have had the privilege to work and volunteer with. His advocacy for the causes he supports is unparalleled. He genuinely loves the non-profit sector, Kansas City, and, most importantly, the people he serves. Kansas City is a better place because he is here.”

Indeed, Chris Stibbs is an exceptional individual who exemplifies the power of philanthropy and volunteerism. His dedication to making a difference, his tireless efforts to address systemic issues, and his genuine care for those around him serve as a reminder that each of us has the capacity to contribute to our communities in our own unique ways and to make a difference. More at kcindependent.com.

REMEMBER WHEN - 14 Years Ago

Patrons of the Heartland Men’s Chorus gathered for an event at the Roanoke home of Cindy Pratt-Stokes and Dr. Robert Stokes on June 18th. Supporters of the Chorus enjoyed wine and hors d’oeuvres in a casual yet elegant garden setting. The Chorus recently completed its 23rd season with record attendance.

Reprinted from the July 25, 2009 issue of The Independent.

Greg Maupins, president; Jim Harlow, and Alex Flemington

Photo Credit: Tom Styrkowicz

MID-AMERICA LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“Our Chamber is uniquely poised at the nexus of business, advocacy, and the LGBTQ+ community. We provide many of the same services other area Chambers of Commerce provide, with the added focus of creating an inclusive and equitable business environment for our businesses and their employees,” said Suzanne Wheeler, who founded the organization in 2012. The Chamber counts 487 businesses among its members. It hosted 262 events during the past year. A highlight is the LGBTQ Business Enterprise program, which is growing rapidly. The Chamber also created Our Town’s first LGBTQ+ coalition of wedding and events vendors, known as WECo, which has provided diversity training to industry employees, published an LGBTQ+ wedding guide, and hosted something new in Kansas City: a wedding show dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. The Chamber provides personal and professional development programming, including training on LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, it serves as the voice of advocacy for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses in both Missouri and Kansas. Ways in which the Chamber helps members connect with each other and the larger community include the membership directory, job board, events calendar, Business Pride magazine, and community discounts with Chamber members. More at kcindependent.com.

OUR SPOT KC

Our Spot KC was founded by Starzette Palmer in 2016. Its mission is to provide safe, accepting, and affirming programming, services, and resources to empower the LGBTQ+ community. The organization provides advocacy, basic needs, crisis response, training/technical assistance, and housing. Our Spot KC’s housing program, Lion House, features emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing for LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and families facing homelessness. It has also provided 5,686 meals and 2,304 hours of life skills workshops. This is one of fewer than five programs like it in the country. Founder and Executive Director Starzette Palmer said, “Our Spot KC is doing critical work for the LGBTQ+ community across our bi-state area, including the provision of housing, community resources, and crisis response in times of tragedy.” Volunteers can help to maintain housing facilities, or organize donation drives to provide residents with essential needs. More at kcindependent.com.

Godfrey Riddle and Joel Barrett hosted the Business Pride Awards.

KT McCalla conducted training on pronouns during a WECo Together event.

Espys Photography

A view of the youth house transitional living

Jaize Karssen, James Moran, Mel Winter, Starzette Palmer, Philip Palmer, Hunter Tener, and Jasmane Palmer, all of Our Spot KC

THE KANSAS CITY RAINBOW TOUR

The Kansas City Rainbow Tour is a self-guided, app-narrated history of Kansas City’s rich LGBTQ+ past. The driving tour is the creation of Joel Barrett and is presented by Joel Speaks Out. A launch party was held on June 3rd at the Kansas City Museum. The Tour takes approximately one hour. It begins near the University of Missouri–Kansas City and ends at the Kansas City Museum. Along the way are more than 20 stops at places such as Womontown, Liberty Memorial, the Jazz District, and many more, including some well-remembered gay bars. The Tour received a Rocket Grant made possible by the Charlotte Street Foundation, the Spencer Museum of Art, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts. Thanks to generous donors, the Tour is free to users. More at kcindependent.com.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KANSAS CITY - PRIDE BUILD

Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City was founded in 1979 by Mary and John Pritchard, along with members of a board of directors. Since then, the organization has built or renovated more than 800 homes in six counties in Missouri and Kansas. Its programs include Pride Build, which supports members of the LGBTQ+ community by providing free exterior repairs to their homes. This helps maximize the value, functionality, and safety of the houses. As Lindsay Hicks, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City, stated, “Together, with community members and allies, Pride Build is building an inclusive Kansas City community where every individual and family has the opportunity to obtain and maintain fair and equitable housing.” Volunteers are needed year-round to work at construction sites, including those for Pride Build 2023, and ReStore facilities. More at kcindependent.com.

The Kansas City P.R.I.D.E. Community Alliance’s mission is to provide educational opportunities, support, social activities, and advocacy to enrich the lives of LGBTQ+ people in an inclusive environment for all. The organization celebrates and recognizes the rich history and heritage of LGBTQ+ people in Kansas City and beyond. KCPCA works to create an alliance with related organizations and allies to achieve and promote common goals. The organization’s KC PrideFest runs through June 11th at Theis Park. It features a main stage with local acts, national recording artists, vendors, food trucks, family activities, entertainment, and more. Thank you, Kansas City P.R.I.D.E. Community Alliance, for the wonderful work you are doing in Our Town!

Lea Hopkins, the first Black Playboy Bunny in Kansas City – later, she was the organizer of the first Pride Parade in Our Town

Nicole Green, homeowner

Hailee Bland Walsh, volunteer

Dixie Belle Saloon

ART Scene

By Anne Potter Russ

We are all so magnificently different. The recent trend seems to be the wielding of differences to pry people apart. It seems like a much better use of time to examine and exalt variations in style, choice, flavor, characteristics, and opinions. Starting right here seems like a good exercise in the fluid movement of understanding and appreciating each other, so here we go!

Three local artists, Madeline Brice, April Marie Mai, and Ryan Wilks, have made names for themselves by being themselves. Each one works in various media, creates representational art, has immense talent, and each one comes equipped with a plethora of exhibitions, awards, installations, shows, and enough critical fanfare to build an empire. While they have each contributed to the incredibly successful Kansas City art landscape together, they have done so as individuals with thoughts, opinions, techniques, and preferences that set them apart from each other. It is with pleasure that we pay brief, albeit heartfelt, homage to these three artists.

More at kcindependent.com.

Ryan Wilks is a self-taught artist whose work “... explores the various realities of queer existence. Primarily created with oils, watercolors, sculptural assemblage, and ritual, their work sheds light on queer expression of spirituality and sexuality. Their bodies of work address and confront religion used as weapon and explores new modes of prayer through visual and participatory exhibitions. While religious and archetypal iconography such as the Devil and Lilith are seen within their figures in their paintings and used to express gender and queer ideologies, the work itself does not adopt the feeling of weighted religious rites. Instead, the work invites the viewer to participate in a modernized expression of spirit.” Ryan’s work is on a journey, and we are given a glimpse into the intricate world of exploring religion and sexuality through art. Ryan’s materials of choice include painting, drawing, the use of objects - found and madedictate that their works are all very different from each other. Ritual and ceremonial performance play a large role in the work, where viewers must confront their own beliefs, systems, sexuality, and understanding of themselves.

Ryan’s Studio

April Marie Mai is a beautiful, complicated, passionate artist who uses color to visually explore their world. In their own words, “I use color and gestural movement to visually play, creating vibrant abstract impasto paintings that connect with the general human subconscious. These paintings have many rainbows to get lost in, and making them helps me self-regulate as an autistic person, connect with others, and brings me joy. The details are as beautiful as the whole.” April’s works are a magical combination of colors, brush strokes, repetition, changing directions, and providing a world in which to get lost. Besides painting, the gender-fluid artist does printmaking, fiber work, and drawing. Their works have been shown at The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. It would make for a divine experience if we could join April in their pastimes, which are visiting gardens, having friends over for tea, and attending a friendly pot-luck in the neighborhood.

Madeline Brice boasts a bachelor’s degree in fine art/painting from Missouri State University, as well as a postgraduate degree in art history from the same institution. Having held positions at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the 21C Museum and Hotels, Madeline is currently the gallery director at Weinberger Fine Art, and a curator for Curiouser and Curiouser, while producing their own art. Madeline works with oils on metallized mylar and aluminum, which creates a completely unique interaction between materials in the piece. The artist stated in part, “My work explores how perception distorts your sense of self and can create an entirely new narrative separate from the actuality of things. I’m interested in perceptive patterns and the ways in which dissolution or untruths create new ones as they build up in a portion of the psychological space, their combined power gradually forcing a change in my attitudes and behaviors.”

Cozy

Sunset On The Lake

Party

Inspiration

Kristen Drinking A Margarita

Kristen Drinking A Spanish Truly

Big Moms

AND BEYOND

BY PAUL HORSLEY

Some of the most extraordinary inventions are born almost inadvertently, on the way toward creating something entirely different. Even the Slinky was the by-product of industrial springs manufactured to protect sensitive maritime instruments in rough seas. OUTside VoicesKC, Kansas City’s newest LGBTQ-friendly choir, was forged in a cauldron of change that has now produced one of the most forward-looking performing arts groups in the area.

Formed under the umbrella of the non-profit organization, Fountain City Performing Arts, OUTside VoicesKC has adopted a uniquely expansive vision. “It is an SATB or ‘mixed’ choir that is dedicated to social justice,” said Fountain City Artistic Director Joseph Nadeau, “to singing music that reflects specifically the LGBTQ experience: but which also extends to other groups that have experienced injustice, both historically and currently.”

OUTside VoicesKC, which made its concert debut in February and presents a second program this month (True Colors), performs at a wide variety of public events such as marches and protests: not only KC PrideFest but also AIDS Walk Kansas City and the recent trans rally at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza.

“We are going to be performing at various events where our voices are geared toward social justice,” said Joseph, a former artistic director of the Heartland Men’s Chorus and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, who is a highly regarded board member of GALA Choruses (the national network of Gay and Lesbian choirs). OUTside VoicesKC is also associated with a national “Justice Choir” movement that has grown up in the last decade: groups with a broad focus on addressing injustices of all sorts. They even have a “justice songbook,” which allows audiences to sing along with the choir if they wish.

But OUTside VoicesKC forms only a part of the Fountain City Performing Arts’ activities, under the auspices of Founder and Managing Director Elven Hickmon, who established the organization in 2018. Fountain City strives toward “offering a safe space for all people to grow and share their views on societal issues through the arts. The site also indicates that the non profit has many facets, some of which have yet to be fully realized.

In fact, the organization was originally called PerformOUTKC and was intended to offer a safe space for people of all ages (and particularly, though not exclusively, LGBTQ people and allies) toward the creation of performance art, theater, poetry, and music.

Its formation in 2008 was inspired, in part, by Elven’s visit to the national GALA festival in Miami that year, which featured several youth choruses from around the country. Elven, who for 10 years was a member of the Heartland Men’s Chorus, conferred with the HMC’s directorship at that time about starting a similar choir in Kansas City: Everyone agreed it was a great idea.

The original PerformOUTKC was a broader-based affair, with vocal activities constituting just one of several of its activities: many of which played out in conjunction with Synergy Services, a family crisis intervention shelter in the Northland. Eventually, PerformOUTKC was absorbed by Fountain City Performing Arts in 2018, and two years later the youth choir was just on the verge of lifting off: with Joseph already training singers for the ready. An initial meeting to discuss the choir was scheduled for mid-March 2020, and when COVID-19 struck that month, everything stopped and fled to Zoom (which proved to be a clumsy tool for choral activities).

Three years later, the thread is still waiting to be pulled and Elven has not given up. When the boards of PerformOUTKC and Fountain City merged, the idea was that the latter would become the parent organization for a broad range of arts groups, including an adult choir (the current OUTside VoicesKC) and a youth choir (the still-in-the-works SingOUT KC).

Time will tell whether the choral community at large will return to its determination: According to Joseph, the number of LGBTQ youth choirs in The United States has dwindled from 15 or so in 2008, to a grand total of two: one in Washington, D.C. and one in Nashville, Tennessee. “But we are coming up with strategies as to what we need to be providing young people who would like to sing and be part of a chorus.”

Now that the adult choir is up and running, Elven has new hope for his initial concept. “My goal is to make sure every person has a space to tell their story,” he said, “through whatever art form they choose.” Encouraged by recent interest in choral music among some parents of LGBTQ youths, he said he “still believes that we are on the right track toward creating something new and different.”

OUTside VoicesKC will perform True Colors on June 11th at Community Christian Church. For information, go to fcpakc.org. To reach Paul Horsley, performing arts editor, send an email to paul@kcindependent.com or find him on Facebook (paul.horsley.501) or Twitter/Instagram (@phorsleycritic). More at kcindependent.com.

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS: LGBTQ performing-arts collective is ready to tackle big issues

Joseph Nadeau is conductor and artistic director of Fountain City Performing Arts and OUTside VoicesKC.

Elven Hickmon is founder and managing director of Fountain City Performing Arts.

OUTside VoicesKC performed its first public concert, Uprising: Songs of Hope and Change, in February.

MODERN FAMILY ALLIANCE

Modern Family Alliance was founded in 2002 by Lynn Barnett, Cathy Hiersteiner, Lisa Fogle, Angela Metzger Degnon, and Gina Barnett. Its mission involves supporting LGBTQ+ parents and their children through events, resources, and education and fostering a community that is inclusive of all families. In 2005, the organization began hosting quarterly events, such as community picnics, campouts, and group outings. Modern Family Alliance provides support and resources for family planning to potential parents, along with education and allyship workshops for the larger community. “Becoming a parent is a huge life change, and LGBTQ+ parents face unique challenges in their journey. From choosing a path to parenthood, to finding affirming health care providers, to understanding additional legal protections such as second parent adoptions – Modern Family Alliance aims to be a safe, inclusive, and affirming source of support,” said Jennifer Wilson, executive director. The organization is connected to 1,200 families online and has donated inclusive books to the classrooms of more than 2,500 local students. Modern Family Alliance welcomes volunteers who are interested in serving on the board of directors or on programming committees. In addition, volunteers are needed for day-of-event coordination and tabling at local outreach events. More at kcindependent.com.

Civic Saint is a purposeful lifestyle company that strives to create thoughtful products that inspire joy, nostalgia, and reflection. The company was founded by Godfrey Riddle to honor his late parents, Goldie and Cecil Riddle, and their legacy of public service, inclusion, and integrity. Civic Saint’s products include apparel and accessories which bring joy and positive affirmation into people’s daily lives, such as their “I Am Human” gold pin, “VOTE” dyed t-shirts and sweatshirts, “Protection Spell” bags, t-shirts, and sweatshirts, “Live With Pride” celebration sticker, and so much more. The company believes in investing in communities to help people reach their full potential, and a portion of each purchase is donated to organizations that fight for racial and social equity.

REMEMBER WHEN - 37 Years Ago

An exciting aspect of the AT&T Dedication Weekend at the Town Pavilion will be a black-tie gala for the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey on Saturday, November 15th. Planning the event are Clark Redick, vice-president of AT&T/Kansas City; Mrs. Hayward Spears, co-chairman for the gala; Alvin Ailey, artistic director of American Dance Theater; Mrs. Stephanie Wolff, also a gala chairman; and Allan Gray, president of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. The opening of Missouri’s tallest building and symbol of Downtown’s revitalization will be celebrated along with the premier performance of “Caverna Magica,” commissioned for American Dance Theater by 30 local corporations and foundations. The performance at Lyric Theater will be followed by supper and dancing at the Town Pavilion.

Reprinted from the October 4, 1986 issue of The Independent.

The Kansas City Center for Inclusion offers an affirming, supportive, and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ people in our community to have fun, learn, grow, connect, and so much more. It provides a wide range of community resources in the areas of advocacy, support groups, legal aid, employment advocacy, worship and religion, health and wellbeing, housing and shelters, and more. It also offers access to opportunities to volunteer for programs and events. A clothing closet is available with seasonally appropriate clothes for any queer person in need. Every year in the spring, the organization throws a prom for queer teens.

Families listened to a story read by the City of Fountains Sisters.

2023 Kickoff House Party: Jennifer Wilson, Modern Family Alliance; with Kara Phillips, Margeaux Seymour, Lacy Haden-Peaches, Tiffany Vincent, and Emily Rosenbaum, board members

The Independent - Kansas City’s Oldest Magazine

Godfrey Riddle

Fawn Lies

MID AMERICA FREEDOM BAND

Rachel’s Reads

Mid America Freedom Band KANSAS CITY

The Mid America Freedom Band was founded by Alan Day and Zachary Parker in 2001. It is now in its 20th season. During that time, it has grown from 14 musicians to more than 80. It currently operates three component ensembles: a full concert band, a jazz band known as the Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra, and a spirit pep band. In addition to hosting its own concerts, MAFB performs at events such as the Kansas City Fringe Festival, the Brookside St. Patrick’s Day Warm-up Parade, AIDS WALK Kansas City, and Kansas City PrideFest, as well as for organizations including the Kansas City Royals. Lee Hartman, the artistic director, stated, “We aren’t just a community band, we are the community. Our music should reflect our time and the communities we serve. With our focus on the music of marginalized composers writing for band, we bring to the stage those who have been systematically denied access. By programming women composers, LGBTQ+ composers, composers of color, and local composers, and through our commissioning of new works, we keep the field vibrant.” MAFB has premiered more than 25 new pieces through the years. Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, knows how to play a concert band instrument, and can read music may become a member – there are no auditions. More at kcindependent.com.

Books, like people, come in all types of packages. There are different sizes, lengths, and genres. There are picture books (and graphic novels) where the image takes center stage, and fiction that paints a picture through words. There are those that evaluate large periods of time, and memoirs that tell about a specific moment in time for an individual. Yet across all of the definable differences, all books have the ability to move us not just as humans but also as individuals. For those of us who love to read, we are lucky to have a plethora of books that provide stories of different times, lives, and perspectives. As we celebrate Pride Month, I wanted to share books that I have loved that place the LBGTQ+ community center stage. Below is a list of seven books, from seven different genres, that show the wonderful humanity being celebrated this Pride Month.

Irrepressible: The Jazz Age Life of Henrietta Bingham

by Emily S. Bingham

Written by her great niece, this biography of Henrietta Bingham details her life as a princess of one of the most powerful families of the American South. Almost living the life of a character in an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, she drank and danced her way through love affairs with both men and women. She was selfish, shameless, seductive, and endearing, but ultimately had to deal with the judgment of her affairs with women.

A Very Gay Book: An Inaccurate Resource for Gay Scholars

by Jenson Titus and Nic Scheppard

This humor book, published by our own Andrews McMeel, paints a satirical portrait of the world where everything from trees to soup is gay. I thoroughly enjoyed this hilarious and irreverent look at history and everyday culture.

How to Be Ace: A Memoir of Growing Up Asexual by Rebecca Burgess

This wonderfully illustrated graphic memoir is witty and empowering. It follows Rebecca as they grow up and navigate a culture that places a lot of focus on sex. It moves from school bullying and trying to fit in, to experiencing anxiety, and then, eventually, to coming into their sexual identity.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

This young adult novel centers around Liz Lighty. Liz decides to campaign for a scholarship awarded to the prom king and queen when her financial aid unexpectedly falls through. As an outsider, she wants nothing less than to run the social gauntlet, but the new girl in school, Mack, makes it bearable. This coming of age story is incredibly sweet.

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

This debut novel centers around three women: Reese, Katrina, and Amy/Ames. It probes interesting questions about motherhood, fatherhood, and queer parenting, along with the making and breaking of relationships.

The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak by Grace Lau

This beautiful poetry collection tackles a variety of complex issues and identities. Influenced by the Bible, pop culture, technology, and Hong-Kongese history, it meditates on the shapes and forms that love can take.

¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life

Lessons by John Paul Brammer

John Paul Brammer is the voice behind the ¡Hola Papi! advice column, and that becomes the framework for this collection as each essay answers a question. The answers give insight into John Paul, and how he lives in the many intersections that make him who he is. It effortlessly tackles the complexity of relationships in ways that are vulnerable and funny.

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

- A UDRE L ORDE

Lee Hartman, Mid America Freedom Band

Members of Mid America Freedom Band at the Gem Theater

Andrew Schwartz

PROJECT PRIDE AT THE COTERIE THEATRE

The Coterie Theatre was founded in 1979 by Judith Yeckel and Vicky Lee. Its mission is to provide professional classic and contemporary theatre which challenges audience and artist and provides educational, dramatic outreach programs in the community. It seeks to open communication between races, genders, and generations by redefining children’s theatre to include families and diverse audiences. Ten years ago, The Coterie started a new education program called Project Pride. Each year, a group of teens who identify as queer or a straight ally gather at The Coterie and work to develop a new show that gives a voice to their experiences in Kansas City. The new play is performed on The Coterie stage every March. It challenges assumptions and celebrates the diversity of the participants and the audience, as well as LGBTQ+ history. The Coterie also strives to be welcoming and inclusive of all gender identities and expressions on its mainstage, as well as in its education programming. The Coterie presents 300 mainstage performances to more than 75,000 young people and families, on average annually.

More at kcindependent.com.

SAVE, INC.

SAVE, Inc. was founded in 1986 as a response to the AIDS epidemic. When largely the gay male population was being affected by the disease, a group of volunteers founded SAVE Home. It was the first AIDS-specific hospice in the state of Missouri, and provided people who had lost everything due to the stigma around the disease with a place to die with dignity and care. The organization continues to work in that space, and has expanded to include mental illness and substance use disorders. SAVE, Inc.’s mission is to provide comprehensive housing solutions to empower socially and medically disadvantaged people to improve their health and lead stable lives with personal dignity. In 2021, SAVE Home transitioned to become Pride Haven, a 20-bed emergency shelter for transition-aged youth who identify as LGBTQIA+. In 2022, Pride Haven served 148 youth and moved 70 percent of them into ongoing housing. Chief Executive Officer Blaine Proctor said, “SAVE, Inc. has been known and recognized for decades for serving the most vulnerable of Kansas City’s citizens. People who were and are shunned, stigmatized, marginalized, and experiencing homelessness are met where they are and welcomed with open arms to support them through their journey toward stability.” More at kcindependent.com.

Tune in to KKFI 90.1 FM on Saturdays at 1:00 PM for The Tenth Voice. The broadcast was created by and for LGBTQIA+ people in the Greater Kansas City area and around the world online. Hosts Fiona Nowling, Michael Grayman-Parkhurst, Rae Bowerman, and Una Nowling present interviews, information, music, news, and more that are especially important to and focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, including topics such as gender affirming care, entertainment and books with LGBTQIA+ themes, fair housing laws, and so much more.

OUT HERE NOW: The Kansas City LGBT Film Festival returns to Our Town from June 29th through July 1st. The Festival showcases timely, independent films by, for, and about the LGBT community and shines a light on the works of emerging filmmakers from around the world. The organization also has a special outreach to feature the works of LGBT filmmakers who are natives and/or current residents of Missouri and Kansas.

The Coterie Pride Project of 2023

The Coterie Pride Project of 2016

Pride Haven building

HEARTLAND MEN’S CHORUS KANSAS CITY

Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City was founded in 1986. The organization’s mission is to build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity. “The Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City’s vision is singing to inspire a world of love and acceptance. We are at the forefront of the LGBTQ performing arts movement,” said Mitch Weber, HMCKC. He added, “In these troubling times that we live in, the arts are what will save us, and we will be leading the pack.” The Chorus has performed in venues across the nation and in different parts of the world. That said, the organization prioritizes performing in smaller communities throughout the Heartland. Singers are welcome, as are volunteers for HeartLight, which is composed of people who do not sing, but instead provide support functions. HMCKC is a member of GALA Choruses, the international association of the lesbian and gay choral movement. More at kcindependent.com.

Cheers To Volunteers!

Scott Switzer has been selected into the 2023 Official North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Softball Hall of Fame. He was nominated by Catherine Kelly for this honor as someone who has made a significant contribution to his league. NAGAAA was formed in 1977. It is comprised of men and women dedicated to providing opportunity and access for the LGBT community to participate in organized softball competition in safe environments. The organization currently has more than 17,000 players from 52 cities across Canada and The United States. Teams compete in leagues, and the best of these teams meet once a year for the annual Gay Softball World Series. Congratulations, Scott, on this well-deserved honor.

The HeartLight group at the Heartland Men’s Chorus is made up of people who don’t sing, but provide support in a variety of ways. Depending on their schedules, members of HeartLight may participate by attending the weekly rehearsals and assisting with setup, volunteering to help with events such as concerts, or in other ways, such as cooking for the lunch that was served during an all-day rehearsal. (The pulled pork sandwiches drew rave reviews!) Their work is greatly appreciated. More at kcindependent.com.

The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Business Pride Awards 2023 will be held on June 30th at The Grand Hall. The event recognizes and celebrates businesses in Kansas City that have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and showcases the invaluable role that diversity, inclusion, and excellence play in fostering thriving working relationships. Awards will be given in the categories of Corporate Partner of the Year, Ally of the Year, Government Official of the Year, LGBTBE Certified Business of the Year, Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Chamber Champion of the Year, and Employee Resource Group of the Year.

Stonewall Sports Kansas City is an LGBTQ and Ally community-based, non-profit sports organization. It was founded in 2019 to raise funds for local non-profit organizations. Kansas City is the 19th chapter of the national Stonewall Sports organization, which was founded in 2010 in Washington, D.C. It has brought together thousands of individuals through social sports to raise funds for LGBTQ+ philanthropic partners across the country. Its mission is to provide inclusive, low-cost, high-fun sport leagues that are managed as a non profit with a philanthropic heart.

Shawn Cullen, HMCKC artistic director and conductor

Jenny Harris-Patterson, Larry Chester, Chuck Henderson, Blaine Diaz, Shawn Moss, and Dan Brown

Chorus members at the 2022 Summer Concert “Unbreakable”

Nicole Bissey Photography

THE GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVE OF MID-AMERICA (GLAMA)

The Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America (GLAMA) includes a wide range of items, such as personal and organizational papers, images, magazines, ephemera, memorabilia, and other materials related to the history of the local LGBT communities. The Archives has two repositories: the LaBudde Special Collections Department at the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and the Kansas City Museum. Among the notable aspects are the archives of the AIDS Service Foundation, the performance archives of Melinda Ryder and DeDe DeVille, and a large selection of AIDS WALK Kansas City t-shirts, primarily from the collection of Mike Sugnet. The Kansas City Museum houses approximately 500 collection items. These artifacts are available for research, for exhibits, or for loans to other museums for exhibit or research. GLAMA was originally founded as a collaboration of three organizations; the third was the Jackson County Historical Society. More at kcindependent.com.

Palatable Pursuits

By Jessica James

REMEMBER WHEN - 100 Years Ago

Orpheum

The superb artist, Julian Eltinge, America’s foremost delineator of feminine personality, will be the star for the week of February 4th. This season in vaudeville he is wearing the most bewitching array of costumes he has ever displayed on the stage. He designs his own gowns for his own use and introduces them around feminine characters of his own creations.

Anchor Island Coffee is located on the southeast corner of 41st and Troost. Serving specialty coffees and drinks, its menu is eclectic and there is something for everyone. One of my favorites is the Horchata Latte—a blend of espresso, vanilla, rice milk, and cinnamon. For the non-coffee drinkers, there is an array of fun drinks, including riffs on non-alcoholic palomas and bellinis, and a variety of tea-based beverages.

Owners Armando Vasquez and Mike Hastings opened Anchor Island in 2020, initially focusing on serving tropical-themed coffee drinks and beverages. They quickly realized the neighborhood needed more food service options, and expanded their menu to include freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items. From acai bowls to breakfast burritos, French toast and tuna melts, the food is fresh, delicious, and prepared to order. My personal favorite is the Chori Papa burrito, made with chorizo, potatoes, spinach, cheese, and sour cream wrapped into a tortilla, grilled, and served with spicy avocado salsa. If you’re not feeling the burrito, you can get it as a bowl, sans the tortilla.

Come for the delicious food and drinks and stay for the chill environment and great service. Whether you are working remotely or having a coffee meeting, the space is sure to meet your needs.

The vibe is inclusive, fun, and inviting, with a huge octopus mural on the wall, fresh plants, and a steady flow of customers coming and going. There is seating downstairs and upstairs and a table for two out front on the sidewalk under the Progress Pride Flag—a symbol of inclusivity and representation.

Julian Eltinge – Orpheum

Anchor Island is a neighborhood coffee shop open to all. More at kcindependent.com.

Costumes from Melinda Ryder’s collection An AIDS WALK KC t-shirt

A Pride pin

Armando Vasquez and Mike Hastings, Anchor Island Coffee

Calendar OF Events

10

Camps For Kids;  Camp Out at the Zoo;  The evening begins with dinner followed by a guided twilight tour, zoo activities, crafts, and a movie. When the sun sets, guests may camp out in the zoo, either indoors in the penguin pavilion or the outback campground. On Sunday campers can enjoy breakfast and join an Animal Ambassador visit; Kansas City Zoo; 6 p.m.; $70. Contact Regina Weir: 5913 Woodson Road, Suite 211, Mission, Kansas 66202 or 816-839-6494 or campsforkids.org or  executivedirector@campsforkids.org.

17 The Jewel Ball; A debutante presentation of longstanding civic and cultural significance. A benefit for two of Kansas City’s greatest assets, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; 6:30 p.m. Contact Anne Russ: annodini@gmail.com.

21 FIRE Foundation; Purses with Purpose; Guests will be surrounded by a beautifully curated collection of purses, totes, jewelry, unique packages, and more. As you bid on your favorites, you’ll enjoy bubbles and bites and chat with fabulous friends; 7 p.m.; $125. Contact Susan  Williams: 20 West 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 or 816-810-1199 or firefoundation.org or susan@firefoundation.org.

10

KC Pet Project; 5K; The first in-person 5K race hosted by KC Pet Project; Swope Park. Contact Stephanie Sullens: 7077 Elmwood Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64132 or 816-683-1342 or kcpetproject.org or stephanie.sullens@kcpetproject.org.

12 Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City; Legacy Golf Tournament; Designed for community and business leaders as the premier client entertainment golf tournament in our area. Foursomes are treated to an extraordinary gift salon and unmatched player amenities; The National Golf Club; $6,000/foursome. Contact Kristi Hutchison: 1709 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-820-2275 or bbbskc.org or kristi@bbbskc.org.

13 Newhouse; New Day Breakfast; Join Newhouse for breakfast! Hear a story of strength and resilience from a survivor of domestic violence and learn about Newhouse’s vision for the next chapter of life-changing work; 8 a.m.; free admission. Contact Chris Stibbs: P.O. Box 240019, Kansas City, Missouri 64124 or 816-462-0508 or newhousekc.org/breakfast or chris@newhousekc.org.

15 Family Health Care; Tacos & Beer on the Boulevard; Brew with a view, join us for cold beer on a hot night! Photo booth, DJ playing great music, fabulous food, and an amazing silent auction;  Boulevard Brewing Company; 6 p.m. Contact Shari Webster: 340 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66103 or 913-722-3100 or swbfhc.org or shariwebster@kcfhc.org.

15 Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy; Leading with Love: A Celebration for KC Girls Preparatory Academy; This inaugural event will share our progress as well as our vision toward educating the next generation of female leaders - boldly stepping into tomorrow with love; Loews Kansas City Hotel. Contact Kara Kahn: 4550 Main Street, Suite 227, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-268-2570 or kcgirlslead.org or kkahn@kcgpa.org.

15 Operation Breakthrough; Big Dreams - Bright Futures Annual Event; The 25th annual event will feature cocktails, a large silent auction, program, dinner, and entertainment by the Operation Breakthrough children; casual attire; Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 5:30 p.m.; $250. Contact Lee  Duckett: 3039 Troost, Kansas City, Missouri 64109 or 913-219-7456 or operationbreakthrough.org/events/2023-big-dreams-bright-futuresannual-event or leed@operationbreakthrough.org.

21 Make Music Alliance; Make Music Kansas City; Part of the international Fête de la Musique, this event is a celebration of sound, occurring annually on the same day in more than 1,000 cities in 1,120 countries; citywide locations; 11 a.m.; free admission. Contact Nancy McGuire: 8517 High Drive, Leawood, Kansas 66206 or 913-219-1330 or makemusicday.org/kcmo or nancemcguire@kc.rr.com.

24 Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park; Stems: A Garden Soirée; Tastings of all kinds, wine, and craft beers are served at destinations among the gardens with music, special entertainment, and fireworks to cap off the evening. This year, guests will be among the very first to experience LongHouse - the Arboretum’s new visitor center and surrounding event spaces; Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens; 6 p.m. Contact Jennifer Cairns: P.O. Box 26392, Overland Park, Kansas 66225 or 913-322-6467 or stemssoiree.org or jennifer.cairns @artsandrec-op.org.

24 Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission; Kansas City Guns N Hoses; An annual evening of excitement as our area firefighters, police, and EMTs square off in the boxing ring to raise funds for the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund (SAFE). SAFE provides immediate financial assistance to the families of our fallen first responders; Municipal Auditorium; 6:30 p.m. Contact Tami Holthus: 3100 Broadway, Suite 1234, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-960-6800 or kc-crime.org or tholthus@kc-crime.org.

n

I Wonder –which co-president is having trouble using her gavel and settling the members at the monthly meetings?

25 Jackson County CASA; Carnival for CASA; A fun, family-friendly event with a western theme. Guests will experience attractions like zipline, mechanical bull, corn canning, petting farm, pony rides, wagon ride, stagecoach bounce house, and barn activities at the Ranch;  Faulkner’s Ranch; 1 p.m.; $25. Contact Lara Klover: 2544 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-785-4097 or jacksoncountycasa-mo.org or lklover@jacksoncountycasa-mo.org. n

PHILANTHROPY MATTERS

John Wingert is the annual giving and donor engagement specialist at the Kansas City Public Library. John said, “Whether it includes teaching reading to children, providing access to the digital tools that are modern requirements, evening the playing field for families in poverty, or serving as a source of unbiased information, the Kansas City Public Library serves as a doorway to knowledge and opportunity for all, and it is a pleasure to share those stories with folks.” Outside of work, John serves as secretary of the board for the Kansas City Center for Inclusion, Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ community center. He is passionate about supporting and uplifting Kansas City’s queer and trans communities. John also serves on the professional development committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter. More at kcindependent.com.

To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org.

The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of AFPKC.

John Wingert, annual giving and donor engagement specialist, Kansas City Public Library

JULY

10-21 Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City; Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake; Nearly 500 teams and 3,000 participants divide into teams of six who work together through the summer to fundraise online. To celebrate, teams enjoy a giant party with free bowling, beer, pizza, and prizes; Park Lanes. Contact Kristi Hutchison: 1709 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-820-2275 or bbbskc.org or kristi@bbbskc.org.

20 Northeast Community Center;  Night in Napa; Join us for an evening of delicious wine and food pairings and music from Harmony Project KC students. Guests will be transported to a relaxing evening in “Napa”; Amigoni Urban Winery; 6 p.m.; $150. Contact Casi Riegle: 544 Wabash Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64124 or 816-231-7738 or necc-kc.org or casi@necc-kc.org.

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Band of Angels; Art That Blows; Partygoers will enjoy bidding on one-of-a-kind art, a high-energy atmosphere, and raising money for music camp scholarships; The Abbott; 5:30 p.m. Contact Mike Meyer: 11890 West 135th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66221 or 913-491-6636 or artthatblows.com or info@bandofangels.org.

21 AdventHealth Kansas City Foundation; Charity Golf Tournament; An exciting golf tournament to support the Greatest Needs Fund; Shadow Glen. Contact Alisha Blackwelder: 7315 East Frontage Road, Suite 221, Merriam, Kansas 66204 or 913-676-2058 or adventhealthkcfoundation.com or alisha.blackwelder@adventhealth.com.

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Awesome Ambitions; Purse-onality; The event is about food, fun, and fashion! Guests will enjoy a delicious brunch, an open bar, jazzy music, purse auction, and two wow-factor fashion shows, featuring the Awesome Ambitions’ girls, who will model and share their stories;  The Gallery Event Space; 10 a.m.; $150. Contact Cynthia Newsome: 12116 McGee Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64145 or 816-835-1091 or awesomeambitions.com or cynthia.newsome@kshb.com.

22 Starlight; Starry Night at Starlight; Highlighting an annual class of All-Stars, featuring Kansas City’s most dynamic charitable movers and shakers, the night features local food, an open bar, photo opportunities, and tickets to a Broadway show at Starlight; Starlight Theatre; 6 p.m. Contact Andrew Lang: 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64132 or  816-997-1129 or kcstarlight.com/starrynight or andrew.lang@kcstarlight.com.

21 HopeKids Kansas City; Charity Golf Classic; Join us for the sixth annual half-day, scramble tournament while raising money to provide an ongoing calendar of events for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition; Oakwood Country Club; 8 a.m.; $325. Contact Kristin Castle: P.O. Box 11947, Kansas City, Missouri 64138 or 816-372-0311 or kristin@hopekids.org or hopekids.org/kcgolf.

21 KVC Health Systems; 2023 KVC Kids Classic Golf Tournament; Golfers will receive VIP treatment as they enjoy 18 holes of golf with a golf cart, gifts and prizes, and meals before and after flights; Canyon Farms Golf Club; 7 a.m. Contact Celia Fritz-Watson: 21350 West 153rd Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061 or 913-322-4942 or kvc.org/golf or cfritz@kvc.org.

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Arthritis Foundation; Art for Arthritis; Pairing children with juvenile arthritis with local artists to create masterpieces that are sold at the live auction. The event also features a silent auction, dinner, and drinks; Loews Kansas City Hotel. Contact Brooke Hilst: 816-601-1382 or arthritis.org/kcart or bhilst@arthritis.org.

28 Infant Loss Resources; Tee It UP for Infant Loss Golf Tournament; Join us for a fun and fabulous day at the 16th annual tournament, featuring breakfast, golf, on-course promotions and tastings, prizes, silent auction, and great food and drinks; Swope Memorial Golf Course; 8 a.m.; $125. Contact Cindy Sims: 1111 West 39th Street, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 913-269-5717 or infantlossresources.org or cindy@infantlossresources.org.

AUGUST

5Hope House; believe - illuminating hope gala - 40 Year Anniversary Celebration; Guests will enjoy live and silent auctions, cocktails, a delicious dinner, entertainment, engaging guest speakers, dancing, and more; black tie; Loews Kansas City Hotel; 5:30 p.m. Contact Anne Aubuchon: P.O. Box 577, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64063 or 816-257-9328 or hopehouse.net/events or aaubuchon@hopehouse.net.

18 The Sewing Labs; The Sewing Labs Gala;  This annual event recognizes students from The Sewing Labs’ programs who have moved from poverty into financial dignity one stitch at a time. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and live and silent auctions; 28 Event Space; 6 p.m. Contact Eileen Bobowski: 526 Campbell Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106 or 816-379-0682 or thesewinglabs.community or director@thesewinglabs.community.

OurTown by Charlie Podrebarac

24 American Jazz Museum; The Birdies Awards; Kicking off the annual weekend festival celebrating the legacy of Kansas City legend Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. The event includes dinner and awards presentation for three honorees dedicated to preserving our city’s monumental and enduring jazz legacy; 6 p.m. Contact Rashida Phillips: 1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-474-8463 or americanjazzmuseum.org or rphillips@kcjazz.org.

24 aSTEAM Village;  Annual Avant-Garde Gala;  An inspiring and informative night with delicious food, silent auction, Entertainer Lonnie McFadden, and Keynote Speaker Dr. Mae Jamison, the first African American woman to travel into space; business attire; Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center; 6 p.m.; $200. Contact Joyce Wells: 1600 Paseo Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 913-209-2379 or  asteamvillage.org or joyce@asteamvillage.org.

SEPTEMBER

4

Mental Health America of the Heartland; Bike for the Brain; The 18th annual event is a community bicycle ride for mental health; Johnson County Mental Health; 7 a.m. Contact Gina McCord: 739 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66101 or 913-222-5935 or bikeforthebrain.org or gmccord@mhah.org.

7 Ability KC; Ability KC’s 2023 Ability Luncheon; We will share amazing stories of perseverance and brighter futures being built through the Ability KC innovative model of care and services. Luncheon co-chairs are Amy and Travis Mattox;  Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center; 11:30 a.m.; $125. Contact Gemma Zook: 3101 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-751-7932 or abilitykc.org or gemma.zook@abilitykc.org.

26

Kansas City Zoo; Wine Walk; Wine lovers and animal lovers unite for a stroll through the Zoo while sipping on more than 20 different types of wine and learning about the Zoo’s conservation efforts; Kansas City Zoo. Contact Susan McFee: 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64132 or 816-595-1234 or kansascityzoo.org or askthezoo@fotzkc.org.

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KC CARE Health Center; We Care KC Brunch; Mimosas and mission-driven stories are on the menu for the first-ever, in-person Brunch and After Party Cabaret; Hotel Kansas City; 10:30 a.m.; $125. Contact Mollie Stephens: 3515 Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-777-2791 or kccare.org/brunch or  mollies@kccare.org.

26 Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA); Kansas City Chiefs Charity Game to Benefit MOCSA; Recognized as the top philanthropic game of its type in the NFL, the Chiefs Charity Game continues a long-standing commitment of supporting the local community, started by Team Founder Lamar Hunt more than three decades ago; Arrowhead Stadium; noon. Contact Kate Schwaller: 3100 Broadway, Suite 400, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or  816-668-0378 or mocsa.org/chiefs or kschwaller@mocsa.org.

26 The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City; Eat Drink Play!; Wonderscope will open for a night of fun for grownups! Enjoy food, drinks, and dancing under the stars, and participate in the silent auction, wine pull, and heads or tails game; The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City; 7 p.m.; $85/members, $100/non-members. Contact Roxane Hill: 433 Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 or 816-643-6700 or wonderscope.org or rhill@wonderscope.org.

27 Head for the Cure; 21st Annual Head for the Cure 5K - Metro KC; Gathering more than 4,000 individuals for a 5K run/walk in honor of brain cancer survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones. This event will feature bounce houses, petting zoo, food trucks, celebrity dunk tank, and more; Corporate Woods; 8 a.m. Contact Maggie Haynes: 1607 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 573-569-5320 or headforthecure.org/metro-kc or maggie@headforthecure.org.

27 The Jewish Community Center;  KC SuperStar;  In its 14th year, the event will be an American Idol-style competition for high school students. The top 10 work all summer with professionals as they develop their talent. The audience helps to crown the most talented high school singer, who wins a $10,000 scholarship; Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College; 7 p.m.; $250. Contact Robin Levine: 5801 West 115th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66211 or 913-981-8895 or  robinl@thejkc.org or kcsuperstar.org.

8 Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas; Power of Work Awards; The 10th annual event will be a celebration of the success stories of our inspirational participants and bold business partners; Madrid Theatre; 7:30 a.m. Contact Lane Bartram: 800 East 18th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-933-3086 or mokangoodwill.org or lbartram@mokangoodwill.org.

9 Kansas City Symphony League; Symphony Ball; Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, bid on unique items at a silent auction, enjoy a live performance by the Kansas City Symphony led by Music Director Michael Stern, dine on gourmet entrees, and dance the night away. Julie McCann and Gina Penner are serving as the event co-chairs; Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center;  5:45 p.m.; $300. Contact Alex Shapiro: 1644 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-218-2620 or kcsymphony.org or giving@kcsymphony.org.

10 Saint Luke’s Foundation; Plaza 10K; Saint Luke’s Home Care and Hospice is honored to partner with KC Running Company for the event. Run along the banks of Brush Creek and through the heart of the Country Club Plaza; Country Club Plaza; 7:30 a.m. Contact Jennifer McBratney: 901 East 104th Street, Mailstop 100 South, Kansas City,  Missouri 64131 or 816-932-5612 or saintlukeskc.org/saint-lukes-foundation/ plaza-10k-run-walk or jmcbratney@saint-lukes.org.

11 HappyBottoms; Diaper Bowl III; Join us for our third annual, tailgate-style event featuring food, drink, live music, games, reverse raffle, live and silent auctions, and much more! Get your game face on, we can’t wait to see you there!; HappyBottoms parking lot; 5:30 p.m. Contact Susan Belger Angulo: 303 West 79th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or 913-940-4450 or happybottoms.org or susan@happybottoms.org.

The Independent regrets that Strauss Peyton was not listed as the photographer for the Benefactor Party for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball in our

Publisher • Rachel Lewis Falcon

Associate Publisher • Jenny Owens Hughes

Art Director • Lisa M. Shea

Editor • Nancy Sachse

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The Children’s Place; Gratitude Bruncheon; Enjoy a delicious brunch while celebrating a few of the many people who have made a difference for The Children’s Place in the last year. Contact Sara Boatwright-Bland: 6401 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 or 816-363-1898 or childrensplacekc.org/events or boatwrights @childrensplacekc.org.

Sneak Peek In The Next Issue

Wayside Waifs hosted the Fur Ball, with a vibrant Las Vegas theme.

Web Editor • Annie England

Historian and Principal Writer Heather N. Paxton

Performing Arts Editor • Paul Horsley

Senior Account Executive • Lauren Cashman

Director of Program Guide Operations • Christin Painter

Feature Writers • Jessica James, Monica V. Reynolds, and Anne Potter Russ

Office Manager • Laura Gabriel

Cartoonist • Charlie Podrebarac

If you are interested in promoting your business to more than 750,000 community members in the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Starlight Theatre Program Guides, please contact Christin Painter: christin@kcindependent.com. Our office is located at: 2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 Prairie Village, KS 66208 • 816.471.2800

The Independent can be purchased at the Oak Park Mall, Town Center Plaza, and Country Club Plaza Barnes & Noble locations.

No. 12

May 13th issue. We apologize for this error.

The on Society

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

In baseball, the umpire calls, “Safe!” or “Out!”

What we like are games where it’s safe to be out. OUT with the Current and OUT with the Royals Pride Nights, organized by OUTkc, are celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride with the KC Current and the Kansas City Royals. Play ball!

Clay Salmon, DePrice Taylor, Anna Knutson, and Ben Aken

Antoine Johnson, Jen Wilson, Cameron Thomas, Catherine Kelly, Ryan Cooney, and Scott Switzer