We’re getting mooned next Monday. That is, Kansas Citians can look up and expect to see 90% of the Great North American solar eclipse around 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8 — the last solar eclipse in the lower 48 until 2044.
Not sure how to celebrate? Grab a pair of glasses and party like only KC can with these local space-themed listings.
- Reenact the days main event with a mochi donut from Blackhole Bakery. Just as the sun eats the moon, you get to down this lunar-shaped confection in four minutes flat.
- Land in a local vinyl shop, like The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven, and browse around for aptly-named titles like Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart, Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun, or Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
- If interstellar travel is more your speed, try walking the Voyage exhibition — a scale model of the solar system on Baltimore Avenue in downtown Kansas City.
- Searching the cosmos for a drink? A Paris by Night from Columbus Park’s Café Cà Phê should do the trick, or travel to the Mercury Room for not-so family-friendly options.
- Take home the perfect solar-style keepsake with a handmade creation from Moon Marble Company. Editor Maddie’s keeping an eye out for its t-shirt restock.
- And when it’s finally time for the real deal, check out these watch parties: Astronomical Society of Kansas City, Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Legends Outlets, Zip KC + Chicken N Pickle.
Any terrestrial KC cosmonauts looking for more opportunities to stargaze this year can check out our 2024 astronomical guide.