• The Barn Players Theater was founded in 1955 by Earl Altaire, a prominent Kansas City interior designer and theater devotee. Want to see a show? Get tickets to “Next to Normal” which runs Fri., Oct. 21-Sun., Oct. 30. A special Talk Back session will follow the Oct. 23rd matinee performance with the cast + KU Behavioral Health professionals. The Barn recently announced the upcoming 2023 season, including shows like “Little Women” and “Tick, Tick…Boom!”.

• The Coterie is a nonprofit organization, established in 1979, with the mission of providing professional classic + contemporary theater that challenges audiences and artists alike. It provides educational, dramatic outreach programs in the community. “Akeelah and The Bee” kicked off its 2022-2023 season and runs through Sun., Oct. 16.

• Olathe Civic Theatre Association is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization since 1974. Performing in the “Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse,” OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theater productions a year. The theater’s season is in full swing, with upcoming performances of “Rent” beginning Fri., Oct. 28.

• Summit Theatre Group strives to provide enjoyable live theater opportunities and experiences through community involvement and education. The theater is celebrating its 10th season this year, with “Rocky Horror Picture Show” opening next week, Fri., Oct 7. The educational classes include options like “Intro to Musical Theatre” and “Adult Tap.”

• Games at the Market | Mon., Oct. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | 8750 Penrose Ln., Lenexa, KS | Free | Come learn how to play new games and hang out with fellow board-gamers. 🎲
• Friends of the Library Reads “Anxious People” | Mon., Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. | Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Join Friends of the Kansas City Public Library for this reading event.
• Mother Mother | Mon., Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $35+ | Enjoy hits like “Hayloft” and “Burning Pile.”

• State of Poetry: The Poets Laureate of Missouri and Kansas | Tues., Oct. 4 | 5:30 p.m. | Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO | Free with RSVP | Hear two state poets discuss their work + the importance of poetry.
• Pusha T | Tues., Oct. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Truman | $58+ | Listen to his newest rap album “It’s Almost Dry.” 🎤

• Fall Tree Seminar | Wed., Oct. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, KS | Free | Listen to a panel of four speakers address what we can do to protect our trees. 🌳
• Big Wild | Wed., Oct 5 | 8 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $40+ | Jam out to tunes like “When I Get There” and “Awaken.”

• Girls Night Out “Witches’ Brew” | Thurs., Oct. 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Historic Downtown Liberty Square, 118 N. Main St., Liberty, MO | $25+ | Ladies, grab your broom (and friends) for this sip and shop event through downtown Liberty. 🧙‍♀️
• Meet Me at the Altar + MUNA | Thurs., Oct. 6 | 7 p.m. | The Truman | $30+ | Did someone say girl band? Try two of them in one night.

• Statement walls are here to stay. Think: shiplap, subway tile, and bright accent walls.
• Your guests (and the planet) will thank you when you incorporate outdoor spaces and eco-friendly landscaping.
• Neutral exterior colors + natural finishes provide a welcoming curb appeal to any home. Gray, stained wood, and beige are frontrunners this year.*

• 81º | Sunny | 3% chance of rain

• Hy-Vee’s OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit and pitch competition awarded $30,000 to a local family-run cobbler company, Sweet Peaches Cobblers. The contest focused on providing resources to minority + women-owned businesses across KC. (Startland News)
• The Mid-America Regional Council Board of Directors and Total Transportation Policy Committee approved the allocation of over $1.2 million in grant funds to 15 local Planning Sustainable Places projects — six in Kansas and nine in Missouri — that emphasize green + vibrant spaces in the region.

• The new bronze monument of America’s 33rd President, and KC’s own, Harry S. Truman, was officially unveiled at the US Capitol Building. The statue lives in the Rotunda, the center of the building and home to nine other statuesque presidents.

• Happy victory Monday Chiefs Kingdom. The Chiefs came away with a 41-31 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Sunday Night Football. The team now advances to 3-1.
• Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is a new investor in ZenWTR, whose mission is to shrink the amount of plastic in the ocean. The company puts alkaline water into bottles made from 100% recycled, certified ocean-bound plastic. (Kansas City Business Journal)
• The Sporting KC franchise is worth $575 million, an increase of 5% from last year, when it was valued at $550 million. That ranks the franchise at No. 11 in Major League Soccer. (Sportico)

• Looking for a happy hour deal? Try this month-long passport program. Purchase one drink + one appetizer at Summit Grill, Third Street Social, and Pearl Tavern from 3-6 p.m., any time in October. Once your passport is stamped at all three stops, you will receive a $25 gift card, redeemable at any of these locations.

• Fire and Ice Athletics is celebrating one year of business, with around 60 gymnasts and 25 competitive team athletes. It is the first + only Black-owned USA Gymnastics program in the Kansas City metropolitan area. (FOX4)

• Ruby Jean’s Juicery added a new menu item — and it has KC written all over it. Created by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman, Jet Fuel is a handcrafted juice made with grapes, red apple, beet + watermelon.

• The American Pyrotechnics Association annual convention took place in KC last week. As part of their convention, the APA staged a fireworks display on the National World War I Museum north lawn. Check out the full gallery here.

• On Friday, we said The Rockhill Grille was expanding to Town Center Crossing. The address was right, but the city is Leawood — not Lenexa. That’s what happens when you’re too busy drooling on your keyboard. The restaurant expects an opening this fall.

Troostapalooza

• Sat., Oct. 8, 12-6 p.m.
• 30th + Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO
• Local makers, live music + food trucks
• Appearances from Mayor Quinton Lucas + the UMKC basketball teams.
• Get free tickets here.

Gumbo Festival

• Sun., Oct. 9, 12-4:30 p.m.
• 2000 Vine St., Kansas City, MO
• Personal bowl of gumbo, yard games + live music
• Buy $25 general admission tickets here.