These feats took plenty of hands 🛠

3 engineering wonders of the Kauffman Center

Have you ever looked up and wondered “how?” | Photo by KCtoday

The Kauffman Center is a great place to catch a variety of entertainment downtown (if you haven’t figured out from our events page) — from ballet, opera, and the symphony to yoga, lectures, and bands like Snarky Puppy (Google them. You’re welcome). The iconic exterior also adds to KC’s one-of-a-kind skyline.

Beyond the walls and under the stage however, there’s a world of architectural feats and technological wonders. These little-known features hold the building together and allow for modifications you probably have never noticed. Here’s a look backstage.

The Big Pull

Photo of the Kauffman Center's exterior cables — Sorry, but we roped you into this one.

You know those cables out front? They aren’t just for show. One of our favorite facts about the Kauffman Center is known to some as “The Big Pull.”

Basically, the leaning facade and sweeping glass ceiling don’t exactly stay put on their own thanks to gravity. To keep the structure from literally caving in, construction crews attached giant tension cables and yanked on them until there was enough force to balance the weight — sort of like humongous tent stakes. Talk about in(tents).

Each cable reportedly holds 400,000 lbs, equivalent to a 250-mph wind (that’s an EF-5 tornado).

Underground “Slinkys”

Photo of ridged metal cylinders under the stage — All it takes to keep them working is a little WD-40.

This cutting-edge tech is found underground, where colossal, collapsible columns of metal support the stage and seats. The Kauffman Center’s pits were built on Gala System’s Spiralift technology, through which interlocking metal bands move on motors to expand and contract.

“They compact to like a foot and a half of space,” director of theater operations Sara Beatty told us. “These, I call them, are like giant Slinkys.”

This flexibility can extend the stage out or add 100 chairs — meaning your seat could be a part of the action.

THE 20,000-PIECE ORGAN

What year did the Kauffman Center open to the public?

A. 2006
B. 2010
C. 2011
D. 2012

See the answer in the Wrap.

TAKE A GUESS

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Today, Jan. 27

Parent’s Night Out | Friday, Jan. 27 | 6-10 p.m. | Southeast Community Center, 4201 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO | $15 | Drop your children off to enjoy sports, games, arts and crafts, and educational activities — you’ve earned a Friday night out.
Kansas City Mavericks | Friday, Jan. 27-Saturday, April 15 | Times vary | Cable Dahmer Arena | $12-$55 | Kansas City’s pro hockey team hopes to hammer the Nailers from Wheeling, WV.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Winter Farmers Market | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS | $0+ | Expect cool-season crops along with pantry items on every last Saturday of the month, January-March.
1860s Dance Party | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS | $20 | Celebrate Kansas’ statehood with some 1860s style dancing — live music and light refreshments included.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Philharmonia Fantastique | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 2 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $33-$58 | Enjoy this performance blending traditional and modern animation styles that marry with the sounds of the orchestra.
AFC Championship: Chiefs vs. Bengals | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 5:30 p.m. | Arrowhead Stadium | $250+ | Kansas City takes on Cincinnati in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship.

Monday, Jan. 30

Paint Your Pet | Monday, Jan. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | City Barrel Brewing, 1740 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO | $45 | Learn to paint a masterpiece of your beloved family pet.
Breathwork Healing Session | Monday, Jan. 30 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Virtual | $19 | This local spirit guide hopes to encourage a deeper connection with your body, mind, heart, and soul through her breathing techniques.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Only One Day a Year | Tuesday, Jan. 31-Saturday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | The Coterie Theatre, 2405 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $12-$15 | This award-winning play intertwines present day with the last segregated days of Fairyland amusement park — inspired by overlooked Kansas City history.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

49º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Open

A new scratch bakery is serving up French delicacies that change daily. From the owners of Tailleur and Cheval (and just a few doors down) comes Enchanté — at 3934 Main St., KCMO. Feast your eyes on the elevated interior, and bite into this new business (from macaroons to macarons) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 🍪

Edu

Kansas City Public Schools will close Troost and Longfellow elementary schools after this school year. The decision is based on low enrollment and high costs of deferred maintenance. KCPS expects to save $2.4 million a year to provide programs like those offered in suburban districts. (KCUR)

Sports

Patrick Mahomes was named MVP by the Pro Football Writers of America, a separate award from the NFL honor. It’s his second MVP honor from the PFWA, also winning in 2018. Mahomes led the NFL in regular season passing yards (5,250), and he scored 41 passing touchdowns. 🏆 (Kansas City Star)

Concert

Alt rock band Young The Giant is coming to Starlight Theatre on Saturday, July 1. The group, known for hits like “Something To Believe In” and “Superposition,” will be joined by German rock band Milky Chance. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 3. 🎸

Vote

Crossroads Hotel is nominated for Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, and it needs your help to bring home the gold. Vote here to put this KC hot spot on the world map — it doesn’t hurt to be entered to win a cruise or a cash prize, either. 🗳

Plan Ahead

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum is bringing back its annual Bess Truman Birthday Tea. This year’s tea party is centered around a book talk featuring “Unique Eats & Eateries of Kansas City” by Matt Stewart. The event (included with museum admission) is Monday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. 📘

Try This

Red Kingdom runs deep. Now, you can eat and drink the color of our playoff-bound home team. Harvey’s in Union Station is offering up the “Big Red” burger (complete with red buns and barbecue aioli), and reminder: Shatto Milk Company released its red-colored milk (flavored like red velvet cake).

Asked

Do you know a Girl Scout troop that is selling cookies this season? Let us know where we can snag your S’mores and we may feature your troop’s sale in an upcoming newsletter.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Traffic

What we’re buying for our cars: Dash cams. The REDTIGER Dual Dash Camera captures both the front and rear of your car and can be a lifesaver when it comes to contesting traffic violations and recording evidence of collisions. Plus, it connects to your mobile device. 🚦*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Strang chefs opens OP event space

Strang Reserve event space opens in Overland Park

A ribbon cutting calls for balloons. Lots of balloons. | Photo by KCtoday

Welcome to the newest addition to downtown Overland Park. Strang Reserve is officially open and already scheduling tours.

The 7,800-sqft luxury event space — at 8020 Marty St. — kicked things off yesterday, Jan. 26 with an event of its own: a ribbon cutting.

Strang Reserve glows with hundreds of hanging bulbs and floor-to-ceiling windows. The space accommodates 280 guests with a full bar and in-house catering from the Strang Hall restaurants next door. This eclectic smorgasbord of cuisines spans Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

“We’re super excited and proud to be a part of this community,” CEO Shawn Craft said. He said the idea came from people wanting to rent out the food hall.

Anyone looking to book the space can start by filling out this form. Other upcoming events include a Valentine’s Day five-course meal.

KC_Strang Reserve .png — We’re big ivy-wall people.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.

Editor’s pick: In case you took our quiz right after the main story (if you didn’t — no peaking. Go and take it now) and you’re looking for the answer, here it is: The Kauffman Center opened in September 2011.

The other answers:

2006 was when developers broke ground.
2010 was when the city celebrated 1Year2Go with Chaka Khan.
2012 was its first birthday — it had already welcomed 475,000 visitors.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? These seven food + drink spots are James Beard nominees.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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