Written in the stars 🌠

The 2023 celestial calendar for Kansas City

There will be plenty of action in the night sky this year. | Photo via Pexels

Calling all stargazers. We’ve put together a handy guide of this year’s celestial events so you won’t miss a thing. Grab your calendar, mark down these dates, and start planning your 2023 night sky viewing adventures.

💫 Meteor showers

If you missed the Quadrantid meteor shower on January 3 and 4, fear not — there will be plenty more showers to catch this year. Here’s a rundown of what to expect:

Lyrids: April 22-23
Eta Aquarids: May 6-7
Delta Aquarids: July 28-29
Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31
Perseids: August 12-13
Draconids: October 7
Orionids: October 21-22
Southern Taurids: November 4-5
Northern Taurids: November 11-12
Leonids: November 17-18
Geminids: December 13- 14
Ursids: December 21-22

🌕 Full moons and supermoons

It may technically be the Year of the Water Rabbit, but it’s also the moon’s year to shine. While most years there are 12 full moons, 2023 will welcome 13 (two will occur in August). Here’s the full list of the remaining moons, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

March 7: Worm moon
April 6: Pink moon
May 5: Flower moon
June 3: Strawberry moon
July 3: Buck moon
August 1: Sturgeon moon
August 30: Blue moon
September. 29: Harvest moon
October 28: Hunter’s moon
November 27: Beaver moon
December 26: Cold moon

🌑 Lunar and solar eclipses

There will be two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses, two of which will be visible in North America. On Monday, Oct. 23, an annular solar eclipse will be visible in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas (and maybe even some parts of California, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona). On Saturday, Oct. 28, a partial lunar eclipse will take place, but will only be visible to the northeasternmost parts of the US.

📍 Where to go

When choosing a spot to view celestial events, aim for a location that is away from man-made light. Here are some spots that we suggest:

Wyandotte County Lake | 6136 West Dr., Kansas City, KS
Hillsdale Lake | 26000 W. 255th St., Paola, KS
Smithville Lake | 17201 Paradesian St., Smithville, MO

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Tuesday, Feb. 21

KCK Women’s Chamber Network - February Mixer! | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5-7 p.m. | Unbound Experience Center, 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS | $20-$25 | Enjoy drinks, light apps, and networking with fellow women in business.
2023 MARDI GRAS: Beads, Beans & Booze! | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | J. Reiger & Company, 2700 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO | $50 | Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Cajun inspired food, get-down music, and bottles of booze.
Cinderella | Tuesday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | Kauffman Center | $42-$202 | Watch one of the most classic + loved fairytales unfold on stage with the Kansas City Ballet.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

History on Tap: “From Fancy to Flappers to Farm – Fashion of the Twenties” | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, 11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS | $5 | Hear expert Mary L. Schmidt exhibit a selection of garments from her personal collection of 1920’s fashion.
Jam Night | Wednesday, Feb. 22 | 8 p.m. | Jerry’s Bait Shop, 13412 Santa Fe Trail Dr., Lenexa, KS | $0+ | Bring your whole band or go solo at this open jam night.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Live Music with Ron Gutierrez in the Bamboo Room | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Bamboo Penny’s, 5270 W. 116th Pl., Leawood, KS | $0+ | Get in the groove with smooth tunes from Ron Gutierrez.
Lit Lovers Trivia Night | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Casual Animal Brewing Co., 1725 McGee St., Kansas City, MO | $20 | Are you book smart? Test your shelf knowledge at this literature themed trivia night.

Friday, Feb. 24

Don’t Tell Comedy | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | TBD, Kansas City, MO | $25 | Location, show details, and the lineup will arrive for ticket holders at 12 p.m. on the day of the show (past locations include mansions and candy stores).

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

60º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain

Development

Plans for an aerial park + zipline course over the Kaw River are being set to coincide with the 2024 opening of the Rock Island Bridge project. The aerial park will function using the “space frame” supporting the Hy-Vee Arena roof. It will be the first zipline in the US to cross a state border. (City Scene KC)

Open

Kate Smith Soirée opened a new location in downtown Overland Park — at 7911 Santa Fe Dr. The boutique confection company specializes in macarons and custom cakes. The new storefront is taking the spot of Clock Tower Bakery, which closed in late 2022. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Job

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is hiring Diesel Mechanics. Apply here if you have experience in coach or truck mechanical + electrical maintenance and repair work. Check out the new KCATA pay structure for 2023 here.

Number

21,635. That’s how many Chiefs fans rode free shuttle services from Overland Park to downtown KCMO for the Chiefs Super Bowl parade — an increase from 19,600 riders for the 2020 celebration. The service ran from Oak Park Mall to 25th Street and Southwest Boulevard. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Drink

Enchanté — at 3934 Main St., KCMO — is now serving coffee alongside its sweet treats. Editor Bella recommends the peanut butter tart to accompany your carefully crafted espresso.

Arts

It’s time to take the stage. Future Stages Festival performance group applications are now open (for ages five to 18). The festival showcases hundreds of KC youth performers + artists Sunday, June 11 at the Kauffman Center. Applications are due Wednesday, March 1.

Try This

Tomorrow is National Margarita Day. Celebrate with Simple Time Mixers by sipping on the Margarita Bundle or the Margarita Madness 3-Pack. Will that be salt or sugar on the rim? 🍹

Eat

Every dinner’s a party when the food tastes good. Home Chef’s meal kit delivery service takes the stress out of mealtimes with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards, delivered right to your door. Order your first box — for 75% off.*

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Hello 10,000 club 🎉

KCtoday celebrates 10,000 Instagram followers

Not our birthday, but just as sweet of a feeling. | Photo by KCtoday

In case you didn’t know, we post daily content on Instagram too — multifaceted AF. This weekend we hit a big milestone: 10,000 followers. Today we want to celebrate the occasion memory lane-style by reflecting on our top 10 Instagram posts to date.

Basically, Kansas Citians love the Chiefs winning, new developments, and cocktails — sounds just right.

With the NFL Draft coming up and the airport terminal opening, the content is not slowing down anytime soon. Feel free to tag us in your posts @thekctoday or with #KCtoday to be featured on our feed and maybe even in a future newsletter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bella.

Editor’s pick: Watching the follower count hit 10,000 on our Instagram this weekend was the best feeling ever. Thank you, on behalf of the entire KCtoday team, for supporting us in all of our endeavors.

With that being said, we want to know what else you want to see over on the gram. More airport content? Trying new drink spots? Street style interviews? Let us know.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Hop on board our KCI airport guide.

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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