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40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.

🎶 Fresh Fridays kicking off its second year

Fresh Fridays in the City Market greets 2nd season with extended hours, more artists

Photo of the City Market with the skyline

Art with a view — you can’t lose. | Photo by KCtoday

You’ve probably heard about First Fridays in KC. Now, let’s talk about Fresh Fridays. Think of it like an additional celebration of artists — this time in the City Market.

Fresh Fridays begins today, May 5, and runs every first Friday of the month through September from 5 to 10 p.m. This is the event’s second year, and it has an even bigger lineup than before.

🎨 The artists

Fresh Fridays is an event in collaboration with Art Garden KC. You might know that name from the Sunday makers market that used to be in City Market Park last year (Pssst — they’re down at Berkley Riverfront this year). This local artist collective coordinates creatives and small businesses to provide a variety of vendors.

“Art Garden KC brings more than vendors to the series; they have live music, children’s activities, and other interactive features that make each Fresh Friday an engaging, fun, unique experience,” Sue Patterson with the City Market told us.

The music lineup features five musicians, each performing one-hour sets. The jams are presented by The Garden KC DIY, a group that organizes local musicians and books them shows. Genres include acoustic pop, country blues, and indie folk.

Photo of the City Market with twinkle lights and a sunset — When the sun goes down, the twinkle lights come out.
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Photo by KCtoday

🚙 Join the fun

Getting there: The KC Streetcar has multiple nearby stops. If you’re driving directly there, several pay lots are available nearby for $2 minimum. Other parking options include free street parking, a small number of free spaces within City Market off of Walnut Street, or a free lot at 7th Street + Main Street (next to the North Loop streetcar stop). RideKC also has several bus routes connecting with the City Market.

Make a night of it: Check out our River Market neighborhood guide for recommendations on food, drink, and entertainment options nearby.

Asked

Which neighborhood is your favorite First Fridays spot?

A. River Market
B. Crossroads
C. West Bottoms
D. Other

Take 10 seconds to tell us

Events

Friday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo Community Fiesta | Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6 | Times vary | Guadalupe Centers, 1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, MO | Free | This two-day festival includes mariachis, folkloric dancers, food trucks, kids rides, petting zoo, vendors, and artists.
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss | Friday, May 5 | 8 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $35-$175 | Two music legends — one in bluegrass and the other from Led Zeppelin — join forces to tour their recently released “Raise the Roof” album.

Saturday, May 6

SwordStrong KC | Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | HomeField KC Courts, 2115 E. Kansas City Rd., Olathe, KS | $5-$100 | This event combines a swordfighting tournament and a strongman competition where participants on both sides compete for first prize.
Miniature Railroad Opening Day | Saturday, May 6 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Frank Vaydik Park, 6060 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO | $0.60-$0.75 | The Kansas City Northern Miniature Railroad is opening for the season through September.

Sunday, May 7

TOUR de HOPE | Sunday, May 7 | 7:30 a.m. | National WWI Museum and Memorial | $40 | Tour KC landmarks and enjoy a post-bike-ride party, all benefiting The Hope Center.
Art Garden KC at Berkley Riverfront | Sunday, May 7-Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Kansas City, MO | Free | Shop handcrafted local works from KC makers every Sunday.

Monday, May 8

Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox | Monday, May 8 | 6:40 p.m. | Kauffman Stadium | $10-$243 | Watch the Kansas City Royals face the Chicago White Sox on our home diamond.

Tuesday, May 9

Women Inspiring Women Breakfast: Secrets of Success | Tuesday, May 9 | 8-9 a.m. | Eggtc, 7182 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS | Price of purchase | Chat with other women about generations in the workplace.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Today Is

Cinco de Mayo honors Mexico’s victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 — a major symbol of the country’s fight for independence. Celebrate by joining one of several community events, like the Fiesta at the Guadalupe Centers (1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, KCMO).

Announced

After a year of renovations, the National WWI Museum and Memorial will reopen its lower level on Friday, May 19. This section of the museum features an open storage center with 190-ft of window viewing + updated learning and research center with additional spaces for groups of students.

Open

Here’s the tea. Bubble tea shop Bruú Café just opened its second location — at 116th Street + Rosewood Avenue in Leawood, KS. A grand opening celebration is planned for Thursday, May 13. Take a peek inside.
From smash burgers to dumplings: Rakar Dumpling House recently opened in place of a former Winstead’s — at 4971 W. 135th St., Leawood, KS. The menu includes a variety of dumpling fillings + rice dishes, noodle bowls, and steamed buns.

Eat

Wondering where to dig in this Cinco do Mayo? Five restaurants along the famous KCK Taco Trail are offering $5 taco plates. The Taco Trail recently launched its 2023 season with 10 new stops — find them all on the mobile pass.

Number

944,234. That’s how many passengers arrived and departed from KCI in March. This was a a 21.3% increase from March 2022 and the busiest month at the airport since December 2019. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Kansas Citian

Cameron McNie, co-founder of KC-based Hawaiin Bros, was named a finalist for Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Heartland Award. This award goes to leaders of high-growth companies who demonstrate innovation and financial performance. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Correction

Wooooahhh. On Wednesday, we told you the American Royal rodeo cost $50, but we’re pulling the reins back on that. Tickets actually start at $20 for general admission. Read more about it.

Wellness

Want to kickstart your metabolism? (Who doesn’t?) Meet Metabolic Daily, a multi-strain probiotic that helps your body do more with the food you eat by boosting sugar and carb metabolism and reducing sugar cravings and energy slumps. Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month of any membership.*

Finance

This card features a whopping 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers (that’s well into 2024) and an additional 0% intro APR on purchases. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It also gives you the chance to rake in cash back deals — with no annual fee.*

Holiday

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Enter: Floom’s limited edition Mother’s Day arrangements. Browse one-of-a-kind bouquets featuring tulips, roses, peonies, orchids, and more. Plus, peruse the selection of indoor plants. Shop now.

Festival

👟 March of the Monarchs returns

March of the Monarchs returns with 18th & Vine festival

Learn a thing or two at this peaceful, educational plaza. | Photo by KCtoday

Step back in time with one foot forward — it’s the March of the Monarchs, a free community event celebrating Negro Leagues history and the 18th & Vine District.

This community walk and festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 — the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. The walk begins at 12 p.m. at 22nd Street + Brooklyn Avenue.

History’s on (2)2nd

This event re-creates opening day for the Monarchs, where a marching band led fans from 18th & Vine to Municipal Stadium. Today, the walk reverses the route (and ends with a party).

Today, the site of Municipal Stadium is called Monarch Plaza. It pays tribute to Negro Leagues baseball trailblazers, like Buck O’Neil.

Photo of the Municipal Stadium plaque at Monarch Plaza — Standing on the corner of history.
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Photo by KCtoday

How to participate

RideKC will provide a themed bus to shuttle walkers from the Charlie Parker Memorial — 17th Street Terrace + The Paseo — to Monarch Plaza from 11 to 11:50 a.m. RSVP to guarantee your spot.

The post-walk festival will run until 3 p.m. and include live music, food trucks, mascots, and yard games.

Shoutout

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Become a KCtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Travis

From the editor

Perks of living downtown? I was able to bike to the Monarch Plaza I mentioned in the newsletter today. The bicycle lanes on Grand Boulevard, Oak Street, and 18th Street really make me feel a lot safer cruising around town. Oh, and I had to stop at HITIDES on my way back for a refreshing juice drink, of course.

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