Plus, the Royals' 2024 schedule is officially set.
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

⭐ Take the stage

Take a look backstage at Kansas City’s Starlight Theater
Starlight KCtoday
The first sign of a great evening ahead. | Photo by KCtoday
Showtime. Welcome to the Starlight Theater, Kansas City’s oldest and largest continually operating performing arts organization. Let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at behind the scenes of this theater under the stars.

Starlight 1952 KCtoday

The Starlight view in 1952.

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Photo via Kansas City Public Library

Turn back time

Starlight Theater was constructed in 1950 in the heart of Swope Park. It was designed by Edward Buehler Delk, who was also largely responsible for the design of the Country Club Plaza. Discussions of an outdoor stage in KC were in the works for decades. Eventually, overall plans for the venue were rushed in order to put on a show for the city’s 100th birthday.

The cost of the original facility was $1.75 million. By the mid-1990s, that number reached $40 million. Where it stands today, the theater is worth upwards of $80 million. We think it’s priceless.

See the space

Over the years, Starlight has seen rounds of renovation and improvement to keep visitors happy + excited about the arts. Back in 2000, the stage house was enclosed in a $10 million project. Following suit through the rest of the decade, the theater saw multiple projects including a new stage, restrooms, concessions, and indoor rehearsal spaces.

The stage house, where you see the performances happen, is 12,000 sqft and 10 stories tall. Its structure consists of 90-ft battens, a 71-line fly system, trap floor system, and a sprung wood floor. Fun fact: the door to the audience is actually an airplane hangar door.

For audience members, there are four mega-fans standing 35 ft tall with 10-ft blades plus nearly 8,000-seats to choose from.

KCtoday Starlight Theater

We channeled our inner dare devils standing at the light deck, suspended over the audience.

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Photo by KCtoday

Crunching the numbers

Now for some annual fast facts:
  • 250,000+ guests visit Starlight
  • 100+ live performances occur
  • 200+ volunteers provide 5,700+ hours of service
  • 175 nonprofits receive 13,000+ free tickets
  • 30,000+ people engage with community programs
Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis
 
Events
Monday, July 17
  • Kansas City’s Lawn Party 2023 | Monday, July 17 | Times vary | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Free | Celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month at Kansas City’s biggest lawn party of the year.
Tuesday, July 18
  • Business Breakfast Series | Tuesday, July 18 | 7-9 a.m. | Capitol Federal Conference Center, Regnier Center, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | Free | Learn ways to engage and empower employees to increase productivity.
  • Foreigner | Tuesday, July 18 | 7 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $109.50-$349.50 | Jam out with this rock band under the stars.
Wednesday, July 19
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Health

Have you scheduled your annual mammogram?
a woman holds a coffe cup and smiles at another woman
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to surviving breast cancer — over 90% of people diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer survive 10 years or more. | Photo provided by The University of Kansas Health System
Did you know breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the US, apart from skin cancer? Read: One in eight women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. New guidance confirms women should begin regular mammograms at age 40, and The University of Kansas Health System makes it easy with online scheduling and convenient locations.

The health system’s rate of detection for early-stage breast cancer exceeds the national standard. How? Their breast radiologist team is fully sub-specialized in breast imaging — which means they’re experts in seeing things others may not.

As part of their expert care, patients looking for a second opinion have prior imaging reviewed and additional targeted imaging performed with the latest technology, if needed. This additional interpretation can help detect cancers that were previously not found on an initial scan, or, more accurately, report the size and specs of a tumor. Read: Your precise diagnosis could change after a second, more accurate interpretation.

And it’s convenient. The health system has three breast screening locations, Westwood Campus, The Women’s Cancer Center at Indian Creek Campus, and KU MedWest. (Westwood and Indian Creek offer evening + weekend hours.)

Schedule your mammogram online or text MAMMO to (913) 588-1227.
Learn more
News Notes
Sports
  • Start planning now. The Royals’ 2024 season schedule is officially here. Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at Kauffman Stadium vs. the Minnesota Twins. Times will be announced at a later date.
Transit
  • The City of KCMO officially broke ground on the Lee’s Summit Road improvement plan. The $18 million dollar project will focus on realigning + improving the road between Lakewood Boulevard and Anderson Drive to increase safety measures.
Announced
  • Sporting Kansas City announced the launch of the club’s new Spanish-language website. The site design features written + visual content in Spanish — including player profiles, team stats, schedule details, and ticket information. Plus, weekly content for fans. Visit the new site.
Try This
The Word
  • Varicose veins (okay, actually two words) are enlarged veins, sometimes caused by standing or sitting in one position for too long over time. See how the University of Kansas Health System vein care team utilizes state-of-the-art technology to treat this condition — and how they can help you if you’re experiencing this.*
Show
  • The next best thing to seeing The Beatles in concert? A performance by Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles at Starlight Theatre from Saturday, July 22-Monday, July 24. Enjoy songs from “Abbey Road,” the famous rooftop concert, plus all your favorite hits. Get tickets and get back to where you once belonged.*
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.*
Shop
  • On our wish list: the NETVUE Smart Bird Feeder. It identifies bird species + captures live, high-quality footage you can save or share from your phone.*
Drink

Recipe: Builders Margarita from Restless Spirits

Drink Up Month: Celebrate Drink Up with the Builders Margarita from Restless Spirits
Builders Gin - Restless Spirits KCtoday
We’re not drooling, you are. | Photo via Restless Spirits
Drink Up Month has consisted of happy hours + drink specials — but we understand that sometimes, you just want to stay home. That doesn’t mean the Drink Up celebration has to end.

Today, we present you with a recipe for Restless Spirit’s Builder Margarita (surprise, it’s made with gin).

Ingredients

  • 1.5 ounces Builders Botanical Gin
  • 3 ounces of your favorite agave-based margarita mix (Restless Spirits recommends Tres Agaves)
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge, for garnish

How-to

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Add gin and margarita mix; shake vigorously.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass, with salted rim.
  4. If desired, garnish with a lime wedge.
Fun fact: The Builders Botanical Gin has predominate botanical notes, including a refreshing blend of lavender, meadowsweet, and orange peel. Missouri’s first licensed woman master distiller Benay Shannon (once a non-gin drinker) originally made the spirit somewhat begrudgingly as a special request. Now, it’s a fan favorite.
 
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The Wrap
 
City Editor Bella Rainey poses on a rooftop overlooking Kansas City, KCtoday.

Today’s edition by:
Bella
From the editor
With the premiere of “Quarterback” and the ESPY Awards, I am itching for football season. Truly my favorite time in Kansas City is sitting in the Arrowhead parking lot with 70,000 people, anxiously awaiting kick off.

Do you have any 2023-2024 season predictions? Let me know.
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