Plus, pro rugby team tryouts this month.
 
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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.
 

🖌️ A brush with brilliance

World-renowned brothers’ art center opening in 18th and Vine district
Zhou B Art Center rendering
Look at it in all its historic glory. | Rendering by Zhou B. Art Center
Kansas City’s art scene is going global. The internationally-respected Zhou brothers will open the Zhou B. Art Center this spring in the 18th and Vine District.

About the center

The new art center will rest within the historic Crispus Attucks school. Originally built in 1905 to host KC’s African American students, the beautifully reclaimed masterpiece will house 45 local artists who will create art within classrooms-turned-studios.

Currently, the center is at ~30% capacity and is still accepting applications. All visual artists are encouraged to dip their brush and apply. Those accepted can expect to be a part of group exhibitions, beginning this fall. Note: There is a $50 jury fee.

The building also features multiple event spaces, cafes + an 80,000-sqft sculpture garden.

Panorama classroom art studio Zhou B Art Center KC

The classroom studio has restored, wrap-around blackboards.

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Photo by KCtoday

Who are the Zhou brothers?

ShanZuo and DaHuang Zhou are a Chinese American duo that settled in the Chicago area in the 80s. That’s where their original spot — also known as the Zhou B. Art Center — remains.

Fun fact: Former President Obama commissioned them to create a painting for President Hu Jintao of China in honor of his state visit.

What brought them to Kansas City?

In a word: happenstance.

“Allan Gray was giving the Zhou brothers a tour and they drove by this building. They liked it and they asked about it.” said Managing Curator Mitchell Obstfeld.

The property was already spoken for. Eventually, its owner’s development plans fell through and the brothers scooped it up.

Zhou Brothers with president obama and president of china

Art with artists, president with president.

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Photo courtesy of Zhou B. Art Center

How will this impact KC?

Leadership plans to create a more accessible art community.

“There’s a lot of commentary saying art is only for these certain types of communities, and we’re trying to give a platform to artists that are typically marginalized and underrepresented,” said Art Director Izzy Vivas.

“There are a lot of silos that we’re going to break down,” Obstfeld added. “We’re giving the artists an international platform.”

A grand opening date is planned for late spring with exact dates TBA. Following its grand opening, the team plans to become a hub for First Fridays and be a gathering space for all of KC’s art sectors.

Watch their website for more information.
Events
Monday, Jan. 8
  • Muggle Studies Scavenger Hunt | Monday, Jan. 8-Sunday, Jan. 21 | 12-6 p.m. | Weston Wine Company, 540 Main St., Weston, MO | $15 | Challenge your wizarding wits as you wander the town of Weston to solve puzzles, take pictures + sample wine.
  • Theatre Auditions 101 | Monday, Jan. 8 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | 14808 W. 117th St., Olathe, KS | Free | Feel confident taking center stage at this basics workshop for theater auditioning.
  • Chef Dinner - Fenix’s Chad Hughes | Monday, Jan. 8 | 6:30-10 p.m. | 7313 West 80th St., Overland Park, KS | $75 | This five course dinner — featuring prawns, glazed sea bass, chicken + “dumplings,” stroganoff, and cookies n’ cream — will be sure to satisfy your foodie fever.
Tuesday, Jan. 9
  • Water Works Park Groundbreaking | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Waterworks Park, 5898 W. 53rd St., Mission, KS | Free | Watch history in the making as the city celebrates new expansion, programming + essential upgrades to Water Works Park.
  • Kauffman Center Presents Trailblazing Talks | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center, KCMO | $45-$68 | Listen to paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi share her experience as a TV host leading fossil expeditions into hostile territories + what she thinks it takes to create a more sustainable future.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
  • Young Professionals Social Networking | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Pinstripes, 13500 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS | $10 | Spark connection (and score a few points) at this networking event for Kansas City’s next generation of professionals.
  • Charlotte Street Fellows · 2023 Reception | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | Free | Honor three local artists at this reception geared at fostering financial support + creative development.
Thursday, Jan. 11
  • Kenya Music Education Benefit Gala | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Carriage Club, 5301 State Line Rd., KCMO | $75-$450 | Listen in on an evening of song + storytelling in support of music education work in Kenya.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Active

The game-changing tool that will take your workout to the next level
3 woman ride exercise bikes
Infrared energy allows your body to warm up quicker and get your heart rate elevated while also delivering additional benefits to your skin. | Photo provided by HOTWORX
We use a variety of tools when we work out (think: treadmills, dumbbells, bands). The new tool you may want to add to your 2024 fitness routine? An infrared workout sauna, which you can find at HOTWORX.

The heat generated in the sauna helps to strengthen and activate the regenerative processes in the body, leading to quicker workout recoveries. Here’s a sneak peek of how it works.

Interested? See our location map (below) to book an appointment.
Find a location close to me
News Notes
Open
  • Overland Park is having an egg-cellent morning. Another Broken Egg Cafe re-opens its renovated space today at 13386 Metcalf Ave. Pop by for a southern-inspired brunch ranging from shrimp + grits, to chicken sandwiches. (Johnson County Post)
Drink
  • What’s better than one locally-owned coffee shop? Two, of course. Café Cà Phê (916 E. 5th St., KCMO) and Cafe Ollama (523 Southwest Blvd., KCMO) are collaborating throughout January. Enjoy drinks that highlight Hispanic and Vietnamese flavors including cajeta, Ube, and horchata.
Sports
  • Premier Rugby Sevens will host tryouts for its women’s and men’s teams. The pro team tryouts are open to those aged 18+ at St. Thomas Aquinas High School (11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park, KS) on Sunday, Jan. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register.
Ranked
  • OP knows how to work it. WalletHub ranked the suburb the No. 25 best city for a job in the US. Rankings were based on job-market strength indicators such as the ratio of job opportunities to job seekers and average starting salary.
Civic
  • Hey, Nancy Drew — crack this case for $10,000. Over 30 years ago, three swords and two daggers were stolen from the Truman Presidential Library in Independence. The FBI is offering a reward for anyone with information that leads to their recovery. Call (816) 512-8200. (FOX2)
Watch
Trending
  • Looking for your new favorite water bottle? The Owala Travel Tumbler combines the best of Stanley’s viral tumbler with Owala’s smart design. We’re liking color “Bunny Hop.”*
 
Civic

💵 Cha-ching and cheer

New utility and sales tax rebates available for Kansas City, Kansas
KCK Kansas City Kansas wikimedia commons.jpeg
KCK in all its glory. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
KCK — want more moolah in your pockets this year? Then read on.

Wyandotte County residents can now apply for utility and sales tax rebates. Here’s how to qualify:
  • Be 65+ or disabled as of Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
  • Have an income below $40,500 (some disability income can be excluded).
  • Pay taxes on utilities.
To apply, you’ll need:
  • Your name, home address, date of birth, and phone number.
  • Proof of income for 2023, such as a W-2 or Social Security statement.
  • Copies of your 2023 utility bills.
  • If disabled, you will need to know the date you received disability status and the name of the agency you received it from.
Submit your documents to the Clerk’s Office by mail or in person. You should receive a rebate check ~eight weeks after your application is processed.

Applications for rebates will be accepted through Monday, April 15. Visit the Unified Government’s website to learn more.
The Buy

The Buy 1.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Sustainably sourced coffee. Or maybe some organic matcha. Or a low-caffeine chai blend, or a hot toddy spice mix — whatever your favorite warm beverage, it’s waiting for you in Six & Main’s locally-sourced coffee and tea collection.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Charmaine
From the editor
I am angry about this weather forecast. Where was my white Christmas? Snow after but not on Christmas is just Mother Nature spitting in my face.

I’m still going to make a snow angel though. Might even have a snowball fight with my husband.
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