This weekend is when many will observe Lunar New Year.
The official date varies across different Asian cultures but Lunar New Year is a celebration of the start of spring + the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.
Here’s where you can ring in the Year of the Dragon around Kansas City:
Cafe Cà Phê | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 916 E. 5th St., KCMO | Free entry | Daytime festivities will include dragon dancing, crafts, and the Year of the Dragon menu drop. Stop by between 12 p.m.-2 p.m. for a special kids’ hour.
Tintoretta Tattoo Studio | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | 1427 W. 9th St. #204, KCMO | Menu price | Get a tattoo in a flash featuring pre-set designs of Chinese and Vietnamese zodiac animals.
Lunar New Year Nighttime Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | 12th St. Post, 1501 W. 12th St., KCMO | RSVP required | Also hosted by Cafe Cà Phê, this adult-centered celebration will include a night market full of food, alcoholic drinks, AANHPI vendors, and a drag show.
Lunar New Year Celebration | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Ln., Lenexa, KS | Free entry | Led by the same group that hosts Ethnic Enrichment Fest, this party will be filled with with performances, dragon-themed board games, and specialty dishes from Lenexa Public Market merchants.
Valentine’s Day Paint and Punch | Friday, Feb. 9 | 1-3 p.m. | Brush Creek Community Center, 3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., KCMO | $15 | Release your inner Picasso while socializing + chowing down on snacks.
Anti-Valentine’s Day Party | Friday, Feb. 9 | 4 p.m. | Pizza Bar, 1320 Grand Blvd., KCMO | Menu price | Bring a picture of your ex and they’ll shred it for you at this pizza party for people who love to hate love.
Morris Day and the Time | Friday, Feb. 9 | 8 p.m. | Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Rd., KCMO | $45-$129.50 | “Get ready for a real good time” as the funk-soul rockers make their mark on KC.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Spirit Sports Nationals | Saturday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m.-11 p.m. | Kansas City Convention Center, 301 W. 13th St., Ste. 100, KCMO | $23-$48 | Cheer teams go head-to-head with their sights set on obtaining a bid to the end-of-season championships.
Anxious Kids = Anxious Parents | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | $25 | If you’re a parent needing help with managing your anxious child’s emotions + providing support, then this class will help give you the tools you need.
Coding & Cocktails | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 4-8 p.m. | Dimensional Innovations, 3421 Merriam Dr., Overland Park, KS | $25 | Women can come learn HTML, the foundation of the web, while enjoying a nice drink.
Sunday, Feb. 11
Red Kingdom Block Party | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m. | Kansas City Power & Light District, KCMO | $30 | This day-long celebration features a live performance from Loud Luxury, giveaways, food trucks, and massive LED screens for your football watching pleasure.
Monday, Feb. 12
African American Genealogy | Monday, Feb. 12 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn methodologies + strategies for meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard when researching families that survived American slavery.
Pep rally day. NBC’s “Today” show is hosting a rally at Union Station to celebrate the Chiefs heading to the Super Bowl. It kicks off at 6:30 a.m. so you better hop in your car right now. (KSHB)
Development
It’s the final countdown. The City of KCMO approved a $750,000 cash infusion to finish off a Midtown development first launched in 2015. The money will help complete 202 residential units at Midtown Plaza (3420 Broadway Blvd.). (Kansas City Business Journal)
Opening
Coming this summer: a new Longboards location. Known for its wraps + salads, the local biz plans to open its third location at 8150 W. 135th St. in late May or early June. (Johnson County Post)
Eat
Watch out Whataburger — there’s a new quarter-backed joint in town. Former quarterback Drew Brees signed a deal to open nine Small Sliders restaurants in the KC metro. The fast food joint offers burger combos as well as shakes. The first one may open this year. (Kansas City Star)
Sports
Welcome back, L’Jarius Sneed. The Chiefs cornerback had to take a timeout to welcome his new baby girl. He missed the first half of Super Bowl training but has now replaced his burp cloth with a Chiefs cloth, ready to tackle Sunday’s game. (FOX4)
Feel Good
Friendship bracelets are the ultimate trophy. That’s why kids at Olathe’s Heatherstone Elementary are exchanging Taylor Swift-inspired bracelets with kids in Santa Clara, CA ahead of our teams battling it out in Super Bowl LVIII. The activity is meant to teach kindness + good sportsmanship. (Johnson County Post)
Closed
For now. Bridger’s nightclub (504 Westport Rd., KCMO) is temporarily closing for updates. Owner Brett Alfred says the plan is to reopen this summer. (Kansas City Star)
Ranked
Must be love on the brain. Looper looked up what every state’s favorite rom-com movie is and found that Missouri’s No. 1 romantic watch is “When Harry Met Sally” while Kansas prefers “The Proposal.” View the full list.
Sports
Planning to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday? Stream it with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription — get 30 days free with code GOAT.*
Announced
We’re excited to share that 6AM City, our parent company, closed its Series A funding round led by the media company, TEGNA. This partnership means continuing to deliver the same hyper-local news and events while expanding our reach to new readers and communities. Learn more.
These bowls are missing something: you. | Photo by The Hope Pantry
This Saturday, Feb. 10 marks the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for The Hope Market, a food pantry in Gardner, KS.
The fundraiser was originally started by a high school pottery teacher in 1990. Guests were served soup and asked to keep the empty bowl as a reminder of world hunger. Local biz Spinning Earth Pottery is carrying on the tradition.
To support The Hope Market, purchase a locally-made pottery bowl for $30 at The Dolphin Song (102 S. Elm St., Gardner, KS) between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and fill it with homemade soup.
All funds will go toward operational expenses and feeding those facing food insecurity.
Your must-have from Six & Main’s winter skin edit, featuring face wash, lip balm, and serums to keep your skin hydrated and radiant during the cooler months. Did we mention all products are from small businesses, too?
I have exciting news: This Saturday is my baby shower. I’ll be welcoming my first child in about a month, and then I’ll have to step away from KCtoday for a little bit to spend time with my baby boy.
I have no extended family in KC; it’s just me and my husband. So, to help me out, please send me your best parenting tips and your fave resources.
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