April 23, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

73º | 24% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:29 a.m. | Sunset 8:04 p.m.

🎤 Q+A: Kansas City’s first Black Comedy Fest

Look at that Gem shine. | Photo via ArtsKCGo

Black Comedy Fest KC, a gathering of local + national Black creative talent in areas from improv to sketch comedy, will come to The GEM Theater, Mutual Musicians Foundation, and the Black Archives of Mid-America for the first time ever this week, Thursday, April 25-Saturday, April 27.

It takes a metro to showcase everything BCFKC’s talent has to offer — sketches, workshops, open mics. Editor Charmaine sat down with founder + director Hilari Holt to talk about the fest, improv, and how to get a laugh in KC.

What made you get started?
I’ve been in improv performing for eight years + Kansas City my whole life... I’ve been on the board when the KC Improv Festival happened, as well — 2019 was the last year — and I’ve been wanting more improv, but also more people of color in improv.

A lot of that is just trying to get more representation, as well as knowing how improv helps. It helped me connect with my emotions. You’ve got to pull, working together to create something.

Why should I attend?
Do you like to laugh? (laughs)

Attending Black Comedy Fest KC will be an event. We’re trying to make not just a stand-up show — you’ll get a variety of talent, from local talent as well as out-of-town talent. It’s going to be fun!

It means a lot to me, as well as helping something that is clearly still necessary to grow. Having our own space to exist, showcase, come together. You should come, because if you want to laugh, we’ll make you laugh — but we also want you to have an enjoyable experience.

Comedy, community + how to attend

Events

Tuesday, April 23

Boulevard Music Bingo | Tuesday, April 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Boulevard Brewing Tours & Recreation Center, 2534 Madison Ave., KCMO | Free | Head to the Tasting Room for bingo with rotating song categories and beers that take it to the bridge.

Wednesday, April 24

Queer History: Curating from the Archives | Wednesday, April 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., KCMO | Free | Explore the importance and power of archives in conjunction with Sarah Zapata’s “so the roots be known” exhibition.

Thursday, April 25

An Evening with Café Ollama | Thursday, April 25 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Well, 7421 Broadway St., KCMO | $24 | The local favorite will serve up its famous coffee flights alongside a lesson on the origin of Ollama, Mexico, coffee flavors, as well as a Q+A with the owner.
Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner | Thursday, April 25 | 8 p.m. | The Kansas City Symphony, 1703 Wyandotte St., Ste 200, KCMO | Celebrate the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” with an evening of iconic musical hits like “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and “Disco Inferno.”

Friday, April 26

Friday Pickup Pickleball | Friday, April 26 | 6:30-7:30 a.m. | Hy-Vee Arena, 1800 Genessee St., KCMO | $10 | Bring yourself or a gaggle of friends and spend the morning sweating it out with King of the Court-style pickleball.
Knitting in the Heartland 2024 | Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28 | Embassy Suites by Hilton, 10401 S. Ridgeview Rd., Olathe, KS | $0-$95 | Get your knit on with a variety of classes taught by nationally recognized teachers and a free vendor market featuring fiber artists + yarn shops from around the Midwest.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

Calling all aspiring naturalists. KCZoo and the Heartland Conservation Alliance invite you to represent KC in the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition between metros across the globe to document local wildlife. See how to participate, and remember: leave no trace.

Seasonal

ICYMI, the Overland Park Farmers’ Market kicked off for the season — voted the nation’s best in 2022, but who’s counting? New to the market: Slow Rise sourdough donuts, Morningside Blooms flowers + botanicals, and Queen of Tarts sweet and savory tarts. (FOX4)

Development

An 87-acre development site at I-435 and I-29 is in the running to become a USA Gymnastics training center. The Northland facility would include space for gymnastics (obviously), but also medical, dining, and study spaces for athletes to stay long term. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Health

The Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition hosted a nationwide symposium to address the opioid crisis in the metro. The group suggested ways for locals to help, including safe disposal of medication, awareness campaigns, and carrying Naloxone. (Johnson County Post)

Pets

On Saturday, May 11, the City of KCMO and pet organizations across the metro are partnering to bring free pet services to Swope Park. Stop by from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. for free vaccinations, microchipping, and city licensing, plus informational sessions on grooming, behavior, and nutrition.

Try This

🎷 Get ready to make some noise

You’ll hear brass, sax, and all that jazz. | Photo via KC Parks

Listen closely, and you might hear performers tuning their instruments all across the metro. That’s because Make Music Day, an international celebration of music between 1,000 cities globally, is back on Friday, June 21 — and for the last three years, it’s been our jam.

It takes two to bring 24 hours of music to the metro:

Performers. In previous years, that’s meant everything from mobile performances from the Kansas City Symphony to workshops teaching you how to turn vegetables into musical instruments. If you’re making music, you’re a performer.
Host venues. Volunteer your business, sidewalk, or front porch to host a musician. Just provide a description of the venue, and performers will match with you based on their needs.

Register now. Got a more out-there idea? Contact KCMO Parks’ Heidi Markle to discuss workshops + jams on KC Parks property.

The Buy

The Maizie Clarke Collection. If you’re looking for ways to prepare for the Kentucky Derby, this brand has the sweetest derby-inspired products.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

In this edition: Slow Rise and Duck’s Donuts. As a massive fan of fried dough, I’ve had trouble finding the best in the metro. Have a favorite? Drop me a line.

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