07.31.2024

Today’s Forecast

97º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:18 a.m. | Sunset 8:30 p.m.

What’s the deal with “brat summer?”

What’s a “brat summer” and how do I have one?

Slime green is the new black. | Graphic by KCtoday

Slime green word salad. Viral TikTok dances. McLain’s brat-cha. Your Gen Z + Millennial relatives calling you “so brat.”

It’s been a “brat summer” whether you knew it or not, so we’re here to explain what it means and how to get in on the fun before flannels and pumpkin spice lattes take over in a few months.

Released on June 7, British singer Charli XCX’s album “brat” debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. Its 15 tracks examine existential topics like womanhood, family, and insecurity — all with an electric veneer of dance pop partying. In essence, to be a “brat” is to be yourself, flaws and all, while still having fun.

Now that you’re caught up on the lingo, here are three spots to live out your very own “brat summer” in Kansas City.

Westport Flea Market | 817 Westport Rd., KCMO | Self-described as “quirky, funky,” the nostalgic burger stand and arcade is all about embracing the chaos. Be the first to request “365" on Friday karaoke nights.

In the Lowest Ferns | 1105 Hickory St., KCMO | Enter your electronic + art pop era with a stint on this West Bottoms dance floor. The beautiful HiFi lounge features sitting areas and a bar stocked with mocktails, rotating beers + natural wine. Plus, it has the KCtoday City Editor stamp of approval.

Cider Hill Family Orchard | 3341 N. 139th St., KCK | Reinact the viral “Apple” TikTok dance while you’re picking actual fruit at this all-ages orchard — its first batch, the Pristine Apple, is ready for harvest already. Perfect for brats who prefer an earlier bedtime.

Need us to put another pop culture phenomenon in Kansas City-terms? Drop us a line and we’ll share our findings in a future newsletter. Bye, bye, brats.

Asked

True or false: Roger Miller’s hit song “Kansas City Star” (1965) is older than the Kansas City Star newspaper.

Think you know?

Events

Wednesday, July 31

Wet Felting Workshop | Wednesday, July 31 | 9 a.m. | Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, KS | $5 | Learn how to use friction, soap, and water to make felt out of wool fiber.
SISTER ACT | Wednesday, July 31-Saturday, Aug. 3 | 8:30-10:45 p.m. | Theatre in the Park, 7710 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS | $7-$10 | Deloris goes undercover as a nun after witnessing a murder; hilarity ensues.

Thursday, Aug. 1

Rolling Record Store Pop Up | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., KCMO | Dig into hundred of hand-picked vintage vinyls from local non-profit Manor Records.

Friday, Aug. 2

Kevin Hart | Friday, Aug. 2 | 8-10 p.m. | Starlight Theatre, KCMO | $42-$202 | The five-foot-something funny man brings his unparalleled energy to one of KC’s best stages.
Heart of America Hot Dog Festival | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 3 p.m. | Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, 1616 E. 18th St., KCMO | $10-$125 | Hold on to your buns. Celebrate baseball’s favorite pairing with food trucks and live music from artists like Stokely + Brownstone.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

If you couldn’t feel it already... it’s gonna be a scorcher. Heat index values are expected to reach 115 degrees today, with a low of 80 degrees overnight. Cooler temps are expected tomorrow following morning thunderstorms.

Active

Get pumped for Crunch Fitness’ newest metro location. Following the opening of its Shawnee spot this summer, the national gym biz is expanding to a 40,000-sqft former Goodwill in Olathe (16630 W. 135th St.). An opening date is TBA. (Johnson County Post)

Civic

After it was initially denied funding, KC’s Tech Hub effort was awarded a $500,000 federal grant. The money is aimed at workforce development for BioNexus KC, the main organization behind the region’s bid to be a vaccine manufacturing hub. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Trending

For one night only, the Kansas City Monarchs will be the Kansas Swifite Monarchs. You heard that right. During the fifth inning of their Monday, Aug. 5 game, KC’s minor league baseball team will award one lucky fan two tickets to the Eras Tour in Indianapolis (Hi, INDYtoday). Tickets start at $15.

Open

Midtown’s Hammers Dueling Piano Bar has the keys to a good night out. The newly opened spot hits all the right notes: epic music, signature drinks, and just steps away from the soon-to-be streetcar extension. Book your reservation. (Kansas City Magazine)

Watch

Little kitties on the big screen. That’s what Cat Video Fest, showing this August at Screenland Armour, is all about. Watch compilations of adorable feline antics (re: what you were doing before clicking our newsletter) and support KC Pet Project in the process. Tickets are $13. (The Pitch)

Closing

Andre’s Chocolates is closing its Swiss tearoom at its KC Flagship Store. The historic dessert shop + cafe plans to use the space to expand its production line, though tearoom classics like Quiche Lorraine will remain for sale. The last day to visit André’s tearoom is Saturday, August 17.

Shop

Meet your new shopping BFF. ShopUp is a free, AI-powered app that shares discounts + deals from your favorite local shops, restaurants, groceries, and more. Bonus: It can even help you earn extra credit card rewards with personalized recs. Download Apple or Android.*

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Eat

Where to grab lunch for under $10

Where to find lunch for $10 or less in Kansas City

We count an order of fries as a serving of vegetables. | Photo by Baba’s Pantry

Hungry for pizza or a sandwich? If you’ve got $10 and a lunch break coming up, we’ve got recommendations:

Pizza 51, 5060 Oak St., KCMO

If it’s the go-to spot for students on a budget, you’re bound to find some pretty sweet deals, like a slice of pizza for $4.99 or calzones for $9.99.

Longboards, multiple locations

Get salads, wraps, noodle bowls, and quesadillas for $7+, and beef up your meal with sides like garlic potato salad or spring rolls with Thai peanut sauce.

Baba’s Pantry, 1019 E. 63rd St.

Named to Bon Appétit’s “Top 50 Best New Restaurants in America 2022,” Baba’s Palestinian-American grab and go menu is entirely vegetarian + features items from $1.99 to $9.99.

9 more eats

The Buy

The Buy 7.31.24 (Affiliate)

A hands-free neck fan, which makes a great gift for yourself or others to enjoy a 360 breeze keeping you cool outdoors.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

If you’re a wine person like I am (or just a sucker for a cool label), give Big Mood a try. My friends and I spent last weekend’s rainy Sunday hidden away on its chic second floor, catching up over a bottle of orange wine. Big Mood also hosts weekly wine tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays for $8 a person — see you there.

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