Disney revisited KC in 1942 for a South Central Business Association luncheon. | Photo via Kansas City Public Library
Picture a Hollywood sign over Midtown. You’d need a hill tall enough to see it — but when Kansas City became the focal point for Walt Disney’s career in the 1920s, it almost became a reality.
Disney enthusiasts attest that KC was one missed connection from becoming a worldwide animation capital. As it stands, we can still find glimpses of the House of Mouse’s foundations scattered downtown, alongside a few locals making serious headway to rekindle that legacy.
Where Disney learned to draw
Disney moved to Kansas City at the age of nine and lived in town before moving to Los Angeles in 1923.
Take a whirlwind tour of the animator’s childhood by visiting three still-standing sites:
His childhood home on Bellefontaine Avenue. It has been the family home of local Roberta Long since the 40s — but sightseers still come by in droves. Roberta’s message to interested fans: “You are more than welcome to come by.”
Between studies at Benton Elementary School and delivering papers, Disney took Saturday art classes at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Disney’s knack for drawing animals started with books from KC Public Library.
Tom’s Elton Tribute | 7 p.m. | Midwest Trust Center | $25+ | Like a “Candle in the Wind,” this spectacular tribute show is here for one night only recreating hits like “Bennie and the Jets,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Rocket Man.”
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Piercing Party | 4-6 p.m. | Sierra Winter Jewelry | $50+ | Choose between sterling silver or 14K gold for your new eclectic earrings and have them installed on site by a registered nurse practitioner.
Tullamore Dew Whiskey Tasting | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Conroy’s Public House, Overland Park | $45 | Join the Kansas Hibernians in sipping four pours and savoring delicious appetizers, all benefiting the Shamrock Irish Foundation.
Thursday, Feb. 6
Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott Artists Talk | 6-8 p.m. | Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art | Free | Meet the iconic fashion designer and contemporary artist team, as they introduce a pop culture extravaganza at their exclusive exhibition.
Friday, Feb. 7
Love Begets Love | Friday, Feb. 7-Friday, Feb. 28 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Belger Crane Yard Gallery | Free | Attend the opening of this Valentine’s Day experience to get your first pick of exquisite porcelain artworks by local ceramicist Kim Brook.
High School Never Ends: Anti-Valentine’s Day Party | 7 p.m. | recordBar | $20 | Teenage angst is alive and well, so relive it all with a setlist celebrating the rock, punk, and alternative music of the 90s and 2000s.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Beginner Sewing: PJ Set | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Rightfully Sewn | $205 | With this three class package, you’ll learn how to sew a matching pajama set, plus a cozy robe to wear over it.
Puppy Yoga | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Turnsol Books | $30 | The benefits of this adorable mind/body workout are twofold: you get to unwind with a relaxing yoga sesh and the adoptable pups learn social skills while playing around.
Roping & Roses | 6-10 p.m. | War Horses for Veterans, Stilwell | $75 | Show off your best cowboy casual outfit during this low-stakes roping lesson, while raising funds to support combat veterans and first responders.
Grab your napkins. Inside the former Michael Forbes Grille, Cru Bistro & Bottles is serving upscale-on-a-budget with an eye towards fantastic wines. We recommend filling up at the new Brookside Shops spot before traveling down 63rd Street for fresh-made baklava at Baba’s Bakery, now open on Saturdays. (Kansas City Star)
Development
What are now 84-year-old fourplexes may soon become a towering $61 million apartment complex. EPC Real Estate Group LLC has filed plans to demolish Plaza Broadway Apartments and build a modern 278-unit community, designed to fit the aesthetic of the district with tiles, tower elements, and arched windows. See the renderings. (KCBJ)
Try This
What do Bruno Mars, Beyonce, and the Beatles have in common? Besides being nominees at this year’s Grammys, all are featured in the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium’s Laser Show lineup. Catch one of these 12 stunning light + animation displays set to soundtracks from pop culture icons — like Michael Jackson on Saturday, Feb. 15 — for $10 a show.
Eat
As the saying goes, the fastest way to the heart is through dinner at one of Kansas City’s most romantic restaurants... or something like that. Luckily for any local love birds, IN Kansas City has compiled a list of 15 eateries made for date night. Want even more options? Check out our full guide.
Kansas Citian
Jerry Cornelison was a Chief before they were even called the Chiefs, starting as a Dallas Texan offensive tackle in 1960. The former NFL player is now 88 — the oldest living team member of the Kansas City franchise — and reminiscing on the Red Kingdom’s early days ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
Trending
“What in 2025 did I just watch?” A bewildered driver spotted something unusual cruising through Power & Light last week: a downtown dog-walker taking his pet robot for spin around the block.
Try This
The big game is days away, and Underdog’s daily fantasy games are live in our state, KC. Make picks to win real money, and get up to $1,000 in bonus cash with code KCTODAY. Download for free.*†
Number
3.5 million. That’s how many Americans subscribe to 1440 — a daily digest for unbiased national news on business, politics, culture, and more. Subscribe for free.*
† For entertainment purposes only. Must be 21+ to participate. Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The Buy
The Buy
Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling water bottle — the Owala FreeSip. It’s a top seller for good reason: Owala has perfected a spout design that allows you to either sip upright through a built-in straw or tilt back to swig a gulp. It’s actually patented.
As Travis and the team landed in New Orleans on Sunday, Taylor Swift made waves at the Grammys with (in my humble opinion) a few overt nods to her beau. The custom Vivienne Westwood dress was a shimmering Red Kingdom scarlet, accessorized with leg jewelry featuring a bejeweled “T.” Sure, it could just stand for Taylor... but where’s the fun in that?
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