UMKC joins elite research club | The university’s Carnegie R1 designation makes it one of a kind in Kansas City, ranking it among powerhouses like Harvard and Stanford.
“Hallmark holidays” debunked | With Valentine’s Day in the rear view, we figured it was time to take a look at the abridged origins of its obligated gift-giving and how this hometown card company joined the party.
Fly out of KCI with affordable flights | Escape Kansas City’s chilly winter weather with a round trip ticket to San Diego, Miami, or Cancun, MX — all for less than $350.
Asked
Asked
What was your childhood dream job?
Share what you wanted to be when you “grew up” and I’ll share the stories of Kansas Citians with the real-life version of these careers, how they got there, and any open positions.
Laser Beatles | 6 p.m. | Union Station | $10 | From revolutionizing rock and roll to their psychedelic era, get ready to “Twist and Shout” as the Beatles’ most iconic hits light up like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
Beetlejuice the Musical | Friday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 23 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Kansas City Convention Center | $50+ | Now for a very different kind of “beetle.” Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical brings the ghost with the most back with a score that’s out of this netherworld.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Caffeine and Chrome | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Gateway Classic Cars of Kansas City, Olathe | Free | Wander through jaw-dropping classic cars and well-loved daily drivers with free pastries in hand at this once-a-month meet-up.
SWJ Tattoo Party | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sierra Winter Jewelry | $15 | Take the leap and get the small tattoo you’ve always wanted with pre-drawn celestial designs by Katie Quirino, a licensed artist from Yiayias Tattoo.
42nd Annual KCAC Art Auction | 5 p.m. | The Medallion Room at Park39 | Free entry | Acquire art from sought-after established and emerging artists, with all proceeds going to fund Kansas City Artists Coalition programming.
25th Annual KC Carnival Ball | 8 p.m.-1 a.m. | The Ship | $50+ | Your ticket to this Mardi Gras extravaganza includes an open bar, creole snacks, and two rooms of New Orleans-style funky brass bands, afrobeats and swamp boogie tunes.
Sunday, Feb. 23
The Price is Right Live | 4 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $29+ | Come on down for a chance to win big at this interactive stage show boasting prizes like appliances, vacations, and new cars.
Brewers Read Mean Reviews | 6 p.m. | River Bluff Brewing | Free | It’s a night of bawdy, uncensored fun as 11 local breweries read the best of their worst reviews from social media.
“Boomerang” (1992) | 7-9 p.m. | Stray Cat Film Center | BLK + BRWN. returns to their monthly movie night with an unsung gem of 90s film canon, “a tragically overlooked romcom” starring Eddie Murphy.
Monday, Feb. 24
A BOLD FUSION: Jade Jaguar x Muni Takeover | 7 p.m. | Muni | $10 | This collab celebrates the artistry of craft cocktails, highlighting the vibrant essence of mezcal and tequila paired with the bold, aromatic notes of Thai sazón.
French Bulldogs are the most popular breed of dog in America, according to Visual Capitalist. Whether you’re a Frenchie fan or a Labrador lover, Wayside Waifs has plenty of adoptable pets worth your affection — including Stormy, a two-year-old golden retriever that loves cuddles and outdoor adventures.
Eat
Are you heading to Chick-fil-A or LaMar’s this weekend? You’re not alone. These restaurants are the top-rated fast food chains in Kansas and Missouri, respectively. Just don’t forget to show our local spots some love, too — we recommend Hana’s Donuts. (Brilliantmaps.com)
Watch
In case you missed it, the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Panda Cam is back. The popular webcam of the zoo’s pandas returns as it welcomes Bao Li and Qing Bao. We love the pandas, but they could never overtake our love for the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium’s Polar Bear cam. (The Washington Post)
Stat
377. That’s how many gallons of maple syrup were produced by the state of Missouri in 2022. Maybe that’s why Kansas City’s brunch scene is so good. (Brilliantmaps.com)
Business
Psst, small business owners — whether you’re investing in new equipment, hiring staff, or managing cash flow, Fora Financial has flexible funding options for you. Get funded fast.*
Community
Your KCtoday team here. We care about Kansas City. We also care about the people in it. That’s why every day, we bring you positive, impactful news about our city — skipping the political talk, crime coverage, and biased reporting. Support our approach to local news with a one-time donation.
City Guide
City Guide
🥂It’s 5 o’clock somewhere
Rye so sad? Get glad with these happy hours. | Photo by @rye_kc
It’s about time we talked about KC happy hours, folks. No matter if you’re grabbing a quick beer after work, on the hunt for some discounted bites, or just want to have a chill hangout while going easy on the wallet, we’ve got this round.
Here are 28 places around town pouring the best deals right now in the City of Fountains — so drink up and be merry.
Keeping spirits up
Harry’s Country Club | Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. | From London to Kentucky, you can travel the world in a copper cup with this River Market spot’s international $8 mule selection.
Beer lovers
Bricks Pub & Grub | Tuesday, all day, Wed. -Sat. 3-6 p.m. | It’s a Lee’s Summit “extreme” happy hour — $4 small bites (drooling over the pretzel bites + cheese) paired with $4 pours.
Mocktail Musts
Outta the Blue | Sun.-Thurs. 3-6 p.m. | This breezy beach cafe has discounted coffee, tea, and NA versions galore of cocktails classic. Blue Hawaiian (without the headache), anyone?
Babbel’s expert-designed foreign language lessons, on sale for 60% off for President’s Day. Babbel’s 10-minute daily lessons focus on real-world phrases, practical conversation skills, and cultural tips, so on your next trip abroad, you’ll do more than just point at menus.Shop the limited-time sale and make travel easier, more fun, and way more immersive.*
In even more happy hour news... Spirits sales are down by 1.1% — with one exception: tequila sales are up by 2.9%. As good an excuse as any for National Margarita Day tomorrow (and our follower-approved margarita spots).
}})
