KC’s love affair with larger-than-life sculptures | Kansas City has been playing host to herds, bears, and hearts since the new millennium, turning the metro into a rotating gallery of fiberglass whimsy.
What’s on the April 8 ballot? | From school board shake-ups to public safety funding, here’s everything you need to know before you cast your vote.
This month’s can’t-miss events | Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top 20+ events we recommend heading to in April.
Asked
Asked
The next frontier for our sculpture parade future is...
A parade of barbecue grills? Jazz saxophones? Giant fountains? Dream up the city’s next pop-up masterpiece.
KC Mystic Fair | Friday, April 4-Sunday, April 6 | 3-6 p.m. | Stoney Creek Hotel, Independence | $8+ | From aura cameras and energy workers to astrologers and ancient herbs, there’s something metaphysical here for every soul — including free classes.
First Friday Open House | 6-8 p.m. | Belger Glass Annex | Free | Explore two areas newly opened to the public — the warm and cold shops — for a wider look into the art of glassblowing.
Saturday, April 5
The Perfect Blend: Coffee + Yoga | 12-2 p.m. | The Roasterie Factory Cafe | $25 | This 45-minute, all-levels yoga class is followed by complimentary coffee and snacks from The Roasterie.
NKC Spring Fling Beer Fest | 4-8 p.m. | 1520 Clay St., NKC | $30 | It’s the perfect opportunity to hang out with friends, discover new favorite brews, and soak up the springtime atmosphere.
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Presents “Level Up!” | 7 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $14+ | The big band is playing ubiquitous video game music, from the catchy melodies and rich harmonies of the 8-bit era through today’s latest AAA title.
Moth Ball | 7-11 p.m. | Campbell Dome House, Overland Park | $110 | Get creative with DIY fashion inspired by nature, enjoy live artist demos, and step into an enchanted, upcycled wonderland.
St. Louis CITY SC vs. Sporting Kansas City | 7:30 p.m. | Children’s Mercy Park, KCK | $23+ | Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just here for the hype, watch our host city-specific World Cup poster debut at this I-70 rival match.
Sunday, April 6
10th Annual Noah’s Bandage Run 5K | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 9401 Indian Creek Pkwy., Overland Park | $30 | Donate fun, colorful bandages and raise money for pediatric cancer research with this family-friendly 5K.
An Intimate Evening with Lidia Bastianich | 6-9 p.m. | Lidia’s | $135+ | The beloved chef, author, and television host shares a multi-course dinner inspired by Lidia’s signature Italian cuisine, with an intimate in-person talk + raffle to follow.
Monday, April 7
Monday Night Jam Session: Ernest Melton | 7-10 p.m. | Blue Room | Free | Settle into a groovy mindset for the week ahead with this saxophonist’s 45-minute set, before the stage opens to other musicians looking to play.
Go ahead, take someone out to the ball game — it may not be too pricey here in KC. A recent ranking from Action shared that Kauffman Stadium is the No. 14 best value stadium for families, thanks to factors like the cost of tickets and parking compared to other MLB fields.
Trending
Good news for brunch-goers: the price of eggs is finally declining. The wholesale price of a dozen eggs is down by 63% from its record high in February. But that’s just the wholesale price — we’ll believe it when we see it on the shelves. (Axios)
Pets
Get your paws moving, April is Canine Fitness Month. If your four-legged friend has felt cooped up all winter, use this as an excuse to go for a long walk and check out some dog-friendly spots in Kansas City.
The Word
Over 40 words from around the world have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) last month. From Ireland, the OED added “class” which is a general way of expressing approval. As in, “Today’s KCtoday newsletter was class — you should subscribe.”
Finance
Could you save an extra $1,300 a year? A 2024 survey found that switching car insurance providers could save you that much money annually. What would you do with the extra cash? (We see a “White Lotus"-esque vacation in our future.) See if you could save.*
Number
$100. That’s how much you can save on the HP Smart Tank 7602 printer for a limited time. Plus, you’ll get free shipping + two years of ink. Order it now.*
City Guide
City Guide
🍽️ Redefine eating “out”
We love taking the dog to this street art + plant paradise known as Brewery Emperial. | Photo by @heidilehmann
It’s a fact — food just tastes better outside. When the weather finally takes a turn for the better, you’ll find us at one of these patios + rooftops across the metro.
Coffee shops
City Market Coffee | 305 Main St., KCMO | Pro tip: Located right by City Market Park, sit here long enough and you’ll spot some of KC’s cutest pups.
Restaurants
The Classic Cup | 301 W. 47th St., KCMO | Snag a table on the sidewalk on a sunny morning — perfect for people watching and for feeling like the main character.
Va Bene | 8232 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS | It’s hard to argue with outdoor Italian. Va Bene sets the mood with dozens of Edison bulb strands and lounge-style striped sofas.
Bars, breweries, distilleries
East Forty Brewing | 1201 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO | Well-built with plenty of room, lots of twinkle lights, and easy parking. We love the giant Jenga + pizza available.
A pair of 5” lined track shorts from lululemon. Designed for running, the shorts have a built-in liner for extra coverage and wick away sweat fast. Psst — these Soothfeel athletic shorts are a great workout option, too.
Spring is warming up and it’s likely to keep getting warmer in Kansas City. According to the National Weather Service, KC’s temperatures are expected to be above average over the next three months — so why not use the nice weather to enjoy some local hiking trails?