Staring wistfully from the drivers seat of my car. | Photo via KC Streetcar
We know we just rolled out the latest edition of our Streetcar Stop series — but the news we’ve all been waiting for has pulled into the station. The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension officially opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 24, following a morning ceremony.
While we doubt they’ll smash champagne on one of the eight shiny new streetcars, it’s still a moment worth celebrating. Ready to ride the new 3.5 miles of track on day one? Brush up with our dives on the new stops so far:
Christmas in July | 5-9 p.m. | Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium | $17+ | There’s 150+ days until Christmas, but that isn’t stopping the zoo from hosting holiday fun, festive cheer, and a wintry karaoke.
80s Night | 6-11:59 p.m. | Howl at the Moon Kansas City | Free entry | Break out the leg warmers and neon — this throwback party brings the synths, big hair, and retro vibes that’ll have you moonwalking into midnight.
Saturday, July 26
Galactic Adventure Drop-In | 1-3:30 p.m. | The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures | $10 | Explore “The Nostalgia Awakens: Retro Kenner Star Wars Action Figure Toys” and the Museum’s collection of space-themed toys followed by an out-of-this-world activity.
Red Bull Dance Your Style North Qualifier | 3-9 p.m. | Made Mobb Studios | Free | Shop local, snack, and vibe before 16 top-tier dancers go head-to-head in a high-energy showdown where the crowd calls the winner.
Laser ABBA | 6 p.m. | Union Station Kansas City Inc. | $10 | Experience timeless hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “SOS” in a kaleidoscope of color and light.
Sunday, July 27
Hushfest | 3-9 p.m. | Equal Minded Night-Lounge & Event Venue | $14+ | Grab your friends and tune in to different stations while you dance to your own beat with glowing wireless headphones.
Monday, July 28
Beginner Salsa + Bachata | 7-9 p.m. | Red Light Studio KC | $25 | Spice up your Monday by learning two of the most popular Latin partner dances in a warm, welcoming space made for total beginners.
The Midwest Princess is coming home. Breakout popstar Chappell Roan is returning to Missouri for two pop-up shows at the National WWI Museum and Memorial Park on Friday, Oct. 3 + Saturday, Oct. 4. Tickets are “Hot to Go,” so be sure to register by Sunday, July 27 for a chance to buy. (KMBC-9)
The Word
Corn sweat. You may never had heard of it before, but this steamy phenomenon — in which ripening corn emits moisture through evapotranspiration — is pushing humidity levels upwards amid 100° forecasts through Tuesday. Stay cool with KCMO’s exteme heat resources. (Axios)
Travel
Flying to Tampa may sound like the opposite of escaping this heat, but hear us out. Frontier Airlines is launching a new direct flight from KC to Tampa starting Saturday, Oct. 11 — with intro fares as low as $49. Pro tip: Our sister newsletter TBAYtoday already has your sunshine(or A/C)-filled itinerary ready.
Try This
Step into a time warp at Chuck’s Arcade, a retro reboot of Chuck E. Cheese at Ward Parkway Center. The spinoff features classic games like Tron + Donkey Kong, throwback party tapes, and walls of vintage memorabilia, and no creepy animatronics (besides the one’s displayed in glass cases). (Kansas City Star)
Arts
Johnson County Parks & Rec’s public art program just unveiled its 34th piece: “Fire Keepers Circle,” a sculptural tribute to the Potawatomi Trail of Death. Located at Olathe’s Heritage Park, it marks the site of an 1838 encampment during the forced 660-mile relocation that cost over 40 lives. (Flatland)
Sports
In his first major league appearance since last fall, the Royals’ Rich Hill became the MLB’s oldest active player at 45 during Tuesday night’s game — throwing five innings before the Cubs clinched a 6-0 win. Hill’s the oldest to start a game since the Rockies’ Jamie Moyer’s final outing at 49 in 2012. (NBC)
Closing
Temple Slug, a Southmoreland staple since 1969, is officially shutting down. Its sign outlasted the business, but the final inventory — from crystals and incense to futons and gemstones — will be sold at close-out prices Saturday Aug. 2 and Sunday, Aug. 3. (The Pitch)
Fact or Fiction
The color of your car impacts your car insurance rate. Fact or fiction? Luckily for Nicki Minaj, this is fiction. Still, rates can change for other reasons, so experts advise shopping around regularly. See if you could save with this quick questionnaire.*
Read
Tangle is a rare political newsletter that doesn’t take sides — it lays them out. Every day, it delivers balanced reporting on major political stories, minus the bias. Subscribe for free.*
The Buy
Amazon’s deals are still rolling, and we’re here for it. Shop more picks while the sales last:
📱 Shop 15% off a MagSafe portable charger that’s sleek, slim, and comes in light pink and lavender.
🍚 If you cook rice, oatmeal, or quinoa almost daily, Cosori’s 4.8-star rated grains cooker is 10% off for a limited time.
💺 Upgrade your home office chair for a high-back leather version while it’s 38% off.
📹 Snag 44% off a like-new Ring stick-up camera that can be installed inside or out.
📚 Get a like-new version of Kindle’s latest model, the Paperwhite, for 26% off.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I may not know a birdie from a bogey, but I do know a good time when I see one. Tonight, I’m headed to Gnarly Hustle in Raytown for a “Happy Gilmore” double feature — think retro fits + themed sips from KCtoday fave Mulligan’s Country Club and pop-up mini putt by Putt Around KC before a drive-in style screening.
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