Uniquely Kansas City – Summer

Uniquely Kansas City

Our town is rich in music and theatre, dance, design and all kinds of visual art. From the very beginning, Kansas City’s embrace of the arts has helped make this a truly special place—the “Paris of the Plains” as it was sometimes described.

Now it seems that the 21st Century is more active than ever. In the summer edition of KCPT’s seasonal arts magazine, hosts Randy Mason and Steph Suetos will focus on outdoor activities that typically bloom in the heat, including Starlight Theatre and Shakespeare In the Park. They’ll also explore the continuing growth of the Crossroads Arts District, which draws large crowds to its annual 18th Street Fashion Show.

Look for pieces on the wonders of Powell Gardens, a mural-painting project in downtown KCK, the “art” of fireworks displays and a profile of a man who’s made a name playing his music for youngsters—Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove. Plus much more of the people, places and products that make this Uniquely Kansas City.

Brian Turner
Arts Incubator
Birdies
18th Street Fashion Show
Wald Fireworks
KCK Murals
New Letters
New Letters on the Air
Kansas City Literary Festival
Mr. Stinky Feet
Marching Cobras
Gladstone Theatre in the Park
Theatre in the Park
Starlight Theatre
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
Quixotic Performance Fusion
Powell Gardens

 

Uniquely Kansas City has been made possible by a generous grant from the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation, J.B. Reynolds Foundation and Dr. Fred and Lou Hartwig.

The Local Show: May 23, 2012

This week: Crossroads Academy, Worlds of Fun & Randal Strong-Wallace, Oleta Adams & Celebration at the Station and live in the studio with Fitz And The Tantrums.

This week, we go inside Crossroads Academy, the new charter school in downtown Kansas City. Worlds of Fun will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary this weekend and we visit with model roller coaster builder Randal Strong-Wallace. We preview this weekend’s Celebration at the Station and talk to one of the featured performers, Oleta Adams. Finally this week, we share a tune from Fitz And The Tantrums, just a sampling of the in-studio performances that you can expect to see more of in the near future as we expand our role in the community by getting into the radio biz.

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Scholarly, Culturally Literate & Service-Oriented: Crossroads Academy

We take an inside look at the inaugural year of the new charter school in downtown Kansas City, Crossroads Academy, which offers grades K-5.

This week, you might say the theme is school, or what we do when it finally lets out for the summer!

We’ll start by introducing you to a new charter school that lots of us are just beginning to learn about–The Crossroads Academy. Sponsored by the University of Central Missouri, it is wrapping up its first year in operation, offering grades K-5. Eventually, they’ll expand to K-8.

Despite the name, you won’t find it in the Crossroads. This school that embraces what they term 21st Century Learning is actually smack dab in the middle of downtown.

Crossroads Academy, by the way, defines the boundaries of downtown for its student body as the Missouri River to Linwood, State Line to Woodland. Classes for next year, including the addition of 6th grade classes, are already filled up. There is currently a waiting list.

Students at Crossroads Academy

Teacher and students at Crossroads Academy

Coverage of downtown stories provided in part by the Downtown Council of Kansas City.

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The Fast & Fanatical: Worlds of Fun Enthusiast Randal Strong-Wallace

We give a tip of the hat to Worlds of Fun as they prepare to celebrate 40 years in Kansas City. We also talk to Randal Strong-Wallace about his fascination with the park, particularly the roller coasters.

It is hard to believe, but this Sunday marks the 40th Anniversary of the opening of Worlds of Fun. In 1973, the admission price was $6.95. Today, it’s twice that just to park your car.

But that doesn’t stop people like Randal Strong-Wallace. This Worlds of Fun superfan heads to the park twice a week and as you’re about to see, his love affair with roller coasters involves more than just riding them.

Oceans of Fun, which is only in its 30s, opens for the season this Saturday. You can check out videos of Randal’s roller coasters at his website, modelcoasters.com.

And for even more information about the park, be sure to check out Around The World: The Ultimate Guide to Worlds of Fun.

Conductor waves from the train at Worlds of Fun

Nick Haines interviews a man and woman near a dinosaur display at Worlds of Fun

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The Seeds of Love: Oleta Adams & Celebration at the Station

From her big break with Tears for Fears to her starring role in this weekend's Celebration at the Station, singer Oleta Adams joins Randy Mason to discuss her career and what to expect on Sunday.

Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend marks the official beginning of summer activities. And in Kansas City, one of the best ways to observe it will be coming up this Sunday night. That’s the annual Bank of America’s Celebration At the Station, featuring the Kansas City Symphony. It’s a free event at Union Station, complete with fireworks to cap off the evening… but if you can’t get down there, you can watch it live right here on KCPT.

Every year, the orchestra plays a mix of patriotic favorites and music that Music Director Michael Stern thinks will be fitting for the occasion. They’ve had some great guest artists in recent times, like Mark O’Connor and Bobby Watson. This year, Kansas City’s own Oleta Adams will be featured with the band. The great Kansas City singer stopped by to give us an update on her musical journeys, and a preview of what’s in store on Sunday’s show.

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