Entertainment and Culture
World-class performing arts venues, dazzling museums, a city still defined by the giving ethic and the cultural values of its founders.
The movers and shakers in Kansas City made an emphasis on the arts part of the city’s culture from its earliest days, and those who followed their footsteps have risen to the challenge. As a result, this region today enjoys cultural and entertainment venues that would be the envy of many a larger city.
Exhibit A: The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Designed by Moshe Safdie, a world-famous architect, the $414 million structure adds a striking contour to the Kansas City skyline, while offering world-class acoustics at its two performance halls within—the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Theatre (seating for 1,800) and Helzberg Hall (seating for 1,600). Jointly served by the Brandmeyer Great Hall, they offer unmatched acoustical design. And accessibility—right down to the 196 public restroom stalls.
Even beyond what’s been dubbed the K-PAC, though, this city has concocted a rich brew of theatrical venues that include the historic Folly Theater in Downtown Kansas City, the Midland Theater a few blocks away, and Municipal Auditorium’s Music Hall, which lives on with smaller specialty programming after the Kauffman PAC’s opening.
As for nightlife, KC comprises a number of thriving entertainment nodes. It’s tough to top the ambience and charm of the Country Club Plaza, and the earthier appeal of the Westport nightclub district, but there are plenty of other dining and entertainment venues throughout the region to match personal preferences.
Among them are Zona Rosa in the Northland, off of I-29 (you pass it coming in from the airport), the Power & Light District that has helped breath life back into Downtown, Village West in Wyandotte County, Hartman Heritage and Independence Commons in Independence, SummitWoods Crossing in Lee’s Summit—and the intersection of almost any two major arterials in Johnson County, where disposable income is king in Kansas City.
No mention of this region’s cultural amenities would be complete without noting the contributions made by the intriguing blend of museums here. A unique one will command attention of this nation—and, likely, the others who participated in World War II, for 2014 will be the centennial of the War to End All Wars. The National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial combine to offer a world-class experience in the causes and human consequences of that conflagration.
The crown jewel of museums here is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, just east of the Country Club Plaza. With a history that dates back nearly 125 years, the museum has long been a cultural touchstone for this region. And remarkably, the Nelson continues to be free to visitors, although donations are always welcome.
Other uniquely-KC attractions include the Steamboat Arabia Museum, featuring the contents of a long-buried 19th-century Missouri River paddle-wheeler. Nearby, you’ll find the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Nerman Museum of Art on the campus of Johnson County Community College is well worth the 20-minute drive from Downtown. You’ll also be able to find no shortage of smaller museums that are linked to the western-trails history of this region, and casinos, water parks, theme parks and pro/college sporting venues round out this region’s broad appeal. 