The Broadway

Unhappily ever after.

Here’s what I know about “Romeo and Juliet.” Star-crossed lovers. Montagues and the Capulets. WORST BREAKUP EVER …

This past weekend, I saw the Kansas City Symphony’s version of this long-told tale at the Lyric Opera. Yes, Romeo and his girlfriend had some tough times, but they also made beautiful music together.  The symphony is celebrating 25 years in Kansas City and doing so with a series of concerts conducted by eminent conductor Michael Stern. Saturday’s performance was led by Larry Rachleff, an esteemed maestro who’s been in front of audiences everywhere from Utah to New Zealand. Rachleff was joined on stage by guest violist, Jennifer Frautschi, whose young career has already been recognized with solos at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. “Romeo and Juliet” sadly came to an end this weekend (no pun intended). But you catch a special Memorial Day concert this Sunday, May 27th at 7:30p.m. at the Liberty Memorial. It’s free and followed by one of Kansas City’s largest fireworks displays.

Bright lights, mid-sized city.

The Crossroads is famous. Don’t worry, it’s not headed to rehab, or referring to itself by a nickname, C-Roads. (I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.) No, it’s going to be in a movie. Or two. The urban backdrop we’ve loved for so long is getting some coastal cred with two sizeable film productions rolling tape here in town. “Lie To Me,” and “Jake Forgotten” are both pulling big-name actors and directors from L.A. while casting smaller roles from the deep pool of talent swimming in Kansas City. “Lie To Me” is a film about modern-day relationships — meaning everyone is sleeping with everyone else. “Jake Forgotten” is a story about a man’s entanglement with the mafia, the FBI and himself. Both films release later this year, but the Crossroads has been ready for its close-up for a long time.

Your mom.

Flowers are the most popular Mother’s Day gift — ever. Then chocolate. Then just a card. Followed by the phone call. Yawn …

But you know what your mom really wants? A loft downtown. I’m serious, she told me. I ran into her last night at The Cashew. I see where you get your looks. If I was going to buy my mom a loft (which I am, calm down, Mom) I would buy her one that’s in the middle of it all. Where it’s a short walk to the Performing Arts Center, galleries, restaurants and those boutiquy shops that she loves. I would make sure everything was brand-new, and that she had a terrace with a rock star view of downtown. (Your mom loves rock stars too, she told me.) Don’t worry, you can still buy her those tulips you’ve been eyeing. They’ll look great on her new granite countertops. 

If you miss the suburbs, see them from your terrace.

The Urban Homes tour is this weekend. It’s downtown Kansas City’s answer to the burby Home and Garden’s tour. But with urban patios instead of gardens. And rooftop swimming pools instead of neighborhood clubhouses. The tour takes place Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 12-4 and features more than 30 lofts, flats, townhouses and apartments in the downtown area including THE BROADWAY. We’re not biased, but we hear THE BROADWAY is pretty much the coolest project on the whole tour — or the Universe. You can catch the tour at the bus stop at 13th and Main, or print out a free guide and head out on your own. Learn more about the Cinco de Mayo after-party at Martini Corner, the countless other downtown must-sees like the National World War I Museum and more at www.downtownkc.org.

Nice sound.

Before I start this blog, I feel I should disclose that Barclay Martin is my friend. But, that’s the thing about Barclay; anyone who’s ever written about him, or even seen him perform, probably thinks the same thing. That’s because Barclay is distractingly nice. And not just in a “Buy my CD” kind of way. But in an “I raise money for charity, and donate my organs to strangers” kind of way. I made up the part about him being a stranger organ donor, but only to prove a point. The point being, Barclay is really nice, and I’m a bit of a liar. Since Barclay formed the Barclay Martin Ensemble with Erin McGrane on supporting vocals, bassist Rick Willoughby, Mark Lowrey on piano and percussionist Giuliano Mingucci, the group has been getting press everywhere from the Kansas City Star to Present Magazine. The attention can be attributed to the unique sound the group created which can’t be categorized as folk or pop or jazz, despite peoples’ efforts to shove them in this genre or that.  Drawing from his travel experience, Barclay melds world beats with hard-thought lyrics to invent a sound that’s quickly making him more than just the nice guy in town. Barclay takes off for the Philippines this week, but not before a farewell show, Tuesday, April 24, at 8:00 p.m. at JP Wine Bar. Stop by. You’re guaranteed to make at least one new friend.

Please turn up your amp before entering the library.

This week is National Library Week. And no one knows how to party like a librarian. I’m not just talking about music video librarians either. They, of course, know how to party — and balance atop a 1982 Firebird. But I’m talking about real, live, know-how-to-read librarians. To celebrate National Library Week, the librarians at the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch are partying it up with a rooftop concert. The show will feature music by Detroit indie band, The High Strung. The group has enjoyed accolades from Rolling Stone, The Washington Post and the most discerning group of all — preschoolers. Check out the show, and maybe even a book, Tuesday, April 17  at 7:00 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch (14 West 10th Street).

Skating parties aren’t just for kids.

When I think of roller-skating, I think of Friday night at the local skating rink, really bad Debbie Gibson songs and the smell of stale Junior Mints. Recently, I discovered that roller-skating isn’t about hairspray and couples’ skates anymore. It’s about super-tough chicks knocking the crap out of each other for the love of sport and charity. The Kansas City Roller Warriors is an all-female roller derby league that was established in June of 2005 by two friends with a lot of vision and even more pent-up aggression. Since then, they’ve been turning the girly roller derby into an all-out spectacle in Kansas City. Tuesday, April 13 at 4:30 p.m. the ladies are holding a Lounge Party at the 13th Street Bar and Grill to help kick off their season. The night will feature music by modern cabaret act Alacartoona (9:30 p.m.), DJ Cruz, artwork and a silent auction. Get there early. I wouldn’t want to fight these girls for a seat.

You’re not dreaming.

There’s nothing I like better than sleeping. Well, maybe napping, but sleeping is really my favorite. So Saturday, when my friends asked me to go listen to some jazz at the Mutual Musician’s Foundation starting at 1:30 a.m. and ending at 5:00 a.m., I thought I must be in the middle of one of my weird dreams. Who plays jazz in the middle of the night, and who stays up past 11:30? The answer is legendary musicians and people way cooler than I am. Located at 18th and Vine, The Mutual Musician’s Foundation started in 1917 as Local 627 and served as an African-American musicians’ union and a place for traveling artists to get together and jam before and after their gigs. (Yes, I said “jam” and “gigs.” Quit laughing.) The Foundation has played host to Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Jay McShann, Jo Jones and countless others. Today, this historic landmark is a haven for Kansas City musicians to share music with each other, and those of us who stay up past our bedtime every now and then.

Experience live jazz for $8 at the Mutual Musician’s Foundation every Friday and Saturday between 1:30 a.m and 5 a.m., and do your part to keep this tradition alive and awake in Kansas City. Musicians and music students get in for free.

We “Love, Janis.”

I’m not a hippie. I have more than just a passing affection for lip gloss, and tie-dye gives me vertigo. But seeing the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s performance of “Love, Janis” made me want to not wash my hair for a month and smoke Camel Reds. “Janis” opened last month, christening the KC Rep’s new Copaken Stage at 13th and Walnut in the H&R Block building. Night after night, Kacee Clanton, Mary Bridget Davies and Lena Kaminsky have been giving the kind of performances that would’ve made Janis scream. Well, more than usual. Clanton and Davies trade off nights on lead vocals while Kaminsky embodies Janis’ raw soul in her fiery monologues. The night I went, Clanton literally brought the crowd to our feet with her exacting portrayal of Janis’ music and fervent performance style. “Love, Janis” closes April 1st, but if you can make it there — start running now. If not, the Copaken Theatre is a must-see itself. And you can do just that when the The Syringa Tree opens April 27th.

Kiss me, I'm drunk

Many people think St. Patrick’s Day is just about drinking, but those people are drunk. Everyone knows St. Patrick’s Day is really about leprechauns. (Yeah, that’s right, leprechauns). And leprechauns invented St. Patrick’s Day Parades. Kansas City’s 34th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is this Saturday, March 17th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of Pershing Road and Main Street, proceeding down Grand and ending at Truman Road. Living at THE BROADWAY, you could w alk to the parade, or stay in and experience the whole scene from your outdoor terrace. That way, if it turns out you’re one of those people who thinks March 17th is all about drinking too, no one will see you singing, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” in your shamrock boxer shorts.