Mary Anne's Kansas City, MO Blog

Due to the fact that the first Friday in July just happens to fall on a holiday, there will be First Friday events on both Friday, July 4th and Friday July 11th. Galleries with events being held on the 4th of July will be open from 6-9pm.

To avoid confusion, we've split the list.... here are gallery events, openings, and artist receptions for July 2008 First Friday in the Crossroads.

Read our First Friday Guide

Know of an event we missed? Send us an email

One thing is for sure--Kansas City knows how to do it up right when it comes to fireworks. With the 4th of July holiday right around the corner, it's time to start figuring out which fireworks display to go and see. With everything from super extravaganzas to festivals, family fun and parades, show your patriotic spirit and head to one of our Top Kansas City Fireworks Displays and watch the metro sky light up.

About Kansas City's Top Kansas City Fireworks Displays

Shawnee Mission Park Fireworks Extravaganza

Parkville 4th of July Fireworks and Festival

Corporate Woods Star Spangled Spectacular

Independence Fireworks Display at the Mormon Visitor Center

Riverfest

For complete info on these and many other great fireworks displays in the Kansas City Metro-- read our Top Kansas City Fireworks Displays Guide for 4th of July, 2008!

We've almost made it to the weekend, hooray!

What would we do if we were you this weekend, you ask?

• We'd catch a Free Flick around town
• Be amazed by Quixotic at the Uptown
• Eat some BBQ at the Great Lenexa BBQ Battle
• See Shakespeare Fest's production of 'Othello'
• Watch 'Beauty and the Beast' at SMP
• Listen to The Elders and The Wilders for FREE
• We're also feeling quite patriotic, so we're heading to Merriam to see all the flags at the 'Fields for Freedom' event.

  For these and many, many more fun things to do this weekend in KC, read the KC Weekend Guide.

Lindsay Shannon, owner of Kansas City's own BB's Lawnside, had a guest spot on the 'Today Show' this morning in their Battle of the BBQ segment. Shannon was pitted (unfairly in my opinion) against some guy from Texas to see who had the tastiest barbeque. Shannon prepared some of his mouth watering short ribs while the Texan cooked a lame piece of brisket.

FYI Al Roker...to make it fair, you should have had a rib showdown.

The three judges voted the Texan as the winner, when everyone in the world knows BB's Lawnside has some of the best BBQ on the planet.

BB's Lawnside tops our list Top 5 Best Places to Eat Kansas City BBQ, so the 'Battle of the BBQ' was obviously fixed.

See Lindsay on the Today Show

A child-free wedding and Saturday night in the city lead to a post reception date.

Power and Light (which was within walking distance). Errrr, no. I wasn't exactly in the mood for huge crowds and line waiting, so after bouncing around a few names, settled on heading to Martini Corner.

Much to our surprise, patio seats were to be had at Velvet Dog... a no-no last summer. After a few drinks, we thought we'd head to the newly revamped Mint (old Empire Room) thinking maybe we could hang with the people. Walking in, the bartenders stood to attention...we were the only people there and it was past 11pm. 'I really thought it would be packed', said Mr. Sharp.

We headed downstairs, searching for life forms. We were greeted by our own personal bartender, Steven, and these creepy stuffed animals who all seemed genuinely excited that someone was there.        

Fred P. Otts has closed downtown. Seven and City Tavern aren't serving lunch. Cheesehead is no longer.

The Power and Light District claims that everyone can share the wealth...but one has to wonder... is the P&L sucking the life out of our favorite waterholes?

It's the first weekend of summer...time to leave that cubicle behind and enjoy the sunshine! So many things to do, so little time.

What would we do this weekend in Kansas City, you ask?

• Check out the 2008 Barbie International Convention (did you know it was here?)
• Eat some BBQ and listen to Blue Oyster Cult at the Rib America Fest (Kemper)
• See 'Othello' at the 2008 KC Shakespeare Fest
• Get your mullet on..it's Redneck Weekend at the T-bones
• Listen to some jazz at Jazz in the Woods (Corporate Woods)
• Drink some amazing milk, it's Family Day at the Farm (Shatto Milk Co.)
• See Trace Adkins at Ameristar (cool on 'The Apprentice')

For more info on these and all other events going on in town this weekend, read the KC Weekend Guide.

Mario Lopez. Check. Adam Levine. Yes. Brody? Maybe. But David Cook? Topping the list of PEOPLE Mag's hottest bachelors? What?

The guy can sing, he's from KC, and from what I see/hear, seems to be a pretty genuine guy. But hot?
I bet he doesn't even think he's hot.

I can't wait to see the comments on this one.

According to my sources, the Bacchus Foundation will host a benefit event for Ronald McDonald House and Gordon Parks Elementary School on Thursday, June 19th from 8-11pm at Maker's Mark Lounge. The event, will feature Maker's famed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for a mere $25.

FYI: Tickets need to be purchased in advance which may be done at www.bacchauskc.org

The weekend is almost here, and according to news reports both the Scottish Highland Games and Parkville River Jam, which are both held next to the cresting might Mo', will not be postponed due to high water. Please note: *If you are planning on heading to the Scottish Festival, please note that you need to park at Briarcliff Village and be shuttled to E.H. Young Riverfront Park in Riverside.

The Dragon Boat Races/Festival has been postponed until July due to unfortunate grossness in Brush Creek.

At any rate, there are many cool events going on in town this weekend that aren't anywhere close to water..

West 18th Street Fashion Show

Kid Zone at Zona Rosa

'Divas' with the Heartland Men's Chorus

Hemingway in Kansas City events

If you're like many people-- summer movies are high on the priority list of fun things to do. Even better, what if the flicks are FREE?? Even more fabulous, in my opinion. This summer, Kansas City does it up right by offering free movies around the metro. From under the starts to on top of a building--there is something for everyone.

Check out our Kansas City Free Summer Movies Guide for all free flicks this summer.

Kansas City Free Summer Movies Guide:

Free Friday Night Flicks at Crown Center

Nelson-Atkins Shuttlecock Cinema

AMC Summer Movie Camp

Legend's 14 Free Summer Kids Movies  

The Pharaoh Theater on the Independence Square

City Market Cinema

Off the Wall Film Series at the KC Public Library

Free Flicks at Briarcliff Village