You know it’s October when nearly every event for the week is outside. This week is all about connecting with new people and new cultures right at home. I moved to Kansas City only two years ago, and prior to that I could not have pointed to it on a map. Now I think it may be the greatest American city to live in (a hot take, I know). We are surrounded by food from every nook of the planet, festivals are popping up all over town celebrating a different heritage, and at work I hear five languages a day I cannot understand a lick of. Being a tourist in the place you live is fascinating, and I have been shocked at the diversity of culture one can find in the center of the United States.
Student Org Spirit Week: Board game cafe
Student Organization Spirit Week kicks off this Monday with board games on the rooftop of the Student Union. Join other students for a cup of steaming hot coffee in the morning and some light fun while discussing all there is to know about UMKC’s student organizations. Check in with RooGroups for more ways to celebrate student organizations all week long.
Category: Entertainment
When: Monday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Student Union
More information: https://roogroups.umkc.edu/event/7372076
Tuesday night restaurant feature: La Bodega
Nestled comfortably under the bustling Interstate 35, any Kansas Citian can find themselves smack-dab in the heart of Northern Spain at La Bodega. A small bowl of assorted olives and a crisp glass of Cava is the way I like to begin an evening of round-by-round tapas. Get an early start from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for happy hour deals and don’t forget to check out their newest culinary venture, Blu Hwy on Main Street in South Plaza.
Category: Food & Drink
Happy hour: Monday – Friday, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Southwest Boulevard
Menu: https://labodegakc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DinnermenuSpring2021-2.pdf
KC Crew golf pickup
Print out a stack of resumes and shove them in your golf bag for this networking event. Every Wednesday morning, KC Crew hosts a golf game for people looking to make new connections around town and lovers of the sport. Golf balls historically have been stellar at shattering
windshields, now we put them to the test on breaking the ice.
Category: Sports
When: Wednesday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Heart of America Golf Course
More information: https://kccrew.com/pickup/golf/
Concert: St. Vincent with Ali Macofsky
This one was an unexpected find for me this week. I hadn’t heard of St. Vincent prior to our involuntary run-in on Grinders KC’s website, but this is where writing an events’ column could have led me into a lifelong fandom. I was both rocked and rolled sitting on my living room couch listening to her genre-nonconforming style, and I look forward to the real deal this Thursday.
Category: Music
When: Thursday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m.
Location: Grinders KC
Tickets and information: https://www.ticketmaster.com/st-vincent-kansas-city-missouri-10-07-2021/event/06005AB88D9027CB
Comedy show: One Night with Nikki Glaser
Nikki Glaser is a woman of many verbal arenas. She is the voice of a television show, podcast and a comedia working to wring out laughs on stage. We all could use a little laughter in our lives, so come on out!
Category: Entertainment
When: Friday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
Location: Uptown Theater
Tickets and information: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06005A9AA7FB2955
Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana is only a natural place to find an Italian lady like me on the weekend. They have this event mapped out hour-by-hour with a range of activities. A meatball eating contest (sounds like a choking hazard, but a tasty one at that), live music, cannoli eating contest, Catholic mass and a disco experience are just some of the festivities that will take place.
Category: Food & Drink
When: Friday, Oct. 8, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. / Saturday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. / Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Zona Rosa’s North Park
Tickets and information: https://unicokc.wordpress.com/home-3/festaitaliana/
Saturday movie night: “Donnie Darko”
When a demon rabbit named Frank tells you the world will end in 28 days, proceed with caution. This eerie classic will be shown in the back parking lot of the Screenland Armour Theatre. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and a date for this cozy flick under the stars.
Category: Entertainment
When: Saturday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Screenland Armour Theatre
More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/backyard-movies-donnie-darko-tickets-166836980901?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
¡Oktoberfiesta!
This Latin American spin on a German tradition is a great charitable way to wrap up the week. The event is a benefit for the Mattie Rhodes Center and will consist of bingo, arts and crafts, an evening of live music from The Three Amigos KC Mariachi Band, an assortment of food, and the annual masskrugstemmen stein-holding competition.
Category: Food & Drink
When: Sunday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Boulevard Brewing Co.
Tickets and information: https://www.boulevard.com/event/8th-annual-oktoberfiesta-benefit-for-the-mattie-rhodes-center/
