I remember my first death metal concert. My friend invited me out to the dim-lit streets of St. Louis with little explanation of our evening’s plans. I was so trusting. Dressed in a pink Victoria’s Secret shirt and suede Birkenstocks, I entered a clamoring brick building, looking like a nervous unicorn in a field of barbed wire. I found my spot near the back, and the volume from the furthest corner of the dungeon was louder than any EDM concert I ever attended in my young life. Up on stage, I recognized my mysterious server from the local sushi restaurant shredding on the guitar, snapping his neck from front to back over the strings. I loved every painful second of it. The point here is simple. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. That is what this week’s events list is all about.
Monday night restaurant feature: RM 39
RM 39 is a cozy, upscale spot to take your best friend or significant other. Heck, your mom would love it too. They prepare seasonally fresh ingredients at a reasonable price. For dinner, RM 39 features a $45 tasting menu that changes daily to pair with an award-winning wine list. If bolognese, foie gras and gnocchi are words that make your tastebuds dance, try it.
Category: Food & Drink
Location: Midtown
Menu: https://www.rm39.com/daily-menu
KC Crew basketball pickup
Another sports and networking opportunity is available for those early risers. At the crack of dawn, b-ballers will meet up at the court to connect with new people and have some friendly competition. KC Crew is reimagining networking events with these fun-filled pickup games.
Category: Sports
When: Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6:30 a.m.
Location: Olathe Community Center
More information: https://kccrew.com/pickup/basketball/#signup
Concert: Gojira
Gojira is a French heavy metal band with a drive to make global change. Seems kind of unusual, which is why I’m interested. The band’s website features their death metal albums right alongside activism to put a stop to elephant extinction and save the Amazon rainforest. Some of their music focuses on topics of ecocide. Their song “Amazonia” uses graphic lyrics to depict the rainforest burning to the ground, and all proceeds from the song go directly to the cause.
Category: Music
When: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.
Location: The Midland
Tickets & information: http://arvestbank.theatrekansascity.org/tickets/4669014/gojira
Yadooa Hoowku (I Will Speak Now)
The Yadooa Hookwu (I Will Speak Now) exhibit has been on campus for awhile, but it won’t be around much longer. The artwork brings attention to relevant topics of decolonization and cultural appropriation, giving a voice to those historically marginalized. Gregg Deal depicts indigenous identity through prints, paintings, graphics and installations.
Category: Art
When: Thursday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Fine Arts Building
More information: https://info.umkc.edu/gallery/2021/08/31/yadooa-hookwu-i-will-speak-now/
Backyard movies: Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus is a Disney classic that came out years before I was even born. The iconic film follows a young boy who moves from California to Salem and awakens three goofy witches on Halloween night. Bring plenty of blankets for this flick under the stars at the Screenland Armour Theatre.
Category: Entertainment
When: Friday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Screenland Armour Theatre
More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/backyard-movies-hocus-pocus-tickets-166837323927?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
The Beast Haunted House
Spooky season has arrived, and in the spirit of horror, some people find it fun to terrorize themselves. This single location is home to three attractions including The Beast, The Edge of Hell and the Macabre Cinema, each with their own freaky twist. You will even have the option to ride down a four-story chute slide or jump two stories out of a window—fun! After perusing their FAQ, I learned that, yes, there are clowns and chainsaws, live animals will be present and up to 100 people exit per night because they are just too scared. No refunds for wimps.
Category: Entertainment
When: Friday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. / Saturday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Location: West Bottoms
Tickets & information: https://www.kcbeast.com/tickets.html#/select
Garmin KC Marathon
Some people like to sleep in on Saturday morning, some like to drink coffee on the patio and watch the cars cruise by. Others think maybe it’s a good time to run 26.2 miles. Whichever type of person you are, the Garmin Kansas City Marathon, or 5k and 10k for the normal folks, is a great way to tour your city. The path will pass by the World War I Museum & Memorial, the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and more depending on your distance.
Category: Sports
When: Saturday, Oct. 16, 7 a.m. – full & half start / 7:30 a.m. – 10k start / 7:45 a.m. – 5k start
Location: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
More information: https://www.sportkc.org/marathon
Kansas City Ballet: “Celts”
Floor-length gowns crammed in the back of my closet patiently wait for the ballet to come around and invite them out for an evening at the Kauffman Center. Ballet is always such a classy, artistic affair. Irish folk dance and ballet collide in this energetic performance by the Kansas City Ballet. The music will be played by The Opus 76 Quartet from Kansas City.
Category: Art & Entertainment
When: Sunday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m.
Location: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
More information: https://kcballet.org/events/celts/#tnew-ticketing
