Daytripping Westport

Ken and I spent one Thursday evening daytripping a very familiar place -- Westport.  Westport is the oldest neighborhood in Kansas City.  It was once a town that was established to outfit travelers heading west on the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails.  The founders of Westport started Kansas City as a river port for Westport.  The river city outgrew Westport, and eventually annexed it.  Westport has many layers of history, that are easy to miss, especially since most people visiting Westport these days are not going for a history lesson. 

For a Thursday night, Westports success as an entertainment district became apparent, as it was hard to locate a parking space.  When we finally did, a stark reminder greeted us in the memorial of a recent murder victim here.  Westport has had a troubled recent past, as many who come here do not always have nice intentions.


A failed mall sits in the center of Westport.  It is now mostly office space.  Manor Square was renovated in 1987 out of the old Manor Bread bakery.

An interesting visit on Manor Square's history is linked here.


























The former art deco Katz drug store at the corner of Westport and Main, sits empty now.  The former occupant, Osco, moved out a few years ago.  









Art Deco is a strong theme on this corner

























Here is a link to the Corner Restaurant and its history.


We were taking a picture of Sinbad's, when the owner, Sammi, asked us why we were taking a picture of his business.  He had his laptop out, so I showed him the blog.  We struck up a conversation, and he asked us to sit and be his guests.  It was perfect timing for a coffee break.  I got to try Turkish Coffee for the first time.  Sammi told us he had been here in the US for 6 years, having come here from Palestine.  He operates an eclectic hookah lounge and coffee house.  We sat and talked religion and politics, a big no no in the US these days, but it was a great experience.  


















http://www.kellyswestportinn.com/history




The building next door to Kelly's is historic too...

3443







Here is a bit of Westport googie in video...





 Finally... I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...

BLOG DOG

PLEASE LOOK AT AND COMMENT ON MY BLOG...

If you are interested in expressing your opinion about art, or this blog, or if you have ideas, calender updates or even blog entries, send me a message at http://www.facebook.com/Svoboda.KC TMI, BRD

Exciting News for Heidi Van and the Fishtank

Heidi Van and the Fishtank Performance studio are taking their show on the road to New Orleans for the Fringe Festival there, but only if you help.  Here's how.  It is great to see hard working artists attain success.  I wish Heidi and crew well in their New Orleans venture.
Finally... I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...

BLOG DOG

PLEASE LOOK AT AND COMMENT ON MY BLOG...

If you are interested in expressing your opinion about art, or this blog, or if you have ideas, calender updates or even blog entries, send me a message at http://www.facebook.com/Svoboda.KC TMI, BRD

Mortal Micronotz on YouTube

I blog of boB
I feel indirectly responsible for my friend boB's interest in video.  I sort of got him started down the dark path.  Here is the latest result of his work...

The Mortal Micronotz are a legendary punk rock band out of Lawrence Kansas that have been around for ever.  Well, it said that on their official webpage that they broke up in 1986.  That was about 24 years ago, so, yeah, forever, with reunions and all.  boB is my cutesy way of signifying a Mr. Robert Cutler, of the Klusterfux and of Slackjaw, the Outhouse and other Lawrence Kansas legends, as well as being a gay neighbor to none other than Fred Phelps.  Not a neighbor, as in next door neighbor, but in the neighborhood.  boB has made himself a thorn in the side of local Lawrence hypocrite democrats by showing these well known pictures around the internets...


Yes, they are for real, and yes, they have been floating around forever, and yes, that is Al and Tipper Gore with Fred and Margie Phelps, I believe sometime around 1990.  So, while I'm talking about boB, or, more appropriately, let's get back to talking about boB and his efforts to promote the local music scene, I've got to show, again, some videos I've done with him...




Most recently, we did the world's first talkshow in a car with boB in Lawrence, where he talked about Battlecam.com  
The last video I will dig up is the walking interview I did with boB where we talked about his beloved Topeka...

So, boB, if you see this blog, call me or send me an email.


TMIBRD


Stevo
Finally... I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...

BLOG DOG

PLEASE LOOK AT AND COMMENT ON MY BLOG...

If you are interested in expressing your opinion about art, or this blog, or if you have ideas, calender updates or even blog entries, send me a message at http://www.facebook.com/Svoboda.KC TMI, BRD

2nd Friday at the KCK Y

My friend Patrick Alexander curated a show at the Gallery in the Kansas City Kansas YWCA.  The show featured a group showing of David Goodrich, Jason Sierra, Jennifer Field, Ankur Desai, Luke Rocha, Aaron Sutton, Jessica Manco, Dave Michael, Davin Watne, Tim Goodwillie, Mandy Durham, Jack Rees, Maria Gonzalez and Dan Dakota.  



















The theme of the show was the way in which different cultures honor their dead.  Also in attendance was the KCK community orchestra...

Finally... I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...

BLOG DOG

PLEASE LOOK AT AND COMMENT ON MY BLOG...

If you are interested in expressing your opinion about art, or this blog, or if you have ideas, calender updates or even blog entries, send me a message at http://www.facebook.com/Svoboda.KC TMI, BRD