"So until next time, remember: Cardio, seat belts, and this has nothing to do with anything, but a little sunscreen never hurt anybody." -- Columbus from Zombieland
The KC Explorer is BACK! We apologize for being MIA as of late. The main reason for the lack of explorations has been in the form of a particularly troublesome, yet lovable, fur-covered distraction. But now that homeostasis has returned, the Kansas City Explorer is again stepping out into the world to discover what gives Kansas City its identity. We re-began our journeys this past Friday in the Kansas City Crossroads Arts District in one of the most popular downtown monthly events in the City: First Fridays.
The Crossroads Arts District is a historic neighborhood near downtown centered at around 19th and Baltimore. The area is known for its art galleries, local restaurants, and live music venues. On the first Friday of each month, the art galleries host "open houses" on new arts shows and when the weather is nice, live bands scatter the streets as pedestrians stroll through the art galleries and enjoy some live music. These "First Fridays" are usually a great night out to enjoy nice weather, good music, local art, and maybe a spirit or two.
The KC Explorer started out the night at a closed off section dubbed the "No Coast KC Street Fair." With live music, small art booths, food vendors, drinks, and street performers, the Street Fair was a great place to get the overall feel of First Fridays all in one place.
First stop, a little refreshment:
Tallgrass Ale, a brew from the Little Apple, and some strawberry lemonade seemed like a great way to wet our whistle. Nearby, a few painters are deep in creating impromptu street art.
Pretty cool stuff. The guy in the middle was mixing use of brush work and spray paint to craft an awesomely creepy looking skeleton, which turned out--as we'll see later--to be prophetic of our adventures that evening.
As we strolled through the galleries, we also got to hear a local rock band, appropriately named the "Doubleshots," blast out a few numbers. As a group they weren't bad; they were not exactly the focal point of the street but they did add a nice atmosphere... and the bass guitar chick had some serious game.
There were a bunch of traditional art galleries too, one accompanied by a juggling act!
Pretty cool right? But then, much to our surprise, a group of street performed took casual juggling to a whole new level.
FIRE!!!
Pictures are nice, but only video can do live fire juggling real justice.
After taking in some art, music, a few drinks, and fire juggling, we left the Street Fair area and explored other areas of the First Friday Crossroads District scene. It was a great atmosphere, the crowds were energetic but not too rowdy, and the music and art was really interesting.
Strolling by an art gallery, we see a teen girl band covering Sublime... not bad... then, suddenly, as we are crossing the street something odd in the horizon... muddled hairstyles; displaced, hungry expressions; growls and snarls; blood-covered clothing; a sense of panic and terror... what are those foul creatures heading right for us??!?!?
ZOMBIES!!!!
Zombies have invaded First Fridays! Luckily, the KC Explorer has been trained in zombie survival, and by quickly executing Rule 1 of surviving in Zombieland, we are able to escape.
All in all, a great Friday evening spent in the Arts District. If you're in the mood for some drinks, live music, art, and some authentic urban energy, First Fridays should be on your summer calendar. However, you may want to pack a fire extinguisher and a shotgun. As we learned exploring First Friday, they may be useful if you run across flaming nun-chucks and the flesh-eating, undead.
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