Experience the City We Live in

We live in the booming metropolis of Kansas City, and there are endless opportunities to go out and experience the city. I am from a rather small town that didn't offer much excitement, and when I moved up here two and half years ago, I was amazed at what Kansas City had to offer. There is always live music, art shows, festivals, and numerous other activities going on. However, my question to you is, how often do you take advantage of the opportunities provided?

Kansas City's Crossroads District provides you with one of these opportunities on the first Friday of every month. All of the art galleries, studios, and restaurants located on the stretch between 20th and Baltimore open their doors, giving people a chance to roam from gallery to gallery to take a look at some of Kansas City's best artists' work while enjoying accommodations provided by each art gallery. Galleries open their doors from 7-9pm and have free admission for the public. Visit the KC Crossroads Art District website for maps and more information.

To start the night there are numerous restaurants including The City Tavern, located at 101 W 22nd and Lidia's, which offers specials on appetizers and drinks. From there, galleries such as The Blue Gallery, Cube at Beco and Lightworks are a short walk away. Some of them provide the flow of people with finger foods and a glass of wine while they enjoy the art. These galleries are a good place to see local and national established artists, as well as new artists. As people travel from gallery to gallery, live bands fill the streets with music. During the winter, an ice sculptor can even be found carving a block of ice on the sidewalk.

One of the attractions is Tom Bloyd's glassblowing studio, located at 20th and Washington Street. The front part of his building is used as a show room where he displays both his work and his assistant, Janine's work. The artwork displayed ranges from an assortment of colorful paperweights and vases to intricate birds and fountains. Then if you stray back to the next room there are live glassblowing demonstrations going on all night. You can feel the heat from the 2200 degree furnace as a professional glassblower creates a piece of artwork out of molten glass. As you watch you are free to talk to the artist, and cool yourself off with a cold beverage. Bloyd committed, "I really like First Fridays, because it gives my customers a chance to see how a piece of blown glass is made, and gives me a chance to get some feedback from them. Plus it's just a good atmosphere to be in."

After the galleries start to close, there are plenty of late night restaurants available to hit up. Whether it be a burger from Town Topic, a pizza from Grinder's, or a big burrito from Pancho's, they are all satisfying after a full night of walking around. "My favorite part of First Fridays is the glassblowing and the pollo burrito from the twenty four hour Mexican joint (Pancho's)," said Nick Nava, an Avila senior. Kansas City's Crossroads District's First Fridays go year round, with one every month, and no two months are the same. Some of the galleries are main stays and others change from month to month, featuring new artists each time. There are hundreds of people, as well as enough music, art, food and drink to go around. It is an event that has become part of the Kansas City culture.

So, what are you doing the first Friday of next month? How about instead of doing what you do week in and week out, go get yourself a date or a couple of friends and drive downtown to experience the city you live in. Kansas City has a lot to offer and it's about time you start taking advantage of it.