In The Loop: Feb 20, 2022
This Tuesday marks the date in 1899 that Kansas City opened Convention Hall. The building was championed by the Kansas City Star, and was opened by a group of local businessmen on February 22 of that year. Twenty thousand people attended the opening, which included a performance by John Philip Sousa’s band. Not quite 14 months later, the building was completely destroyed by a fire—only three months before it was scheduled to host the Democratic National Convention.
In a story that has long been told about the spirit of Kansas City, a second Convention Hall was built in only 90 days and did, indeed, host the convention where William Jennings Bryan was nominated as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States.
Among other notable visitors, Hawaii’s King David Kawānanakoa, heir to the throne before the monarchy was toppled, traveled to Kansas City where he became the first royal to serve as a delegate at a U.S. national political convention.
Wednesday marks the anniversary of the Hotel Phillips opening on February 23, 1931. The 20-story hotel—the tallest in the city at the time—was built upon land previously occupied by the Glennon Hotel, where Harry Truman and Eddie Jacobson ran their Truman & Jacobson Haberdashery in one of the ground-floor retail spaces.
Charles E. Phillips, namesake of the Hotel Phillips, left his childhood farm home near Cambria, Mo., at the age of 15, and eventually built several large apartment buildings in the Country Club Plaza area. He served as president of the hotel company that built the hotel at 12th and Baltimore.
Today’s Hotel Phillips, known for its 1930s Art Deco motif and Jacobethan architecture, still features a gold, larger-than-life statue of Dawn, the goddess of stars, perched high above the grand lobby.
Next Sunday, February 27, the American Jazz History Museum will present a Black History concert celebration featuring African American music from the 1950s through present day. Sounds of jazz, R&B, gospel, blues, and contemporary music will fill the auditorium at the historic Gem Theater in the 18th & Vine District. More information and tickets are available here:
River Market Antiques near Fifth and Wyandotte has turned its entire 3rd floor into a giant vintage-clothing marketplace. The 3rd floor apparel area is open now, but RMA will have an official grand opening for the space March 12-13.
The Folly Theater’s archival collection of business documents, photos, promotional materials, and other artifacts is now housed at the Kansas City Public Library—and available to the public. The library’s website says the collection is “a key resource for researchers interested in vintage burlesque, local performing arts, architecture, and historic preservation.”
The library’s announcement about the Folly Theater Collection can be found here:
To see a sample of the artifacts from the collection, click here:
Live or work in the River Market? Then mark your calendar for Thursday, March 10, for the River Market Community Association Neighborhood Mixer at the brand-new River Bluff Brewing establishment at 201 Main (actually, the entrance is on Second Street, between Main and Walnut). RMCA monthly board meeting is scheduled for 5 to 5:30 p.m.; social hour goes til 7 p.m.
Photo of the first Convention Hall, opened in 1899 and destroyed by fire in 1900:
The same location today (northeast corner of 13th and Central: Barney Allis Plaza):
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Give a friendly Downtown-Kansas City welcome to….
Audiences for the Kansas City Ballet’s performance of Dracula, which runs through next Sunday, the 27th, at Kauffman Center
Theatergoers attending the final performance of The KC Rep’s Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B today at the Downtown Copaken Stage
Participants and fans of the Triple Crown Volleyball Women’s NIT 2022, wrapping up today and tomorrow at Bartle Hall
Fans of former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who will be appearing with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators this Friday at The Midland
Comedy lovers attending Mike Epps–No Remorse Comedy Tour Saturday at Municipal Auditorium
Folks heading to the Western Farm Show at Hale Arena this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
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Until next week—enjoy the city!
