Saturday, July 19, 2014

Kansas City Comedian Chris Porter to Perform at KC Improv This Weekend

After stating in several interviews that he did not enjoy performing in his hometown of Kansas City, comedian Chris Porter will be headlining at KC Improv this weekend. Porter will be doing two shows on Saturday night, one at 7pm and another at 9:45pm, and then one show on Sunday night at 7pm. Saturday night shows are $18-$23 and Sunday night tickets are $16-$21 and can be purchased at the KC Improv website.

Leaving Kansas City
Kansas City Royals players become stars in the MLB and then are immediately traded away (Greinke, Damon, Dye, etc.). Similarly a few local bands put in their time in the Kansas City, got a record deal and then immediately moved away. Kansas City has also produced a few good comedians as well, and they have also moved away. Rapidly rising star Chris Porter did the same thing a few years ago stating that he "had already done everything there was to do in Kansas City, I've played all of the clubs several times over and headlined the big venues, it's time to move on." Alas, Kansas City seems to be a fertile ground for growing seedlings, but in order to become full grown trees, the seedlings must head for bigger cities. We're like a farm team for other big cities, we grow the talent and then send them packing.

There is another problem with Kansas City that lurks beneath the surface that musicians and comedians have commented on many times in the past - the people of Kansas City do not respect the arts anywhere NEAR as much as many other cities. As Chris Porter said in an interview "I told people in Kansas City that I was going to be a comedian and they just smiled and patted me on the back and said good luck with that buddy!" Kansas City is famous for giving their budding artists little or no respect until they move away, become famous, and then come back. The last local band that made it into the spotlight from Kansas City was called "Puddle of Mudd" and lead singer Wes Scantlin said "yeah, our early shows in Kansas City would have about 40 people there, and after we made it big there were about 40,000 claiming that they were there". I suppose that's why they call it the "show me" state, people in Kansas City have a big city attitude without the style or clout to back it up. Comedian Louis CK particularly hates Kansas City and even references our city in his stand up constantly, always negatively.

Last Comic Standing

Although Chris Porter sometimes wishes that he could delete the "Last Comic Standing stigma" that has attached itself to him, it is, partially or entirely responsible for launching his comedy career. In June of 2006 season 4 of Last Comic Standing would change the lives of a handful of comedians forever. Ten comics were holed up in the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, California, all competing in various challenges, head to head battles and overall popularity phone votes. By week 9, Chris Porter had earned a 3rd place finish behind 2nd place winner Ty Barnett and Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue. Porter's multiple television appearances got the attention of comedy club owners, booking agencies and other television stations, providing a nice foundation for Porter's stand up career.

Chris Porter Today

Giving credit to one of his favorite comedians and a major influence, Chris Porter gives us Doug Stanhope, who Porter terms a "maverick" in the comedy world as Stanhope does things his way and refuses to perform at venues that don't cater to his lifestyle. Doug prefers to lay low in Bisbee, Arizona with his girlfriend Bingo, and claims that his favorite activity is getting drunk and buying items on Ebay. Certainly among the top five comedians still living (Doug Stanhope, Bill Burr, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock), Stanhope has already solidified his place in comedy history with his unfiltered, seemingly unscripted stand up act. The fact that Chris Porter lists Stanhope as an influence and a favorite is a very good sign indeed. Porter's act today is starting to take shape, and he reminds one of Bill Burr and Doug Stanhope in his casual interviews in that he is funny even when he isn't saying anything textually funny. This is a good sign for things to come for Chris Porter, and those of us who support the arts in Kansas City can't wait to see what he comes up with next...

Chris Porter comedian kansas city kc improv 2014 by KCMB Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Fireworks in Kansas City, Leawood, Overland Park July 4th, 2014 by KCMB News Kansas City

The skies will be popping and sparkling this July 4th, 2014 with several great fireworks displays in Kansas City, Leawood and Overland Park. As we tell everyone every year, we have our secret spot but we cannot divulge it's location because the best part about our spot is that it is not crowded and getting in and out of there is quite easy indeed.

Kansas City Fireworks Displays

Worlds of Fun - Celebrate America
Not only will Worlds of Fun have fireworks on the 4th of July 2014, but they are going to be doing fireworks EVERY weekend in July! That's right kids, there will be fireworks displays on July 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th. The Worlds of Fun fireworks will start at 10pm each of those nights and the twilight admission will be $36.99.

Fireworks at the K - Kauffman Stadium
If anyone knows whether or not they will have fireworks at the K this year let us know. We know that the Kansas City Royals will be in Cleveland that night so there will not be a baseball game at the K. Most stadiums will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's speech. Leave comments below if you know anything…

Kansas City River Market Fireworks 2014
The River Market has nothing on their calendar about a fireworks display this year.

Leawood Fireworks Display - 2014 4th of July Celebration

Once again this year the Leawood Park at Tomahawk Creek will be blasting off their fireworks display immediately following the Corporate Woods fireworks show. They will be making a day of it at Leawood Park, offering games, live music, rides and food vendors beginning at 5pm. There will be all access passes for children for the rides for $5. The Leawood fireworks display will begin at 9:45pm.

Overland Park Fireworks Display - Star Spangled Spectacular 2014

The annual Corporate Woods fireworks display "Star Spangled Spectacular 2014" will be the biggest thing going when it comes to Overland Park fireworks displays. The traffic jam (ahem) we mean the event will be held at Corporate Woods located at College and Antioch and begin at 4pm with food and beverage vendors, a children's play pavilion and inflatables. At 5:45pm there will be a country band followed by a 55 piece American Legion Band performing patriotic songs. Actor James Wright will be welcoming everyone at 8pm followed by the National Anthem being performed by Lindsey McKee from the Quality Hill Playhouse in Overland Park. The Star Spangled Spectacular 2014 fireworks will commence at 9:30pm. Don't be in a hurry to get out of there immediately after the fireworks because it will be traffic jam mayhem, it's best to just be patient and wait to try to leave until it clears out a little bit.

Have fun and enjoy your 4th of July Kansas City!

Go to 2022 Corporate Woods Star Spangled Spectacular Info

Go To 2015 4th of July in KC Info

fireworks in kansas city, leawood, overland park by KCMB Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

20s for KC New Charity Project in Kansas City Hands out $20 Bills

A new charity group in Kansas City is doing something that has never been done before in KC. 20s for KC, who are self defined as a "non profit Kansas City stimulus project", are placing $20 bills at random places all over the Kansas City area. This past Friday night the 20s for KC Facebook page reported that it was officially "gas pump night" and they placed several $20 bills on the front of gas pumps all over the city. The $20 bills are easily recognizable as they are in nice bill size white envelopes with a decorative red ribbon and a red stamp that bears the logo of 20s for KC in red. There is nothing in the envelope but a nice crisp $20 and the only form of information at all is the stamp that has the logo and also the website - www.20sforkc.com

We interviewed one of the founders of the project recently and this is what they had to say…

KCMB News: So what do you guys have to gain by doling out $20 bills all over the city?

20s for KC rep: We aren't trying to gain anything financially, or even in terms of advertising. We are affiliated with a local Kansas City radio show called The Sunday Jones Comedy Radio Show and when someone finds one of our $20 bills, IF they go to the website stamped on the envelope, then they are asked to simply tell us where they found the $20 and what they intend to do with it or how they spent it. No strings attached. We then read what people wrote over the air on the show, and we place a virtual "pin" on a map on the website showing where $20s were found.

KCMB News: Do you think that some people will be afraid to open the envelope because of suspicion? Or what if they just throw them in the trash?

20s for KC rep: We did take that into account, and that's just a fact of life in today's society. Paranoia is at an all time high, and we know that some people will probably leave the envelopes right where they are, untouched. We have even taken into account that someone may actually turn one in to the police, haha. That being said, a simple glance at the website at www.20sforkc.com will tell you everything about what we're doing and that there is nothing to be afraid of. And if someone throws one in the trash, I suppose that is a shame but it probably won't be the first time a $20 has ended up in the trash.

KCMB News: Have any of the businesses complained about you guys placing them on their property?

20s for KC rep: Not thus far. We have put a lot of thought into that, avoiding government property etc. and hopefully they will realize that it is probably GOOD for business. I mean if people think that there might be a free $20 bill hanging around their property somewhere then that can only be good for business. Heck, they might even find one themselves, or have one turned in to them by a customer who is confused as to what it might be.

KCMB News: Well this certainly is a first for Kansas City, no one has done anything like this here. We know that comedian Jim Carrey is notorious for hiding $100 bills around, and there is another group that does this around Christmas time in New York. How much feedback are you getting? Are people going to the website and telling their stories?

20s for KC rep: At this time we're getting about 25% feedback on the $20 bills that we have put out so far. That's about what we suspected, we were thinking that if we got 20% that we were doing well.

KCMB News: Thank you for your time and good luck with the new project. We will check back in with you guys in a few months and see how it's going. How long do you plan to continue with the 20s for KC project?

20s for KC rep: No problem. We hope to continue through the duration of the radio show's season which ends the Sunday before the first NFL game.

20s for kc kansas city charity stimulus project hands out free $20 bills hiding around kansas city by KCMB Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Scouting 500 2014 at Kansas Speedway Featuring The Zeros by KCMB News Kansas City

This Saturday Richard Petty will be bringing the Scouting 500 2014 to the Kansas Speedway. This event is expected to draw over 12,000 people and started on Friday night with a "camp in" on the infield of the Kansas Speedway race track. On Saturday the action starts with a mock NASCAR race presented by Richard Petty's NASCAR Experience. Drivers will make a 45 lap run around the track in a simulated race. There will be a pre-race flyover by America's finest, similar to what we see at Arrowhead prior to Chiefs games and then the 45 lap race will kick off. There will also be an appearance by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Christa Dubill from 41 Action News. After the race there will be a concert by Kansas City's favorite 80's band The Zeros, presented by Adam Blue Productions.

The Scouting 500 2014 at Kansas Speedway is meant to raise the awareness and the importance of scouting and it's benefits on the community. Activities during the day will include a NASCAR action challenge, a scuba pool, zip lines, rock climbing towers, a climbing wall and hot air balloons. There will be career training including welding, carpentry, aviation, engineering, architecture, and the KCMO Police Department will also be putting on a seminar and demonstration. And did we mention skydiving? There will also be skydiving. Wait, there's more! There will be sports clinics, Kansas City Chiefs ambassadors, personal training and an obstacle course. Tickets / Visitor Passes will be available throughout the entire day at Gate D.

Scouting 500 2014 at Kansas Speedway feating The Zeros produced by Adam Blue Productions brought to you by KCMB Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Pour for More 2014 Charity Fundraiser for Kids TLC by KCMB News Kansas City

Just as the local KC children's charity organization Kids TLC announced a new CEO in Gordon Docking, they will be off and running raising funds this weekend at 2014 Pour for More, their 2nd annual Kansas City fundraiser. The 2013 Pour for More for Kids TLC charity event was a huge success, and KidsTLC raised a lot of money for their cause, mainly helping children with autism, providing shelter for children who face abuse, psychiatric trauma, substance abuse and they also have several outpatient programs including the Phoenix Psychiatric Treatment Program.

Pour for More 2014

Join us this Friday night at the swanky Guild, located in the newly renovated and modernized downtown Kansas City. The Guild is an incredible architectural masterpiece that features an indoor and an outdoor area for mingling and enjoying appetizers and cocktails. This will be the second year that Pour for More will be held at The Guild, located at 1621 Locust KCMO 64108. This Kansas City charity event will begin at 7pm and feature heavy appetizers and cocktails accompanying a silent auction. Then it's time to hit the dance floor as BIG SHOW Dueling Pianos, presented by Adam Blue Productions, will be hitting the stage to get everyone up dancing and singing along.

Tickets for Pour for More 2014 are $80.00 each and $65.00 for patrons 35 and younger. There are also sponsorship packages available that vary in price from $500 to $10,000 and include various event packages. To purchase tickets, or for more information please contact Kids TLC at 913-764-2887.

Pour for More 2014 Kansas City fundraiser charity event benefiting KidsTLC story by KCMB Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.

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