|
|
Parks 'n Play eNews
A monthly update from Kansas City, Missouri
Parks and Recreation
MASTHEAD IMAGE: Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation's official Park and Recreation Month. Each July, parks and recreation departments across the country promote outdoor physical recreation, and pull together volunteers to make their outdoor space a thriving center of community activity |
|
Celebrate Park and Recreation Month on July 24
Play all day
The Wild Women of KC are one of three bands featured at the Blues & Breakfast. | at the second annual Party in the Park on Saturday, July 24 in Swope Park. In celebration of National Park and Recreation Month, you can enjoy free or low-cost, family-friendly activities at Swope Park's attractions through out the day.
9:00am 1 & 2-mile Health Walks, Southeast Community Center
9:00am-12:00pm Blues & Breakfast, Starlight Theatre (ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES, $5)
9:00am-12:00pm Earth Riders Trail Association (ERTA) Hikes & Rides, Camp Lake of the Woods
9:00am-1:00pm SNAG Golf course for parents and kids; Free 15 minute mini-lessons by PGA Professionals, The First Tee of Greater Kansas City at Heart of America Golf Academy
9:00am-3:00pm Beanstalk Children's Garden Open, Kansas City Community Gardens
10:00am-2:00pm Mother Nature Reads and Crafts, Lakeside Nature Center
10:00-11:30am Herb Walk Workshop, Kansas City Community Gardens
10:00am-2:00pm Fishing with Sol Pro Bass Club, Lake of the Woods
10:00am-3:00pm Kansas City Cricket games, Lewis Road fields
10:00am-3:00pm Zoo Tales, Kansas City Zoo
10:30am-12:00pm Hike with a Naturalist, Lakeside Nature Center
11:00am-2:00pm Ethnic Enrichment Commission Culture Box Displays, Southeast Community Center
1:00-4:00pm KPRS Block Party & Concert, Lewis Road & Wild Cat Hollow Road
1:00-4:00pm Free Child ID Cards by Western & Southern, KPRS Block Party
1:00-5:00pm KCWE29 Free Swim Pool Party, Swope Pool
1:00-5:00pm Battle of Westport Museum Open, 6601 Swope Parkway
2:00 & 4:00pm Battlefield Walking Tours, Battle of Westport Museum |
|
|
|
|
|
Dreamgirls set to Dazzle & Delight at Starlight Theatre
 Audience members will be inspired to dream big as they enjoy the national tour of Dreamgirls at Starlight Theatre on July 20-25. The second production of Starlight Theatre's 60th anniversary Broadway season, Dreamgirls and its singing divas of Detroit, will electrify the Cohen Community Stage and entice audiences with powerful vocals, outstanding staging and truckloads of gorgeous costumes.
Dreamgirls tells the story of aspiring performers Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White. Performing as "The Dreamettes," the Detroit singing trio is discovered by talent agent Curtis Taylor Jr., who soon lands the ladies a job as backup singers for soul/rock 'n' roll sensation James "Thunder" Early. As they develop into the up-and-coming girl group of the 1960s, Effie's full-voice and obvious talent initially dominates, but quiet Deena soon emerges as the true talent of the group and backstage drama ensues.
The original Broadway production of Dreamgirls opened Dec. 20, 1981, at the Imperial Theatre and closed after 1,521 performances on Aug. 11, 1985. The musical won six TonyŌ Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It was the inspiration for the smash-hit 2006 film adaption of the stage play that garnered two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. The film also won a Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture for "Love You I Do."
This all-new nationally touring stage production, featuring all new costumes, set designs and new and updated songs, premiered at Harlem's Apollo Theater in New York City on Nov. 22, 2009. It incorporates the popular song "Listen" from the 2006 film as a stirring Act II duet between Deena and Effie.
"This tour of Dreamgirls melds the best of the original Tony Award-winning 1981 Broadway production, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning 2006 film and the genius of an outstanding cast and creative team," said Denton Yockey, Starlight president and executive producer. "Your ears will delight in the amazing vocals of the leading ladies, and you can look forward to plenty of visual stimulation on stage, too!"
Starring as Effie White is newcomer Moya Angela and featured as "The Dreams" are "American Idol" contestant Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris. The cast of 26 also includes Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor Jr., Chester Gregory as James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, and Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison. At selected performances, Patrice Covington plays the role of Effie.
Tickets forDreamgirls at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $10 to $85. Tickets are available online at www.kcstarlight.com, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. All performances of Dreamgirls begin at 8 p.m
Discount prices for groups of 15 or more are available by contacting group sales manager Bob Potemski at 816.997.1137 or bob.potememski@kcstarlight.com. |
|
Learn How to Master the Maze on August 5
The 4th Annual Kansas City Government Contracting & Procurement Forum (KCGCP), Mastering the Maze, will take place on Thursday, August 5, 8:30am-4:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, 2435 McGee in Kansas City, Missouri. The KCGCP Forum is designed to showcase government contracting and procurement requirements to businesses in the Kansas City metropolitan area and to provide critical information, networking opportunities and access to new business partners.
KCGCP events include a free tradeshow, networking opportunities and workshops. Reservations for the luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Carlton L. Highsmith, are $40/person.
There are several ways to register for the KCGCP Forum: online at www.kcgcp.org; by phone at 816-513-1813; or via mail to ashlea_blue@kcmo.org. Registration includes 3 hours of free parking. The first 75 people to register and pay for lunch will receive free parking all day long.
Carlton L. Highsmith serves as an Executive at Specialized Packaging Radisson LLC. Mr. Highsmith founded The Specialized Packaging Group, Inc., in 1983 and served as its Chief Executive Officer and President. He has several years of corporate experience in marketing and product development. He serves as the Chairman of I Have A Dream, and New Haven. He serves as the Chairman of Finance Board of Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church-the oldest formally recognized African-
Keynote Speaker Carlton L. Highsmith | American church in America. Mr. Highsmith has been a Director of New Alliance Bancshares Inc., and for its subsidiary, NewAlliance Bank since November 1, 2006. He serves as a Director of Amistad Academy Charter School in New Haven. He serves as a Trustee of Yale-New Haven Hospital, Inc. He serves as a Trustee of Quinnipiac University. Mr. Highsmith worked at Rexham Corporation and after a few years, he was transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut operation. He was well known Connecticut and highly respected for his business acumen and for his community involvement. Mr. Highsmith was named to list of 2006 "Top Black Entrepreneurs" by US Black Engineering & Information Technology magazine, and has been named Businessperson of the Year by Business New Haven Newspaper. Mr. Highsmith was recognized last year by the U.S. Department of Commerce's MBDA as its 2005 Manufacturer of the Year award recipient. He Honored at Tuskegee University Alumni Scholarship Breakfast. Mr. Highsmith graduated from University of Wisconsin. |
|
Kids are Kings at the Zoo: $1 Child Admission on July 19
 In honor of all the kids, Child Admission is only $1 on Monday, July 19!Have more fun at the Kansas City Zoo during Child Appreciation Day on Monday, July 19. To start, the Zoo is offering $1 child admission for ages 3-11; ages 2 and under are free; and as always, admissione is free to Friends of the Zoo Members (FOTZ). A kid Zoo-favorite--corn dogs--are the Zoo-magical Monday $1 special offered to kids of all ages.
Zoo guests will also rock with Radio Disney from 10:00am-Noon; create their own animal chalk art; meet KCPT Clifford from 11:00am-2:00pm; learn about child safety with Farmer's Insurance and much more.
Kids can attend a Keeper Chat, catch a Sea Lion Show or the KCZoo Live Show, feed an Australian lorikeet by hand and ask the Zoo Keepers your favorite Zoo questions.
The Kansas City Zoo, operated in agreement with KCMO Parks and Recreation, is open from 9:30am-4:00pm on weekdays and until 5:00pm on weekends. Admission is $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors and, usually, $8.50 for children ages 3-11. FOTZ members are always free.
Call 816-513-5800, or visit the Zoo's website for more information. |
|
Enjoy History Walk & Talks with the Kansas City Museum
 Explore the culture and history of Northeast Kansas City during the KC Museum's Walk and Talks! Held the first and third Sunday of the month through August, participants will explore Northeast Kansas City or the natural wonders of Cliff Drive led by guides Michael Bushnell and Charles Marshall. Get some exercise, benefit the environment and learn-- all in one program! Walk and Talks are produced with KCMO Parks and Recreation's "Car Free Weekends on Cliff Drive" program.
The next Walk and Talk, which focuses on history, will take place on Sunday, July 18 from 1:00-3:00pm. The cost is $5.00/person or $15.00/group of four. A bottle of water is included for each participant. The walks begins at the KC Museum's Visitor Center, 3218 Gladstone Blvd.
History Walk and Talk: Explore historic Scarritt Point and learn about early settlement and development along Missouri's only urban scenic byway during the History Walk and Talk hosted by Michael Bushnell, author, Historic Postcards from Old Kansas City.
Science Walk and Talk: Take a nature walk along Cliff Drive and learn about its unique geological features during the Science Walk and Talk hosted by Charles Marshall, Educator, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The next Science Walk and Talk will take place in August.
Click here to register for the Walk and Talk program. |
|
SynchroPalooza at Line Creek Ice Arena
Join in the fun during the Synchronized Skating Camp sponsored by Line Creek Ice Arena, Line Creek Figure Skating Club & the Kansas City Illusion Synchronized Skating Teams. SynchroPalooza takes place on Tuesday, July 20 from  7:00am-7:00pm at Line Creek Ice Arena, 5940 NW Waukomis Dr.
SynchroPalooza features guest coach, Carrie Brown, head coach of the 2010 National Champions, Allegro Synchro Team, from Plymouth, MI
Participating skaters represent teams from Jefferson City, St. Joseph as well as the Kansas City Illusion teams
Kansas City Illusion is the oldest and largest competitive Synchro program in the Kansas City area. There are curently three teams with skaters ranging in age from 6-17 years of age.
Contact Amy Fankhauser at 816-513-0762 or amy_fankhauser@kcmo.org for information. |
|
Park Spotlight: Swope Park
History
 Thomas Hunton Swope was born in Kentucky in 1827. After living in several states, he eventually made his way to Missouri when he moved to St. Louis where he began working in real estate. He came to live in Kansas City in 1857 after purchasing some property here and later became the largest individual land owner in Kansas City. Mr. Swope was called "Colonel" Swope, but the title was honorary and not from military service. In 1896, Colonel Swope donated 1,334 acres to the City of Kansas City, Missouri for use as a public park. With property acquisitions made over the years, the park now has 1,805 acres. It is Kansas City's largest park and one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Swope Park is also home to some of Kansas City's finest attractions.
After Thomas Swope's death in 1909, his body was kept in a holding vault until a memorial was built in Swope Park. A site was chosen on a hill overlooking the lagoon and the entire park. He was laid to rest at the memorial in 1918. The Thomas H. Swope Memorial appears to be based on a design drawn by George Kessler in 1915. The lions and decorative bronze were done by Charles Keck, the former president of the National Sculpture Society. The fountain and balustrade were completed in 1922-23, designed by the Wight and Wight architectural firm.
Amenities/Attractions
Kansas City Zoo, Lakeside Nature Center, Swope Memorial and Heart of America Golf Courses, Kansas City Wizards training facility, Southeast Community Center, Starlight Theatre, Battle of Westport Museum, Camp Lake of the Woods, Kansas City Community Gardens and Beanstalk Chidren's Garden, disc golf course, KC Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, Swope Pool, 2-mile Fox Hollow exercise trail, 1.37-mile bike trail, 3.35-miles of mountain bike trails, two (2) tennis courts, three (3) playgrounds, ten (10) shelter houses-8 reservable, numerous picnic areas, six (6) ball diamonds-three (3) lighted, cricket fields, and four (4) soccer fields.
Ornamental Structures
In addition to the Thomas H. Swope Memorial, Swope Park features the Alfred Benjamin Memorial, American Legion Memorial II, Loose Memorial Flagpole
The Kansas City Zoo houses the Mary A. Fraser Memorial Drinking Fountain, Harry Evans Monty Memorial Fountain, Albert Elwood Shirling Sanctuary, "Bonfire and Merifian" sculpture, "Rock & Steel" sculpture, "Fishing Rock" sculpture, and "Strange Strange Sam" sculpture.
Starlight Theatre is home to the Shirley Bush Helzberg Fountain and Jack and Martha Steadman Fountain.
Ken Ferguson sculptures, "Rabbit Hiding from Fox", "The Race Is Not Always Swift", and "Two Doves Sitting on a Branch Up High" are displayed at Lakeside Nature Center
Location
Swope Parkway and Meyer Boulevard. Download a map and brochure of Swope Park. |
|
|
|
Pass it On!
We encourage you to forward this e-calendar to friends, family, coworkers, members of your organization, and more. You can also easily use this publication or articles in your organization's communication and to post on social networking sites. Become a fan of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation on Facebook. Help spread the good news about Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation. | |
|
 The Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department facilities and programs are available to people of all abilities. If accommodations or individualed supports are needed to participate, please contact Carrie Randle, Inclusion Facilitator, at (816) 513-0730. | |
|
|
