Happy Thursday, KC! We’re officially in that weird stretch where summer isn’t over, but everyone’s already acting like fall is around the corner. Personally, I’m squeezing every last drop out of late nights, live shows, and any excuse to leave my couch.

Speaking of things worth putting on the calendar now…

The Hip Hop Nutcracker is bringing a whole new kind of holiday tradition to The Midland Theatre on December 16, with a dozen dancers, an on-stage DJ, an electric violinist, and Tchaikovsky getting a serious remix. Enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets!*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Things are getting roasted in Westport. The 4th Annual Hatch Chile Fest is back at Char Bar with smoky chile goodness, cold drinks, and a very solid excuse to make a whole day of it. Get tix! 

• Terra Luna is turning the Arboretum into an after-dark dreamscape with live music, aerial acrobatics, dance, and plenty of weird magic in the gardens. Enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets!*

• Halloween at Emo Nite feels scarily accurate. Scream the songs you definitely still know every word to at The Bottleneck on October 31. Tickets on sale 8/21! 

• Clara La San brings her hazy, late-night blend of R&B and electronic pop to The Truman on November 13. If your playlists lean moody and a little mysterious, put this one on the calendar. 

• Plus more just announced shows!

BEST TATTOO SHOPS IN KANSAS CITY

Looking for some fresh ink and life-long commitment? These Kansas City tattoo shops are some of the best of the best. Hit any one of these up and walk away with a masterpiece that you’ll love for life!

• Tattooing with a little more heart behind it. Tintoretta is an appointment-only studio built around uplifting Queer and POC joy, with a welcoming space designed to make the whole experience feel personal.

• Old Souls has been tattooing KC for more than 20 years, and the staying power makes sense. They’re especially strong in traditional American and Japanese styles, and walk-ins are always welcome.

• Hand & Dagger puts just as much emphasis on the experience as the ink. It’s a private studio where you can settle in with a movie, music, and a complimentary drink while the artists get to work.

• Headless Hands covers everything from traditional to new school, with artists who know how to match the style to the person. Bonus: free consultations make it easy to figure out what you actually want before committing!

THIS WEEKEND

LOCALS ONLY

• 18th & Vine just got a major pedestrian-friendly upgrade. The new 18th Street pedestrian mall is officially open as part of the bigger Revive the Vine push, with the goal of reconnecting and reinvesting in one of KC’s most important cultural districts.

• KC is cracking down on dangerous rental conditions. The city approved emergency repairs at a long-neglected apartment complex in the Indian Mound neighborhood and plans to charge the landlord for the work. A notable move in the city’s ongoing tenant-protection efforts. 

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