It was one of those evenings when Cutest had a social engagement that didn’t include moi. However, I, being a man of the 21st Century, understand that Cutest must be Cutest and that I am not always included in her plans. What to do, what to do? Problem solved. I harnessed girl #2, Sola (at last, you think, a kinky blog!) Nope, Sola is my 6-year-old fluffy puppy who retains boundless energy.
We made the short drive over to 18th and Vine, a.k.a., the Jazz District. The district has had a checkered past dating back to the 20s, revolving around back-alley gambling, free flowing liquor, ladies of the evening, and jazz. Jazz remains the constant and is the cornerstone of the district today. The Gem Theater’s marquee beckons from the south side of 18th. The Gem was an early silent movie house. Today of course, jazz and other musical performances are the featured acts.
Directly across the street are the Negro League’s Baseball Museum and the Kansas City Jazz Museum. If you are into either music or baseball or both, this is a must stop. History of both are very well detailed and engaging. They’re on the must-see list for out-of-towners.
Walking to the north down a side street, we came across an evening jazz concert held in a grassy park-like setting. Nearby were buildings that housed the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy and the Black Archives. Three beautifully maintained ballparks were steps away from the Academy, supported in part by the KC Royals.
Should hunger or thirst need to be addressed while strolling about, restaurants and bars can easily be found in the district.
And before closing down this blog, let me address the elephant in the room, that being 18th and Vine sits in a predominantly Black community. I am not Black. I have visited this area twice recently and at no time did I feel out of place or unsafe. As the racial boundaries in our city gradually melt away, I think the opportunities to know our neighbors more fully will continue to grow. With Fall temperatures on the horizon, get out and mingle and explore different parts of our community. 18th & Vine will be a toe-tapping experience. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
P.S. The last one, below, I'm adding because it's too late for us, but might be useful for someone you know with a kid in any sport. It's a "sculpture" at the ball fields.
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