Welcome, {{secret_name | Secret Reader}}

April opened with a reminder not to take everything at face value.

April Fools’ Day has been around longer than most of us realize—one account dates back to the 1500s, when parts of Europe shifted from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Folks who kept celebrating the New Year in late March and early April became the easy targets. Invitations to fake parties, paper fish pinned to backs, little social pranks that said: pay attention.

There’s something useful in that.
A little skepticism. A little curiosity. Knowing when something’s real—and when it just looks good from a distance.

First Friday takes over the Crossroads again. You can start with art, drift into a bar, catch a set somewhere, and suddenly it’s late.

On my end, I spent some time at Voltaire in the West Bottoms, tucked away, low light, a big atmosphere, and speakers. I saw a collection of vinyl albums…I’ll have to stop back in to see if they use them!! And Thursdays, today, is all-day happy hour!!

And just like that, we’re into Q2. For you solopreneurs and owners, it’s tax time *2. But if the weather holds, and the books are settled… 🥃🥃

I’ll see you at the bar.
—Jay, SecretKC editor

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Chloe McFadden — The Phoenix | Apr 2
Early set in a room that knows jazz — start here, see where the night goes.
→ The Phoenix Events

Ken Lovern Organ Trio — Green Lady Lounge | Apr 2
Organ, dim lights, no chatter — lean in!
→ Green Lady Lounge

Jam Band Night w/ The Fling — Nighthawk @ Hotel KC | Apr 2
Downtown late-night with cocktails and a crowd that’s not ready to call it.
→ Nighthawk KC

First Friday Art Walk — Crossroads | Apr 3
The city shows up — galleries open, sidewalks packed, music everywhere.
→ Crossroads KC

DJ Night + Cocktails — Vye Cocktail Lounge | Apr 3–4
Rooftop, dressed-up crowd, and a reason to stay out later than planned.
→ Vye Cocktail Lounge

Mama Ray's Legacy Jam — BB’s Lawnside BBQ | Apr 4
Blues, smoke in the air, and a room that settles in and stays awhile.
→ BB’s Lawnside BBQ

Joe Straw Trio — Sherri’s Executive Lounge | Apr 4
No-frills room, real-deal jazz, and people who know why they’re there.
→ Sherri’s Executive Lounge

The MGDs (Live in the Lounge) — The Ship | Apr 4
West Bottoms basement energy — drinks up front, dance floor in the back.
→ The MGDs @ The Ship

Swordfish Tom’s — Crossroads
Close tables, low light, and cocktails.
→ Swordfish Tom’s

Voltaire — West Bottoms
Big atmosphere, a little hidden
→ Voltaire KC

Whiskey Dynamite — West Bottoms (Limited Run)
Short run, great show — catch it while it’s still around.
→ Whiskey Dynamite

Laser KPop Demon Hunters — Gottlieb Planetarium @ Union Station | Apr 3–5
Music, visuals, and something different from the usual weekend plan.
→ Union Station Tickets

Atlas 9
Step into a mysterious world hidden inside a transformed 90s movie theater.
→ Atlas 9