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From The Bar
Halloween weekend was fantastic. It was good to catch up with a few of y'all, and good to see the KC Live Halloween party up close. We started at XR Bar, walked up to Power & Light, ducked into the Palm Tree Club, then headed over to the main event at KC Live. So. Many. Costumes. Hung out with 4/5 of the Spice Girls and had pizza with Gem and the Holograms!
Next week is Veterans Day, and the National WWI Museum and Memorial has already started the celebration. This weekend, a Vietnam-era Huey helicopter is parked on the drive, with research stations inside. Out in Lee's Summit, there's a parade Saturday morning. It's my holiday, and I'm here for the free food options for vets!
Some holiday history. The guns went quiet on the Western Front at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. The first anniversary was marked as Armistice Day in 1919. It stayed that way until 1954, when Congress renamed it Veterans Day to honor everyone who served, not just the men who came home from one war. Kansas City has a particular claim on that story. The Memorial on the hill was built to honor the First World War dead, and this year the museum is calling it the Centennial Veterans Day Weekend. If you've never stood on that hill at night, the final weekend of Liberty's Beacon is the excuse.
Tomorrow is First Friday, and I'd start at the Crossroads. Belger Arts opens its holiday exhibition from 6 to 8 with live glassblowing and a clay demo, free. If you'd rather sit down, Kansas City Bier Company has the Musikshow from 5 to 9: a jazz quartet first, then a jam band.
I'll see you at the bar ☾
—Jay, SecretKC Editor
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🎖️ Veterans Day Weekend
Liberty's Beacon · Thu–Sun / Thu 7:30 PM, Fri–Sun 6 PM
Free light-and-score projections on the Memorial tower and north wall. Final weekend, closing Wed, Nov 11.
→ National WWI Museum and Memorial
Centennial Veterans Day Weekend · Fri–Sun / 10 AM–5 PM
A Vietnam-era Huey helicopter display and WWI research stations, both free. Veterans and active duty get in free!
→ National WWI Museum and Memorial
🍸 The Weekend
Jazz @ Noon: Brian Scarborough · Thu / 12:00 PM
A midday set at 18th & Vine, ticketed through Eventbrite. Lunch-hour jazz to break up the humdrum.
→ The Blue Room
Indigo Hour: Joey Gallant · Fri / 5:30 PM
The Blue Room's early set, walk out of work and start the happy hour. Ticketed through Eventbrite.
→ The Blue Room
First Friday Musikshow · Fri / 5–9 PM
Free and communal, with limited seating. Libations Quartet plays classic jazz 5–7 with Jackie Myers, then Castle Studios Presents takes the jam-band slot 7–9. Families welcome.
→ Kansas City Bier Company
First Friday at Belger Arts · Fri / 6–8 PM
An exhibition opening, a live glassblowing demo, and a live clay demo. Free.
→ Belger Arts Center
Risqué Secrets · Fri / 9 PM
A kink and BDSM burlesque and variety show. 21+
→ Lifted Spirits Distillery
VOO on Vinyl · Sat / 8–11:30 PM
Vinyl DJ sets, cocktails, and records on rotation. Free!
→ VOO Lounge
Where the Wild Things Are, 35mm · Sat
Spike Jonze's film on 35mm film stock.
→ Screenland Armour
Coca-Cola Game Day: Chiefs vs. Jets · Sun / Doors 10 AM, Kickoff 12 PM
A free 21+ watch party on a 40-foot screen, with 10-plus bars and restaurants on the block.
→ KC Live!, Power & Light District
💃🏽 Date Nights
Jade Jaguar • Saturday
A Día de los Muertos celebration featuring DJ FK Menace and Drink specials all night. Kitchen open until 11. Let’s raise a glass to those we still hold dear.
Patrick Page: All the Devils Are Here · Thu & Fri / 7 PM
One actor working through Shakespeare's villains on the Folly stage. Two nights only.
→ Folly Theater
A Night of Hope: Cocktails for CASA · Fri / 6–10 PM
The eighth annual CASA fundraiser: silent and live auction, live music, signature drinks, and hors d'oeuvres. Proceeds train volunteer advocates for foster children in Jackson County.
→ The Abbott
Baby J Duo · Sat / 6–10 PM
Vocal jazz, the best night of the week at Chaz. Bring that special someone.
→ Chaz at the Raphael
Milestones: The Music of Miles Davis & John Coltrane · Sat / 7 PM
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra marks the centennial of both birthdays with Kind of Blue, A Love Supreme, Birth of the Cool, and Blue Train.
→ Gem Theater
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
Crown Center Ice Terrace Opening Day · Fri / 10 AM
The season opens with free skating and coffee from 6 to 9 AM.
→ Crown Center Ice Terrace
Día de Muertos on Central Avenue · Sat / 11 AM–9 PM
Free altars, art, food, and music. Walking Catrinas run 3 to 6 PM and the parade follows from 6 to 7:30 PM.
→ Central Avenue, KCK
Atlas9: Space Jam · Fri
Space Jam on movie night at Atlas9.
→ Atlas9
Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour · Daily through Jan 3
A limited-run tour themed on Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with a stamp rally and photo ops.
→ SEA LIFE Aquarium Kansas City
🥃 Cocktail Destination Picks
The Monarch Bar
Serious cocktails and a clean handoff between dinner and the night.
→ The Monarch Bar
XR Cafe/Lobby Bar
The All-Day lobby bar located in the historic Crossroads hotel. A fantastic rally point!
→ XR Cafe
Jade Jaguar
Agave-focused, from the team behind The Mercury Room, Verdigris, and The Monarch. Bar seats, small plates, and friendly regulars to talk to.
→ Jade Jaguar
Where Kansas City Goes After 10 PM: SecretKC's Year One
Dinners done, but the night is young. Here’s your playbook to what’s next!
→ Read the guide
Check out our other SecretKC guides: All SecretKC Guides →
Last Call
The Pain Killa
—Stay Sharp KC, 🍸
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