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A Valentine's Day performance by the band Not Quite Brothers down at Knuckleheads Garage found a high-energy tribute to classic rock and pop that kept the audience engaged from the first note to the last of a three track encore.   Indeed, the entire setlist proved to be a nostalgic journey through various eras, featuring faithful and energetic renditions of hits from artists like Queen, The Killers, AC/DC, and even a few crowd shouters from other genres such as "Beer Never Broke My Heart" by Luke Combs.    The ability of the band to transition between power ballads, high-octane rock anthems, country jams, and other cross-genre favorites demonstrated solid technical skill.  They covered these tunes with an impressive vocal range and tight harmonies, particularly evident during their covers of the more vocally demanding tracks. The lead singer brought his own charismatic energy to the stage, maintaining a lively atmo...

Under the sun of a frigid Saturday morning at Pleasant Valley Skateboard Park, the usual rhythm of wheels on concrete was secondary to a different kind of movement. Among a plethora of others, "Sima" glowed fresh against the pavement, a vibrant anchor in a sea of overlapping tags and murals. More tag gallery than skate park at this time of year, this an environment where art is often temporary, destined to be weathered by the elements or reclaimed by the next layer of paint. Speaking with the solitary painter out on this day, he regaled me with tales of his travels tagging and photographing about town. Nothing told a more bolder story though than what was encountered on the way out.  Much like the walls of the park, a mobile canvas shaped like small pickup, wrapped in bold, swirling blues and character-driven art, grinned back across from across the asphalt.  

Another year, another Eagle Days event has come and gone.  While the majestic birds are always an intrigue unto their own, the recent event at Smithville Lake left a bit to be desired, especially when compared to similar events previously attended. One of the most noticeable differences was the time allotted with the presented birds. In the past, and at other venues, attendees have had the opportunity to spend more time observing and learning about the raptors on display. At this event, one individual droned on about various facts related to the birds, while the eagle sat on its perch the entire time.  The talk was interesting but lost on many, especially the younger folks in attendance. To truly appreciate these incredible creatures, more time would have been greatly beneficial. The number of birds of prey presented were weak too, in comparison with other well-known Eagle Days events. While any chance to see these magnificent birds is valued, the expectation for an "Eagle Day...

  The Brookside light show turned out very likely the best drive through light experience in the middle of town, though a little disjointed overall; still an excellent amusement. Some folks went all out, in the style and form of "Christmas Vacation."  Others remained generally conservative, with row upon row of boring white edging.  It is a journey worth stopping in on, if you have an hour or so to burn on a Sunday night in Kansas City.  The traffic is chaotic even on this slow night.  A little patience goes a long way.  Either that, or park someplace close and go for a walk.  The weather is going to be perfect for it.

Craic (pronounced "crack") is an Irish slang term for fun, enjoyment, good times, lively conversation, and entertainment, often involving friends, music, or a great atmosphere.  This is exactly what we encountered on our first expedition to a place endowed with the very same name, to check in with an old friend and another old friend performing that night.   It all started with a random text from Joe, whom we had kind of fallen out of touch with since the pandemic. He and his beautiful bride were planning on dropping in on The Craic down in Parkville to enjoy an evening of tunes performed by none other than our old friend,  Jonathan Ramsey.  That singular name will always conjure cherished memories of brew with friends banging glasses on tables to the beat at Harlings Upstairs. This night proved no different, though with less banging of glasses and more consumption of delicious food, and lots of catching up in good c...