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One of Kansas City’s worst venues to catch a concert is no more….
That’s the bad news you might say – that the shows at Kansas City’s historic City Market are history.
However, the really good news is that a new downtown home for the concert series has been found and is about to be announced, sources say.
Will it be along the riverfront in Berkley Park, in a city-owned park west of City Market, at Liberty Memorial, home of Rock Fest or elsewhere?
The jury’s out for now, but there will be more than one show on the docket for this summer.
All of this after marketers of the historic City Market reluctantly tossed in the towel recently on the longstanding outdoor summer concert series there to ensure against further damage to the Steamboat Arabia museum.
And while museum main man David Hawley is relieved and happy about the resolution, "I think in some circles they’d like to put the Arabia in the crosshairs for spoiling their party," he jokes.
Hawley’s yet to hear from City Market officials since their terse release cancelling the season.
"I sent a nice note and thanked them for helping to protect the collection and told them I hoped to work together to make the City Market a better place for everyone, but I didn’t hear back." Hawley says. "I know it kind of singed their feathers a little bit."
And still no word on a City Market sponsored engineering report to evaluate damage done by the loud music.
"No, they haven’t reported back yet," Hawley says. "But it’s only been (3 or 4) weeks, so I don’t know how long something like that takes – but it took six months for them to even get here…They’re going to have to repair the damage at the museum – the ceiling’s damaged. This effort is to repair the damage that’s already been done.
"The thundering concerts knocked it lose and down it came and it was a surprise to everybody that the concrete came lose. You know the concerts are not going to knock the building down, but it did knock chunks of it down – parts that were damaged by water, I guess."
Make no mistake, Hawley’s no party pooper and is all for the concert series continuing in its new location. His favorite City Market show?
"Oh, I listened to Mumford & Sons for a while and I liked that one," he says. "But I sat inside by the paddle wheel for that one and I could still hear it good."
I used to go to the festivals they had down at the city market 15 years ago when I was in highschool and there was a thousand people there.
The crowds have simply outgrown the venue.
Either Riverfront Park or Liberty memorial would be a step up.
I went to City Market to see P-Funk
and yes, I ADMIT that little fact. Since virtually every inch is standing room and I got there early enough to be up front, here’s what caused me to not go back; As the crowd grew and moved to the front, minutes before the show started, it got tight. Really, really tight. When George came out and the crowd really plowed down front, I found myelf moving to the South without the use of my FEET! I then realized, this is how people DIE at a concert. If anyone would have fallen, you would have never gotten back up! Never went back.
Yeah,
I had that happen a couple of times at Mardi Gras down in Nawlins at big intersections on Bourbon Street. Gets scary fast when you find yourself moving without moving your feet.
Shortage of Venues?
Thank heavens – what with LIVESTRONG, Sandstone, Starlight, Crossroads KC and Arrowhead, this town is sure lacking for outdoor music venues. Plus, it’s not like the Midland, Sprint Center, Beaumont Club, Riot Room, etc. etc. etc. are terrible options for concerts. Do we not have enough without worrying about another venue?
Is This Really
That big of a deal? Seems as though they were only having 2 or 3 shows (at most) a summer down there in recent years so I think they can easily get by just moving them to Berkeley Park of perhaps whatever Sandstone is called now.
PB, sandstone is now called…
….Cricket Wirelss Prepaid Unlimited Respect White Trash Alternative If You Cant Get a Real Phone Se Habla Espa
Ummmmm Paul lots of pople I know switching to Cricket phones now. No long term contracts. Coverage last I knew was by Sprint so in short a better deal all around. I am really thinking of switching to it in couple of months myself.
SD – humor…..
…they (cricket) would actually save ME money.
I’m just extremely loyal to people who lay me off…… Its part of my self loathing.
SD, one other thing..
I was really just making light of “what can you call this god forsaken venue THIS TIME??”
I vote for the Viagra
Erectile Dysfunction Drug Ampitheater.
Make it so.
LOL well a few weeks ago I said the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater brought to you by all the illegal Mexicans in th USA.
A friends mom wouldn’t get a cell phone said they cost to much so he went and paid 7 dollars for a simple phone for her and got her that 35 a month thing and just pays for it himself. Least now when she is out playing bingo she can call for help if needed and he feels better. So for many good way for cheap ass cell service.
Dude, I LIKE that!!
there is certainly enough performance anxiety out there!!