Penny Is Taking Over Leawood

• Fern Bar Opening Weekend: The new cocktail bar in the Crossroads that focuses on sugarcane and agave spirits is celebrating its opening weekend with live music.

• Kansas City Engaged: Kansas City’s annual wedding show for venues, wedding planners, and those looking to plan the perfect wedding is inside the OP convention center this weekend.

• MTC Kids Jam: Come to JCCC for musical activities designed for kids followed by a 60-minute concert and storytelling.

• Jazz Storytelling: Come to the American Jazz Museum tonight for a concert of Jazz and storytelling aimed at toddlers and young kids.

• The Wheel Is Open: If you’re like us and the holidays got away from you, this weekend is the perfect time to try the KC Wheel!

• The Raphael Concerts: Looking for a cozy and fun date night? The Raphael is hosting Jazz musicians all weekend long.

• Bella Patina: It’s the first Friday of the month, which means that it’s time to thrift your heart out in the West Bottoms at Bella Patina.

• Nelson-Atkins Special Exhibits: This weekend, you can purchase one ticket and receive entrance to two exhibits highlighting Evelyn Hofer and Monet.

Opening

Penny Is Taking Over Leawood

After the massive success of Bamboo Penny’s in Leawood, the owners have decided to open a second concept in the same shopping center.

• Penny’s Of The Sea: Aqua Penny’s will be a new coastal seafood house and oyster bar in Park Place with an emphasis on fresh food and craft cocktails. The concept was dreamed up by Penny and Doug Mufuka, who also own Bamboo Penny’s and KC Thai.

• You’re Being So Shellfish: Aqua Penny’s menu will feature items such as fresh oysters on the half shell, lobster deviled eggs, spicy grilled shrimp and cornbread fritters, cauliflower ceviche, steamed king crab legs, tuna spring rolls, seafood curries, and lobster po’boys.

• Out With The Old: The new restaurant will occupy the space in Park Place left behind by Gordon Biersch Brewery. The $1.4 million renovation will offer indoor and patio seating across from Plate at the shopping center’s south entrance.

Initially slated for a fall 2023 opening, the owners expect to have their grand opening for Aqua Penny’s sometime in February.

Food & Drink

When Cultures (and Cafes) Meet

Two local, minority-owned coffee shops are teaming up this month to fight the typical January slow-down.

• Local Disruptor: Cafe Ollama and Cafe Cà Phê are teaming up to create Cà Phê Ollama, a collaboration that mixes Hispanic and Vietnamese flavors like horchata, cajeta, Ube, and Cà Phê Sữa Đ

• What is It?: Owners, Lesley Reyes and Jackie Nguyen decided to collaborate during January to fight what typically is a slow month for small businesses.

• Lightning in the Sky: The two coffee shops will be serving drinks that mix the two cultures’ flavors as well as posting videos that celebrate the cultural heritage of the flavors they combine.

You can visit Cafe Ollama 7 days a week at 523 Southwest Blvd and Cafe Cà Phê every day starting at 8 am at 916 East 5th Street.

Events

Welcome Back To The States

The Kauffman Center will soon play host to the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

• It’s Coming Home: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Kansas City with special piano soloist, Isata Kanneh-Mason, and new director, Vasily Petrenko on January 23rd.

• For The King And Country: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra enjoys a busy schedule as the most sought-after orchestra in the UK. The orchestra touts versatility and uncompromising artistic standards as its hallmarks.

• Europe’s Got Talent: Kanneh-Mason is also one of the busiest soloists in the world. Following her award as an ECHO Rising Star in 2021-22, she has toured Europe’s most famous concert halls.

Tickets for the concert are still available and can be purchased here.

KC Daily Picks

In Other News

• ⚾ Stars Aligned: A local businessman is continuing to push for the Royals to choose option C and build near the KC Star building.

• 💊 Going To Market: A KC startup in the Biotech space is looking to diversify by taking its products directly to the market.

• 👁️ Keep Your Eye On These: Startland News released its list of the top 10 startups to watch in 2024 and you may recognize a few.

• 👕 It’s Free Real Estate: Taking advantage of Disney’s Steamboat Willie copyright expiring, a KC artist is cashing in.

• 🍖 All Things Come To An End: After 45 years of serving the Overland Park community, Wyandot Barbecue 2 is closing its doors.

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