1228 Baltimore Downtown KCMO
Visit one of Kansas City’s newest hotels and step into history at the same time on April 12 with Arts Alive KC’s first architecture-themed event. You’ll be intimately introduced to Hotel Kansas City where art and architecture meet in a grand, classic—and classy— way. Here, in the former Kansas City Club, you will learn about architecture as a high art, explore public rooms holding more than 100 years of memories and search out all the art and unique touches that have preserved this building for modern use. Top off the evening in Nighthawk, the hotel’s popular speakeasy, with live music by Martin Farrell, Jr. and the Blue Station Drifters from Lawrence, KS.
Arrive at 5:00 pm and you’ll be guided to our meeting room in this National Register of Historic Places landmark. Hotel-prepared hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be ready for you to enjoy as Amanda Loughlin of Rosin Preservation chats with us about architecture as high art and the challenges of saving and transforming a building like this one. Rosin Preservation was involved in the hotel’s recent transformation and Loughlin will share her experiences with the process and her convictions about architecture as a unique and valuable fine art.
Then you’ll have time for a leisurely tour of the hotel’s fully renovated spaces to check it out for yourself. Take in the Grille Room with its tiled walls and floors plus a mural hand-painted a century ago by a Kansas City Club member. Don’t miss the Tudor Ballroom and its two-story stained-glass windows. Visit the library, the only room women could enter (via a special elevator) until the 1970s. You’ll want some photos of the breathtaking six-story staircase chandelier and the ceramic busts in the lobby of former club members Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, Tom Pendergast and Omar Bradley.
Head down to the Nighthawk after 7 pm for live music by Martin Farrell, Jr. and the Blue Station Drifters from Lawrence, KS. They will give us the full speakeasy experience with their “Cosmic Western” music, described as a classic country sound with bluegrass techniques, gospel harmonies and rock rhythms. After 9 pm the club offers a DJ and you’re invited to stay.
In Nighthawk (the Kansas City Club’s former bowling alley) set up your own tab at the bar and, if you’re still hungry, order from Nighthawk’s small plate menu.
Cost is $45 per person. As always, tickets are non-refundable. If your schedule changes you are welcome to give away (or sell) your tickets.
