Our hometown is known for a few things:  BBQ, college basketball, the Negro League Baseball Museum, jazz, fountains, crime… but its latest contribution to American culture has been in the visual and performing arts.  With the opening of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, International acclaim for the Nelson Atkins Museum, the Kansas City Arts Institute, and the continued popularity of our neighborhood, the Crossroads Arts District, this city has a lot to offer by way of the arts.  It’s officially time to add another site on that list, the West Bottoms.

This neighborhood has become THE spot to catch some of the more interesting comings and goings of the arts community in our fair city.  In fact, I wrote about a special event held in the West Bottoms every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.

Now, art dealer Bill Brady has opened a gallery in this neighborhood (1505 Genessee St., KCMO), and has gotten some attention from the national arts community.  I went down to check out the grand opening this past weekend, and it didn’t disappoint…

My favorite piece in the gallery…

These gentlemen showed up with their own swag…

An “urban winery” called “Amigoni” is opening up next door to Bill Brady’s gallery sometime in April.

Kanja recently dropped by method. to complete a photo shoot for his upcoming album.  You may have seen him on 106 & Park killing it a few years back.

I really like his sound.  To me, its a perfect mix between hip-hop, dance hall, and club bangers.  You can tell he has been influenced by all of the places he has lived (Kenya, London, NYC, amongst others).

In any event, here are a few pics of Kanja in some method. gear doing his thing:

Generally speaking, tennis shoes (i.e. what my dad calls athletic shoes), shouldn’t be worn unless you are either: 1) actually playing a sport; 2) are an athlete (and by athlete I mean you are REAL good or you get paid for it.  High school athletics does not count especially if you are over 25).  If you are the latter (an athlete), then you have considerable wiggle room to wear whatever the hell you feel like.  Why?  Because athletes, like super rich and crazy people, have the green light to be flamboyant with their dress because quite simply, they can (e.g. Jalen Rose on NBA draft day).

Big thanks to Anna K, Steph Chase, our models Jessica, Ashley, Thao and Nina, DJ Scott Carpenter, Snow and Company and Diamond Dry Cleaners on 75th and Metcalf!

How to Tie a Bow Tie!  January 17, 2012 at Method located at 1817 Wyandotte Street, downtown KCMO!

Stefan Chase of Fox 4 News