TKC EXCLUSIVE AND BREAKING NEWS!!! CALLING FOR A BOYCOTT OF K-PAC!!! KANSAS CITY'S SHAMELESS MONUMENT TO THE LOCAL ELITE IS A COSTLY DISGRACE!!!
Once again Kansas City media is leading a celebration when this wicked little town should be ashamed of itself.
The opening of The Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts is nothing more than a giant step backward for Kansas City because it reminds us that this Cowtown still can't get its priorities in order.
The silly and unproven notion that the building now known as K-PAC will increase the City's revenue has brought nothing but failure in the P&L District and a sub-par Downtown arena that can't even support a restaurant directly across the street.
This isn't a step on the national arts stage, it's KC covering old ground.
K-PAC IS JUST ANOTHER TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZED "TIN CUP URBANISM" SCHEME THAT HOPES TO ATTRACT RICH WHITE PEOPLE WHO NEVER END UP PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE IN KANSAS CITY PROPER!!!
Everybody else is keeping quiet about the HUGE AMOUNT OF CASH THAT KANSAS CITY TAXPAYERS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROJECT like it's some dirty little secret and not a bill that's being passed on to future generations.
And speaking of a lesson in history . . .
All of this musical celebration over a shiny object on a hill reminds me of a golden calf that people adored in much the same fashion not really that long ago.
But this goes beyond the typical moral lapses of Kansas City's wealthy and elite socialites.
The TKC objection to K-PAC is really about growing economic disparity in Kansas City and the U.S. that's now being ignored by the some of the selfish and clueless higher income brackets locally.
THE KANSAS CITY MARKET FOR ENTERTAINMENT VENUES IS ALREADY SATURATED, THIS TOWN REALLY NEEDS MORE SEWER AND INFRASTRUCTURE WORK . . . SADLY, LOCAL RICH PEOPLE WOULD RATHER BUILD MONUMENTS TO THEMSELVES!!!
Tonight is the fancy grand opening for K-PAC that will be filled with the rich, powerful and poor excuses for celebrities . . . Let's put this event in the proper perspective.
Yesterday, I scraped together a few pesos and bought a cup of expensive coffee on The Plaza. On the street outside I noticed that security didn't even want to let some poor woman panhandle in peace.
She didn't look like much of a flash mob but they were in her face quickly.
The on the way home . . . I noticed the one-armed and mentally-challenged dude who collects cans walking round the Westside . . .
This is the new economy that's more representative of what's happening on the streets of Kansas City. Not some ugly concert hall.
They say there's a worry about gentrification in this neighborhood thanks to K-PAC but I really doubt it for the immediate future given that so many posh houses around here are now sitting empty in this ongoing Great Recession.
People struggling on the street level are the Kansas City that blog readers are more familiar with . . . The big money crowd opening K-PAC tonight might as well be living on another planet. They really are the robber barons of this current political epoch.
And I know for the sake of "diversity" they'll dig up a few tokens or maybe offer a few field trips for students with brown skin . . . But that's nothing but PR. K-PAC was built for the Kansas City upper-class using a significant portion of taxpayer funds without anything close to a vote.
In the long run this isn't going to benefit Kansas City, it's nothing but another shiny new toy . . . To wit . . .
TKC IS CALLING FOR A BOYCOTT OF K-PAC BY ANYBODY WITH ENOUGH SENSE TO SEE THAT THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHEME WITH LITTLE BENEFIT FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF KANSAS CITY'S TAXPAYERS!!!
And by and large a boycott of this spot is going to be easy BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT MOST OF KANSAS CITY SHOWING UP TO THIS PLACE!!!
The plebs aren't really invited to experience high art except on occasions to generate publicity. This Downtown monstrosity is a place for the elite but like so many other failed Kansas City schemes . . . In the long run K-PAC might just be another empty Downtown structure.
New York Times Link: In Kansas City, an Arts Center Makes a Debut
DEVELOPING . . .
Damn James, Damn.
ReplyDeleteWow, this place went down hill fast. Don't most artist come from deprived backgrounds and minority communities. Won't this give them more exposure to the arts and promote further growth and help us all to visualize cultural and economical difference through a medium other than the nightly news or alphonzo's rants.
ReplyDeleteYour bitching about a puddle of tax payer money next to a lake of private equity. How'd that p and l boycott work out for ya T? Haven't heard anything about it for weeks. I guess kpac has nothing to fear
I was a theatre artist in KC and I am mixed on this issue. Yes it has been a money suck for tax payers and non-profit arts organizations alike. But there are a few productions scheduled that were created, stars and employs local theatre and performing artists who other wise have to generate their own work or go out of state - like I did. This is a great opportunity for local theatre and performing artists to be featured and work in larger venues, to use and gain experience, and to have the chance to pay their bills.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a bigger picture here that we can not see and we need watch it play out. As for the homeless and severely impoverished people of KC, there is so much that needs to be done that with or without KPAC it could never be solved. But only through grassroots efforts can things be accomplished. I think instead focusing our energies on negativity people should get to the streets and start making a difference in their own small ways, or start a movement, create opportunity. I know I do.
There is room for everything if we only allow ourselves to see it and take advantage.
What's wrong Tony? Didn't you get any freebie tickets to the opening from a city council member?
ReplyDeleteHey T Bo... Give Julia Irene Kaufman a break. She stepped up big time. That being said, I agree that taxpayer funds used to help build this playground for the wealthy seems at the least a little bit excessive. On the plus side, when he revolution comes, the poor will know where to go to find the wealthy :)
ReplyDeleteOne thing is for sure, the city's priorities are definitely out of whack. We're facing a 2 billion dollar sewer overhaul and instead of asking for a sales tax to fix the problem, city fathers are supporting an increase in the sales tax for the Zoo. At the same time, they've increased water and sewer rates by 10% per year over the past 4 years, and will continue to increase the rates every year until people can't pay the bills. At least the K-PAC was built mostly with private money, although the point about our city's priorities is well taken.
ReplyDelete“We really cut back on frivolous spending and streamlined it immensely,” said Julia I. Kauffman, who has led the project since the death of her mother, who first proposed the building.
ReplyDeleteSo how much "frivolous spending" remains?
- HUGE AMOUNT OF CASH THAT KANSAS CITY TAXPAYERS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROJECT-
ReplyDeleteWhat are your references on this, please?
SINCE CAPITALS ARE USED IN THE ARTICLE, THEY MUST BE CALLED FOR IN THE COMMENTS. THE DISPARAGING REMARKS ABOUT "RICH WHITE FOLKS" ARE TRULY UNCALLED FOR. THE RWFs ARE CERTAINLY MORE OF A BENEFIT TO KC THAN BROKE BLACK FOLK (BBF). BBF MAKE UP THE BULK OF DETROIT AND TAKE A LOOK THERE. HOW ABOUT ST LOUIS, CLEVELAND, GARY, NAME IT. MORE BBFs, MORE CRIME, LESS EMPLOYMENT, MORE DECAY. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE THIS OUT; HOWEVER, OUR POLITICALLY CORRECT SOCIETY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BBFs ARE AN INFINITE DRAIN ON SOCIETY IN GENERAL.
ReplyDeleteThe city's main contribution has been the parking, but more importantly, nothing can assure the success, already virtually guaranteed, of this whole project, than TKC calling for a boycott. Not that anyone who reads this blog is in the target audience, but a TKC boycott call is the perfect thing to bring in the crowds of those who have money to spend.
ReplyDeleteLighten up Tony.
ReplyDeleteIs Placido doing his salute to Hip Hop tonight?
ReplyDeleteYou should be happy Tony. Didn't you already vote for "Hope and Change". Didn't the big "O" ride in and save the day for you yet? Wasn't he supposed to improve the life of every minority. One of these days minorities will figure out that they are being used by the democratic party.
ReplyDeleteThis should go about as well as the last TKC boycott
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm happy that the people who follow Tony's advice won't be at Sunday's open house.
ReplyDeleteBoth of them.
But Tony, you are operating out of a notion of "scarcity" --- that there isn't enough to go around --- that has been used by the wealthy and powerful to divide and conquer the middle and lower class since time began.
How about "both/and"? Great venues for the performing arts AND helping the poor and homeless?
I think you need both to be a great city.
8:19, you're hopelessly naive if you really believe that this is not a zero-sum game. There are only so many disposable dollars to go around, whether from RWF and their philanthropy or from shills and their ability to buy tickets. The teabaggers have been sold a bill of goods -- the wealthy not only don't want to pay taxes to help those on the margins, they'll be damned if they're required to shake loose any part of their inherited trusts for anything other than their toys.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I hardly think that the two panhandlers photographed here are hardly representative of the un- and UNDERemployed folks struggling in the age of austerity.
I paid for sewers, curbs, and sidewalks when I paid for my lot. Why should my tax dollars be spent on your property upgrades?
ReplyDeleteHow much you wanna bet that the big givers were able to deduct their contributions from their federal income tax, which reduces their state income tax liability as well?
ReplyDeleteWe paid for it.
So what is the magic # for TKC?
ReplyDeleteThat is, how much lift do the neighboring businesses of this large private investment (and we won't even include property value) need to experience to bring in increased sales tax revenue ( and possibly more businesses and jobs) to shut TKC up.
How much would needs to be spent on direct handouts to do the same amount of benefit?
Are RWF responsible every time a gutter buddy is urinated upon in this city?
The bums lost Tony. The bums will always lose. May I suggest you do what your parents did and get a job sir.
Tonight would be a good time to boycott since all performances are already sold out.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those sour grapes.
I think I understand Tony's viewpoint. If he can't afford it, have any interest in it, or get a free pass for it ruin it for everybody else.
ReplyDeleteYou only cut back on the frivolous spending?
ReplyDeleteThere are several acts already booked for the free grand opening that should naturally appeal to the poor and disenfranchised classes... bongo drummers, negroid booty shaking/rape mimicry modern dancers and guttural aboriginal yodelers for instance.
ReplyDeleteAll of these should appeal to the more primal instincts of these subgroups, give them a taste of the arts that maybe they can take back to their slums.
Hope this clears things up.
First, NOBODY who even knows about this blog is likely to ever set foot in the place, so your boycott is just another lame joke.
ReplyDeleteSecond, if you think Louie Wright is kicking your butt, wait until you see what Julia Irene Kauffmann and Shirely Helzberg can do!
What a stupid (and very long) post.
I attended a local festival last Friday night, the usual type with lots of rides for the kids and carnies pushing stupid games with no takers. The real shocker was the fact that you couldn't tell the carnies from the crowd. Almost every person was covered in tattoos, obese and ugly as sin. The kids were as horrifying as the adults where all the boys were dressed up like gang-bangers and the girls looked like drug addicted Eastern Jack whores. If that's the future, then there isn't much of one. And THAT is why us upper crust swell folks need places of our own in which to hang out.
ReplyDeleteSee how I said "in which" unnecessarily? That's a little trick us folks us as code to recognize each other in public and separate ourselves from you rubes, although your rank stench of utter failure is usually enough of a marker, lolz.
Good day.
With the Nelson storage-container-eyesore monument, and now the K-PAC, one would think that the price-no-object-family monument biz has reached it's zenith.
ReplyDeleteWhat the Blochs, Kauffmans, Helzbergs, etc should take notice of, is as these zillion-dollar edifices are erected, the city's schools disinigrate before our eyes.
I'll go to the K-PAC eventually, but I hope KC's richest 10% start looking at other ways to improve the city.
If there is a party, count on TKC to poop it. With a tinge of reverse racism, natch. What he's really doing, as always, like knee-jerk clockwork, is this:
ReplyDeleteThat link is absolutely perfect, and classic Gary Busey to boo.
ReplyDeleteerr, to boot, that is.
ReplyDeleteStar Wars...those crazy, bar wars...
ReplyDelete"Let them eat cake!"
ReplyDeleteShedule for today:
ReplyDeleteCopy links from other news sites
Invent controversy
Blame Whitey
Feign sympathy for poor blacks
Try to scam free lunch
Troll websites for pics of large breasted women
post pics
Lunch with Alonzo
Remember to use CAPS LOCK
Call mom to ask her to stop by QT for drinks and snack
Blame Whitey
Copy and paste more links
Try to scam free drinks and dinner
There should be more oublic-private partnberships like this not less. A group of people stood up and built a great addition to the City and the City in turn made much needed unfrastructure improvements to the area. Unlike most other areas in the City, they just didn't ask for handouts.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a mistake and misleading to equate the performing arts building, which was built with private funds, to some sweatheart TIF deal.
Actually, Tony should be calling for MORE taxpayer support to make the center and the arts MORE affordable to MORE people.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, if the symphony, the ballet, the theater and the opera are not HIS particular cup of tea, then everybody else is obligated not to like them either.
And ironically, he says this over the Internet, which was pretty much developed solely with tax dollars.
Wonder what Tony would have said about that? Since it takes pretty expensive equipment to access it, I suppose spending tax money to develop the Internet was just more money spent on toys for the rich.
11:17: You're an fogey no matter how old you are.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of architecture do you like? Gothic? You do know it got the name "Gothic" because it was considered a rude and barbaric alternative to Romanesque architecture. Romanesque probably had its detractors when it first came on the scene, too.
All architectural styles were new at one time. And both the Bloch addition and the Kauffman are getting good reviews from people who know a lot more about architecture than I (and I'll bet you) do.
you really are an idiot, T.
ReplyDeletea patent idiot.
you're the downside to the ability of people to blog.
From The New York Times: "The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a $326 million concrete-and-glass clamshell overlooking downtown, will open Friday. It was designed by the prominent architect Moshe Safdie and paid for with private donations."
ReplyDeleteNot that a) it wasn't done taking some tax breaks, sure, or that b) you'd believe any of the above quote.
Anonymous at 11:10 has you down pat, Tone.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to copy that and save to my computer for repostings at later dates. that's just too good.
kudos, Anonymous.
and 11:12 is right, too, of course.
ReplyDeleteAmen, 1:20. And the Nelson is FREE. To everyone.
ReplyDeleteI guess people are free to criticize the outside looks of any place, and I am sure the Sydney Opera House and Chartres Cathedral both had their critics as well when they were first built.
I happen to think the Nelson looks fantastic, especially at night, and once you get inside: WOW! World class!
I also think that the Kauffman Center finally provides with a distinct, highly visible, landmark building, much like the Sydney Opera House.
Oh, and how ignorant of 11:17 to criticize the Kauffmans, Blochs and Helzbergs for allowing our schools to "disintigrate" (sic).
I daresay that the Kauffmans, Blochs and Helzbergs have done MORE for education in this city and region with their money (and billions of it) than 11:17 has done with his bitching about it.
But once again, the poor fool has been sucked in by the myth of scarcity into thinking all choices are either/or instead of both/and.
Keep in mind that Tony's backyard faces the Kauffman Center, and his mom's property value has skyrocketed thanks to K-Pac.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to take this post seriously is if Tony and his mom will only ever accept the a dollar amount equal to that home's value pre-Kauffman Center whenever they sell it.
Yes, the home is pretty plain and boring, and a little junky looking, but that land is now worth a lot more.
9:21.
ReplyDeleteHis current phone number is actually
I can't understand how Tony criticizes the Kauffman Center, as well as the Zoo, for the tax dollars to support them, while at the same time, he hated Funkhouser's guts.
ReplyDeleteFunk was the perfect mayor for Tony. Didn't want to spend anything on anything.
da' man
ReplyDelete1:10 here
Thanks
Tony is getting way too predictable lately. If is wasn't for the comments, not sure this blog could exist.
Sour grapes Tony, pay for your ticket and they might let you in.
ReplyDelete1:10 forgot one:
ReplyDeleteGloat over demise of dead tree media while you copy and paste multiple links to KC Star stories and claim you were first.
I don't see a snack cake reference in there anywhere so the list has not credibility.
ReplyDeleteBut this blog needs more tits!
The number of seats are 1600 and 1800, which means it's not intended for the masses. It has seating for the elite who are the only people who will be able to afford the ticket prices.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Tony is one of the few people to realize this rip-off of the broke ass KC taxpayers.
Tonys schedule for Sat:
ReplyDeletesuck cock for breakfast
invent a story and post
yell at mother
sit on cock
feed fat ass
slander someone on line to make himself feel better
suck cock
I see you deleted a post and removed your address and phone number from others...wow...botello is no longer a bastion of free speech...it's the new home of "I'll only let you post what I want you to post!" You big pussy.
ReplyDeletetime to clean your camera lens... photos won't be so hazy if you do! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow, the only thing worse than not taking comments, which you rail on the Star for all the time, is selectively editing them. Man you are a hypocrite. Read the comments when there were around 25 and now there are +/- 50 and the first 25 are changed considerably.
ReplyDeleteOoh, a boycott called for by TKC. That should have an impact being the political influence this blog has become.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pack of assholes.
ReplyDeleteUmmm... this is coming from a guy who thinks Eric Bowers is a photographer? Sometimes I think you have to read Tony's blog like it's a bizzaro version. Everything that is good is bad and vice versa!
ReplyDeleteSomebody finally understands TKC.
ReplyDeleteI see you deleted a post and removed your address and phone number from others...wow...botello is no longer a bastion of free speech...it's the new home of "I'll only let you post what I want you to post!" You big pussy.
ReplyDelete************
Shut up Chris Moreno. Start your own fucking blog.
You and Terry Riley would attract quite a crowd. You could be stars.
1:10 -- you forgot to mention playing with GI Joe dolls and eating snack cakes ... and the random mention of the Hispanic Chamber/Society/Institute of Whatever Sounds Good That Day. Otherwise, you're pretty much spot on.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many "kick ass " tipsters are listening to Placido Domingo tonight?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I noticed I had a post censored a couple of days ago, too. Funny thing about libs.... All for free speech, just so long as it's theirs.
ReplyDeleteI had some respect for the proprietor here up until that.
KC really is a shit hole of liberalism and reparationists these days. Kinda makes you wax poetic for democrats like Pendergast. At least you knew what sort of asswipe he was upfront.
Passive aggressive facism is very unbecoming.
And what's with all the anon. posts? No one have enough sack to hang a handle on their rap?
The Tea Party Express has convinced the wealthy that they shouldn't care about the 'inferior social-economic' groups, 'That's just white guilt.' They applaud the executions of the poor & chant, "Let him die" to the uninsured injured.
ReplyDeleteYou should not only boycott, you should picket! Make them walk through crowds of real people just to get inside. Suggested signs: "Hope you like the stage we payed for!"
delete all these posts and the blog. Nobody fucking cares.
ReplyDeleteByron: How about if KC taxpayers picket the community centers now being kept open extra hours at taxpayer expense to amuse those who can't amuse themselves?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should resolve all the problems in West Virginia and leave KC to those of us who live here?
Byron, as usual has let his delusions and paranoia usurp his thought processes. At least he has finally put a name to his oppressor. "Tea Party Express" yes, this extremely small but vocal band of wingnuts is the source of all problems in America. Nothing should be done to further culture in the community till all the downtrodden are cared for. Every dollar spent must be spent on these poor unfortunates. Clear the snow from the streets? nope - not till we feed the hungry. A community center so disenfranchised youth have some place to go? Nope- not till we shelter the homeless.
ReplyDeleteWhere does it end Byron?
I am not sure how much more of a tax break they can get beyond paying no taxes other than sales tax. Speaking of which - any time you want to pony up and make an e-tax contribution, feel free. Until then please take your elitist jingoism and god awful egalitarian picture and bugger off.
Note to the guy who thinks 3,400 seats is elitist: This is greater than the seating capacity of the present venues combined for the Lyric and the Symphony.
ReplyDeleteNow if you think it ought to have been bigger, I'm sure they would have gladly taken your millions to satisfy you.
But really, how big do you want it without sacrificing sound quality? I'm sure Metallica sounds great in the Sprint Center, but the Symphony would not.
Byron, "the 'inferior social-economic' groups" in my neighborhood that are on government assistance drive nice new Escalades, their bodies are wrapped in gold and diamonds, buy bread with food stamps then pull out a wad of cash for booze and smokes. IT'S NOT WORKING.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would like to know is why the hell do we build a high class castle for such low class entertainment? Unless we are going to import the arts from another city this place is going to look like a ghost town once the plain folk witnesses the sorry state of affairs in the KC arts community.
ReplyDeleteThe opening of K-PAC was amazing. Stellar show in a wonderful event space. There will be something for all audiences at the center.
ReplyDeleteThe PAC will be a bigger eco-devo project than P&L and will cost the city less.
The Blochs, Kauffmans and Helzbergs have given tens if not hundreds of millions to education in Kansas City. They put their money where their mouths are and help KCMO, even though they all live in KS.
"The PAC will be a bigger eco-devo project than P&L and will cost the city less."
ReplyDeleteOh, Lordy yes! And the existing businesses in the Crossroads, particularly the restaurants, are absolutely salivating. The thing couldn't open quick enough for them.
And this stands in sharp contrast to the Sprint/P&L District in that no local businesses were displaced, then replaced with out-of-town chain restaurants and bars.
The Crossroads is rapidly becoming the go-to spot that the P&L will never be.
Well Tony, now that you you've been called out for your pathetic "selective editing" what do you have to say for yourself? Oh I see that you don't have the courage to reply...Do you think this makes you look better or worse than your pal Mike H? Or Hearne? Or Mary Sanchez? Turth is, you have really hurt yourself here...you've become worse than all of them. They have taken all your abuse but you've demonstrated to the world that you don't have the cajones to take it...you are indeed a big pussy!
ReplyDeleteMuerte, why don't you post your address?
ReplyDeleteI hate to say it but this is the best discussion of the Kauffman Center I've seen on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteAnd Muerte, take it easy. It looks like Tony is keeping up your comments. Unless your willing to post your own address, you have no credibility.
I remember that one-armed guy hanging out in Wesport back in the 80's when he had two arms. If I remember right he lost that arm by getting hit by a train.
ReplyDeleteAs for the PAC, I will probably never set foot in the place but am glad it is here. Things like this help make KC a real city with an actual vibrant downtown. I realize it's not fully there yet but this helps. Yes, there are all kinds of social problems that still exist but sometimes just throwing money at it does not work. Look no further than the KCMO school district.