The Mailbox, Show #10
A little show with a big goal.
The Flaming Lips – Convinced of the Hex
Stardeath and White Dwarfs – The Sea On Fire
Caroline Herring – True Colors
Leonard Cohen – Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye
The Ashtray Life – Sweet Sylvia’s Ghost
You Just Don’t – New Prey
The Flaming Lips – Silver Trembling Hands
Click HERE to HEAR
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Photo by Michael Byars.
This past Saturday night was a very memorable one for me because I was in attendance at not one but two music events that were being undertaken for the benefit of others. At the first, the cause was a man who is trying to cut through government red tape so that he may be able to stay in our fair city. At the second, it was to help ensure those in the music industry have access to affordable health care when needed. Indeed, two very worthy programs to get behind, but there was some worry on my part: with both being scheduled for the same evening, and with the economy being in the sluggish condition that it is, would there be enough generosity to go around?
To quote the sage philosopher Balki Bartokomous…"Don't be ridiculous."
Kansas City has a long-standing reputation as being one very charitable community, and November 7th reinforced that notion in no uncertain terms. Both the Just Off Broadway Theatre and the Crosstown Station were sites of warmth, joy, spirit, generosity, compassion and just plain decency. Dozens of people gave their time to organize and execute the events. Dozens of individuals and businesses gave their goods and services to be bought and sold. Dozens of musicians and artists gave their talent to entertain the attendees. And hundreds of people gave thousands of dollars…because they care.
We as a city take very seriously the responsibility of watching out for each other, and when the clarion call of need is sounded, it is answered in earnest. This part of the country isn't called "the heart of America" for solely geographic reasons. I've witnessed this many times, and I've no doubt I'll witness this many more times. The music and arts communities here have grown into a huge—no, a HUUUUUGE—source of pride for this area, and many of us have to go into the double-and-triple figures to count how many incredible, amazing, and inspiring performances we've seen. They do this for us because, well, that's what they do. They want to share their gifts, and they usually ask for our attention and applause and respect, nothing more. On this night when they did ask for a little more… they received far more than a little. You responded with the same zeal and desire to help that you always do, and as I hope these pictures convey, the evening was yet another reminder of why Kansas City is one of the greatest cities anywhere.
Damn I love this town. KC rocks. Fact.
—mb
Photo by Michael Byars.
Photo by Michael Byars.
Photo by Michael Byars.
Photo by Michael Byars.
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