Missie B's!

Another great and fun Arts Alive event! Arts Alive is a KC group of people that love art and entertainment - and will pretty much attend anything that sounds interesting - I fit right in!! There is one event a month and it's always some type of art with appetizers followed by an entertainment event. There are usually about 100 to 120 tickets available and it's first some first serve in terms of getting the tickets once the email is sent out announcing the event. The December event started with a private showing at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art of the new exhibit called "Bridge Builder" by Siah Armajani. The curator of the museum gave a little talk about the artist and how he gets his inspiration which I appreciate. He does paintings and also models - and all with bridges. I am planning on going back to see it again before it leaves. It seems there is never enough time to take it all in. There is an excellent restaurant at the Kemper called Cafe Sebastian and the appetizers were from there. 

All of his paintings were inspired by the time he spent in this area so we were trying to figure out his inspiration in each painting. 

Then for the entertainment portion we headed to Missie B's - a place I was not familiar with at all. Located on 39th St and Southwest Trafficway - it's the most popular drag bar in Kansas City and known for it's drag shows. The upstairs has a dance floor with the bar being on the main level along with the theater. The show we saw was entitled "A Very Bedrock Christmas! We'll Have a Gay Ole Time!!!" Because who doesn't think of the Flintstones when you think of Christmas?? The show was really funny and the cast was great! The theater was pretty small so our group filled the whole place and we were almost on top the stage. It felt like we were all in their living room so a relaxed atmosphere. They kept it in fairly good taste and the two guys playing Wilma and Betty were quite large so that made it even funnier. Betty dwarfed Barney who was actually played by a female. They do another show called "Golden Girls Gone Wild" that I can only imagine is hysterical. It was a Sunday night so guessing it might be quite a bit crazier on Friday or Saturday. 

I'm not going to make you hungry this week with pictures of food I have eaten - but lots of plans to eat out over the next week so it will be coming! It was a busy weekend but I spent most of it volunteering at the Kauffman Center. I ushered for The Nutcracker Friday night and loved is as much as the previous Friday night. Sunday I worked for the Christmas Festival. That's the KC Symphony and the KC Choir along with special guests (like Santa) doing fantastic holiday selections. If that doesn't put you in the holiday spirit I don't know what will! The weather turned really cold here and we got our first snow Saturday so it's definitely looking festive.

A picture from inside Kauffman Center with the snow! 

With the ice and snow on Saturday I took the opportunity to make Christmas cookies! Now if I can just refrain from eating too many so there are some for Tom when he arrives later this week. I'll try!! 

If you are reading this blog then you know I love to travel. You might also know that I am really organized - but I am always looking for additional ways to be even more organized - especially when it comes to travel. I try to pack light and get asked frequently for recommendations for luggage and travel accessories etc. So I thought I would mention a site I use that I have purchased numerous items from and been very happy with the products. And in particular I am going to post a suitcase I love. Luggage on wheels is great for many situations, but I have found there are times when they really slow you down. Case in point- going to NYC or another city where you are going to be taking public transportation. Ever tried taking a bag on wheels through a subway turnstile? Not good! 

This bag has a handle, a shoulder strap and turns into a backpack. Tons of compartments and very light weight. I can easily go for a week in it and love just throwing it on my back and going!  

The site is www.ebags.com. Never pay full price - they always have tons of sales. Sign up to be on the email list and they will email you every day with a discount code. Another item I love are packing cubes. They definitely keep your clothes from wrinkling as much and they don't slide all over. I have them in all different sizes and can keep categories together. If I'm staying in a small hotel room it makes it easy to just pull out what you need. 

Lots of great travel tips on the site also! Just my opinion - not getting paid to endorse them!! 

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas!!