Arts & Culture Archives – Page 2 of 7 – The Kansas City Defender

A New Era for Black Art in Kansas City: The 18th & Vine Arts Festival Brings National Spotlight to the City’s Emerging Cultural Renaissance

By Ryan S. ● Arts & Culture ● September 19, 2024

The 18th & Vine Arts Festival is ushering in a new era for Kansas City’s historic district. Spearheaded by artistic visionary Marquez “Quez” Beasley, the mega-event aims to create lasting infrastructure for Black artists while celebrating their creativity in a three-day celebration of art, music, fashion, and community.

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Missouri’s Longest Standing Black Bookstore Under Threat: The Urgent Need to Preserve Willa’s Books and Vinyl

By Lauren Winston ● Arts & Culture ● August 16, 2024

Under imminent threat of closing, Willa’s Books & Vinyl’s priceless books, archival materials, and Black history are at risk. In response, members of The Kansas City Defender partnered with Willa Robinson to launch the Preserve Willa’s Books Campaign and safeguard this vital Black cultural haven.

The 2024 Black People’s Guide for Juneteenth in Kansas City

By Ryan S. ● Arts & Culture ● June 13, 2024

Your ultimate guide to Juneteenth 2024 in Kansas City: Discover top events, from delicious cookouts celebrating radical Black resistance, to festivals, educational forums, and more.

The Show MO Act in Missouri and its Film Industry Continue Hollywood’s Legacy of Neglecting Black Filmmakers

By Madison Lyman ● Arts & Culture ● April 19, 2024

AGA Productions, a Black owned Kansas City Film Production Company, has been fighting against the inequities in the Show MO act and Kansas City film community. But even throughout their fight, they have made sure to use film to build Kansas City‘s diverse communities.

Artist-archivist Nasir Anthony Montalvo launches five-location exhibit across Kansas City sharing untold Black queer history

By KC Defender Staff ● Arts & Culture ● April 10, 2024

Launching a Black queer archive in KC through new quintuple exhibit, Nasir Anthony Montalvo’s {B/qKC} challenges erasure through storytelling.

Kansas City’s Break-out Artist Treanne Releases New Singles After Huge Signing With Young (FKA Twigs, Kamasi Washington, & More)

By Jade Underwood ● Arts & Culture ● April 8, 2024

Music artist Treanne is set to become a distinguished name after the release of her newest single “Please” and signing with Young Recordings.

Vine Street Brewing’s Mega Event Packs Star-Studded Lineup & Uncovers Black Beer History

By Ryan S. ● Black Business ● March 25, 2024

Join the celebration of Black beer history and innovation at Vine Street Brewing’s “One Pint At A Time” mega event, a convening of Black craft beer pioneers.

Mañuela Enama: KC’s Visionary Model Agency Founder Redefining Black Beauty

By Ryan S. & Victoria Rollins ● Fashion ● March 18, 2024

In an exclusive interview, Mañuela Enama, a visionary modeling founder from Kansas City, shares her inspiring story of founding Autre Management. Explore how she’s pushing the fashion landscape and forging a new path of representation in the modeling world.

Kansas City’s newest archive pays $2000 in reparative stipends to three Black queer legends

By Nasir Montalvo & KC Defender Staff ● LGBTQIA2S+ ● March 15, 2024

On March 1st, 2024, {B/qKC}, a new Black queer community archive, opened in Kansas City with a launch party, exhibit preview and powerful message on reparations.

Final Week Farewell: “Miss/They Camaraderie 2024” exhibition curated by Yashi Davalos

By KC Defender Staff ● Arts & Culture ● February 26, 2024

This week marks for the final week to immerse yourself into Miss/They Camaraderie 2024–featuring installations from KC’s first Black queer archive, {B/qKC}.