Contact: Paul Gutiérrez, MSW
(816) 581-5611
pgutierrez@mattierhodes.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo – July 27, 2011 – Overlooking the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Crossroads Arts District, 17th & Summit shares in the artistic and cultural celebrations of First Fridays. Delicious food, local art installments and performances lure the crowds to the Westside, with free parking options and pedicabs offering transportation between the districts.

Tricycle Transit provides unique and green transport between the Crossroads and 17th & Summit.  Drivers pedal their cabs through the city, working for tips, acting as tour guides and cabbies.

The Westside Local at 1663 Summit St. continues to nurture 17th & Summit’s artistic sense with new displays from their employee artists.  From servers to stockers to cooks, their staff added their own colorful flavor to the walls of the restaurant.  Last month’s employee art show inspired more new creations from their staff, which will be on display in their restaurant for the August First Friday.

blue bird bistro at 1700 Summit St. will celebrate the local artist with the return of renowned KC artist Nicole Brinkman.  Brinkman, who has longtime roots at blue bird bistro, has continued to attract national attention.  Her latest collection, "Houses for all," will be on display the casual elegance of blue bird bistro.

The classy, inviting colors of Lill’s on 17th at 815 W 17th St. are enhanced by the multi-layered oil paintings by artist Matthew Iverson.  The simple, but richly vibrant pieces invoke the creative vitality of 17th & Summit.

Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse at 1713 Summit St. observes special First Friday hours, opening in the evening from 6pm to 9pm, and will feature live music by singer/songwriter Brad Allen.  Artist Larry Degraff of Joplin, MO will have pieces on display.  In continuation of last month’s efforts, Chez Elle and Degraff will donate a portion of the show’s proceeds to help Joplin tornado relief efforts.

Los Alamos Market y Cocina at 1667 Summit St. makes the First Friday celebration even more colorful with free tequila tastings from 6pm to 9pm.

Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery has been busy inspiring young artists with their Summer Art Camp.  They look forward to sharing in the creative excitement that continues to build as Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery and the rest of 17th & Summit gear up for First Friday in September.
 
 
Contact: Paul Gutiérrez, MSW
(816) 581-5611
pgutierrez@mattierhodes.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo – June 28, 2011 – 17th and Summit streets intersect in a Westside destination for unique food, art and music.  Located adjacent to the Crossroads Arts District and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 17th & Summit will host local artists and musicians on First Friday.

Tricycle Transit will carry pedestrians to and from 17th & Summit and the Crossroads in its cycle-driven pedicabs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Pedicab drivers serve as tour guides to the neighborhood and work for tips from riders.

The Westside Local at 1663 Summit St. will complement its cuisine with lightly-amplified folk-rock from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. by Whiskey Bears.  The restaurant will also introduce on Friday new art created by its employees and a new summer cocktail menu.

The Westside Local regularly updates the paintings on its walls.  This month, the staff decided to hang their own pieces.  "Just about everyone here is either an artist or a musician," managing partner Brandon Strick said.

Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse at 1713 Summit St. will have an opening reception for artist Larry Degraff on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Chez Elle and Degraff will donate a portion of the proceeds from the show to Joplin, Mo., Degraff's tornado-devastated hometown.  Trumpeter Aaron Linscherd and pianist Eddie Moore will perform at the reception.

Paintings and drawings by Kansas City artist Megan Morgan are on display at blue bird bistro at 1700 Summit St.
 
 
Contact: Paul Gutiérrez, MSW
(816) 581-5611
pgutierrez@mattierhodes.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo – May 31, 2011 – Locally-owned restaurants and Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery will bring First Friday to 17th & Summit on Friday, June 3rd.  West of the Crossroads Arts District, 17th St. and Summit St. intersect in an 1890s, Westside neighborhood with a unique approach to urban life and business.

The Westside Local will greet First Friday diners with art by Carla Craven of 5crow Studio.  Managing partner Brandon Strick prefers to keep the restaurant fresh by hanging new art instead of using generic decorations.

"It's just refreshing to have new art on the wall," Strick said.  "It's great for the guests as well as the people that work here."

17th & Summit's First Friday continues at blue bird bistro with art by Megan Morgan.  blue bird bistro will have a reception for the artist from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Morgan spent several years painting and working in the Westside, before recently relocating.

"Once you spend time in the Westside, it's hard to ever have it leave your heart," Morgan said.

Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery will host the FIVA LA FRIDA Block Party and closing reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the exhibit "La Paloma y La Rana: Images of Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera."  The party will have street tacos from Ricos Tacos Lupe on the Boulevard, Hip Hop Academy, music, agua frescas and other tasty refreshments.  Attendees will dress up for the Frida and Diego look alike contest held at 7 p.m.

At Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse, live music by David Hakan and Kathryn Lorenzen will accompany kinetic sculpture, photography and mixed media pieces by Lee Shiney.

Multilayered oil paintings by Matthew Iverson are displayed at Lill's on 17th.
 
 
Contact: Paul Gutiérrez, MSW
(816) 581-5611
pgutierrez@mattierhodes.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo – April 29, 2011 – First Friday art galleries and festivities are becoming a regular feature in the 1890s neighborhood west of the Crossroads Arts District.  This historic, Westside setting, intersected by 17th St. and Summit St., has attracted creative professionals, restaurants and Latino culture.

Visitors on First Friday can discover 17th & Summit in a pedicab from Tricycle Transit.  The cycle-driven carts travel between 17th & Summit and the Crossroads from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Pedicab drivers double as tour guides and work for tips.

Local artists, including painter and sculptor Kathy Bourgeois, cast bronze sculptor Barry Eisenhart and multi-media artist Angelica Sandoval, will show work at the 1668 Jefferson St. offices of framework design, NEST Luxury, hudson home and p.s. sweets.

Lauren Wendlandt, half of framework design and p.s. sweets, said First Friday was an opportunity to invite people into vivienda moderna, the building that Kansas City Homes & Gardens awarded for best modern architecture and best mixed-use project in 2009.

"People always stop and say, 'is it a house, is it a business, what is it?'" Wendlandt said.  She described the collaborative office space as "a more creative vibe...as opposed to a traditional office," where she can ask fellow design professionals, "can you come look at this?  ...give me your thoughts, give me your ideas."

17th & Summit's dining options include Lill's on 17th, where First Friday specials accompany Kansas City artist Matthew Iverson's multilayered oil paintings.

Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery will host Latin rock band Making Movies at its opening reception for La Paloma y La Rana: Images of Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera, an exhibit of work inspired by the artists' relationship.  The reception is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  The exhibit runs through June 25th.

Massage therapist Casie Sivils Simpson will open her door on 17th St. to offer chair massages.

Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse will hold an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for artist Lee Shiney, offering a chance to mingle and talk art while watching the crepes being made.  Shiney creates kinetic sculpture, photography and mixed media in his small community near Wichita, Kansas.  Martha Haehl and Viki and Mike Walker, a trio known as Two Ukes 'n a Flute, will play Tin Pan Alley, big band and bluegrass during the reception.

 
 
Contact: Paul Gutiérrez, MSW
(816) 581-5611
pgutierrez@mattierhodes.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo – March 30, 2011 – The intersection of 17th St. and Summit St. in the Westside ties together locally-owned restaurants, creative small businesses, and Mattie Rhodes Center, a Latino nonprofit working in mental health, social services, and the arts.  This spring and beyond, 17th & Summit is offering First Friday art galleries and activities.

Tricycle Transit provides pedicab service to and from the neighboring Crossroads Arts District from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Pedicab drivers work for tips and serve as tour guides to the neighborhood.  Free parking is also available.

This Friday, Casie Sivils Simpson will give chair massages for a dollar a minute at Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse, a block from her 17th St. massage business.  Chez Elle also hosts live music and oil paintings by R. Gregory Summers in an exhibit titled "en plein air."

The Westside Local will fill its restaurant with art by Missouri native Michael Baxley.  An opening reception is on Friday.  Baxley's work was inspired by the short-lived beauty of spring tree blossoms.

"I was surprised by the public response to the subject matter!  Everyone seems to have a special memory that is tied to a particular tree or tree blossom.  It is that response that made me want to explore the work more," Baxley said.

17th & Summit dining options also include Lill's on 17th, where oil paintings by Kansas City artist Matthew Iverson adorn the walls.  Iverson's multi-layered pieces incorporate recycled paper materials such as labels and wall paper.

Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery will open its annual children's art exhibit with a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The exhibit features artwork by children in Mattie Rhodes Center after-school programs and continues until April 23rd.  The opening reception will also feature a mini ice cream parlor with an array of sundae toppings.  Visitors who spend $10 will receive a free sundae.
 
 
Contact: Paul Gutiérrez, MSW
(816) 581-5611
pgutierrez@mattierhodes.org

KANSAS CITY, Mo – February 24, 2011 – A creative start to First Friday lies just west of the Crossroads Arts District at the intersection of 17th St. and Summit St.  On Friday, March 4th, visitors to 17th & Summit can ride pedicabs to the Crossroads and back.

The cycle-driven carts from Tricycle Transit work for tips from riders.  They will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  But there is plenty to catch the eye before hopping in a pedicab.

Mattie Rhodes Center has partnered with 17th & Summit's locally-owned businesses to bring art and more to this eclectic neighborhood.  "A lot of people will tell us that they come here, because it's a nice start to the rest of their evening," said Jenny Mendez, Latino Cultural Arts Director at Mattie Rhodes Center.

Mattie Rhodes Center serves Kansas City and its Latino community with mental health and social services.  The agency's most visible components are the Art Center and Art Gallery. The Mattie Rhodes Center's Art Gallery hosts popular receptions with cultural music and art.

A reception this First Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. presents the Corazón exhibit, with artwork exploring the theme of The Sacred Heart.  The gallery creates an inclusive atmosphere.  "It’s so welcoming," Mendez said, and "we throw a good party."

In a building that once housed Kansas City's first talkie movie theater, Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse will hold a First Friday reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for artist R. Gregory Summers.  The solo art exhibit, titled "en plein air," features 20 oil paintings created on location.  Acoustic duo Christina Lenon and Daniel Pennington will provide music.

At 1701 Summit Gallery, "Broad Culture: Vixen as Canvas and Muse" explores burlesque and broads through diverse media.  The exhibition opening is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes a brief performance by members of The Kansas City Society of Burlesque.

Painter Dean Kube is featured at 1701 Summit and lives in the neighborhood.  The location is unique for "accepting people for what they are and what they create," Kube said.

17th & Summit's creativity centers include its passionate small businesses.

NEST Luxury, furniture consulting firm & design house, will be serving margaritas and featuring "Quantum Surfing, a study of color and rhythm," by Carla Craven of 5crow Studio.

The area's incomparable restaurants adorn their walls with the work of local artists.  First Friday browsers are invited to come in for dinner, drinks, or just to look around.