Sacred Seams (New Exhibit) - Kim Alexis Newton
Kim Alexis Newton
Sacred Seams is the debut solo exhibition of textile artist Kim Alexis Newton, whose portrait quilts merge contemporary portraiture with the ancestral language of quilting.
Through layered Indonesian batiks, symbolic patterning, and sculptural textile work, Kim explores memory, resilience, identity, healing, and transformation through figures that feel both deeply personal and universally recognizable. Structured through movements of awakening, reclamation, endurance, origins, hope, and power, the exhibition reflects on what shapes us, what sustains us, and what ultimately holds us together.
BRW Spoken Word Poetry Live! - Phoenix Da P.O.E.T.
Steve Arledge aka “Phoenix Da P.O.E.T” (People Outwardly Expressing Themselves) is a Kansas City native, author, spoken word artist, and Founder & CEO of the Gyan Healing Center, a nonprofit advancing healing and community through the foundational principles of Hip Hop and holistic practices. His work explores the intersection of identity, culture, healing, and history, challenging audiences to rethink the stories that shape their lives. He believes creation isn't something we possess. It's something we cooperate with. Planting stories. Cultivating culture.
BRW LIVE MUSIC Fridays - Robert Tribitt III& Friends
Noted musician, pianist, songwriter, producer, and musical director Robert Tribitt III has been a driving force in uniting Kansas City’s vibrant live-music scene. He has created performance opportunities for local and national musicians and was honored in 2025 as the Kansas City People’s Choice Award recipient for “Best Musician”.
Robert brings his special brand of R&B, jazz, and southern gospel music along with a few of his musical friends as featured performers for a memorable evening of rhythm and song for the September “Live Music Fridays” showcase.
Bout It Film Screening
“Bout It” explores the question “Does art have the power to address social and political problems?”.
McClendon posed this question to local performing and visual artists (i.e., musicians, painters,
sculptors, rappers, singers, poets, etc.) to find out their responses. The film presents their insightful
and sometimes, very candid “to the point” commentaries. A special commentary by the late,
BRW LIVE MUSIC Fridays - Jass Couch & Band
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and poet Jass Couch writes and produces her own music, performing either as a solo act or with a supporting band. Her music is a gentle, foggy fusion of R&B beats and lo-fi pop melodies with a soul-inflected vocal performance. A rising voice to represent the Kansas City music scene, Jass’s ability toshift genres while retaining her own artistic voice is a way of both honoring and building upon the music traditions of Kansas City.
BRW Book Series - N.M Shabazz, Ed.D.
What did Black schools build under segregation that America still has not fully understood?
In From the Cotton Fields to a Village, author, educator, and speaker N. M. Shabazz uncovers a powerful and often overlooked story of Black educational excellence, community strength, and cultural resilience.
Through history, lived experience, and the voices of Black educators, his newly published book explores how students, families, and teachers created strong learning environments in the face of segregation, inequality, and limited resources.
But this is more than a history lesson. Thought-provoking, timely, and deeply rooted in historical truth, From the Cotton Fields to a Village speaks to readers of Black history, American history, education, and social change. It is a book for anyone ready to look beyond familiar narratives and ask harder questions about progress, power, and the future of education.
BRW LIVE MUSIC Fridays - B-Side KC Band
The B-Side KC Band is a versatile, dynamic music group known for their exceptional musicianship and engaging stage presence. Performing a mix of high-energy dance tracks and soulful love songs, the B-Side KC Band creates an unforgettable music experience for their audiences.
The brainchild of Kansas City artists Quinton Donley, Tyrone Yarbrough, and Renee' and Ron Tillmon, the B-Side KC Band have been performing together since the early 1980's. Today, the band's long-time members are joined by legendary local musicians, John “Hollywood" Bridgewater and Eric Taylor.
Whether covering timeless favorites or putting their own spin on modern tracks, the B-Side KC Band pays homage to the vinyl era blending classic and contemporary hits.
BRW Spoken Word Poetry Live! - Anastacia-Reneé
Anastacia-Reneé (Kansas City’s Brown Suga Poet) is an award-winning writer, pushcart nominee, educator, interdisciplinary artist, playwright, TEDX speaker and a PBS Newshour feature. She is the author of (v.), Forget It, Side Notes from the Archivist and Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere. Her book Side Notes from the Archivist was selected as one of “New York Public Library’s Best Books” and “The American Library Associations (RUSA) “Notable Books.” Anastacia-Renee served as Seattle, Washington’s Civic Poet (2017-2019). Her wor
BRW LIVE MUSIC Fridays - Big Luke & The Soul Disciples
Big Luke & The Soul Disciples are a high-energy, soulful Kansas City blues band known for their dynamic live performances and genre-blending sound. With over 40 years of combined musical experience, the band's performances are emotionally powerful, musically tight, and deeply engaging. Their shows are rooted in Storytelling and connection - blending the raw emotion of the Blues with the uplifting spirit of Soul.
Their musical philosophy is simple and sincere, "playing music from the heart…that you can feel in your soul.”
BRW Spoken Word Poetry Live! - Comfy Stennis
Comfy Stennis is an award-winning Kansas City poet and cosmetologist. She has been writing poetry and short stories since she was a preteen.
Poetry for her has been a therapeutic saving grace and one of the platforms to find her artsy tribe. She is one-third of the poetry group Tres Collective with Gie Santana and Serenity Speaks. She is the founder of Thee Creatives and Klout Company. Thee Creatives specialize in making people more beautiful with hair and make-up services. The fashion brand is called Klout Company which specializes in being the power to influence good vibes through words/fashion.
BRW LIVE MUSIC Fridays - J Love Band
J Love Band
With a repertoire consisting of classic songs from legendary artists such as Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, and Marvin Gaye just to name a few, the J Love Band is known for their high energy Funk, Soul and R&B performances. Get ready for a night of unforgettable music with J Love and her talented band lighting up the stage with smooth vocals and infectious rhythms.