February 29th was the date for The Children’s SPOT at Saint Luke’s Hospital’s School Night Out For SPOT. The festive event, which celebrated the organization’s 40th anniversary, was held at the Plexpod Westport Commons. Partygoers enjoyed the tunes of DJ Kirby and dined on creative cafeteria-inspired fare and drinks. Ed Matheny Jr., Bob West, and […]

February 28th was the date for The HALO Foundation’s 15th annual HALO Kansas City ArtReach Auction. Annie and Ryan Anderson and Katrina and John Scott served as the honorary co-chairmen of the event, which was held at The Abbott. Several awards were presented, including Michelle Heath-Fisher and Todd Lowenstein, Volunteers of the Year; Mary Kemper […]

Stella and Susan Wally   Bambina * Anna Ricket   Thunder * Kate Humphrey   Henry * Ben and Jake Wolf   CJ * Anna Ricket   Lilly Mullen * Trip Mullen and Katie Black Photo Credit: Shelley Castle Photography   Frazier * Anna Ricket   Norman * Robert Hentzen   Astro and Hndrxx * Ashle […]

March 5th was the date for Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America’s Patron Luncheon. Doug Price served as chairman of the event, which was held at the Kansas City Convention Center. More than 1,000 guests enjoyed keynote remarks from Terry Fossum, an Eagle Scout, author, and adventurer.   Terry Fossum, guest speaker   […]

Lené Westerman and Colleen and Kevin O’Malley served as the co-chairmen for Benedictine College’s 49th Annual Scholarship Ball. The February 29th event was held at the Overland Park Convention Center. The Most Reverend Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, DD, was honored with the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict. John Holt served as the emcee. […]

Nearly 500 guests gathered for Horizon Academy’s Bayou Bash 2020. The February 29th event was held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Partygoers enjoyed a Cajun-inspired dinner, silent and live auctions, games, and dancing to the tunes of Funk Syndicate. Meghan Phelps and Anna Welchman   Doug Bates and Jim Godfrey   Katy […]

March 1st was the date for Cabaret, a benefit for Rose Brooks Center. Anita and Dean Newton served as the chairmen for the 33rd anniversary event, which was held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Cynthia Newsome was the emcee. The featured performer was Megan Hilty, who entertained guests with Broadway show […]

The 50th annual 101 Awards, Kansas City’s salute to professional football, was held on February 29th. One hundred and one members of the national media selected the Offensive Players of the Year – Lamar Jackson and Michael Thomas, Defensive Players of the Year – Stephon Gilmore and Chandler Jones, and Coaches of the Year – […]

Young Friends of Art hosted Party Arty: Night of the Shining Sun at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on February 1st. Alyssa Vargas and Weston Owen served as the co-chairmen. Guests descended into the Valley of the Queens in ancient Egypt for the evening that was inspired by the exhibition, Queen Nefertari: Eternal Egypt. Partygoers enjoyed […]

February 7th was the date for WIN for KC’s Women’s Sports Awards Celebration. The 26th annual event was held at the Kansas City Convention Center. Natalie Coughlin, American swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist, was the keynote speaker. Maria Maffry and Whitney Bartelli served as the co-chairmen. The event is the largest celebration of National Girls […]

January 25th was the date for the Challenge Your Fashion gala. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, a live auction hosted by Rex Hudler and The Nigro Brothers, and dancing to the tunes of Lost Wax. The 13th annual event featured a fashion show with sports celebrities and YMCA Challenger athletes and buddies. Aly […]

More than 1,600 guests gathered on February 15th for The Hands & Hearts Auxiliary of Children’s Mercy’s Red Hot Night. The 16th annual event was held at the Kansas City Convention Center. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner by Fiorella’s, performance art by Quixotic, music by Lost Wax, and dancing. Proceeds support Children’s Mercy’s mission […]

In 2010, Band of Angels was formed to assist students wishing to learn to play music. The organization has donated more than 2,200 musical instruments and funded 315 full scholarships to camps in 15 states. Meyer Music and FOX 4 TV hosted the ninth annual Band of Angels Heart Strings Gala. The event was held […]

Members of the Kansas City Ballet Bolender Society gathered on January 23rd at Hallbrook Country Club for A Musical Evening with Ramona: The Music of Tchaikovsky with Ramona Pansegrau, music director. The festive event featured a cocktail and refreshment reception and special performances by Second Company dancers. Bolender Society members were thrilled by Devon Carney’s […]

Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s Romantic Revels Black and White Ball was held on February 15th at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Dr. Roopa Bansal was the honorary chairman. Kelly and Joe Privitera received the Founder’s Award. Guests imbibed the signature cocktail, The Tempest, named for the upcoming summer production. Highlights of the […]

Each of the individuals selected to be honored in The Independent’s 2020 Class of Rising Stars were big dreamers about professional success, but more importantly about giving back to our community. Heartfelt congratulations were given to the seven honorees, Ruth Brackney, Jason Carter-Solomon, Chuck Cuda, Chris Miller, Bess Wallerstein Huff, India Williams, and Jason Wright, […]

The art-filled home of Gretchen and Dr. Larry Jacobson was the site of a dinner for the Board of Advisors of the Harriman-Jewell Series on January 20th. The event celebrated the 55th season of the Series. Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter was the special guest, and her recital was held the following evening. Ronald and Phyllis Nolan […]

The 46th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on January 18th at the Overland Park Convention Center. This year’s presidents were Jo and Mike Kuckelman. More than 1,800 guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner and dancing to the sounds of Lost Wax. Proceeds support the organization’s eight family support […]

February 20th was the date for The Independent’s Top Ten Party at the 1900 Building. Our Town’s deep commitment to philanthropy was on display as The Top Ten Events of 2019 and The Independent’s 2020 Class of Rising Stars were announced. More than 200 guests enjoyed cocktails and delicious fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. The Top Five Golf […]

The Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown was the site for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Luncheon, which was held on December 12th. Everyone enjoyed seeing the performance posters from past seasons that were presented by John Walker, Guild president, and members of the Kansas City Ballet archives committee. For those who […]

The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ 69th Annual Community Ball and Cotillion was held on December 7th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner, elegant decor, and the presentation of the debutantes, escorts, and pages. Tiffany Bosarge and Angie Masloski were the Ball co-chairmen, and […]