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 […]

HALO will celebrate 15 years of growth and thousands of lives changed at the Annual HALO ArtReach Auction. The February 28th event will be held at The Abbott. Annie and Ryan Anderson and Katrina and John Scott are serving as the honorary co-chairmen. The event will feature artwork from orphans around the world, artwork from local and […]

Let’s take care of each other, Kansas City! How can we help Our Town’s non-profit organizations during this time of uncertainty? We’ve listed a few ways to support charitable organizations while social distancing and working from home. The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge guests have suppressed immune systems, so they have had to implement new […]

Supporters of the 2019 Nutcracker Ball were guests at a private dinner on the stage of the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on December 17th. The Land of Sweets backdrop from The Nutcracker ballet provided the elegant setting for the event. Partygoers enjoyed a dinner, creative table décor from […]

December 4th was the date for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Holiday Luncheon, which was held on the rooftop of the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Rachael Sabates served as the chairman. Members enjoyed a delectable lunch and a gift of homemade granola from the 2020 Lyric Opera Ball Co-chairman, Mary Beth Gentry. Barbara Godfrey, […]

December 7th was the date for Olathe Health Charitable Foundation’s 48th annual Yuletide Gala, which was held at the Overland Park Convention Center. Katherine and Dr. Harlan Opie served as chairmen of the evening that featured cocktails, dinner, and dancing to the tunes of Twice On Sunday. Proceeds from the gala support the From the […]

David Epstein and Wade Tajerian were the honorary chairmen for the Folly Frolic, which was held at The Folly Theater on November 16th. Stacy Purvis and Steve Paddock served as the co-chairmen. The evening’s theme was a 1920’s Parisian cabaret. Sponsors enjoyed a private gathering prior to the concert. For other guests, dinner at The […]

November 9th was the date for the 33rd annual Some Enchanted Evening gala. The Johnson County Community College Foundation hosted the event, which was held at the Overland Park Convention Center. Susan and Mike Lally served as chairmen, and Pam Popp was the corporate sponsor chairman. Frank Devocelle received the Johnson Countian of the Year […]

The Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland was the site for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City’s Most Wanted Auction on December 14th. This year’s honorees helped to raise a record-breaking $897,336 through one-of-a-kind live auction packages and more. Nearly 1,000 partygoers celebrated life-changing friendships at the high energy evening. Courtney and Brian Johanning, honorees […]

Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC’s 2019 Human Relations Dinner was held on November 24th. The gala, which featured a “Generations of Justice” theme, celebrated the organization’s 75th anniversary. Herb Kohn was honored with the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award. After accepting the award, Herb gave the keynote address. Alana Muller was presented with the inaugural […]

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ 46th Annual Snow Ball will be held on January 18th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Friends from St. Ann and St. Paul’s Catholic parishes gathered on separate occasions to garner support for the Ball. The Snowflakes, the next generation of Snow Ball supporters, had their own festive event in […]

Hallbrook Country was the beautiful setting for The Symphony League’s Holiday Luncheon. The festive event was held on December 11th. Symphony Ball Chairman Mary Leonida presented a check from the Ball to Danny Buckley, Kansas City Symphony, and Pat McCown, board president. New members were introduced, and Outgoing President Elaine Mann passed the gavel to […]

On November 23rd, the Kansas City Ballet Guild presented The Nutcracker Ball at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Peggy Beal was the chairman, and Sandy and Dr. Roger Jackson served as the honorary chairmen. Sue Ann Fagerberg was the recipient of the 2019 Pirouette Award. In addition to a performance by Kansas City […]

Hallbrook Country Club was the beautiful setting for the Kansas City Young Matrons’ annual Mistletoe Party on December 6th. The festive event featured a delicious dinner and dancing. James and Sue Lund, Chuck and Joni Etherington, and Christy and Kent Jennings   Jo Anne Dondlinger and Dee Ritz   Andrea and Alexander Alford   Connie […]