Kevin Battle, (left) is the Chief Operating Officer of the new Power & Light Entertainment District in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The Kansas City Local Entertainment Committee is excited what our guests will experience in the renaissance that has taken place in regards to entertainment and eating establishments.
Below is a commentary by Kevin Battle in the September issue of the UPDATE, a publication of the Kansas City Power & Light District.
Each day I try to walk the entire District - all
nine blocks. Most times I walk the District
more than once. At times I walk alone and
other times with team members. On this
day, I have the opportunity to experience
my walk through the District alone. It's
Friday, as I hastily walk, I stroll past a
diverse continuous stream of fashion,
conversation and most candidly; faces.
I see opalescent faces in honey-suckle,
earth-tones, blanche, caramel, coffee, and
flush scarlet that are glistening from the
heat of the warm sparkling sun.
I slow the pace of my walk to take in
more. To think what used to be blocks
of dilapidated unused parking is now
a major part of the renaissance of
downtown ambience. Under a clear sunset
sky, I have a clean and tranquil view down
the boulevard on Grand. A landscape
filled with delectable, shades of roses,
vincas, spirea, junipers, boxwood and
chrysanthemum seem to overtake the
sidewalks. I watched as patrons enjoyed
aroma filled meals and sunset skies
along the sidewalks or sitting at one of
the District venues while the breezes flow
through open patios, windows and doors.
Gazing down Main Street, there are folks
in business suits, shorts and tees, residents,
tourists and conventioneers dropping in to
see the beautiful store with windows filled
with flowers, cakes and pastries, assorted
libations and balloons just before heading
to the corner spot to have a cup of coffee or
even a relaxing glass of wine.
It all seemed to connect right into the
festive Happy Hour scene in the KC Live!
Block where a spirited "Halfway to PBR"
promotion featured folks of all ages and
families having fun with ropers, live stump
carving and throwing their hats in the ring
for a chance at riding a mechanical bull.
Next, my experience flows into 16 Frames -
a 21st Century rock band that's considered
one of the ten best new bands on television.
Then the flames are fanned hotter with
American Alternative top 40 band - Better
than Ezra. Just across the street in a tree
lined cozy area surrounded in an ambience
of a multicolored clock tower are unique
inviting brick pavers, accompanied with an
open bar and sexy Salsa music swirling in
the warm night air while dancers move their
bodies briskly to the beat. Just shortly later
and certainly not least, one of Hip-Hop's
founding fathers and greatest innovators
who transcend all genres' party music
origins takes the Live! Stage and the crowd
by storm. Around midnight we have the
forever young Grandmaster Flash "spinning
the real wax on the 1s and 2s"!
Still riding high from it all, I near the close.
In route, my attention is captivated by the
timeless and eccentric architectural forms
of the majestic and historic theater. Only
is my attention pulled away by the bright,
massive marquee that glows as a beacon
into the night. What a fun-filled wonderful,
beautiful day into the evening for all - guests,
family and friends - to enjoy the spectacles,
offerings, talent and awestruck ambience of
the District.
I'd like to invite you to join me in the District
for a surprisingly abundant experience and
fun-filled wonderful, beautiful day into the
evening real soon!
Sincerely
Kevin Battle
N E W S L E T T E R 
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