Kansas
Kansas City New Year’s Eve Celebrations, even if plans are at home
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Some people want to be part of a big bash on New Year’s Eve. Others would rather have an early night.
From signature events to kid-friendly balloon drops, early International ball drops, and drinks at home, here’s a list of celebration options across KC.
The Masquerade New Year’s Eve Party at J. Rieger & Co features acrobatic dance performances, a DJ, live music and a Body Glitter Bar. The celebration goes from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The cheapest tickets are $150 and are available online at JRiegerCo.com/nye. The sold-out Gold Level Experience tickets sold for a whole lot more.
KC Live! in the Power & Light District will be hosting NYE Live! Tickets give you access to more than ten bars and nightclubs, a silent disco, and a Time’s Square ball drop. New this year, step out onto Grand Boulevard for a Silent Disco. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission for the strictly 21+ party ranges from $70 to $185 depending on the package you pick.
More information and tickets can be found online at powerandlightdistrict.com. Use promo code LASTCHANCE to save $20 on tickets, while supplies last.
Science City at Union Station
Science City will host Noon Year’s Eve. It starts Sunday at…you guessed it…noon. There will be a large-scale science experiment show as well as individual activity areas.
“The theme is pajama jam, so show up in your pajamas,” Jon Dudrey, Union Station marketing coordinator, said. “We’ve got some disco ball activities. We’re making little streamers for the new year.”
The big balloon drop happens at 6 p.m.
It’s not sold out, but has before, so organizers say it’s a good idea to get tickets soon. Admission is $16 per person and free for Union Station Members.
Tickets and other information can be found online at UnionStation.org.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium also has a kids event called Zoo Year’s Eve. They have a DJ and an even earlier balloon drop. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Sunday and the balloons drop happens at noon.
The cost is regular zoo admission, which varies based on age and what county you live in.
Details can be found online at KansasCityZoo.org.
KC Bier Co
If you’re looking for adult beverages with an early toast, Waldo’s KC Bier Co will show Munich’s ball drop at 5 p.m. Kansas City time. The ticketed event in the brewery and Packhalle is sold out, but the regular Bierhalle is still an option. They won’t serve champagne. Their bubbly is the brewed kind. Non-alcoholic beverages are available as well.
“What they can expect is mostly older people who don’t want to stay up till midnight,” Steve Holle, Bier Co-founder, said. “[You] can come here celebrate New Year’s when it’s New Year’s in Germany, so 5pm, then go home, eat a pizza and go to bed early.”
Kelly’s in Westport
Kelly’s in Westport has two champagne toasts. They’ll do a toast a 6 p.m. — which is midnight Ireland — then another at midnight. There’s a $10 cover charge at the door after 9pm.
A lot of people would rather just stay in as the clock strikes midnight.
Ross Jackson, the wine manager at Mike’s Wine and Spirits in Westport offered affordable recommendations at multiple price points, between $10 and $60.
Cava, from Spain, and Prosecco, from Italy, are his recommendations for a low price.
“Really soft bubbles,” he said, describing prosecco. “[It’s] nice if sparkling wine is not necessarily your thing. Cava is closer to the style and production of champagne.”
His choices:
- Jeio Prosecco
- Segura Viudas Cava.
Both can be found for $12 to $15.
Many of the well-known champagnes cost well over $100, but Jackson hand-picked several that cost much less. Two were bonafide champagne. Another is a dupe from the Loire Valley. It’s something known as a Crémant.
“Crémants are wines not made in the region of Champagne but adhere to the production rules of champagne in France,” Jackson explained. “They can be a great value because you’re getting near the quality of champagne but at a fraction of the price, generally somewhere in the $20 figure.”
His picks:
- Bonnamy Crémant de Loire $16.99
- Champagne Moutard Brut $37.99
- Champagne Bereche & Fils Brut Reserve $59.99
Then, there are non-alcoholic options, which Jackson said is the store’s fastest-growing section.
“More and more people are interested in not feeling terrible the next morning,” he remarked.
Boulevard just released a non-alcoholic Quirk seltzer, which Jackson said is fruitier than a La Croix. Like many of the non-alcoholic beverages, it is not alcohol-free, but it guarantees an ABV of less than .5%. Boulevard has also released a non-alcoholic Lemon Wheat.
There are also multiple options for sparkling cocktails with an Amaro-like flavor of bitter fruits.
His recommendations:
- Casamara Club Como Amaro Leisure Soda
- Amaro Falso from St. Agrestis
Finally, there are numerous alcohol-free sparkling wines that are a step above the sparkling grape juice you’ll find in grocery stores.
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Kansas
KC Current’s Chawinga named NWSL MVP
Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga was named the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League MVP on Friday, one day ahead of the league’s championship match.
Chawinga set a new single-season NWSL record with 20 goals this year for the Current.
She also scored the lone goal in the team’s quarterfinal victory and both goals in the championship of the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup last month.
“From the moment Temwa came to Kansas City, we knew she was capable of playing at an MVP level,” general manager Caitlin Carducci said in a statement.
“Not only has she been an incredible player on the pitch, she’s also been an incredible teammate and representative of the organization off it. Temwa laid an incredible foundation with her play in 2024, and we’re so excited for what’s to come in the years ahead.”
Chawinga is the eighth NWSL Golden Boot winner to also win MVP in the same season since the league’s launch in 2013. She is the first African international to win either award.
The 26-year-old Malawi international arrived in Kansas City this year from the Chinese Super League and took the league by storm in the first season with her eye for goal and her game-changing speed.
Chawinga scored in 13 of the Current’s final 14 matches of the regular season, including goals in eight straight games, which was a first in league history.
She also scored a goal against all 13 other NWSL teams this season, another first, and she added five assists to the Current’s league-record 57 goals this season.
Chawinga’s 20 goals broke Sam Kerr’s previous record of 18 in a season, which Kerr scored in 21 games.
Chawinga played in 25 regular-season games this year.
The next closest scorer in the regular season was Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, who finished with 13 goals.
Banda scored in last week’s semifinal to help Orlando eliminate Kansas City from the playoffs.
Orlando takes on the Washington Spirit on Saturday in the NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.
History of NWSL MVPs
2013: Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City midfielder
2014: Kim Little, Seattle Reign FC midfielder
2015: Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit forward
2016: Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash forward
2017: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC forward
2018: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC midfielder
2019: Sam Kerr: Chicago Red Stars forward
2021: Jess Fishlock, OL Reign midfielder
2022: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC forward
2023: Kerolin, North Carolina Courage forward
Kansas
Top takeaways from Iowa's win over Kansas
The Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls sounded like Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night as a capacity crowd of 3,400 watched Iowa defeat Kansas 71-58. The Hawkeyes jumped out to an 18-4 lead after the first quarter and never let the lead dip below eight points the rest of the way. They are now 5-0 for the first time since 2017.
Here are my top takeaways from the win and what it means for Iowa moving forward.
Kansas
Kansas State Coaches Searching For Answers After Two-Game Skid
A season that began with national championship aspirations is now in danger of ending in disappointment.
Three weeks ago, the Kansas State Wildcats controlled their hopes of making the Big 12 title game and possibly the College Football Playoff. Now, they are just searching for another victory to salvage a once promising season.
“Obviously a disappointing performance on Saturday,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said about Saturday’s loss to Arizona State. “We had a long staff meeting yesterday and talked about a lot of things. We looked at offense, defense and special teams. I don’t think anybody could point a finger at anybody because I don’t think any unit played up to its capabilities.”
The Wildcats were in the driver’s seat after a victory against rival Kansas Oct. 26 in the annual Sunflower State Showdown. They were 7-1 with wins against Oklahoma State and Colorado, the lone blemish coming against BYU.
The victory against the Jayhawks was followed by two upset losses to Houston and the Sun Devils, which all but ended their chances of making the Big 12 championship game.
With two games left against Cincinnati and Iowa State, the Wildcats are basically playing for a more appealing bowl game.
“Our job this week is to right the ship, because we have another opportunity,” Klieman said. “I want our seniors to have an opportunity to go out well.”
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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