By: Lysa Allman-Baldwin

The air is crisp. Deep carrot, chocolate, crimson and canary leaves gently sway in the cool breeze. Day becomes night oh so early. Although fall is upon us, activities continue to blossom in Kansas City. Here are just a few to ease you into celebrating the season.

Knife and Fork Adventures

Savory, global culinary dishes stimulate the palate in every Kansas City neighborhood nook and cranny. In the River Market try Le Fou Frog for a bit of France, Garozzo’s for the best of Italy, or Dos Hombres with south of the border delights.

Westport dishes up everything from old-style American fare at McCoy’s Public House, to exotic pizza from Torre’s Pizza, taste bud-tempting Vietnamese cuisine at Sun Song and fresh Mediterranean dishes at Jerusalem Café.

West 39th Street is the place to enjoy Northern Chinese Cuisine at Blue Koi, a bit of the Big Apple at d’ Bronx, fine Cajun and Creole cuisine at Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen and authentic Indian from the Taj Palace.

So Dramatic

From Broadway to comedy, contemporary, young adult and musical productions, Kansas City offers an epic theatrical journey. The Kansas City Repertory Theater is presenting Palomino by David Cale that tells the story of an enigmatic Irish horse-drawn carriage driver in Central Park who begins moonlighting as an escort for wealthy women. (October 9-November 15).

Coterie After Dark presents Maul of the Dead, at the Off Center Theatre, where danger lurks behind every mannequin (October 16-31), and The Midland Theatre by AMC will play host to numerous international stars and acts including Motorhead (September 24), The Pogues (October 25), Celtic Thunder (October 27), Rob Thomas(October 29), Linda Ronstadt (November 5) and Darius Rucker (December 19).

Jazzy, Baby!

Live jazz can be heard nightly around town at more than 20 area nightclubs that feature jazz on a regular basis. Numerous events are sponsored by Kansas City jazz groups and
educational institutions throughout the year. You can also relive the heyday of the era at the American Jazz Museum in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District or the Goin’ to Kansas City Plaza at Twelfth Street and Vine.

For decades, the Mutual Musicians Foundation, also located in the 18th & Vine District, has been the after-hours meeting place for some of Kansas City's most talented jazz performers. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, all the great jazz musicians from "The Count" to George Benson are familiar with this facility as a place for the camaraderie of a late-night gig.

Don't Wait

Grab your light jacket, engage your spirit of adventure and come on out to enjoy a bit of Kansas City’s cultural travel offerings this fall!

Resource List

• Friends of Chamber Music, 816.561.9999, www.chambermusic.org
• Kansas City Repertory Theater, 816.235.2700, www.kcrep.org
• The Midland by AMC, 816.283.9900, www.midlandkc.com
• Off Center Theatre, 816.274.8444, www.crowncenter.com
• Coterie Theatre, 816.474.6552, www.coterietheatre.com
• River Market, www.kansascityrivermarket.com
• West 39th Street, 816.561.5411, www.39thstreetwest.com
• Westport, www.westportkc.com