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Craic (pronounced "crack") is an Irish slang term for fun, enjoyment, good times, lively conversation, and entertainment, often involving friends, music, or a great atmosphere.  This is exactly what we encountered on our first expedition to a place endowed with the very same name, to check in with an old friend and another old friend performing that night.   It all started with a random text from Joe, whom we had kind of fallen out of touch with since the pandemic. He and his beautiful bride were planning on dropping in on The Craic down in Parkville to enjoy an evening of tunes performed by none other than our old friend,  Jonathan Ramsey.  That singular name will always conjure cherished memories of brew with friends banging glasses on tables to the beat at Harlings Upstairs. This night proved no different, though with less banging of glasses and more consumption of delicious food, and lots of catching up in good c...

Stumbled on this little quote attached to an aging mural in Sedalia.  It is not quite as old as it seems though, having only been painted in 2020 by local artist Stefanie Aziere-Sattler.  Nothing could turn up where the quote actually came from, so it is assumed she pulled it out of her own hat.  This may be the last look at this mural, which itself may "be lost forever."  In its current state another may take its place soon, or maybe it will get lucky enough to get a fresh coat of color.

  The Kansas City Ballet put forth another excellent performance of the fantastical tale of The Nutcracker, with Tchaikovsky accompaniment by the Kansas City Symphony.  The story, the music, and dancers glowed against a well-designed backdrop that supported and enhanced the dreamlike intent of the story quite well. As a first-time viewer of this production, it proved quite intriguing and captivating.  Dancers and musicians put out their very best, including the younger participants who seemed to not miss a single queue.  This is definitely a fun and unique spectacle that is worth seeing at least on one occasion in a lifetime.

Out for a walk one afternoon enabled an opportunity to catch a little art-in-action at a location not readily apparent.  It is one of those places you have to know about, or be on a quest to discover.  Indeed, I had no idea Rewind Video even existed any longer, yet there it is, on the back of the building, getting a fresh coat of paint by none other than Sike Style. The new art is just the beginning of the story.  While the sign itself is a nostalgic nod, what lies beneath and beyond is a brilliant new chapter for the location.   "Rewind Video" is not the video tape rental shop from years gone by, but a basement dive bar, serving up a 1990's vibe through Capri Sun mixers and analog gaming consoles.  All of this will undoubtedly prove itself a fun, adults only gaming diversion.

  A random invitation led to attending a different sort of performance, put on by another local puppet troupe at Mid-Continent Public Library North Oak Branch. What if Puppets of Kansas City  offered up the intriguing little story " How to Snag a Sea Monster " about a sea creature and a giant baby that washed up on the shores of Barnacle Bay in Cape Cod.  The performance enthralled and amused a wide age range of attendees on Saturday morning, transforming a routine weekend morning into an imaginative voyage and an opportunity for a fresh look at one of the newer library locations.