Brian McTavish

Brian McTavish

Brian McTavish is a freelance writer specializing in the arts and pop culture. He was an arts and entertainment writer for more than 20 years at The Kansas City Star. He regularly shares his “Weekend To-Do List” at KCUR-FM (89.3)/kcur.org.

The Job: Mike Horner

The Job: Mike Horner

Since Mike Horner became artistic director of Mesner Puppet Theatre in 2016, he’s tried to build on the successful tradition of the company’s founder and former artistic director, Paul Mesner. But no matter what Horner does, he keeps being mistaken for his now-retired mentor. To say that Horner resembles Mesner might be an understatement.

Veg with Netflix . . . or Get Out and Get Smarter

Veg with Netflix . . . or Get Out and Get Smarter

Cinematic adventure, intrigue, tragedy, romance — and a bit of classic Brando to boot. You won’t find it streaming on Netflix or Hulu, at least not with the kind of expertly curated context and additional live commentary available for free at a variety of winter film series and screenings scheduled at area museums and cultural institutions.

Arts Marketing Goes to the Dogs

Arts Marketing Goes to the Dogs

Have you noticed how pets and other animals are everywhere? In addition to ubiquitous social media postings about silly pets and media stories extolling the latest sweet, brave or otherwise inspirational animal in the news, critters are helping to market all manner of goods and services these days. The art world has taken heed.

A Job to Remember: Victoria Patrick

A Job to Remember: Victoria Patrick

Joshua Bell was so excited about his barbecue, he forgot all about his fiddle. So Victoria Patrick, manager of artistic relations for the Kansas City Symphony, took it upon herself to safeguard Bell’s prized instrument after speeding with the Grammy Award-winning violinist to pick up a post-concert to-go order at Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Que (now Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que) with only minutes to spare before closing time.

All Musicians on Deck!

All Musicians on Deck!

The blues is a voyage both personal and universal. So it’s fitting that Roger Naber, founder of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, has navigated such waters to move himself and other blues lovers. Move where? Forward, despite pain. Forward, inviting gain. Always and forever, forward. “This is my passion and this is something that I do,” Naber says. “And it’s not because (legendary blues vocalist) Bobby Bland once said, ‘Roger, never stop promoting the blues.’”

It’s a Guy Thing

The Bobos book club can’t help but call attention to itself. For starters, the club’s 14 members belie their well-educated, professionally accomplished backgrounds by calling themselves Bobos. Even club founder Phil Smith, a 67-year-old retired advertising creative director and writer, concedes that the offbeat sobriquet may call to mind “nuts” or “clowns,” although that’s hardly the intent.