The new Francis Family Foundation Living Room, an indoor event venue in the PBS building at 31st and Grand (photo by Sarah Lero)
Kansas City PBS’ “Picture This” campaign began early in 2022 (during the pandemic) to modernize and maximize the PBS building at Grand and 31st. Along the way, the $17 million design venture by A.L. Huber in partnership with El Dorado, Inc, won “Project of the Year” in the Building Excellence Awards presented by The Builders, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America.
The renovation, instigated by KCPT CEO Kliff Kuehl, includes two new community spaces. The Sandra A. J. Lawrence Plaza, an outdoor gathering space, connects to the Francis Family Foundation Living Room, an indoor event venue.
The double-height Living Room provides a unique space where station members, invited guests, internal groups and the public can engage with PBS (TV), 90.9 The Bridge (radio) and Flatland KC (digital journalism).
The Living Room has a capacity of 100 but can be expanded by opening the attached kitchen/social area and/or opening up the plaza area. Production capabilities include full lighting and sound, as well as a projector for videos.
KCUR’s Generation Listen, which strives to engage young public radio listeners with community affairs, in partnership with 90.9 and the Kansas City Public Library, hosted its Live+Local series Jan. 30.
Recognizing the public interest generated for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, KCUR and The Bridge teamed up in 2023 to showcase local artists who submitted to the national contest. This year Live+Local expanded from past years’ one-night show to a three-part series, with the first two to be performed in the unique and intimate Living Room. Featured on that first show were two groups, True Lions and Big Fat Cow.
True Lions are known for their strong harmonies and recall 90s indie pop, like Tiger Trap, Go Sailor and The Softies. Big Fat Cow is a post-country/cowpoke fuzz band.
A packed house enjoyed the energetic music, excellent production capabilities and tasty snacks offered by Local Pig.
The second show, Feb. 27, showcased artists Jass, and Jamogi & the Jammers. Jass is a jazz/soul/R & B singer who has played with her band at most clubs and festivals around town and was a finalist for KC’s People’s Choice Awards for Best Female Vocalist. She had just returned from Ireland, where she represented Kansas City, Unesco City of Music, with rapper and trombonist Ryan Jamaal Davis.
Jamogi & the Jammers is somewhat newer on the local scene but is making news for their high-energy mix of big band funk, jazz, hip-hop and more.
It drew another sold out, very enthusiastic crowd, who enjoyed free beverages and snacks.
The third and final Showcase took place March 27 at the Central Library and featured all four of the groups from the earlier two shows. Misti Mundae of 90.9 interviewed each of the four artist groups.
The Bridge hosts their 909 Sessions for donors of a certain dollar amount in the venue. These have included intimate concert experiences with Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, Melissa Etheridge, Ben Folds, Guster and local bands Making Movies, Hembree, and the Elders. Boulevard Brewery supplies kegs.
The Bridge held its annual awards ceremony in the Living Room last October, in which they honored the Kansas City Current as its “Partner of the Year.”
Also regularly scheduled are team meetings, trainings, brainstorming sessions and various public outreach events, such as teacher conferences and seminars, trust advisory classes, documentary screenings and interviews.
According to 90.9’s Bryan Truta, senior director of radio operations and Morning Show host, The Living Room truly enables Kansas City PBS, 90.9 The Bridge and Flatland KC to “live out our mission in person.”
