• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

The Kansas City Star, Mo., Steve Penn Column: Festival Attracts a Variety

Posted on: Saturday, 24 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Steve Penn, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Jun. 24--There's nothing quite like a festival to bring out a wide variety of businesses and interesting personalities. And the Rhythm and Ribs 18th and Vine Jazz Festival last weekend was no exception.

Amid a cloud of smoke wafting off a hot smoker, I met Dwayne Parks. A long line of hungry customers stood patiently in front of his food trailer.

"I've been on the smoker for nine hours straight, and it's time to take off," Parks said as he sat down.

But with a long line waiting, his break didn't last long.

Parks and his wife, Michelle, kept busy all last weekend, selling hamburgers, cheeseburgers, nachos, chili-cheese fries, chili-cheese hotdogs and, of course, chili-cheeseburgers. Their five children -- four girls and one boy -- also pitched in.

"It's a family business," Parks said. "And we really enjoy it. The kids actually do a little bit of everything. They wrap the hamburgers. They wrap the hot dogs. They keep track of the money. And they make sure everybody has what they need."

To learn more about their catering operation, call (816) 305-2728.

-- While singer Al Green was busy crooning to a sea of humanity, John Bukaty tried to capture it all on a wide canvas. Bukaty, who is from Kansas City and now lives in Denver, operates Blu Jack Studio & Gallery there.

He was back in Kansas City painting scenes of the historic jazz district. By the time I met him, he already had used his acrylic paint to create the Kansas City skyline and the festival scene

"I'm going to have Al Green popping out of it," Bukaty told me. "Then I'll bring in the people and let the vibes come together."

Bukaty grew up in Kansas City. He played football at the University of Kansas and moved to Denver three years ago, where he opened up his own gallery. He prefers to paint themes and scenes that have a musical element.

"Music inspired me to paint," Bukaty said. "I try to take the musical notes and channel it into color. I have a very wide-range."

For more on his artwork, go to www.johnbukaty.com.

-- Although officials still are trying to tabulate the final result of Rhythm and Ribs, early estimates place attendance at the three-day event at between 35,000 and 40,000, way up from last year's total.

"We feel like it was really a successful weekend, especially from the terrific performances we had," said John O'Connell, director of public relations for the American Jazz Museum. "Not only from the outpouring of support we received from our sponsors, but also everybody across Kansas City and from across the country that came to enjoy the weekend. The festival is quickly becoming an outdoor Kansas City tradition in the summer. And we're looking for even bigger and better next year."

-- I see strikes in my future. I will lace up the old bowling shoes Sunday for a noble cause. A celebrity bowling event to benefit Renaissance West, a drug and alcohol treatment center, will be held at the AMF Bowling Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park. The public can bowl with any celebrity (me, me) they wish for $100.

Paula Williams, the office manager at Renaissance West, can't wait until Sunday.

"Many big names are coming to help out," she said. "All the money we raise helps us provide help to our clients."

To reach Steve Penn, call (816) 234-4417or send e-mail to spenn@kcstar.com.

-----

Copyright (c) 2006, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

Source: The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri)

More News in this Category