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Up To Date

Film Noir Festival Brings Vintage-Inspired Talent To Kansas City

For hundreds of classic movies in danger of being forgotten, the Film Noir Foundation is here to save the day. The organization is dedicated to preserving and restoring 35 millimeter films for future generations, as well as maintaining noir culture. 

This weekend, the association is hosting the second-annual Noir City Kansas City, a film festival featuring 1950's era screenings, burlesque performances and a pop-up Noir City nightclub. The screenings will take place at Alamo Drafthouse, and the nightclub will be Friday night at The Chesterfield bar, adjacent to the theater. 

Steve Kraske spoke with event organizers and performers on this edition of Up To Date

Guests:

  • Mitch Brian is professor of film at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
  • Eddie Muller is the founder and president of the Film Noir Foundation.
  • Evie Lovelle is a professional burlesque dancer whose looks the New York Times likened to Rita Hayworth. She will perform at The Chesterfield on Friday.
  • Laura Ellis, who hails from Kansas City, is a vintage and jazz songstress who has recorded 3 albums of 50s and 60s era songs. She is also performing Friday.

Here's a preview of what to expect at this year's event: 

Noir City Kansas City will take place October 2-4 at the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For tickets and information, visit www.noircitykc.com.

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
Kansas City needs journalists who show up not just on people’s worst days, but on their best ones — and the boring ones in between. As KCUR’s news director, I build relationships across the metro, so our newsroom can bring you critical information when times are tough, and seek out moments of joy to celebrate. Email me at lisa@kcur.org.