Baseball & Jazz a Hot Ticket

If you’re looking for a way to warm up on a cold afternoon, head over to the Museums at 18th & Vine. Revere the “boys of summer” at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum then stroll across the atrium to listen to and create your own “hot” jazz at the American Jazz Museum. Kansas City was where it was all happening in the Roaring 20’s and 30’s and kids from all over the metro can see, feel and hear it all over again.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

1616 East 18^th St.

Kansas City, MO

816.221.1920

Nlbm.com

American Jazz Museum

816.474.8463

AmericanJazzMuseum.org

If you’re looking for a way to warm up on a cold afternoon, head over to the Museums at 18^th & Vine. Revere the “boys of summer” at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum then stroll across the atrium to listen to and create your own “hot” jazz at the American Jazz Museum. Kansas City was where it was all happening in the Roaring 20’s and 30’s and kids from all over the metro can see, feel and hear it all over again.

Catching the Spirit of the Game at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Stepping onto the Field of Legends feels like stepping back in time. Kids approach the pitching mound and stand next to a life-sized, bronze Satchel Paige still staring down a batter. If that isn’t enough to give you goose bumps, wander through the exhibits and hear the roar of the crowds as you watch the short documentaries and test yourself on the interactive trivia screens.

Johnnie Lee works at the museum and has been helping people of all ages understand the significance of the Negro Leagues for years. He’s passionate about the contribution these players have made to American history. He explains that regionally, Andrew “Rube” Foster started the Negro National League in KC. To generate money for the league, the teams would “barnstorm” around the Midwest playing local white farmers and teams by organizations like the Kiwanis. Lee says, “People recognized the talent on the Negro teams. Locals would overlook race and play against them in cornfields. People would pay good money to see amazing players like Satchel Page, Josh Gibson and “Cool Papa” Bell.” The Midwestern “fields of dreams” helped desegregate American society.

The Negro League disbanded in 1955. By then, talented black players from all over the country were being recruited to play for the fully integrated National and American Baseball Leagues and the Civil Rights Movement was building up speed. The museum is like a time capsule of those important events and an excellent tribute to the democratic spirit of our National pastime.

Jumping & Jiving at the American Jazz Museum

“Hello. How are you? Pleased-to meet you.” Children chant and walk about the foyer of the Jazz Museum in the opening activity at the Jazz Storytelling series. Jazz maven and mom, Lisa Henry, encourages the children to look each other in the eye, shake hands, smile and make a new friend. Moving kids through the space and allowing them to meet the other children at the event, helps break down the wall between performers and audience and creates a community of learners eager to interact.

The bi-monthly Jazz Storytelling series features Professional Storyteller and oral historian, “Brother” John Anderson, Drummer, Michael Warren, Upright bassist, James Ward and singer, Lisa Henry. Through their amazing musical connection, the combo weaves together education and entertainment in a way that leaves audiences singing and dancing all the way home.

The American Jazz Museum education department offers the Storytelling series free of charge but asks future participants to call and reserve space since seating is limited. Touring the actual museum requires a ticket. It is easy to get to the museums and there is ample free parking.

The exhibits use a collection of listening stations to aurally demonstrate jazz features such as rhythm, melody, and harmony. Kids are challenged to make their own musical choices and experiment with sound.

The museum highlights the special role KC had in the formation of Jazz music and introduces audiences to the historic jazz celebrities like Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong who left an enduring legacy. The introductory documentary lays a foundation that helps define the word “jazz” and what it means to different people.

Children learn best when multiple senses are engaged and the Museums at 18^th and Vine offer all learners the opportunity to see and hear a unique part of the local history that put Kansas City on the map.

Megan Helm lives in Lawrence with three rowdy sons, an exasperated husband, a neurotic golden retriever and a cat she never sees.