HEARSAY continued from page 13

hunk of beef from Canada. Also, a big hooray to Tracy, who took the. inaugural title of MAL Boot Black. We're sure she'll shine in her duties. Anyone seen my Doc Martens?....

FITFUL ENDING... On Sunday night, Hearsay strolled 17th Street, and couldn't help but notice all the leather leftovers filling their bellies with flame-broiled cow at Annie's. Which only goes to prove: If you can't wear it, eat it....

AND NOW FOR A WORD FROM PRINCESS... Hearsay's protege, Princess, warmed up with the rent-o-wreck (christened "Patty") and kicked it into high gear to NYC this past weekend. Not owning a single chap, gag, or organ stretcher, Princess felt left out of the weekend festivities and decided a weekend in the big city was called for. Hoping for a weekend full of more than dancing and fairy dust, Princess went to a cabaret show at Caroline's on Broadway. The crowd was filled with Gen-Xers, no doubt hoping for a glimpse of diva-in-the-making Audra McDonald, a three time Tony winner at the tender age of 28. Unfortunately, the divine Miss Mc is climbing the fame ladder fast, and had to dash off to Hollywood for a movie rather than making her appearance. Princess will have to be content with her new album "Way Back to Paradise," a must for any Broadway queen's shelf....

ARE YOU BURNED OUT ON 17TH STREET? THEN COME 1 BLOCK OVER

TO NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE. AND HAVE A RELAXING COCKTAIL AT

THE

Lillie's

DUPONT CIRCLE'S ONLY ART DECO BAR & LOUNGE

HAPPY HOUR 5 PM-7 PM 7 DAYS A WEEK!

CARLYLE Bistro

AT THE

CARLYLE SUITES

1731 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE. NW 202.510.5011

(1 Block off 17th St. between R & S)

GAY TRIPPING

K.C. Sunshine

Ithough KANSAS CITY is the closest major city to the geographic cen-

ter of America, this highly underappreciated city is off the beaten tourist path. Ironically, its centrality obscures Kansas City from the rest of the country. If the United States were a feature film, America's Heartland would

be the part where everybody gets up and goes to the bathroom. This lack of attention seems not to ruffle locals, who are far too busy enjoying themselves to care what coastal snobs think of their fine city.

In fact, this is one of the most delightful cities in America. Hilly, green, laced with parks, and with more fountains than any city but Rome, it is blessed with vibrant neighborhoods. The cost of living is not only reasonable, it's

a variety of theatrical and musical productions, and is the frequent host to the city's gay men's chorus. For a memorable pre-theatre meal, dine at the SAVOY GRILL, a sophisticated Old World restaurant featured in the Paul Newman film, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge.

The most popular men's nightclub downtown, the Dixie Bell (a.k.a. "the DB") moved across the street at the end of 1998 and into a massive new space now called the DIXIE BELL

shockingly low. Gays and lesThe buildings of Kansas City's Country WAREHOUSE COMPLEX; it con-

bians maintain clear, if not high, visibility in several neighborhoods and are rarely the target of grandstanding right-wing politicians.

The metro region is the size of Connecticut, but the chunk of Kansas City you'll Iwant to focus on comprises several historic neighborhoods extending south from the Missouri River. Downtown is near the river, and as you head farther south you'll encounter the charming and gay-friendly neighborhoods of Westport and the Country Club Plaza. Although part of the metro area falls in Kansas, most of the attractions and amuse-

Club Plaza are patterned after the architecture of Seville, Spain.

ments are in Missouri.

You could easily spend an afternoon exploring the wellpreserved warehouse district, which consists of historic OLD CITY MARKET and its food stalls and cafes, and the Arabia Steamboat Museum, a hulking 1856 paddlewheeler that was found almost perfectly intact in 1988-sunken below 40 feet of river mud.

Downtown is home to the usual office blocks and shops, as well as the neo-Palladian FOLLY THEATER, a salvaged burlesque house, which presents

BY ANDREW COLLINS

tinues to draw a wide range of guys, from leather bears to pretty boys on the make. A block away, lesbians favor TOOTSIE'S, a cavernous disco set inside an intriguing highceilinged historic building.

Kansas City's best-known industry, Hallmark Cards, is headquartered at the CROWN

CENTER, a shopping and entertainment complex. You can

tour the Hallmark Visitors Center, a museum and sentimental superstore. Not far from here, beginning around 23rd Street and Troost Avenue, you'll come upon the northernmost of the city's queeridentified neighborhoods. Nicknamed Womyntown in the

METRO

WEEKLY

January 21. 1999

METRO

WEEKLY

January

21.

1999