Cowtown Tales

El Torreon has been many things: a jazz club in the '20s, a punk club in the aughts and home to the Cowtown Ballroom, a short-lived but dynamic concert space. Open between 1971 and 1974, the Cowtown Ballroom booked Frank Zappa, the Flying Burrito Brothers and Van Morrison. The venue deserves a proper memorial, and that's why filmmaker, amateur historian and original Cowtown attendee Joe Heyen has dedicated himself and his bank account to his new documentary, Cowtown Ballroom: Now That Was Special. He has interviewed scores of locals and Cowtown guests, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Miller and B.B. King. "I'm becoming the Dick Clark of Kansas City," he jokes. Now Heyen is asking for donations from the community to finance postproduction. Help preserve a little bit of local history tonight at the Record Bar (1020 Westport Road 816-753-5207). The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and includes performers Howard Iceberg, Pendergast, Kasey Rausch, Chet Nichols and Mad Libby. There will also be an auction of signed guitars, posters and records. For more information, see cowbr.com.
Fri., July 18, 2008