Art, Music & Community Shine at 816 Day with Art in the Loop

816 Day with Art in the Loop was more than a festivity—it was a living snapshot of Kansas City’s creativity, generosity, and rhythm. On August 16th, art, music, and community came together to celebrate the wonder of this city, transforming City Market into a space where everyone, no matter their age or background, could feel part of something larger.

The afternoon opened with Myself Embodied, who set the tone in a way that was both grounding and expansive. Their invitation to pause, breathe, and reflect reminded us that art is not only something we consume, but something that begins deep within. Their words and energy gave people permission to slow down and simply be present—whether you were a child just starting to discover your own voice, or a young adult navigating identity and self-expression. Attendees were encouraged to introduce themselves, share their art, and speak about who they are beyond their creative practice. This moment of vulnerability and openness was a reminder that public art is powerful because it emerges from lived experience—it is rooted in the stories, struggles, and joys of those who create it.

That sense of connection flowed seamlessly into the evening’s music. True Lions, filled the air with a sound that refused to be boxed into any single genre. Their music moved like water—shifting between moods and rhythms, carrying everyone along. Children clasped hands and spun in circles, parents and aunts danced with the kids, couples stopped mid-stroll to sway together, and even strangers nodded and smiled as they found themselves moving in rhythm with one another. For a moment, boundaries dissolved. The beat, the harmonies, and the sheer energy of the performance created a bridge across generations and communities. Music became a universal language, reminding everyone why Art in the Loop has always stood for more than just programs or projects—it stands for art that is public, participatory, and alive.

Khyneesha Edwards, Art in the Loop Visual Art Director dancing with her nephew.

As the sun began its descent, the day’s energy reached its peak with Jass, whose soulful, joyful set tied the entire celebration together. Her performance wasn’t just a closing act—it was a moment of shared emotion, reflection, and release. With every note, Jass invited the audience to move, feel, and connect, creating a sense of unity that lingered long after the music ended. Children danced with family, couples swayed in quiet joy, and the crowd collectively breathed in the magic of the evening. Her performance elevated 816 Day from a celebration into an experience, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of everyone present.

Meanwhile, the energy of the city was mirrored by the presence of this year’s Art in the Loop visual artists. Tables from Adrianne Clayton and Max Dlabick added a tactile, personal dimension to the celebration. Clayton’s Reflection, installed at the Library stop on Main, continues her deeply thoughtful exploration of resilience and identity, while Dlabick’s Interplanetary Joyride—wrapping Streetcar #814—reminds us of the joy and playfulness that art can bring into everyday routines. To see them in person, selling their handmade merch and speaking with community members, was to see the projects come full circle. These installations are not just decorative elements in our commute—they are living works, rooted in the vision of artists who are part of our city’s soul.

Around the event, smaller but no less meaningful activations kept the spirit of play alive. The KC Current merch vehicle added a splash of team pride, while tables hosted by the Downtown Council of Kansas City, the KC Streetcar Authority, and Art in the Loop itself offered giveaways—temporary tattoos, stickers, and the ever-popular 816 Bingo game, which runs until September 13. These touchpoints created little moments of delight: a child proudly showing off their new tattoo, a family laughing over their Bingo card, a passerby pocketing a sticker that might later remind them of the day. In these small acts of engagement, the line between art and community blurred even further.

816 Day was more than an event—it was a portrait of Kansas City at its most vibrant. It was a day where reflection met rhythm, where public art met public joy, and where the theme of Wonder lived and breathed in every corner of City Market. For a few precious hours, the city itself became the gallery, the stage, and the dance floor. Art wasn’t something you looked at from a distance—it was something you felt, lived, and carried with you. Thanks to performances like Jass’s, the day ended on a note of pure connection, reminding us that Kansas City knows how to come together and celebrate what makes this place so alive.

816 Day at City Market was made possible through the collaboration of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Art in the Loop, KC Streetcar Authority, City Council of Kansas City, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Visit KC, and Crown Center. Together, these partners showed what’s possible when a city invests in its people, its culture, and its public spaces. Their work ensured that 816 Day wasn’t just another event on the calendar—it became a living, breathing celebration of Kansas City itself. From music to movement, from visual art to spontaneous community connection, the day reminded us that our city is at its best when we come together to create, to share, and to celebrate.

From left to right: Lindsay French (2nd District at Large), Jared Campbell (Resident Engagement Manager), Donna Mandelbaum (Director of Communications + Marketing | KC Streetcar Authority), Ann Holliday (Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Director, Art in the Loop)

816 Day at City Market was made possible through the collaboration of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Art in the Loop, KC Streetcar Authority, City Council of Kansas City, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Visit KC, and Crown Center. Together, these partners showed what’s possible when a city invests in its people, its culture, and its public spaces. Their work ensured that 816 Day wasn’t just another event on the calendar—it became a living, breathing celebration of Kansas City itself. From music to movement, from visual art to spontaneous community connection, the day reminded us that our city is at its best when we come together to create, to share, and to celebrate. Thanks to their vision and dedication, 816 Day wasn’t just unforgettable—it set the tone for the kind of future we want to keep building in Kansas City: creative, connected, and full of wonder.