John G. McGrath
Multimedia Producer
John McGrath hails from Ottawa, Kansas, and attended the University of Kansas where he majored in film. A filmmaker since the age of 10, John has written and directed a number of short films he is always eager to show you or talk about. If it's film related, he's your go-to guy. With more than 15 years experience in journalism at two local television stations, he is eager to lend his skills to Flatland.
Stories by John G. McGrath
When Fashion Inspires
“My name is Nataliya Meyer, and I’m addicted to fashion.” So begins our introduction to Meyer, a local fashion designer, as she begins preparations for Kansas City Fashion Week in April. Meyer, whose family emigrated from Ukraine nearly 13 years ago, began sketching designs as a child. Since arriving in the United States she’s worked as a tailor for Brooks…
Peering Behind the Curtain
On Friday more than 250 students and faculty from UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance performed at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for “Crescendo,” the conservatory’s major annual fundraiser. Flatland goes behind the scenes as the young and seasoned artists prepared for the hour-long showcase, which featured vignettes from the school’s disciplines. The students spoke about…
Recipe |Chicken Karahi and the Iftar Meal
For the past several weeks, Dr. Hibba Haider has awakened before dawn to have a small meal that will sustain her until sunset. Haider is fasting for Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which runs through July 5. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, meant to both provide spiritual clarity…
Fred Armisen on… Everything
Before the always-funny Mr. Armisen gave his keynote address to the Middle of the Map crowd at this year’s IDEAS forum, he sat down in The Folly Theater with Flatland. Check out his tips on doing a Prince impersonation, the melding of comedy and music, and all the Finger Lakes of Lawrence Welk. The “Portlandia” co-creator and star also riffed…
From the Still to the Barrel
Go behind the scenes with the Shannon family’s Restless Spirits distillery in North Kansas City. Michael Shannon explains the history, and Benay Shannon, the metro’s only female head distiller, puts on her pink boots to walk us through the how-to. The Shannon’s deep connection to Kansas City — and its sordid political history — can be seen on the labels, and we…
90 Seconds With Mighty Handle
Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the fifth and final episode in the series. Think of Mighty Handle as your digital defender. No, Mighty Handle is not anti-virus software. Rather, the handy, Kansas City-made contraption is a device that can save your fingers from…
90 Seconds with ShotTracker
From propelling the game’s emergence in the early 1900s, to honing hall of fame players like Wilt Chamberlin at the University of Kansas, the Sunflower State is rich in basketball history. So it makes sense that a Kansas company, ShotTracker, hopes to write the sport’s next chapter with its wearable technology for basketball players and coaches….
Because it’s root-root-root for the home team…
Contributor Hampton Stevens and Multimedia Producer John McGrath get hyped at the K.
90 Seconds with Cremalab
Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the third episode in the five-part series. With a team of sharp, trendily dressed bohemians, Cremalab is where speed meets creative dynamism. The Kansas City firm, founded in 2009, transformed itself from a design shop to a…
90 seconds with FitBark
Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the second episode in the five-part series. As the mecca of animal health, the Kansas City metro accounts for a whopping 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales. But while it’s…