Troostival Concert Celebrates Black Culture and Troost Revival

By Kevin Collison

The first annual Troostival, a celebration of Black creativity and the ongoing revival of a street traditionally associated with Kansas City racial division, will be celebrated this Friday at the Hy-Vee Arena.

The approximately seven-hour concert will feature eight musical acts including DJ’s, jazz, hip hop, funk and R&B. You can can attend live at the arena in the West Bottoms or enjoy it virtually online.

Kemet Coleman, the organizer of the event, said its an opportunity to showcase Black musical talent in the community at a time when the pandemic has shut down many performance opportunities, and the street he grew up on.

“We have lots of friends who are out of work,” he said. “At the same time, as someone who grew up at 75th and Troost, I care deeply about the rebuilding of Troost as a catalyst for Kansas City’s East Side.

“I pride myself to using music to bring people together.”

Coleman discusses his enthusiasm for Troost in this video promoting Troostival.

The event originally had been scheduled for last Friday at the rooftop event space at the Wonder Shops + Flats development at 30th and Troost.

Kemet Coleman wants Troostfestivity to celebrate Black culture and the ongoing revival of Troost Avenue (Image from Troostival)

The renovated historic Wonder Bread bakery building is a part of a major revival along Troost from 24th Street to Armour that’s adding hundreds of new apartments, retail and office users to the area after decades of neglect.

Poor weather conditions prompted the organizers to shift the venue to the Hy-Vee Arena in the West Bottoms.

“We were a little down in the dumps because of the weather, but it turned out to be a blessing,” Coleman said.

The number of tickets for the socially-distant live show was increased from 100 to 150 because of the larger venue. Tickets to the live show are $25 and to watch the concert online are $15. Ticket information can be found here.

The show begins with a pre-show social hour at 3 p.m. The music starts at about 3:30 and runs until 10 p.m.

The musical acts performing are:

· NuBlvckCity

· The Black Creatures

· We The People

· Crystal Rose

· The Royal Chief

· Amber “FlutieNastiness” Underwood

· Kadesh Flow

· Kemet Coleman

“Troost Avenue is an invaluable catalyst in rebuilding Kansas City’s east side and inspiring equity across all the city’s corners,” according to a press release.

“It’s vital that while investment and excitement grow around the Troost corridor, long viewed as Kansas City’s racial and socioeconomic dividing line, the street’s cultural roots and history are not removed from the conversation.”

Besides the developers of the Wonder Shops + Flats, Coleman said Enterprise Bank & Trust has been a big supporter of the first Troostival.