Pre-Sale Tickets - A Night of Celebration, Culture, and Creativity
Join us on May 25, 2025, at the historic Gem Theater in Kansas City, MO, for an unforgettable evening as we honor the legends, trailblazers, and rising stars in Kansas City’s visual and performing arts scene. This highly anticipated event recognizes 12 outstanding honorees across multiple artistic disciplines, highlighting their contributions to the city’s vibrant culture.
📍 Location: Gem Theater, 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)
🎟 Tickets: $15 Pre-Sale | $30 at the Door
🎤 Performances & Special Tributes
Why Attend?
Celebrate Kansas City’s artistic excellence across visual arts, music, dance, theater, poetry, and more.
Witness live performances from some of the city's best talents.
Connect with Kansas City's creative and cultural leaders.
Enjoy a powerful night of tributes and honors.
Support local artists and performers while experiencing a world-class event.
Meet the 2025 Honorees
This year, we honor 12 incredible artists, musicians, and cultural icons who have significantly shaped the artistic landscape of Kansas City.
🎨 Visual Arts – Harold Smith
🎤 Gospel – Crystal Rucker
💃 Dance – Danny Hinds
🎭 Theater Arts – Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City
🎷 Jazz – Gerald Dunn
📝 Spoken Word – Glenn North
🎵 R&B (Male) – Lee Langston
🎵 R&B (Female) – Darcus Gates
🎤 Afro Beats & Reggae – Elisha Israel & AZ-One
🎧 Hip Hop & Rap – The Popper
🎸 Latin Music – La Mafia Norteña
Performances by:
🎙 Tobbi & Tommi White – Gospel Sensations
🎶 Houston Smith – Jazz Master
🎤 Carlton Rashad – R&B Performer
🎭 Shon Ruffin & Vaughan Harrison – Theater and Musical Acts
🎼 La Mafia Norteña – Latin Music Tribute
🎤 Scheeze – Hip Hop Artist
Presenters
🌟 Visual Arts Presenter – Vivian Wilson Bluett
🌟 Gospel Presenter – Carmen Simmons
🌟 Dance Presenter – Tahirah Hinds
🌟 Theater Arts Presenter – Kim
🌟 Jazz Presenter – Quez
🌟 Spoken Word Presenter – Quez & Kim
🌟 R&B (Male) Presenter – Leigh Adams
🌟 R&B (Female) Presenter – Eartha Byrd
🌟 Afro Beats & Reggae Presenter – Hot 103.3
🌟 Hip Hop & Rap Presenter – DJ Fresh
🌟 Latin Music Presenter – Fuego Urbano
Hosted by Kansas City’s Finest
🎤 Quez Beasley – Founder of 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation, cultural leader, and event visionary.
🎤 Kimology (Kim Newsome) – Award-winning talk show host, media personality, and advocate for Black creatives.
Join us on May 25, 2025, at the historic Gem Theater in Kansas City, MO, for an unforgettable evening as we honor the legends, trailblazers, and rising stars in Kansas City’s visual and performing arts scene. This highly anticipated event recognizes 12 outstanding honorees across multiple artistic disciplines, highlighting their contributions to the city’s vibrant culture.
📍 Location: Gem Theater, 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)
🎟 Tickets: $15 Pre-Sale | $30 at the Door
🎤 Performances & Special Tributes
Why Attend?
Celebrate Kansas City’s artistic excellence across visual arts, music, dance, theater, poetry, and more.
Witness live performances from some of the city's best talents.
Connect with Kansas City's creative and cultural leaders.
Enjoy a powerful night of tributes and honors.
Support local artists and performers while experiencing a world-class event.
Meet the 2025 Honorees
This year, we honor 12 incredible artists, musicians, and cultural icons who have significantly shaped the artistic landscape of Kansas City.
🎨 Visual Arts – Harold Smith
🎤 Gospel – Crystal Rucker
💃 Dance – Danny Hinds
🎭 Theater Arts – Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City
🎷 Jazz – Gerald Dunn
📝 Spoken Word – Glenn North
🎵 R&B (Male) – Lee Langston
🎵 R&B (Female) – Darcus Gates
🎤 Afro Beats & Reggae – Elisha Israel & AZ-One
🎧 Hip Hop & Rap – The Popper
🎸 Latin Music – La Mafia Norteña
Performances by:
🎙 Tobbi & Tommi White – Gospel Sensations
🎶 Houston Smith – Jazz Master
🎤 Carlton Rashad – R&B Performer
🎭 Shon Ruffin & Vaughan Harrison – Theater and Musical Acts
🎼 La Mafia Norteña – Latin Music Tribute
🎤 Scheeze – Hip Hop Artist
Presenters
🌟 Visual Arts Presenter – Vivian Wilson Bluett
🌟 Gospel Presenter – Carmen Simmons
🌟 Dance Presenter – Tahirah Hinds
🌟 Theater Arts Presenter – Kim
🌟 Jazz Presenter – Quez
🌟 Spoken Word Presenter – Quez & Kim
🌟 R&B (Male) Presenter – Leigh Adams
🌟 R&B (Female) Presenter – Eartha Byrd
🌟 Afro Beats & Reggae Presenter – Hot 103.3
🌟 Hip Hop & Rap Presenter – DJ Fresh
🌟 Latin Music Presenter – Fuego Urbano
Hosted by Kansas City’s Finest
🎤 Quez Beasley – Founder of 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation, cultural leader, and event visionary.
🎤 Kimology (Kim Newsome) – Award-winning talk show host, media personality, and advocate for Black creatives.
Join us on May 25, 2025, at the historic Gem Theater in Kansas City, MO, for an unforgettable evening as we honor the legends, trailblazers, and rising stars in Kansas City’s visual and performing arts scene. This highly anticipated event recognizes 12 outstanding honorees across multiple artistic disciplines, highlighting their contributions to the city’s vibrant culture.
📍 Location: Gem Theater, 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM)
🎟 Tickets: $15 Pre-Sale | $30 at the Door
🎤 Performances & Special Tributes
Why Attend?
Celebrate Kansas City’s artistic excellence across visual arts, music, dance, theater, poetry, and more.
Witness live performances from some of the city's best talents.
Connect with Kansas City's creative and cultural leaders.
Enjoy a powerful night of tributes and honors.
Support local artists and performers while experiencing a world-class event.
Meet the 2025 Honorees
This year, we honor 12 incredible artists, musicians, and cultural icons who have significantly shaped the artistic landscape of Kansas City.
🎨 Visual Arts – Harold Smith
🎤 Gospel – Crystal Rucker
💃 Dance – Danny Hinds
🎭 Theater Arts – Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City
🎷 Jazz – Gerald Dunn
📝 Spoken Word – Glenn North
🎵 R&B (Male) – Lee Langston
🎵 R&B (Female) – Darcus Gates
🎤 Afro Beats & Reggae – Elisha Israel & AZ-One
🎧 Hip Hop & Rap – The Popper
🎸 Latin Music – La Mafia Norteña
Performances by:
🎙 Tobbi & Tommi White – Gospel Sensations
🎶 Houston Smith – Jazz Master
🎤 Carlton Rashad – R&B Performer
🎭 Shon Ruffin & Vaughan Harrison – Theater and Musical Acts
🎼 La Mafia Norteña – Latin Music Tribute
🎤 Scheeze – Hip Hop Artist
Presenters
🌟 Visual Arts Presenter – Vivian Wilson Bluett
🌟 Gospel Presenter – Carmen Simmons
🌟 Dance Presenter – Tahirah Hinds
🌟 Theater Arts Presenter – Kim
🌟 Jazz Presenter – Quez
🌟 Spoken Word Presenter – Quez & Kim
🌟 R&B (Male) Presenter – Leigh Adams
🌟 R&B (Female) Presenter – Eartha Byrd
🌟 Afro Beats & Reggae Presenter – Hot 103.3
🌟 Hip Hop & Rap Presenter – DJ Fresh
🌟 Latin Music Presenter – Fuego Urbano
Hosted by Kansas City’s Finest
🎤 Quez Beasley – Founder of 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation, cultural leader, and event visionary.
🎤 Kimology (Kim Newsome) – Award-winning talk show host, media personality, and advocate for Black creatives.