Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City

The Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City is a notable multi-purpose venue known for its Streamline Moderne and Art Deco architecture. Opened in 1935, it was the first building completed under the city's "Ten-Year Plan," led by the Civic Improvement Committee and figures like Thomas Pendergast. Designed by Alonzo H. Gentry, Voskamp & Neville, with input from Hoit, Price & Barnes, it was built on the old Convention Hall site and hailed as one of the top buildings of the year by Architectural Record. The auditorium connects conveniently to the H. Roe Bartle Convention Center and nearby hotels through skywalks and underground paths.

The Municipal Arena is a key venue for major athletic events, including the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tournament since 2003 and the NAIA Men's Division I Basketball National Tournament. It has hosted historic events like the NCAA Final Fours and the last NCAA game in 1964. Previously home to Kansas City’s pro basketball teams, including the Kings until 1974, it also witnessed Darryl Dawkins shatter a backboard in 1979. Now, it hosts UMKC Kangaroos basketball and the Kansas City Roller Warriors.

Next to the Arena is the Kansas City Music Hall, a 2,400-seat proscenium theatre with a stunning Streamline Moderne interior. It's a key spot for Broadway shows, symphonies, operas, and ballets and was once the main hall for the Kansas City Philharmonic. A highlight is the 1927 Robert-Morton Theatre Pipe Organ, originally from the Midland Theatre and now maintained by Kansas City Theatre Pipe Organ, Inc. This lively venue remains a cultural staple in Kansas City, merging historic charm with modern appeal.