Jerad Tomasino.

Local artists at First Fridays

By: Amy Wright

Posted: 10/6/08

First Fridays is quickly becoming a Kansas City institution not to be missed.

Each month, the Crossroads district comes alive with local art, showcasing Kansas City's finest to the welcoming community, and UMKC students are clamoring to get involved.

This weekend, UMKC Conservatory's own Jerad Tomasino performed at Mildred's Coffee Shop to a lively crowd. A true performer, Tomasino approached the scene like a pro, with all the confidence of a veteran rocker. The crowd fully responded to his honest energy, drawn into his engaging presence and effortless talent.

In a true testament to his flair, Tomasino let the audience enjoy what they hear. Shining in a tough environment, where people are constantly shifting in and out of the open coffeehouse, he easily manages to capture their attention.

Inviting the crowd into his sound and his show, Tomasino truly engages them, cracking jokes about interruptions, never letting the audience feel uncertain.

Tomasino describes his music as "lyrically-driven, alternative, American-soul-rock," citing influences varied from Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) to Korn. Despite wide-ranging musical interests, Tomasino maintains as a true local artist that "honestly, the biggest influences have come from my friends. Playing live for years and years with amazingly talented people rubs off."

Tomasino certainly is an insightful and grounded musician. He began writing his own music at the young age of thirteen while living in Germany. "I loved Blink 182 and I wanted to rock out," he said of his early days.

With his band nifty250, Tomasino has released a full-length album entitled "The Jolly Time Machine." For a taste of Tomasino's music, check out www.myspace.com/nifty250, or listen to more recent work at www.myspace.com/jeradandfriends.

As for his time at UMKC, Tomasino loves learning about music at the Conservatory. When asked how his degree is preparing him for a career in the music industry, Tomasino replied, "It's kind of double-edged. Songwriting is a very personal, free-flowing thing, and sometimes I find myself over-analyzing. But I think over time, as information is internalized, it becomes a great help."

To fully round out his musical education, Tomasino also attends a continuing education course for Audio Engineering through Johnson County Communtiy College at BRC Audio Productions.

Tomasino's performance was not the only thing drawing crowds to the Crossroads district. The streets of First Fridays are busy with Kansas City locals and visitors both young and old.

Students from various local schools can hang out and enjoy the evening among friends, and at Mildred's there is no exception.

Mildred's Coffee Shop is on its way to becoming a homegrown Kansas City establishment.

The Crossroads location at 1821 Wyandotte opened in 2004, after the success of the original branch in the AMC World Headquarters building. Evan Ashby, employee and son of Mildred's founders and owners Tom and Debbie Ashby, remains a staunch supporter of First Fridays.

"I promote it as much as I can to all my friends and all the people on campus, because it shows how hip our city really is," said Ashby. "People don't understand that Kansas City has all these talented artists and musicians."

Fortunately, Mildred's is a huge supporter of local art and music. Every month they feature artists' work in their cozy shop. This month Jackie Denning shows hand-carved and printed block prints of Kansas City.

Depicting local scenes from the Kansas City skyline to the Nelson Atkins lawn and the Plaza fountains, these black-and-white prints are a testament to the beauty of our city.

From Tomasino's energetic performance to Denning's Kansas City art to Mildred's welcoming arms, there simply is no question: First Fridays are not to be missed.

Next month, head down to the Crossroads district on November 7 to support Tomasino and other local artists for what is sure to be a night to remember celebrating life and art in Kansas City.

awright@unews.com