Name that Flyover city! — Sep 22, 2022

Here’s a review of this week’s questions:

1. Which American city holds the record for the world’s largest tuba ensemble, set in 2018?
2. This southern city is home to a neighborhood called the Third Ward, where its professional football team’s stadium is located. What city is it?
3. What southern city is home to ItalX, an upscale Italian dining destination with an extensive Italian wine list?

And here are the answers:

1. Kansas City, MO. While “Tuba Christmas” performances are held worldwide each year, the event that Kansas City hosted on December 7, 2018, was one for the record books. Guinessworldrecords.com explains it like this: “The largest tuba ensemble includes 835 participants and was achieved by the Kansas City Symphony (USA) at TUBACHRISTMAS 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on 7 December 2018. The ensemble broke the record title with a 6 min 34 sec rendition of “Silent Night” during a performance of 13 Christmas carols and hymns. The ensemble was conducted by Prof. Scott Watson, and consisted of tubas, sousaphones, euphoniums, and baritone horns. The participants ranged in age from 11 to 86, and in several instances included multiple generations of musicians from the same family.” This year’s Tuba Christmas festivities in Kansas City will take place on Friday, December 9^th, at Crown Center Square.
2. Charlotte, NC. There are Four Wards in Charlotte’s Uptown District, designated by geographical location. The Third Ward is described as having “an urban feel with lots of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.” You will also find the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Mint Museum in the Third Ward, if that’s what you’re into. Charlotte’s professional football team, the Carolina Panthers, play at Bank of America Stadium, which is in the Third Ward. Fans and visitors can soak up the local flavor at Third Ward restaurants like Clutch Kitchen and Pour House or Graham Street Pub & Patio.
3. Lexington, KY. Opening in the middle of a global pandemic certainly presented challenges for the team at ItalX, but their difficult journey has brought them to the promised land for Lexington foodies. Located in the trendy City Center complex, ItalX was the brainchild of the CL Group, which also owns Corto Lima in downtown Lexington. Chef Jonathan Lundy and owner TJ Cox worked for years to develop their new Italian concept offering, only to have its targeted opening date fall right at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdowns. They delayed the opening, and despite a rocky start, they are now bringing upscale Italian cuisine to happy diners in Lexington. Lundy’s experience as a sommelier has made ItalX a go-to destination for wine aficionados, but the food menu rivals the wine list with delicious offerings like Agnolotti Boscaiola (sausage and mushroom pasta) and Gemelli Bolognese (beef, pork, and lamb ragù).