THE PIANO/LIVING ROOM
Concert Grand Steinway in the Piano Room
Lots of options for comfortable seating in the Piano Room...
A view from the stairs...
Diastole is the perfect place for a recital...
This spacious, centrally located room opens to our elegantly landscaped courtyards which guests are welcome to enjoy during nice weather. The room is named for our concert grand Steinway, and also has a large sectional sofa and assorted chairs. A fireplace also adds warmth and cheerfulness on chilly winter days. The Piano Room is ideal for small break-out group sessions or individual reflection and relaxation.
Diastole is an increasingly popular venue for UMKC Conservatory recitals. Guests with any group are encouraged to use the Steinway piano.
THE SUNROOM
This light, airy, plant filled room extends length of the Piano/Living Room with a built-in bar, two separate conversations areas, and open space. A ceramic-tiled floor, four overhead fans and a wall of curved greenhouse windows give the space a tropical flavor. Limited bar supplies are available, including glassware for cocktails, champagne, wine and sherry. A small refrigerator to chill drinks is available. All bar glassware must be hand-washed and dried. Please call in advance to reserve use of glassware.
The Sun Room can accommodate one or two 60-inch round tables for buffet service or seating for up to 16.
The Sun Room
THE OMAR KHAYYAM DINING ROOM
Named for the 11th-century Persian poet, astronomer and mathematician Omar Khayyam, this unique room houses over 5,000 versions of Khayyam’s most famous work, The Rubaiyat. The collection has been donated to the UMKC Miller Nichols Library, but is permanently housed here at Diastole. Read the story of how Dr. Dimond began his collection of the Rubaiyat. Please call the business office to arrange dedicated time to peruse this substantial collection.
For dining or meetings requiring table space, four round tables provide seating for 32. The tables are ready to use with fitted vinyl covers. Linens are not provided, but guests are welcome to bring in their own. Floor to ceiling windows look west to Dr. Dimond’s ivy-encased copper fountain, The Water Steppes.
THE KIVA
Named after the traditional meeting spaces of the Pueblo Indians, the Kiva is a dynamic, informal theater-in-the-round. The room seats up to 70 for debates, lectures, seminars, readings, or group discussions, yet is intimate for smaller groups as well. Exceptional acoustics eliminate the need for sound amplification, and a lack of physical barriers encourages audience and presenter interaction. Enhancing the ambience is a gel-fueled circular fireplace which may be used seasonally, and a rear door that opens onto Diastole’s luxuriant, park-like grounds.
The Kiva is an Integrated Learning Environment (ILE) classroom setting. The audio/visual system includes a computer with wall-mounted screen, overhead projector, and a recessed ceiling screen. A DVD and VCR player are also part of the system. Users can bring their own flash drives or laptops to use with the system.
Sorry, food and drink are not permitted in the Kiva.
THE CAPTAIN'S ROOM
An ideal conference, meeting or small dining room; seats 8 to 10. Table pads are available for dining.
Framed photos by Mary Clark Dimond as well as our portrait gallery of all past and present Deans of the UMKC School of Medicine are on the walls.
THE LIBRARY
An expansive view of the Hospital Hill skyline provides just the right ambiance to enjoy our four-thousand volume library. Informal seating for 10+ offers an ideal space for conversation, small-group work, or break-out sessions and gatherings.
The small upstairs kitchen and dining area just off the library can service a small group.
As throughout Diastole, original art and fascinating memorabilia and collectibles line the walls and fill display cases around the room.
THE KITCHEN
Diastole’s large main level kitchen is fully equipped with a full size conventional oven, microwave, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. White service-ware, flatware, coffee cups and water glasses for 30 are available. Other kitchen amenities include coffee makers, tea kettle, serving utensils, serving trays.
THE COURTYARD
Accessible from the Piano Room, this elegant yet informal garden space provides outdoor seating for 12, a perfect location for a picnic lunch or an auxiliary bar.
The gardens feature several Japanese Maple and Redbud trees; together these are home to cardinals, robins, bluejays, and doves. The courtyard is also home to a Tang Dynasty horse fountain.
THE GARDENS
Diastole’s gardens are private and secure. The main planting theme is evergreens in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors for year-round interest. Benches are scattered throughout. A screened teahouse and covered patio area are also available for use.
Diastole offers off-street parking for 32 cars in a well-lit, enclosed parking lot. Access to the lot is from the east side of Holmes Street. Adjacent University parking areas may be secured in advance for evening and weekend events.