UMKC’s weekly arts, sports and culture roundup
Each week, the University of Missouri-Kansas City offers an array of on-campus activities. It’s nothing new. UMKC has a long legacy of hosting countless culturally enriching events. These activities are part of what give UMKC a vibrant campus life, and make UMKC an arts and culture powerhouse. The influence of UMKC-based and UMKC-trained alumni extends well beyond the campus’ edge, so their activities are listed here as well.
Featured Event:
What: Sunday in the Park with George
Sunday in the Park with George by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre is a one-of-a-kind partnership with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece is an evocative exploration into the importance of heritage and legacy. Inspired by the life of Georges Seurat and his famous painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” and featuring a Grammy award-winning soundtrack, this musical merges past and present into beautiful, poignant truths about life, love and the creation of art.
Where: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sept. 11 – Oct. 4
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the KC Repertory Theatre online.
UMKC Connection: Kansas City Repertory Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at UMKC. KC Rep’s main stage is the Helen F. Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus.
Sept. 9 – 15
What: “The King of Kings County”
Whitney Terrell’s acclaimed 2005 novel, “The King of Kings County,” will be the focal point for a discussion of race in Kansas City.
Where: Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. Kansas City, Mo.
When: Reception at 6 p.m.; discussion at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 9
UMKC Connection: Terrell is an assistant professor of creative writing at UMKC.
What: Volker Brass: UMKC Graduate Fellowship Brass Quintet
Alex Caselman and Meagan A. Conley, trumpets; Clark Stewart, horn; Chris White, trombone; and Ryan Snell, tuba. Dukas, arr. Barrington: Fanfare pour précéder La péri; Bach, trans. King: Contrapunctus 5 from The Art of the Fugue; Ives, trans. Singleton: Four selected songs; Anonymous, trans. King: Die Bänkelsängerlieder; Gabrieli, ed. King: Canzona per sonare No. 1 (“La Spiritata”); Cheetham: A Brass Menagerie; Pollack, trans. Cooper: That’s a Plenty; Ewazen: A Western Fanfare.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 51st and Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10
It’s free.
What: Art in the Square
Art in the Square is an initiative of the City of Kansas City to showcase public art while reinforcing the city’s commitment to investing in local artists. The exhibit represents a unique collection of thought-provoking artwork that ranges from whimsical to innovative. The first Art in the Square exhibit, which will be placed in Washington Square Park, will feature art from five local artists. The public is invited to attend the opening reception from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10 in Washington Square Park. UMKC Associate Dean of the UMKC College of Arts & Sciences Kati Toivanen will have her “Flowering Wall” on display. Toivanen is also a professor in the UMKC Art and Art History Department.
Where: Washington Square Park, Pershing Road and Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sept. 10 – Dec. 21
It’s free. For information, visit Art in the Square online.
What: Kangaroo Classic
The 1 p.m. volleyball game on Sept. 11 is Community Heroes Night. The special giveaway will be UMKC Camo Bandanas.
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sept. 11 – 12
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. General admission tickets start at $7. More information can be found online.
What: Latino-American film series
The first in a series of events focused on Latino-American history, sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, will include a screening of the documentary film Empire of Dreams. The event is the first of four film-and-discussion events to be hosted by University Libraries in collaboration with faculty in the UMKC Latina/Latino Studies program.
Where: Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery, 915 W. 17th St., Kansas City, Missouri
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12.
It’s free.
What: The Oldest Boy
When Tibetan monks believe they’ve found the reincarnation of a high Buddhist Lama as a young American boy, his parents must decide whether to hold tight to their son or send him to India for a life of spiritual training. In this richly emotional journey filled with humor and compassion, featuring the imaginative puppetry of Paul Mesner, a family must make one life-altering choice.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Sept. 20
UMKC Connection: The Unicorn Theatre was started by three UMKC Theatre graduates. Ticket prices start at $27.50 and can be purchased online.
What: The Addams Family
In this hit Broadway musical, Wednesday Addams, princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart, ”normal” young man (and her parents know very little about him). Finally, Wednesday confides in her father that she wants to marry her “normal” guy. Fearing her mother’s disapproval she begs her father to keep her secret. Can Gomez hide the truth from Morticia? A difficult task once Morticia invites the boyfriend’s parents to dinner.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Sept. 20
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates and both were presented with honorary doctorates by the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences in 2012.
What: Hiroshima-Nagasaki: Seventy Years Beyond the Bombings
In memory of the seventieth anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Physicians for Social Responsibility-Kansas City and PeaceWorks KC are hosting an exhibit at the Miller Nichols Library.
Where: Link Gallery, ground floor of the Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 4
It’s free.
What: UMKC Gallery of Art: “Transmissions/Signals”
The UMKC Gallery of Art presents “Transmissions/Signals,” the most recent work of Warren Rosser and James Woodfill. Built around a discussion of the extended medium of painting, this work brings focus to the expansive definition that both artists have of the discipline.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Room 204 of the UMKC Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 16
The exhibition opens with a free public reception from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the UMKC Gallery of Art; and runs through Oct. 16. Free parking will be available in the Cherry Street Garage, levels 5 and 6.