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: Conservatory in the Schools Final Recital
Outstanding Musical Bridges students perform in the Spring 2016 Conservatory in the Schools Final Recital. This performance will also feature the winner of the 2016 Composers in the Schools Composition Competition.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 – 7 p.m., Sunday, May 15
It’s free.

May 11 – 17

What: 50 Women: A Celebration of Women’s Contribution to Ceramics
This groundbreaking art exhibit features the works of 50 diverse women artists from around the world and the contributions they are making to the ceramic arts. Co-sponsored by the American Jazz Museum, National Council for Educators in the Ceramic Arts, ArtsKC Regional Arts Council, Print Time, and UMKC Women’s & Gender Studies Program.
Where: The Changing Gallery at the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 13
It’s free.

What: KC Rep: ORIGINKC New Works Festival
Fire in Dreamland
Written by Rinne Groff – Directed by Marissa Wolf
Celebrated playwright Rinne Groff (Saved!, Compulsion) brings us the story of a modern-day young woman named Kate who is seduced by the vision of a Dutch filmmaker obsessed with the tragic 1911 fire on Coney Island.  Past and present converge against a destructive backdrop, and when Kate finally sees the illusion of filmmaking – and of life with an inattentive lover – she rediscovers her ambitions as an independent woman.
Lot’s Wife
Written by Eric Rosen – Directed by Joanie Schultz
KC Rep Artistic Director Eric Rosen (Venice, Clay) brings us the story of Adam Mace, a promising playwright with a troubling past who has written his first new play since the tragic deaths of his wife and infant child.  Set as a 1930’s noir thriller, the script opens old wounds between ex-friends and lovers as actors are made to play themselves, and even the dead take the stage to tell their side of the story in an epic meta-theatrical murder mystery that is both heartbreaking and hilarious.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 22
UMKC alumni can receive 20 percent off the ticket price. There is a purchase limit of four discount tickets per person. UMKC faculty can receive 50 percent off the purchase of tickets. There is a purchase limit of four discount tickets per person. UMKC students can receive $20 tickets in advance if they want the “best” seats. They can get $10 seats if they do “student rush” a half hour before the show. There is a limit of one discount ticket per student ID. Tickets are available from KC Rep online.

What: Alfred Morro: The Kansas City Street Car Project: an Info – Typographic – Thesis Gallery
Alfred Morro presents his master’s thesis exhibition. The goal of his project is to educate, entertain and create a positive message emphasizing the benefits the streetcar will bring to Kansas City through the expression of information graphic design, typography, branding and animation. The project includes information found in newspapers, press releases, books and online publications; and transforms the research into infographic and typographic artwork. The intention behind this process is to convert words found in everyday readings to aesthetically appealing designs.
Where: The Arts Asylum, 1000 E. 9th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 31
It’s free.

What: 2016 UMKC Student Exhibition
The UMKC Gallery of Art announces the 2016 UMKC Student Art Exhibition, which runs Thursday, April 28 – Friday, July 29. It features the work of 24 graduate and undergraduate artists. All currently enrolled students at UMKC were eligible to submit work across a variety of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design and video.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art is located in Room 203 of the Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:Now through Friday, July 29
It’s free. Check the Gallery of Art website for hours.

What: Joshua Draves-Kellerman, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Joshua Draves-Kellerman, bassoon; with Hyunki Yoon, piano and Fraser Farmer, bassoon. Performance pieces include Bach: Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007; Hidas: Concerto for Bassoon and Winds; Devienne: Sonata for Bassoon and Piano in G Minor, Op. 24, No. 5; Elgar: Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra, Op. 62; and Mozart: Sonata for Bassoon and Cello in B-flat Major, K. 292 (196c).
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 12
It’s free.

What: Imminent Vessel – A UMKC Student Performance Showcase
The UMKC Department of Art and Art History presents new work by the Spring 2016 Performance Art Course students. This work contains moments that are impending, close at hand, near, looming, in the air, forthcoming; and at times intimate and threatening, menacing and cathartic. These performances work through duration, object-based interaction, repetition and endurance performance.
Where: Front Space, 217 W. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 – 9 p.m., Friday, May 13
It’s free.

What: John Livingston, Junior Recital
This is a junior recital for John Livingston, piano; with Omari Abdul-Alim, violin and Jason West, cello. Performance pieces include Perkinson: Toccata for Piano; Bach: Concerto nach italiänischem Gusto (Italian Concerto), BWV 971; Schumann: Toccata in C Major, Op. 7; and Mendelssohn: Trio for Piano and Strings No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 13
It’s free.

What: Academy Honors Recital
Outstanding Community Music and Dance Academy students perform in the Spring 2016 Honors Recital.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 15
It’s free.

What: Enlivening Dance Onstage: What’s Edgy Now?
An award-winning dancer, choreographer, author and critic, Wendy Perron will speak on the current contemporary dance performance in America. How have choreographers Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Crystal Pite, Wayne McGregor, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin and Bill T. Jones moved the image of the beautiful female dancer and the heroic male dancer to dynamic and innovative new ways of thinking about movement in dance? How do these choreographers go deeper into what it means to be human? How have they addressed issues of political and cultural identity with fresh insights and new expression? Perron will present videos illustrating the work of these risk-taking choreographers and explain what she sees as the future of contemporary dance.
Where: Pierson Auditorium- Atterbury Student Success Center, 5000 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 17
This event is free and open to the public, but a reservation is requested through the Central Ticket Office.