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: 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.

May 18 – 24

What: A Fearless Fête 2016
KC Rep Rocks will shine a celebratory spotlight on the beautiful renovation of KC Rep’s main stage and underscore the Rep’s ability to produce fantastically entertaining and inspiring work in an electrifying salute to rock musicals. Proceeds from “A Fearless Fête” support the art the Rep creates on stage and the kids in Kansas City served through outreach programs. The evening will include a live show featuring music from favorite rock musicals, rock ‘n’ roll themed temporary tattoos, a make-up station, Guitar Hero, lavish hors d’oeuvres from more than a dozen of Kansas City’s best restaurants, specialty cocktails, a silent auction and a live auction. Attire is “Rocker Style.” No black tie.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Friday May 20
Tickets can be purchased online.

What: Alfred Morro: The Kansas City Street Car Project: an Info – Typographic – Thesis Gallery
UMKC graduate student 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: Nicolas Lira, Lecture-Recital
This is a doctoral lecture-recital for Nicolas Lira, saxophone. The topic is “Giacinto Scelsi’s Impact on the Spectralist Attitude: A Comparison of Saxophone Repertoire.” Performance pieces include Scelsi: Maknongan; Grisey: Anubis et nout; and Risset: Voilements.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 20
It’s free.