College Town. City Life.

Photo courtesy of Unicorn Theatre

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: Hand to God
When sock puppet Tyrone takes on a wickedly funny and shockingly dangerous personality all his own, the introverted teenager who created him, Jason, finds his world turned inside out. Crude, lewd Tyrone has a knack for telling the truth Jason never could, and his small Texas town and Christian puppet club will never be the same. Warning: Graphic puppet sex and devilish behavior (so leave the kids at home). This production includes Jae Shanks, UMKC Theatre student, doing the sound design; and UMKC Theatre graduates Miriam Diaz, Bret Engle, Alyson Germinder and Sarah White.
Where:
Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 2
UMKC Connection: The Unicorn Theatre was started by three UMKC Theatre graduates. Ticket prices start at $27.50 and can be purchased online.

Sept. 14 – 20

What: Evita
The Kansas City Repertory Theatre kicks off its 2016-2017 season with Evita, directed by KC Rep Artistic Director Eric Rosen. Travel back to the times of revered and controversial Argentine icon Eva Perón. The Tony Award-winning rock opera, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, uses playful storytelling to explore serious social topics.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 2
Tickets to Evita start at $30. For 2016-17 season subscription and ticket information, please contact the Box Office at 816-235-2700 or visit KC Rep online.

What: Arterial Echoes: Three Generations of Creative Mentoring
This exhibition features seven UMKC Studio Art faculty alongside their mentors, as well as a student they have mentored.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, 5015 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
Now through Oct. 28
It’s free.

What: Bernard “Step Buddy” Anderson Exhibit
Jazz musician Bernard “Step Buddy” Anderson was an early innovator in multi-media presentations, combining slide shows with live musical performances. As an impressive amateur photographer, removed from the context of the multi-media shows, Anderson’s images provide a unique and often surrealistic viewpoint of the Kansas City landscape from the late 1970s.
Where: Special Collections Gallery, Third Floor, UMKC Libraries, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 9
It’s free.

What: IMP Ensemble
Join UMKC’s IMP (Improvisation) Ensemble for this brand new collaborative project, featuring Tim Harte, Dungeonmaster (AKA). Harte started at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance as a freshman composition major this fall and is the first student to audition in the Conservatory with computer as his main instrument.
Where: Night Blooms Darkroom and Bookstore, 529 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14
It’s free.

What: UMKC Softball vs. Johnson County Community College
Where: Missouri 3 & 2 Field, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16
It’s free.

What: Conservatory Orchestra
The Conservatory Orchestra, directed by Robert Olson, performs pieces by Mahler: Totenfeier; and Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16
Tickets: $8; $6 seniors; UMKC faculty, staff, and all students FREE with UMKC or student ID. Tickets can be purchased online.

What: Jennifer Fox Oliverio, Doctoral Lecture Recital
This is a doctoral lecture recital, “Songs for Two,” for Jennifer Fox Oliverio, trumpet. Performance pieces include Bellini: “Casta Diva” from Norma; Verdi: “Sempre Libera” from La Traviata; Rossini: “Ah Come Il Cor Di Giublio” from L’Italiana in Algeri; Schubert: Gretchen am Spinnrade; Schumann: Hochländers Abschied; Mahler: Ablösung im Sommer; Massenet: L’Improvisateur; Ravel: Chanson de la Mariée; and Faure’: Fleur jetée.
Where: First Baptist Raytown, 10500 E. State Rte. 350, Raytown, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17
It’s free.

What:  Benny Kim, Faculty Recital
This is a faculty recital featuring Benny Kim, violin; with pianist Grace Fong. Performance pieces include Brahms: Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100; Brahms: Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 78; Brahms: Scherzo for Violin and Piano in C Minor, WoO posth. 2; and Brahms: Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17
It’s free.

What: Alastair Wright, saxophone (Doctoral Recital)
This is a doctoral recital for Alastair Wright, saxophone. Performance pieces include Pann: Vultures; Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 32; Shrude: Litanies; Broberg: Cloud-like; Itoh: Neon Flicker; Rivera: Vortices; Theisen: Con Tristezza; and
Higdon: Dash.
Where: Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kan.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17
It’s free.

What:  UMKC Softball vs. Ft. Scott
Where: Missouri 3 & 2 Field, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
11 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 18


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