College Town. City Life.

Photo by Darren Sextro

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: UMKC Theatre: “Desire: An Evening of Plays Based on Six Stories by Tennessee Williams”
Directed by Darren Sextro, Tennessee Williams’s life-changing short stories depict loss of innocence, coming of age, fighting loneliness and isolation, and what it means to love and to lose.
Where: Studio 116, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Nov. 25 – Dec. 10
Tickets can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office online.

Nov. 23 – 29

What: Have You Met Miss Jones
Legendary star of film and TV, Shirley Jones is joined by her son, Patrick Cassidy, for a world premiere event featuring stories, memories and songs from Shirley’s amazing career.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: 
Now through Nov. 27
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: 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: Stop and Smell the Roses, Man
Graphic Artist and soon-to-be UMKC graduate, Alexa Rose Di Trolio, has displayed the culmination of her senior thesis.
Where: Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 16
It’s free.

What: A Christmas Carol
Kansas City’s favorite holiday tradition is back for its 36th season. KC Repertory Theatre’s A Christmas Carol tells the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the curmudgeonly businessman who requires the intervention of a few spectral guides to understand the true meaning of Christmas and life. Complete with lively musical numbers, ornate costumes and dashing stagecraft, Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption continues to remind us what’s really worth celebrating – at the holidays, or any time!
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center; 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 24
Tickets are available from the KC Repertory Theatre online.

What: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Back at The Coterie by extraordinary popular demand, the beloved television classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. See all of your favorite characters as they come to life in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. It’s a colorful musical adventure that teaches us what makes you different can also be what makes you special. This production is directed by Jeff Church. Music direction is by Anthony Edwards and choreography is by Marc Wayne.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 31
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.

What: UMKC Women’s Basketball vs Western Michigan
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $7 each and can be purchased online.

What: UMKC Men’s Basketball vs Arkansas Monticello
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:35 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.

What: Casey Maday, Master Class
Guest Artist Casey Maday, principal trombone in the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra Iowa, and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony presents a master class to Conservatory of Music and Dance students.
Where: Room 326, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28
It’s free.

What: UMKC Women’s Basketball vs Morgan State
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $7 each and can be purchased online.

What: UMKC Men’s Basketball vs Southeast Missouri
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6:35 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.

What: UMKC Women’s Basketball vs Central Christian
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $7 each and can be purchased online.

What: Conservatory Jazz Bands
The Conservatory Concert Jazz Band, directed by Bobby Watson; will perform with the 11 O’Clock Jazz Band, directed by Dan Thomas.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29
Tickets are $8; $6 for seniors; and free for UMKC faculty, staff and all students with UMKC or student ID.


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