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: Frank Almond, Guest Artist Recital
Special guest artist Frank Almond, violin, appears in a guest recital at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Almond currently serves as concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and teaches at the Music Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. Performance pieces include Tartini: Violin Sonata in G Minor (Devil’s Trill); Maier-Rontgen: Sonata in B for Violin and Piano; Bach: Chaconne from Partita in D Minor BWV 1004; and Strauss: Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat Major, Op. 18.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2
UMKC faculty, staff and all students are free with valid and current student ID. General public tickets are $25 and are available from the Central Ticket Office.
Feb. 1 – 7
What: Hana’s Suitcase
Past and present mysteries come together in this captivating true story spanning 70 years and crisscrossing three continents for Hana’s Suitcase: A Holocaust Mystery. This investigative play is by Emil Sher, based on the book by Karen Levine, and directed by Walter Coppage. It is a co-production between The Coterie and UMKC Theatre and in partnership with Tradewind Arts.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Feb. 12
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded The Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
What: The Fabulous Lipitones
What happens when a barbershop quartet loses a key member to a heart-stopping high B-flat? The three surviving members are scrambling to find a tenor before a national competition. When they hear golden tones being sung over the phone at an auto body shop, the three Lipitones are sure they have their fourth … but when they meet him in person, he’s not quite what they expected. An uproarious comedy with pitch perfect harmonies.
Where: New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Feb. 12
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates; the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences presented both honorary doctorates in 2012.
What: How To Use A Knife
It isn’t easy running a busy restaurant kitchen in New York City, but it may be the last chance Chef George gets to turn his life around. Behind the scenes, the kitchen sizzles with two rowdy Guatemalan line cooks, an entitled young busboy and an eerily quiet African dishwasher. When secrets from the past bubble to the surface, Chef George discovers he holds more than his own life in his hands. How To Use A Knife is by Will Snider and directed By Sidonie Garrett. It is produced at Unicorn Theatre as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere with the support of Peter Emch.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Feb. 19
UMKC Connection: Three UMKC Theatre graduates started Unicorn Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online.
What: Side by Side by Sondheim
Nominated for both London’s Olivier Award and Broadway’s Tony Award for Best Musical, Side by Side by Sondheim celebrates the music and lyrics of Pulitzer, Tony and Academy Award-winning Stephen Sondheim, arguably the most important musical theater composer in American history. Side By Side ran in London and New York for well over a thousand performances, making it one of the most successful musical revues of all time.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center; 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Feb. 13
Tickets are available from the KC Repertory Theatre online.
What: Inside the Art Life of Adrienne Walker Hoard
Beyond her life as a professor at UMKC, Adrienne Walker Hoard, M.F.A., Ed.D., is an accomplished painter, photographer and jewelry maker. Her work will be on display at the Miller Nichols Library.
Where: Dean’s Gallery, Fourth Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 19
The opening reception is free, but RSVPs are requested.
What: Frank Almond, Master Class
This is a master class with guest artist Frank Almond, concertmaster for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1
It’s free.
What: Tender
Tender deals with daily rituals that center around the construction of self. Bodily adornment and the fabrication of private, domestic spaces are explored through work featuring secondhand belongings, worn textiles and leather. The details of human presence are implied, but the lack of a visible body allows the artist to focus on the longing and vulnerability of these small presentations of personal artifacts. The artist is Katy McRoberts.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Room 203 of the UMKC Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Feb. 2 through March 2; Opening Reception is from 5 – 7 p.m., Thursday Feb. 2
It’s free.
What: Bach’s Lunch
Bring your lunch and enjoy some Bach. Lorissa Mason is the conductor. The performance piece is “Alles nur nach Gottes Willen” BWV 72.
Where: Room 122, Grant Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Noon, Friday, Feb. 3
It’s free.
What: Conservatory Singers at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Conservatory Singers, directed by Robert Bode, will perform at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Performance pieces include Bach: Alles nur nach Gottes Willen, BWV 72; Memley: Ave Maria; Ticheli: There Will Be Rest; Gibson: Sky-Born (world premiere); and Monteverdi: Beatus Vir.
Where: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4252 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3
This is free with a reserved ticket from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
What: Saxophone Studio Recital
This is a recital featuring students from the saxophone studio of Zachary Shemon. Performance pieces include Tower: Wings; Rivier: Grave et Presto; Scelsi: Tre Pezzi; Ludwig: Josquin Microludes; Karg-Elert: Twenty-Five Caprices; Lauba: Balafon; and Rich: Flocking.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3
It’s free.
What: Evan Cooper, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Evan Cooper, viola. Performance pieces include Bach: Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008; Marais: Five Old French Dances; and Brahms: Viola Sonata in E-flat Major No. 2, Op. 120.
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4
It’s free
What: UMKC Women’s Basketball vs. UT Rio Grande Valley
It’s Super Hero Day. Join in the fun day where different super heroes will be interacting with fans. For all fans showing up in their favorite super hero costume or gear, they will receive a special discounted $5 ticket. Ticket offer is valid on game day and must be purchased at the Swinney Recreation Center ticket box office.
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4
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 Women’s Tennis vs. Connecticut
Where: KC Racquet Club, 6501 Frontage Rd., Merriam, Kan.
When: 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 5
It’s free.
What: Alex Caselman, Lecture Recital
This is a doctoral lecture recital for Alex Caselman, trumpet. The title of his lecture is “New Works for Trumpet.” Performance pieces include Harrel: Clamored Cantos; Landis: Flash Points; and Stevenson: Regions of Memory.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7
It’s free.