UMKC’s weekly arts, culture and sports roundup
Every 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: The Planets
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music and Dance will open its 2013-14 Conservatory Artist Series with a performance that’s out of this world.
The Conservatory Wind Symphony, under the direction of Steven D. Davis, will perform Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Op. 32. Holst called his work, based on astrological characteristics of Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, a “series of mood pictures.”
The concert will begin at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, on the Helzberg Hall Stage of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
A high-definition film of NASA’s solar system exploration, including stunning images from the Mars Rovers and past probe missions Magellan, Voyager, and Galileo, will accompany the performance. Commissioned by the Houston Symphony and created by filmmaker Duncan Copp, in cooperation with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, The Planets–An HD Odyssey is a fantastical accompaniment to Holst’s cosmic masterpiece.
The Astronomical Society of Kansas City will have high-powered telescopes on the South side of the Kauffman Center for planet gazing before and after the concert, and during intermission. Astronomers from UMKC’s Dept. of Physics and Astronomy will be on hand to answer questions.
Tickets are $25, and $10 for all UMKC faculty, staff, and all students with ID. Service fees apply. Contact the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 or click here.
What: “The Planets: An HD Odyssey.” The Conservatory Wind Symphony, under the direction of Steven D. Davis, performs Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Op. 32. A high definition film, showcasing NASA solar system exploration, accompanies the performance.
When: 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28.
Where: Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
Get more details.
Friday, Sept. 27 – Thursday, Oct. 3
What: Spatial Studies, a solo exhibition by John Lamberton, UMKC alumnus, will be on display in City Ice Arts.
Where: City Ice Arts, 2015 Campbell, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Sept. 27.
Get more details.
What: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents “The Tallest Tree in the Forest.” As an internationally-renowned vocalist and star of stage and screen, Paul Robeson was one of the best known African American artists in the world in the early 20th century. Through his singing and acting talent, he became enormously popular and wealthy; but as a champion for human rights, he became controversial to his people and his country.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H and R Block Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Sept. 28.
Get more details.
What: Regalia Run/ Walk 5K and Kangaroo Hop. Proceeds from the Regalia Run will go to support student scholarships for UMKC students and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.
When: 8 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 29
Where: The Quad, 5110 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Get more details.
What: “Graduation” Block Party – an event that will be perfect for family and friends. At the block party, there will be bouncy houses and other fun activities for children and adults, the School of Nursing and Health Studies Alumni Association will be on hand to take blood pressure before and after the race, the UMKC Staff Council will kick off their special school supply drive for MPACT, and of course, there will be food.
When: 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 29
Where: The Quad, 5110 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: RooBot Tours. Take a tour of the library robot, a high-tech automated storage and retrieval system. Tours last approximately 15 minutes.
Where: Miller Nichols Library 800 E 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Sept. 29-Oct. 4.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Commemoration Day ceremony.
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Master Class with UMKC graduate Cynthia Watson. Watson is the associate dean for Research & Outreach at the National War College. Her presentation is entitled, “Sino-U.S. Relations: Why is this so hard?” RSVP here.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Master Class with UMKC graduate Jim Steele. Steele is a contributing editor for Vanity Fair. His presentation is entitled: “Who Will Be the Watchdog? The Future of Investigative Reporting in America.” RSVP here.
Where: Miller Nichols Library, Room 151, 800 E 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: A lecture by Steven Peterman, founder of the Sketchbook Project. His presentation is entitled “The Sketchbook Project: A Global Library Grows.”
Where: IX Theatre, Student Union, 5100 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Visit the Sketchbook Project’s mobile library. Learn more here.
Where: Playhouse Mall, north of 51 St. and Holmes, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2 -8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Union Programming Board presents: a Student Talent Show.
Where: The Student Union Theatre, 5100 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
It’s free.
What: Master Class with UMKC graduate Tim Buie. Buie is a pediatric gastroenterologist with the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. His presentation is entitled “Speechless: Lessons Learned from Caring for My Autism Patients” RSVP here.
Where: Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall, 5110 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Master Class with UMKC graduate Donald Fehr. Fehr is the executive director for the National Hockey League Players Association. His presentation is entitled “Reflections on 38 years in Professional Sports.” RSVP here.
Where: Student Union, room 401, 5100 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: The UMKC Art Gallery presents “Anomalous.” This exhibition is inspired by the aesthetics of the science fiction genre, featuring local and national artists Matt Borruso, Jonah Criswell, Scott Dickson, Ari Fish and Colin Leipelt. The exhibition also includes a collection of vintage Philip K. Dick paperbacks, courtesy of Tim Fisher.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Bldg. 203, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Exhibit runs through Friday, Oct. 4. Free, open-to-the-public film screenings will take place at 7 p.m., in the gallery. “2001: A Space Odyssey” is the final film in the series. It will be shown Oct. 3.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: UMKC Theatre presents “Seven Guitars,” written by August Wilson and directed by Scott Stackhouse. “Seven Guitars” is Wilson’s fifth play to document the 20th-century African American experience. It is set in Pittsburgh in 1948.
Where: Olson Performing Arts Center, Studio 116, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: The production will preview Sept. 27 – Oct. 1; open formally Oct. 2 and run through Oct. 6.
Get more details.
What: Film Screening: “Beware of a Holy Whore,” sponsored by UMKC Communications Studies.
Where: Tivoli Cinemas, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
Free to UMKC students, faculty, and staff with UMKC ID. All others pay $5. Get more details.
What: Musica Nova Directed by Zhou Long, featuring the music of the Conservatory’s composition faculty and performances by faculty artists Zachary Shemon, saxophone; and JoDee Davis, trombone.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
Get more details.
What: “The Fox on the Fairway,” starring three-time Academy Award nominee Dyan Cannon. This chaotic comedy takes audiences on a hilarious romp that pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy denizens of a private country club.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Nov. 3.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates and both were presented in 2012 with honorary doctorates by the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences.
Get more details.