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: “A Christmas Carol”
More than 600,000 admirers have enjoyed Charles Dickens’ literary classic “A Christmas Carol” since the Kansas City Repertory Theatre began producing the holiday favorite in 1981. Dickens’ ageless story about the ghostly experiences of the hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge on a 19th century Christmas Eve night delights audiences each year with its message of hope, love and redemption.
The Rep’s 33rd annual production of “A Christmas Carol” is directed by Kyle Hatley and, for the 12th consecutive year, Gary Neal Johnson stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. The show runs Nov. 22 – Dec. 26 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
When Dickens wrote about Christmas customs he helped shape these holiday events into cherished traditions. Even the phrase “Merry Christmas” was originated by Dickens, who used it for the first time in “A Christmas Carol.” Dickens also created the world’s most famous miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, whose wrathful utterance “Bah! Humbug!” has become familiar around the world.
The large-scale production of “A Christmas Carol” employs a company of 68 Kansas City actors, designers and production professionals, including University of Missouri-Kansas City faculty, graduate students in the UMKC Professional Actor Training Program, and children and young performers from throughout the metropolitan area.
What: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol.”
Where: UMKC’s Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Nov. 22- Dec. 26.
Get more details on the theatre’s website.
Friday, Nov. 22 – Thursday, Nov. 28
What: UMKC’s BkMk Press, English Dept., and Creative Writing program are co-sponsoring a poetry reading with Christian Barter, Robert Stewart, and Kevin Rabas.
Where: Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7-8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22.
Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Student chamber ensembles. Students of all degree levels perform chamber music.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: The Clothesline Project. This international campaign recognizes the time between Nov. 25, the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights
Where: Health Sciences Building, 2464 Charlotte St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Nov. 26 – Dec. 10.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: The Sonance Media Exhibition and Interdisciplinary Event Series will present digital media, performance, and installation-based work every week in November and the first week of December.
Where: Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Building, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Through Dec. 6.
It’s free. Read the press release on UMKC’s website.
What: Quilted Friendship: The Art of NedRa Bonds and Nancy Dawson. Quilted Friendship, an exhibition organized in support of the Hero Quilt Project and curated by current Art History student Anna-Maria Kretzer, will feature quilts made by Bonds and Dawson as well as quilts from the Hero Quilt Project.
Where: Miller Nichols Library, first floor, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 15.
It’s free. Learn more on the Art History website.
What: Exhibition by UMKC Studio Art adjunct faculty, Dylan Mortimer. His exhibition, “Illuminate,” will be on display at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.
Where: Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Feb. 9.
It’s free. Get more information on the Nerman Museum website.
What: Garry Noland, UMKC graduate, presents “Floor Samples and Test Patterns,” an exhibition of new floor- and wall-mounted sculpture incorporating found and re-used materials.
Where: Studios INC, 1708 Campbell, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 20.
Get more information on the Art History website.
What: “Never Too Late.” Six- time Emmy nominee George Wendt stars in this comedy with his real-life wife, actress Bernadette Birkett.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When: Nov. 6- Jan. 14.
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 information on the New Theatre website.
What: Solo exhibition with Christel Highland, current Studio Art/Art History student.
Where: Bespoke Salon, 1919 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Through March 31.
Get more details on the Bespoke Salon website.