UMKC’s weekly roundup of arts, sports and culture
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: “Street Scene”
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music and Dance is currently presenting its spring opera, Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene.”
“Street Scene” is an American opera that was written in 1946. The lyrics were written by Langston Hughes and Elmer Rice; the opera is based on Rice’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play by the same name.
The Conservatory’s performances will by directed by Dorothy Danner and conducted by Robert Bode. Their work is being funded in part by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music.
Relatedly, Bruce McClung, associate professor of musicology at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music will present a lecture titled “From the Lower East Side to Catfish Row: ‘Strawberries!’ as Cultural Mediation in Porgy and Bess and Street Scene.”
What: The Conservatory presents its spring opera, Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, an American opera. Directed by Dorothy Danner and conducted by Robert Bode.
When: 7:30 p.m., March 14; 7:30 p.m., March 15; 2:30 p.m., March 16.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the Conservatory’s calendar.
What: Bruce McClung presents a lecture titled “From the Lower East Side to Catfish Row: ‘Strawberries!’ as Cultural Mediation in Porgy and Bess and Street Scene.” McClung is associate professor of musicology at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
When: 10 a.m., Friday, March 14.
Where: Grant Hall, Room 330, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
Friday, March 14 – Thursday, March 20
What: Marion Arthur Kuszyk, oboe, and Michele Grego, bassoon, of the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform with Patricia Higdon on piano.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 1 p.m., Friday, March 14.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Master class with Michele Grego, bassoon, of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 1:30-3, Friday, March 14.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Master class with Marion Arthur Kuszyk, oboe, of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
When: 1:45- 3 p.m., Friday, March 14.
Where: James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Room 125, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Master class presented by Burt Hara, associate principal clarinetist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 4:30- 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 14.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Master class with Sarah Jackson, flute and piccolo of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 14.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: UMKC Softball Invitational: Northern Colorado vs. Western Illinois.
When: 12 p.m., Saturday, March 15.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: UMKC softball vs. Western Illinois.
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 15.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: Northern Colorado vs. UMKC softball.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, March 15.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: UMKC Softball Invitational: Northern Colorado vs. Western Illinois.
When: 11 a.m., Sunday, March 16.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: Northern Colorado vs. UMKC softball.
When: 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 16.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: UMKC softball vs. Western Illinois.
When: 4 p.m., Sunday, March 16.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: UMKC Theatre presents “Playboy of the Western World,” by John M. Synge. On the west coast of Ireland, Christy Mahon stumbles into Flaherty’s tavern. There he claims that he is on the run because he killed his own father. Because of the novelty of Christy’s exploits and the skill with which he tells his own story, he becomes something of a town hero.
Where: James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Room 116, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 23.
Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents, “When I Come to Die.” In the play, a death-row inmate struggles to understand why his life has been spared after he survives a lethal injection.
Where: Copaken Stage, 13th and Walnut streets, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 16.
Get more information on the Kansas City Repertory Theatre website.
What: Learn more about Women’s History Month and this year’s national theme, “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment.” Prizes awarded to trivia contest winners.
Where: Royal Hall, 800 E 52nd St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, March 18.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Composers’ Guild. Featuring new music by student composers of all degree levels.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: Members of the Conservatory Wind Symphony play chamber music, featuring guest faculty artist Carter Enyeart, cello.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18.
Where: City Stage at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: UMKC softball vs. Missouri State.
When: 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 19.
Where: Missouri 3&2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
Learn more on the UMKC athletics calendar.
What: Faculty recital featuring Aidan Soder, mezzo soprano with Richard Jeric, piano.
When: 5 p.m., Thursday, March 20.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.
What: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Vanya and his sister Sonia live the quiet life at the farmhouse where they grew up. But their sister Masha escaped many years ago to become a famous movie star. When Masha returns unannounced with her twenty-something boyfriend Spike, so begins an unforgettable weekend of rivalry, regret and hilarious racket.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 6.
Get more information on the Kansas City Repertory Theatre website.
What: The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Harvey,” a comedy by Mary Chase.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through April 6.
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: UMKC’s Gallery of Art is currently featuring Jorge García Almodóvar’s “en bloc.” Almodóvar’s work is driven by his belief in simplicity of expression.
When: The exhibit will run through April 11.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, 204 Fine Arts Building, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Get more information through UMKC’s press release.