UMKC’s weekly arts, sports and culture 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:
KC Rep’s 50th Anniversary Season Opener – “Our Town”
Tonight at 8 pm, you could be among the first to see the Kansas City premier of a new production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” the timeless story told through ordinary events in the lives of George and Emily. The couple grows close as teenagers, marries, and remains in the same small town. During our time with them, we meet the milkman, a teacher, parents and neighbors, the paper boy – typical folks populating most small towns in early-20th-century America. What we don’t see are the stories behind these lives, and how treasured moments go unnoticed.
The play runs from Sept. 5 through Sept. 28, at the Spencer Theater in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, Mo. Ticket prices range from $20 to $35, with special $10 tickets for UMKC students with valid ID. Faculty and staff get a 50% discount on all seats, and UMKC alumni get a 20% discount. Starting times vary, so check here for the date and time.
Friday, September 5, to Wednesday, September 10
What: “Our Town”
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City Repertory
When: Friday, Sept. 5 – Sept. 28
UMKC student tickets are $10 with valid ID.
What: Power of Reading
Writers Maija Rhee Devine, Candice Millard, Brian Burnes and Alvin Sykes will talk about the potent effect reading has had on their lives.
Where: Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m.
UMKC Connection: Devine, author of Voices of Heaven, was a student in UMKC’s English Language and Literature Department and was a creative writing student of Prof. Michael Pritchett.
It’s free.
What: Men’s Soccer
The intrepid Roos take on the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars.
Where: Durwood Soccer Stadium.
When: September 10, 7 p.m.
Five bucks general admission, seven for a chairback.
Start the bus, Cougars.
What: TEDMED
TEDMED is the health and medicine version of the world-famous TED conference, dedicated to “ideas worth spreading.” You’re invited to the new Bloch Executive Hall to attend any or all of nine free, live HD simulcasts of the conference.
Some of the topics: Play is not a Waste of Time, Flat Out Amazing, Don’t You Dare Talk About This, Weird and Wonderful.
Where: Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: September 10, 11, 12.
Full program details, including speaker bios, are available at http://tedmed.com/event/stage2014.
It’s free.
What: The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Murder Among Friends,” a comedy by Bob Barry starring Morgan Fairchild. Don’t give me that blank look. She portrayed Chandler Bing’s mother on “Friends.”
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Nov. 2.
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: Barry Anderson, Professor of Studio Art – Digital Video & Motion Design
Solo exhibition Pigeon – Anderson’s single-channel video installation Pigeon (2001) (7:37 minute loop) engages the viewer in both the activity and stillness of a site. Accompanied by the existing sounds present in the piazza the video grounds us in a sense of real-time for a brief and unexpected exchange.
Where: Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through November 2, 2014.
It’s free.
What: Holly Stewart MA Thesis Exhibition
Local Grandmother Quilts Giant Penises
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Building 203, 5015 Holmes St.
When: Now through Friday, September 19.
Gallery hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact umkcgallery@umkc.edu, or call 816-235-1502 for more information.
It’s free.