College Town. City Life.

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:

The University of Missouri-Kansas City Women’s Basketball team takes on North Texas at 2 p.m. Sunday Dec. 14 at Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. Renowned for her top-notch recruiting classes, Marsha Frese enters her third season as head women’s basketball coach at UMKC. The game is free to UMKC students with ID. Others pay $5 – $15. Children under 3 are free.

 

                                                          Dec. 11 – 17

What:    Musica Nova
Where:   White Recital Hall
When:   Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free. Musica Nova performs contemporary works, directed by Zhou Long, with guest composer Robert Xavier Rodríguez, and performances by the UMKC Percussion Ensemble, Nick Petrella, conductor; and Conservatory Wind Symphony, Steven D. Davis, conductor. For tickets and information, visit the UMKC Conservatory website.

What:    Composers’ Guild
Where:  White Recital Hall
When:    Friday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free. Composition students of all degree levels will present new works.

What:    Arcadia Bound
Through video, photography, appropriation, manipulation and performance, local artist Colby Jennings presents “Arcadia Bound” at the UMKC Gallery of Art.
Where:  Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   Now through Dec. 12
For more information, check the Gallery website.

What:    Men’s Basketball vs Omaha
Where:  Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo.
When:    Saturday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m.
It’s free to UMKC students with ID. Others pay $5 – $15. Children under 3 are free.

What:    Because we’re HAPPY!: An Intergenerational Musicale featuring Forever Young Ensemble and Fifth Grade Musicians from Sunset Ridge Elementary School
Where:  White Recital Hall
When:    Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What:    UMKC Theatre: “Pericles” by William Shakespeare
Where:  Performing Arts Center, Room 116
When:    Now Through Dec. 14
For tickets and show times, visit the UMKC Theatre website.

What:    Art & Action Addressing Gender-Based Violence
Where:  Project Space Gallery, 21 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Monday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m.
Featuring presentations by Arzelyn T. Umali, assistant director, Women’s Center at UMKC; fiber artists and activists NedRa Bonds and Sherry Whetstone with curator Anna-Maria Kretzer, current MA Art History student; and performance artist Jessica Borusky, studio art adjunct instructor, this event will highlight how the arts is explored as an outlet for expressions against- or based on experiences of- gender-based violence. For information, view the event on the department website.

What:    A Christmas Carol!
Where: James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Performances run until Dec. 26
Kansas City’s favorite holiday tradition is back for its 34th season, ghostlier, greedier and more gorgeous than ever before. Fans are amazed at how the Rep manages to reinvent a classic like this one; every year, there’s a new twist. Performances are at the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo. The play is open and runs until Dec. 26. Check http://www.kcrep.org/ for all dates, times and tickets. Students, call the box office at 816-235-2700 for your special prices. Get your Tim on.

What:   2014 Charlotte Street Visual Artist Awards Exhibition
Where: Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kan.
When:  Now through December 21.
Gallery hours are Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m.
UMKC Connection: Garry Noland is an alum (BA) of the UMKC Art History program. He is one of three artists, the only UMKC graduate, to win a 2014 Charlotte Street Foundation Award.
It’s free.

What:    “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”
Two American Marines and their Iraqi translator meet up with a clever tiger on the mean streets of Baghdad.
Where:  Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:    Now through Dec. 28
Tickets may be ordered on the Unicorn web site, or call (816) 531-7529 for more information.
UMKC Connection: This is one of two co-productions this year by the UMKC Theatre and the Unicorn.

What:    The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Shear Madness,” a crazy murder mystery solved by you, the audience. The comedy stars Richard Karn, Tim “Tool Time” Taylor’s flannel-shirted buddy from “Home Improvement.”
Where:  The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When:    Now through Jan. 18, 2015
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. For tickets and show times, visit the website.

 


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