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:

What:  HEMISPHERES: Sound Photographs from Madagascar
HEMISPHERES is an immersion. Through imagery, song and story, the audience is transported to Madagascar, to isolated corners of this remote island nation, and into an unprecedented collection of songs. The music discovered there was written and performed entirely by members of the Unbound program in Madagascar, giving voice to a community and their culture.
This is part of the PortFOLio Series, sponsored by the UMKC Friends of the Library. The College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association and Unbound are cosponsors.
Where:  Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Dean’s Gallery, 4th Floor.
When:  This exhibit opens January 15 with a reception from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and remains until Feb. 22. Free parking for the opening reception is available in Lot 40 off of Rockhill Road next to the Library, and on Level 5, Cherry Street Garage. Location of parking lots can be found here. The closing reception is Friday, Feb. 13, from 5 – 7 p.m. For more information, please call Ashley Davis at 816-235-1531.
It’s free.

                                                                Jan. 14-20

What:  Men’s basketball vs. Chicago State
On the Chicago State website, their mascot, Southside T. Cougar, says Kangaroo is one of his favorite foods. Not this time, S.T. You’ll be looking for loose change in the couch to buy a burger somewhere.
Where:  Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2:05 p.m.
It’s free to UMKC students with ID. Others pay $5 – $25. Children under 3 are free.

What:    Studios art exhibition
Local mid-career artists have a friend. Studios Inc offers them assistance through a paid residency program with the space and the facilities to produce larger, more ambitious works. All they ask in return is that artists exhibit annually in The Studios Inc Exhibition Space. There is one going on right now.
Where:  Studios Inc Exhibition Space, 1708 Campbell, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   The exhibit is open and runs until Feb. 15.
UMKC Connection:  Exhibiting artist Ricky Allman is an associate professor in UMKC’s Department of Art and Art History.
It’s free.

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.

What: On Behalf of One’s Obsessions
Exhibit of artists’ more daring, riskier, unconventional works. John Updike said that’s what distinguishes artists from entertainers.
Where: Haw Contemporary, 1600 Liberty Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When:  Now through Jan. 24, 2015. Check the gallery’s website for times.
It’s free. UMKC Connection:  Barry Anderson is a UMKC art professor, Garry Noland is a UMKC Art History alumnus, and Davin Watne is a lecturer in the UMKC arts program.