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: Book Talk and Signing: “The Uncrushable Rose” by Bambi Nancy Shen
Bambi Nancy Shen, (M.A. ‘76) will talk about her book and sign them at an upcoming event, part of the Friends of the Library 50th Anniversary festivities.
Where: Jeanette Nichols Forum on the first floor of the Miller Nichols Learning Center, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.
It is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

April 2 – 7

What: HAIR: Retrospection
The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents this concert documentary event. Directed by KC Rep’s Artistic Director Eric Rosen, the musical that defined a generation and brought rock music to the theatrical stage, HAIR: Retrospection captures the essence of the revolution and passion of the 1960s. In addition to its legendary score, this production features documentary interviews with original Broadway artists and continues KC Rep’s tradition of reimagining the classic musical. Book and lyrics are by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Music is by Galt MacDermot. It is produced for the Broadway stage by Michael Butler and was originally produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre. This production contains adult language and situations, and images of brief nudity. It is appropriate for ages 17 and older.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Center for Performing Arts, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: March 20 – April 12
For tickets and information, contact KC Rep.

What: “Humanities Education for the Whole Person”
Sponsored by the UMKC Black Studies Program, this presentation is a talk with Stanford Thompson, an African American musician and trumpeter.
Where: Black Studies House, 5305 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Thursday, April 2, 2 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Wind Symphony Chamber Players
Members of the Conservatory Wind Symphony perform chamber music, directed by Steven D. Davis and graduate assistant conductors Adam Fontana, Christopher Kaatz, and Derek Shapiro. Their performance includes BEETHOVEN: Octet for Winds in E-flat Major, Op. 103; GOUNOD: Petite symphonie; and ENESCU: Dixtuor for Winds in D Major, Op. 14.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5228 Charlotte, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Wednesday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: The Muñeca Project: An Exhibition by David Ford
For the last 35 years, David Ford has pursued an interest in Guatemalan culture. He first traveled there in the 1980s, during its civil war, as an observer for Amnesty International, bearing witness to the potential violence in the region. In 2009, while visiting the lakeside market town of Panajachel, an object caught Ford’s eye—a muñeca, or doll. Vendors use these plastic doll busts with braided hair to demonstrate the various styles of hair wraps marketed to tourists. The Muñeca Project incorporates econometrics into drawings, paintings and installations ultimately confronting issues of classical political economy and post-colonial theory.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 3.
It’s free. For information, visit the UMKC Gallery of Fine Arts website.

What: John O’Conor, piano, guest artist recital
The performance includes BEETHOVEN: Six Bagatelles for Piano, Op. 126; and BEETHOVEN: 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: UMKC Softball vs Grand Canyon
Where: 3 & 2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, April 3, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Tickets start at $5. To purchase tickets, visit the website.

What: UMKC Softball vs Grand Canyon
Where: 3 & 2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 4, noon
Tickets start at $5. To purchase tickets, visit the website.

What: John O’Conor Master Class
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m.
It’s free.

What: Robert Young, saxophone, Master Class
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 4, 1 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Robert Young, guest artist recital, with Dan Velicer, piano
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Visiting Designer Lecture: Nate Voss
Nate Voss joined VML in 2011 as a senior art director bringing a strong foundational design approach to clients across the globe. In 2014, he joined VML’s Mobility Group to establish best practices for design across all mobile customer touch points and products in North America.
Where: Fine Arts Building Room 106, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Monday, April 6, 4 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Concerto/Aria 2015 Winners Concert
This concert features the 2015 Concerto/Aria winners performing with the Conservatory Orchestra, directed by Robert Olson, assisted by graduate conductors Luis Víquez, Boris Vayner, and Ramiro Miranda; including the winning work of the 2014 Gerald Kemner Prize in Orchestral Composition Competition. WANG, A-MAO: Impressions of Beijing Opera (Kemner Prize Winner); WILBY: Concerto for Euphonium (David Dimmit); LARSSON: Concertino for Trombone, Op. 45, No. 7 (Chris White); and GERSHWIN: Allegro from Piano Concerto in F (Charles Hoeft).
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Monday, April 6, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Jazz Combos
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5228 Charlotte, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Tuesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Forever Plaid”
This internationally acclaimed musical revue tells the story of four young, eager, male singers who in 1950 meet their demise in a bus crash on the way to their first big concert. Every evening they return from Heaven to posthumously fulfill their dreams, to perform the concert that never was.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through May 3
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.