College Town. City Life.

Photo by James Allison

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: Crescendo 2015: New Mood Rising
Join the Conservatory for its fourth Crescendo appearance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This is the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance’s spectacular annual fundraising event for scholarships, with music and dance performed by Conservatory students and faculty throughout Helzberg Hall. Sponsored by the Friends of the Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Where: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: The evening begins with a patron reception and cocktail party at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. in Brandmeyer Great Hall. Gala patrons receive priority seating for the 7 p.m. concert. The patron dinner follows the performance in Brandmeyer Hall.
Tickets for concert only, a Conservatory Artist Series performance: $30 general; $15 for UMKC faculty, staff, and all students with UMKC or student ID. Tickets can be purchased online.


Nov. 4 – 10

What: LaBudde Special Collections Grand Opening
This is the LaBudde Special Collections grand opening and the Friends of the Library 50th Anniversary celebration. During the evening, they will unveil the “50 Years of Giving” exhibit as a tribute to the Friends’ 50th Anniversary and recognize its past and present supporters and donors.
Where: Room 325, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st. St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:
4:30 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4
This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, visit Events registration, call 816-235-1531 or send an email to UMKCFOL.

What: Trombone Ensemble
The Trombone Ensemble performs, directed by JoDee Davis. Performance pieces include Schein: “Padouana” from Banchetto musicale; Marini: Canzona, Op. 8, No. 3; Vaughan Williams: Prelude on the Welsh Hymn Tune “Rhosymedre;” Brown: Hocket & Lock-It for Trombone Octet (world premiere); Grieg: Våren (The Last Spring), Op. 34, No. 2; Small: Conversation for Tenor and Bass Trombone; Gabrieli: Canzon primi toni à 8 from Sacrae symphoniae, Book I; and Sousa: The Thunderer.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4
It’s free.

What: Michelle Nam, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Michelle Nam, piano. Performance pieces include Haydn: Sonata for Keyboard in E Major, Hob. XVI:31; Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 26 in E-flat Major, Op. 81a (“Les adieux”); Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42; Scriabin: Sonata for Piano No. 5 in F-sharp Major, Op. 53 (“Poem of Ecstasy”); and Liszt: Étude d’exécution transcendante No. 1 in F Minor (Allegro agaitato molto), S. 139.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5
It’s free.

What: Court Unveiling
UMKC Athletics is unveiling a new Kansas City-themed basketball court and introducing UMKC Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5
It’s free and open to the public.

What: UMKC Volleyball vs Chicago State
This volleyball season finale will serve as Senior Day. UMKC will honor the seniors with pre-game recognition and a free autograph session with the UMKC players after the match.
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Tickets can be purchased online.

What: UMKC Women’s Basketball vs Rockhurst (Exhibition)
All fans in attendance will receive a free 2015-16 UMKC women’s basketball schedule magnet.
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:
7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $7 each. To purchase tickets, visit the website.

What: Guest Artist Recital
This is a guest artist recital featuring Jessica Petrasek, flute; and Joseph Petrasek, associate principal percussionist of the Kansas City Symphony. Performance pieces include Fitkin: Frame LANG: lend/lease; Takemitsu: Umi e (Toward the Sea); Andres: Crashing Through Fences; and Piazzolla: L’histoire du tango.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6
It’s free.

What: Wiki Women Artists Edit-A-Thon
This is an afternoon dedicated to adding more women artists to Wikipedia. No experience necessary. Light snacks provided. Co-sponsored by the UMKC Department of Art & Art History and UMKC Graduate Art History Association.
Where: Miller Nichols Library, iX Theater, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 12 – 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7
It’s free.

What: Brian Denmark, Senior Recital
This is a senior recital for Brian Denmark, composer; with Hillary Rowley-Weiss and Michelle Jurkiewicz, flutes; Jennifer Murray, clarinet; Kim Foskett, oboe; Lauren Chambers, horn; Rachel Lovelace and Fraser Farmer, bassoons; Coleen Dieker and Nathan Humphrey, violins; and Julia Janda, clarinet. Performance pieces include Denmark: Agamemnon’s Return from Troy for Woodwind Quintet; Denmark: Ethos for Violin and Fixed Media; Denmark: Malfunction! for Bassoon Solo; Denmark: Knell of the Arctic for Fixed Media; Denmark: Chasma for String Quartet; Denmark: Meditation for Fixed Media; Denmark: Katharos for Flute Solo; and Denmark: Rend for Clarinet Solo. Film screening is by Robin Hood, directed by Yohei Ishihama with music by Brian Denmark.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7
It’s free.

What: Keith Benjamin Faculty Recital
This is a faculty recital featuring trumpet professor Keith Benjamin performing new music for trumpet and fixed media. Performance pieces include Simon: The Way Through the Woods; McCullough: The Fifth Dimension; Durant: Choragus Revisited; Joyce: Flash!; and Mobberley: Icarus Wept.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7
It’s free.

What: UMKC Men’s Soccer vs Air Force
This men’s soccer season finale will serve as Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day. Special honors and celebration will take place for those service men and women in attendance. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit active duty military and veterans. A free autograph session with the UMKC players will be after the match. Use promo code “USA” to receive special ticket offer.
Where: Durwood Soccer Stadium, 5025 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:
1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Single tickets start at $7 and can be purchased online.

What: Conservatory Choirs: Songs of Life and Love
The Conservatory Choirs present Songs of Life and Love, featuring Canticum Novum, directed by John McDonald; Blue Springs South High School Chamber Choir, directed by Jason Bean; Truman High School TruTones Chamber Choir, directed by Kim Carson; accompanists Erik Jansen, Laurie Freeland, and Linda Mann; and violinist Shupei Wang. Performance pieces include Brunner: I Am in Need of Music; Brahms: Der gang zum Liebchen, Op. 31, No. 3; Foster, arr. Halloran: Nelly Bly; arr. Culloton: In dulci jubilo; Elder: “Ballade to the Moon” from Three Nocturnes; Trad. Kenyan, arr. Kirchner: Wana Baraka; Batten: O sing joyfully; Rheinberger/Ruckert: Abendfriede, Op. 156, No. 11; Barnum: The Lady in the Water; Trad. Spiritual, arr. Haywood: Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?; and Whitacre: Five Hebrew Love Songs.
Where: St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 6415 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8
It’s free.

What: Alt. Lecture November
The UMKC Department of Art & Art History and Alt. Lecture KC present Alain LeTourneau and Caitlin Horsmon as they engage in creative conversation. Alain LeTourneau is a Portland, Oregon based artist. Caitlin Horsmon is an artist, teacher and curator based in Kansas City Missouri. Jessica Borusky will moderate the event. Alt. Lecture KC pairs a local aesthetic producer with someone from outside the city in order to generate creative conversation. With rotating speakers and locations, the series promotes creative community growth through unique presentations and dialogue among the Kansas City creatives and those who take on creative practices nationally.
Where: The Drugstore, 3948 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 – 9 p.m., Monday, Nov., 9
It’s free.

What: Chekhov from State to Page
Catherine Browder, fiction writer, playwright and UMKC alumna, will discuss her book, Now We Can All Go Home: Three Novellas in Homage to Chekhov (BkMk Press) with New Letters on the Air host, Angela Elam. Her readings within the interview will be juxtaposed with vignettes of Chekhov’s plays performed by area actors.
Where: Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, 3218 Gladstone Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7 – 9 p.m., Monday, Nov. 9
Admission is $5. Space is limited. Please contact Paul Gutierrez to register for this event.

What: Student Chamber Ensembles
Students of all degree levels perform chamber music. Performance pieces include Mendelssohn: Selections from String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80; Flegier: Quatuor pour deux hautbois et deux bassons; Mendelssohn: Selections from String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 44, No. 2; Bassi: Gran Duetto Concertato sopra motivi dell’opera La Sonnambula; and Taffanel: Quintette pour instruments à vent.
Where: Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 9
It’s free.

What: Art Sounds: Black Crack
In keeping with the social design of Beyond the Black Crack (recorded 40 years ago in the Epperson Auditorium), this new work creates a communally shared space with composer/performer/audience equality. Collaborators include Clive Graham, Sebastian Thomas, Will Bradley, Joey Watson, Dwight Frizzell, Patrick Conway, Marc Deckard and Steve Gardels. Art Sounds is sponsored by the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Where: Epperson Auditorium, Kansas City Art Institute, 4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10
It’s free.

What: Student Chamber Ensembles
Students of all degree levels perform chamber music. Performance pieces include Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon; Mozart: Allegro from Quartet for Piano and Strings in G Minor, K. 478; Ibert: Cinq pièces en trio; Arnold: Divertimento for Flute, Oboe, and Clarinet, Op. 37; and Shostakovich: Trio for Piano and Strings No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10
It’s free.

What: UMKC Men’s Basketball vs Hawaii Pacific (Exhibition)
All fans in attendance will receive a free 2015-16 UMKC men’s basketball schedule magnet.
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:
7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.

What: Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin World Premiere
The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents this play written by and starring Michael Benjamin Washington. Those who stand up for equality in 2015 are following in the footsteps of Bayard Rustin, the lesser-known but powerfully influential civil rights leader who orchestrated the March on Washington and stepped forward himself as an openly gay man at a time when few had the courage to do so. In this ode, an exiled Rustin masterminds “a tribute to the ancestors” 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Nov. 15
For more information and show times, visit the KC Rep website.

What: You Can’t Take it With You
In this Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, Alice wants to marry Tony, the banker’s son, and invites his parents to dinner to give their blessing to the marriage. But when Tony’s snooty, high-class parents met Alice’s peculiar extended family – including her grandfather the philosopher, her nutty ballerina sister and the fireworks enthusiast Mr. De Pinna – things become hilariously explosive. Cast members include New Theatre favorites Cathy Barnett, Craig Benton, Deb Bluford, Dodie Brown and Jim Korinke.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When:
Now through Nov. 29
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
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: People, Places, and Perceptions: Art by Sharon Gradischnig
This new exhibit at UMKC Miller Nichols Library, by artist Sharon Gradisching, is a look into her perspective of art over the last 10 years. The exhibit is a sample of the artist’s creative wanderings while a student at several institutions. Those include the Kansas City Art Institute where, at age 75, she earned a BFA in painting.
Where: Dean’s Gallery, 4th floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 20.
It’s free.

What: Art in the Square
Art in the Square is an initiative of the City of Kansas City to showcase public art while reinforcing the city’s commitment to investing in local artists. The exhibit represents a unique collection of thought-provoking artwork that ranges from whimsical to innovative. The first Art in the Square exhibit, which will be placed in Washington Square Park, will feature art from five local artists. UMKC Associate Dean of the UMKC College of Arts & Sciences Kati Toivanen will have her “Flowering Wall” on display. Toivanen is also a professor in the UMKC Art and Art History Department.
Where: Washington Square Park, Pershing Road and Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
When:
Now through Dec. 21
It’s free. For information, visit Art in the Square online.


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