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: Conservatory Jazz Bands
The Conservatory Concert Jazz Band and 11 O’Clock Jazz Band perform. They are directed by Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas. The program, to be announced from the stage, will be selected from: Maiden: A Little Minor Booze; Navarro: Nostalgia; McBride: Shade of the Cedar Tree; Ellington: Daybreak Express; Hancock: Tell Me a Bedtime Story; Golson: Stablemates; Heath: Sound for Sore Ears; Shorter: Infant Eyes; Nelson: Ballad for Benny; Metheny: 5-5-7; Davis: Freddie the Freeloader; Dietz/Schwartz: Alone Together; and Mintzer: The Red Sea.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8
Tickets: $8, $6 seniors, UMKC faculty, staff, and all students are free with UMKC or student ID. Tickets can be purchased online.
Dec. 3 – 8
What: Patterns
“Patterns” is an exhibition that displays the investigations of three artists from Imagine That! Artists Lesley, Rickey and Linda all display unique and personal ways in which they investigate patterns, and how they arise from compositions of line, color, and repetition.
Where: Link Gallery, Ground Floor, Miller-Nichols Library
When: Now through Dec. 18
It’s free.
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.
What: A Christmas Carol
Kansas City’s favorite holiday tradition, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is back for its 35th season for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre at the newly renovated Spencer Theatre. A Christmas Carol is adapted for the stage by Barbara Fields and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s Producing Director Jerry Genochio.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 24
Tickets are available from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre online or by calling 816-235-2700.
What: Out of Order
A dead body is found on the balcony at the Watergate Hotel by a less than ethical U.S. Senator who has booked the room for nefarious purposes. If the body is discovered, the Senator’s career will tank. So he has his assistant remove it, only to find that it keeps reappearing every time. This crazy shell game involves a conniving waiter, an alert private detective, a suspicious hotel manager, an angry wife, a furious husband, a bungling secretary and an unconscious nurse, creating one of the cleverest and funniest hide-and-seek farces ever written.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Feb. 14, 2016
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: Musica Nova
Musica Nova performs contemporary works, directed by Zhou Long. Performance pieces include Ives: “Country Band” March; Crawford Seeger: Diaphonic Suite No. 1; Cage: Suite for Toy Piano; Harrison: First Concerto for Flute and Percussion; Hovhaness: Divertimento for Winds, Op. 61, No. 5; Carl: River’s Bend; and Marclay: Shuffle.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3
It’s free.
What: Erik Augereau, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Erik Augereau, bass trombone; with Patricia Higdon, piano; Chris White, tenor trombone; and Burnt Ends Brass: Jeff Curtin and Kelsey Shields, trumpet; Devon Martene, horn; and Samantha Beemer, trombone. Performance pieces include Wilder: Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano; Gillingham: Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano; Small: Conversation for Tenor and Bass Trombone; Calvert: Suite from the Monteregian Hills; and Tay: SalSoSa!
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3
It’s free.
What: Santaland Diaries
Santaland Diaries is a hilariously irreverent holiday show. It’s David Sedaris’ side-splitting send-up of Christmas and his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. Featuring an uproarious soundtrack of holiday tunes, Santaland Diaries skewers everything we love, and secretly loathe, about the holidays. See what it’s like for the subversive to work at Santaland, where the only thing more plentiful than good cheer is a good case of the giggles. The play is directed by Eric Rosen and written by David Sedaris.
Where: The Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way Kansas City, Mo.
When: Dec. 3 – 29
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online.
What: Brittany Wasko, Senior Recital
This is a senior recital for Brittany Wasko, viola, with Jordan Buchholtz, piano. Performance pieces include Casadesus: Adagio molto espressivo from Concerto for Viola in C Minor in the style of J.C. Bach; J.S. BACH: Prelude from Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008; Bruch: Romance for Viola and Orchestra in F Major, Op. 85; and Vieuxtemps: Élégie pour alto et piano, Op. 30.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
It’s free.
What: Courtney Burris Ruth, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Courtney Burris Ruth, violin, with Dan Velicer, piano and Jordan Voth, piano. Performance pieces include Brahms: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100; and Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 (“Kreutzer”).
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
It’s free.
What: Xueli Liu, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Xueli Liu, piano. Performance pieces include Debussy: Children’s Corner, L. 113; Brahms: Theme and Variations in D Minor (after Sextet for Strings, Op. 18); Schumann: Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), Op. 15; and Tan Dun: Eight Memories in Watercolor.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
It’s free.
What: Benjamin Shellhaas, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Benjamin Shellhaas, percussion.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
It’s free.
What: Michelle Jurkiewicz, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Michelle Jurkiewicz, flute, with Dan Velicer, piano. Performance pieces include Bach: Sonata for Flute and Obbligato Keyboard in A Major, BWV 1032; Poulenc: Sonate pour flûte et piano; Hindemith: Acht Stücke für Flüte solo; Takemitsu: Meguri [Itinerant] (In memory of Isamu Noguchi); and Feld: Sonata pour flûte et piano.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
It’s free.
What: Coleman House Opening
The annual tradition returns! See the museum’s nine-foot-tall dollhouse decked out for the holiday season. Get up close as museum educators open the doors for a day of in-depth talks about the museum’s largest dollhouse.
Where: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, 5235 Oak St. Kansas City, Mo.
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
The Coleman Dollhouse Opening event is included with admission to the museum, which is $5 for anyone age 5 and up, and free for UMKC faculty, staff and students.
What: Chris White, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital with Chris White, trombone; with Dan Velicer, piano; Erik Augereau, bass trombone; and Volker Brass: Alex Caselman and Meagan A. Conley, trumpets; Clark Stewart, horn; and Ryan Snell, tuba. Performance pieces include David: Concertino for Trombone in E-flat Major, Op. 4; Rota: Concerto for Trombone; Small: Conversation for Tenor and Bass Trombone; and Ewald, ed. Thomas: Quintet No. 1 in B-flat Minor, Op. 5.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 12 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: Herin Cho, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Herin Cho, violin; with Xueli Liu, piano and Hui-Yi (Wendy) Kao, viola. Performance pieces include Leclair: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D Major, Op. 9; Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 6 in A Major, Op. 30, No. 1; Mozart: Duo for Violin and Viola in G Major, K. 423; Kreisler: Praeludium and Allegro in the style of Pugnani; Kreisler: Schön Rosmarin; and Milstein: Paganiniana.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: Madeline A. Lee, Senior Recital
Senior Recital for Madeline A. Lee, horn; with Kelly Ker Hackleman, piano; Michael O’Brien, flute; Kim Foskett, oboe; Brandon Crawford, clarinet; and Rachel Lovelace, bassoon. Performance pieces include Schuck: The Crusader; Amram: Blues and Variations for Monk; Handel, arr. M. Hackleman: Selections from O numi eterni, HWV 145 (“La Lucrezia”); and Poulenc: Sextet for Piano and Winds, Op. 100.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: Jeff Seba, Senior Recital
Senior Recital for Jeff Seba, percussion. Performance pieces include Bach: Sonata for Violin No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001; Carter: “March” from Eight Pieces for Four Timpani; Ferchen: A Farewell to Those Left Behind; Hollinden: Cold Press; Ford: Polaris; and Koshinski: As One.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: Tobiah Murphy, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Tobiah Murphy, violin, with Dan Velicer, piano. Performance pieces include Bach: Sonata for Violin No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001; Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3; Saint-Saens: Introduction et rondo capriccioso, Op. 28; and Prokofiev: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in F Minor, Op 80.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: Conservatory Choirs: “A Season for Giving”
The Conservatory Choirs, directed by Robert Bode and Charles Robinson, present “A Season for Giving,” the 13th annual choral concert to benefit the Harvesters Community Food Network. Non-perishable food items and monetary contributions to Harvesters will be accepted. Guest artists include Dale Morehouse, organ; the UMKC Trombone Ensemble, directed by JoDee Davis; and the Hope Lutheran Bell Choir, directed by Nancy Strange. Performance pieces include Gabrieli: Hodie Christus natus est; Hassler: Dixit Maria ad angelum; Redner/Brooks: O little town of Bethlehem; Trad. Irish Carol, arr. Stopford: The Wexford Carol; Wade: O Come, All Ye Faithful; Elgar: The Snow, Op. 26, No. 1; Regney/Shayne: Do You Hear What I Hear; Davis/Onoroti/Simeone: The Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum); Clausen: There is No Rose; Mendelssohn/Wesley: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Whitacre: Lux Aurumque; Anon, arr. Engelhardt: “Gaudete!” from Piae Cantiones; Bach: Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (Robert Simpson, cello); arr. Martinson: Veni, veni, Emmanuel; arr. Krug: The Sussex Carol; Trad., arr. Gibbs: Go Tell It on the Mountain; Trad.: Angels We Have Heard on High; Guaraldi/Mendelson: “Christmas Time Is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas; Heber, arr. Kirchener: Brightest and Best; Trad., arr. Pelz: The First Noel; attrib. Handel, arr. Kuykendall: Joy to the World; and more.
Where: Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: UMKC Graduate Fellowship String Quartet
The UMKC Conservatory Graduate Fellowship String Quartet performs with Yee Ling Elaine Ng and Yi-Miao Huang, violins; Mei-Chun Chen, viola; and Qizhen Liu, cello; with guest artists Alice Anne Light, mezzo soprano and Brian Woods, piano. Performance pieces include Heggie: Camille Claudel: Into the Fire; Bartok: String Quartet No. 4; and Shostakovich: Quintet for Piano and Strings in G Minor, Op. 57.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
It’s free.
What: UMKC Women’s Basketball vs Stephens College
Where: Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 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: Xin Shao, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Xin Shao, tenor.
Where: Hickman Mills Community Christian Church, 5809 East Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6
It’s free.
What: Percussion Ensemble
This Percussion Ensemble performance is directed by Nick Petrella and Chris McLaurin. Performance pieces include Coop: Echos; Koshinski: As One; Klastzow: Variations on the Theme of Paganini; Harrison First Concerto for Flute and Percussion; and Reich: Clapping Music.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6
It’s free.
What: Evan Cooper, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Evan Cooper, viola.
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6
It’s free.
What: Patrick Doyle, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Patrick Doyle, trumpet.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6
It’s free.
What: Alex Caselman, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Alex Caselman, trumpet.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7
It’s free.
What: Yee Ling Elaine Ng, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Yee Ling Elaine Ng, violin.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7
It’s free.
What: Matt Beckmann, Guest Artist Recital
This is a guest artist recital featuring Kansas City Symphony musician Matthew Beckmann, cello, with Michelle Nam, piano. Performance pieces include Beethoven: Sonata for Piano and Cello in C Major, Op. 102, No. 1; Ligeti: Sonata for Cello solo; and Prokofiev: Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Major, Op. 119.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7
It’s free.
What: Jennifer Fox Oliverio, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Jennifer Fox Oliverio, trumpet.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8
It’s free.
What: Yi-Miao Huang, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Yi-Miao Huang, violin.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8
It’s free.
What: Sandra Fernández Vizcaíno, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Sandra Fernández Vizcaíno, flute.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8
It’s free.