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: Basketball Doubleheader for UMKC Women and Men’s Teams
To help celebrate the holiday season, the first 1,000 fans will receive a free UMKC Athletics Santa Hat. UMKC Women’s Basketball vs Bethany College is at 1 p.m. UMKC Men’s Basketball vs Rockhurst is at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, Dec. 19
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.
Dec. 16 – 22
What: People, Places, and Perceptions: Art by Sharon Gradisching
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: Mr. Burns
Mr. Burns is an imaginative dark comedy that follows a new civilization of survivors as they band together to build a community from the rubble of the world. It’s a look at what happens to humanity after the apocalypse. The play is a co-production with UMKC Theatre and features UMKC graduate actors, designers, stage managers and faculty.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 27
UMKC Connection: The Unicorn Theatre was started by three UMKC Theatre graduates. Ticket prices start at $27.50 and can be purchased online.
What: The Santaland Diaries
The 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, The 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: Now through Dec. 29
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online.
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: Student Media Showcase
This is a free public screening of recent short films made by UMKC students in film and media arts classes.
Where: Tivoli Cinemas, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 6:30 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16
It’s free.
What: Academy Honors Recital
Community Music and Dance Academy students perform in the Fall 2015 Honors Recital.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19
It’s free.