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 Orchestra (Conservatory Artist Series)
The Conservatory Orchestra, directed by Robert Olson, presents an all-Richard Strauss program on our Conservatory Artist Series, with soloists Mei-Chun Chen, viola; Eman Chalshotori, cello; Leah Barnett, soprano; Logan C. Snook, mezzo soprano; and Laurel Weir, soprano. Performance pieces include R. Strauss: Don Quixote, Op. 35; R. Strauss: Duet and Trio from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59; and R. Strauss: Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11
Tickets are $12 for the general public; and free for UMKC faculty, staff and all students with UMKC or student ID. Tickets can be purchased online.

Feb. 10 – 16

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
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: And Justice for Some: The Trial of Anthony Burns (1858)
Anthony Burns escaped slavery. Despite a fierce defense at trial, he was returned to his Southern master. This powerful case helped create the party that propelled Lincoln to the White House. In a unique twist at the end of the play, theatre-goers participate as 1858 Massachusetts State Senators to discuss themes brought up by the play. The play is written by Wendy Lement and Bethany Dunakin, and is directed by Jeff Church. This is a co-production between UMKC Theatre and The Coterie.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Feb. 21
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.

What: The Diary of Anne Frank
The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents this gripping Tony Award-nominated adaptation by Wendy Kesselman from the original stage play. Newly discovered writings from the diary of Anne Frank and actual survivor accounts are interwoven to tell the chilling story of the lives of people persecuted under Nazi rule. This adaptation for a new generation sensitively confronts the true horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of a thoughtful young woman. The play is written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, and based on the book by Anne Frank. Marissa Wolf is the director.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Feb. 21
Tickets are available from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre online or by calling 816-235-2700.

What: Body-Mind Entente: Exhibition and Panel Discussion
Body-Mind Entente, a new exhibition at the UMKC Gallery of Art, features multimedia artworks curated by members of the UMKC Graduate Art History Association. The panel discussion is from 6 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, at the UMKC Gallery of Art.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Room 203, Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Feb. 26
It’s free. The opening reception, panel discussion and exhibition are free and open to the public. Free parking is available on levels 5 and 6 in the Cherry Street Garage.

What: Chi-Raq Screening and Discussion
Two showings of the Spike Lee film, Chi-Raq (shy rack), will take place at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Student Union Theatre. Filmed in Chicago, this satire is a modern-day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago. Kevin Wilmott, KU associate professor of media studies and co-writer and co-executive producer of the picture, will participate in a panel discussion following the 7 p.m. showing.
Where: Student Union Theater, 5100 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11
It’s free.

What: StoryWorks KC: Justice in the Embers
StoryWorks KC is a community engagement project from KCPT, The Living Room Theatre and the Center for Investigative Reporting, that explores the meaning of justice in the context of one of Kansas City’s most tragic crimes, and puts that story on the stage.
Where: KCPT & The Living Room Theatre, 1818 McGee St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 8 – 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11 UMKC communications majors have access to one of 30 free tickets. General admission tickets are $20. Click here to purchase tickets.

What: Soul Food Friday “Blackness as a Threat”
This interactive discussion, led by Toya Like-Haislip, Ph.D., UMKC associate professor of criminal justice, is about movements and their potential for change, while also exploring the parallels of the Black Lives Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. It features a soul food lunch buffet.
Where: The African American History and Culture House, 5245 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12
It’s free. The event is sponsored by the Multicultural Student Affairs Office and The African American Student Union (TAASU). For more information about the UMKC Multicultural Student Affairs office, visit the website.

What: William Keene, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for William Keene, horn; with Wen Zhang, piano; and Kelly Birch, mezzo soprano. Performance pieces include Cooke: Nocturnes for Soprano, Horn, and Piano; Hindemith: Sonata for Horn and Piano in F Major; Buyanovsky: Sonata for Solo Horn; Brahms, arr. Hackleman: Wie Melodien zieht es mir, Op. 105, No. 1; Brahms, arr. Hackleman: O wüsst ich doch den Weg zurück, Op. 63, No. 8; Brahms, arr. Hackleman: Der Gang zum Liebchen, Op. 31, No. 3; and Brahms, arr. Hackleman: Die Mainacht, Op. 43, No. 2.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12
It’s free.

What: UMKC Men’s Basketball vs UTRGV
It’s KC Mascot Day. Kansas City sports mascots will be in attendance for a special day of mascot fun. The first 300 fans will receive a special Kasey the ‘Roo themed T-shirt. Special entertainment by the mascots will be provided throughout the game.
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13
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: Jessica Cary, Lecture and Recital
This is a doctoral lecture and recital for Jessica Cary, oboe; with Xueli Liu, piano. The topic is “Orientalism and the Oboe.” Performance pieces include Ibert: “Tunis-Nefta: from Escales; and Hatzis: “Snake Dance (Chiftetelli)” from Telluric Dances.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13
It’s free.

What: Design Speaks 2016: Teri Rogers, Owner and CEO of Hint
As Owner and CEO of HINT (formerly Take Two / T2+Back Alley Films / T2 Studios), Teri Rogers provides the vision and the inspiration behind the success of her Kansas City-based company. Today, HINT has offices in Chicago through a partnership with Cutters — and will soon join Cutters in their new office in New York’s Soho district. HINT also has a presence in the Los Angeles market through a representation by ICM for Original program development.
Where: HINT, 1906 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 4:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 15
This is a part of the 2015-2016 Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series. It is free and open to the public.