College Town. City Life.

Peter Christian Johnson, "Between"

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: Man and Made
The Man and Made exhibition features a broad spectrum of contemporary ceramic sculptors whose work bridges the worlds of anatomy and architecture. This exhibition features work by Brian Harper, Peter Christian Johnson, Lindsay Pichaske, Mallory Wetherell, Tyler Lotz, Matt Ziemke, Amanda Salov, and Lauren Gallaspy. Man and Made was curated by Mallory Wetherell, Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Sculpture at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. An Opening Reception is scheduled from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, 204 Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 19
It’s free.

 

                                                              March 9 – 15

What: Medea
UMKC Theatre undergraduate actors and MFA designers present a new production, Medea, adapted and directed by Joshua Kahan Brody. The play addresses the issue of the road to hell being paved with “if-onlys.” It’s easy to stand on the outside and judge. It’s easy to look in and say “what a monster, how could she?” But ordinary people do unthinkable things under the right, or wrong, circumstances. The artists lay bare the apparatus of cruelty and catharsis in this contemporary and condensed version of Medea, asking the question: When all is lost, what’s a woman to do? Medea is the timeless Greek tragedy of one woman’s struggle to take charge of her life in a male-dominated world.
Where: Room 116 of the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 12
Tickets can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office online.

What: Tomás and the Library Lady
In this inspiring true tale of how reading and stories help us all escape, young Tomás Rivera and his family are migrant workers who pick farmers’ crops. It’s hard work. It’s even rougher for Tomás because the family moves constantly to find new crops. But one summer, Tomás visits the library. He discovers worlds filled with dinosaurs and tigers, and a great new friend. This play is from the book by Pat Mora, adapted by José Cruz González and directed by Shanara Gabrielle.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 18
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.

What: Makers Curate / Curators Make
Makers Curate / Curators Make highlights the challenges and the creative parallels between curating and artistic production. Six distinguished individuals in all fields of artistic production have come together with a shared concept, to demonstrate that whether making or curating, their work is visionary. The artists in this exhibition are also responsible for curating the first exhibit of this scale in National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts’ 50-year history to feature only women artists: 50 Women: A Celebration of Women’s Contribution to Ceramics. 50 Women is on display at the Changing Gallery of the American Jazz Museum. Artists featured: Alex Kraft, Pam Luke, Anthony Merino, Sonie Joi Ruffin, Melanie Shaw and Arzie Umali. An Opening Reception is scheduled from 3 – 5 p.m. Friday, March 18. UMKC Women’s Center co-sponsored Makers Curate/Curators Make.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, 204 Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 19
It’s free.

What: The Whale
The Whale takes place in a small town in Idaho. Written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Sidonie Garrett, the play is about a six hundred pound man who sits alone devouring junk food. Determined to reconnect with his long estranged daughter, he discovers a spitfire teen with an acerbic tongue. Savagely funny and deeply touching, this first production of Hunter’s work in Kansas City will show beauty in the unexpected.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 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: Roof of the World
Both a spy adventure story and a drama of a British family caught in a political crisis, Roof is a sweeping romance that takes place on two continents during Queen Victoria’s rule. The action follows a young British explorer and an Indian spy in disguise as they travel into the uncharted territory of what is now Afghanistan. Their story unfolds amidst “The Great Game” — the race between England and Russia to map the Pamir Mountains to gain control of much of Asia. Daring escapes and fights, blossoming secret love and the transformation of a rich Victorian family put at odds with the British Empire will keep your heart racing until its final moments.
Where: Copagen Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
Now through March 27
Tickets are available from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre online or by calling 816-235-2700.

What: Over The Moon
In this hilarious comedy, two fading stars of the 1950s are playing a comedy and a drama in rotation in Buffalo, New York. On the brink of a disastrous split-up, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at regaining their stardom. One perfect performance is all they need. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong does go wrong and no one on stage knows if they’re in the drama or the comedy.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: 
Now through April 24
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: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils: Records of Earth’s Story
Rocks, minerals and fossils are windows into the past and are used to reveal the events and changes in the Earth over the past 4.6 billion years. They also provide resources essential to civilization, and display beauty in color and form in myriad ways. Dr. James B. Murowchick is an associate professor in the UMKC Department of Geosciences. He has carefully curated an array of rocks, minerals, fossils and natural resources from his personal collection and beyond just for the UMKC community. These are the materials beneath our feet, and we welcome you to experience them up close.
Where: Dean’s Gallery, Fourth Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 30
It’s free.

What: “Exposures through Time”
UMKC Libraries presents the exhibition, “Exposures through Time.” This is a photography exhibit that features a retrospective of photographs from 1970 to 2013 by Dr. Gregory Gutenko, UMKC associate professor of communication studies. Although Gutenko has worked primarily with film and video, photography was his original medium of choice. For the recognition of overlooked things and now, coming full circle, he returns to photography.
Where: Link Gallery, Ground Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 30
It’s free.

What: Composers’ Guild
Composition students of all degree levels present new works. Performance pieces include Davis: Black Sun; Xiangyu Zhao: Selections from Eight Songs of Li Yu; Sprankle: “Melancholy” from The Four Temperaments; Sprankle: In the Gardens of Jerusalem; Mao Zhu: Children in the Grave; Schumacher: Quintet for Brass; Frisbie: Royal Part II; and Qiqi Liu: Drama of the Drum.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:
7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 10
It’s free.

What: The Four Horsemen Tuba/Euphonium Quartet, Guest Artist Recital
This is a guest artist recital featuring The Four Horsemen Tuba/Euphonium Quartet, whose members include Aaron Meacham, euphonium; Beth McDonald, tuba; George Palton, tuba; and current doctoral student Jeff Barbee, euphonium. Performance pieces include Vaughan: Fanfares; Niles, arr. McDonald: Selected songs; Barbee: The Bronze Star; Kondo, arr. Palton: 4up; Victoria, arr. Self: O vos omnes; Fritze: Prelude and Dance; Foster: My Old Kentucky Home; and Fillmore, arr. Palton: The Circus Bee.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
5 p.m., Friday, March 11
It’s free.

What: Gavin Brivik, Senior Recital
This is a senior recital for Gavin Brivik, composition; with Trevor Stewart, clarinet; Sean Himmelberg, vocals and saxophone; Kim Abeyta, recorded flute; John Kelly, recorded saxophone; and more. Performance pieces include Brivik: Obstacles for fixed media; Brivik: The Monk and the Monkey (animated short rescore), Brivik: Serenity 1m1 (Serenity opening scene rescore), Brivik: Into the Woods (The Village rescore), Brivik: A Little TOO Quiet for Orchestra (inspired by cinematic action music), Brivik: Om for B-flat Clarinet and Piano Resonance and Brivik: Selections from My Electronic Rock Album.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 11
It’s free.

What: Josh East, Junior Recital
This is a junior recital for Josh East, horn; with Kelly Ker Hackleman, piano; and Kristin Weber, oboe. Performance pieces include Dukas: Villanelle for Horn and Piano; Stevens: Sonata for Horn and Piano; Persichetti: Parable VIII for Solo Horn, Op. 120; and Reinecke: Trio for Oboe, Horn, and Piano in A Minor, Op. 188.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 11
It’s free.

What: Devin Morton, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Devin Morton, oboe; with Dan Velicer, piano; Gregory Stead, oboe; Erin Graham, English horn; and Mark Lauer, bassoon. Performance pieces include Ropartz: Pastroale et danses; Vivaldi: Sonata for Oboe and Basso Continuo in C Minor, RV 53; Larsson: Concertino for Oboe, OP. 45, No. 2; Edwards: Two Pieces for Oboe Solo; and Went: Quartetto concertante.
Where: Country Club United Methodist Church, 400 W 57th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 12 p.m., Saturday, March 12
It’s free.

What: UMKC Women’s Tennis vs Arkansas
Where: Plaza Tennis Center, 4747 J C Nichols Pkwy., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, March 12
It’s free.

What: Lauren Chambers, Junior Recital
This is a junior recital for Lauren Chambers, horn; with Kelly Ker Hackleman, piano; and Josh East, William Keene, and Madeline Tarantelli, horns. Performance pieces include Madsen: The Dream of the Rhinoceros, Op. 92; Mozart: Concerto for Horn No. 4 in E-flat Major, K. 495; Massenet, arr. Rickard: “Méditation” from Thaïs; Wagner, arr. Wilcox: “Siegfrieds Trauermarsch” (Siegfried’s Funeral March) from Götterdämmerung, WWV 86d; and Beethoven: Sonata for Horn and Piano in F Major, Op. 17.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, March 12
It’s free.

What: Cellissimo! Cello Studio Recital
This is an evening of music from Rossini to Sousa for cello ensembles large and small, featuring students from the cello studio of Carter Enyeart. Guest artists include Conservatory faculty member Sarah Tyrrell, soprano, and conductor Douglas Moore. Performance pieces include Rossini: Overture to Il barbiere di Siviglia; Klengel, arr. Moore: Selections from Suite in D Minor for Two Cellos, Op. 22; Prokofiev, arr. Moore: Scherzo humoristique, Op. 12, No. 9; Gershwin, arr. Thomas-Mifune: Fragment; Apocalyptica: Path; Elgar, arr. LaBella/Morganstern: Adagio from Concerto for Cello in E Minor, Op. 85; Fitzenhagen: Concert-Waltzer, Op. 31; Part: O-Antiphonen (U.S. premiere); Fauré: Après un rêve; Dvorák: V přirodě (In Nature’s Realm), Op. 63; Klengel: Hymnus for 12 Cellos, Op. 57; Villa-Lobos: Bachianas brasileiras No. 5; and Sousa, arr. Moore: The Stars and Stripes Forever.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 12
It’s free.

What: Design Speaks 2016: Julie Cortés, Copy Diva & KC Freelance Exchange
Julie Cortés is a 15-year+ veteran of the advertising and marketing industry. She is a successful freelance copywriter and proofreader, having worked with ad agencies, corporations, design studios, small businesses and mom ‘n’ pop shops, in all media types, including print, collateral, radio, TV, outdoor, direct mail, Web, interactive and more. In 2003, Cortés founded The Freelance Exchange of Kansas City, a not-for-profit professional trade organization specifically for those who are self-employed in the advertising and marketing industry, in which freelancers swap notes, find and offer mentorship and expand their networks. The club also provides businesses and ad agencies a free resource to easily find the talent they need. This is a part of the 2015-2016 Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series.
Where: Room 105, Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 4 p.m., Monday, March 14
It’s free.

What: Tech-tet Creativity Seminar with Alias Brass Company
This seminar is with the brass quintet Alias Brass Company, whose members include UMKC alumna Natalie Brooke Higgins, horn.
Where: Grant Hall, Room 122, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 – 6 p.m., Monday, March 14
It’s free.

What: Conservatory Wind Ensemble and Ray-Pec Bands
The Conservatory Wind Ensemble, directed by Joseph Parisi, performs with the Raymore-Peculiar High School Wind Symphony, directed by John W. Wilson. Performance pieces include Ziek: Juggernaut; Smith: Concert Variations; Trad., arr. Ployhar: Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair; Giroux: Khan; Holsinger: On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss; Colgrass: Old Churches; Márquez, arr. Nickel: Danzón No. 2; Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy; and Williams, arr. Higgins: The Symphonic Marches.
Where: First Baptist Raytown, 10500 E State Route 350, Raytown, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 14
It’s free.

What: Alias Brass Company, Guest Artist Recital
This guest artist recital features the brass quintet Alias Brass Company, whose members include alumna UMKC Natalie Brooke Higgins, horn. Performance pieces include DiLorenzo: Fire Dance; Kamen: Quintet for Brass; Bach, arr. Romm: Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578 (“Little”); Pease: Gabrieli Dreams; Lee: Saudade; Brahms, arr. MacKenzie: Scherzo from Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60; Traditional: St. James Infirmary; Trad. Russian, arr. Lee: Fugue on a Theme from Tetris; Piazzolla, arr. Bhatia: Milonga del ángel; and McKee: Vuelta del fuego.
Where: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 8 p.m., Monday, March 14
It’s free.

What: Conservatory Wind Symphony
The Conservatory Wind Symphony performs under the direction of Steven D. Davis. They will perform Mozart: Serenade for Winds No. 10 in B-flat Major, K. 361/370a (“Gran Partita”).
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15
Tickets are $8, $6 for seniors, and free for UMKC faculty, staff and all students with UMKC or student ID. Purchase tickets online.

 


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