College Town. City Life.

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:

UMKC Conservatory Choirs presents “A Season for Giving,” 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main, Kansas City, Mo. The program, directed by Robert Bode and Charles Robinson, present the twelfth 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; Elizabeth Valle, harp; Halie Augustus, piano; Mackenzie Brazier, oboe; the UMKC Trombone Ensemble, directed by JoDee Davis; and the Hope Lutheran Bell Choir, directed by Nancy Strange. It’s free.

                                                         Dec. 3 – 10

What:    Women’s Basketball vs. Southeast Missouri State
Where:  Swinney Recreation Center, 5030 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo.
When:    Wed., Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.
It’s free to UMKC students with ID. Others pay $5 – $15. Children under 3 are free.

What:    “Pericles” by William Shakespeare
Where:  UMKC Studio 116, James C. Olson PAC, 4949 Cherry, Kansas City, Mo.
When:    Thursday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
This is a UMKC Theatre production. Seating is limited. Get your tickets in advance.

What:    A Christmas Carol!
Where:  James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:    Performances run until Dec. 26
Kansas City’s favorite holiday tradition is back for its 34th season, ghostlier, greedier and more gorgeous than ever before. Fans are amazed at how the Rep manages to reinvent a classic like this one; every year, there’s a new twist. And get this – the first 250 ticket buyers get a free bobblehead on Bobblehead Nights. Dec. 3 Bobblehead Night is already sold out! However, bobbleheads can be purchased at the KC Rep gift shop at every show. Performances are at the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo. The play is open and runs until Dec. 26. Check http://www.kcrep.org/ for all dates, times and tickets. Students, call the box office at 816-235-2700 for your special prices. Get your Tim on.

What:    Reach out and Read book drive
Reach Out and Read provides books to children whose parents cannot afford them. UMKC students are collecting new or gently used children’s books for Kansas City children.
Where:  Royall Hall Lobby, 800 E. 52nd Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   
Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 9-11 a.m. and Thursday, Dec. 4, 3-5 p.m.

What:    “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”
Two American Marines and their Iraqi translator meet up with a clever tiger on the mean streets of Baghdad.
Where: 
Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:    Preview Nights are Dec. 3, 4 and 5. The official run is from Dec. 6 through Dec. 28.
Tickets may be ordered on the Unicorn web site, or call (816) 531-7529 for more information.
UMKC Connection: This is one of two co-productions this year by the UMKC Theatre and the Unicorn.

What:    UMKC Conservatory Wind Symphony
Where:  White Recital Hall
When:    Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
The UMKC Conservatory Wind Symphony productions: Directed by Steven D. Davis. Grieg: Funeral March in Memory of Rikard Nordraak; Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments; Milhaud: La création du monde, Op. 81; Rodriguez: The Seven Deadly Sins. It’s free for UMKC faculty, staff and students; otherwise, tickets are $8; $6 for seniors.

What:    UMKC Conservatory Wind Ensemble
Where:  White Recital Hall
When:    Friday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
The UMKC Conservatory Wind Ensemble productions: Directed by Joseph Parisi, with guest faculty artist Zachary Shemon, soprano saxophone; Nathan: Jump Start; Nelhybel: Symphonic Movement; Nelson: Morning Alleluias for the Winter Solstice; Torke: Concerto for Soprano Saxophone; Bergsma: March with Trumpets.
It’s free for UMKC faculty, staff and students; otherwise, tickets are $8; $6 for seniors.

What:    “Private Eyes,” a play by Steven Dietz
This UMKC Theatre production is free, but the courtesy of a reservation is requested. Call 816-235-2782, or go to the website.
Where:   Grant Hall, Room 105, 5227 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   The show opens Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and runs until Dec. 7. All performances begin at 7:30 except the final one, which is a Sunday 2 p.m. matinee.

What:    Percussion Ensemble
Where:  White Recital Hall
When:    Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
This Percussion Ensemble is directed by Nick Petrella and Christopher McLaurin. It features guest composer Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Westlake, Omphalo Centric Lecture, Dietz, Sharpened Stick; Brostrom, Twilight; Kraft, Theme and Variations; Rodriguez, El dia de los muertos; Lansky, Threads; Barber, arr. Houston, Adagio for Strings, Sweeden, The Clearing.
It’s free.

What:    UMKC Conservatory Chamber Orchestra
Where:  White Recital Hall
When:    Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
This UMKC Conservatory Chamber Orchestra is directed by Robert Olson, Haydn, Symphony No. 85 in B-flat Major, (“La Reine”); Ravel, Le tombeau de couperin; Strauss, Le bourgeois gentilhomme, Op. 60.
It’s free.

What:    The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Shear Madness,” a crazy murder mystery solved by you, the audience. The comedy stars Richard Karn, Tim “Tool Time” Taylor’s flannel-shirted buddy from “Home Improvement.”
Where:  The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When:    Now through Jan. 18, 2015
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. For tickets and show times, visit the website.

What:   2014 Charlotte Street Visual Artist Awards Exhibition
Where: Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kan.
When:  Now through December 21
Gallery hours are Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m.
UMKC Connection: Garry Noland is an alum (BA) of the UMKC Art History program.
It’s free.

What:    Arcadia Bound
Through video, photography, appropriation, manipulation and performance, local artist Colby Jennings presents “Arcadia Bound” at the UMKC Gallery of Art.
Where:  Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   Now through Dec. 12
For more information, check the Gallery website.


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