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:  Hand Print Press National Print Exhibition
The UMKC Department of Art & Art History presents the UMKC Hand Print Press National Print Exhibition, featuring the work of 29 printmakers from across the United States. Exhibited works were selected by Juror Dr. Sandra Olsen, who serves as director of the University of Buffalo Art Galleries. The exhibition is sponsored by UMKC Hand Print Press.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Building 203, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  The exhibit opened January 22, 2015, and remains until Feb. 26, 2015.
It’s free.

Feb. 4-10

What:  Learn to knit or crochet
Do you knit or crochet or do you want to learn? Join us for knitting, conversation, and fun! All skill levels and fiber arts welcome. If interested in joining the group, please RSVP to Brenda Bethman (bethmanb@umkc.edu) or Kathleen Schweitzberger (schweitzbergerk@umkc.edu) as soon as possible. Supplies are not provided.
Where: UMKC Women’s Center, 5120 Rockhill Road, 105 Haag Hall, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   The first session is Friday, Feb. 6, at 12:30 p.m., and then the group will meet biweekly on Fridays.
Men, please feel free to come. You will be joining the ranks of Russell Crowe, George Lucas, Laurence Fishburne, Sufjan Stevens, and David Arquette.
It’s free.

What:  HEMISPHERES: Sound Photographs from Madagascar
HEMISPHERES is an immersion. Through imagery, song and story, the audience is transported to Madagascar, to isolated corners of this remote island nation, and into an unprecedented collection of songs. This is part of the PortFOLio Series, sponsored by the UMKC Friends of the Library. The College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association and Unbound are cosponsors.
Where:  Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Dean’s Gallery, 4th Floor.
When:  Now through Sunday, Feb. 22. A closing reception will be held Friday, February 13th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call Ashley Davis at 816-235-1531.
It’s free.

What:    Studios art exhibition
Studios Inc offers local artists assistance through a paid residency program with the space and the facilities to produce larger, more ambitious works. In return, the artists exhibit annually in The Studios Inc Exhibition Space. There is one going on right now.
Where:  Studios Inc Exhibition Space, 1708 Campbell, Kansas City, Mo.
When:   The exhibit is open and runs until Feb. 15.
UMKC Connection:  Exhibiting artist Ricky Allman is an associate professor in UMKC’s Department of Art and Art History.
It’s free.

What: The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Forever Plaid,” This internationally acclaimed musical revue tells the story of four young, eager, male singers who in 1950 meet their demise in a bus crash on the way to their first big concert. Every evening they return from Heaven to posthumously fulfill their dreams, to perform the concert that never was.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When:   Opened Feb. 19 for a run until May 3, 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:  Lasso of Truth
A play by Carson Kreitzer about William Moulton Marston, the man who invented the lie detector test and wrote the first Wonder Woman stories. A natural fit, as we all know Wonder Woman hates a liar. This co-production with Unicorn Theatre is directed by Johnny Wolfe.
Where:  Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO.
When:  Now through Feb. 15, 2015
Call (816) 531-7529 or visit the web to purchase tickets.

What:  Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Co-production with Coterie Theatre of a play by Kate DiCamillo, directed by David Saar.
Where:  2015 at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd., KC, MO.
When:  Now through March 1.
For tickets call (816) 474-6552, or go online to http://thecoterie.org/see-a-show

What:  Men’s basketball vs. Texas-Pan American
The Roos will try to tame some TPA Broncos.
Where:  Municipal Auditorium, 301 W 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7:05 p.m.
A second men’s game against New Mexico State Aggies follows at Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 7, 6:05 p.m.
It’s free to UMKC students with ID. Others pay $5 – $15. Children 3 and under are free.

What:  African American Book to Film Series
This series opens Feb. 5 and the final film is “Devil in a Blue Dress” on Feb. 19.
Where:  Miller Nichols Library, Room 151, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  A reception begins at 6 p.m. in Room 114, and the film, “Cotton Comes to Harlem,” will be shown at 6:30. All films are on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. The Plaza branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 4801 Main St., is participating in this project, showing films on Tuesdays. Check their website for movies and times.
It’s free.