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: Teachers’ Lounge
Ever wonder what the high school teachers were up to outside the classroom? Discover the gossip, politics and romantic entanglements that take place in Teachers’ Lounge, a new play performed by UMKC undergraduate students. The play is written by UMKC Theatre Alumna Stephanie Demaree and is directed by Stephanie Roberts, UMKC Theatre associate professor.
Where: Grant Hall, Room 105, 5228 Charlotte, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 22-25 and at 2 p.m. on April 26
It’s free but tickets must be reserved with the stage management office at 816-235-2782.

April 22 – 28

What: Student Chamber Ensembles
Students of all degree levels will perform chamber music.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: John Kelly, saxophone and piano
Senior recital with Dan Velicer, Richard Jeric and Charles Dickinson, piano; Sarah Gifford, violin; and Patrick Olmos, soprano saxophone.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Lecture: The Significance of the Bayeux Tapestry with Dr. Gale Owen-Crocker
Gale Owen-Crocker, Professor Emerita of The University of Manchester and world-renowned expert on Anglo-Saxon textiles and dress, will discuss The Bayeux Tapestry. Of unknown origins, this embroidered work details the Norman conquest of England in 1066. This lecture is presented by the UMKC Department of English and supported by the Bernardin Haskell Lecture Fund.
Where: Katz Hall, Room 101, 5005 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Thursday, April 23, 4 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Percussion Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble performance directed by Nick Petrella and Christopher McLaurin.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Thursday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Sticky Traps
This play, presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, is a world premiere by local playwright Nathan Louis Jackson and directed by Kyle Hatley. It is set in a small town not far from Kansas City. A mother protects her homosexual son’s honor when his funeral is protested by a local church. Her actions have unintended consequences that will test her whole family, and the power of their love, in the face of hate. This play is appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: April 24 – May 24
Tickets can be purchased from the KC Rep website.

What: Student Chamber Ensembles
Students of all degree levels perform chamber music.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Master’s Recital for Stephanie Yu, piano
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: The Liar
UMKC Theatre third year actors will present their final performance with the production “The Liar.” It is directed by Theodore Swetz, The Patricia McIlrath Endowed Professor at UMKC Theatre. Dorante, a handsome, charming scamp, is also a pathological liar. He takes Paris by storm and for each problem his lying solves, it creates two new ones to engage.
Where: Room 116, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 24 – May 1 and 2 p.m. on May 3
Tickets range from $6 for UMKC students to $17 for adults and can be purchased online at the Central Ticket Exchange.

What: UMKC Women’s Soccer vs William Jewell
Where: Durwood Stadium, UMKC Campus, 5080 Cherry S., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets prices start at $5 and can be purchased online. Current UMKC students are free with student ID.

What: Ryan Schick MA Thesis Exhibition
The UMKC Gallery of Art presents current master of art student Ryan Schick’s thesis show. Inspired by the universe’s process of entropy, Schick’s art mirrors this theoretical approach. Rather than imposing a subject into his paintings, his methods involve breaking down abstract shapes, lines, and colors in a layering process that opens up a relationship between him and the materials.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Building Room 203, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 24
It’s free. For information, visit the UMKC Gallery of Art website.

What: Spring Exhibition Men’s Soccer
KC College Soccer Day.
Where: Durwood Stadium, UMKC Campus, 5080 Cherry S., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 25, tournament starts at 10 a.m.
It’s free.

What: Dietrich Koch, oboe
Doctoral lecture-recital with Sascha Groschang, baroque cello and Jordan Buchholtz, The topic is “The Complete Oboist – Let’s Play Hautboy!”
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 25, 2:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Master’s Recital for Katherine Turner, piano
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 25, 5 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Michael Quinn, piano
This is Michael Quinn’s student recital with April Kim, orchestral reduction.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Artist’s Certificate Recital for Richard Jeric, piano
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Master’s Recital for Anna-Marie Schmidt, piano
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sunday, April 26, noon
It’s free.

What: Morgan Greenwood, composer
This is a senior recital with Brittany Jo Sawtelle, soprano; John Livingston, piano; Caleb Madison, tenor; Teri Ann Quinn, clarinet; Joshua Wise, cello; the Kansas City Saxophone Quartet (Patrick Olmos, Paul Lorenz, Nicolas Lira, John Kelly); and Riala (Nick Turner, guitar/vocals; Kalo Hoyle, bass; Morgan Greenwood, drums).
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sunday, April 26, 5 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Doctoral Recital for Xueli Liu, piano
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sunday, April 26, 5 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Master’s Recital for Xiangyu Zhao, piano
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: UMKC Women’s Soccer vs Fort Hays State
Where: Durwood Stadium, UMKC Campus, 5080 Cherry S., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets prices start at $5 and can be purchased online. Current UMKC students are free with student ID.

What: Spencer Theatre Groundbreaking for KC Repertory Theatre
This groundbreaking ceremony is for renovations to Spencer Theatre, home of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. UMKC Chancellor Leo Morton, KC Rep Board Chair Scott Boswell, KC Rep Artistic Director Eric Rosen, KC Rep Executive Director Angela Gieras and Angela Smart representing Hall Family Foundation will be the featured speakers.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Monday, April 27, 10 a.m.
It’s free.

What: A Lunchtime Mini-Concert with the UMKC Conservatory Chamber Orchestra
This performance is under the direction of graduate conductors Boris Vayner, Ramiro Miranda and Luis Viquez. The program includes Tchaikovsky, “Serenade for Strings;”
Finzi, “Romance for Strings;” and Wagner, “Siegfried Idyll.” Feel free to bring your lunch.
Where: Room 326, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Monday, April 27, 12:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: UMKC Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet
The UMKC Conservatory Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet performs: Sandra Fernández Vizcaíno, flute; Gregory Stead, oboe; Trevor Stewart, clarinet; Natalie Higgins, horn; and Joshua Draves-Kellerman, bassoon.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Monday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Ofrenda: Liliana Wilson’s Art of Dissidence and Dreams
Chilean-American Artist Liliana Wilson will present and read from her book “Ofrenda: Liliana Wilson’s Art of Dissidence and Dreams.” This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program. Support has been provided by the Bernardin Haskell Lectures Fund.
Where: Katz Hall, Room 101, 5005 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Tuesday, April 28, 6 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Composers’ Guild
Composition students of all degree levels present new works. Gruben: Dream Sounds, Jungman: Dark Thoughts of the Soul, Hill: Wondering about the Edge: A Short Prelude for Cello, Phillips: Demon Business, Baker: Movement II from Euphonium Sonata, Hui: Pure Sound, Hui/Taylor/Danforth: Pipa Rock! (An Improvisation), Young: Music for Steven Spielberg’s Next Film, Palen: Through this Fleeting World, Denmark: Katharos, Danforth: For Percussion, Harbison: Ad Lib(er Abaci) and Morel: Super String Tango.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free.

What: Joshua Draves-Kellerman, bassoon
This is a master’s recital for Joshua Draves-Kellerman, bassoon, with Charles Hoeft, piano and harpsichord; Trevor Stewart, clarinet; and Daniel Nonweiler, double bass.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
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 St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through May 3
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: Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat
“It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how!” says the Cat in the tall red and white hat. This production features Sally and her brother, their pet Fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and all of the favorite moments from the classic Dr. Seuss tale. Zany fun and adventures abound! With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, the Cat is certainly fun to play with. And he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will mom find when she gets home? The approximate running time is 50 minutes. Each performance is interactive! Built into each show is a pre-show experience that will explore Dr. Seuss’ world and engage kids physically and cognitively.
Where: The Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City Mo.
When: Now through May 17
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie. For tickets and show times, visit the website.