Mark Lowrey, Record Bar performance

Mark Lowrey Plays with local musicians and MC's from the Kansas City area at the Record Bar in Kansas City. www.marklowreymusic.com, www.SvobodaKC.Blogspot.com www.therecordbar.com

Jardine's saga ends with new owners

If you haven't met Robert McCain and Joseph Fulgenzi yet — they're well-known local real-estate agents and entrepreneurs — you'll be hearing about them soon enough. McCain, who owns the Blo Salon & Studio in Westport, told Fat City today that he and longtime partner Fulgenzi have purchased the troubled Jardine's Restaurant & Jazz Club at 4536 Main from owner Beena Raja.

more at the Pitch 

and at KC Confidential
with more here


and at Tony's Kansas City
with more here

Topeka native Melissa Ormond books Madison Square Garden

Topeka native and KU Class of 1986 member Melissa Miller Ormond was promoted in late 2011 to president of MSG Entertainment, which books and produces all concert and events at Madison Square Garden and other venues the company owns in New York City, Boston and Chicago.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Sharon Wright "Change for a Dollar" interview with Donna Pitman

Sharon Wright talks about her film "Change For a Dollar."

more at KMBC

Buran Theatre "House of Fitzcarraldo" preview by Michael Auchard

Many people complain they never get to travel, and that work and life always get in the way. The members of the Lawrence-based Buran Theatre Company, however, have found a unique way around those problems. Formed in 2007 on the campus of Kansas University, the troupe regularly performs across the country in many of the nation’s largest markets and has even performed in Lithuania multiple times.

more at lawrence.com

"Underneath" short film by 2sday Productions

Dana Rimmer, Jay Cranford interview by Deborah Shouse

Dana Rimmer was excited. He had lost one of his dancers for the Lawrence Welk shows he was casting, and Jay (Jerry Jay) Cranford seemed like the perfect replacement.

more at kansascity.com

2012 Preview by Robert Trussell

Think of Kansas City theater as a perpetual motion machine. Most theater companies are ready to move into the second half of what they consider their 2011-2012 seasons, but theater in Kansas City never sleeps. There’s never much time to take a breath between the end of one season and the start of another.

more at kansascity.com

2012 Preview by Libby Hanssen

After the chaos of the holidays, you would think that the Kansas City jazz community would take a break, but that’s not the case. Series that bring in international talent are still going strong, and local musicians offer exciting new projects and a few reunions. Throughout the coming months, the region’s universities will be the host of festivals with workshops, clinics and performances of students and professionals.

more at kansascity.com

2012 Preview by Patrick Neas

It will be hard to match the excitement of the grand opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, but the second half of the 2011-2012 arts season promises enough thrills to keep Kansas City classical music lovers on the edge of their seats.

more at kansascity.com

Playwright Zachary Weaver wins international competition

Thirty years ago, legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim might have sensed that the pool of up-and-coming playwrights was a bit lacking and founded Young Playwrights Inc. Based in New York,  the program’s mission is to foster and mentor promising writers 18 and under. For the second year in a row, an Overland Park, Kan. teenager has made the cut. His play will be given a professional staged reading in January 2012 at New York's Cherry Lane Theatre.

more at KCUR

"Love, the Movie" short film by 2sday Productions

The Jardine's controversy continues

The local news media - including this site - bought into and reported that owner Beena Raja had fired the Plaza jazz club's entire staff. That fifteen people had been unceremoniously turned out on the streets right ahead of the holidays.
more at KC Confidential 
and more here and here and here
and at Tony's Kansas City
and Plastic Sax compiles more links

2011 Year in Review by Joe Klopus

Let’s not have another jazz year like 2011. Perhaps we gained a few things in Kansas City jazz — a venue or two, a few good new bands, a few new friends — but by and large, it was one of the most frustrating years in memory. The annoyances were large and small.

more at kansascity.com

Shawnee Mission West marching band going to London

Some Shawnee Mission West High School students will be ringing in the New Year with the Queen of England.

more at NBC Action News

Pianist Harold O'Neal interview on "All Things Considered"

Harold O'Neal is a jazz pianist with an unusual resume. Born in Tanzania and raised in Kansas City, Miss., O'Neal is also a hip-hop dancer, martial artist and actor. He's just released a new album with an unusual back story of its own: Marvelous Fantasy is a largely improvised collection of solo piano pieces, an homage to the music of silent films.

more at All Things Considered

[Thanks, Plastic Sax]

Untitled short film by Peggy Noland

Richard Renner interview by Cindy Hoedel

Richard Renner of Lawrence, owner of Vodvill Entertainment Co., vodvill.com, has made a full-time living as a vaudeville clown for 27 years, performing at fairs, festivals and private corporate events. Renner also produces the annual Busker Festival in Lawrence. This conversation took place at a photo studio in Merriam.

more at kansascity.com

Olathe North senior Forrest Goyer joins All-American Marching Band

As schools break for the holidays this week, some students will be going on exciting expeditions of learning and recognition for their accomplishments.  This week’s Reaching 4 Excellence Young Achiever is one of them.  Forrest Goyer will be blowing his trombone as one of the nation’s high school All-American marching musicians.

more at Fox4KC

Independent Filmmakers Coalition promo

"Numb" short film by John Barnes

Numb is the story of a man who has lost the ablility to feel for anything and the downward spiral his lack of emotions takes him on...

Numb is part of the OV film series.
It is the short film that begins Chapter 5 in Volume 1: BIRTH.

CAST:
Mike Ducey (Man), Lauren Scheufler (Beauty), Kali Kay Barnes (Innocence), Betsy Barratt, Deborah Keeney, & Rhianna James (the Furies)

CREW:
Numb is Writen, Directed, & Produced by John D. Barnes.
Director of Photography & Edited by Kendal Sinn
Gaffer & Key Grip - Robert P. Campbell
Makeup FX - Micah C. Williams & Deborah Keeney
Scipt Supervisors - Toby Tolbet & Rhianna James
Stoyboards by Rhianna James
Sound Design by Joe Cancha
Still Photography by Greg James Arendall & Don Foote
Executive Producer & Production Assistant - Jeff Chitty
Production Assistants - Greg James Arendall, Kent Allen, Seth Barnes, Luke Barnes, Leighanne Barnes

Jazzman Ray Reed has passed away

Earlier this year, Danny's Big Easy held a benefit for the jazz vocalist and supporter Ray Reed, who was battling cancer. We're sad to report we received word this morning that Reed has passed away.

more at the Pitch

Kwanzaa kick-off at the Gem Theatre

The Kick-off of Kwanzaa in Kansas City 2011. Video shot at the historic Gem Theater.

Xochitl Rodriguez, Justin Hundley, Charlotte Street performance

"Spotlight on Annie Cherry and Damian Blake" by Peter Bakely

This article is from the November 2011 issue of KC Stage

I wander onto the lawn of the Blake/Cherry house to find Annie Cherry and Damian Blake on the porch. Annie's got a curly red wig in a mesh bag and she's hanging it out in the warm night air. "I need to wash my wigs out. After a day that the Renaissance Festival, they're just loaded with dirt." Annie has been a regular feature of the Ren Fest for the 2011 season, where she plays "The Virgin" at Madame Red's Brothel.

more at KC Stage

Gladstone Theatre in the Park seeking directors for "Hello Dolly"

Gladstone Theatre in the Park is in search of a director for our July 6th, 7th and 8th production of "Hello Dolly!". Rehearsals will begin in early June. There is a stipend. Interviews will be conducted January 21st, 2012. Please email resume and/or questions to mitchy7@sbcglobal.net to set up an interview time.

"Sweater Punch" short film by T2 + Back Alley Films

The Magic Jazz Fairy strikes again

Instinctively, it flapped its wings in excitement, like the way a dog shakes its leg when scratched just so. How many years had it been? it thought. How many years years had it been Kansas City’s Magic Jazz Fairy? Because never in all those years had it seen anything quite like this.

more at kcjazzlark

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church "Christmas Cantata" performance

Christmas Cantata performed before the midnight mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church in Kansas City Missouri.

Columbia Cultural Affairs manager Chris Stevens interview by Jill Renae Hicks

The manager’s chair of Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs has not been warmed since early this year, when Marie Nau Hunter stepped out of the position. After a monthslong interim stint by Connie Kacprowicz, who normally works for Columbia Water and Light, arts proponent Chris Stevens earlier this month was named OCA’s new manager during a timely season of evaluating the old year and anticipating the new.

more at the Columbia Daily Tribune

Tom Ryan contemplates the business of art

Non-Profit entities are really profit-making marketplaces complete with curators who vet art for the consumer and sell art on behalf of artists.

more at Crossroads Currents

Mark Lowrey, RecordBar review by Happy in Glass

As the year-end lists in the previous two There Stands the Glass posts indicate, my preoccupation with jazz Black American Music and hip hop persists. That's why I recently dragged my weary carcass to the RecordBar after midnight a couple days ago for the latest installment of Mark Lowrey's series of live collaborations with hip hop artists.

more at There Stands the Glass

KU student to play with Yo-Yo Ma

Three young musicians will get a chance to learn from world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma when he visits Kansas City next month to appear at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

more at the Lawrence Journal World

ArtsKC "Cultural Competency" workshops with Dr. Dorris Carroll

The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City and Dr. Doris Carroll, Associate Professor at Kansas State University, invite you to attend a series of three, four-hour, three and a half hour workshops for the purpose of increasing cultural competency for Kansas City area artists, leaders, and arts organizations' staff, board, volunteers and interns.

Last year over 40 individuals from the Kansas City community attended. Participants discussed issues of privilege, board and audience attendance, and identified strategies to strengthen neighborhood arts development. It is the Arts Council's goal through these workshops to encourage arts organizations to capitalize not only on their own cultural strengths as organizations but to embrace the cultural strengths of those around them as well. When organizations embrace diversity, they open their doors to more people and a broader audience.

Sign up today to attend one or all of our three Cultural Competency workshops offered this Winter & Spring of 2012. Space is limited on a first come, first serve basis.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Park University

8:30AM - 12:00PM

To RSVP please click here 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

American Jazz Museum - Gem Theater

8:30AM-12:00PM

To RSVP please click here 

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, JCCC

8:30AM-12:00PM

To RSVP please click here

KC Women in Film short screenplay contest

The early deadline for the KCWIFT AMC Theatres FilmFest Short Screenplay Contest is fast approaching. If you are entering or know a screenwriter who is planning on entering we encourage everyone to take advantage of the early entry fee. (Extra discount for WIF members!) Our final deadline is February 1st.

 

more at KC Women in Film

Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral "City Come Again" performance

2011 City Come Again at Grace and Holy Cathedral

2011 Year in Review by Timothy Finn

The local music scene experienced several noteworthy events in 2011. Some were memorable, like the two-day Middle of the Map Festival in Westport in April and “Midcoast Cares: A Benefit for Joplin,” a fundraiser at Crosstown Station in June that raised more than $10, 000 for people who lost property in the devastating May tornado. Others were lamentable, like the closing of Crosstown Station in October.

more at kansascity.com

2011 Year in Review by Patrick Neas

The arts in Kansas City have not had such a momentous year since 1933 when the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art had its grand opening. Now, in the middle of the worst economy since the 1930s, Julia Irene Kauffman, Shirley Helzberg and other unbelievably generous visionaries have given Kansas City the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

more at kansascity.com

2011 Year in Review by Robert Trussell

Audacious. That’s the word I would choose to describe much of what I saw on local stages this year. And audacity is a very good measure of a theater community’s artistic health.

more at kansascity.com

2011 Year in Review by Steve Paul

It’s yet another depressing sign of the times when the juvenile digital blurt of a teenager gets more public attention than a finely made poem or a sonorous piano concerto. But we get the culture we deserve, I suppose, one that favors instant gratification and sound-bite attention spans.

more at kansascity.com

"Opera is My Hobby" final broadcast today

An institution at Kansas Public Radio is coming to an end, according to a statement from Kansas University.

more at the Lawrence Journal World

Kinnor Philharmonic preview by Beth Lipoff

Strike up the music — there’s a new performing arts group in town. The Kinnor Philharmonic, a new Jewish-themed symphony orchestra, will make its debut New Year’s Day with a 3 p.m. concert at Congregation Beth Torah.

more at the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle

UMKC Conservatory studying feasibility of downtown campus

The University of Missouri-Kansas City has hired three companies to complete a feasibility study for a proposed downtown arts campus that could be developed near the new Performing Arts Center.

more at kansascity.com

"Deadbeat Summer" short film by Mammoth Media

Winter is a perfect time to finally edit some footage we shot on the boat last summer. Filmed with our intern, Tucker Adams, at Lake Lotawana, MO.

2011 KC Fringe Festival photos

2011 KC Fringe Festival Photographers: Joseph Maino, Reggie Banks, Sr., Steve Thompson, J. Michael Strange, R. Scott Anderson, Angela Carmack, Stephanie Crawford, Tracy Majkol, Russ Matthews, and Dale Kirchhofer.

You can find these photos and thousands more at http://kcfringephoto.zenfolio.com.

Black House Improvisors' Collective, Charlotte Street performance

Charlotte Street Foundation's Urban Culture Project presents a live collaborative performance April 15 at City Center Square Studio Residency by Black House Improvisors' Collective, Mixed Blood Woman, and 940 Dance Company.

Top jazz stories of 2011 by Plastic Sax

The well has been poisoned. In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the issues at stake. -Sayre's law. It breaks my heart that the Kansas City jazz scene has been poisoned by the ongoing difficulties of a single jazz venue. Hidden agendas, ulterior motives and open threats have become the order of the day. No matter how the situation at Jardine's plays out, it's going to take a long time to heal the wounds generated by this unfortunate saga.

more at Plastic Sax

Gary Neal Johnson interview by Ben Palosaari

What local tradition do you do every year? 
I’ve seen A Christmas Carol at KC Repertory Theatre almost every year for 31 years — always up close!

more at the Pitch

Toon Shop closing by Rick Hellman

The Toon Shop, a fixture in the Prairie Village Shops for more than 50 years, closed the doors to its retail musical-instrument store Saturday, although teachers continue to offer private lessons in its lower-level music academy.

more at NBC Action News

kcjazzlark picks jazz recordings for Christmas

’Twas the week before Christmas when a friend turned to me
And said, “I need a jazz gift for under the tree. 
It must be KC jazz, a wonderful find, 
So that when it is opened, she’ll scream, “It’s divine!””

more at kcjazzlark

Joo Wan Park, KC Electronic Music and Arts Alliance performance

Kauffman Center window washing photos by Eric Bowers

On Tuesday 12/20 I had the chance to get some shots at the Kauffman Center of some interior window washing in the Brandmeyer Great Hall. I ended up using four out of the five lenses in my backpack for this post.

more at Eric Bowers Photoblog

Seth Golay interview by Jennifer Bhargava

Seth Golay’s life is going to be insanely chaotic in 2012, and he says he can’t wait.

more at kansascity.com

DST Realty hopes to redevelop the Lyric Theatre

DST Realty Inc. made its pitch to the Tax Increment Financing Commission of Kansas City to redevelop the Lyric Theatre so it can become the site of a Federal Aviation Administration training facility.

more at the Kansas City Business Journal

"Kansas City Narrative" documentary short

The Jardine's saga continues

Jardine’s has been Kansas City’s pre-eminent jazz club for nearly 20 years. But a dispute between former staff and the club’s owner has spread to the local jazz community, jeopardizing the club’s standing and the city’s jazz scene.

more at kansascity.com

and at the Kansas City Business Journal 
 
and at KC Confidential
with more here
and more here 
 
and at Tony's Kansas City
with more here
and more here

UMKC Communications Professor Carol Koehler passed away Saturday

Dr. Carol Koehler, Associate Professor and Chair of UMKC’s Communications Studies Department, died on Saturday, Dec. 17. The Kansas City Star reports that she died at home following open-heart surgery.

more at UMatters
and kansascity.com

KC Symphony "Christmas Eve Finale" performance

Kansas City Symphony & Chorus perform "Christmas Eve Finale" from "It's a Wonderful Life" by Dmitri Tiomkin for our Christmas Festival performances on December 16-18, 2011 with Associate Conductor, Steven Jarvi.

Kauffman Center gains corporate sponsor

Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City and Aristocrat Motors have become the first big corporate sponsors of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
 
more at kansascity.com
and at the Kansas City Business Journal

"From Sunlight to Laser Light" by Kerry Chafin

This article is from the November 2011 issue of KC Stage

Theatrical light design is a relatively new art form with a rich history full of innovation discovery.

more at KC Stage

"Holy Moly" extended promo by Christopher Good

After suffering a devastating breakup, Sammy accepts the services of a life-enhancement coach named Tabitha.

Written and Directed by Christopher Good

Produced by Christopher Good and Megan Mantia

Creighton Organization benefit performance

Creighton Organization plays a benefit show at Jaskki's Tobacco Cafe to raise money for cancer research in Kansas City. Naughty Santa was there to help out and there was the first friday free hookah night happening.

Englewood Theatre to reopen with "Sound of Music"

After four years in the dark, the venerable Englewood Theatre will reopen Christmas Day with the perennially popular “The Sound of Music.”

more at Butler's Cinema Scene

Central Standard "September the Rain" review by Robert Trussell

The prolific John Godber is reputed to be the third-most-produced playwright in Britain after William Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn, but I don’t believe theatergoers in Kansas City had ever seen one of his works until the final weekend of “British Invasion 2011.”

more at kansascity.com

Bottoms Up "Very Merry Sketch Comedy Show" review by Piddums

 

Christmas Sketch Comedy Show a Merry Delight
Rating: 5

A Very Merry Sketch Comedy Show 

Bottoms Up Sketch Comedy

This has got to be about the best kept secret in town. The year old Bottoms Up Sketch Comedy troupe has a Christmas show running at the Living Room. The talented troupe consisting of Emerson Rapp, Briana Marxen-McCollum, Dan Hillaker, Emily O'Dell and Joshua Gleeson goes through a series of Christmas related sketches that hit the funny button each time out.

The framing device for the show is an in-the-doghouse Joseph trying to backpedal explain to Mary why he forgot to make reservations at the inn. Mary gets more combative as they go to seedier and seedier places. Other highlights include Emerson Rapp as a suburban Dad buying son Dan Hillaker his first Christmas hooker ( a hilarious Briana M-M). Amy Hurrelbrink has a pair of great pieces: in the first, she ruins a Christmas party by dying of trenchmouth ("I guess I got too far into my WWI re-enactment group," she says.) In the second, she plays a murderous six year old who raps to "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus." Emily O'Dell and Josh Gleeson have a nice scene where Ms. Odell plays a Salvation Army Bellringer passive aggressively refusing to wish Mr. Gleeson a merry Christmas.

This troupe will start breaking big very soon, so catch them at the Living Room for Their Christmas Comedy show.

Charlotte Street "Angels and Demons at Play" performance

On February 25th through the 27th Charlotte Street Foundation hosted Angels and Demons at Play, an art show involving music, dance, and visual media.

Perlman-Stoy School of Ballet moving to new location

Before the season of making new resolutions begins, a period of reflection usually defines the few weeks before the end of December — marked by evaluating past choices and circumstances before looking forward to the future. As a renowned local ballet school prepares for an eventful move to a new location, both of these entities — reflection and excitement — are present in the minds and spirits of the school’s two directors. Halcyone Ewalt Perlman, who has run the Perlman-Stoy School of Ballet for students of varying ages from her home since 1968, is moving the school to a new location next week, from South Providence to the Cherry Hill area.

more at the Columbia Tribune

Recent Burlesque Downtown Underground performances

Vic Sin performs at Burlesque Downtown Underground's show Scared Sexy at the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre!

Puppetry Arts Institute "Treasures from Toyland" review by PAI

Toyland Treasures
Rating: 4

Treasures from Toyland
Puppetry Arts Institute

The holiday season kicked off in style as The Puppetry Arts Institute presented "Treasures From Toyland " on December 3.

The 40 minute musical revue showcases over twenty five string marionette and hand puppet creations. Using classic Christmas recordings from the 1930's to the 1970's the fanciful "performers" sang, danced, and brought merriment to all.

Act one featured "Stars On Strings" and in cabaret style, string marionettes were manipulated by the puppeteer in audience view. The three foot tall wood carved marionettes included favorites like Pinocchio, a North Pole elf, and a witch from Oz in an operatic rendition of "Deck The Halls".

Act two unveiled a large cottage style hand puppet stage. Strutting their stuff in the spotlight included whimsical characters like Rudolph, a Yuletide dragon, and a lively Santa. These residents of Puppet Land led a festive audience sing along.

Act three was billed as "Holly Follies" and used festive puppets by artist Ray Moore to create a variety show in the mode of a 1960's television Christmas special.

The impressive production was designed and performed solo by master puppeteer Kraig Kensinger. Mr Kensinger charmed the all ages crowd with a show of Broadway style and dazzle.

This celebration of the vintage art of puppetry is a treat for the senses and a must see family event.

KC Rep "Christmas Carol" set construction

Watch 50 hours of work to build KC Rep's 2011 A Christmas Carol set in under 4 minutes! Buy tickets today! 816.235.2700. Set design by John Ezell

People's Liberation Big Band "Sugar Plum Fairy" performance

From the band's CD-release gig Sunday night, Dec. 4, 2011, at the RecordBar. This is 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' from the "Nutcracker and the Mouse King' score. Yes, the scene's a bit dark, but sound pretty good in first video shot with new Samsung Epic phone. Jeffrey Ruckman on toy piano and Brad Cox conducting from the keyboard.

GreenHouse Theatre "Christmas Carol" preview by Jill Renae Hicks

In an unlikely setting for a play, a new adaptation spurred by two 21st-century minds and bolstered by one local theater stalwart has been unfolding. That adaptation is “A Christmas Carol,” which premiered Friday at the Columbia Art League and wraps up performances tonight. And it is produced by a brand-new theater organization in town, GreenHouse Theatre Project.

more at the Columbia Tribune

Village Presbyterian "Tidings of Joy" preview by Patrick Neas

The music and generosity of Village Presbyterian Church extends far beyond its own congregation. Every Christmas season, the church gives Kansas City a warm embrace with one of the most beautiful and meditative concerts of the season.

more at kansascity.com