Friday, November 30, 2012

Ivanna B. Naughtee, Vainilla Za Fox, Uptown Arts Bar performances


In November 2012 City in Motion held a burlesque student showcase, "Cherry Pop's Burlesque Beauties," at the Uptown Arts Bar in Kansas City, Missouri. Soundtrack: "You Put a Spell on Me" by Devil Doll.


Ivanna B. Naughtee performs a routine at the Uptown Arts Bar in Kansas City, Missouri during a burlesque student showcase from City in Motion Dance Theater.

Columbian Theatre "Christmas Spectacular" preview by Bill Blankenship

The Columbian Theatre returns to its tradition of a musical revue of songs of the season when "The Christmas Spectacular" begins a three-weekend run Friday.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Ballet Conservatory "Nutcracker" preview by Kelly Evenson

What makes the Ballet Conservatory’s production unique from others in the metropolitan area is that the cast is mainly children and teenagers. Performers are from Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown, Liberty and Kansas City as well as other communities.

more at the Examiner

Jewish community represented in Barn Players "6x10 Play Festival"

Three of the six original plays being presented by the Barn Players in its fifth annual “6 x 10 Play Festival” are written or directed by men who have ties to the local Jewish community.

more at the Jewish Chronicle
and an interview with Ray Zarr
and an interview with Alex Bigus
and an interview with Victor Wishna

Construction begins on Standees cinema and restaurant

Demolition of the interior of the old Macy’s Home Store space and the Einstein Bros. restaurant in the Village Shops will start next week to make way for STANDEES, the new restaurant and theater combination that is expected to open in May 2013. Einstein Bros. closed last weekend.

more at the Prairie Village Post

Children's Performing Theatre mini-plays preview by Adrianne DeWeese

Just in time for the holidays, Children’s Performing Theatre is undertaking a new endeavor. Since Marcia Armstrong began directing the Independence theater’s shows a little more than five years ago, the group has performed two mini-plays to make up one performance, but never three in one showing. Until now.

more at the Examiner

Monacle "Orphan's Feast" preview by Robert Trussell

Kansas City’s newest performance group makes its debut Friday night with a holiday show about family and zombies. “The Orphan’s Feast,” a play with music, is the first show from the Monocle, described by one of its founders as a “performing arts production company.”

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/28/3936841/new-kc-production-company-serves.html#storylink=cpy

Unicorn "Inspecting Carol" preview by Robert Trussell

The Unicorn Theatre is preparing to celebrate the holidays in its own subversive way. The company is joining forces with Kansas City Actors Theatre and the UMKC Theatre Department to stage Daniel Sullivan’s satirical “Inspecting Carol,” which opens this weekend.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/28/3936879/unicorn-launches-a-christmas-carol.html#storylink=cpy

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Olathe North student joins U.S. Army All-American Marching Band

Olathe North High School senior Spencer Buff has been selected to be a member of the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

more at the Johnson County Lifestyle

12th Street Jump "Blues in the News"

12TH STREET JUMP brings back that great era of Kansas City Jazz on public radio's weekly jazz, blues and comedy jam. Hosts Pearl MacDonald and Pete Weber, musical director Joe Cartwright, vocalists David Basse and Nedra Dixon, bassist Tyrone Clark and drummer Mike Warren and some very special guests serve it up Saturday nights at midnight!

Monacle creators interview by Steve Walker

When a visual artist paints or sculpts something "on commission," it means a gallery, company, or private collector has contracted that artist to create something very specific to their particular wants or needs. Performing artists haven't always had the same luxury.

more at KCUR

KC Ballet "Nutcracker" costume shop

Costume Shop Supervisor Jennifer Carroll and her assistant Joey Gee spend busy days fitting and repairing costumes as the Kansas City Ballet prepares for a new season of "The Nutcracker."

Filmmaker Gordon Parks discussion by Jabulani Leffall

On Wednesday’s Central Standard, we examine the legacy of Gordon Parks; the photographer, essayist, film maker, and native Kansan whose 100th birthday is this Friday.

more at Central Standard

KC Repertory "Christmas Carol" review by kellyluck




'Carol' returns for its 32nd season
Rating: 4

A Christmas Carol
Kansas City Repertory Theatre

There are certain traditions, exclusive to a certain time and place, that mark them out and make them unique and special. Take, for example, the Holidays in Kansas City. We have Waterfire (a bit early for the holidays I admit, but in the same spirit), the Plaza lighting ceremony, and we have the annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

The KCRep's production of the seminal holiday story is in its 32nd season now, and every year the production grows more lavish with musical choruses, production design, and stagecraft. Its followers are legion, coming again year after year to watch the performance mature and grow. With the intense loyalty of the community, and the resources poured into its production every year, it will no doubt continue on for a very long time indeed.

To relate the story here would be superfluous; readers who have somehow managed to avoid the story are best advised to pick up the source material in any case. Suffice it to say that the production stays true to the original story, following the old time-established formula. Kyle Hatley's direction takes us through the story quite ably from A to Z. Gary Neal Johnson reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge, and moves through it with the assurance of a veteran. He is ably assisted by a very talented cast, of which there are too many highlights to mention.

Also of note is the technical work that went into the play. "Carol" is at heart a fantasy, and must therefore bring its best elements of stagecraft to bear. The stage set proved itself extremely versatile, the rotating set whisking us back and forth across London smoothly and without the usual interruptions down to scene changes. Lighting was very ably done, as was the music. Overall the technical side of things ran as smoothly as the performances.

Overall, this is an impressive performance, and it is down to a large and diverse group of talents coming together to make it happen. During the pre-show introductions, it was mentioned that many Kansas City- area students will see this in the oncoming weeks, and that for many of them, it will be their first exposure to theatre. As one who has always believed firmly in planting the seed of enthusiasm for the arts at as early an age as possible, I am glad to know that such an effort exists. Someday, I like to think, one of those children may go on to make their mark upon the theatre world. And I couldn't ask for a better gift than that.

Give the gift of the performing arts this holiday season


Get 25% off a six-month subscription with the coupon code below!

Looking for that special gift for the performing arts lover this holiday season? Then consider buying them (or yourself, if not a subscriber) a subscription to KC Stage Magazine.

Subscribers get not only the monthly magazine (filled with audition and performance listings from over 200 registered organizations, as well as news and features on local performing artists and arts organizations), but also get free access to those listings (including future information) on the KC Stage website, a membership card good for a variety of discounts to various arts organizations, and access to special subscriber-only contests for tickets from the Unicorn, the Kansas City Ballet, and other great organizations.

We have over 200 organizations registered with us, and several of them input their calendar listings online without ever sending out a press release via our e-mail list - giving you even more reasons for why subscribing is worth the low price.

Subscription information can be found online at www.kcstage.com/subscribe, which even includes a PDF subscription form if you want to mail in a gift subscription. Use the coupon code 2011_Holidays by December 31, and get 25% off a six-month subscription!

Share the love of the performing arts today.

With over 200 performing arts organizations listing auditions, performances, and events, KC Stage is your ticket to performing arts news.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Musical Theatre Heritage "Spectacular Christmas" preview

Join Musical Theater Heritage for their very own original Holiday show produced from Dec. 6 -23 at The Off center Theatre in Crown Center!


Osmo Vänskä interview with the KC Symphony


Minnesota Orchestra Music Director, Osmo Vänskä, joined the Kansas City Symphony for Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony, Sibelius' En saga and Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Lise de la Salle on November 23-25, 2012. Maestro Vänskä shared his thoughts about his experience with the Kansas City Symphony.

Brad Cox interview by Dugan Arnett

Brad Cox seems to have no problem staying busy. In addition to founding the People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, he is also the co-founder of the popular Owen/Cox Dance Group — and his work with both groups will be on display next month.

more at Ink

Read more here: http://inkkc.com/content/what-are-you-listening-to-brad-cox/#storylink=cpy

Weekend jazz preview by Joe Klopus

Jazz is a music of individualism, but some are much more individual than others. Fortunately, we have some truly one-of-a-kind jazz individuals coming through our area this week.

more at kansascity.com

KC Composer Kevin Oldham featured in new film

Australian filmmaker Rohan Spong realizes the subject of his latest documentary is an emotional land mine. “It’s hard to make people come and see a film about this issue. It’s something you either don’t know anything about, or if you do and it affected you personally, you put it in the ‘too hard to deal with’ basket.”

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/27/3935236/film-pays-tribute-to-kc-born-composer.html#storylink=cpy

KC Repertory "Christmas Carol" review by Alexia Lang

More than one-half million admirers have enjoyed Charles Dickens’ literary classic “A Christmas Carol” since the Kansas City Repertory Theatre began producing the holiday favorite in 1981. 

more at the Vignette

Sprint Center "Batman Live" attendee photos by Fran Mattox

Super heroes galore showed up at the Sprint Center Saturday morning for the noon show of Batman Live.

more at kansascity.com

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Linda Ade Brand "One False Move" interview with the Lyric Opera

This excerpt from the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City highlights the Company's commissioning of the youth opera ONE FALSE MOVE, composed by Susan Kander. Stage director Linda Ade Brand describes the creation process, which was inspired by education director Paula Winans' reading of the book "Odd Girl Out" by Rachel Simmons.

KC Repertory "Christmas Story" opens on Broadway

See if you can get your head around this one: Kansas City Repertory Theatre is on Broadway. Or at least its name is. Monday night marked a historic milestone for the company when “A Christmas Story: The Musical” opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in the heart of the New York theater district.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/26/3935362/kc-rep-show-a-christmas-story.html#storylink=cpy

Joe Nadeau, Tom Lancaster, Heartland Men's Chorus interview by Michael Mackie

Michael talks with Heartland Men's Chorus artistic director Dr. Joe Nadeau and chorus member Tom Lancaster.

KC Ballet "Nutcracker" preview on Fox4 News

The Kansas City Ballet will perform the holiday classic, ‘The Nutcracker’ in December. For tickets and show times, visit kcballet.org.

more at Fox4 News

"Girls Nite Out Benefit for Alex's Lemonade Stand" by Angie Fiedler

This article is from the October 2012 issue of KC Stage

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade - or so the saying goes. And that's exactly the mindset of Cindy Devine, the current president of Girls Nite Out-4-Breast Cancer. "We basically just started out as friends talking," Devine says of the ten committee members who make up the group, "and doing the walk for Susan G. Komen."

Started in 2009, the committee is made up of employees who all work at the Federal Reserve Bank. "We were making cards for the troops," Devine says, "and one of our others said, 'I did this thing called Bunco for Boobies, and I raised $500.' And I thought, 'Wow - that's a lot of money.' We were making $10 here, $15 there, so $500 sounded like an astronomical sum. So, we asked her what she did, and that's when we started doing the fundraising."

Devine, a breast cancer survivor herself, continues, "We thought, 'Hmmm - I think we could do this.' And I thought, 'Even if they don't want to, I'm going to try it on my own.' Oh, my God, there is no way I could've done that on my own, because there are so many details."

Devine has another reason to be glad there's a group helping her. "The good thing about having ten people is what one person doesn't think of, the other person does. And we learn by our mistakes and by our successes. We didn't have a rulebook, we didn't have anybody tell us how to do it."

The fundraisers (usually in March or April) are typically geared toward local groups, originally for Cancer Action (a place Devine herself had received help from), and now Power of Pink.

There's some contention as to who exactly came up with the idea to do a second fundraiser in October. Devine fully puts the origin on Donna Kennedy, the coordinator of the event; while Kennedy insists it was Devine. They both, however, agree that they had seen Alex's Lemonade Stand on TV, and thought this foundation, dedicated to curing childhood cancer, would be a good cause for a new fundraiser.

Kennedy knew that her connections to MoACT and City Theatre of Independence would help her find actors and sponsors to help put on a production as a fundraiser, and first came up with doing A.R. Gurney's Love Letters because of those connections.

"The reason I chose Love Letters," Kennedy says, "I wanted to do something that wouldn't put all the stress on people, because I'm going to ask them to volunteer. I go to a lot of the stuff for the Missouri Association of Community Theatres, and I've seen a lot of plays, and this author says it doesn't take a lot of time to do this play. Because I already knew these really good quality actors and actresses I've worked with through City Theatre, I thought this would be a really good one to do."

The event expanded beyond Love Letters (with Vickie Smithson and Kurt Moegle), and now also includes the monologue "French Fries" from Jane Martin's Talking With ... (performed by Patti Shockley). "The little girl of Alex's Lemonade Stand," Kennedy says, "one of her favorite foods is French fries. I remember seeing this monologue at one of the festivals, and to me it was just hilarious. I thought {Love Letters} would be something good to start out with, because it's more of a drama and it has a little bit of a story to it that's sort of sad, but then {"French Fries"} would bring people up." Then, the event will end with music from Betsy Dierker and Jeff Drysdale, giving an approximate running time of a little over two hours.

The event will also have a silent auction, as well as concessions (all lemon-related, of course). And Kennedy keeps the theme going, calling her actors The Lemon Drop Players.

"If this one turns out and it's successful," Devine says, "then the girls will maybe say, 'You know what, let's try it and do it again for the same group.' It just started out very casually, and we just will keep doing it until someone tells us to stop."

The Benefit for Girls Nite Out-4-Breast Cancer will start at 2 pm on October 6 at Just Off Broadway, and tickets are $15. For more information about the benefit or about Girls Nite Out, visit https://sites.google.com/site/girlsniteout4bc or call (816) 881-2371.

KC Repertory "Christmas Carol" review by Steve Wilson

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens has been performed in movies, cartoons, by Muppets and on the stage. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have played Ebenezer Scrooge; Jim Carrey, George C. Scott, Michael Caine and Seymour Hicks (Scrooge in the first sound adaption in 1935). None of those performances holds a candle to the one given by Gary Neal Johnson, the supporting cast and ensemble on Saturday night at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of the Christmas classic.

more at examiner.com

Waterfire 2012 videos

WaterFire Kansas City is a unique public art installation that uses the powerful combination of water, fire and music to create a truly memorable feast for the senses. The living fire sculpture features 55 floating braziers on Brush Creek set the stage for live performances of jazz and blues, opera and chamber music, ballet and acrobatic dancers, show tunes and pop.

Monday, November 26, 2012

David zum Brunne "Night Before Christmas Carol" photos by Fran Mattox

David zum Brunnen performed his one-man show, “Night Before Christmas Carol,” portraying Charles Dickens and several characters from the holiday story, on Monday morning at the Mid-Continent Public Library’s Parkville branch.

more at kansascity.com


Bassist Johnny Hamil performance clip

57 Seconds abstract of a beautiful funky piece composed by Johnny Hamil; One of the finest bassist in the country and surely the best in Kansas City and the whole midwest area. Being upright bass his first instrument, Johnny has develop a technique to train students starting at 3 years old. 

When I asked him about this particular song, his answer was: "I didn't see when he took his shoes off. I asked: what is that smell. The little boy said: its just me teacher! The song just came to my hands".

His 20 plus years of experience have given him national and international recognition that led him to create the Kansas City Bass Workshop. A growing festival gathering the best bassists of the midwest. A movement that inspires artist to grow constantly and speak their voice year after year.

Johnny Hamil: a great person, a great artist, a great Maestro!

[Thanks, Tony]

KC Repertory "Christmas Carol" review by Robert Trussell

Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” runs like a reliable machine, delivering laughs, chills and lumps in the throat precisely when we expect them. “We” refers to theatergoers who have attended the show regularly through the years.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/25/3933633/a-christmas-carol-still-packs.html#storylink=cpy

Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka "Nutcracker" preview by Bill Blankenship

A ballerina will move from reality television to on-stage fantasy when she dances the role of Sugar Plum Fairy in Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka's 26th annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Plastic Sax apologizes for UMKC Conservatory review

Allow me to begin with an apology.  I acknowledge that the Plastic Sax post of November 19 was ill-advised. I'm sorry. 

more at Plastic Sax

Sprint Center "Batman Live" review by Mark Edelman

I have seen the future of live theater, and it is BATMAN LIVE… Or maybe not.

more at KC Confidential

Osmo Vanska, KC Symphony review by Timothy MacDonald

It wasn’t exactly Helsinki, or even Minneapolis for that matter, but some of the coolest weather of the season greeted conductor Osmo Vanska as he opened his weekend concerts with the Kansas City Symphony with a sizzling performance Friday night in Helzberg Hall.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/24/3932324/finnish-maestro-leads-kansas-city.html#storylink=cpy

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Barn Players "Curtains" review by andiam

A TRIUMPH Rating: 5


Curtains
The Barn Players, Inc.

I apologize for my laziness in reviewing this show after it closed instead of doing so when I first saw it (I liked it enough to go back a second time, as I did for the Barn's "Drowsy Chaperone"). High marks for the entire cast. I hate to single out just a few, but Kevin Bogan showed off his powerful voice in "I Miss the Music," and Trevor French, as the director of the play within a play, steals every scene he is in. His name on a marquee should be enough to sell tickets to any show in town. As for the lead, Curt Crespino--I did not see this show on Broadway, but I seriously doubt that David Hyde Pierce could have portrayed the character any better. This is a fun show which should be produced more often. I've been humming the songs for the past few weeks, and I can't get them out of my head.

Sprint Center "Batman Live" review by Robert Trussell

Any entertainment based on Batman, the caped crime-fighter who first appeared in Detective Comics in 1939, can be expected to adhere to tradition in certain basic ways. And most basic of all are the dictates that the title character must always be personality-challenged and that any actor who plays the Joker gets to steal the show. That’s what you get with “Batman Live,” a technically impressive spectacle that opened Friday afternoon at the Sprint Center.

more at kansascity.com

Praise for the KC Symphony by Steve Paul

For a city whose civic pride is tied so closely to the fates of its professional sports teams, this has been a dismal year. Although our soccer team made a late-season run (thud), our baseball and football fortunes have ranged from deep disappointment to profound embarrassment. But there’s another professional outfit in town — a team of skilled, sometimes athletic, frequently dazzling performers who have made in the last year or so a genuine, inspired claim on our collective heart. Yes, I’m speaking of the Kansas City Symphony.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/23/3931587/fanfare-for-an-uncommon-orchestra.html#storylink=cpy

Friday, November 23, 2012

Topeka Civic Theatre "Christmas Story" preview by Bill Blankenship

"A Christmas Story" is a holiday gift that just keeps on giving. Although he had wanted to produce the play based on the now classic 1983 movie ever since local playwright and retired Capital-Journal theater critic Phil Grecian adapted it for the stage in 2000, Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy artistic director Shannon Reilly hasn't been able to work it in the schedule.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Fall theatre recap by Robert Trussell

Technical expertise in the theater arts is always welcome. At Kansas City Repertory Theatre, for example, audiences have come to expect high-end stagecraft in productions that glow with a glossy sheen of professionalism.

more at kansascity.com

David Cook honored by Ultican Elementary

David Cook, the 2008 "American Idol" winner, was honored by his old elementary school Tuesday in Blue Springs.

more at the Examiner

Summit Theatre Group 2013 Season

Summit Theatre Group based in Lee's Summit has just announced their 2nd full season of shows for 2013. They include:

Feb 2: There's No Business Like Show Business Musical Revue

A benefit fundraiser for STG featuring some of the best musical theatre talent in the Kansas City area.

April 5-14: Sylvia by A R Gurney at Unity Village Chapel. Auditions will be held in late January or early February.

July 18-21: Annie Get Your Gun by Irving Berlin at Lee's Summit West High School.

September 11-15: The Guys by Jane Nelson at MCC Longview

October 24-27: Love Letters by A R Gurney at The Stanley in downtown Lee's Summit. A dinner theatre format.

Applicatons for directors now being accepted through December 15th. Send a resume and a brief one page description of your concept of the show you wish to direct to STG, PO Box 1736, LSMO or info@summittheatregroup.com.


Erin McGrane, Jeff Freling interview by Steve Walker

The term for a musical or artistic piece consisting of motifs or techniques borrowed from other sources is "pastiche." And what often results is a mix of theater, musicianship, and nostalgia, blended to a tee with the Kansas City duo Victor & Penny. The act consists of Erin McGrane and Jeff Freling who recently stopped by our studios to talk about how their varied careers in the arts led to this latest project. Performing in a minimalist fashion with a vintage guitar and ukulele, Victor & Penny specialize in jazzy pop standards from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as mixing in a few original tunes.

more at KCUR

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thank you from the Coterie

We all know what makes The Coterie such a special place: the people that support our work! This Thanksgiving, we just want to say, "thank you for being a friend." www.coterietheatre.org

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Maria Vasquez Boyd, Artspeak Radio interview by Justin Kendall

Occupation: Producer and host, Artspeak Radio; founding member, Latino Writers Collective; member, the Ukulele Fight Club.

more at the Pitch

Shawnee Mission North band tries out earplug program

Pounding away on a drum in an enclosed rehearsal room can take a toll on anyone’s hearing. But Shawnee Mission North band students have been given an opportunity to help reduce the risk of hearing loss through Etymotic Research, Inc.’s Adopt-A-Band program.

more at the Dispatch

"VC Tank" short film by Chris Williamson

Lauren Lapointe competes in the Ohio Star Ball

If U.S. ballroom dance had a Super Bowl, it would be the Ohio Star Ball.
Held for the past 35 years at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio, it's the final big annual competition on the Pro-Am DanceSport circuit, a six-day event for amateurs and professionals. It involves hundreds of contestants, 70 judges, three masters of ceremonies, two DJs — and, this time, one extremely well-heeled Kansas Citian.

more at the Pitch

Marion Ross "Game's Afoot" interview by Micheal Mackie

Tuesday, November 20 - We sit down with an actress who has done it all, Marion Ross, best known as Mrs. C from "Happy Days." She tells us about her nearly 60 years on television and previews "The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays," now playing at New Theatre in Overland Park.


KC Star calls for horrible holiday films

Today we announce our One-Minute Horrible Holidays Film Festival.
We want you to make an original one-minute film about a horrible holiday. It can be about almost anything holiday-related — within reason, of course. Some of our readers are quite impressionable.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/20/3927457/enter-our-horrible-holidays-film.html#storylink=cpy

Screenland Crossroads under new management

On the idea: “I had originally wanted to do a vintage arcade after visiting one in Springfield, Mo. I thought, “Kansas City needs something like this.’ … Eric (Graves) said, ‘I really like that arcade thing. What if we combine that with a kind of cult, indie movie concept?’ So we started planning …”

more at Ink

Read more here: http://inkkc.com/content/on-my-mind-screenland-gets-some-retro-fittings/#storylink=cpy

Olathe Community Theatre seeking directors and plays

The board of directors of the Olathe Community Theater Association (OCTA) is looking for directors for our 2013-2014 season. We'd like to invite you to submit a slate of no more than three scripts you'd like to direct at OCTA. If possible, please provide any license fees for each script submitted (9 performances, house seats 100, average ticket price $17). Send your ideas to us at this email address: octa.directors@olathetheatre.org, accompanied by your theatrical resume, by December 15, 2012. Additionally, please indicate the months of the year, from late Fall 2013 to late Spring 2014 that you are available.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Sharon Wright demo reel

Three time Best Actress award winner, Sharon Marie Wright. www.shesalwayswright.com

Missouri Arts Council announces arts awards

The recipients of the 30th annual Missouri Arts Awards were announced on November 19, 2012. The awards will officially be presented in a ceremony on February 6, 2013 at the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.

 more at the Missouri Arts Council

"America's Got Talent" seeking Americans with talent

America's Got Talent is coming to Kansas City December 2nd in search of the Best of the Best in Animal Acts ,Variety Acts, BMX or Skate Teams, Singers, Novelty Bands, Pop Groups, Ice Acts, Water Acts, anything entertaining and unique. This is an invitation only VIP audition. If you or someone you know fits the bill send the following ASAP to be considered.
  • Act Name
  • Age
  • Video of Talent
  • Contact Info
  • City you reside
Kathleen Erangey
America's Got Talent Season 8
Fremantle Media
Senior Casting Producer
kat.agtcasting@gmail.com
Cell 310 383 3105
www.agtauditions.com
www.NBC.com/AGT

Kansans featured in Ken Burns' "Dust Bowl"

In "The Dust Bowl," the Ken Burns documentary that debuts Sunday night on PBS, the filmmaker identifies Boise City, Okla., as ground zero of America's worst man-made ecological disaster, but its worst devastation also encompassed Kansas' southwest corner.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Joyce DiDonato "Drama Queens" review by DSM

The Joyce DiDonato/Dmitry Sinkovsky/Il Complesso Barocco performance last night in the Harriman-Jewell Series was really phenomenal. Many extraordinary, seldom-heard works by lesser-known Baroque composers, like Antonio Cesti (1623-1669), Geminiano Giacomelli (1692-1740), Giuseppe Orlandini (1676-1760), and Giovanni Porta (1675-1755). Extraordinarily dramatic and vivid vocal and instrumental interpretations. Extraordinarily tight and responsive interactions between the ensemble members and Ms. DiDonato throughout.

more at Chamber Music Today

Kauffman Center win "Develoment of Distinction" award


ULI Kansas City’s Developments of Distinction Awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate projects and people in Kansas City that exemplify ULI's mission: to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. The Awards seek to recognize completed regional projects that demonstrate exceptional achievement of best practices in development.

[Thanks, Tony]

New dancers join YouthFront Theater "Mystery of Christmas"

When Liz Dimmel’s “Mystery of Christmas” hits the stage for the 15th time this year, two young Prairie Village dancers will be helping bring the artistic director’s vision to life.

more at the Prairie Village Post

UMKC Student Jazz Combos reviewb by Happy in Bag

Jazz is hard.  The music's advocates in Kansas City are so accustomed to hearing performances by exquisitely refined musicians that it's easy to take their virtuosity for granted. 

more at Plastic Sax

Metropolitan Baptist Church Line Dance Workout by Cynthia Newsome

Cynthia Newsome steps into line dancing.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Heartland Men's Chorus "Dinner of Note" photos by Paul Ingold

Dinner of Note, a benefit for the Heartland Men’s Chorus and the LIKEME Lighthouse, was held on October 13th at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Michele Stauffer and Cathy Jambrosic were the honorary co-chairmen, and Marce Baxley and Alan Nelis served as the co-chairmen. Guests enjoyed dinner, dancing, auctions, and entertainment by country music star and Lighthouse founder, Chely Wright. HMC’s holiday concert, Cool Yule, featuring Marilyn Maye, will be held November 30th through December 2nd at the Folly Theater.

more at the Independent

Jay McShann, KC Jazz Festival performances

A couple weeks ago, to make a point, I posted live recordings of Jay McShann which you’ve never heard unless you were at the 1986 Kansas City Jazz Festival.

more at kcjazzlark
and part 2 here 

Coda Jazz Fund celebrates 10 years

The money raised through the fund goes to pay for the funerals and burials of area jazz musicians.

Alamo Drafthouse opening photos

The day we've all been waiting for finally came yesterday with not only a giant pair of scissors, but a huge sword as well. Tim League, creator of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon, as well as send our theater off on a good luck note by sabering the top of a Champagne bottle off with a trusty sabre, a tradition in which victorious cavalries would saber the top of a bottle after battle, because as Napoleon would say "In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it". Three bottles were sabered during the ceremony and all three were executed without exploding, so we're already off to a great start! Following the ceremony, Tim League led local members of the press on a tour of our historic building before sitting down to watch a special screening of Jurassic Park.

more at the Alamo Drafthouse