Pianist returns to Topeka for concert

International concert pianist Valarie Alexandra Valois, who grew up in Topeka as Ada McKinney, will perform a concert Saturday afternoon at Aldersgate Village in honor of her parents, Dorothy and the late Charles McKinney, and her brothers, Charles and Jack, and their families.

more at the Topeka Capital-Journal

Coffee fundraiser for the KC Symphony

The Kansas City Symphony and Fuel the Future, a service of Parisi Artisan Coffee, are proud to offer this unique support opportunity. If you love coffee or just love someone who loves coffee, you can now purchase locally roasted, high quality specialty coffee for yourself or as a gift and the proceeds of each purchase will directly support the Kansas City Symphony's youth programs.

With each purchase, you'll get exquisite tasting, fresh roasted coffee shipped direct to your door and a portion of the proceeds from each bag will help fund an ensemble of Symphony education programs benefiting KC youth.


Want great coffee at your work? You can support the Kansas City Symphony with coffee service at your place of business too, check out our Fractional Pack coffee selections. For more information on the Kansas City Symphony, go to kcsymphony.org. 

To get started, visit www.fuelthefuture.org and enter the fund code KCSYMPHONY.

Chestnut "Moo Juice: The Musical" review by Russ Simmons

Krista Eyler is an accomplished singer/songwriter who performs for children around the area as "Funky Mama." Eyler has turned her songwriting gift toward the stage, creating a likable lark called "Moo Juice: The Musical," now appearing at the Chestnut Fine Arts Center.

more at Sun Publications (after the 1776 review)

Musical Theatre Heritage "1776" review by Russ Simmons

At first blush, the idea of an all-female version of the hit Broadway musical "1776" might seem a bit too avant-garde. But any such concerns melt away in the early moments of the production mounted by Musical Theatre Heritage.

more at Sun Publications

"100 Years of Broadway" Neil Berg talks to the Lied Center

100 Years of Broadway Musical Director Neil Berg talks with the Lied Center about creating a show that features five Broadway stars singing adored songs from the past century.

Lawrence Busker Festival preview by Chad Lawhorn

El Gleno Grande will be doing a horse act without a horse. Mentoc the Mentalist will bend a spoon with nothing but his mind. And Mama Lou Strongwoman will rip through a phone book before you can tear even a single page. It must be time for Busker Fest in Downtown Lawrence.

more at the Lawrence Journal-World

Heavy Weather Films hosts benefit for veterans

Heavy Weather Films will host a pancake breakfast on August 21 at the First United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Kansas to benefit the Heart of America STAND DOWN Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides services to homeless veterans of the U.S. military in Kansas City.

more at Infozine

Ahmad Alaadeen jam session photos by Allison Long

more at kansascity.com