Kansas City's boasts some of the finest jazz music (and jazz venues) in the country. 

The fabulous BANGUARD JAZZ ORCHESTRA is a collection of 16 smooth artists from New York.  The Banguard Jazz Orchestra will play at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO on Saturday, March 3rd, 8pm.
Admission: $18-$35
Phone: 816 474-4444
KC's 18th and Vine District is home to local jazz.  The American Jazz Museum's BLUE ROOM is a museum during the day and a working jazz club at night.  The Blue Room resonates with the sweet sounds of Kansas City jazz.  

Hours:  Monday, Thursday 5pm to 11pm - entertainment begins at 7pm
Friday:  5pm to 1pm - Entertainment begins at 8pm
Saturday: 7pm - 1am - Entertainment begins at 8:30pm
Go to http://americanjazzmuseum.org/SiteResources/Data/Templates/t2.asp?docid=559&DocName=PERFORMANCE%20|%20In%20the%20Blue%20Room

The Friends of Chamber Music  present the 2012 BACH FESTIVAL

www.chambermusic.org

When I was in high school, I wanted to be an actress.  Our  choir director collaborated with a music teacher who gave piano and voice lessons.  No one had to tell me that, if I wanted to be a soloist, I needed to enroll in her voice classes.  Mrs. Schupp also arranged for her students to attend vocal and instrumental concerts at venues throughout St. Louis.  My first concert was an organ recital; Mario Salvadore played Bach’s Wedding Cantata at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis … and I fell in love with Baroque music.  The Baroque era (1600 – 1760) followed the Renaissance and preceded the Classical era.  Thank you, Mrs. Schupp, and to all of the musicians and music aficionados who introduced us to these music masters.

Kansas City’s Friends of Chamber Music  proudly present Konstantin Lifschitz, Grammy-award winning pianist, to this year’s 2012 BACH FESTIVAL.  Plan to attend one (or all!) of the following:

♪     Friday, February 10, 8pm     Folly Theater
Italian Concerto in F Major
Complete Inventions and Sinfonias
French Overture in B minor
Tickets:  $12 - $38

♪     Saturday, February 11, 8pm     Folly Theater
Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
Tickets:  $12 - $40

♪     Kansas City Chamber Orchestra with Konstantin Lifschitz
Tuesday, February 14, 8pm     Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Sinfonia from Cantata Ich steh mit einem Fuss in Grabe
Cantata Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten
Keyboard Concerto No. 7 in G minor
Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D minor
$31 - $46
(Call the Central Ticket Office, 816-235-6222, for tickets)

♪     Saturday, February 18, 8pm     Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Prelude and Fugue in E-Flat Major “St. Anne”
Goldberg Variations, Aria mit Veränderungen
$12 - $46

♪     Sunday, February 19, 2:30pm     UMKC’s White Recital Hall
The Art of the Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge)
Chorale:  Vor Deinem Thron tret’ ich hiermit
(Call the UMKC Central Ticket Office, 816-235-6222, for tickets)

 More information about the 2012 BACH FESTIVAL at the Friends of Chamber Music’s website, www.chambermusic.org, or call:

UMKC Central Ticket Office, 816-235-6222

4949 Cherry

Kansas City, MO

www.kansascityartistscoalition.org

The KANSAS CITY ARTISTS COALITION supports local artists by promoting programs, exhibitions, and fundraising events in our community.
This year's 29th ANNUAL ART AUCTION will be the coalition's biggest and brightest fundraising event. The Auction Preview Reception is free. Tickets for the Art Auction on February 18^th are $25.  
 Go to http://www.kansascityartistscoalition.org/index.html or call 816-421-5222.

www.kansascityartistscoalition.org

The Preview Exhibition
February 5th, 1-4pm    8th-11th, 11-6pm    12th, 1-4pm
Auction Night  Saturday, February 18              
Doors open at 6:00
Silent Auction is 6:00-7:45pm.    Live Auction at 8:00pm
Tickets
General admission tickets are $25.00
Reserve seat tickets are an additional $100
KANSAS CITY ARTISTS COALITION
201 Wyandotte Kansas City MO 64105
Phone: 816.421.5222
www.kansascityartistscoalition.org

The Coterie Theater and The Culture House:

Powerhouse Creative Venues for Kansas City Youth

Amanda-Fay Moore, a St. Joseph, MO teacher, violinist, and mother of one-year-old son, Hudson, is writing her dissertation about “the positive academic and social effects that assist in the development of critical academic skill” when students take part in music programs.  She contends, “Many schools are cutting their instrumental music programs or failing to encourage participation in instrumental music classes.”  Amanda-Fay is a passionate advocate of the arts and promotes the academic benefits of instrumental music programs within our schools and community.

Although many schools feel forced to cut creative arts programs in order to allow more time for core subject instruction, we are blessed with local artists, musicians, directors, choreographers, teachers, and actors who understand the powerful connections between the discipline required to hone one’s craft and develop habits which will help students become successful.  They provide our youth with opportunities to explore their potential and express their creative talents in Kansas City. 

 The Coterie Theater and The Culture House stage explosive productions; invite local children to experience classes in art, music, dance, storytelling, and acting; and provide schools with instructional resources that allow teachers to investigate the history and issues explored in glorious programs which amaze and transform audiences of all ages.

www.coterietheatre.org

The Coterie Theatre 
2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, Kansas City, MO 64108
The Wrestling Season
January 24^th – February 19^th
Time Magazine calls The Coterie Theatre  “one of the five best theatres for young audiences in the U.S.”   

Photos by Marianne Kilroy

The Wrestling Season is a compelling drama based on the book by Laurie Brooks, directed by Leigh Miller, and is sponsored in part by Kansas City’s  Child Center.  The cast grapples with complicated issues such as bullying and peer pressure as they square off in competition with one another on the wrestling mat.  More information can be found on the Coterie website, http://www.coterietheatre.org, or call the Coterie Box Office, 816-474-6552.

www.theculturehouse.com

The Culture House
14808 W 117th St    Olathe, KS 66062          
913-393-3141
In 1996, I was invited to coordinate the opening liturgical celebration at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City.  I was given the name of a young couple who moved to the area with a vision of founding a local home for promotion of the creative arts, community involvement, social justice, and mission grounded in a spiritual foundation.  Their breathtaking choreography included performances of young local talents and transformed liturgical celebrations at future youth conferences.

www.culturehouse.com

Sixteen years later, the vision of Jeremiah and Mona Enna flourished into what we know now as The Culture House and established:

·         Störling Dance Theater

·         Change Agent (music group and composers ensemble)

·         The Culture House Chat Night (a lecture series featuring the combined support of The Francis Schaeffer Institute)

·         The Culture House Academy of the Performing Arts

Jeremiah explains, “The Culture House is dedicated to shaping the future through excellence, education, social engagement, and ideas.” 

More information can be found at http://www.culturehouse.com/index.php.

There are two wonderful local talents who invite us to tap into our own acting gifts.

http://www.actortrainingstudio

ACTOR TRAINING STUDIO (ATS)
5350 W. 94^th Terrace, Prairie Village, KS
Andy Garrison, founder and director of the ACTOR TRAINING STUDIO, explains, “At the Actor Training Studio, we recognize that you’ve got a unique contribution to make through acting.”  ATS professional and amateur actors find “a supportive yet challenging environment where you’ll explore the boundaries of your potential.”
Call Andy, 816-674-5601, or go to http://www.actortrainingstudio.com, for more info!

www.wrightlairdcasting.com

Wright / Laird Casting

3619 Broadway, Suite 10, Kansas City, MO    

816-531-0331

Wright/Laird Casting has been involved in talent casting for advertisers and the motion picture industry for 29 years (ever heard of Winter’s Bone?).

Heather Laird, principal and managing partner, offers opportunities for local talent to hone their acting chops in front of a camera.

Jack Wright, principal and founding partner, is a professor of theater and film at the University of Kansas.  He also provides consulting services.  Go to their website, http://www.wrightlairdcasting.com/html/actor_news.html, for more news about upcoming classes for kids & adults.

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS:  DON'T THINK 
CINEMARK 20 in MERRIAM, KS. 

www.thechemicalbrothers.com

Wednesday, Feb. 1st      7:30pm      
Go to http://www.cinemark.com/movie-detail.aspx?node_id=54450 for ticket information.

The Chemical Brothers have performed amazing audiovisual performances to live audiences around the world for 20 years.  For one night (Feb. 1st), they bring their techno-brilliant talents to film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21UItm9UCr0
You can find much more info about THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS on their website, http://www.thechemicalbrothers.com/#p=home

It's FILM MONTH at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art!  What better way to begin a celebration of film than by inviting movie buffs (like me!) to two free films?  Follow the links below for free tickets!

https://peo.nelson-atkins.org/show.asp

Eames: The Architect and the Painter 
Thursday, Feb. 2     6-8:30 p.m. | Atkins Auditorium   
Charles and Ray Eames were a hugely innovative husband-and-wife team who created unique plywood and fiberglass furniture during the 1950s.    Click here for FREE TICKETS:  https://peo.nelson-atkins.org/show.asp 

The Raft: Conflict, Compassion and Drama
            Saturday, Feb. 4     6-8:30 p.m. | Atkins Auditorium  
You're invited to Bill Viola's The Raft then engage with a panel that includes a Buddhist lama, a psychologist and a theatre director as they reflect upon the complexity of the human spirit.
Click here for  FREE TICKETS:   https://peo.nelson-atkins.org/show.asp
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111-1873
816-751-1ART

Johnson County Community College brings a full array of artistic talents to Overland Park, Kansas. 

12345 College Blvd, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS 66210

Coming soon to YARDLEY HALL as part of JCCC’s Performing Arts Series:

http://www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series/events/2011-2012

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre

8 p.m., Friday, February 3rd
Experience the passion of 20 dancers, singers and musicians as they perform classical Spanish dance, folklorico and flamenco!   Featuring guest artists Christian Lozano and Paloma Gomez

 

Photo credit: Scott Suchman

       The Color Purple

8 p.m., Friday, February 10^th 
In 1982, Alice Walker described the story of two sisters in rural Georgia expressed through a series of letters.  The Color Purple is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the poignant movie by Steven Spielberg.  Although the Tony- and Grammy-award winning musical courageously exposes challenging issues such as racism and domestic abuse, it celebrates the inspiring story of a woman who chose forgiveness over bitterness, joy over violence and grief, and hope out of desolation. 

Go to https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?e=3e26862927e16103f054a922a886e582&t=tix to order tickets or call 913-469-4445.

KKFI, KC ARTS MAGAZINE

veniceclassicradio.eu

KKFI, 90.1FM, KC Arts Magazine

Michael Hogge hosts the Arts Magazine on KKFI every week on Mondays at noon.  Tune into 90.1FM to hear all about celebrations of the arts in Kansas City.   Listeners will discover the latest news about theater, performance art, & some of Kansas City’s unique galleries and visual arts displays.   Go to http://www.kkfi.org/program.php?id=2 for more info!



©2012 The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art invites interactive engagement with guests of all ages through invitation to Studio 33, "THE place for art-related multimedia at the Nelson-Atkins."  The beautiful museum opened in 1933 to provide visitors with opportunities to experience its rich splendor.  Studio 33 continues that tradition by providing videos, audio and interactive features, and connections to social media.  Go to http://www.nelson-atkins.org/studio33/index.cfm to learn more!

©2012 The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

http://www.tivolikc.com

The SHORT FILM SHOWCASES return to the TIVOLI (4050 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO) on Friday, February 3^rd. The short film showcase includes rousing live action flicks, imaginative animated films, & stunning documentaries. The TIVOLI is a bold theatre nestled in the heart of Westport Manor Square. Go to   http://www.tivolikc.com/index.html or call 913-383-7756 for more information.

KANSAS CITY FILM FEST    April 11—15, 2012

The Kansas City Film Fest provides venues for local filmmakers to showcase their collective talents! The short & feature films in several divisions: the Heartland Division (filmmakers from Missouri or Kansas), US / International Division and CinemaJAZZ Division (films inspired by jazz). Kansas Citians inspired by the arts will also have opportunities to view special programs of international & independent films.
The Kansas City FilmFest is presented every year by the Kansas City FilmFest, a Missouri non-profit organization. Go to http://kcfilmfest.org/ for more info!

http://www.filmsforaction.org/

Films For Action is a community-powered alternative news center and learning library for people who want to change the world. 
Tim Hjersted (Project Director; Lawrence, KS) states, "Films For Action uses the power of film to raise awareness of important social, environmental, and media-related issues not covered by the mainstream news. Our goal is to provide citizens with the information and perspectives essential to creating a more just, sustainable, and democratic society." 
The website has cataloged over 900 of the best films and videos that can be watched free online:  http://kc.filmsforaction.org/

The OSCARS 2012

en.wikipedia.org

Almost all of the best movies of the year appeared at the end of the Academy's voting season.  Some surprises (only 2 melodies for best song?) and snubs (Where was Ryan Gosling in the line-up of actor nominations?), but, as Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times critic-extraordinaire) states, "the Oscar is an award, not a gift."  Here's my pics for this years Oscars:

Jean Dujardin/Uggie/The Artist photo: The Weinstein Company

* BEST PICTURE   Who should win?  It's a close call:  Either The Artist or Hugo    Who will win? The Artist 
* BEST FOREIGN FILM    A Separation (Iran)    This is a powerful, complicated reminder that good people with contrasting beliefs are still good people. 
* BEST ACTOR   Who should win?  Though Jean Dujardin was brilliant in The Artist, my vote goes to Demian Bichir in A Better Life    Who will win?  George Clooney (The Descendants)  Because he's George.
* BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR   Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
* BEST ACTRESS   Who should win?  Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs) should finally get the recognition she deserves; she disappears into a male character desperately trying to be who she is by being what she's not.   Who will win? Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)  
* BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS   Who should win?    Jessica Chastain brilliantly portrayed Celia Foote with warmth and charm in The Help.  Who will win?   Octavia Spencer took home the SAG and the Golden Globe for her wonderful portrayal as Minnie in The Help.  Kathryn Stockett, author of the moving novel, revealed Octavia was the inspiration behind the development of the outspoken maid's character.
* BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ANIMAL  Uggie, the adorable Jack Russell terrier from The Artist, joined this year's list of strong male actors in their golden years who offered stellar performances on the silver screen this season.

©2012 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Watch The 84th Academy Awards on Sun., Feb. 26th, at 7pm(EST)/4pm(PST), on ABC, http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/84/nominees.html

ACTION! KANSAS CITY is a blog dedicated to the promotion of the CREATIVE ARTS and MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATIONS in the Kansas City metropolitan and surrounding areas.  If you're looking for information about music, movies, art, live performances, restaurant guides, gallery exhibits, and ethnic celebrations, check out ACTION! KANSAS CITY .