Youth in the Community Show Their Support

Driscoll School of Irish Dance performs at Future Stages Festival | Photo by Sara Unrein

Have you ever received a gift from a child? Perhaps it was a picture they put their heart and soul into or a chocolate bar they spent their life savings on? One thing is for sure: a gift from a kid, no matter the size, has a memorable impact and contagious positivity. This influence was felt when the Kauffman Center received a surprise donation from youth in the Driscoll School of Irish Dance. 

The Driscoll School of Irish Dance made their first appearance at Future Stages Festival in summer 2023. This annual festival at the Kauffman Center is free for performers and attendees. Upon receiving a $235.50 check in the mail from Driscoll, we were intrigued. After all, they owed no money! Further investigation revealed a contribution of kindness planned far in advance. 

Earlier this year, the Driscoll dancers were charged with finding an organization to support. They were inspired to contribute to the performing arts in their KC community and wanted to invest in something they love. This led them to the Kauffman Center. The Driscoll School raised funds at their Charity Treble Reel in March, their annual dance competition. To perform in the fundraiser, dancers from the age of 3 to adults in their 60s gave donations of $5 or more.  

A duo of Driscoll dancers performs at Future Stages Festival | Photo by Sara Unrein

After performing at Future Stages Festival, the Driscoll dancers felt even more confident that they had made the right decision. They were delighted in the activities and fascinated by the other talented performers. Going backstage at the Kauffman Center gave the dancers an authentic, professional experience.  

The youth at the Driscoll School of Irish Dance are enthusiastic about sharing – from their talents to funds. 

As a non-profit organization, the Kauffman Center hopes that the Driscoll Dancers will be a catalyst not only for artistic achievement, but for generosity. Unexpected and routine support provides vibrancy to the Kauffman Center’s mission and makes free community events like Future Stages Festival possible. 

If you are as inspired by the Driscoll Dancers as we are, we hope you will consider making a year-end contribution here. 

Enhance Your Event Experience

Audiences visit the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to inhale professional fine-arts performances and exhale awe and inspiration. Yet, at the Kauffman Center, excellence doesn’t have to be limited to inside the theater. Here are a few tips for making the most of your night. 

Photo by Kenny Johnson

Photo by Anna Petrow

Pre-purchase parking
Eliminate the stress of parking in downtown Kansas City by pre-purchasing parking in the Arts District Garage, located immediately south of the Kauffman Center. Not only does pre-purchasing parking provide peace of mind by reserving a spot, it also reduces the price! Parking for events in the Arts District Garage is $13 in advance or $16 upon arrival. For the most opportune parking experience, you can opt for valet parking on the drop-off drive located on the south side of the building, available for $22 in advance or $24 upon arrival for most performances.  

You may pre-purchase garage or valet parking passes through our website or by calling the ticket office at 816.994.7222 during business hours. 

Dining at the Kauffman Center
Start your night with pre-show dining in the sophisticated Founders’ Lounge. Select from a seasonal menu of elegant dishes, cocktails, wines and spirits. The Founders’ Lounge, located just within the south doors, includes views and tastes as superb as the show itself. Reservations are encouraged and walk-ins welcome. Visit Dining at Kauffman Center for more information and to make a reservation.

Pre-purchase intermission beverages
Enjoy intermission without the hassle of standing in line. Pre-purchase beverages by submitting your beverage order at the nearest bar prior to the performance and it will be ready for pick-up at the same spot at intermission. 

Available offerings include coffee, soft drinks, alcohol and small snacks.  

Photo by Alistair Tutton Photography

Helpful Hints
Spend less time waiting and more time relaxing by visiting the fifth-floor balcony. This bar often has a shorter line coupled with exceptional views of the city. 

Drinks can be enjoyed prior to showtimes by visiting the bars. Remember that drinks are not allowed in the theater (with the exception of box seating).

Remember your evening by allowing time to browse our gift shop located on the fourth-floor lobby. The Kauffman Center gift shop has unique keepsakes from books to clothing to art.

Pre-purchasing drinks, visiting early and keeping an eye out for shorter lines ensure you can enjoy your night without a rush. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to provide an unforgettable experience beyond the show itself. We hope you engage with the Kauffman Center’s offerings for a holistic and luxurious evening. 

PNC Pop-Up in Brandmeyer Great Hall

Local businesses kicked off the holidays on Nov. 28, 2023, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with a jazz performance from the Marcus Lewis Quartet, the surprise artist for the third Ensemble PNC Pop-Up event this year.

With the soulful sounds of jazz and views of the Kansas City skyline from Brandmeyer Great Hall, Ensemble members and guests donned their holiday attire and enjoyed a reception of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. When guests departed for the evening, they were given holiday cookies and hot cocoa to go from Kauffman Center Executive Chef Laura Comer.

The Marcus Lewis Quartet performed at the event

Marcus Lewis currently lives in Kansas City, Mo., where he leads his own bands from a trio to an 18-piece big band. His latest project, “Brass and Boujee,” debuted on the iTunes Jazz Charts at #2 and the Billboard contemporary jazz charts at #15. Marcus is also the Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Kansas City-Missouri UMKC. Some notable artists who he has performed and/or recorded with include Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, Prince, Musiq Soulchild, Avery Sunshine, The Barkays and many more.

PNC, the presenting sponsor of Ensemble and official bank of the Kauffman Center, has been an Ensemble member since 2017. PNC has a strong commitment to the arts and early childhood education.

Kim Herman, senior vice president and director of client & community relations at PNC, believes PNC Pop-Ups are an opportunity for members to hear from local and talented artists in Kansas City.

Ensemble members and guests attended

“It is extremely intimate, and each performance is a complete surprise. You don’t know where the reception will be or the artist until you arrive for the performance. Everyone likes surprises and every artist to date has been outstanding!” Herman said.

Ensemble is the Kauffman Center’s business membership program consisting of more than 75 businesses in the KC metro area. Businesses can join the Ensemble group to network with others, grow their business, reward their employees and support the arts.

Ensemble members receive year-round business development, recognition and hospitality benefits. These benefits have impacted PNC in a multitude of ways.

“Early on with our sponsorship and membership, Ensemble provided PNC with an opportunity to network with other business leaders,” Herman said.  “Since then, we have watched attendance grow at the PNC Pop-Up performances, our employees have enjoyed young professional events and private tours, and we have been able to leverage the PNC Pop-Up artists outside of Kauffman Center to further enhance their exposure and our commitment to the arts.”

To learn more about Ensemble, visit our website.

Event photos by Don Ipock.

Nine local businesses were recognized Thursday evening in Brandmeyer Great Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for being Ensemble members for 5 and 10 consecutive years.

Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, addressed the audience with a heartfelt message of gratitude after sharing her vision and leadership that made the Kauffman Center a realty in downtown Kansas City in 2011.

Kudos to the following businesses who received awards for 5-years of Ensemble membership: B&B Theatres, IMA Financial Group, In-Tone, Loews Kansas City Hotel, Saint Luke’s Health System, Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, and Stephens & Associates.

Congratulations to Hawthorn Bank and Henderson Engineers for receiving awards for 10-years of Ensemble membership.

Thank you to PNC, the presenting sponsor of Ensemble and the official bank of the Kauffman Center. Businesses join Ensemble to network with others, grow their business, reward their employees and support the arts. Learn more at kauffmancenter.org/ensemble.

Event photos by Don Ipock.

Making Events Special at the Kauffman Center

Epic surprise finale for wedding guests in Brandmeyer Great Hall | Photo by Mullinix Weddings

It is often debated whether the journey or the destination holds the most significance. For the special events team at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the answer is both. The destination includes dazzling spaces, unique customizations and superb food, but the journey is equally important as client needs are prioritized from the first meeting all the way through to the end of the event.  

Executive Chef Laura Comer crafts delicious dishes for special events at the Kauffman Center | Photo by Fantasia Ta

Lisa Voss, senior director of sales, special events, leads a team who is eager to elevate projects with focused planning and attention to detail. Every event looks different based on the client’s vision, but the planning process is consistent and guarantees success. Voss and her team take pride in effectively leading client meetings to understand the vision and scope of the event. From there, it is all about time management and organization to create the more than 100 events Voss’ team averages a year.  

Widely known for exceptional catering, the Kauffman Center is fortunate to have award-winning Executive Chef Laura Comer preparing culinary selections that highlight her talents from the first bite to the last crumb of each dish. What sets Chef Comer’s culinary abilities apart is her attention to detail and eagerness to fulfill every client’s wish… and of course, a touch of edible glitter when she has the chance! With flexibility and patience, Chef Comer crafts menus considering dietary restrictions and specialized requests. 

In addition to an exceptional special events team, the Kauffman Center offers unique spaces providing clients with the flexibility to design the aesthetic of their dreams. Three main spaces, Brandmeyer Great Hall, Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall, offer vastly different experiences for both big and small occasions. 

Brandmeyer Great Hall features a wall of windows with gorgeous views of the Kansas City skyline to the south. This stunning space is a blank canvas of white walls and floors allowing clients to bring their ideas to life. Brandmeyer Great Hall holds up to 450 guests for a seated dinner and up to 1,000 guests for a cocktail reception.

An array of hors d’ourves for a special event | Photo contributed by Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Muriel Kauffman Theatre’s breathtaking interior in shades of red provides an elegant backdrop for any event. The stage in this space can be used for onstage presentations with the addition of a large screen. Additionally, the 5,000 square-foot stage can accommodate 300 guests for a seated meal. 

Helzberg Hall is a space known for its amazing acoustics as well as the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875, which is a focal point of the hall. This space has a capacity of 1,600 seats for a performance or presentation and can seat 80 onstage for a culinary event. 

The exceptional staff, services and spaces at the Kauffman Center combine to create unforgettable  experiences for the Kansas City community year after year. The journey and the destination are filled with magic at the Kauffman Center! For pricing, booking and more information about event rentals, visit kauffmancenter.org/specialevents or email events@kauffmancenter.org.

Cocktails and amazing views under the Kauffman Center cables and glass curtain | Photo by Jessica Roark

Helzberg Hall awaiting guests for a special event | Photo by Freeland Photography

Brandmeyer Great Hall transformed for a private dinner | Photo by Kyle Rivas