The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts welcomes fans and Major League Baseball to Kansas City by hosting an open house on Monday and Tuesday, July 9 and 10th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Monday, July 9, Kauffman Center guides will offer free one-hour presentations about the performing arts center, including its history, construction and unique design. These presentations will be held in Muriel Kauffman Theatre at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Reservations are suggested to assure seating. Tickets to these free sessions can be reserved online. A limited number of tickets will be available each day for walk-ins.
On Tuesday, both performance halls in the Kauffman Center will be open to visitors, and guides will be available to answer questions. No reservations are required.
The Kauffman Center will be closed to the public on July 7th and 8th for a private event.
For reservations call 816-994-7222 or visit our website here.
Local Kansas City Students Chosen To Participate In First-Ever Music Revolution Project, Aiming To Create The Next Generation of Musicians and Songwriters
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 14, 2012) – Additional details about The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project, a new education initiative developed by The GRAMMY Museum, have been announced by Bob Santelli, Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum. In addition to the continued development of the curriculum, local Kansas City- area students have been selected for inclusion in the program.
Scheduled to debut as a pilot program in Kansas City, Mo. on Monday, June 18, 2012, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project offers talented youth the opportunity to engage in musical discourse and performance with their peers, spurring innovative ideas within the realm of American music.
“The student-selection process was a rigorous one, and we found no shortage of talent in Kansas City,” said GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, who will also be instructing selected courses during the program. “With the commitment of our first-class partners, support from the Kansas City arts community and dedicated students, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project is primed to introduce the world to the next generation of musical talent.”
Created with generous support from AEG, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and The Recording Academy, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project will stimulate creative young musicians by connecting them with GRAMMY-level artists. During The GRAMMY Museum’s summer’s pilot program, 24 young artists will participate in an intensive, four-week curriculum including instruction, rehearsals and mentoring at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Sprint Center, two venues located in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
The selected high-school and college students have demonstrated not only an enthusiasm for the arts, but also a deep understanding of their craft in a wide-range of genres including Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Folk and Roots, Sacred and Classical music. Created to broaden musical and creative skill while helping establish relationships, the program is also designed to increase self-esteem, help students develop entrepreneurial skills and grow their passion for music. During the first week of the program, students will be introduced to the scheduled coursework, obtain an overview of the music industry today and focus on the history of the Blues genre.
Selected students for the Kansas City pilot program include:
Olivia Adams – St. James Academy
Brooks Brown – Blue Valley North High School
Blair Bryant – Lee’s Summit West High School
Isaiah Carter – Lee’s Summit West High School
Promise Clutter – Shawnee Mission East
Megan Faber – Pembroke Hill High School
Ryan Ganaban – North Kansas City High School
Gardner Grantham – Shawnee Mission East
Maxwell Griffith – Lawrence High School
Connor Leander – Blue Valley North West
Michael LeFever – Vargas Ottawa University
Shelby Lewis – Staley High School
Damian Malnar – Rockhurst High School
Addison May – Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
Ernest Melton – Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
Madeline Miley – Baldwin High School
Mason Pashia – Shawnee Mission East
Kat Pismenny – Raymore-Peculiar High School
Nick Riffle – Park Hill South High School
Jillian Riscoe – Alumna of Oak Park High School
Houston Smith – Rockhurst High School
Mariah Studebaker – Oak Park High School
Brandon Thomas – Paseo Academy School of Performing Arts
Micah Welch – St. Teresa’s Academy
On Thursday, June 21, three-time GRAMMY Award-winner, Keb Mo will be joining the students to speak about the history of the Blues and serve as a mentor to the program. Born Kevin Moore in Los Angeles to parents from the South, Mo’s music is an expression of the artistic and cultural journey that has transformed the Blues over time. His distinctive sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including pop, soul, folk, jazz and the singer-songwriter movement, with the common bond of the power of song to convey human experiences. Additional artists currently slated to participate include Billy Branch, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Andy Gibson, Claude Kelly, Jimmy Jam and more.
For more information regarding the Music Revolution Project, please visit: www.grammymuseum.org/revolution.
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ABOUT The GRAMMY MUSEUM
Paying tribute to music’s rich cultural history, this one-of-a-kind, 21st-century Museum explores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music, the creative process, the art and technology of the recording process, and the history of the premier recognition of excellence in recorded music — the GRAMMY Award. The GRAMMY Museum features 30,000 square feet of interactive and multimedia exhibits located within L.A. LIVE, the downtown Los Angeles sports, entertainment and residential district. Through thought-provoking and dynamic public and educational programs and exhibits, guests will experience music from a never-before-seen insider perspective that only The GRAMMY Museum can deliver. For more information about the GRAMMY Museum, visit www.grammymuseum.org.
ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a major new center for music, opera, theater, and dance, opened in downtown Kansas City, Missouri on September 16, 2011. The Kauffman Center will present a wide range of entertainers and performances from around the world, including classical, pop, and jazz music, ballet and contemporary dance, Broadway productions, comedy shows, school matinees and more. In addition, the Kauffman Center will serve as the performance home of three of the region’s leading performing arts organizations—Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
ABOUT AEG
AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, owns or is affiliated with a collection of companies including over 100 of the world’s preeminent facilities such as STAPLES Center (Los Angeles, CA), The Home Depot Center (Carson, CA), Best Buy Theater (Times Square, New York), Sprint Center, (Kansas City), Rose Garden Arena (Portland, OR), Target Center (Minneapolis, MN), Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, China), MasterCard Center (Beijing, China), O2 World Hamburg, Allphones Arena (Sydney, Australia), Ericsson Globe arena (Stockholm, Sweden), O2 World arena (Berlin, Germany) and The O2 arena and entertainment district (London, England) which are all part of the portfolio of AEG Facilities. Developed by AEG, L.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district featuring Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Club Nokia, a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters” destination along with entertainment, restaurant and office space that “officially” opened in 2010. In addition to overseeing privately held management shares of the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), assets of AEG Sports include franchises and properties such as the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo (MLS), two hockey franchises in Europe, the Amgen Tour of California cycling race and Bay to Breakers foot race. AEG Live, the company’s live-entertainment division, is the world’s second largest concert promotion and touring companies and is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions with fifteen regional offices. AEG Global Partnerships, a division responsible for worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships naming rights and other strategic partnerships and AEG Merchandising, a multi-faceted merchandising company are also core business units of AEG. In 2010, AEG launched its AEG 1EARTH environmental program with the announcement of 2020 environmental goals and the release of the industry’s first sustainability report while in 2011, AEG introduced axs Ticketing, the first phase of its new entertainment platform serving as the company’s primary consumer brand which will also feature a mobile service as well as a video content service now in development. For additional information, visit www.aegworldwide.com.
KAUFFMAN CENTER ANNOUNCES TWO BROADWAY LEGENDS TO KICK OFF THE 2012 – 2013 ‘KAUFFMAN CENTER PRESENTS’ SEASON
Iconic performers Bernadette Peters and Ben Vereen to take the stage at the Kauffman Center
KANSAS CITY, MO – Today, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced that tickets go on sale July 5th for three-time Tony Award winning Broadway actress and film star Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winning actor, dancer, and television great Ben Vereen.
Bernadette Peters will perform at the Kauffman Center in Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Saturday, August 18 in “Bernadette Peters in Concert” alongside members of the Kansas City Symphony. Ben Vereen will perform in Helzberg Hall on Saturday, September 8 in his one-man show “Steppin’ Out With Ben Vereen.” Both performers are a part of the ‘Kauffman Center Presents – American Legends’ series.
“The Kauffman Center Presents series features diverse performances that showcase excellence in the performing arts. We’re thrilled to be welcome two of Broadway’s finest performers to the Kauffman Center,” said Jane Chu, President & CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
ABOUT BERNADETTE PETERS
Making her Kauffman Center debut, Bernadette Peters will perform in Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Saturday, August 18 as the first presentation of the Kauffman Center’s 2012-2013 American Legends Series, which showcases legendary artist who have mastered their genres and have been instrumental in defining American culture.
Throughout her illustrious career, Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert and on recordings. One of Broadway’s brightest stars, Peters received both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her critically acclaimed performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical “Song and Dance.” Peters earned her second Tony Award, her third Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of Annie Oakley in one of Broadway’s most popular musicals, the smash Tony Award winning hit Broadway revival of “Annie Get Your Gun.” Peters also received Tony nominations for her work in the 1992 musical “The Goodbye Girl” and Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Sunday in the Park With George.”
Recently, Peters guest starred on NBC’s new hit series “SMASH.” She has appeared in the Lifetime movie, “Living Proof“ opposite Harry Connick, Jr.; a guest starring role in the two-hour 2008 season premiere of the ABC-TV hit series, Grey’s Anatomy, and a recurring role on the popular TV hit, “Ugly Betty. “
A performer of amazing versatility, Peters has lit up the silver screen in seventeen films throughout her career. Film credits include “The Jerk“ with Steve Martin, “The Longest Yard“ with Burn Reynolds, “Silent Movie“ with Mel Brooks, “ Annie“ with Carol Burnett, and “Pink Cadillac“ with Clint Eastwood.
ABOUT BEN VEREEN
Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country’s artistic legacy. On Broadway, Ben Vereen has appeared in “Wicked,“ “Fosse,” “I’m Not Rappaport,” “Hair,“ “Jesus Christ Superstar,“ “Pippin,” “Grind,” “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “A Christmas Carol.” His role in “Pippin” garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for “Best Actor in a Musical.” For over 40 years, Ben has showcased his versatility and creativity, performing around the world. He was the first simultaneous winner of the “Entertainer of the Year,” “Rising Star,” and “Song and Dance Star” awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). He also earned a coveted spot in the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.
Ben Vereen will be performing his one-man show “Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen,” featuring the music of Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra, and the best of Broadway.
While performing worldwide, Ben’s acting credits continue to give us memorable roles that stand the test of time such as the unforgettable Chicken George in “Roots” and Louis Armstrong in “Louis Armstrong – Chicago Style.” Ben’s television guest appearances include “How I Met Your Mother,“ “Grey’s Anatomy (for which he won the Prism Award), “House of Payne,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “OZ,” “Touched By An Angel,” “Second Noah,” “New York Undercover,” “The Nanny,” “Star Trek – The Next Generation,” “The Jamie Fox Show,” “The Promised Land,” and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Ben has also had recurring roles on “Silk Stalkings,” “Webster,” and “J.J. Starbuck and Booker.”
On January 30, 2012, Ben was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. This coming July, he will appear at the new venue, 54 Below, for two weeks, followed by the Broadway debut of his one man show. The Museum of Dance will honor Ben with a lifetime achievement award in August 2012.
ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a major new center for music, opera, theater, and dance designed by Moshe Safdie opened in Kansas City on September 16, 2011. The Kauffman Center presents vibrant performances and educational programming, and advances the role of the performing arts as a catalyst for Kansas City’s educational, civic, and economic vitality.
Three of the region’s leading performing arts organizations—Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City—are in residence at the Kauffman Center. The Kauffman Center’s two performance venues, the 1,800-seat Muriel Kauffman Theatre and the 1,600-seat Helzberg Hall, offer audiences engaging and intimate experiences, while at the same time providing resident companies with dramatically enhanced performance capabilities.
Serving as a cultural cornerstone for Kansas City’s dynamic downtown, the Kauffman Center brings a new spotlight to the region’s performing arts community while simultaneously attracting some of the world’s most talented performers and entertainers, further establishing Kansas City as a major cultural destination.
More information on the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is available at www.kauffmancenter.org.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts would like the thank our official building sponsors, Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, for their generous support of our 2012-2013 season.
National Geographic Live!
The adventure continues with our 2012-2013 season!
Buy your subscription now to get the best seats at the best prices for four shows you will never forget.
Call our box office at (816) 994-7222.
Brian Skerry
Underwater Photographer
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
Voyage across the oceans with Brian Skerry, one of Nat Geo’s most seasoned photographers, and discover a vast, hidden world beneath the waves.
Catherine Karnow
Travel Photojournalist
Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
After spending years on assignment for National Geographic Traveler magazine, Catherine Karnow shares stories of her encounters with some of her most cherished subjects.
Tim Laman
Photographer & Biologist
Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
Journey with Tim Laman deep into the New Guinea rain forest canopy for a rare glimpse of some of nature’s most elusive creatures, the birds of paradise.
Kobie Boykins
NASA Engineer
Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
A fresh face on America’s space program, Kobie Boykins, recounts the Mars program’s amazing successes and offers a look at the possibilities lying just ahead.
National Geographic Live is generously supported by Teresa and Tom Walsh
Once a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins, Mireya Mayor has since earned a reputation as the “female Indiana Jones.” Now an anthropologist and Emmy-nominated wildlife correspondent for National Geographic, Mayor has done everything from diving with great white sharks to getting charged by gorillas. She wrote about her adventure in her book Pink Boots and a Machete, and on May 20-21 Mayor will share her story and a report on current wildlife issues with Kansas City.
On Sunday, May 20, Mayor will be giving special presentations at the polar bear exhibit at the Kansas City Zoo from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Then on Monday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m., Mayor will give her public presentation in Muriel Kauffman Theatre at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Before the show, the Kansas City Zoo will be visiting in Brandmeyer Great Hall with an interactive animal exhibit. Tickets are still available for this great night of exploration and adventure!
Mayor’s presentation is the last of a four-part National Geographic LIVE series at the Kauffman Center. The series features National Geographic correspondents sharing their tales of exploration, discovery and behind-the-scenes accounts of life on expedition. Accompanied by National Geographic’s stunning photography, speakers present on wildlife, innovation, ancient history and more!
For tickets, click here.
National Geographic Live is generously supported by Teresa and Tom Walsh
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