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Two bands with New Orleans-inspired rhythms will perform a quirky mix of jazz, folk, punk rock and a “musical gumbo” of bebop jazz, funk and R&B

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Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform in Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Squirrel Nut Zippers began their music journey in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the mid-1990s. The group started as a casual musical foray among family and friends and quickly began attracting a national following with their mix of jazz chords, folk music and punk rock sound. Between 1995 and 2000, the band sold three million albums. Their pivotal album Hot (1996) broke free of jazz stereotypes, taking their signature style of anti-establishment sound to commercial radio.

Years later, Squirrel Nut Zippers emerged from a lengthy recording hiatus, reinvigorated, reinvested and rejuvenated with an all-star cast of New Orleans musicians determined to reignite the band’s unique, enigmatic sound. The result was their first studio album in 18 years, Beasts of Burgundy. The album’s name is a handsome moniker referring to Burgundy Street in New Orleans. The album itself heralds the band’s mission while offering a fresh objective of its own – a hand-tailored thrift store suit of songs, stitched into one complete body of material.

In the past few years, Squirrel Nut Zippers have spent time on the road honing their sound and further developing the band’s chemistry.

“The Zippers have always been full of outlandish characters which provides great self-referential material for songs,” said co-founder Jimbo Mathus, whose motto to “let the music lead” still rings true 18 years later.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qon6GvCpiw

In 1977, The Dirty Dozen Social and Pleasure Club began in honor of two antiquated traditions known to New Orleans: social and pleasure clubs; and brass bands. Dating back more than a century, social and pleasure clubs would offer funeral arrangements for black southerners who could rarely afford life insurance. Brass bands, early predecessors of jazz as we know it, would often follow the funeral procession playing somber dirges, then burst into jubilant tunes causing onlookers to dance in the streets. By the late 1970s, few social and pleasure clubs or brass bands existed. The Dirty Dozen Social and Pleasure Club decided to assemble as a house band, and eventually, the seven-member ensemble adopted the venue’s name – The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Known for their high-octane performances and genre-bending romps, the band is now celebrating more than 40 years of their unique “musical gumbo” sound – a blend of funk, R&B and bebop jazz. They have toured in more than 30 countries across five continents and recorded 12 studio albums. Their nontraditional sound has led them to collaborate with many artists, including Modest Mouse and Norah Jones.

Tickets for the event range from $29 to $49, plus applicable fees, and can be found at the Kauffman Center Box Office, by calling (816) 994-7222 or online at kauffmancenter.org.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXr3nrd33U0

Photo by Abby Meyer of Do816

The Kauffman Center was delighted to welcome more than 1,200 guests for the Napoleon Dynamite live screening and Q&A event on June 28, 2019. More than 15 years after the film’s initial release, fans gathered at the Kauffman Center to celebrate its cult following and enjoy the many quote-able moments. After watching the film in Muriel Kauffman Theatre, guests enjoyed a Q&A with cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and John Gries (Uncle Rico). The conversation was led and moderated by Shawn Edwards, an award-winning journalist and film critic for FOX 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri.

Fans were invited to enjoy many different fun film-inspired activities before the event, including a VIP meet and greet with the cast, free photos with an alpaca on the Arts District Garage Terrace and a photo booth complete with “Vote for Pedro” signs.

A young Napoleon Dynamite enthusiast high-fives John Gries (Uncle Rico) prior to the movie.

Photo by Mark McDonald

Napoleon Dynamite fans know one of the most memorable characters is the family pet, Tina the Llama. To add to the fun (and pay homage to Tina) Kauffman Center guests were invited to snap some pictures with an alpaca, Will, prior to the movie screening. Will was brought to the Kauffman Center courtesy of Manna Meadows Alpacas in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and fans were so excited to give him a pat on the head and grab a memorable photo in front of the building.

Photo by Mark McDonald

Guests of all ages also had fun taking pictures in front of a “Glamour Shots by Deb” inspired backdrop in Brandmeyer Great Hall. They posed with a collection of Napoleon Dynamite themed props, posters and favorite quotes from the film.

Photo by Abby Meyer of Do816

Napoleon Dynamite super fans could also enjoy refreshments with references to the film. One of the specials, “Shots & Tots” came with a tasty side of the film’s iconic side, tater-tots.

Photo by Abby Meyer of Do816

The fun did not stop once the show started. Enthusiasts shouted their favorite quotes during the opening credits, including “Eat the food, Tina!”, “Give me some of your tots” and “My lips hurt real bad.” After the screening, Edwards introduced the actors by beatboxing while they danced onto the stage. Guests loved the opportunity to hear from the hilarious cast members of this famous film. Through the various film-inspired activities, live screening and Q&A, the event allowed for more than 1,200 fans to engage with Napoleon Dynamite like never before.

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The Kauffman Center is thrilled to welcome The Beatles’ tribute tour – It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – Tour 2019 – to Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Thursday, October 3, as part of its 2019-2020 Kauffman Center Presents series. This tribute to The Beatles’ White Album features performers Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Joey Molland (Badfinger) and musical director Joey Curatolo, director of RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles. The troupe of legendary musicians will perform their own greatest hits along with honoring one of the world’s most influential albums through a must-see live performance of The White Album.

Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event are available now and range from $49 to $109 plus fees, and VIP packages are available. Tickets are available through the Kauffman Center Box Office at (816) 994-7222 or online.

IT WAS FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY – TOUR 2019 – ABOUT THE BAND

Christopher Cross is a five-time GRAMMY Award winner from San Antonio, Texas. Cross made history at the 23^rd GRAMMY Awards when he won all the General Four categories (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of The Year and Best New Artist). He is still the only artist in GRAMMY history to do so. Other accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, four number-one singles, and 9 million albums sold throughout his 30 -year career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI6UC4tTPgQ

Todd Rundgren, a Philadelphia native, began his music career as the front man of the 1960s psychedelic group, Nazz. After he left the band, Rundgren made a name for himself with his album Something/Anything?, for which he sang all vocal parts, played all instruments and even acted as his own producer. His hits include “I Saw the Light,” “Hello It’s Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends” and “Bang The Drum.” In recent years, Rundgren has been a frequent member of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsezr0qiFIc

Micky Dolenz has done it all. Throughout his career, he has worked as an actor, singer, director, producer, writer, DJ, inventor and a top-notch performer. Dolenz is best known as the vocalist and drummer of the 1960s pop band The Monkees. The Monkees reached high levels of success from their TV show and from their recorded music. Their first five albums all went platinum, and their first four albums reached number-one spots on the charts. The band also starred in the feature cult classic film, Head. Dolenz was also a friend of The Beatles during his time in The Monkees and was even at Abbey Road Studios when they recorded Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Jason Scheff is known for being the longtime tenor lead vocalist of Chicago, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After Scheff replaced the original vocalist Peter Cetera, he went on to become one of the lead songwriters of the group. Throughout four decades, Scheff has performed with Chicago in thousands of concerts and television appearances.

Joey Molland has a five-decade career in the music industry, most notably playing guitar for classic rock band Badfinger. Molland is the only surviving member of the group and still performs their hits on worldwide tours. Molland and Badfinger have multiple connections to The Beatles, including playing on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and Concert for Bangladesh albums, and performing on John Lennon’s Imagine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1mV8UFulUY