The GRAMMY Museum To Launch Music Education Initiative In Kansas City

Music Revolution Project Aims To Create Next Generation Of Musicians and Songwriters

The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project, a new education initiative developed by The GRAMMY Museum has been announced by Bob Santelli, Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum. The announcement was made as part of the Los Angeles-based museum’s GRAMMY week activities. Scheduled to debut as a pilot program in Kansas City, Mo. in June 2012, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project will offer talented youth the opportunity to engage in musical discourse and performance with other peers from across the country, spurring innovative ideas within the realm of American music.

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 pilot program, 25 emerging 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 iconic venues located in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

“The enthusiasm, passion and commitment of the music and arts community throughout the region made Kansas City the obvious choice to host this program,” said GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli. “With the commitment of first-class partners, The GRAMMY Museum’s Music Revolution Project will be ideally positioned to develop the next generation of innovative music talent.”

Local high school and college students interested in Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Folk and Roots, Sacred and Classical music, are encouraged to apply. 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.

On February 18th, students ages 15-23 were invited to attend an information session at the Kauffman Center for the performing arts. For those who did not attend the information session, but would like to apply please submit the application form by April 15th. Download Application Forms Here
For questions, please email education@grammymuseum.org.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Photographer Annie Griffiths presents ‘A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel’

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 – Helzberg Hall
Photographer Annie Griffiths presents ‘A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel’

Annie Griffiths“I have learned that even without a shared language, it’s easy to let people know that their children are beautiful, their homes are lovely…and that their stories are worth sharing with the world” – Annie Griffiths

Experience the life of a photographer on assignment for National Geographic magazine, and meet a true pioneer who figured out her own way to balance work and family. One of National Geographic’s first female staff photographers, Annie Griffiths has worked on every continent except Antarctica, while also raising two children. Perhaps the only professional photographer ever to pack her camera gear in Pampers, she found a way to stay close to her kids without putting the brakes on her career—even if it meant bringing the two along with her on assignment in places as distant as the ruins of Petra in Jordan or the Galápagos Islands.

Books will be for sale courtesy of Rainy Day Books. Annie Griffiths will be available for signatures.

Posted in Featured, News | Leave a comment

Philip Glass, An Evening of Chamber Music featuring Tim Fain

An Evening of Chamber Music Featuring Philip Glass and Tim Fain

April 3, 2012 Helzberg Hall 7:30 p.m.

Purchase tickets here.

Philip Glass can undoubtedly be counted among the most important composers of the last fifty years. Even though his music is often described as ‘minimalist’, his productions are anything but. His operas Einstein on the Beach, Satyagraha, Akhnaten and The Voyage have played throughout the world’s leading performance venues. Celebrating Glass’ 75th Anniversary, An Evening of Chamber Music features a collection of newly-composed works in an intimate performance by Glass on piano alongside Tim Fain – one of the world’s most up and coming violinists. Tim Fain has emerged as a mesmerizing new presence on the music scene and was selected as one of Symphony magazine’s “Up and Coming Young Musicians of 2006”. Fain has commissioned a new work from Glass called Partita for Solo Violin which will premiere this fall in New York City.

Posted in Featured, News | Leave a comment

Burn the Floor at The Kauffman Center

Burn The FloorThe international dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR visits the Kauffman Center direct from its record-breaking runs on Broadway and the London’s West End.

BURN THE FLOOR visits the Kauffman Center for four performances May 18-20 at Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

Get your tickets now here.

You’ve seen Ballroom dance on shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance.  Now, with  BURN THE FLOOR you will feel, live on stage, all the passion, the drama and the sizzling excitement with a full company of gorgeous champion dancers. In a true theatrical experience, it is a performance with a grace and athleticism that The New York Times calls, “Dazzling!”

From Harlem’s hot nights at The Savoy, where dances such as the Lindy, Foxtrot and Charleston were born, to the Latin Quarter where the Cha-Cha, Rumba and Salsa steamed up the stage, BURN THE FLOOR takes audiences on a journey through the full spectrum of dance styles and history. The elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of the Jive, the intensity of the Paso Doble—audiences will experience them all, along with the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep and Swing.

BURN THE FLOORIt’s Ballroom.  Reinvented.

Posted in Featured, News | Leave a comment

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts thanks our official automotive building sponsors

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Announces Sponsorship Agreement with Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City and Aristocrat Motors

Soave Automotive Group Makes Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City and Aristocrat Motors the official automotive sponsors of the Kauffman Center

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced today it has partnered with Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City on a two-year sponsorship. The partnership – the Kauffman Center’s first major corporate sponsorship – will benefit Kauffman Center programming and operations. In addition to their role as sponsors of the building itself, Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City have been named as the presenting sponsors for Kauffman Center’s Legends Series.

“We are honored that Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City and Aristocrat Motors have committed to this significant sponsorship that will benefit Kansas City audiences in so many ways,” said Jane Chu, President and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. “To have partners like Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City and Aristocrat Motors is a testament to the quality of the programs that are presented at the Kauffman Center. Through this partnership, Kauffman Center will be afforded the opportunity to support programs dedicated to providing excellence to everyone in our community.”

Marion Battaglia, President of Soave Automotive Group, noted the partnership will be an opportunity for the two local dealerships to support the Kauffman Center in connecting the arts to the community for an experience unlike all others. “Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City are committed to providing unparalleled experiences. Our passion to serve the community has been a trademark of the organization and this sponsorship continues that tradition.”

In addition to providing performance venues for many of Kansas City’s resident performing arts organizations, the Kauffman Center will continue to present programming that appeals to a wide variety of audiences. The Legends Series, presented by Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City and Aristocrat Motors, will continue in 2012 and will showcase artists who are masters of their genres and have been instrumental in defining culture. The Kauffman Center, Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, and Aristocrat Motors will present the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin on May 8 th, with additional performers to be announced over the next few months.

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 September 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. The 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 ballet, opera and symphony 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.

ABOUT SOAVE ENTERPRISES, MERCEDES-BENZ OF KANSAS CITY, AND ARISTOCRAT MOTORS
Soave Enterprises, a Detroit-based holding company, entered automotive retailing 15 years ago. Soave Automotive Group has grown to a dozen franchises in Kansas and Missouri. Aristocrat Motors in Merriam, Kansas features Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Saab, Maserati, Porsche, and smart. Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri features Mercedes-Benz, smart, Sprinter, and Airstream motor homes. Both dealerships also have a Pre-Owned department. This group’s talented employees offer the one thing all customers deserve and expect: excellent customer service.

Posted in Featured, News | Leave a comment

The Chieftains

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 7:30PM
Helzberg Hall

Purchase tickets here or by calling (816) 994-7222.

The Chieftains are recognized for bringing traditional Irish music to the world’s attention. They have uncovered the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries, making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive. The winners of six Grammy awards, The Chieftains have been nominated for a total of eighteen. They are considered the best known Irish band in the world and will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an extensive tour in 2012.

Posted in Featured, News | Leave a comment

Grand Opening Pictures Now Online

On September 16th and 17th, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was buzzing with excitement – something very special was happening. Thousands joined us to inaugurate Muriel Kauffman Theatre and Helzberg Hall, and we were thrilled to have your support. As the holidays are now upon us, we would like to thank you for helping us open our doors to Kansas City.

Grand Opening photos are now available to view online, and you can download them for free from our Flickr page. Simply follow the instructions at the bottom of this page, and if you have any questions or need assistance please send us an email to contact@kauffmancenter.org.

Grand Opening Night One
September 16, 2011
Muriel Kauffman Theatre
    Click Here to View



Grand Opening Night Two
September 17, 2011
Helzberg Hall
    Click Here to View



Instructions to download your favorite images:


Follow the instructions below to download images to your computer. Note, you will be unable to download directly from the slideshow. If you would like to download images please view them from the main photo page. For questions, please email contact@kauffmancenter.org.

1. Click on the photo you would like to download

2. In the photo page, right click on your image and choose “Original”

3. From the photo page, left click on the words “Download Original Size of this Photo”

Note: The original size of the image is the highest resolution possible, and the downloaded file may be quite large. For slower internet connections and faster downloads, you are welcome to download a smaller size of your picture. However, it is recommended to use the original size of the image when ordering prints.


Did you know?

  • On Flickr, you can send a link to your image via email, Facebook, and Twitter. Simply look for the icons at the top of your photo page next to the word “Share.”
  • If you have already created an account on Flickr and are logged into that account while viewing your photo, you will have an option to order prints online directly through Snapfish. Look for this option “Order Prints and More” on the photo page under “Actions.”




  • Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Introducing …
    STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S THEATRE

    Starlight Theatre and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts bring a brand new family entertainment experience to Kansas City in 2012. Elaborately staged and professionally produced, Starlight Children’s Theatre will delight the young and young at heart!

    DISNEY’S ALADDIN (Theatre for Young Audiences version)
    aladdin posterFebruary 3-5, 2012

    See the magic carpet fly! Watch the Genie appear!

    Welcome to Agrabah, City of Enchantment. All of your favorite characters, including Aladdin, Jasmine and, of course, the Genie, are here. This stage adaptation of the Disney hit is filled with magic, mayhem and flying carpet rides, sending audiences’ spirits soaring with excitement. The tuneful Academy Award-winning score, with songs like “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me,” makes this musical a favorite of the young and young at heart!

    Six public performances are scheduled:

    Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
    Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1:00, 3:30 and 7:00 p.m.
    Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m.

    NARNIA THE MUSICAL
    narnia posterApril 6-8, 2012

    Break the spell of the White Witch’s endless winter!

    This stage version based on the first and most famous of the Narnia chronicles, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” transports audiences to an enchanted world of mythical creatures and spirits where the principal inhabitants, intelligent talking animals, are ruled by the majestic lion King Aslan. When four children enter Narnia, they not only find high adventure, but leave richer for the lessons of courage, selflessness and wisdom they’ve learned.

    Six public performances are scheduled:

    Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m.
    Saturday, April 7 at 1:00, 3:30 and 7:00 p.m.
    Sunday, April 8 at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m.

    Purchase 2-show season tickets to Starlight Children’s Theatre

    Purchase single show tickets to Starlight Children’s Theatre

    Presented by

    Sponsored by

     

     

     

    Starlight Children’s Theatre is generously supported by Paul and Katherine DeBruce

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Mavis Staples – one night only December 8!

    Warm up this holiday season with one of Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest singers of all time!

    Purchase Tickets

    American Legend Mavis Staples will “Take You There” on December 8th with a mix of her greatest hits and songs from her latest album “You Are Not Alone”. 2011 Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples began singing with the family gospel group The Staple Sisters and has since had a career spanning over sixty years. Mavis has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards in five different genres and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mavis is responsible for blazing a rhythm and blues trail while never relinquishing her gospel roots. See her live one night only on Thursday, December 8th in Helzberg Hall.

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    A Thanksgiving Note from Jane Chu

    Dear Friends,

    Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and, of course, to give thanks. We wanted to take this opportunity to update and thank you, our supporters, before the holiday season takes over.

    When we opened the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts a little more than two months ago, we knew we were launching something for generations, and our commitment to you is to improve every day.

    Here are some Kauffman Center highlights in our first 60 days of operation:

    - More than 50,000 people visited the Kauffman Center during our free, public open house on September 18

    - Since the opening weekend, more than 70,000 have attended dozens of diverse performances and a total of 132,000 have experienced the building through performances, tours and events

    - International and national recognition for Kansas City including stories in the New York Times and on Good Morning America

    - Performers from around the world have marveled at the acoustics, the layout, and the experience of performing in the Kauffman Center

    - Through the Open Doors Program 11,273 children have already attended diverse performances at the Kauffman Center, and transportation funding has been awarded to over 25,000 students to attend school matinees this school year

    - We continue to receive positive feedback from patrons on architecture, quality of performances and theatre spaces

    As with any new building, there are always adjustments that need to be made as the building is put to use. Here are some challenges we’ve encountered and how we are addressing them:

    Way Finding. We have heard from patrons that it’s a challenge to find your way around and to your seats and in and out of the building.

    Solutions in the works:

    • Additional visual signage is being produced and will be color-coded and matched to the tickets to help. This is being installed now;
    • Additional training and support for house managers, ushers, and volunteers to help patrons find the best route to a seat;
    • Changes in the ticketing to identify door numbers and seat levels. This change will take place in early 2012.

    Accessibility. Although the building meets or exceeds all ADA requirements, we want to go further. Before opening, we invited several people with a variety of experiences and physical capabilities to tour the facility and suggest ways we can improve accessibility.

    Solutions in the works:

    • Additional signage is being printed to provide information on existing hearing and visual supports available to patrons;
    • Additional training and support for house managers, ushers, and volunteers to support patrons with accessibility needs;
    • Push buttons will be installed to improve restroom accessibility by end of year;
    • Upgrades to drop off drive and valet that will support patrons who need help accessing the building and have a companion.
    • In addition to new signage and support from volunteers to help patrons access the building from the garage, the drop off drive will be redone by the first of the year for a smoother drive and walk area.

    Ticket Sales. Our resident organizations and the Kauffman Center have experienced tremendous response to our opening seasons. However, there is room to make the customer experience more friendly.

    Solutions in the works:

    • Changes to the box office phone system have already been put in place to minimize hold times and ordering time;
    • Our website has been upgraded for ticketing purchases, but will go through an additional upgrade before year-end to improve the customer experience;
    • Print-at-home tickets will be in full operation within the next two weeks. In addition, a remote will-call station will be created to help patrons pick up tickets faster and get into the show.

    We are so appreciative of your support and we will continue to improve in our inaugural year. We are dedicated to opening our doors and making people feel welcome in this building.

    We take all of our patrons’ feedback very seriously. Please email us at contact@kauffmancenter.org if you have comments or concerns. We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve and we are moving forward with a great sense of urgency to get make sure you have an outstanding experience at the Kauffman Center.

    Have a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you at the Kauffman Center.

    Sincerely,




    Jane Chu

    President and CEO

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    To Life! A Musical Celebration of Life, Learning, and Legacy

    Join the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education when it marks its 18th anniversary with a grand night of entertainment and commemoration on November 3, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

    TO LIFE! — a musical celebration of life, learning, and legacy — will feature the legendary Marvin Hamlisch, winner of virtually every major arts and entertainment award that exists, including three Academy Awards, four Grammys, four Emmys, one Tony, three Golden Globes, and a Pulitzer Prize. Joining Maestro Hamlisch will be tenor Mark McVey, Broadway’s Jean Valjean for seven years.

    Marvin Hamlisch is the composer of well-known motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for “The Way We Were” and his adaptation of Scott Joplin’s music for “The Sting.” He holds the position of principal pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, Seattle Symphony, and San Diego Symphony. He captures the power of music to bring people together, sharing stories that will charm you with his wit and touch you with a testament to his parents who fled pre-war Austria, finding safe haven in the United States.

    The evening will honor MCHE’s directors emeriti and past presidents, whose vision and leadership have shaped the organization since its founding in 1993, and pay tribute to our community’s Holocaust survivors. Proceeds from the event will benefit the numerous school and community programs offered by MCHE.

    A limited number of patron packages are still available beginning at $1,000. These include a pre-concert cocktail buffet at Webster House, valet parking, and a post-concert dessert reception. Individual donor tickets may be purchased at $180 (includes the dessert reception), $118 (concert only), or $90 (concert only). All amounts in excess of $50 per attendee are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

    For more information, to reserve seats, or to make a donation in honor of MCHE’s 18th anniversary, please visit www.mchekc.org, email tolife@mchekc.org, or call 913-327-8192. Tickets purchased after Wednesday, October 26th will be held at the Kauffman Center box office for pick-up after 4 p.m. on the day of the concert.

    The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education teaches the history of the Holocaust, applying its lessons to counter indifference, intolerance, and genocide.

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    KU at the Kauffman Center

    University of Kansas student and faculty musicians will have an opportunity to perform two concerts at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.

    “Opportunities for music students to perform in distinctive venues profoundly impact our students’ musical development,” said Dean Robert Walzel. “Likewise, our students’ enthusiasm to pursue careers in music is fed through experiences performing in the same concert settings as professionals.”

    This is not the first time the KU School of Music has connected with a Kansas City arts group to take student and faculty musicians into the larger metropolitan area. The KU School of Music developed a partnership with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City years ago and now offers an apprentice program with the notable opera house.

    “We continue to create opportunities for our student and faculty musicians to perform in the Kansas City area, and our successful partnerships with the Lyric Opera and Kauffman Center are two ways in which we have been able to encourage this outreach activity,” said Walzel.

    The Kauffman Center concert series with the School of Music, titled “KU at the Kauffman Center,” will feature the following concerts:

    7 p.m. Nov. 13
    “American Icons”

    The KU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble I will perform a concert titled “American Icons,” featuring a performance of “Manne — That’s Gershwin,” arranged by renowned film composer John Williams, as well as works by Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa and other American composers. Faculty soloists will perform, and notable guest artists Steve Houghton, drums, and KU alumnus Gary Foster, saxophone, will appear as soloists with the KU Jazz Ensemble I. The Wind Ensemble is directed by Paul W. Popiel and Jazz Ensemble I by Dan Gailey.

    7 p.m. May 5:
    Maestro David Neely will lead the KU Symphony Orchestra and KU Opera in a spring concert opera. Fresh from their performance in summer 2011 at the Eutiner Festspiele in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where they received glowing reviews for their delivery of “Don Giovanni” and “Hansel and Gretel,” KU music students look forward to an entertaining and inspiring performance on the stage of the new Kauffman Center.

    Both events are free and open to the public. Tickets are required as seating is reserved. Please contact the KU School of Music for ticket information: (785) 864-3436. Please note that seating is limited. The Kauffman Center for Performing Arts is located at 1601 Broadway in Kansas City, Mo.

    These Kauffman Center concerts have been made possible by the Kansas Partnership for the Arts, a series sponsored by Reach Out Kansas Inc.; Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, of Overland Park; and The Zakoura Family Fund.

    For more information, contact the KU School of Music at (785) 864-3436 or visit http://www.music.ku.edu.

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Chanticleer

    The Friends of Chamber Music proudly welcomes back Kansas City and international favorite, Chanticleer. The lush, rich tones of this impeccable ensemble will delight the audience in Helzberg Hall at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on November 5th at 8 p.m. Spanning six centuries, the featured program Love Story includes music by de Victoria, Vivanco, R. Strauss, Whitacre, Paulus, Tavener, Ellington and more.

    BUY TICKETS

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    National Geographic Live! Subscriptions Now Available

    National Geographic speakers resonate with audiences worldwide by sharing stories of exploration and discovery and behind-the-scenes accounts of life on expedition. Speakers offer a wide range of topics that today’s audiences associate with National Geographic – wildlife, exploration, adventure, innovation, world culture and ancient history. Accompanied by award-winning photographs, all presentations deliver a spectacular visual impact.

    BECOME A SUBSCRIBER

    TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 – Helzberg Hall
    Photographer Annie Griffiths presents ‘A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel’

    “I have learned that even without a shared language, it’s easy to let people know that their children are beautiful, their homes are lovely…and that their stories are worth sharing with the world” – Annie Griffiths

    Experience the life of a photographer on assignment for National Geographic magazine, and meet a true pioneer who figured out her own way to balance work and family. One of National Geographic’s first female staff photographers, Annie Griffiths has worked on every continent except Antarctica, while also raising two children. Perhaps the only professional photographer ever to pack her camera gear in Pampers, she found a way to stay close to her kids without putting the brakes on her career—even if it meant bringing the two along with her on assignment in places as distant as the ruins of Petra in Jordan or the Galápagos Islands.

    TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012 – Helzberg Hall
    Underwater explorer Kenny Broad presents ‘Extreme Cave Diving: Exploring the blue holes of the Bahamas’

    “Underwater caves may just look like dark, eerie holes,” says Broad, “but they can be critical reservoirs of clean fresh drinking water and are integral to the health of the surrounding habitats.” – Kenny Broad

    In Kenny Broad’s line of work, exploring submerged caves and blue holes, one mistake can equal death. He and his team must take every precaution to avoid such dangers as stirring up sediments that can wipe out visibility, succumbing to nausea as they pass through a toxic layer of hydrogen sulfide, or getting lost in maze-like passageways with a limited supply of diving gasses.

    The need to study blue holes is urgent, as they are among the least studied and most threatened habitats on Earth. Broad’s work combines the study of risk perception, exploration, and environmental anthropology.

    MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2012 – Helzberg Hall
    Wildlife photographer and filmmaker Mattias Klum presents ‘Being There on Expedition with National Geographic’

    “Thoughtfulness begins with seeing. My job as a photographer is to make that seeing easier. What we appreciate and are fascinated by, we will also want to preserve.” – Mattias Klum

    Take an awe-inspiring journey around the world, featuring unique perspectives on some of Earth’s natural wonders—the Okavango Delta, Iceland’s glaciers, and the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Your guide? One of the most important natural history photographers of our time—and one of National Geographic Live’s most highly acclaimed speakers. Through Klum’s camera lens, you’ll get an up-to-date report on the state of our planet. And, you’ll marvel at the beauty of the natural world captured in striking new photographs and high-definition video from his most recent expeditions to the world’s last wild places.

    MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 – Helzberg Hall
    Primatologist and Nat Geo WILD TV Host Mireya Mayor presents ‘Pink Boots and a Machete’

    Often described in the media as “a female Indiana Jones,” Mireya Mayor is not your typical scientist. Both as an anthropologist working in the jungles of Madagascar, and as a wildlife correspondent for National Geographic, this city girl and former Miami Dolphins cheerleader has found herself sleeping in a rain forest hammock amid poisonous snakes, being charged by gorillas, scaling rocky cliffs, and diving with great white sharks. As a two-time Emmy Award-nominated field correspondent for the National Geographic Channel, Mireya Mayor has reported to audiences worldwide on pertinent wildlife and habitat issues.

    ——————-
    SEASON SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
    The National Geographic LIVE Series subscription package includes ticket discounts and priority seating, making this an affordable option for all. Season tickets range in price from $60 to $120. For ticket information, please call Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts ticket box office at (816) 994-7222 or buy online.

    ADVENTURE CIRCLE
    The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will offer an Adventure’s Circle season subscription package that includes priority seating for all four National Geographic Live presentations, an invitation to a private reception with wildlife photographer and filmmaker Mattais Klum, a signed copy of his book and acknowledgement of your support. The package also includes a tax-deductible gift to the Kauffman Center to support National Geographic Live in Kansas City. To learn more, call the Kauffman Center box office at (816) 994-7222 or buy online.

    Books will be for sale courtesy of Rainy Day Books. Speakers will be available for signatures.

     

     

     

    National Geographic Live! is generously supported by Teresa and Tom Walsh

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Ladysmith Black Mambazo

    Making their Kauffman Center debut, Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform in Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 as the first presentation of the Kauffman Center’s Destination Series, which introduces audiences to high quality performing arts experiences offered by performing artists and groups from around the world.

    For more than forty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of the native South African musical traditions. The nine member vocal ensemble has recorded forty albums and sold more than six million records. First brought to the attention of international audiences through Paul Simon’s Graceland recording, they have since won three Grammy Awards and an additional fifteen Grammy nominations. Their first album Shaka Zulu won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album.

    Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform in Muriel Kauffman Theatre a blend of songs spanning throughout their successful career, as well as songs from their newly released album Songs From a Zulu Farm.

    Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be followed in the Destinations Series by Irish music ensemble The Chieftains in March and Broadway’s international dance sensation Burn The Floor in May 2012.

    BUY TICKETS

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Exclusive Seating for Tom Sawyer Released

    A Spectacular World Premiere

    Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts invites you to be the first to see Kansas City Ballet perform Tom Sawyer – A Ballet in 3 Acts featuring Kansas City Symphony in magnificent Muriel Kauffman Theatre!

    Limited additional seating for Tom Sawyer has been released including exclusive box seats! To reserve your seats today please contact 816-994-7222 or purchase online.

    BUY TICKETS

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    The Friends of Chamber Music brings you The Darwin Project

    The Darwin Project
    Friday, October 14
    8:00 pm
    Helzberg Hall – Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

    The Friends of Chamber Music kicks off their 36th Season presenting world-class chamber music to Kansas City, mixing traditional classics with new and innovative programming.

    In the opening concert of the 2011-12 season, The Friends proudly joins the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in presenting the debut of an innovative multi-media production: The Darwin Project. Ambitiously comingling acting and live chamber music with projections of historical images and stunning nature photos, the performance explores the life of Charles Darwin culminating in the publication of Darwin’s most famous work, On the Origin of Species.

    Co-written by local playwright Jeremy M. Lillig and Avila English Professor Nancy Cervetti, in consultation with scientists Robert Powell of Avila University and Bill Ashworth and Bruce Bradley of the Linda Hall Library,The Darwin Project is directed by Kyle Hatley, associate artistic director for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and features local favorites Gary Neal Johnson as Charles Darwin, Kathleen Warfel as Emma Darwin, and Cinnamon Schultz as the Narrator. The Daedalus String Quartet and the Kansas City Collegium Vocale, directed by Ryan Board, join Alon
    Goldstein, pianist in performing works by composers such as Byrd, Mendelssohn, Ravel, Chopin, Debussy, Schumann, and Schubert. Images from Darwin’s life, as well as spectacular photography by field biologists including John Hess, Robert Powell, and Jeff Ackley, serve as the backdrop for the recounting of one of the greatest scientific discoveries of all time.

    The production showcases Darwin’s many and varied connections to music, such as the chamber choir that he often listened to while studying at Cambridge, and his great enjoyment of his wife’s piano music. Emma Darwin was an accomplished musician who had studied with Chopin and Moscheles, and filled their home with lovely music from the Romantic Era.

    Join us this season as The Friends Transcend Tradition.

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Conservatory Artist Series

    Sept. 28, 2011 Conservatory Concert Jazz Band/Wind Symphony Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m.

    The Conservatory’s Concert Jazz Band, conducted by Bobby Watson, will perform Watson’s The Gates BBQ Suite. The Conservatory Wind Symphony, directed by Steven D. Davis will perform Corigliano’s Circus Maximus, Symphony No. 3 for Large Wind Ensemble. We also welcome PRISM Quartet, who will perform William Bolcom’s Concerto Grosso for saxophone quartet and orchestra, which the quartet commissioned.

    Click Here for Tickets

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Thank You

    Thank you to all who made Grand Opening weekend such a success.

    More than 50,000 members of the community who came out to experience the Kauffman Center Open House and witness the 600 artists who performed during Grand Opening weekend.

    The event would not have been possible without the hundreds of artists, partners, production crew members and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the Grand Opening a huge success.

    Because of you, the Kauffman Center will meet our promise of excellence for everyone providing diverse programs and educational opportunities.

    And a special thank you to our sponsors:

    • http://www.kauffmancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Aristocrat-Motors3.jpg
    • http://www.kauffmancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Helzberg-Diamonds3.jpg
    • http://www.kauffmancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/dunn31.jpg
    • http://www.kauffmancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Mercedes-Benz-of-Kansas-City3.jpg
    • http://www.kauffmancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/saintlukes21.jpg

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Opening Night ‘Projections’ by Quixotic Fusion

    Opening Night ‘Projections’. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Kansas City – September 16, 2011 from Quixotic Fusion on Vimeo.

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    American Legend Mavis Staples

    Mavis Staples headshotLegendary vocalist Mavis Staples has had a historic career as an American performer, beginning more than sixty years ago when she started singing with her groundbreaking family group, the Staple Singers.

    Staples is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient. VH1 named her one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone listed her as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

    Purchase tickets for Mavis Staples’s December 8th performance at the Kauffman Center!

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Lily Tomlin at the Kauffman Center

    Lily Tomline HeadshotLily Tomlin – actress, comedienne, writer and producer – has captivated audiences with her  trademark sharp humor since she began a career as a stand-up comedian in the late 1960′s.

    Her exceptional career spans television, comedy recordings, Broadway, and motion pictures, earning her acclaimed success in each medium. A Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Play and Grammy Award winner for Best Comedy Album, Tomlin has also been nominated for an Academy Award and multiple Emmy Awards.

    Buy tickets for Lily Tomlin’s November 20th performance at the Kauffman Center now!

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    KU School of Music and Reach Out Kansas, Inc. present a new music series: The Kansas Partnership for the Arts

    Join the University of Kansas School of Music and Reach Out Kansas, Inc., this 2011-12 season for The Kansas Partnership for the Arts, a series featuring numerous performances by renowned faculty, student and international guest artists.

    All series events are free of charge and open to the public. The series will not only provide performances in Lawrence, Overland Park and elsewhere in the state, but will also provide more than 50 outreach performances throughout Kansas public schools, community centers and senior citizen facilities. Of special note are two performances in Helzberg Hall here at the Kauffman Center:

    Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts events
    – The KU School of Music will present two events at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City:
    • November 13, 2011, 7:00 pm: Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble with Paul Popiel and Dan Gailey as conductors, and featuring guest artists Steve Houghton and Gary Foster, as well as KU faculty artists.
    • May 5, 2012, 7:00 pm: KU Concert Opera, David Neely as conductor.

    For more information including a full listing of events, visit www.music.ku.edu.

    Posted in News | 1 Comment

    Laurie Anderson presents Transitory Life: A Retrospective of Song and Stories

    Laurie Anderson is one of America’s most renowned – and daring – creative pioneers. Known primarily for her multimedia presentations, she has cast herself in roles as varied as visual artist, composer, poet, photographer, filmmaker, electronics whiz, vocalist, and instrumentalist.

    Laurie Anderson presents Transitory Life: A Retrospective of Song and Stories – a collection that includes pieces from Anderson’s acclaimed solo shows The Speed of Darkness, Happiness, The End of the Moon and Homeland.

    LAURIE ANDERSON | October 9, 2011 | Helzberg Hall | 7:00p.m.

    Tickets on sale now.

    Posted in News | Leave a comment

    Your Insider’s Guide to Open House Parking

    We have all of the information you need for parking at our Open House on Sunday, September 18th.  Want the inside scoop?  Click here for the Insider’s Guide

    Posted in News | Leave a comment