Black Violin Announce Unity Tour

Thursday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 PM

Muriel Kauffman Theatre

Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste (viola) and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester (violin) are Black Violin – an exhilarating violin/viola hip-hop duo that performs for audiences of all ages. Classically trained musicians, the two musicians met as high school orchestra nerds; today they play genre-bending music, radically fusing hip-hop and pop with classical to create a kaleidoscope of sounds uniquely their own. The group is on a perception-changing, stereotype-shattering mission with their unique take on classical music. Named one of the hottest bands at South by Southwest, they have opened for such diverse names in music as Kanye West, 50 Cent, Aerosmith, and Tom Petty, and creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Linkin Park, Wyclef Jean, and Alicia Keys. Their major label debut, Stereotypes, was released last year to critical acclaim and incorporates their many musical influences from classical, R&B, soul, rock, and beyond. The pair creates a distinctive, peerless sound that continues to resonate with a broad variety of music lovers.

The duo announced their unity tour this past August with the tour’s goal being to “encourage and empower people of all ages, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to find what connects us, rather than shine a light on what divides us.” Black Violin combines powerful voiceovers with hip-hop style violin/viola in their song Stereotypes, a piece which seeks to define what a stereotype is and how it negatively impacts those who are on the receiving end of prejudice.

This introspective duo joins pioneer Lindsey Sterling (electronic classical crossover dubstep artist) in making classical music more approachable for the next generation. Wilner Baptiste and Kevin Sylvester have played in front of nearly 100,000 students this past year, in the hopes that their music will spread an impactful message to young people about embracing their identity and rising above labels.

When asked about how the duo has experienced stereotypes themselves, Kevin Sylvester tells a story about an encounter with a woman in an elevator. Her assumption that he, as “a 6-foot-2-inch, 260- pound black man”, wasn’t a classically trained violinist based solely on his appearance was an eye-opening moment for Sylvester. He acknowledges that while “she didn’t mean it maliciously…I hope she gets to see us in concert and we can change her perception.”  The exchange inspired the name Stereotypes for their latest album. Their music video for the song paints a picture of how the performing arts unite everyone (no matter the skin color) under a shared passion for creative expression. See it here:

The duo hopes that their classical/hip-hop crossover style will bring together diverse groups and keep classical music alive for the next generation. Join us for an inspiring night with Black Violin on Nov. 17 at the Kauffman Center.

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KANSAS

Saturday, October 22nd | 7:30 PM

Muriel Kauffman Theatre

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America’s preeminent progressive rock band KANSAS presents their six-time multi-platinum album Leftoverture, performed in its entirety for the very first time. The band will showcase classic KANSAS music including hit songs “Dust in the Wind,” “Hold On,” and “Point of Know Return” and will feature new songs from their upcoming album The Prelude Implicit. The band, which is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale and original guitarist Richard Williams, continues to perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences around the world. KANSAS continues to remain a fixture of classic rock radio and has reached a whole new audience through their unmistakable presence in popular video games, including Rock Band and Guitar Hero, recent television shows, and films.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, KANSAS played for sold-out arenas in North America, Japan, and Europe. They spent 200 weeks on the Billboard charts, and their popularity remained steady with their song “Carry on Wayward Son”, which played as the #1 track on classic rock stations in 1995.They are a group that takes pride in their unique sound and image; and with forty years of experience to back them up, this group of Kansas natives knows how to work their unique qualities to their advantage.

From their humble origins as a garage band in 1974, the band has gone on to produce eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums, one platinum live album, and a million-selling gold single, “Dust in the Wind.” Perhaps most notable though is their Collegiate Symphony Tour (2010-2012) which raised funds and awareness for collegiate music programs by incorporating college and university symphonies across the US into their performances. During the tour in 2011, the group performed at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. in collaboration with the US Army Orchestra to honor America’s veterans on Veteran’s Day. Here’s a quick look at the Collegiate Symphony Tour:

KANSAS was inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame coinciding with their 40^th anniversary and still performs around the country today. A documentary that follows the group’s journey from small town origins to superstardom, Miracles out of Nowhere, can be purchased online. The Kauffman Center is excited to host KANSAS on October 22^nd for what is sure to be an unforgettable night.

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George Winston

Sunday, Oct. 16 | 7:00 PM

Helzberg Hall

GRAMMY Award-winning pianist with over 15 albums to his name, George Winston brings his stunning brand of solo piano to the Kauffman Center. Inspired by the seasons and topographies, George Winston’s concerts feature a variety of styles including melodic folk piano, New Orleans R&B piano and stride piano. He performs songs from his seasonal albums Autumn, December, Winter Into Spring, and Summer, as well as Peanuts pieces from his Vince Guaraldi tribute albums Linus and Lucy and Love Will Come.

Montana native George Winston grew up listening to instrumental rock and R&B greats like Floyd Cramer, the Ventures, Booker T & The MG’s, The Doors, and Jimmy Smith. These iconic musicians (and the overall sound of R&B, jazz, blues, and rock) inspired Winston to begin playing the organ in 1967. After hearing pianists from the 1920s and 1930s like Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller and Teddy Wilson, he decided to try his hand at acoustic piano. At the same time, Winston designed his own style called folk piano. Winston drew inspiration from his Eastern Montana upbringing while creating many of his solo piano albums, including Plains (1999) and Montana – A Love Story (2004). In addition, Winston says he draws inspiration from Chinese music, which he calls “some of the deepest and longest running traditional music on the planet.” In 2001, Winston released Remembrance—A Memorial Benefit for those affected by the events of 9/11. This six-song album incorporates piano, guitar and harmonica solos to create a masterful example of how musicians can use their talents to better the world.

Winston has also worked with the late George Levenson of Informed Democracy on three projects and performed the solo piano soundtrack for the children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit for Rabbit Ears Production.

Winston is currently focusing on live performances and will be performing at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on October 16. Come out and enjoy an unforgettable night with one of the greatest musicians of our time.

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Cake Whimzy / Laughing Place Bakery’s Cake

The Kauffman Center celebrated its 5th anniversary at BravoKC, a free community event that took place on September 2nd from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Over 10,000 visitors joined the celebration, which featured free live performances from local performers on three stages, lawn games provided by KC Crew, birthday cake and a fireworks display to end the night.

As part of the interactive activities taking place during BravoKC, Kauffman Center hosted a cake decorating contest. Culinary artists joined in the fun and used the Kauffman Center and Kansas City performing arts as the theme and inspiration to create cakes and confections for the contest. Entries were displayed in Brandmeyer Great Hall during BravoKC and attendees had the opportunity to vote by text for their favorite cake creation. Local bakeries and culinary artists submitted cake entries, including 3 Women and an Oven, Bonterra Catering, Brooklyn Shumate, Cake Whimzy / The Laughing Place Bakery, Cami’s Cake & Coffee and Sasha’s Bakery.

Competition was fierce, as all entries provided beautiful and unique Kauffman Center inspired cakes. After a tally of votes, we are pleased to congratulate Cake Whimzy / The Laughing Place Bakery located in Gladstone, MO for providing the winning cake creation!

Many thanks to all participants and to those who attended BravoKC and voted for their favorite cake!

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BravoKC: Kauffman Center Turns Five, Live!

10,000 attendees celebrated the FREE 5^th anniversary celebration, a thank you to all who helped make Kauffman Center a cultural cornerstone in Kansas City

The Kauffman Center’s BravoKC welcomed 10,000 visitors who celebrated the Kauffman Center’s fifth anniversary. The FREE event, BravoKC welcomed the community on First Friday, Sept. 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and featured FREE live performances from local performers on three stages, interactive activities on the south lawn, birthday cake and concluded with a fireworks display.

“BravoKC is a thank you to all of those who have helped make the Kauffman Center a success in the first five years of operation. The tremendous support from the community has made the Kauffman Center a bridge to Kansas City’s most dynamic downtown neighborhoods and a cultural cornerstone of Kansas City,” said President and CEO Paul J. Schofer. “We could not be more grateful to be a part of the Kansas City arts community and home for the performing arts. Commemorating the Kauffman Center’s fifth anniversary, BravoKC welcomed all visitors to celebrate performances, events and memories from the first five years. Kauffman Center is excited about the future of the arts in Kansas City and is committed to providing memorable performing arts experience to all for generations to come.”

Since opening, the Kauffman Center has welcomed more than 2 million audience members and guests through its doors. Its diverse programming continues to showcase Kansas City’s vibrant arts community and attracts acclaimed national talent from all genres. Resident companies the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, along with numerous other community arts organizations, have experienced record attendance in their new performance home.

Along with artistic successes, Kauffman Center’s first five years have been marked by solid financials due, in no small part, to efficiencies created within the Center’s operating and staffing models and from financial and volunteer support within the Kansas City community. Effective management and strong annual fundraising support have allowed Kauffman Center to operate in the black for each of its first five years, which is considered an exceptional accomplishment in comparison with performing arts centers nationally.