A mistle-toast to the holiday season!
Join the Kauffman Center for holiday cocktail fun!
Although The Dining Experience has always been known for its first-class food and sophisticated atmosphere, this holiday season the Founders’ Lounge will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland!
Whether patrons are enjoying a matinee of the Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker or the Kansas City Symphony’s performance of “Elf,” small plates and beverages are the perfect accompaniment to an evening at the Kauffman Center.
Last year’s pop-up was extremely popular, selling out in weeks. Executive Chef Laura Comer knew patrons would be pleased to welcome it back.
“Dining during the holiday season is an important part of making memories. We want Kansas City to think of the Kauffman Center when they plan their memorable holiday celebrations!” Comer said.
Comer has carefully curated an exciting and seasonal menu. Small plates include baked brie, paninis and local sausages in a blanket. The beverage menu features house-made eggnog, holiday-themed cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
Perhaps most exciting are the offerings for the whole family. Children can enjoy The Dining Experience’s Paint Your Own Holiday Cookie and Polar Express Hot Chocolate Cart.
Winter Wonderland is now open for select dates in December. Reservations and a $25 deposit (later applied to your total bill) are required and can be made at kauffmancenter.org/dining.
From front to back, Firefighter Captains Anna Koons and Terry Hill, US Air Force Master Sergeant Justin Butler and US Air Force Veteran Jon Bohlander and wife Wendy Bohlander enjoy the Red Carpet Treatment at the Oct. 6 performance of Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Our Community
U.S. Air Force Veteran Jon Bohlander and his wife Wendy Bohlander at Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Oct. 6
“We really appreciated the opportunity to enjoy Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, live at the amazing Kauffman Center,” said Captain Terry Hill who attended with firefighting colleague Captain Anna Koons. “The night was terrific, and we know we will have these great memories for a lifetime! Thank you everyone that made this possible.”
Open Doors Community Tickets program sponsored by PNC works with local social service agencies, schools and under-served communities to identify children, families, veterans, first responders and others who might not otherwise be able to attend live performing arts events. For this most recent group of recipients, Kauffman Center staff worked with Vet Tix, a non-profit organization whose mission is to distribute tickets to military service members and veterans across the U.S.
Kyle Myers, Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking of PNC Bank, Kansas City explains why PNC supports this program. “PNC is committed to strengthening and enriching the lives of fellow neighbors in communities where we live and work. We support the Kauffman Center for many reasons but finding a means for everyone to enjoy live performing arts through the Community Tickets program was an especially great match with our goals,” said Myers.
U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Justin Butler appreciated the red-carpet treatment he experienced at the October concert. “Two friends and I had a great opportunity through Vet Tix to watch Marty Stuart in concert at the Kauffman Center. That is one of the best venues I’ve been to! Thank you to everyone involved for providing such a great experience,” said Butler.
To find out more our Community Tickets program, visit kauffmancenter.org/open-doors/community-tickets.
Best Selling Christmas Artist of all Time Comes to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 20, 2022
Chip Davis, founder and creator of Mannheim Steamroller, will celebrate over 35 Years of his annual Christmas concert tour, making it the longest-running concert tour in the entertainment industry!
Davis said the hallmark tour will begin on Nov. 15, 2022, and run through December 30, 2022. Two traveling ensembles will hold performances in cities across the country. The tour will stop at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City on Nov. 20, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. and will be available at kauffmancenter.org or by calling 816.994.7222.
“I remember when I came out with my first Christmas album in 1984 followed by our first tour. Back then, many in the music industry said focusing on Christmas just wouldn’t work,” said Davis.
“Now, over 35 years later, we are still going strong. I want to thank our fans for making us part of their holiday tradition, especially after the hardships of the last few years. Today we often see multi-generational families join us during the holidays each year.”
Davis founded his own record label, American Gramaphone, which went on to become one of the industry’s largest independent record labels. A Grammy Award winner, Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 41 million albums, with over 31.5 million in the Christmas genre. Their holiday CDs have become synonymous with Christmas and occupy top positions on Billboard’s Seasonal Chart every year.
This year’s show will feature classic Christmas hits from the Mannheim Steamroller holiday albums along with multimedia effects in an intimate setting. Davis will direct and co-produce Tour performances with MagicSpace Entertainment.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis is co-produced by MagicSpace Entertainment. The company is a boutique producing and presenting firm focused on first-class properties and productions. Based in Park City, UT, the company has produced and presented national tours, Broadway shows, concerts, museum exhibits and sporting events worldwide for over 40 years with a powerhouse producing team focused on providing creative, marketing and general management expertise.
About Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller
From his longtime home in Omaha, Neb., Mannheim Steamroller creator and founder Chip Davis makes innovative music inspired by the sounds of another age. This former teacher and jingle writer founded the music industry’s largest independent recording label, American Gramaphone, in 1974 when industry executives said Davis’ innovative 18th-century instrumental rock sound would never sell. In addition to a Grammy Award, Davis is largely credited with establishing the New Age music category.
His first Christmas album in 1984, revolutionized the making and marketing of holiday music, the album’s success made Christmas records a “must-do” for all music artists. With more than 31.5 million Christmas albums sold, Davis is the #1-selling Christmas artist of all time with Elvis coming in at a distant 17 million holiday records sold. Having 19 gold, 8 multi-platinum and 4 platinum-certified records, Davis is among an elite group of music artists with this number of RIAA records. He is also one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the music industry, offering a rich array of lifestyle products on mannheimsteamroller.com including hot chocolate, food, apparel and novelty items. His latest achievement is creating a cutting-edge psychoacoustic technology that is being used in major medical institutions such as Mayo Clinic.
To connect with Mannheim Steamroller, please follow them on Twitter @MannheimSteam, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/MannheimSteamroller or visit MannheimSteamroller.com.
Follow the Kauffman Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to get details about upcoming performances and behind-the-scenes access.
Left, Mckenna Lewis, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts summer intern next to her handprint on the Kauffman Center Children’s Wall. Right, Jessica Scearce, Faith Andra Harris, Mckenna Lewis, Chelney Cameron were the Kauffman Center 2022 summer interns.
From the Children’s Wall to the Kauffman Center Team, intern grows with the building
“Performing arts is very special to my family. The Kauffman Center [for the Performing Arts] was doing a fundraiser for the Children’s Wall project and people could donate to the organization and get their child’s handprint on the wall. My family donated enough so that all three grandchildren could be recognized,” Lewis said.
Although Lewis will always remember putting her handprint on the wall, she never would have guessed the role the building would play in her own life. In the summer of 2022, Lewis became the patron services management intern at the Kauffman Center. In this role, she was able to work in depth with members of the ticketing services team, volunteer team, marketing department, accounting department, and theater operations team.
“I had no idea the village of departments and people it takes year-round to make the Kauffman Center work. This internship was an eye-opening experience to witness all the moving parts that go into the organization!”
Lewis was able to experience many aspects of the Kauffman Center’s day-to-day operations, but her favorite project was working on Future Stages Festival, Kauffman Center’s annual event focusing on youth and arts. Future Stages Festival invites over 30 youth arts groups to perform on one of their iconic stages during a day-long event that is free to the community. 2023 will be the festival’s 10th year. Lewis enjoyed how Future Stages Festival brought together all Kauffman Center departments to engage with youth and execute the event.
Although Lewis had positive experiences attending performances at the Kauffman Center while growing up, she felt working behind the scenes was a new way for her to be part of the performing arts community. And what does she think when she walks by that handprint?
“I am shocked at how different life is. I made that handprint when I was 9 years old and now I’m halfway done with college. Looking at my handprint is very nostalgic. My handprint is right next to my brother’s and cousin’s, and it is mind-blowing to see how much we have all grown up.”
Internships at the Kauffman Center are available in the fall, spring and summer. They are offered in a number of departments including marketing, patron services, event sales and theater operations. To find out more and to apply, visit kauffmancenter.org/internships.
Diamond Volunteers Frank Hawk, Vicki Dickerson, Mark Dickerson, Blair Bieser and Sandra Reilly. Photo by Don Ipock.
Congratulations to Our New Diamond Level Volunteers
The Kauffman Center would like to congratulate and thank the following five Diamond Level volunteers who have each contributed more than 2,500 volunteer service hours.
Vicki Dickerson | “As a new volunteer at the Kauffman Center, I quickly realized the energy and enthusiasm of other volunteers and staff was contagious and real. This was evident when COVID, should be a four-letter word, ended the 2019/2020 season in February. While the staff did a great job keeping volunteers engaged with each other, when we physically returned, restrictions and all, it was smiling eyes just above the masks and “hugs” all around. That joy continued when we saw our Patron friends, and them us. I am thankful the people of Kansas City continue to support the Performing Arts and feel lucky to be one of the many people that have and continue to represent the Kauffman Center.”
Mark Dickerson | “When I was growing up our family was not exposed to the arts. Since I started volunteering here in September 2017 I have been exposed to the Symphony, Ballet, Opera and many other performances at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Volunteering has broadened my experiences and I have found I like performances that I had not experienced before. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Best building for performances. Best performances. Best patrons. Best staff. Best volunteers. Just the best place to volunteer!”
Blair Bieser | “The pandemic has certainly shown us how important art is – how it can comfort us when we feel alone, and how it can bring us together when our differences are dividing us. And although the performing arts posted a lot of videos, there’s nothing like coming to our beautiful Kauffman Center and watching artists from around the world sing, dance, and make music for us. I’ve loved welcoming you back!”
Sandra Reilly | “Thank you for the opportunity to serve as a volunteer and support the success of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Always memorable and rewarding.”
Learn more about the Kauffman Center’s volunteer program and get involved by visiting kauffmancenter.org/volunteer or contact volunteer@kauffmancenter.org.
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