Spring Break
In its infancy, rap was to music what documentary filmmaking was to movies. Mostly released by African-Americans, rap music was the lifeline and source of information for suburban white kids and fodder for yuppie music critics to unconditionally grovel over as avant-garde.
It takes courage to put a piece of classic literature onto a stage. It takes self-confidence and talent to make it run smoothly. "To Kill A Mockingbird," adapted from Harper Lee's novel of the same name, is a co-production of Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Arizona Theatre Company.
'The Orphanage (El Orfanato)' It's a credit to the filmmakers of "The Orphanage (El Orfanato)" that it takes so long to figure out just what is going on. We're not sure if the reason for Laura's son Simon's disappearance is supernatural or the work of a creepy old woman.
I don't think anyone would argue Kansas City has more culture than New York City. However, now a lot of smaller cities can import a little of what the big apple has. Through the wonders of high definition transmissions, theatres all over the United States can see a live Metropolitan Opera performance.
"Eat, think, grow" is the slogan at Seed Café, a vegan restaurant. "Vegan" restaurant means the food served contains absolutely no animal products or byproducts. All their menu items are made with organic ingredients. Seed is obviously enthusiastic about the social, health and environmental reasons for its vegan/organic menu and on its Web site, www.
Maps are seen in a whole new way at the Urban Culture Project's (UCP) Locate | Navigate: Exercises in Mapping Part 1. The exhibit displays 12 unique artists using different approaches to cartography. There is a giant map of the Crossroads District by Joe Faus, where he uses Polaroids and audio to tell personal stories and show change over time.
With the start of the new semester, students, along with posters for courtwarming candidates, will fill the hallways. This year's courtwarming theme is the Wild Wild West. The Activity and Program Council (APC) wanted students to help decide the theme and posted a survey on Facebook, which gave students a chance to vote.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 UMKC College Democrats Meeting: The UMKC College Democrats first meeting of the semester will have free food and a few prizes to give out to those who attend. Chris Moreno of the Missouri Democratic Coordinated Campaign will be the speaker to inform new members about how to campaign for democratic candidates for public office.
Naomi Benaron's first book, "Love Letters From a Fat Man" is a lot like going to the beach. Once you get into the water you can control almost nothing except getting out. You learn sooner or later to just accept the waves rolling you around. You can try fighting this collection of short stories, the sometimes overly wordy prose and incredibly emotional stories, but in the end it wraps itself around you and doesn't let go.
Turns out Steve Martin isn't as "wild and crazy" as one might expect. "Born Standing Up," an autobiography about his life as a stand-up comedian, is an interesting and unexpected look into one of the funniest people ever to be presented to the public. I will be the first to admit I'm a bit of a Steve Martin fan, who was a 2007 Kennedy Center honoree.
I have nothing in common with the author of "Eat, Pray, Love." I am not in my 30s. I have never been married. I don't have the means to travel around the world for a year and have never even left the United States. I was very skeptical I would be able to relate to this very personal memoir.
For me, the term "American literature" conjures high school memories of being force-fed school-board-approved classics such as "Lord of the Flies" and "Of Mice and Men." Sure, these are worthwhile books to read. But they will inspire few people beyond devoted English majors to actively seek out and consume "American literature" past their high school curricula.
Naomi Benaron's first book, "Love Letters From a Fat Man" is a lot like going to the beach. Once you get into the water you can control almost nothing except getting out and learn sooner or later to just accept the waves rolling you around. You can try fighting this collection of short stories, the sometimes overly wordy prose and incredibly emotional stories, but in the end it wraps itself around you and doesn't let go.
