Spring Break
Born out of a twinkle in a musician's eye, Checkered Past, a Kansas City-based band, is known for more than just good music, but rather music with a message. The political-minded folk band was founded five years ago by fellow members of the Kansas City Songwriters Circle.
On Sat., Sept. 6 at 3 p.m., the White Recital Hall lobby was the filled with pre-schoolers and parents, as well as dancers in whimsical costumes. The event was a birthday party honoring the UMKC School of Education's Edgar L. and Rheta A. Berkley Child and Family Development Center and its 15 years of service to the community and teacher education.
On the last summer evening of this year, a few hours before sunset, First Fridays opened this month in Kansas City's historic Crossroads Art District with just a spattering of visitors clumped into the avenues off Main Street. The Crossroads Art District is not so much a hovel in Kansas City as a jewel in a rock garden: it is a hot spot only to those familiar with the area.
UMKC conservatory students were in for a treat when Chita Rivera visited campus last Thursday. In a career that spans over 40 years, Rivera has won two Tony Awards and been nominated for eight. She is also a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor, and has originated many Broadway roles in musicals like "West Side Story," "Chicago," "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "Bye Bye Birdie.
Babylon was an ancient city in Mesopotamia, the ruins of which are buried far below modern day Iraq. As I watched "Babylon A.D.," I found myself thinking a similar fate would be appropriate for this failed attempt at a sci-fi opus. Vin Diesel portrays the awkwardly named Toorop with stereotypical grit.
Winston Brown, a recent UMKC dance graduate, will be returning to Kansas City to perform for the Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Danse Theatre's Fall Concert. Brown has been living in New York City since graduation and danced with the Paul Taylor Dance company until this past December.
Indie folk music artist Ani DiFranco has written and produced a new album "Red Letter Year" that embodies her new, lighter way of life. "[My new mantra] says, 'Don't forget to have a good time,'" DiFranco said. The artist, now a mother to a beautiful one-year-old girl, is known for writing some in-your-face lyrics that have previously never been very attention getting for more than a brief second.
Once a week, a few of my single friends get together, usually over cocktails and appetizers, to talk about what is new in our lives and the lives of others. Most recently, the "others" we refer to are "Brangelina's" 27 adopted children, Obama and the trials and tribulations of Britney.
Monday, Sept. 8 Mysterious Undertakings Book Discussion: This week's discussion is about the novel Web of Evil. The discussion starts at 6:30 p.m., at the Kansas City Public Library, Waldo Branch, 201 E. 75th St. Poets on CD Release Party: Reading and celebration starts at 7 p.
