Calvin Wilson

Calvin Wilson is an arts writer at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is also host and creator of the jazz program, “Somethin’ Else,” on 107.3 FM and 96.3 HD2 in St. Louis.

Spartan Press: Purveyor of Poetry

Of the literary arts, poetry is perhaps the least understood yet the most appreciated. And the range of contemporary works is vast, from the plainspoken musings of Billy Collins to the relatively esoteric flights of Anne Carson. With its focus on the beauty and precision of words, poetry can be a rare pleasure for readers but can also be a risky proposition for publishers.

March 26, 2020
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Honors: Maryfrances Wagner

Maryfrances Wagner has established a national reputation through her poetry, but her latest accolade is one from the heartland. The Independence-based poet is the recipient of a 2020 Missouri Arts Award — an honor that recognizes individuals, organizations and communities that have made significant contributions to the state’s cultural and artistic life.

March 5, 2020
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Tivoli Cinemas reborn at the Nelson-Atkins

At a time when cities are overrun with franchise coffeehouses and froyo joints, cultural landmarks are to be cherished. But Kansas City almost lost one when Tivoli Cinemas closed last April. A refuge from superhero flicks, the Westport multiplex remained dedicated for decades to presenting indie and international films and had attracted a devoted following of discriminating moviegoers — who were alarmed at what seemed to be its demise.

January 28, 2020
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An American Classic Slated for Two KC Productions This Fall

Ntozake Shange, a playwright, poet and novelist who died last October, was only the second African-American woman to see her work produced on Broadway. That 1976 theater piece — which Shange described as a “choreopoem” — was “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf.”

September 9, 2019
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Fall Season Lookahead: Jazz

Jazz recordings have their merits, but the music is arguably best appreciated in live performance. And atmosphere — influenced by the size and nature of the venue — plays a significant role in that experience. There’s no shortage of places to hear jazz in the Kansas City area, but the following venues are particularly worth seeking out.

August 29, 2019
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Arts News: KC Chorale Brings Gravitas and Grace to New CD

Under conductor and artistic director Charles Bruffy, the Kansas City Chorale has established itself as an ensemble of international importance. “Artifacts: The Music of Michael McGlynn,” offers another example of its musical adventurousness. At close to seven minutes, “Jerusalem,” the seventh track on “Artifacts,” is the longest. The song, infused with Irish melody, casts a […]

July 15, 2019
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