Libby Hanssen

Libby Hanssen

Originally from Indiana, Libby Hanssen covers the performing arts in Kansas City. She’s written for KCUR, “KC Studio,” “The Kansas City Star,” “The Pitch” and “KCMetropolis.” Libby maintains the culture blog “Proust Eats A Sandwich” and writes poetry and children’s books. Along with degrees in trombone performance, she was a Fellow for the NEA Arts Journalism Institute at Columbia University.

Kansas City Symphony Thrills With Performance of Mahler Symphony No. 3

Kansas City Symphony Thrills With Performance of Mahler Symphony No. 3

With the performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, the Kansas City Symphony and director Michael Stern have completed a monumental goal: a nearly complete cycle of Gustav Mahler’s symphonies. This is the first time, as far as I could ascertain, they’ve had the capacity, ability and chutzpah to tackle this particular work, the longest […]

Dark/Bright/Light: Kansas City Ballet season ends with energetic, eclectic works, including David Parsons world premiere.

Dark/Bright/Light: Kansas City Ballet season ends with energetic, eclectic works, including David Parsons world premiere.

“Human movement is the basis of all art,” wrote Twyla Tharp. Kansas City Ballet displayed this philosophy with the textural, painterly season closer THARP / PARSONS / FORSYTHE, demonstrating exceptional work from three groundbreaking American choreographers: William Forsythe, David Parsons, and Twyla Tharp. Friday was the first Kansas City performance for each of the pieces, […]

Musica Vocale’s May 19 ‘Resist’ Concert Keys Off Social Issues

Musica Vocale’s May 19 ‘Resist’ Concert Keys Off Social Issues

Musica Vocale ends its 11th season with “Resist” at Westside’s Sacred Heart Guadalupe May 19. The concert, featuring Melissa Dunphy’s “American DREAMers,” focuses on the immigration debate in the United States and explores elements of violence and oppression with James MacMillan’s “Cantos Sagrados” and Zachary Wadsworth’s “War Dreams.” While most Musica Vocale concerts aren’t particularly […]