We’ve got another round of calendar picks from KC Studio editor Alice Thorson for the first weekend of December. Tonight, see the Kansas City Chorale perform seasonal favoritesat the Nelson, or the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at the Midland (presented by Harriman-Jewell Series). Thursday through Sunday, the Kansas City Symphony will perform Handel’s Messiah inside Helzberg Hall. Friday night, The Friends of Chamber Music present Stile Antico at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Friday through Sunday, you can view and purchase art and other gifts at the KCAI End-of-Semester Show on campus or at the KC Clay Guild Sale & Studio Tour at locations throughout the city. Saturday and Sunday, the Heartland Men’s Chorus presents its Annual Kansas City Christmas at the Folly and the Kansas City Ballet performs their re-imagined Nutcracker at Kauffman. For more ideas this weekend, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
WINTERSONG
December 1 @ 5:30 pm
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
How would you like to deck this hall? Join Charles and the Chorale in beautiful Rozzelle Court at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for a special one-hour program of seasonal favorites. Get your tickets early – these concerts always sell out! Call the UMKC Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 to reserve your spot today.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays
December 1 @ 7:30 pm
The Midland
This famous ensemble has been a Series favorite since its 1999 Kansas City debut, and its Big Band Holidays concert will be another first for KC. The Orchestra led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis constitutes 15 of today’s finest jazz players and will be joined by vocalist Catherine Russell.
Kansas City Symphony: Handel’s Messiah
December 1 – December 4
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Hallelujah! The power of more than 250 voices combined with the impeccable acoustics of Helzberg Hall provides a triumphant experience of Handel’s majestic choral masterpiece. The Kansas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus join with the Independence Messiah Choir to celebrate 100 glorious years of performing Handel’s Messiah— the perfect way to kick off your holiday season. Tickets start at $25.
Stile Antico
December 2 @ 8:00 pm | $35
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Stile Antico has established themselves as one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Working without a conductor, this self-directed ensemble has made critics almost speechless and thrilled audiences worldwide with their breathtaking perfection. Their moving performances and creative programming shine a new light on Renaissance music. In the spirit of the season, the ensemble performs a heart-warming selection of 15thcentury German and Flemish Christmas carols.
34th Annual KC Clay Guild Holiday Pottery Sale & Studio Tour
Friday December 2, 6pm to 9pm
Saturday December 3, 10am-5pm
Sunday December 4, noon-5pm
56 artists at 14 locations around KC!
KCAI End-of-Semester Exhibition and Sale
December 2 – December 4
Kansas City Art Institute
Art lovers and art collectors – start your holiday shopping at the Kansas City Art Institute’s (KCAI) End-of-Semester Exhibition and Sale, Dec. 2 through 4. Find a treasure trove of original artwork and goods made by KCAI’s talented students in various departments including ceramics, fiber, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, graphic design and sculpture. All proceeds benefit individual students and KCAI studios.
Enjoy hot chocolate and coffee as you wander the beautiful KCAI campus to shop at various studio buildings. You can start shopping at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 2, but in some cases, the artwork will stay on display until Sunday when it must be picked up. For a map of KCAI, located at 4415 Warwick in Kansas City, Mo., visit http://kcai.edu/campus-life/campus/.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the End-of-Semester Exhibition and Sale at KCAI from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.
Kansas City Christmas 2016
December 3 @ 8:00 pm
December 4 @ 4:00 pm
$15 – $67
Folly Theater
In its third year as KC’s traditional, non-traditional holiday concert experience, Kansas City Christmashas become the way thousands of Kansas Citians sing in the season. With a blend of familiar carols, choral classics and hilariously zany holiday numbers,Kansas City Christmas features something for everyone and is sure to leave you in the holiday spirit. This year’s program will feature John Rutter’s majestic Gloria in a new setting for men’s voices accompanied by brass and percussion. And, for the first time, we’re taking a mainstage concert to Johnson County for our suburban patrons.
THE NUTCRACKER
December 3 @ 2:00 pm
December 3 @ 7:30 pm
December 4 @ 1:00 pm
December 4 @ 5:00 pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
In 2015 Kansas City Ballet launched an All-New The Nutcracker and broke box office records and received critical acclaim! Make this your family holiday tradition and see it again for the first time! The classic, Victorian-era story by E.T.A. Hoffman featuring Clara, the Prince and Dr. Drosselmeier completely reimagined with exquisite costumes by Holly Hynes, grand sets by Alain Vaës and captivating choreography by Artistic Director Devon Carney. See your children’s wonder ignite and feel the glimmer once more as your childhood dreams return and inspire you to IMAGINE AGAIN. Run time is approximately two hours and 15 minutes with one 20-minute intermission.
