What are your plans for the weekend? Our editor, Alice Thorson, has a few suggestions. See Doc Serverinsen play with the Kansas City Symphony, or stop by the Kansas City Museum and visit the Fairy Princess. Saturday is packed: see the Kansas City Chorale Christmas show, Paul Mesner Puppets at the Jewish Community Center, or Julian Vaughn performing at the American Jazz Museum Gem Theater. On Sunday visit Unity Temple on the Plaza for the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choirs’ Winter Concert. For more ideas, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
Doc Severinsen with the Kansas City Symphony
December 11 @ 8:00 pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Former Tonight Show bandleader and trumpet legend Doc Severinsen is still swingin’! Doc brings his sparkling personality and outrageous outfits to the Helzberg Hall stage for one festive evening, filled with songs of the season and timeless classics. Don’t miss the sequins and showmanship as Doc Severinsen and his band perform with a large chorus and the Kansas City Symphony in a concert that is sure to dazzle and delight!
The Fairy Princess
December 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
December 13 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Celebrate Kansas City’s beloved tradition of The Fairy Princess. Share holiday wishes with the Fairy Princess, enjoy storytelling, performances, and hands-on activities, and take home your sweet treat.
A Chorale Family Christmas
December 12 @ 1:00 pm
Visitation Catholic Church
Choir students from KC-area schools join the Chorale to perform for each other and their families while getting the chance to work with Maestro Bruffy on their holiday repertoire.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
December 12 @ 6:00 pm
Jewish Community Center
Presented by Paul Mesner Puppets
What are the poor villagers to do? The holiday-hating, hill-dwelling hobgoblins are determined to ruin yet another Hanukkah for them. Every year the beasties snuff out the menorah candles, destroy the dreidels and pitch the potato latkes on the floor. But these wicked wet blankets never counted on someone as clever as Hershel of Ostropol showing up. Using his wits and a few props – pickles, eggs and a dreidel, will Hershel manage to outwit all the creepy critters and break the spell? Join us for this fabulously creative adaptation of the ancient Hanukkah story in which the Syrians forbade the Jews to worship as they wanted.
Julian Vaughn
December 12 @ 8:00 pm
American Jazz Museum-Gem Theater
Julian Vaughn laid down a strong statement with his debut The Purpose Project in 2010, garnering the attention of radio and record companies clamoring to sink their claws into his dynamic young talent. With a recently released recording, he will bring his electrifying Christmas Show to the Gem.
Kansas City Boys Choir and Kansas City Girls Choir Perform Winter Concert
December 13 @ 5:00 pm
Unity Temple on the Plaza
The Kansas City Boys Choir and the Kansas City Girls Choir celebrate the Christmas holiday with “Home for the Holidays,” a winter concert, at 5 p.m. Sunday, December 13, at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 West 47th Street.
The choirs will perform a festive selection of traditional, sacred and original holiday songs. Selections include “O Tannenbaum,” “Silent Night,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” and “Home for the Holidays,” an original composition written by Choir Executive Director Ah’lee Robinson.
“The holiday season focuses on home, family and friends, and the musical selections in our winter concert reflect that importance,” Robinson said. “This is a special evening of celebration by our fantastic choirs.”
Both choirs will also perform a short skit and dance, choreographed by Christopher Peacock, artistic director of Victory in Motion contemporary dance company.
The choirs will be joined by special guests Heritage Dance Ministry. The interdenominational group, led by Chris Kelly, is an inclusive dance ministry for all age groups, church denominations, ethnic groups and genders.
