February is nearly over and it’s time again for weekend calendar picks from our editor, Alice Thorson. See Vermeer and Rembrandt at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, or check out the latest offering from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Listen to chamber music, featuring faculty from Park University‘s International Center for Music. And we’ve got two dance performances from Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey and Owen/Cox Dance Group. For more events this weekend, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
Reflecting Class in the Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer
February 24 – May 29 | $12
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
This groundbreaking exhibition examines 17th-century Dutch paintings in light of the new Republic’s social structure. Although the Dutch Republic was relatively democratic at the time, class distinctions remained and conveyed a variety of meanings to its citizens.
Through approximately 71 carefully selected and arranged paintings, this exhibition will present the ways in which Dutch pictures reflect various socio-economic groups. Additionally, three place settings featuring the everyday tableware of the upper, middle, and lower classes will bring to life the tangible differences within the Republic’s stratified population.
By exploring how class distinctions were expressed and the associations each group held, a more nuanced picture of Dutch society will emerge. Highlights of the exhibition include Vermeer’s A Lady Writing and portraits by Rembrandt and Hals.
KCFAA Presents Setting the Stage
February 25 @ 7:00 pm
American Jazz Museum – Gem Theater
Taking place during Black History Month, Setting the Stage is a visual journey through the channels of African-American dance culture. This multi-media story is interwoven into the broader tapestry of history, and gives insights into the legacies of African-American pioneers in the art of modern dance in American history. Setting the Stage is performed by talented local and national artists demonstrating the evolution of American dance styles since the Middle Passage.
Setting the Stage was developed and choreographed by Tyrone Aiken, KCFAA’s Chief Artistic Officer. The work was inspired by the photo documentary Classic Black, which was originally presented at the Lincoln Center to commemorate African-Americans in classical dance prior to 1970.
Roof of the World
February 26 – March 27
Kansas City Repertory Theatre-Copaken Stage
This pulse-pounding work by one of America’s hottest young playwrights tells the true story of two world powers who sought to claim a new frontier — The Roof of the World. Part spy thriller and part Downton Abbey, filled with suspense and romance, this brilliant new drama is a thrilling and imaginative journey.
For the Love of Dance – Annual Fundraiser
February 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm | $75 – $125
Drexel Hall
Owen/Cox Dance Group is proud to present its annual fundraiser, For the Love of Dance. This fundraiser will be held at Drexel Hall on Saturday, February 27th at 7:00p. All proceeds will support Owen/Cox Dance’s 2015-16 performance season, which will present four collaborative, high-quality dance performances in Kansas City.
All tickets include an open bar, dinner buffet, silent auction, and special performance by Owen/Cox Dance. VIP Level also includes decadent appetizers, early silent auction access, private seating for the performance, and additional festivities at 6:00pm.
The silent auction features Royals Crown Tickets, gift certificates, and artwork. Silent Auction partners include KC Repertory Theatre, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Performing Art Series – JCCC, Wines by Jennifer, and many more.
Park University International Center for Music Concert Series: An Evening of Chamber Music
February 27 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | $10
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel-Park University
Park University International Center for Music’s 2015-16 concert series season continues on Saturday, Feb. 27, with “An Evening of Chamber Music” recital featuring performances by the ICM’s award-winning faculty. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on the University’s Parkville Campus.
Ben Sayevich, professor of music/violin, and Daniel Veis, assistant professor of music/cello — will be the featured musicians during the recital, which will include the following selections:
- “Sonata for Violin and Cello” by Maurice Ravel
- “Piano Quartet in E Flat” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, ICM collaborative pianist, and Anna Sorokina, graduate student pursuing degree in violin performance, will accompany Sayevich and Veis)
- “Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7” by Zoltán Kodály
