Time for weekend calendar picks from KC Studio editor, Alice Thorson. Tonight, Spinning Tree Theatre premieres its production of Shipwrecked!, which continues through February 5. Tomorrow night, The Friends of Chamber Music present pianists Alexei Lubimov and Malcolm Bilson at the Folly (read our article about this show here), and the Kansas City Symphony will be playing Beethoven and Chopin with guest conductor Ludovic Morlot (performances also scheduled for Saturday & Sunday). The Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College presents two shows this weekend: Koresh Dance Company at Yardley Hall on Saturday and Sons of Brasil at Polsky Theatre on Sunday. For more ideas this weekend, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
SHIPWRECKED!
January 19 – Feb 5
Just Off Broadway Theatre
New production of an audience favorite! Original KC premiere by Spinning Tree in 2013. ‘The adventures of Louis de Rougemont – as told by himself’ was the publishing phenomenon of the 1890s. In his autobiography, which was serialized in Wide World magazine, Englishman de Rougemont described his incredible thirty-year adventure lost in the vast, unexplored wastes of the Australian outback. He sailed the high seas and met exotic islanders, flying wombats, giant sea turtles and an enormous man-eating octopus. Or did he? This 3-actor, multi-character vaudevillian romp “springs to life like a theatrical pop-up book” (The New York Times).
Alexei Lubimov in recital with special guest artist, Malcolm Bilson
January 20 @ 8:00 pm | $15 – $25
Folly Theater
Every few years, The Friends recognizes an exceptional musician who has made an exceptional contribution to the world of music. In January 2017, we recognize two musicians who have re-introduced historic pianos back into mainstream classical music: Alexei Lubimov and Malcolm Bilson
Russian pianist Alexei Lubimov is one of the most strikingly original musicians performing today. He has a dual passion for both early music performed on historical instruments, as well as contemporary repertoire. Appearing for the first time in Kansas City, Mr. Lubimov will be performing works by Debussy and Stravinsky.
At this concert, the Friends’ Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to pianists Alexei Lubimov and Malcolm Bilson. Together, these two remarkable artists have re-invigorated the world of historic pianos, catapulting them back into mainstream classical music. Their careers as performers, educators, scholars, and innovators have stunned the classical music world with their artistry, passion, and new insights. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime special event!
Kansas City Symphony Classical Series CHOPIN with BEETHOVEN’S “PASTORAL”
Friday and Saturday, January 20-21 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 22 at 2 p.m.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Chopin’s compositions capture the sensitivity and self-expression of the Romantic era while upholding a sense of classic purity. His First Piano Concerto highlights the soloist’s elegant and virtuosic technique, all capped by a lively Polish folk dance. Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony No. 6 is a monumental work, and in its final movement is music that is as spine-tingling and joyful as anywhere in the classical repertoire. Ludovic Morlot, music director of the Seattle Symphony, joins us to conduct this spirited weekend of music. Tickets start at $25.
KORESH DANCE
January 21 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $21 – $35
Carlsen Center – Yardley Hall
“The best part of me is that I love what I do. I live it. I sleep with it. It is what I am.” — Roni Koresh
Experience the raw passion that is infused in the movements of members of Koresh Dance Company, founded in 1991 by Israeli-born choreographer and artistic director Ronen (Roni) Koresh.
Known for its engaging performance and technically superb dancers, the company performs critically acclaimed works at its biannual Philadelphia seasons, as well as in touring performances around the country. Koresh has been hailed internationally, and has developed a vast repertoire of work that ranges from explosive and passionate to intimate and restrained.
SONS OF BRASIL
January 22 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 pm | $20
Polsky Theatre, JCCC
“Kessler and The Sons of Brasil prove that a Midwestern band, playing a host of exciting Brazilian-flavored music, can be authentic and successful with spicy sambas and cushy bossa nova music that are tailor-made for lovers of the genre.” — All About Jazz
Part of Winterlude, a series of concerts featuring local and international jazz and world music performers in the Polsky Theatre at JCCC.
In Kansas City a popular jazz group has performed every week since their inception in 1991. This would not be so remarkable, as Kansas City is renowned for its tradition of great jazz since the days of Count Basie and Charlie Parker. What is remarkable is that this group of native Kansas Citians plays nothing but Brazilian jazz, with a flavor and passion one might think could only be found at a night club in Ipanema or Leblon. The Sons of Brasil invite you to sample these sounds, which stem from their love and admiration of “musica bem brasileira.”
