Time for weekend calendar picks from KC Studio editor Alice Thorson. Premiering tonight, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre presents their production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, running through June 24th at the Warwick Theatre. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Kansas City Symphony performs Mendelssohn and Haydn with Augustin Hadelich on violin. Saturday night will be busy, with performances from Bach Aria Soloists and Kansas City Chorale together at St. Paul’s Episcopal, Diana Krall at Kauffman Center, and James Ward Band at The Blue Room. For more events this weekend, visit Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
June 14, 2018 – June 24, 2018
Warwick Theatre
Miners, brawls, pretty girls, love, romance, maritime disasters and Meredith Willson’s music and lyrics!
The Unsinkable Molly Brown is the rags-to-riches love story of Molly and Leadville Johnny Brown, owners of the richest mine in the U.S. at the turn of the twentieth century. A comedic, yet honest, commentary on the classes and the human spirit of the Colorado settlers, this grand musical is a tour de force with rousing and sentimental songs, as well as dances that are reminiscent of the times.
Kansas City Symphony Classical Series: MENDELSSOHN’S “ITALIAN” and HAYDN
June 15 & 16, 2018 @ 8:00 pm
June 17 @ 2:00 pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Imagine lush green olive groves, picturesque vineyards and the fresh scent of lemon and orange trees drifting in on a warm, summer breeze. Mendelssohn’s long-awaited journey to Italy inspired this cheerful Fourth Symphony, one of his most vibrant and popular works. From beginning to end, the “Italian” Symphony is jam-packed with energy, lovely melodies and gorgeous orchestral writing. Superb violinist Augustin Hadelich solos in Haydn’s beautiful First Violin Concerto, one of the most-performed violin concertos of the mid-18th century, and the mesmerizing “Concentric Paths” by contemporary composer Thomas Adès.
Bach Aria Soloists and the Kansas City Chorale
June 16, 2018 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | $17 – $35
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO
Bach Aria Soloists is thrilled to again be collaborating with the Grammy-winning Kansas City Chorale and artistic director Charles Bruffy.
The performance will showcase the Chorale’s chamber choir and BAS’ instrumental artistry for a formidable, musical force. Program highlights will include choral works by Benjamin Britten and Vaughn Williams, plus Bach cantatas.
Diana Krall: Turn Up The Quiet World Tour 2018
June 16, 2018 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm | $45 – $185
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Diana Krall brings her Turn Up The Quiet World Tour 2018 to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 16, as part of the 2017-2018 Kauffman Center Presents series. This event is presented in partnership with Mammoth. The tour features material from Krall’s stunning new album, Turn Up The Quiet, as well as fan favorites.
A multiple GRAMMY Award-winning jazz pianist and world-renowned singer, Krall is the only jazz vocalist to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered five GRAMMY Awards, eight JUNO Awards and have also earned nine gold, three platinum and seven multi-platinum albums. Krall’s unique artistry transcends any single musical style and has made her one of the most recognizable artists of our time.
James Ward Band
June 16, 2018 @ 8:30 pm | $10
American Jazz Museum – The Blue Room
The James Ward Band was formed January of 1997 at The Blue Room located on 18th and Vine in Kansas City, MO. James, a native of Kansas City, attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he studied Tuba, and played Acoustic and Electric Bass in numerous bands while attending college. James’ experience, skill, and reputation as a Bass Player led him to opportunities to perform with greats throughout the years such as Marcus Roberts, Wycliffe Gordon, Nat Adderly, Mark Whitfield, Bobby Watson, John Cushon, Patti Austin, Jonathan Dubose, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Lisa Henry, Chris Barnett, Jackie Mills, Russell Malone, Marcus Printup, Peter Martin, Scotty Barnhart, and Will Matthews of the Count Basie Orchestra, Gospel Artists Dorinda Clark-Cole and Donald Lawrence, and a host of other artists. James also toured South Africa with Oleta Adams.
The James Ward Band (The JWB) is a Contemporary Jazz/Smooth Jazz Band, whose show consists of a combination of Latin, R&B, Fusion, Funk, Jazz, and Gospel. On May 12, 2007, they released their debut album entitled “In Perspective”, which debuted on the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts at #42 and quickly soared to the top 20 and stayed for a number of weeks.
In Perspective was followed by “Groove Axis” released July 2010, now available on CD Baby, itunes, emusic, and amazon.com. Groove Axis features band members James Ward on Bass, Angela Ward on Keyboards and Arranging, Ray Stewart on Percussion, Matt Hopper on Guitar, Gerald Dunn on Soprano and Tenor Sax, and Ryan Lee on Drums. Guest artists appearing areAaron Simcox on Alto Saxophone on Echoes written by song writer, Valerie Gregory; Clint Ashlock on Trumpet, Jason Guedeou on Trombone, and Karetta Carter on Trombone, the featured horn section on Got to Get You Into My Life, which also features Jonathan DuBose on Lead Guitar; Vibraphonist Greg Carroll, Guitarist Matt Hopper, and Ashley Wenberg featured on Flute on Waves; the writing of Eric Grover on 2 Minute Chase featuring Ryan Lee on Drums; the Drum Programming of Kevin Johnson on the title cut, Groove Axis; and Aaron Mayfield on synth bass on the Bet That Up Reprise. The combination of these various styles from each musician is what makes the James Ward Band unique.
