Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Announces Exciting Fall Lineup to Kick Off the 5th Season of Kauffman Center Presents Performances.
The Kauffman Center Presents series complements the programming offered by other arts organizations insuring that audiences, performance genres, and even ticket prices are diverse. The series showcases a variety of superb artists and brings memorable experiences in the performing arts.
“The Kauffman Center Presents series features some of the greatest performers of our time,”. said Paul Schofer, President and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. “We know our patrons are going to be excited about the entertainment opportunities we have planned for this fall.”
Kauffman Center Presents performances include:
The Summit: Take 6 & The Manhattan Transfer – September 10
Combining forces for the first time, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, two of the most acclaimed, award-winning groups in pop music will perform in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. Ticket prices range from $29 to $89. Take 6 (Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley), heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!” is the quintessential a cappella group and model for vocal genius. Six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements and funky grooves continue to perform an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop music. The Manhattan Transfer’s Vocalese, the single greatest GRAMMY nominated album in one year won twelve nominations and cemented the group’s status as one of the most important and innovative vocal groups in the history of popular music.
Jay Leno – September 13
Comedian, author and former host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno will perform on Sunday, September 13 in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. Opening for his
performance will be the musical maverick Emily West who was recently featured on the hit show America’s Got Talent. Ticket prices range from $49 to $149. Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist…it’s no wonder that Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán – October 10
The first incarnation of the group Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán began in 1898 as a quartet, and over the decades (and into the 21st century) the ensemble would become one of the most important in Mexican music history. For five generations Mariachi Vargas has endured as the quintessential mariachi, appearing in more than 200 films and making numerous recordings.
Jake Shimabukuro – October 18
Ukulele virtuoso and composer Jake Shimabukuro will perform on Sunday, October 18 in Helzberg Hall. Ticket prices range from $21 to $59. Jake Shimabukuro has taken the four-string, two octave instrument to places no one has gone before, performing awesome music that ranges from jazz, blues, and rock to bluegrass, classical, and folk. His live concerts are an out-of-the-box blend of stunning virtuosity, deep musicality and a natural entertainer’s flair.
Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass – October 24
Host and producer of the radio and television show This American Life, Ira Glass will perform Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass in Muriel Kauffman Theatre. Ticket prices range from $39 to $69. The creator of the public radio show This American Life talks about his program and how it’s put together: what makes a compelling story, where they find the amazing stories for their show, how he and his staff are trying to push broadcast journalism to do things it doesn’t usually do. As part of this, Glass mixes stories from the show, live onstage, combining his narration with pre-taped quotes and music, recreating the sound of the show as the audience watches. And he Glass shares funny and memorable moments from the show, and talks about what was behind their creation.
Tickets to these and other events are available through the Kauffman Center Box Office at (816) 994-7222, the Kauffman Center’s mobile app or online at kauffmancenter.org.
– Megan Felling
