Wilkommen, bienvenue! Welcome to a brand-new schedule of artists for the 2017 – 2018 Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College.
From Broadway tours of Cabaret and Cinderella, to Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, William Shatner, Arlo Guthrie and more, the eclectic season will present more than 30 performances in the Carlsen Center’s Yardley Hall and Polsky Theatre.
William Shatner’s Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It gives “The Shat” an evening to tell us about his career, from Star Trek to Boston Legal and Priceline, in a TED Talk format. Or how about the Russian String Orchestra, Mariachi Sol de Mexico and illusionist Rick Thomas (who is rumored to do tricks involving a helicopter)?
This season marks the return of New Dance Partners, a project which commissions new works in dance from nationally known choreographers, who create for local Kansas City-based dance companies, Kansas City Ballet, Owen/Cox Dance, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance and, new this time, Störling Dance of Olathe, Kan.
Winter holiday shows will feature a perennial favorite of Carlsen Center audiences, Celtic band Danú, in a concert which will also feature The Kansas City Chorale. Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, who got their start in Independence, Mo., will appear in Yardley Hall around holiday time with their unique brand of modern, soulful folk. Stay tuned for a Game of Thrones parody, Musical Thrones; Complexions Contemporary Ballet; TAO: Seventeen Samurai, a spectacle of Chinese drummers in striking traditional costume, and more.
Emily Behrmann, general manager of the Series, says, “Out here in the county, we’re the only venue presenting artists from around the world. Our connection to the college allows us to look for performers that bring something unique, unknown or with an educational focus. Now, I know that sounds ordinary, but actually, it allows us tremendous freedom. We’re not stuck in one category, era or genre. We can offer an exciting mix of diverse performances for all ages. Our resources also allow us to partner with local arts groups on special projects, and to offer educational opportunities to the community.”
Winterlude, a jazz and world music collection of concerts, will again be held on one Sunday evening in October, December, January, February and March. Winterlude primarily shines the spotlight on local musicians, including Hermon Mehari, Matt Otto and Deborah Brown, but this year the group of events kicks off with nationally renowned jazz headliner Jack DeJohnette in a celebration of his 75th birthday with colleagues John Medeski, Larry Grenadier and John Scofield.
Season ticket packages are on sale May 8. Defined as a single purchase of any five events (or more), packages are 10 percent off regular price. An additional 5 percent discount is available to members of the Friends of the Series (starting at $50). For more information, call 913-469-4445.
If you prefer to purchase on an event-by-event basis, tickets for individual shows are also on sale Monday, June 5 at 10 a.m. To check out all the shows coming next season, visit www.jccc.edu/TheSeries.
–Emily Berhmann
