Indigo Hour in The Blue Room features drink specials, free live music, and the best Kansas City R&B and Neo-Soul acts every Friday night from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm. This week's Indigo Hour is hosted by vocalist Misha Roberts.
Misha is Kansas City’s own diamond in the spotlight. A native Texan with a background deeply rooted in gospel, jazz and blues, Misha listened intently to the sounds of Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to form her own unique soulful sound.
As a child, a house full of musicians made it easy to share harmony and hone her craft to mastery. Opening for Bobby Blu Bland singing Muddy Water Blues at the age of eleven started Misha’s yearning for the big stage. In 2013 Misha made the decision to live her musical dream and share her powerful gift as a full time musician. Her voice and its immense power has touched every ear since.
Singing for several bands around the Kansas City area as lead female vocalist, sparked a love for Show Band music. Misha also took mentorship with Kansas City’s Everette Devan and in the summer of 2014. Blues and jazz at the Green Lady Lounge Downtown Kansas City became home away from home.  In June of 2015 Misha joined Funk Syndicate and it is definitely a highlight of her career.
Misha has shared her talent and brought excitement to venues all around the Kansas City area to include 18th and Vine’s Blue Room, Danny’s, and The Juke House. Knucklehead’s and The Phoenix are Blues venues Misha regularly visits. Kansas City’s Midland and Starlight Theater are also venues where she has graced the stage.

Perhaps the most recognized ballet of all time, Swan Lake makes its highly-anticipated return to Kansas City Ballet after breaking box office records in 2016. This immortal love story involves a wicked sorcerer who captures the beautiful Princess Odette and turns her into a swan. His evil spell can only be broken when a young prince pledges his love and marries her. Should he betray her, she will remain a swan forever.

Choreography by Devon Carney after Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky
With Kansas City Symphony

Preston Portley is a pianist/vocalist. Born into a musical family, Preston was inspired to play by his mother, also a gospel pianist and vocalist. Growing up in church, Preston had a passion for music as a child. That would later be the source of branching out into other musical styles. Preston has accompanied a diverse group of bands/artist in the Kansas City area playing genres such as jazz, blues, funk, and gospel. You can frequently find Preston making regular appearances at the historic 18th & Vine District.

The 37th Annual Folly Jazz Series presents

Stacey Kent

Saturday, February 22nd at 8 PM

Stacey Kent brings her French, Italian, and German inspirations into her romantic music on her tour. With 7 best-selling albums, the 2001 British Jazz Award, and 2002 BBC Jazz Award (among many other awards), Stacey is an icon in romantic vocal jazz. Stacey is herself an avowed romantic, and the songs she sings are timeless stories that touch young and old alike, fulfilling a desire for sophisticated love songs that is not catered to by today’s pop music industry.

“Stacey Kent’s mezzo-soprano voice is a beautiful instrument for offsetting orchestral accompaniment, a fact that I KNOW I DREAM illustrates well. The orchestra, a 52-piece London studio assemblage, has a lushness that would smother Nelson Riddle – yet Kent cuts through it effortlessly.” – Michael J. West, Downbeat Magazine

BAND LINE-UP

STACEY KENT – VOCALS

JIM TOMLINSON – SAXOPHONE & FLUTES

ART HIRAHARA – PIANO

TOM HUBBARD – BASS

ANTHONY PINCIOTTI – DRUMS

The James Ward Band, a.k.a. The JWB, is a contemporary jazz and smooth jazz band. Their compositions also infuse elements of latin, R&B, fusion, funk, jazz, and gospel. The band formed in January 1997 at The Blue Room and continue to play across the greater Kansas City area.

Bandleader James Ward is a Kansas City native. He attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he studied Tuba, and played acoustic and electric bass. He has performed alongside Nat Adderly, Bobby Watson, Patti Austin, Jonathan Dubose, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Lisa Henry, and a host of other artists.  James also toured South Africa with Oleta Adams.

On May 12, 2007, the band released "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, which is still available on CD Baby, iTunes, eMusic, and amazon.com.

Louis Neal Big Band plays traditional big band music as well as contemporary hits. Comprised of five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, and a rhythm section, this big band puts one in the mindset of Duke Ellington or Count Basie.

The band was formed in the mid 1990s and consists of Kansas City’s finest jazz musicians. The band plays for notable venues in and around the Kansas City area such as the Blue Room on 18th & Vine and The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Comprised of industry veterans, the Louis Neal Big Band prides itself on professionalism and a high-quality performance.

For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a certain school of magic. But in this story, the sorting hat assigns us to the house of Puffs—where an owl informs an ordinary American named Wayne that he’s a wizard. Together with his school of magic pals – Oliver, Megan, and heartthrob Cedric – they wonder if conquering evil is in the cards for them.

The Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra is the premier Latin Jazz ensemble of the Midwest, and the only performance and education non-profit in the region dedicated to Latin Jazz, Afro-Caribbean and South American music. Founded and directed by Pablo Sanhueza, an international percussionist, and a mainstay in Kansas City since 2003, as a recording artist, educator and bandleader as well as an ambassador of Kansas City music in Latin America. In 2019, Pablo was endorsed by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz as well as the Chilean Office of Culture in Arica, Chile. KCLJO is both a high-performance ensemble and an educational institution of Afro-Caribbean and South American jazz through which three generations of Kansas City musicians have acquired the fundamental cultural competence and immersion necessary to comprehend and honor this cultural legacy.

Some of the Afro-Cuban and World music legends with whom Sanhueza had the fortune of spending his formative years are Jesus Alfonso, Sandy Perez, (Muñequitos de Matanzas) & Felipe Villamil (Master artist at National Endowment for the Arts), Congolese masters musicians Titos Sompa & Mabiba Boegne, Brazilian Mestre Carlos Barrao (Axe Capoeira), Senegalese drummer choreographer Fara Tolno, Zimbabwean choreographer, percussionist Rujeko Masango and Composer-Saxophonist Bobby Watson, and shared the stage with Poncho Sanchez, Dave Valentin and hosted the Folly Jazz Series Artist Talk with Pedrito Martinez in December 2019 . Among his peers, and musical collaborators for over a decade are Latin Grammy Award Winner Mauricio Salguero and Peruvian vocalist Jackie Zamora. Pablo has distinguished himself as the foremost exponent of Latin American and Caribbean music across the Midwest--and declared as “KC’s heart and soul of Latin music” by Jazz Ambassadors Magazine and The Kansas City Star.

The Blue Room will have drinks specials from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, which include $4 beer, wine and wells and $6 margaritas.

Indigo Hour in The Blue Room features drink specials, free live music, and the best Kansas City R&B and Neo-Soul acts every Friday night from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm. This week's Indigo Hour is hosted by vocalist Lady D.
Lady D began her musical endeavors at the early age of 8 in church choirs, local gospel groups and countless talent shows.  In her late teen years she recorded a gospel album and appeared on the infamous Bobby Jones Gospel show. In addition to her gospel background Lady D has always been involved with exceptional music projects.  Through the years she has appeared on several recordings and opened for the likes of Roger Troutman & Zapp, Brian McKnight, Najee and Peabo Bryson to name a few.
Her musical style is an eclectic mix of jazz, R&B and blues.  Her sets are sprinkled with a smooth mix of them all. Her smile is contagious; her interaction and ability to get the crowd involved is outrageous!  True to herself and the music she loves, Lady D is a well-rounded, professional entertainer. She prides herself in always being surrounded by the best and most talented musicians and vocalists.

Matthew Halls, guest conductor
Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director
Karina Gauvin, soprano
Krisztina Szabó, mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Phan, tenor
Tyler Duncan, baritone

F.J. HAYDN Symphony No. 102
JAMES MACMILLAN Sinfonietta
BEETHOVEN Mass in C

Esteemed conductor Matthew Halls returns to lead the orchestra, Symphony Chorus and guest vocalists in Beethoven’s early, transcendent Mass in C. Haydn’s delightful Symphony No. 102 is jam-packed with surprises — especially the fun ending. James MacMillan’s Sinfonietta transports listeners “from the tranquil to the visceral and back again.” Don’t miss this stunning feast for the senses as you’re fully immersed in the superb acoustics of Helzberg Hall.

Max Groove is one of the pioneers of the smooth jazz style that has dominated the airways and captivated countless listeners for years. He has twelve internationally released CDs, three in the top twenty Billboard Jazz.  His current release “Night Owl” has his signature urban smooth jazz sound while showcasing his innovative Funky jazz structures.

Along with Garland Smith on drums, and Clay Johnson on bass, they bring their world of sound, melody, and emotion to the stage, a refreshing combination of original and contemporary jazz that guarantees to satisfy the most avid fan.

Over the years, national tour appearances with performers such as Joe Sample & the Crusaders, the Temptations, Four Tops, Peabo Bryson, Count Basie, Chaka Khan, Jeff Lorber, Ronnie Laws, Joan Armatrading, Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Marcus Miller, Dave Koz, and many other greats have added to the reputation of “The Groove."

The Kansas City Symphony is delighted to present an accomplished guest soloist in this special vocal workshop with two area music students on stage in Helzberg Hall. Our guest soloist is in town to perform Beethoven’s Mass in C with the Kansas City Symphony. This event is perfect for all vocal students and performers.

Saxophonist Gerald Dunn has been featured in bands with Illinois Jacquet and Bobby Watson. He plays an inventive, contemporary sound and knows how to capture an audience’s attention. Pianist Everett Freeman has toured with Oleta Adams, performing with a deliciously intricate yet fluid grace. There are few Kansas City jazz musicians whom drummer Michael Warren hasn’t backed. The Jazz Disciples give him unique opportunities to stretch. Bassist DeAndre Manning provides a solid footing.

Bring your instrument and sit in at the weekly Blue Monday Jam Session – or just take in the sounds of one of Kansas City’s best jam sessions. Each Monday night begins with a set by a featured ensemble and then we open the mic to interested musicians. Doors open at 5:00 pm, live music starts at 7:00 pm, jam session starts at 8:00 pm. Arrive early to sign up! This week's Blue Monday Jam Session is hosted by vocalist Millie Edwards.

The diminutive Kansas City vocalist Millie Edwards, is occasionally introduced to audiences as "the little woman with a big voice." She has always been drawn to music throughout her life, even when it wasn't the focus of her professional career. She minored in music at Ottawa University in Ottowa, Kansas. During her studies there, she became deepling influnced by American composer Aaron Copeland, whom she had the honor of meeting when he visited Ottawa. It was Copeland who first urged her to pursue singing. Nottingham was named in Ingram magazine's "50 Missourians You Should Know" list in 2016. Edwards is equally adept at belting out cabaret, pop, blues and jazz material.

Organist Cameron Carpenter will return to Helzberg Hall, making his third appearance at the Kauffman Center since 2012. In this unique performance, Carpenter will accompany the film screening of Buster Keaton’s famous silent comedy The General on the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875.

With his exceptional musicality, sheer endless technical ability and pioneering spirit, Carpenter is already leaving his mark on recent music history. A former child prodigy, Cameron Carpenter trained at the American Boychoir School, the North Carolina School of the Arts and has two degrees from The Juilliard School. He holds the 2012 Leonard Bernstein Award, is the first solo organist ever nominated for a GRAMMY Award for a solo album, and has appeared with many of the great orchestras around the world. He has spoken and debated at conferences including TED, IdeaCity, The Entertainment Gathering, and more. In 2014, Cameron launched his International Touring Organ – a monumental cross-genre digital organ built by Marshall & Ogletree to his own design. Cameron’s latest album, Rachmaninoff & Poulenc, is a live recording with the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra released in April 2019 on Sony Classical.

Tickets for Cameron Carpenter range from $29 to $59, plus applicable fees.

Kendra is living every black mother’s worst nightmare: her son is missing, it’s four o’clock in the morning and she’s at the police station trying to find out what happened. The officer working the nightshift is useless, her husband isn’t picking up his phone and the speculations are beginning to consume her. This explosive new drama examines our nation’s racial divide through the eyes of parents searching for answers.

Karita Carter

Karita Carter was brought up and schooled in an all-musical family in Kansas City, Kansas. Karita played piano,violin,cello and bass until she was introduced to the trombone by her junior high school music instructor. From that time on to the present, playing the trombone has opened the door to many wonderful musical experiences. She has participated in musical events that have featured both local and national artist within the world of Jazz, R&B, etc. Her intentions are to continue to expand on her musical experiences in all genres.

Heat Index

Heat Index is a horn-and-guitar-driven, contemporary jazz-funk group that offers a funky R&B showcase when the performance requires it.  The band combines fresh original music with extraordinary fusion remakes, resulting in their wide audience appeal.  As Wayne Henderson, the funky trombone playing leader of the Jazz Crusaders once said, “Just because it’s jazz, don’t mean you can’t dance”. Heat Index's music reflects that statement.

Indigo Hour in The Blue Room features drink specials, free live music, and the best Kansas City R&B and Neo-Soul acts every Friday night from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm. This week's Indigo Hour is hosted by pianist/vocalist Desmond Mason.

Desmond "D. Professor" Mason is a musician and producer based out of Kansas City, MO. In addition to jazz, he plays hip-hop, gospel, soul, R&B, and other genres.

That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody is a brand-new show that parodies classic “Golden Girls” moments—with puppets!

Get set for an evening of cheesecake, laughter, jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex, and the elegant art of the quick-witted put down.

From Sophia's get-rich-quick schemes, to Rose's tales from St. Olaf, Blanche's insatiable hunt for men and the Fountain of Youth, and Dorothy's daily struggle to make sense of her life, devoted fans will fondly remember our four girls from Miami—and for the first-timers, this will be a joyful introduction to the brilliance of that television series.

This show is intended for adult audiences. That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody contains sexual references.  

"Keeping alive the classic and lesser-known works of Broadway is an important part of Quality Hill Playhouse's mission. When we dedicated two entire seasons to looking at Broadway decade by decade, season ticket sales expanded exponentially. We’ll celebrate that growth with a look at Broadway then – and how it has changed since we opened 25 years ago!" ~ J. Kent Barnhart, Founder and Producing Artistic Director

From “All Aboard For Broadway” to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC to WONDERFUL TOWN, we’ll celebrate the best of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and everyone in between.

A storyteller, accompanied by a live musician, unravels Mary Shelley’s iconic 200-year-old science fiction novel as a haunting and heartbreaking cautionary tale like none other. That this tale is as important today as it was then, speaks to the human condition. “We tell stories because they teach us we’re not alone in our misery, or our fear – or in our joy. And while this story is fictional, it comes from a place of real pain, real loneliness, and real confusion over what it means to be alive.”