The Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College is set for a thrilling season of live performances. This fall welcomes the return of MTC Artists-in Residence, the Opus 76 Quartet with a Bridgerton-themed performance as well as the tenth anniversary celebration of New Dance Partners featuring world premiere works with local dance companies.
Performances in September and October include:
Music of Regency – on September 9th travel back in time to the Regency era of Jane Austen and “Bridgerton” with the “brilliant young string quartet” (London’s Spectator), the Opus 76 Quartet. Enjoy works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. Add high tea service after the 2 p.m. or before the 5 p.m. performance to complete the afternoon experience.
New Dance Partners returns September 15-16! Audiences will delight in a feast for the eyes as four new works premiere on Yardley Hall stage. For the 10th festival of contemporary and modern dance, the Midwest Trust Center has enlisted four choreographers to create original works for four local dance companies to perform at the world premieres.
This year, the collaborative partners are:
- The Kansas City Ballet, working with Gina Patterson
- Owen/Cox Dance Group, working with Norbert de la Cruz III
- Störling Dance Theater, working with Kyra Jean Green
- Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, working with Omar Román De Jesús
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert (September 22) Featuring a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, this performance pairs the Academy Award-winning animated film with live musicians and turntables featuring a DJ scratcher live on stage.
The Second City’s Comedian Rhapsody (September 29-30) is a brand-new revue featuring the best sketch comedy and songs from their history, new classics and, of course, their trademark improvisation performed by The Second City Touring Company’s best and brightest – and funniest!
Kansas City native, Mark Yonally, is the founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Tap Theatre. They will bring their original production Unleash the Beats to Yardley Hall on October 13. It’s a celebration of the best in tap dance, from historical pieces of the past to the innovative and compelling original work for which Chicago Tap Theatre is known.
With a reverence for their roots combined with a creative, contemporary edge, Rum Ragged (October 14) has quickly become known as the finest performers of their great living musical tradition. Rum Ragged takes a bold approach to the distinct folk music of their home, Newfoundland. Boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar and button accordion, these new champions of East Coast music enliven and enlighten audiences with their signature brand of Newfoundland folk.
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure comes to Yardley Hall October 19. This touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of 12-year-old Vita Flores. When a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Nobuntu (October 20), the female a cappella quintet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for their inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements.
Comedian Andy Woodhull (October 21) has appeared on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “Conan,” “Live at Gotham” and “The Half Hour” on Comedy Central. In 2014, he was the first comedian to make his network television debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” His Dry Bar comedy special on YouTube has over 9 million views. All five of his comedy albums are in rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio and his jokes have played over 40 million times on Pandora.
Purchase your tickets now for these performances that have just been added to the season!
- On Your Feet! (December 3) is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Featuring some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.”
- Comedian Gina Brillon (March 9) has appeared on “The View,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” as well as “Kevin Can Wait” and “The Conners.” In 2012, she became the first (and only) Latina winner of NBC’s Stand up for Diversity Showcase. Most recently, Gina was the first Latina comedian to be a Finalist in season 16 of “America’s Got Talent.”
To see the full list of shows in the 2023-2024 Season, visit jccc.edu/MidwestTrustCenter.
Ticket Information
Season packages and individual show tickets are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased online at jccc.edu/MidwestTrustCenter or by phone (913) 469-4445.
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Presents The Root
The origin of jazz lies in another great Black American art form: the blues. But the relationship that Kansas City jazz has with the blues is unique, maintaining a strong association throughout the past century.…
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